Hello, it's been awhile. My computer broke, and had to be sent off for repairs. I unfortunately lost the POV chapter I had been working on, when I finally got it back and I quickly proceeded to sulk. I eventually regained some will to write, and decided to go ahead and continue with the story.

The POV chapter will probably be the chapter following this one. Also, due to a lack of motivation, I didn't proofread this chapter, so it may have a few mistakes or be awkwardly worded here and there.

Enjoy.

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It’s been too long. I can’t take it anymore! I thought I’d be able to hold on for longer, but I can’t do it. I was stood in a dark alleyway, littered with all manners of foul waste. It didn’t bother me though. I couldn’t focus my mind. I thought I was doing fine…

It’s been almost a week since we’d arrived at the capital. I haven’t killed anything or anyone for so long now, let alone burned or tortured anyone. I woke up in the middle of the night with tremors. I felt like I was going crazy, in fact I still do.

I shambled aimlessly along the cobblestone path, hoping to come across some suspecting prostitute or drunkard. My scalpel was at hand, and my arms were filled nervous energy. All I needed was a person. Anyone would do. It’s fine since this is a heretic city, right? Yes, that’s right…

I need that sweet relief. It was like an unbearable itch. I can’t keep ignoring it. Silk provides only temporary relief, and the urge had been growing far stronger as of late. I noticed that I had begun to mutter my thoughts under my breath. Dear Sol, I’m definitely losing it.

I frightened whisper distracted me from my never ending train of thought. I looked towards a small bundle by the side of the path. I surprised myself. In my normal state, I never would have missed that panicked breathing and rapid heartbeat. A person. No, a heretic.

I quickly approached the small bundle of dirty rags. Each cloth used to produce the make shift blanket was stained or smeared with substances emanating unpleasant odours, which I ignored. I quickly reached out, ripping the blanket from the clutches of the heretic who was hiding beneath it.

Not just one but two?! Thank Sol, it’s my lucky day. I felt giddy with joy. These two were definitely thrown out by society, and from the state of their malnourished bodies and ulcerated skin, it was clear that whatever diseases and deficiencies they had would finish them off even if I hadn’t chanced upon them.

They were two little heretics. Aged maybe 7 or 8 years old. It was hard to tell with their skinny frames and the dirt that covered their bodies. The boy looked up with a fierce glare and placed himself in front of the smaller girl. Perhaps they were siblings? It doesn’t really matter; as long as they care about each other, this'll be even more delightful.

I began to bite my lip, hard enough to draw blood. I could barely restrain myself anymore, but if they cause any noise, then the guards may cause me some trouble. Without a second to lose I cast my newest spell, which Serenity had been kind enough to part with.

Everything became silent. The sound of breathing gone. The sound of their beating hearts gone. The distant merrymaking of drunkards and the like, gone. Everything was quiet in this little space. I really need to thank Serenity next time I see her.

The two little heretics noticed something was off. Their heads darted from side to side as their eyes widened in terror. They opened their mouths and tried to speak, only to find that they had no voice. Despite the no doubt terrifying situation, the boys continued to position himself in front of his little companion. His legs were shaking and tears were gathering at the corners of his eyes. The one behind him was in an even worse state as tears began to stream from her face.

I could feel my smile begin to widen. It actually started to hurt my cheeks a bit, but I couldn’t help it. It really had been too long since I’d seen these kinds of faces. I strolled up to the little duo, savouring the atmosphere.

After a few moments, I crouched down in front of the brave little heretic, and looked him in the eyes. He was petrified. To begin with it had no doubt been bravery, but he had long since lost the ability to move. I twirled the scalpel between my fingers, allowing the boy to get a good look at how shiny and beautiful my little toy was. The ungrateful little heretic actually looked away.

I held the scalpel and pointed it to his chin. I lifted his head using the side of the blade, to regain the eye contact. The fear was clearly scrawled across his face, and it was delightful. I leant in close, and whispered into his ear.

“Don’t worry, you’ll be going someplace better now.” My voice was the only sound in this quiet little world.

The boy began to tremble all over, but still couldn’t move his body. With a thrust of my hand, the scalpel silently entered his throat. It was quite hypnotic to see the blade slide through the skin and then to witness the startlingly bright red leak from the wound.

I slowly withdrew the knife and watched in fascination as the wound began to faintly bubble as the air and blood mixed. The brave little heretic collapsed onto the ground, finally having regained control of his now dying body. He desperately began to clutch his throat, as though it would somehow prevent his now inevitable death. He watched in despair as his blood began to pool on the floor.

