Kren nodded and looked at Atrox. He stared at him for so long that Atrox began to think the man wouldn't answer, but then he said, "Your will. You will pledge yourself to our organization. Where we direct, you will go. What we say, you obey. That is the price you'll pay for the power we plan to give you."
"And I'm assuming I have no choice in this. You plan to force me whether I agree or not. That was your plan all along—to make me into a slave you can use," Atrox accused.
Kren shrugged lightly. "There's no denying that. Look at it this way: we'll give you power and save you from death. In return, you submit yourself to us."
Atrox gave it deep thought. From what he'd pieced together, he knew he wouldn't survive past the Squire rank as a Forbidden Mark Knight. Either the other Knights would hunt him down, or he'd turn into a monster—a corrupted. And even though he didn't know exactly what that was, he was sure it was something he didn't want to find out.
