Chapter 7: Pact with the killer

 Two days passed.

Ren was still shaken by the events. He walked around the village with his gaze downcast, unable to shake off that constant feeling...that fear of being judged. Or, worse, forgotten.

The sun had barely risen when an uproar broke the monotony of the morning.
A group of men walked through the entrance to the village. They were dressed like the guards who had died during the attack...but this time, they were not alone.

Behind them moved giant creatures with black, scaly bodies, resembling a grotesque cross between spiders and snakes. They slithered with an eerie hiss as their metal legs scratched the ground.

The boy's eyes widened. “W-What are those creatures...?”

But no one answered.

In fact, no one seemed to have even noticed them with fear. The crowd suddenly erupted in a roar of excitement.
"Lucius!"
"Lucius!!!"
“Lucius!!!”

That name...resounded like a familiar song to the people. But to Ren it was completely new.
“Who...?”

From within the group advanced a man on horseback. Tall, tanned, dressed in a black shirt open across the chest and tight brown pants, he dismounted with a theatrical leap. He wore a manicured mustache and a sleek, well-combed haircut. His every movement seemed designed to attract attention.

“People of the village!” he shouted in a ringing voice, spreading his arms wide. “Here I am! I heard the tragic news...the death of my father, Zaro...what pain...what immense pain!”

That man...was that Zaro's son? “He looks nothing like him...”

Lucius continued to speak, but his tone was anything but sorrowful. In fact, he seemed to be reciting a play script.

"Fortunately, I was already on my way to this village...as if fate had guided me here. And now that I have arrived, well...it is my duty to take my rightful place. From now on...I will be the new leader!"

The crowd erupted in applause.

Ren stood motionless, unable to comprehend whether it was all real. But the worst was yet to come.

“Ah, I almost forgot...there's something I have to do first,” said the man with an icy smile. “I've been told that there is a certain Ren here...someone who has caused quite a bit of trouble in town...and perhaps...even the death of my father.”

A sudden silence. The crowd opened up like the waters of a river. The gazes all turned in one direction. Toward the boy.

He stiffened, unable to move. “Wait...what's going on...?”

Lucius stared at him with icy eyes.
"Oh, so it's you...Ren. Still young, I see. But capable of hurting even my father? Very admirable indeed. Or maybe just...disgusting."

He took a step back as he tried to defend himself. "He-hey, it's not what you think! I didn't do anything! There are witnesses! Everybody knows that-"

But-no one said anything. Just silence. Only fear. Only cowardice.
"W-Why...don't you say anything? Help me...!"

“Guards, arrest him.” Spoke the chief indifferently, as if ordering him to bring food.

"Yes, sir!"

Two soldiers approached. Ren tried to run away, but it was useless. A violent blow to the head caused him to collapse to the ground as blood trickled down his forehead.

"Well, this is it." Lucius had a cheerful voice. "Take him away. The people need justice...and I'm here to offer it."

As he was dragged away, his vision began to blur. The voices, the laughter, the stares...everything became distant, like a confused dream.

“It's not fair...I...I just wanted to...help...” And then...darkness.

The floor was freezing cold. An iron smell of blood and mold filled the small cell. Ren slowly opened his eyes, his head still heavy, his forehead aching from the blow he received.
“Where...am...?”

He struggled to get up, clutching his arms from the cold. His body was stiff, as if he had slept for days. But the worst came when he heard laughter.
"Oh, what a nice awakening...good morning, young lady! Ahahaha!"

Ren gasped. In front of him, on the other side of the bars, was Lucius. Standing there, looking smug, and that arrogant smile digging into his face like a mask of pure madness.

“W-What do you want from me...?” he murmured, taking a step back.

"Oh, nothing much... In fact...maybe I should confess something to you. A little secret between friends. You know all those deaths? The dead bodies ... the screaming ... the chaos in the city? That's it ... all my doing. Mine and my very loyal soldiers. Ahahahah!"

The poor prisoner stood petrified. His blood froze in his veins. "...Was it him...? All...all this time...!"

“How could you...” he stammered in a cracked voice "...how could you kill your father?! You monster!"

Lucius ran a hand through his hair, as if he were listening to a joke.
"I understand your reaction, it's so...naive. But let me explain. This village...needed me. My father? He was just a wreck. An old man who talked about peace, ideals and justice...pff! Pathetic. His time was over. Now it's my turn to lead the future."

The young man clenched his fists, trembling. "You can't say such a thing! Zaro was a good person! He protected this village with his whole self...!"

But the man sighed. "That's right. Far too good. And that's exactly why he died. This world doesn't need goodness, it needs control. Of strength. And those who disagree with me ... well ... will die. Without a chance to speak. Without apology."

In that narrow cell his blood boiled, he felt a strange sensation. Disgust. Anger. But also helplessness.
"You can't...you can't really think of ruling like this! This is terror, this is not leadership!"

But the man approached the bars, and for a moment his gaze turned cold. Lethal.
"Shut up. You are in no position to lecture. I'm here to offer you a choice."
"W-what do you mean?

"Simple. You could become my ally. We will train you, make you one of my guards. We'll teach you lethal techniques...you could become powerful, feared. Or...you can refuse. Then you will be publicly executed. Slow, painful punishment, and in front of everyone. What will you choose?"

Ren lowered his gaze. His heart hammered in his chest. This was all wrong. It was all crazy. Yet-he was trapped.

But in that mental chaos, one thought emerged. "If I die...no one will protect the village. No one will expose Lucius. I must...resist. I must deceive him."

"...All right."

Lucius raised an eyebrow, he thought convincing him had been more difficult, but instead it had been far too easy.
"Hmm?"
"I accept. I agree to...work with you. But on one condition."
"Oh? Interesting. Do you think you can make demands?"
"You will not touch the people of this village. No one. Not a single hair."

For a moment, silence fell in the cell. Then the man smiled. A long, cruel smile.
"I would have told you that you can't make rules. But ... I'll pretend you had a glimmer of power, just this once. I accept."

He extended his hand beyond the bars. "So? Do we have a deal?"

The boy stared at him, hesitated...then shook his enemy's hand. "I'm sorry, Zaro...I can't fight him now. But I will find a way. I swear."

"Good!" exclaimed Lucius with satisfaction. "Then...release him. I have much to teach him."

Two guards approached and opened the cell. Ren, his heart in turmoil, took his first steps out of the prison.

This was not freedom. It was the beginning of his personal hell.