Everyone was shocked by Amadeus's courage to face death without fear. "Such bravery from such a young child is amazing," said High Priest Archibald.
"Don't mistake my actions for bravery. Death with my family is much better than living with this human trash," Amadeus spat, disgusted by the villagers' actions.
The villagers bowed their heads in shame and guilt as Amadeus walked past them. "Amadeus, we are sor..." one of the villagers began, but he was silenced by a deathly glare full of rage and hatred from Amadeus.
Amadeus continued walking towards his mother. "You say you're sorry? I don't want your pitiful apologies, you worthless shit," said the soul inside Amadeus as dark shadow began to cover more of the light.
Celestina hugged Amadeus as soon as he reached her. "Amadeus, don't worry. Everything will be fine," she said, trying to hold back her tears and forcing a fake smile.
"Yes, Mother. As long as we are together, everything will be okay," Amadeus replied, rubbing his mother's hair to calm her down.
"Amadeus... my son, I am sorry," Celestina said as her tears started to fall uncontrollably.
"Why are you apologizing? It's not your fault," said the soul inside Amadeus, and the darkness completely covered the light.
The two minotaurs began moving to cover all exits, ensuring no one could escape. "Now, shall we start the sacrifice ritual?" said High Priest Archibald, opening his arms and casting a spell.
[Altar of Sacrifice] chanted High Priest Archibald.
A giant golden magic circle appeared on the ground, its intricate patterns and symbols glowing with a radiant light. The circle expanded, covering the entire area with its luminous presence.
In the center of the circle stood an altar made entirely of mana. The altar shimmered with a translucent, ethereal glow, its surface smooth and flawless. The mana that formed the altar pulsed rhythmically, as if it were alive, waiting for the sacrifice to be placed upon it.
"Well, this is very exciting. Who should I sacrifice first? Maybe..." High Priest Archibald began, but he was cut off by Alexander.
"Me. Start with me," Alexander said.
High Priest Archibald responded with a demonic smile. "So, you want to play the hero until the end?"
"I am no hero. I am just a father who couldn't protect his wife and children," Alexander said, broken and depressed, unable to lift his head to face his family.
"Then please, Baldwin, will you do the honors?" said High Priest Archibald.
"Sure, it's about time we finish this," said Paladin Baldwin, his menacing voice sending chills down the spines of everyone present.
Alexander was teleported from his chains to the altar, where his hands and legs were bound. This was one of the effects of the spell, allowing the user to teleport anyone inside the circle directly to the altar.
Paladin Baldwin, a tall huge man around 200 cm with a strong, muscular build, approached with confidence. His golden armor shone brightly, covering him from head to toe. The emblem of the god Alpha was engraved on his chest plate, showing his divine loyalty. Baldwin's face was hidden by a helmet, adding to his intimidating presence.
As he stood above Alexander, Baldwin drew his greatsword from his back. The sword was decorated with golden carvings that glimmered in the light. Although it looked new, it had clearly seen many battles, with small marks and scratches along the blade. Baldwin held the greatsword firmly, ready to fulfill his duty. He gazed down at Alexander, prepared to deliver the final blow.
"Tell me, do you have any last words?" Baldwin asked, looking at the broken Alexander.
"Celestina, Thomas, Beatrice, Elizabeth... Amadeus, forgive me. I couldn't protect you because I am too weak. Please forgive me," Alexander said, squeezing his teeth in anger, tears of regret and shame falling from his eyes.
Celestina covered Amadeus's eyes as Baldwin raised his great sword. " my sovereign of the beginning Alpha, take this loyal follower into your warm light as an offering from us to bless our journey to defend your realm from invaders," Baldwin prayed, his great sword gradually being covered with golden light.
As Alexander's head rolled on the ground, a scream broke the silence. "Alexander, noooo!" Celestina screamed in pain as her husband's head rolled on the ground. Screams and cries filled the air from Alexander's family.
"Mom, covering my eyes won't make a difference. I still hear the screams and cries, and most importantly, the sound of my father's head being cut and falling to the ground. If this is it, then at least I will die with my family," Amadeus said, while his family had a mental breakdown around him.
"No, this is not it. I can't just die," said the soul inside Amadeus as the dark smoke became denser and started turning into a liquid.
"Next," Baldwin said, looking at the family.
"I will go. Elizabeth, cover your brother's eyes," said Celestina. She was teleported to the altar, and Baldwin repeated the same words before cutting her head.
