What in the world is happening?
Nyros witnessed everything, but he couldn't move—not under the overwhelming aura of Tharamis. Still, he heard that dark, terrifying voice, and he was sure now: Kael wasn't normal. Maybe he shouldn't even be involved with someone like him.
And yet… Kael wasn't to blame for any of this. He was born in that prison, lived his entire life within its walls. He had never seen the light, had never known the world. In many ways… he was like him.
That's why Nyros had made a decision. He would become Kael's friend. He would help him navigate this cruel world.
But that would never stop him from chasing his own ambition. He would do what he must—no one would stand in his way.
Tharamis, on the other hand, knew very well what Kael's ability was. If Kael truly descended from that one, then the power was clear.
"Let me confirm it " Tharamis thought.
He raised his finger, and a red light shot toward Kael. It entered Kael's chest.
Kael flinched, surprised—but the light was calm. He felt it move through his veins like a gentle current.
Then suddenly, a mark appeared above Kael's heart: lines gathering around a circle, and within that circle… a strange symbol that began to glow red.
Kael stared at it, astonished. Then something even stranger happened.
He looked at Tharamis—and saw countless black lines inside him.
Then he turned to the Silent Keeper… his lines were a mix of red and black.
Then to Nyros, lying behind him… bright red lines shone from his body, vivid and alive, reaching toward Kael.
Kael felt hunger.
No… it wasn't hunger. It was a terrifying desire.
Saliva began to drip from his mouth.
He knew exactly what he wanted.
He wanted to take that bloodline.
To steal it.
To kill Nyros.
To tear him apart like a mad beast.
Nyros looked at him with concern. Kael's face looked terrifying—his eyes wide and unfocused.
But Nyros misunderstood it as worry, and smiled kindly, lifting his finger in a small gesture.
Kael clutched his head.
I'm losing my mind… I want to kill him—he's the only one who's been with me, the only one who ever laughed with me. Have I gone mad?!
But the desire didn't vanish.
It still devoured his thoughts.
And now, voices began to multiply in his mind—distant, approaching, whispering horrific things:
"Bloodline…" "Pure…" "Delicious…" "Kill…"
The words echoed in every corner of his mind.
Kael slammed his head against the ground—again and again—screaming in pain, trying not to obey.
Trying not to give in.
Nyros saw it and gasped, his eyes widening.
"Kael… what's happening? Kael!"
Kael's screams grew louder as he forced himself to stand.
Tharamis watched, his hand still glowing, the mark still shining.
Then he frowned deeply.
It really is that one… Damn it. Why did I ever create something like this?
He looked at Kael and cut the energy. The mark disappeared instantly, and Kael collapsed.
The voices in his head faded… until they vanished completely.
He lay still, eyes wide open. Even though the voices were gone, he remembered them.
He would never forget.
The terror was worse than anything he had ever known.
He started to tremble.
Nyros crawled toward him, struggling, and grabbed him by the shoulders, shaking him.
"Kael! Kael, can you hear me?! Tharamis, what did you do to him?!"
Tharamis looked at Kael, who was trembling uncontrollably.
"This is his true ability… but he didn't let it activate—for your sake."
Nyros didn't understand. His head was spinning from Tharamis's pressure.
"Kael's bloodline… it allows him to take the bloodlines of others. But he stopped it—for you. That's why he might go insane now."
It began to make sense.
The Black Blood chose Kael.
His awakening had been late.
And now, Kael was holding himself back… to avoid harming Nyros.
Nyros thought about forcing him to use it… but no.
He had his own goals.
He couldn't do this.
He clenched his teeth in frustration, unable to find a solution.
Kael might never be the same again.
"I'm sorry, Kael…" he whispered, eyes shut, hugging him tightly.
******
Kael was now sitting in a world of total darkness.
He couldn't even see his own hands.
The voices swirled around him, gnawing at his soul.
He was trembling, terrified.
He knew… he could end this pain.
All he had to do was step forward.
But he also knew—if he did, he would vanish.
He would lose himself.
"Hello, Zek'arun," came a voice.
It was among the others, but it wasn't like them.
It was… human.
Gentle.
"Who are you?" Kael asked, unmoving.
Suddenly, something stood before him. He couldn't see it—but he felt it.
"I'm the voice," it said.
Kael stopped trembling for a moment.
He knew that voice—the one that had always called him that name.
"What do you want now? Did you come to wish me dead again?"
A soft laugh.
"Haha… no. That one—that voice—is your bloodline. I'm the one who created it."
"You… You're the voice who spoke about the drop?"
"Yes, that was me. So, Zek'arun… will you take that step forward? Or do what the others whisper?"
"I won't do what they want," Kael said, his voice steady.
"If moving forward is the only way… then I'll do it."
"Good," the voice replied.
"Then let me show you something. We don't have much time."
"You're not empty," it said. "You're something the world forgot. I was the first to create this bloodline. They didn't forget me… but they try to. Haha, Fear shapes everything."
Then Kael felt a hand on his chest.
"Now—feel this place."
Kael obeyed. He had nothing left to lose.
He closed his eyes and focused.
And slowly… he saw it.
Four red threads, tangled tightly.
"I see… four red threads, twisted together."
"Good. Now try to separate them."
Kael tried.
They were bound tightly, like a puzzle.
Each time he failed, they returned to their original state.
Minutes passed. Or maybe eternities.
Then… he did it.
The threads split.
Two shot to his arms, the others to his legs.
A strange power flooded his body.
And suddenly, memories—not his, but the man he killed—surged through his mind.
But this time… they felt like his own.
He memorized them perfectly.
And in them, he learned what this bloodline could do: it enhanced physical strength massively.
The horrifying voices disappeared from his mind.
"Thank you," Kael whispered.
"I feel it now."
He saw the gentle smile of the voice in the darkness.
"Well done, Kael."
"Now go forward. Don't fear anymore. You are my heir. You will be the strongest. Forge the path you desire."
Kael had been sure this step would destroy him.
He was afraid he wouldn't be able to keep going.
Afraid of obstacles.
But…
He stepped forward.
And in that moment—everything disappeared.
Nyros was holding him tightly, face buried in his chest.
"Ah! Kael!" Nyros gasped in shock.
"You're back!" he cried, hugging him so tight Kael could barely breathe.
"Nyros… I'm gonna die," Kael wheezed.
But Nyros wouldn't let go.
Tharamis watched, and a faint smile touched his lips.
"So… you haven't lost your humanity yet, old friend."