"Arrgh!" A low but piercing growl sounded.A few minutes ago, a poor young man had just been buried alive by his half-brother.That day had been his happiest day; he had just received his college entrance exam results, and for the first time in like forever, Elias was sincerely pleased with himself.But that was and had been just a fleeting thought, and just a few hours into the future, the poor young man had been lying in his grave, taking in his last breaths as he fought for the little oxygen in the cramped-up space.Finally his strength had deserted him, and so did his breath and his sanity too.Elias had been dead just a few minutes before but now.A dark and ominous mist began rising from the virgin soil towards the air above.Inside the wood coffin, his eyes suddenly opened.As they did, a red hue like the setting sun shone brightly from the two sockets like beacons."Arrgh!" he let out another growl.Above the mist had spread through the entire area as the sky darkened.The phenomenon was observed by the numerous guests gathered at the Blackwood estate with hesitation and derision; a chill ran down everyone's spine as conversations ceased or were whispered.
Arthur and his wife stood facing the vast area around the mansion, a bad feeling coming over them.Catherine raised her eyes and stared at him without a word.All of a sudden, she clutched her chest as she let out a painful moan.
"Are you okay?" Arthur grabbed her as he asked.Catherine didn't say a word, but her eyes told a pretty different story from what she conveyed—maybe fear, maybe something else?"Thump, thud, thud!" A continuous banging sound rang through the area.With each effort, the damp soil was recently displaced.With a last sharp sound, which rang out like a bullet, the soil exploded out as chunks of wood and earth flew in the air.The air went still, the lightning stopped, but the sky still retained its dark, ominous hue.The world seemed to hold its breath; even the breeze ceased its gentle whisper across the landscape.Then, in one swift moment, a hand—shaped like a razor-sharp claw—burst forth from the earth, fingers curling as if grasping for life itself.Gradually, a head emerged, matted with soil and decay. As those crimson eyes caught the fading light, thunder rippled through the sky, and ominous lightning struck the horizon, more violently than before, illuminating the grotesque scene below.A figure leapt from its earthen prison, tattered garments hanging from its frame, hair wild and tangled like a nest of vipers. The being's skin bore the pallor of something long deprived of sunlight, stretched taut over angular features that barely resembled humanity.Motionless, it stood for several heartbeats, then jerked its head from side to side, scanning the surroundings with predatory alertness. Its chest expanded as it drew in a deep, rattling breath.Upon inhaling, the creature appeared to consume the very darkness and malevolence lingering in the air. In the next instant, the atmosphere cleared, returning to normalcy as though the sinister presence had never disturbed it. The transformation was jarring—evil one moment, serenity the next.The afternoon sun broke through once more, casting golden rays across the landscape while a warm breeze caressed the newly disturbed soil.This creature—this mockery of a man, if indeed it could be called such—tilted its head skyward, eyes narrowing against the light it seemed to both crave and despise. Memories of darkness and confinement flickered behind those eyes, hinting at a tormented existence."So..." it rasped, its voice like stone scraping against metal, carrying the chill of the grave from which it had emerged. The word hung in the air, pregnant with unspoken malice and confusion."This is it?" it grated, its question directed towards no one in particular."What is this, weak body?" It slapped around itself as if confirming that it was still there."Don't tell me..." its voice began to break."No, no, no!" it raised its voice and screamed into the distance.The man clasped his head and released a piercing scream that reverberated through the mountains and echoed across the distant valleys. Collapsing to his knees, he continued to howl in agony as crimson light blazed from his eyes, shooting skyward in a brilliant beam.
The heavens darkened once more, angry red clouds gathering overhead while scarlet lightning slashed through the atmosphere. His anguished cries persisted as memories flooded his consciousness, each recollection more painful than the last.Nearly a full minute passed before he finally quieted. As his turmoil subsided, the tempestuous sky seemed to respond to his calming presence. He slumped forward, his chest heaving with labored breaths."Oh, so that's..." he stammered between gasps, struggling to process the revelation."That's how it is?" Shaking his head in disbelief, his expression shifted from confusion to contempt."How pathetic of humans," he growled, his voice growing clearer as he adapted to speech. "Torturing one of your own, your own blood—how utterly wretched." His features contorted into a dark, menacing scowl."I shall avenge you, poor boy, losing your life when you were just beginning to live it," he mumbled with an eerie sadness in his tone. "Thank you for this frail, pathetic body of yours. If not for you providing this awakening channel, I—"
He left the thought unfinished, his mind racing elsewhere."But how did I end up in such a situation?" he pondered aloud. "Something must have happened, something went terribly wrong, or—" His eyes narrowed in suspicion.
"Someone sabotaged this. But who?" His expression darkened further, shadows deepening across his face."Don't worry," he murmured, his voice low and tense. "I'll handle them once I've settled the scores here."
His head twitched unsettlingly, yet fierce determination ignited in his eyes. "Now, Blackwoods, just wait for me. I'm coming for you."
With that ominous promise, he turned and began limping away, each laborious step bringing him closer to the imposing mansion looming in the distance, its dark silhouette cutting sharply against the twilight sky. Each step left a crimson foot expression on the perfectly trimmed grass.
Another bolt of red lightening streaked through the sky an ominous breeze wheezed through the atmosphere, the sky darkening once more.