Chapter 4
The Shadow Knight
Death echoed through the city—Bam! Bam!—as Vance Malcolm's men fell one by one, their blood marking the rise of something terrifyingly unknown. Standing on the balcony of his grand mansion, Vance clenched the railing, his knuckles white with frustration. His men were dying, his control slipping.
"What the hell is going on?" he growled, his eyes fixed on the horizon.
Flashback:
In a dimly lit bar, a shaken owner scrubbed desperately at the bloody letters scrawled across his wall. "Shadow" was carved deep into the paint, the sight of it enough to send shivers through anyone who dared look.
Present:
Vance turned to his men, his voice sharp with rage. "Who the hell is Shadow?!"
One of his men hesitated before stepping forward. "Sir... it's not just 'Shadow.'"
Flashback again:
The bar owner’s trembling hands moved higher, revealing another word etched in crimson just above the first. It wasn’t just Shadow—it was "Knight."
Present:
The realization struck like a dagger to the gut. The whispered name spread like wildfire. Shadow Knight.
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Vance felt his terror wane, only to be replaced by a growing unease. This wasn’t just a vigilante. This was something more—a force threatening to topple his reign.
---
In the dim glow of the mansion’s hall, a man entered. He was tall, with an air of menace that preceded him. His voice was calm but carried an edge that demanded attention.
"Give me one chance," the man said, his tone unwavering. "And I’ll restore your terror."
Vance turned, intrigued yet skeptical. "Who are you?"
The man smirked, his dark eyes gleaming. "Knight Killer. Joseph Marathon."
A grin crept across Vance’s face. "What do you want in return?"
Joseph’s answer came without hesitation. "To be your loyal dog."
Vance chuckled, a cruel sound that echoed in the room. "Then go. Do what you do best."
---
Joseph wasted no time. That very night, he stormed into the police station with two of Vance’s enforcers at his side. The sound of gunfire shattered the night as they fired into the air, drawing screams and chaos.
Police officers rushed out, guns drawn, led by the sheriff—a hardened man with a weathered face.
"What do you want?!" the sheriff barked, his voice steady despite the danger.
Joseph smiled, his teeth bared like a wolf about to strike. "YOU."
In an instant, chaos erupted. Bullets rained down as Joseph and his men unleashed a massacre. Officers fell one by one, their bodies littering the ground. Blood painted the pavement red, and the air grew heavy with death.
Amid the carnage, the sheriff lay gasping for air, barely clinging to life. Joseph grabbed him by the hair, lifting his head for the terrified crowd to see.
"This!" Joseph roared, his voice booming over the cries of the fleeing onlookers. "This is what happens when you disobey Vance Malcolm!"
With a single stroke of his blade, Joseph severed the sheriff’s head, tossing it to the ground like discarded trash.
---
As the crowd scattered in terror, a shadow emerged from the chaos. It moved with silent precision, cutting through the fear like a blade.
Joseph turned, his eyes narrowing as the figure approached. The streetlights flickered, casting fleeting glimpses of the man cloaked in darkness.
The Shadow Knight had arrived.
Thomas Alfred stepped forward, his eyes cold, his stance unwavering. He didn’t speak. The air around him carried his message—a warning, a promise, and a threat all in one.
Joseph smirked, raising his weapon. "So, you’re the one causing all this trouble. The Shadow Knight."
Thomas didn’t reply. The silence was deafening, heavy with intent.
Two forces stood face to face, the city holding its breath.
The Shadow Knight had come to deliver his judgment.
~BlackBlueKnight