Slowly but surely, the light in his eyes began to flicker and die as he made a last attempt to grab the hand of his little companion, who could only watch blankly. He produced a sad expression as he failed to grab her little hand, and died with that lonely look written across his face.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

The other little heretic was roused from her shock too late. She looked at the pooling blood and began to tremble ever the more violently. She reached out and desperately grabbed his hand. Her lips moved rabidly as tears and snot began to cover her face.

She slowly crawled over with her weak body, to the side of her little friend. She leant down and desperately wrapped her arms around his corpse as she silently whimpered. I felt so much better. It’s good to go out and have some fun every now and then; it’s not good for you to only work.

I reached over and with flick of the wrist, sliced open the throat of the second heretic. The blood fell like a silent, little waterfall, seeping into the dirty rags of the boy whose body she lay on top. Despite the fact that she was dying she still looked at the boy’s face. At his lonely expression, and she produced her own anguished look.

Her light slowly began to die as she desperately clung, with the last remnants of her strength, to the boy. They both died in silence, leaving two corpses. One corpse of boy who died alone, and another of a girl who desperately followed him. It was art. In fact, it was so heart-warming it actually brought a tear to my eyes.

Using my handkerchief to wipe off the blood from my scalpel, I happily whistled that beautiful tune. In the silence it was the only sound that could be heard, and I was the only one there to hear it, but it was pleasant all the same.

I looked fondly down at the corpses. It was a more subtle form of art compared to the more colourful masterpieces I tended to produce. If only there was a way to preserve this scene. I sighed at the waste. All good things come to an end. At the very least, whoever discovers the scene will be in for a treat.

With a spring in my step and a load off my back, I happily made my way back to the inn at which Silk, Serenity and I were staying.

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The capital of Lun, much like the city which we’d previously visited, was an extremely diverse place. There was no common theme among inhabitants nor architecture. To put it simply, it was a complete mess. No order whatsoever. When I first arrived, I couldn’t believe that people could actually tolerate such an unorganised environment.

The journey here was uneventful to say the least. We’d joined a small convoy of caravans, and despite the supposed dangers on the road, we ran into no trouble. The entry requirements as a guard for the convoy were also mediocre. I let Silk take the stage against the fellow they wanted us to prove ourselves against, expecting a good show but was severely disappointed.

It only took her a couple of seconds to completely wrap the big guy in silver wires, immobilising the weakling. There was a little friction, which we managed to smooth over when Silk took things a tad too far. I suppose I should have explained that the fight wasn’t to the death… I should remember that she’s lacking somewhat in the common sense department. I’ll have to teach her everything I know… But then again, it was quite amusing to see the big fellow literally get sliced into big meaty chunks when the she tightened the wires. It also made glad I avoided those same wires during our first meeting.

That aside, there were no problems. We entered the city quite easily, with our recently acquired identity cards and then proceeded to rent out a room in a relatively decent inn for a few weeks. Of course, one room was enough since Silk had become instrumental in order for me to fall asleep. She also didn’t seem to mind it too much.

Actually… Over the past few weeks, her staring has been getting more intense. She’s also developed a habit of clinging to me at every given moment, in addition to shooting glares at people who got too close to me… This… I don’t really know what to say. She stays quite pleasant when we’re alone though. Of course, since I get to touch her scars, I won’t make any complaints.

Serenity hasn’t been spending too much time around me as of late, leaving me somewhat lonely. Of course, she does enjoy my company, that’s a given, but she took it upon herself to go and eavesdrop for information on the heroes and company, in addition to scouting out any leads. She’s such a hard worker. I better reward her with more attention in the future.

So far all we managed to find out, was that the heroes and company were brought to the capital almost a week before we’d arrived. They’d apparently gotten a large procession through the streets, and it had been a major event. Those ungrateful heroes… They’re off playing around with believers of Lun, while I, a man of the one true God, am working myself to the bone to rescue them from the evil clutches of those Sol-forsaken heretics.

They don’t want to be educated in that academy! Practice makes perfect, so as long as you get thrown in a dungeon enough times, you’ll learn well enough. I couldn’t help but shudder as I imagine all the torment they’d be subject to whilst under the custody of the Lun kingdom. No doubt, they’ll be bombarded with lies about the great religion dedicated to the worship of Sol, and the kingdom which recognises his greatness.

Those poor fellows… Of course, if they do get brainwashed into believing that nonsense, there’s a simple way to return them to the path of the righteous. I brought my tools with me after all. Of course, such drastic actions won’t be necessary. After all, who are they more likely to believe, their dear friend Cyne, or the monsters who abducted them?

It’ll be good ol’Cyne. Hehehe…