As the sun began to rise, Gal Gan and Datan arrived at the gates of King Hira's kingdom. Their journey had taken several hours, as the mountain they came from was quite far. Wasting no time, they entered the gates.
King Hira ruled over thousands of citizens. Among them were farmers like Gal Gan, who came to sell their harvests.
The place slowly came to life. The townspeople began opening their shops and preparing for a new day. Armed royal guards made their rounds to check the kingdom's condition.
After several minutes, Datan faced King Hira, who was busy reading letters from the Emperor. He was draped in bright-colored robes and adorned with alluring rings. A quiet guard stood by his right side.
The king's residence was grand. The eye was filled with the richness of its details. The decorations were unlike anything Gal Gan had seen in his entire life.
As Datan and Gal Gan stand before the throne, Haring Hira absentmindedly tosses scraps of meat to a large raven perched on the armrest, its beady eyes fixed on the newcomers. The bird swallows the offering with an unsettling speed, its gaze never leaving them. The king doesn't even glance at it, lost in his own thoughts
Gal Gan and Datan knelt in respect before the king.
Though Gal Gan did not show it, he was nervous. What if the king disliked him? What if he said something wrong—would he be executed?
"What brings you to my kingdom?" asked the king, irritation in his voice. Perhaps his annoyance came from the letters sent by the Emperor.
"Oh king, please grant us a little of your time to hear what I have to say," said Datan. He and Gal Gan stood and stepped closer to the king.
"Stop right there! One more step and you will regret it," warned the king's loyal guard.
"Your Majesty, just as you ordered last month, I have found someone for your experiment," said Datan.
Gal Gan turned to Datan at his words. Something didn't feel right. He couldn't quite grasp what Datan and the king were talking about, but he chose to trust Datan.
He silently prayed that his worst fears would not come true.
Was Datan truly helping him, or was he merely seeking favor from the king? Gal Gan couldn't help but doubt.
"He is the one we'll use for the experiment? Did you force him?" asked the king, his eyes sharp and piercing as he looked at Datan.
"No, Your Majesty. This man willingly volunteered to be part of your experiment," Datan answered, his voice trembling.
"Is this true?" the king asked Gal Gan.
"I only want to avenge my child and my fellow villagers who were slaughtered days ago. With your help, I want to gain strength and let my pain and rage be felt," Gal Gan replied with emotion.
The king nudged his loyal guard and whispered something. The guard nodded and made a signal to the attendants nearby.
"Follow me," ordered the guard to Gal Gan.
"This is where I end my help," Datan whispered.
Gal Gan followed the guard. They passed through a passageway. In the distance, he heard Datan's laughter. He also heard, for the last time, Datan thanking the king.
As Gal Gan steps deeper into the palace, he hears faint murmurs coming from the walls—low, unintelligible words that seem to pass through him like a cold breeze. He stops, looking around, but the sounds vanish as quickly as they arrived. Only the soft shuffle of the guards' boots breaks the silence.
Gal Gan was taken into a room by the guard. The air was cold as a corpse's breath. Darkness loomed in the corners, ready to consume any light that dared enter.
Witchcraft tools were scattered about. Terrifying black books bound in animal skin. Severed heads of unknown people preserved in glass jars. Corpses hung from the ceiling.
Ancient runes were etched into the walls. Such practices were forbidden, as they were believed to bring curses upon those who used them.
Fear surged through Gal Gan once more. What were they planning to do? If this is the way, I won't allow it.
The guard noticed Gal Gan's attempt to escape and forced him into a chair.
Gal Gan was shocked at how much weaker he was—he couldn't do anything to resist.
"No… this isn't what I was told! This is suicide!" Gal Gan screamed, hoping someone would respond to his cries.
"Help!"
Smack! A blow landed on Gal Gan.
"Silence!" the guard shouted. "Your life's been paid for. That old man sold you off like the ones before you. Like them, you are now just the king's property—he can do anything he wants to you."
The world stopped for Gal Gan. Only then did he realize Datan had deceived him. He had believed his lies. He had trusted that man. Datan had taken advantage of his despair, only to manipulate him with his false promises.
You monster, Datan! Gal Gan cursed him for the wicked betrayal.
Datan had always been a liar. He deceived many farmers. He underpaid them, hoarded wealth, and had long been poisoned by greed.
Gal Gan's anger swelled. His eyes turned red in fury. His blood boiled as he screamed.
The guard restrained him, keeping him in the chair. Even with all of Gal Gan's strength, it wasn't enough to break free from the room.
"Shh… don't fight it," came a voice from a woman who had traded her life for power.
Gal Gan's situation worsened with the arrival of the witch. She looked as if she had risen from a grave. Her clothes were strange, her lips as dark as squid ink. Not just her lips—her entire mouth was black, as were her charcoal-like teeth.
"I'm drooling at the scent of your fear and courage. I can't wait to hear you scream."
In her wrinkled hand, she held a dagger that she whispered into. She let her saliva drip onto it before committing the horrendous act.
"The darkness likes you. So don't die just yet."
As she prepares the blade, the witch whispers softly to it, her breath chilling the air as though the knife could hear her. "You'll do well, old friend," she murmurs, and for a brief moment, the blade gleams unnaturally bright in the dim light.
She stepped closer to Gal Gan. With a firm grip on the dagger, she drove it straight into his chest with a strong thrust.
"Ah!" Gal Gan screamed. He felt the dagger pierce his heart. Blood flowed, and an unexplainable pain spread through him. His strength quickly faded.
His life slowly drained with the blood spilling from him. Blood even clogged his throat.
"Still alive?" asked the witch.
"He'll be dead soon," said the guard standing beside Gal Gan.
"This one's tough," said the witch. "People like him have strong reasons to live, so they don't let go of life easily."
The witch leaned in and stared into Gal Gan's eyes.
"Just give up. There's nothing left for you. Heeheehee!" she mocked.
"I-I will… re…turn—" were Gal Gan's final words before blood burst from his mouth and his breath ceased.
Even in death, his eyes seemed to burn with rage.
The dagger embedded in his chest slid out on its own, leaving a gaping wound. The wound called to the darkness in the room. Unexplainable black shapes followed, crawling over his feet, waist, and into the hole in his chest.
The witch and the guard's eyes widened at what they witnessed. It was as if their eyes were lying to them.
"Success!" the witch rejoiced. "We've finally found the perfect one."