Gloomwrath

The bully saw him and could not say anything.

He gave his shoulder for support in his condition.

One step at a time. One breath at a time. That's how you survive.

Neubis limped heavily, his body torn and bloodied, his wounds still fresh and raw. He barely had the strength to move, but he needed to hold it together just for a little longer. Every step was a struggle, the pain from his severed limbs and internal injuries pushing him to the brink of collapse. 

Three mercenaries appeared.Two of the mercenaries approached, their expressions shifted from wary suspicion to a mixture of concern and confusion. They had been on some sort of mission, but the sight of Neubis this bloodied, broken boy stopped them in their tracks. The air around them was tense as they sized him up, trying to figure out just who this child was.

One of the mercenaries, a burly man with a thick scar across his face, was the first to speak. His eyes narrowed as he looked at Neubis. "What happened to you, kid? You look like you've been through hell."

Neubis struggled to steady his breathing, forcing himself to speak despite the agony coursing through his body. "You... you must've seen the bodies."

The mercenaries exchanged a glance, confusion and suspicion crossing their faces. "Bodies?" the scarred man asked, his tone harsh. "What bodies?"

Neubis let out a shuddering breath, keeping his voice as steady as he could. He wasn't sure how much longer he could keep up the act, but he couldn't afford to fail now. "My friends... they were killed. Murdered by a psychopathic child. I barely survived the attack."

The woman mercenary stepped forward, her expression unreadable, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword. She didn't seem convinced, but she didn't dismiss him either. "What are you talking about, kid? What happened to your friends?"

Neubis winced, his body protesting every movement. He fought through the pain and tried to force the words out, pretending to remember the horrific scene. "We... We were close. But one of the kids... he just snapped. He killed them all. I couldn't do anything to stop it. I... I chased after the killer, but when I got to the forest, he attacked me. I barely managed to escape. My friend" he gestured weakly toward the bully, who was still standing off to the side, silently watching "my friend carried me out of the forest after that."

The scarred mercenary didn't seem entirely convinced, but the woman mercenary's eyes flickered with recognition. "I... I think I've seen some of the bodies you're talking about," she said, her voice thoughtful. "There were children's bodies found in the streets recently. They were... torn apart, brutally murdered. But there was no sign of the killer. Maybe... maybe that's who you were after?"

Neubis nodded rapidly, his voice a bit shakier than he intended. "Yes, yes! That's it. He's the one. The psychopath who killed them. I barely escaped with my life." He leaned heavily on his good leg, his hand clutching his ruined arm. "My friend saved me. He carried me out of the forest when I couldn't walk anymore."

The mercenaries exchanged another glance, their expressions still skeptical but no longer filled with the same suspicion. The woman mercenary took a step back, her brow furrowed in thought. "If what you're saying is true... then you're lucky to be alive, kid."

Neubis felt a flash of relief. His story was taking hold. He had them right where he wanted them.

"Please," he added, lowering his voice to a pained whisper. "I don't know what else to do. I'm just trying to survive."

The scarred man nodded slowly, his eyes softening. "We'll get you help, kid. We'll get you back to safety." His voice carried a sense of finality, as though the situation had been resolved. "But you've gotta tell us more. Who was this kid who attacked you?"

Neubis forced a bitter smile, his heart hammering in his chest. "I... I don't know. All I know is that he's dangerous. He's a psychopathic killer. I couldn't stop him. I barely made it out alive."

The woman seemed to hesitate for a moment, but then she nodded. "Alright, kid. If what you're saying is true, then we'll help you. But we need to know more."

Neubis's eyes narrowed, knowing that he couldn't risk them digging deeper. He had to get away. He had to escape before they figured out who he truly was.

The mercenary leader, observing the tense exchange, nodded slowly, as if considering Neubis's words carefully. Then, with a sudden, authoritative voice, he addressed the two mercenaries. "I will ensure the kids' safety. You two head on inside the forest.I will handle the rest."

The scarred mercenary and the woman exchanged wary glances, but they seemed to understand the gravity of the situation. With a final glance toward Neubis, the scarred man gestured for the woman to follow him as they began walking toward the dark expanse of the forest.

Neubis's eyes followed them, watching every step they took, his hands trembling. His body was broken, bruised, and battered. But his mind was clear, and the desire for blood was all-consuming.

As the two mercenaries walked past him, Neubis didn't hesitate. His injured body screamed for him to stop, but he forced himself to move, using his friend's shoulder as leverage to push himself up. Every motion shot pain through him, but the sight of the mercenaries' retreating forms pushed him forward.

Neubis acted.

He leaped from his position, grabbing the rock from within his clothes, and launched himself onto the scarred mercenary's back. The moment he landed, he sank his teeth into the mercenary's neck with brutal force, blood pouring from the severed arteries as the man gurgled in shock. Neubis didn't let go his grip tightening as he tore into the man's flesh, severing his head with savage strength. The head fell with a sickening thud, its body crumpling to the ground in a heap of lifeless flesh.

