《The Crimson Fiend》


 - Shadows of defeat -

    - shadows of defeat-


    On a cold winter night, in a remote landscape far to the north, the bititng wind raged and howled like a deranged beast throughout the mountain peaks, barren plains and the desolate forest. Whispering as it swept past the dead land, telling tales of bloody murder. The nightmarish desolate forest had breath takingly large trees, towering high above the ground, making one feel horribly inferior, but unfortuantley its magnificens was stolen by its sinister disposition. As throughout the whole forest not a single leaf could be seen on a tree all year round. Truly erie, as those big and crooked branches look like the claws of phantom eagles swaying with the wind, swooping down to snatch one from this earth. But Surprisingly, through the faint moonlight, a couple of shadows can be seen in the midst of this forsaken forest, engaged in ¨¤ most thrilling dance of death.


    As kirlin kneeled on the damp and moist grass, breathing heavily whilst clutching the deep wound inflicted on his chest, the pain and loss of blood was making him feel anxious and fearfull of the approaching moment, as deep regret and an untold rage flickered across his young face. these same emotions he believed he managed to supress long ago buried somewhere deep down in ¨¤ black Box, shrouded by the shadows in his heart. Resurfaced with an uncontrollable momentum, promising to unleash a panic filled misery. On the brink of losing control of himself, he held on because Kirlin was fully aware that those hungry wolf like eyes infront of him, had no intention of letting him live past tonight


    Four men clad in black and crimson leather armour equiped with longswords, surrounded and slowly approached kirlin, draging their long bloodied swords on the ground seemingly enjoying the look of despair on the young boy''s face in front of them while trying his hardest to control his fear. For these bloodfiends, this moment and the look on the victim''s face before his death, was the defining rush behind their deeds. The release of their bloodlust filled them all with ecstacy. But regardless of their joy, ¨¤ hint of caution and hesitation showed on their expressions. Their lives and wellbeing depended on the sucessfull completion of this mission!


    "Men! Don''t lower your guards, especialy you Lamia!" Shouted the leader of the group, while locking his gaze on kirlin''s face. Surprised over the raw skill and agility of this kid, it was hard to believe that this seemingly harmless and handsome youth was able to kill four of his underlings before they could corner him. " never underestimate the enemy no matter how serious his injuries, even though he killed your brother; dont lose your head" advised the leader. " i know boss, don''t worry! But This kid is strange as fuck how can he still be standing after losing so much blood" replied Lamia, gritting his teeth " i wont fall, trust me not here at least! But IF i dont skin him alive and let him die ¨¤ painful death, to avenge my brother how can i call myself a bloodfi..." yet right before he completed his sentence, ¨¤ silver light flashed right in front of his face! Shocked to his core, he desperatly tried to dodge his head to the side urgently, sweat visible on his forehead. As he managed to evade the dagger sucessfully he heard his companions shout " Lamia!!! Watch out!" His pupils shrunk as he suddenly felt an immense pressure like an invisble hand choking him. His chest became incredibly heavy, and blood started to bubble up his throat with every breath he took, it felt as if he were exhausting every bit of energy in his body.Stolen story; please report.


    After sucessfully using his thrown out dagger to distract the enemy, kiriln rushed up to his blind side with frightning speed, unleashing his last bit of strength. Thrusting his short blade from ¨¤n unblockable angle, sliding the blade deep into Lamia''s ribs puncturing his lungs in the process. Kirlin forcefully twisted his blade making sure the wound was irreperable, before turning around to block the incoming attacks. his movement technique as light and rapid as the winter breeze Itself, elegantly mysterious to watch. Shifting and leaning his bodyweight forwards,He managed to parry two attacks before rotating on his left foot evading to the side, the vibrations of those Vicious and powerful blows hurt his wrist, numbing his fingers.


    Then he sensed the rushing wind behind him but was unable to react to it, suddenly he felt ¨¤ cold excruciating pain emanating from his lower belly, not knowing when he got injured he looked down, horrified to see the leader''s midnight black colored sword piercing through him from back to front. Unbelieving, kirlin stared down at the sword dripping fresh blood on the dry withered grass, reluctantly accepting his fate. But at this moment ¨¤ delightful clarity never felt before ascended young kirin.


