Ezeikel Stormwing was now part of the Abyssal Gang.
The obsidian mark clung deeply to his flesh, burning shut gaping blood vessels and tissues.
"Now you're worth looking at," Raphael smiled with satisfaction, stepping away from the fallen vampire. "Stand proud, you are one of us now."
Raphael then gestured to his siblings, and they walked to his sides.
"Meet us at the base once you're well rested. We have a lot to discuss," Raphael ordered, and right after, they vanished, legs travelling swiftly through several buildings in seconds.
Ezeikel was left alone—beaten, claimed, and utterly exhausted. He winced in pain, both from the mark and earlier injuries.
"Curse my luck…" Ezeikel coughed out blood, eyes squinting shut as he gripped his chest. He hissed as his fingers lightly touched the mark. "I've basically sold my identity for life. But I guess it doesn't matter now. Vengeance is far more important to me than this pathetic life I have, anyway."
Ezeikel laid flat on the ground, aching eyes staring into the dark sky. His thoughts trailed off, but soon, the sounds of weak chuckles wafted through his ears.
His head turned. There, the five street dwellers exchanged nefarious glances, their crooked steps echoing off the ground like a misaligned tune.
"Guess the tables have turned, haven't they?" One of them spat. He was an old man, teeth heavily chipped and darkened. His breath carried forth the stench of rot and despair, eyes beaten ceaselessly by the ruthlessness of life. But now, laying before him was a chance to let out the frustration that he carried for so long. He feared that his life would be taken eventually. Wasn't it poetic that he was now the one on the giving end of punishment? To take the life of his potential killer… it sounded far too good to be true.
"Pathetic… not too long ago, they were squirming for their lives, but now-" Ezeikel paused, realizing he was merely repeating what Raphael had already pointed out. This was a world of kill or be killed. One just had to be fortunate not to be on the receiving end
He gritted his teeth as he willed himself to move. However, the five malnourished vampires had already covered the distance. With a shaky hand, the old man hoisted an object in the air. A sharp piece of wood. With all the strength he could muster, be brought it downward, aimed straight at the mark.
Pain erupted in Ezeikel's body once more.
His head shot back, striking the ground with force. A concussion followed, but he barely managed to resist. He screamed, begging at his body to move. His eyes glanced at his fingers. Movements were present, but just barely. He had already taken quite a beating from Raphael. If he didn't manage to get away soon, he'd be done for.
The old man smiled, pleased with his work, but not yet satisfied. He pulled with all his strength, managing to rip the wood from Ezeikel's chest. A wave of blood poured out from the stab, pooling beside him. His heart race quickened as he gazed at his own blood. He saw his mother's face in it, smiling even as her life slipped away right before his eyes.
"I… refuse to die!!!" Ezeikel roared, but his body remained passive. The blood flow persisted, and his consciousness began to recede.
"Hahaha! This is fun!" The old man mussed, bringing the wooden spike down once more. Ezeikel's screams paused as the object invaded his throat, ravaging his vocal cords as the street dweller twisted it further within.
It was a nightmare manifested into reality.
Weakened, his blood loss accelerated. No matter how much he strained his throat, no sound came out. Instead, he was simply quicking his own departure from life.
"Get away from him!" A coarse voice tore through his anguish. It was the last thing he heard before his vision fully faded, and his body stopped moving.
"Eh? Who said that?" The old man asked, twisting his neck left and right. Before he could register what was going on, a punch connected with the side of his face, knocking him off his feet as he collapsed to the ground.
The other street dwellers shuddered as they saw the newcomer knock down their comrade in a single blow. Right away, they scurried off, leaving their friend to face this new threat alone.
However, Kennedy decided to ignore the old man as he rushed to his son's side. Seeing Ezeikel in such a terrible condition… it pained him deeply. With a sombre expression, he placed his hands around him, lifting him up from the ground. He gently placed his ear to his chest, and heaved out a deep sigh after confirming he was still alive.
'How miraculous. This boy is really full of surprises,' Kennedy thought, smiling to himself. But then, his scowl returned as he glared at the mark branded on his chest. Vertical eye, curved horns—the mark of that wretched gang.
Kennedy's thoughts were a mess, but for now, he knew what was best. With rushed steps, he carried his son away from whatever dangers might be lurking in the streets at this hour. Their enclosure beaconed as their sanctuary at this point in time.
Meanwhile, back at the Abyssal Gang base…
"Haha! That boy was really an idiot. Did he actually think I'd let him go scot free after causing such a mess?" Raphael asked, whisking a glass of bioluminescent blood in his hand. "The nerve of that kid. Running around killing vampires left and right. This is my town. If he wants to act like the ruler, he'll have to go through me first!"
"You said it, brother. Still, for a second, I actually believed you were going to let him join so easily? I was taken aback," Jay added, sipping from his glass. "Glad it was just a feint. I would've had to beat the hell out of that brat myself of you were lenient with him. Can't have an arrogant nobody running around thinking he's special."
"Yeah…" Darion muttered, twirling his glass in his hands. His eyes remained fixed on the dining table, lost in thought.
"What's the matter, Darion? You seem perplexed. Penny for your thoughts?" Jay asked, smirking as he flipped a gold coin in the air with his other hand.
"It's nothing. Just… years ago, when it was my turn to collect the tribute, I stumbled into this house where there was a family and their son. Since they weren't able to pay the tribute, I killed the woman, and told the son that if he wishes for vengeance, he should come seek me out when he's ready."
Jay chuckled as he listened to the story.
"So then, that brat we met. He's the boy you're talking about?" Jay licked his lips as he gripped the coin firmly in his grasp. "What a nice twist of faith. We can crush him before he sprouts any bothersome seeds."
"Remember," Raphael interrupted, placing his glass on the table. "He has the mark. If he chooses to betray us, his life ends. Unless he's crazy enough to risk it, we have nothing to worry about." He took a pause, then continued. "Besides, even if he decided otherwise, we'll simply put him down. Just like we dealt with the Dark Kings."
Jay nodded in agreement. Meanwhile, Darion let out a light sigh.
"What seems to be the matter? Seems like there's more on your mind than you're letting on. Come on, don't keep us guessing," Raphael said.
"It's just that… I miss her. I miss her a lot," Darion soon replied.
"You're talking about that Rachael girl? Well, buddy, I feel your pain, but what's done is done. Remember, you killed over a hundred vampires in your fit of rage, that should be more than enough to even the score," Raphael explained. "Also, don't forget, they're other girls out there. Your options are many, but how about refraining from desecrating their family instead? I'm surprised that girl didn't commit suicide after what you did to her mother."
"Truer words have never been spoken, brother. Darion really has a good eye for picking women," Jay added, shaking his head.
"You may just be far more deranged than me, Darion. Even i couldn't bring myself to do such a thing to the girl I loved," Raphael mussed, trailing his hand through his hair. "Odd, but I guess I shouldn't judge."
"Remember, they failed to pay the tribute. That's why I did what I did," Darion replied.
Raphael gave him a knowing smile.
"Say what you want, but we both know you would've done the same if that wasn't the case. Perhaps far worse, even. Didn't you do all of that because you were trying to break the girl down psychologically? I'd expect nothing less from a deranged lunatic like you."
In the midst of their chatter, a series of knocks were heard coming from the entrance, gaining their attention.