The woman mercenary spun around in disbelief, her hand already reaching for her weapon, but Neubis was faster. His bloodied hands gripped the jagged rock with desperation. With a quick, fluid motion, he hurled the stone at her. It struck her in the neck, the sound of bone snapping echoing through the still air. She fell to the ground, her eyes wide in shock, her weapon clattering uselessly by her side as her life drained away.

Neubis stood over her, panting, his chest heaving with effort. His body was falling apart, but the triumph of the kill surged through him, pushing him forward. He didn't care about the leader anymore. The man had seen everything, but he was irrelevant now. Neubis had no more use for him.

With a final, bloodstained glance at the leader.

As the lifeless bodies of the two mercenaries hit the forest floor, the mercenary leader, Ridalsch, stood still, his eyes locked onto Neubis with a look of pure admiration. The sight of the blood-soaked young boy, standing amidst the carnage with a savage glint in his eye, made him lower his gaze slightly. In a rare act of humility, he slowly bowed, the triangle scar under his eye becoming evident as he tilted his head.

Neubis noticed it immediately the triangular scar that marred Ridalsch's face. It was no ordinary scar; it had been etched with a blade, symbolizing his allegiance to the wielder of the Dark Heart Cross. Neubis had read about this symbol in the ancient texts he had studied. The leader of this mercenary group was not just any common soldier he was part of something much darker.

Ridalsch straightened up and spoke with a mix of awe and respect. "I've never seen such intelligence and strength in a child. You truly are something... extraordinary."

Neubis said nothing, only narrowing his eyes. He was tired, his body racked with pain, and yet the words coming from Ridalsch only fueled the cold fire burning within him. Power. He craved it, and this leader this follower of the Dark Heart Cross had just unwittingly acknowledged that Neubis was on his way to mastering it.

Ridalsch took a step forward, his gaze unwavering. "I am Ridalsch, and you, boy, are unlike anything I've ever encountered. No wielder has ever exhibited such wit and strength, and your ability to deceive... impressive."

Neubis didn't respond, his mind already turning. The mercenary leader's respect meant little to him now. It was his own ambitions that mattered. The pieces of the puzzle were falling into place, and soon, very soon, Neubis would carve his path to power.

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A brief flashback played in Ridalsch's mind, the events unfolding in a darkened room in the castle. He had been called to report on his findings, along with the two mercenaries who had now met their end in the forest. The ministers were gathered around a large wooden table, their faces grim with concern.

"They've already been to the Aphoban estate," one of the ministers said, his voice sharp and deliberate. "We can no longer ignore the child's power. He is cursed. A child possessed by the Dark Heart Cross."

A murmur of agreement rippled through the room as the ministers exchanged nervous glances. The Dark Heart Cross was a weapon of unimaginable power, and the boy in question had been marked by it since birth.

One of the older ministers leaned forward. "We need to act quickly. Before the boy grows too powerful. The mercenaries are already on their way to find him, but we need to ensure they don't fail."

At that moment, Ridalsch had made a quiet decision. He had been listening intently to the ministers' discussion, and something about the way they spoke about the boy's potential troubled him. They spoke of him as a mere threat to be dealt with. But Ridalsch knew better. He saw through their shallow understanding of power. The boy's strength had been underestimated, and the mercenaries had no idea what they were really up against.

He had planned to deal with the two mercenaries himself. They were still alive back then, and their incompetence made them expendable. But after watching Neubis in action, after witnessing the boy's cunning and ruthless efficiency, Ridalsch knew something. He didn't need to kill them Neubis could do it himself. The boy was far more capable than anyone had realized.

Ridalsch's lips curled into a smile as he looked down at Neubis, the memory of the castle conversation now fading into the background.

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"This is-"

He stopped at a particular page, his eyes narrowing as he read the contents. A ritual. A forbidden one.

The Brainwashing Ritual.

His finger traced the ancient script, and the meaning became clearer with every passing word. According to the book, the Dark Heart Cross had more power than just the obvious destruction and manipulation it could bring. There was a more insidious ability it held within: the power to control the will of others completely. It was a ritual that required the victim to drink the blood of a Dark Heart Cross wielder. But that wasn't enough. The victim had to hear the words of the wielder, their very commands whispered into their ears as they drank the blood, sealing the ritual's power.

Once the ritual was complete, the victim would be bound to the wielder's will, their mind completely dominated, following whatever commands were given to them until the day they died. It would be the perfect way to control someone without resistance, to turn them into a puppet.

However, there was a heavy cost. A deep, unavoidable price. The wielder of the Dark Heart Cross, upon completing the ritual, would have their power locked for a period of five years. They would not be able to draw upon the Cross' abilities during this time, left weakened and vulnerable. But the ability to control another would remain, far more dangerous than any temporary loss of power.

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The sun had just begun to set, casting long shadows over the dense forest as Neubis and the bully stood at the edge of the woods, Ridalsch watching from a distance. The mercenary leader's eyes were keen, studying Neubis with an unreadable expression, as if curious about what the boy would do next. Neubis could feel his gaze, but he was too focused on the task at hand. The ritual needed to be done now.

