Listening to Mathew's detailed story stirred a profound anger within Dinis—a feeling he thought was reserved only for the memory of losing his parents. The world's injustice unfolded in his mind like a trigger, igniting his rage and desire to punish those who had turned a child's life into a nightmare.
"Show me where they are now..." Dinis said, his voice low and laden with determination.
Mathew guided him to a small basement in the poorest area of Dordot, where the group of criminals who exploited him gathered. Dinis's anger overflowed, pulsating through his veins, and that night, the basement became the scene of a relentless massacre. Human remains were scattered across the floor, and a man, crawling among the bodies of his companions, begged for his life.
"Please, man, I don't even know you. If you want money, just tell me how much, and I'll get it for you!" the man pleaded, desperately trying to negotiate.
Dinis approached, his eyes cold and impassive.
"Choose: hand or eye?" he asked, holding his blade with precision.
The man, panicking, tried to argue, but Dinis didn't wait. With a clean cut, he severed the man's hand at the fingers. A scream of pain reverberated through the basement. The man, now disoriented and in panic, extended his other hand in a silent plea for mercy. Dinis responded swiftly, cutting off the forearm of the second hand.
Watching the man writhing in pain on the ground, Dinis felt the emptiness in what was once a threatening figure. The criminal, who used intimidation to maintain power, was now nothing more than a pathetic being, crawling for compassion.
"I'll give you a chance to get out alive. You have one minute to reach the door," Dinis said in a threatening tone.
The man, gathering all the strength he still possessed, tried to stand and take the first step but was interrupted by the sound of metal cutting through the air. In a swift movement, Dinis severed both of his feet, leaving the man fallen again on the ground, while incessant screams echoed through the space.
In the end, the basement plunged into silence. Dinis left the place and set fire to the basement before leaving, ensuring that nothing remained of the scene to traumatize Mathew if he ever returned there. The news about the group of criminals killed in a fire soon spread through the village.
Mathew, upon learning of what had happened, ran to Dinis, his gaze determined and full of hope.
"Please, take me with you! I promise to do my best. I only ask for a chance to be trained as a Sentinel. I swear I'll give my life to be useful!"
Dinis sighed, observing the little boy. He knew that Mathew's pure heart would not survive the challenges and choices a Sentinel faces.
"Boy, don't take it the wrong way, but you cannot become a Sentinel. And with the heart you have, you wouldn't even be able to kill a wolf."
Mathew, however, insisted stubbornly.
"Give me three days! I'll prove to you that I'm worthy. I just need that."
Dinis considered, reflecting on what had happened in recent days. He realized that the time invested in listening to the boy and helping him had already been greater than he planned, but he agreed.
"All right, boy. That's about how long I'll stay in the village. Prove to me that you have value, and I'll take you with me."
Mathew, elated, promised to do his best. Dinis then returned to his investigation, using the next two days to gather information. The descriptions of the creature he hunted were vague: a quadruped beast, as big as a bear, moving like a dog but with features that varied from two heads to horns and claws.
As he continued his search, Dinis occasionally thought of Mathew, although he believed the boy wouldn't attempt anything reckless. At dusk on the third day, it was time to depart, and Dinis and Everard mounted their horses to continue the journey.