PROLOGUE

“Don’t waver! Stay on guard! Keep your eyes open!”

Within the darkness, I crawl in as their nightmare.

Slash. “Aaaarrrghhhh!”

“He’s here! He’s here—Arrrrrggghhh!”

Clank! Clank! Stab.

The cries of the dying souls, a melody of despair.

“Oh God! Oh God!” 

“Mother! Mother! Please... please... please...” 

Slash. Slash. Stab. 

“Kkkeeeuk—”

Their hopes and prayers shattered, begging to spare.

Huff. Huff. “Captain! Half the guards are already dead!”

“Where are the wizards?! Use detection spells to spot him!”

“They—they’re dead, sire! He... he hung their heads on that pillar.”

Gasp. “Oh Lord... have mercy on us.”

Feasting the eyes of the weak with terror and fear.

“Patriarch! We need to move from here!”

“Why hasn't anyone caught him yet, Commander? Where are the wizards?”

“He annihilated the wizards, My Lord! We need to evacuate!”

“Impudence! Where’s Arkain?! Where is he?”

“He is...”

Devouring their blood with judgment by the steel.

Thud. “Tha—that’s the Champion’s head! The Champion is dead! Arkain is dead!”

“What should we do, Captain?!”

“... Klein!”

“Yes, sire!”

“Report this to the Commander... run as fast as you can. Tell him we will hold him off as long as we can. Go!”

“Understood, sire!”

“The rest of you! It’s an honor to fight with you to the very end!”

“For Groimor!”

The crowd shouts. “For Groimor!!!!”

The Reaper of life, honor, and will.

Pant. “Commander! My Lord!” Pant. “The Champion is dead! The Captain—” sob. “The Captain is holding him at the Hall!”

“...”

“Dear! Please! We must move now!”

“Mama... Mama... what's happening, Mama?”

“It’s okay, child... we will be safe!” sob “Dear! Please, let’s move!”

“...”

“Patriarch! Let’s move! To the secret path!”

“He... he’s already here...”

Step. Step. Step.

“...The Kin-Slayer is here!”

The Slayer from the Dark...

“Why are you doing this to our House? We’ve done nothing wrong!”

Step. Step. “I’m just doing my job, My Lord.”

Unsheathe. “Stop right there! I, Sir Brennon of Groimor, the Commander of House Groimor, will protect this house until my last drop of blood!”

Gaze. “Good. Then I swear... I will annihilate every member of this House. Every. Single. Person.”

“Please! Spare my son! He’s just a kid!”

“We will pay you more! Please, spare us!”

“Sorry, My Lady. My Lord. It’s just business.”

...For the tainted gold of tears.

“Haaaarrrghh!” Clank. Clank. Stab. “Keeeeuukk—”

“NO!! PLEASE—” Slash. Thud.

“DEAR!!!! NO—” Stab.

“Mama!!! Mama!! Arrggh—” Slash. Thud.

MERCILESS