Neubis turned to face the bully, his expression cold, determined. The forest behind them seemed to hold its breath, the air thick with anticipation. With the blood of the Dark Heart Cross still dripping from his hand, Neubis stepped closer to the bully. The boy was already shaking, fear in his eyes, though he had no idea what was about to happen.

"Drink," Neubis commanded, his voice as sharp as a blade.

The bully hesitated, but Neubis was swift. He grabbed the boy's jaw and forced his mouth open, pressing his blood-soaked palm against the bully's lips. The boy gagged at the taste of the thick, dark liquid, but Neubis held him in place. There was no room for resistance now.

As the blood was forced down the bully's throat, Neubis could feel the ritual take shape, the dark power beginning to coil and bind around the boy's mind. The forest around them seemed to grow still, as though even nature itself recognized the weight of the act being performed.

Neubis stepped back, taking a deep breath. His body ached from the battle earlier, but this was more important. He focused his mind, gathering the words that would seal the boy's fate.

"YOU ARE NEUBIS APHOBAN!" Neubis commanded, his voice carrying the full weight of the Dark Heart Cross, reverberating through the air.

The bully's eyes widened in confusion, his body trembling violently as the words forced their way into his mind. He tried to speak, to resist, but it was too late. Neubis was in control now.

"And you will say I am Neubis Aphoban forever."

The bully's mouth opened, but no words came out. Neubis's gaze hardened.

"All sentence is forbidden, whether spoken or written. The only thing that should come out of your mouth is 'Neubis Aphoban.'"

Neubis's voice was cold, unyielding. The bully's body was shaking uncontrollably now, his hands clawing at his throat as if trying to stop the ritual from sinking in, but it was futile. The power of the Dark Heart Cross could not be fought, and the more the bully struggled, the stronger Neubis's control grew.

"Now, who are you?"

The bully's face contorted in pain, his mind warring with the words being implanted into it. His eyes flickered, confusion clouding his expression, but then the power of the ritual broke him. Slowly, like a puppet with its strings pulled, his mouth opened.

"I am... Neubis Aphoban."

Neubis's lips curled into a cruel smile. The boy was no longer his own person. He was a servant, a puppet bound to Neubis's will. The ritual was complete.

The bully stood there, motionless, his expression blank. His identity had been erased, replaced by the singular, unshakable truth: he was Neubis Aphoban.

Ridalsch watched all of this, his eyes narrowed. Neubis knew the mercenary leader had been observing with interest, but he showed no sign of surprise or disapproval. Instead, Ridalsch merely nodded, as if acknowledging Neubis's power.

"Impressive," Ridalsch said, his voice carrying the weight of respect. "I've never seen anything quite like it."

Neubis didn't reply. He simply turned away from the bully, his gaze focused on the forest, the dark magic still humming in his veins. There was still much to be done, and his plans were far from over. But for now, this was a victory, a small step toward the power he would one day control.

The ritual had worked. The bully was now nothing more than a vessel of Neubis's will, bound to him for eternity.

Neubis didn't look back. He didn't need to. The boy, the mercenary leader, and the forest everything was just a part of the game he was beginning to play. The pieces were set, and Neubis was no longer a child. He was something more.

Ridalsch took out a small vial from his pouch, a strange, black liquid swirling inside. He poured it over the bodies, and with a few quiet words under his breath, the flames seemed to intensify, the fire roaring higher as the mercenaries' bodies were consumed even faster. The scent of burning flesh grew stronger, and the bodies twisted and cracked in the heat. Ridalsch remained calm, watching as the last traces of the two mercenaries disappeared into the flames.

"They're gone," Ridalsch said, his eyes flicking briefly to Neubis. "No one will find them. No one will know how they died."

Neubis nodded, a slight, satisfied smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. The mercenaries were disposable. It didn't matter that they had been sent to hunt him down. They had outlived their usefulness and were now nothing more than fuel for the fire. Ridalsch was efficient, as always.

The leader stood tall, his eyes focused on Neubis as he spoke again, his voice carrying a hint of respect. "You've done well, child. You've proved your worth, not just to me, but to yourself. The Dark Heart Cross is not a power easily wielded, but you have shown that you are ready."

Neubis's cold gaze met Ridalsch's. The leader's words had an odd finality to them, as if he were acknowledging something important. Neubis felt the weight of the statement, but he didn't let it faze him. He was used to people underestimating him, thinking him weak because of his age. But no more. He would show them all what he was capable of.

"I am ready," Neubis replied, his voice steady, almost emotionless.

Ridalsch gave a small nod and turned back to the fire, watching the last of the mercenaries' remains turn to ash. "Yes," he said, as if speaking to himself. "You are. But there is more to come, much more. You will need strength. Power. Control. And I will be here, guiding you when the time is right."

Neubis didn't respond. His eyes were already on the forest ahead, his mind moving forward, thinking about what came next. He had the power now, but it was just the beginning. He had only scratched the surface of what he could become, and nothing would stop him from achieving his goals.

The fire continued to burn, the bodies slowly disappearing into the flames. And with it, Neubis felt the weight of his new path settling in. He had taken the first step on a long and dark journey, and now there was no turning back.