    He finally understood, albeit too late, nonetheless the wisdom and dying words of his father became as clear as ¨¤ still emerald lake reflecting the essence of its true meaning. Stirring his soul And shaking him up endlessly as his tears finally refused to obey his will, rushing down to embrace his battered cheeks, like the warmth and loving care from ¨¤ mother he never known. He muttered in ¨¤ soft voice, almost whispering to himself


    " I''m sorry! I''m not worthy of being your son"

 Chapter 1

    1 month ago


    Konan squatted in the dark cold alley sweating bullets, holding the only


    item that belongs to him tightly in his small hands. His mind on overload,


    constanly thinking " This is a bad idea! I can''t believe we''re really going


    through with this" the coarse material of the rope digging into his soft skin.


    while it extended to the opposite side of the alley. Hidden underneath


    the dirt mud. Connecting to another pair of small hands, behind


    a pile of trash."Kirlin! are you sure this will go as planned bro?" he said,


    still nervous and unsure if this is the right move to make. "Haha Konan, relax your grip on the rope a little! I can feel you shaking all the way from


    this side" replied Kirlin jokingly " calm down, you know the plan! When you


    Pull the rope and the mark falls down, turn tail and run fast as you can


    Back to the hideout. I''ll take care of the rest"


    When konan was about to reply


    he heard foot steps entering the alley. As nervous and unsure he was, deep


    down he knew the reason why this had to be done. Their little sister kaiza was sick and the winter around the corner, she would no doubt die! They were


    desperatly in need of coins, not only to feed but also medicine to nurse


    Kaiza back to good health. Before the weather exposed it''s deadly fangs and


    devoured them all. Taking a deep breath he tried to get hold of himself


    The mark came deeper into the alley, every step made kirlin''s heart beat


    faster and faster. Even though he tried to act calm infront of his little brother,


    truth is, he was close to shitting himself. He knew, if it didn''t go to plan; this score wasn''t going to be easy. He had done his homework fairly well when choosing this mark. Following him for a couple of days, in secret of course.


    Enough to find out his routine, and that he is a well of travelling merchant,


    With some kind of military background. What position he held though, is uncertain


    What he does know, is that the mark is a drunkard that cannot control his lust!


    Each night he goes to a tavern down the street, then proceeds staggering down


    this alley to hook up with a prostitute, couple of streets further down.


    Silently, he tightend his grip on the rope, locking his gaze on the man, waiting


    for the right time to pull.


    Three steps! two steps, the two brother''s hearts in their throats,prepared


    This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report itto pull the rope any second. "PULL!!" Right at this final moment the drunkard


    grinned viciously! Seeing this smile, Kirlin instantly knew something was


    horribly wrong, But too late, as the rope was already pulled. The mark side stepped,


    twirling his foot quickly around the rope, whilst pulling hard towards himself.


    Gobsmacked and without knowing how, kirlin was sent flying towards the mans


    direction . With no time to think, he pulled out his half broken dagger, and yelled at the top of his lungs"KONAAN! RUN!!!" Releasing the rope, he mustered as much


    strength possible to his torso and tried to twist midair. failing horribly to get the


    momentum to slash with enough force, the mark swatted the dagger away effortlessly.


    Reaching out to grab kirlin''s throat with a steely grip, that vicious grin


    Coupled with the many scars criss crossing on his tanned face, made him look


    Scary, beyond belief. "Hahaha! Unbelievable" the mark shouted "To think it


    would only be two skinny rats!" His voice deep and grisly, ringing in kirlin''s ears


    "If you tell me who sent you, I gurantee you will not suffer"


    Behind kirlin''s dangling body, came a shadowed figure, holding on to his little brother.


    Getting down on one knee, while holding a struggling konan, the figure spoke


    "Captain! We confirmed there are no other targets in the nearby area. We have done


    a full sweep, there are no hidden eyes either! Lamia and lynx are on their way


    to meet up with the link to escort her back to base as we speak! " After giving his short report, the figure stared at konan


    and the dangling kirlin, clearly confused about something " This don''t make any sense


    captain" he exclaimed in a low voice "I know what you''re thinking braxim" replied


    the captain, furrowing his eyebrows, clearly not happy with the report and this outcome " If these rats are the decoy sent by the shadow wind squad, then where is the real attacking force?"


    Kirlin''s eye''s were bloodshot at the moment, because of getting choked. Yet his mind was on


    5th gear, understanding that this mark clearly fooled him. Letting him tail him


    On purpose! Sadly for the two brothers, they are now knee deep in deadly shit, they want no


    part of. "Speak, tell me exactly why you are here! Who is your connect? Why are you


    two ambushing me precisly today after a whole week!!? Speak now, or i''ll snap your neck


    and throw you into the pit, for the skalliz to feast on" growled the captain "Ugrh! let.. ugrh..go"


    Not able to reply properly, he reminded this idiot captain to let go. "Cough! Cough! Boss!!


    this is all a big misunderstanding, cough! we''re not decoy and dont work for anyone! we just wanted your coins and gear, that''s all!" Kirlin replied quickly, "I don''t know who the shadow


    whatever thing is! Neither does he. Please boss let him go, this was my idea"