Amadeus could feel his sister's hands shaking as their mother's head rolled on the ground. "Everything is going to be okay. It isn't like I could do anything," Amadeus told himself.
"Nothing is going to be okay," said the soul inside Amadeus as the dark liquid started to cover him, beginning with his legs.
"I will go first, sister. We were born together, and for sure we will meet in death. Just don't leave me alone for too long," said Beatrice, trying not to show her fear.
Beatrice was teleported to the altar and executed by Baldwin. "Brother, can you take my place for me? I am going to meet our sister," said Elizabeth.
Elizabeth was teleported to the altar and executed by Baldwin. "It's almost my turn, and all this will end. This nightmare will end," said Amadeus.
"Death will not be the end of this nightmare," said the soul inside Amadeus as the dark liquid reached his chest.
"Look, little brother, promise you won't open your eyes no matter what happens," said Thomas as he took his hand off Amadeus, who was still closing them.
Thomas was teleported to the altar. "Sorry, brother, I can't keep this promise," said Amadeus as he opened his eyes. There he saw Baldwin execute his brother, and his head rolled to the ground where all the bodies of his family were thrown.
"Nooooooooooo!" Amadeus screamed with all his power, nearly losing his mind from what he saw.
"Nothing is going to be okay, and death will not be the end of this nightmare because I won't let it end, not before I take my revenge," said the soul inside Amadeus. The dark shadow began to swirl and envelop the soul, its form shifting like a living entity. It seemed to pulse with a life of its own, a sinister force that threatened to consume everything in its path.
As the shadow covered the soul completely, a set of two red eyes emerged, glowing with an intense light. They pierced through the darkness, radiating pure hatred and rage.
With a roaring scream, the shadow began to shift and contort. The creature that emerged was a grotesque amalgamation of shadow and fury, its body covered in a slick, black substance. Its muscles bulged with unnatural strength, and its claws were sharp and deadly, ready to tear through anything that stood in its way.
Outside, Amadeus had entered a berserk state, launching himself at Baldwin with a primal fury. "Kill, I will kill you all! I won't forgive a single one of you!" he screamed and cried, his voice raw with emotion. He hit Baldwin's armor with his bare hands repeatedly, each strike sending shockwaves of pain through his shattered and bleeding hands. The sound of bone cracking and flesh tearing filled the air, but Amadeus felt nothing but the burning need for vengeance.
Now, Amadeus was not in control; it was the soul whose rage overwhelmed him. "Hm... such words from a child. You are more like a demon than a human," Baldwin said, his voice cold and mocking. He grabbed Amadeus's head, squeezing it tightly as he lifted him to his face to have a good look. Baldwin's eyes were filled with a cruel amusement as he watched Amadeus struggle, his lips curling into a sadistic smile.
"You bastard, I won't forgive you, no matter what. I won't forgive," Amadeus said, his voice strained as he tried to break free from Baldwin's grasp. His eyes burned with a fierce determination, even as his body weakened.
"Child, you should never say what you can't do. Then your words will be more worthless than air," Baldwin said, his tone mocking, then he placing Amadeus on the altar.
As soon as he was laid down, shackles made of golden light materialized, binding his neck, legs, and hands to the altar. The chains glowed with a divine radiance.
"Any last words?" Baldwin asked as he lifted his greatsword in the air.
"Yes, I have last words. You, High Priest Archibald, I will kill you 100 times, no, 1000 times, or maybe millions of times, or billions. I will make you beg for hell as it will be better than what I will do to you. And you, Paladin Baldwin, I will cut off one of your arms and one leg and both your eyes to turn you into a crippled man begging on the street," Amadeus said with a demonic smile and tears made of blood.
"Hm... so you will turn me into a crippled man? Child, what did I tell you before about empty words?" Baldwin said with a little smile.
" my sovereign of the beginning Alpha, I offer you this child, a loyal follower. I hope you accept him and bless us in our mission to protect your realm," Baldwin prayed, and his great sword was fully charged.
Amadeus gave High Priest Archibald and Paladin Baldwin a good look, ensuring he would never forget their faces. The memory of their cruel smiles and mocking eyes burned into his mind
As Baldwin's great sword came down, cutting through the air, it finally reached Amadeus's neck.
And with that, everything became dark, and the soul inside Amadeus fell into an endless abyss.