Ezekiel remained standing, his thoughts a complete mess.
Their intense stares sent chills down his spine, but he forced himself to keep calm.
He saw it all—their hatred, disgust, and greed. Pain was assured, death denied.
Slowly, he walked down a short fleet of stairs, his feet trembling as they caressed the ground. His dirty leather boots were vanquished long ago, leaving his feeth barren to the hazards of life. He resisted sharp rock edges, silently walking around the open space.
Raphael's words repeated in his ears: befriend your comrades, and train your hardest.
Their faces weren't friendly, brows knitted and scowls hardened. Ezekiel didn't know what he was doing at this point.
Some of the guards exchanged dark glances, lips moving subtly as they conversed amongst their ranks. Ezekiel picked up on their statements, ears ringing in despair.
"Hey, didn't the boss say we can treat him however way we want? I say we beat him half to death right now," one of the guards said, hands shaking under the weight of excitement.
"Come on. What are we waiting for? It's been so long since I've beaten someone as weak as him. Let's do this already!" Another replied, fists shaking by his sides.
"Didn't you see what happened? That brat, his powers are far more dangerous than you're giving him credit for. He fought Len till he was half-dead, only to show what he was truly capable of in the end and finish him off," a different guard commented, folding his arms as he leaned backwards. "Unless you wish to push your luck, be my guest."
"Elyas, you're being far too paranoid. Len was a weakling from the start. His loss shouldn't be too surprising. But you? For you to say something like that, I don't suppose you're scared of this runt," The previous guard questioned, his tone laced with quiet challenge. His name was John, a vampire with short scruffy hair and a magnificent build. His position in the Abyssal Gang was towering, being one of the few seated just below the the three brothers in terms of power.
Elyas' figure was just as imposing. It seemed a handful of guards were built as towering sentinels, presence communicating the weight of strength. His silver clothing shuffled in the gentle breeze, long black hair dancing like slithering shadows.
He snorted, fingers tapping against his elbow as he shot John a dark look. "Mind your tongue, else risk loosing it," he sneered, eyes glistening with power. "Don't get carried away in the midst of bloodlust, John. Keep spouting such nonsense, and an eternal wound is assured for you." his eyes shifted back to the young vampire shuffling helplessly amidst the wretched crew.
"He's young, but he possesses just as much fire as any of us. Perhaps given enough time, he'll truly become a force to be reckoned with," he muttered to himself, eyes burning like twin emeralds.
Meanwhile, Ezekiel's gaze slowly turned to face the guard. His eyes reeked of hesitation, but his posture appeared straighter, more assured. His voice cracked as he spoke, words suffused with strained resolve.
"That, I can assure you," Ezekiel uttered, clenching his fist as he raised it in the air. "I have no plans on remaining weak, so you don't have to worry about that," he added.
Elyas averted his gaze, lips twitching. Words escaped his mouth, this time inaudible to the young vampire.
Ezekiel frowned, lowering his hand. Teeth clenched, he spotted an empty corner off to the side, his steps carrying him there as he contemplated his next move. As he walked, the guards' vision still trailed him, chilling statements corroding the air like dense smoke.
His back hit the wall, sliding down as his vision pierced the ground. His head dug into himself, feet curled forward. Moments later, thoughts began to drift.
'What do I do now? I have to kill to grow stronger, but it's clear these guys won't let me more around freely,' Ezekiel contemplated, steeling his fists. 'Plus, if I go against their orders, I'll be in for pain, perhaps even a lot more than I've already experienced.
'That guard, Len, he was just one guy. I only managed to beat him due to sheer luck and sacrifice. But everyone else? I know damned well I won't be so lucky.
'It took five years of my life just so I could beat that guard. What'll I do the next time I'm in a death match? Do I gamble whole life away just for victory? What about my goal? What about avenging mother's killer?' His head rose, veins stretching across bulging pupils like crude outlines.
He then ran a shaky hand through his hair, pushing it down to cover his eyes. The strands grazed his eyelids, a hulking figure stepping forward through narrow openings.
'Crap.'
Ezekiel's heart thumped like wild drums. He shot to his feet instantly, body off-balanced. Eyes darted rapidly, pleading for safety. His thoughts broke off the next moment, and his legs sprang forth.
Fast. He moved faster than he ever did. Dust kicked up as he sped up, rushing randomly across the open space, sanctuary eluding his grasp with each sickening second.
"There's nowhere to run, brat," the guard bellowed, his grin stretching further upward. Crimson eyes pulsed with desire, sparks flying carelessly from clenched fists. "Remember what the boss told us. We can treat you as we deem fit, as long as we don't go overboard. Just consider this as part of your training, and take it like a good boy," he added, lunging forward.
"Seems like Jarul has decided to act out. I just hope he doesn't get carried away and kill the brat," John said, scratching his head. "The boss really has his eyes set on this one. I'm certain he won't let disobedience slide with a mere tap on the wrist. Blood would be demanded to satiate blood."
"Indeed. Especially since conflict has escalating with the Devil's Flames, the boss wants to see just how powerful this strange one can become," Savier replied. He was another high-ranking member of the gang, long length of hair cascading down his head like dark rivers. His crimson eyes were narrow and slanting, their depths teeming with sickening bloodlust.
"I suppose we just have to watch and see. Besides that, I wonder what that brat's power are. Orange? I've never seen blood magic like that. How about you, Savier?" John asked, scratching his head.
"Neither have I. He appears to be a strange one, that's for sure. He smells like a vampire, but his powers are different. He must be a different type of mutant, though I can't be certain," Savier replied, eyes focused on what was transpiring.
Soon enough, the conversations died down, and all were invested in the struggle taking place.
Blood magic cracked by Jarul's sides, his heart building with anticipation. His eyes trailed Ezekiel like predator studying prey. He didn't attack right away. Instead, he waited, words withheld. He looked on as the young vampire burned through his energy, despair latching deeper to his soul as futility became evident.
'...Was I wrong for taking this path?' The thought suddenly spawned in his mind, face covered in sweat as dreadful faces zoomed past him. He was within dangerous grounds, cornered and rendered helpless. Had his thirst for vengeance truly lead to his doom?
'No, I can't think that. All of this was inevitable. If I didn't choose this path… then we would've ended up dead sooner or later. At least now… now I can fight. Now, I can work my way up, build myself till I'm strong enough to fight back. I can do it. I can fight. I can survive!' He declared to himself, panting as his stamina diminished. 'Even if I am broken a hundred times, I'll rise a hundred and one. Even if I'm shattered a thousand times, I'll just keep on rising. Nothing can keep me down forever, so I have nothing to fear!'
Several minutes passed, and soon, Ezekiel dropped to his knees. His breathing was ragged, hair drenched in sweat as he bent over. He replayed those thoughts endlessly in his mind, grinding his teeth as heavy steps came in his direction.
"Tired already?" Jarul asked, towering above him. "I thought you had more left in the tank. Guess I was wrong," he raised one hand in the air, summoning his blood magic. The crimson aura coated his fist, granting it strength beyond regular standards. Then, the next second, he brought it down.
The motion was a blur, the air hissed. Ezekiel's spine shattered as the blow connected, eyes bulging through sockets as blood gushed from his mouth. His screams were just as dreadful, fatigue fading from his eyes as he tremored in pain.