Jake returned to the prison cells containing the woman and child. After his encounter with the monster that kidnapped Knox, Jake knew he wouldn’t be able to beat Knox in a fair one-on-one fight. So, he decided to resort to a much more sinister plan.
To break Knox mentally, Jake had devised a chillingly simple yet effective plan: he would exploit Knox's closest companions, Sara and Timmy. As he turned back to where Sara and Timmy lay in the cell, Jake's mind was filled with sinister anticipation. He had already taken steps to deceive Knox, leading him to believe that Sara and Timmy had been executed through the use of his skill in creating illusions.
Now, Jake intended to employ another of his captain's sinister skills: the ability to alter someone's mind completely. With this power, he would erase Sara and Timmy's memory of Knox, leaving them oblivious to his existence and severing the emotional bonds that connected them to Knox.
Jake was acutely aware that by manipulating Knox's closest allies in such a profound manner, he would deliver a devastating blow to Knox's psyche. The loss of companionship and support would leave Knox isolated and vulnerable, plunging him into an abyss of despair and hopelessness from which there would be no escape.
As his plan began to unfold, a chilling satisfaction washed over Jake. He was on the brink of shattering Knox's spirit, leaving him utterly broken and alone in the darkness of his mind. As he looked upon Sara and Timmy, oblivious to their former connection to Knox, Jake was filled with a chilling certainty that his victory was all but assured.
"Do you honestly have no idea who Knox is?"
Sara turned to him, her tear-stained face a desperate plea for mercy. "Please, we don't know who Knox is. I promise," she begged, her voice trembling with a deep-rooted fear. "Just let us out, please."
Jake's smile twisted into a sinister grin as an idea formed in his mind. "Well then, I suppose I could let you out. But I have only one condition."
Sara's face instantly lit up with hope, and even Timmy looked up at Jake expectantly.
“The condition is… you have to bring Knox here. Oh, and maybe also act like you're in love with him,” he pointed at Sara and explained. “Timmy can stay here until you're back, you know, just in case you try to run off.”
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
Sara tilted her head slightly and asked, "Why do I need to act like I'm in love with him?"
"That’s easy! Because he’s in love with you.”
Blushing slightly, Sara asked, “How could he be in love with me when we’ve never met?”
“Ah, now that’s a secret.” Jake paused for a moment. “Anyway, enough questions. Be off now. Just go out, and he should find you—unless he’s already dead from that monster, of course.”
*** *** ***
As dawn broke over the horizon, casting a golden hue across the landscape, Blake stood at the head of his warriors. They had gathered at the edge of the forest, their faces set in grim determination as they prepared to face the human soldiers who threatened their land.
With a steely gaze, Blake addressed his comrades, his voice resonating with authority. "Today, we fight not just for ourselves but for the future of our home. These invaders seek to conquer and oppress us, but we will not stand idly by and watch as they destroy everything we hold dear."
His words stirred a fire in the hearts of his fellow warriors, and they nodded in agreement, ready to follow him into battle. With a silent signal, they began their advance, moving swiftly and silently through the dense underbrush.
As they approached the outskirts of the human encampment, Blake signaled for his warriors to halt. They crouched low, hidden from view as they surveyed the enemy's defenses. The human soldiers were busy fortifying their position, unaware of the imminent threat that lurked in the shadows.
With a nod from Blake, his warriors sprang into action, launching a surprise attack on the unsuspecting soldiers. Arrows whistled through the air, finding their marks with deadly accuracy, while blades flashed in the dim light of dawn.
Caught off guard, the human soldiers scrambled to defend themselves, but they were no match for Blake and his skilled fighters. With each passing moment, their numbers dwindled until finally, the last of them lay defeated on the blood-soaked ground.
The victory was theirs, but it came at a cost. Many of Blake's warriors had fallen in the heat of battle, and their sacrifices were a testament to their bravery and courage. As the sun rose higher in the sky, casting its warm rays over the battlefield, Blake stood tall amidst the carnage, his heart heavy with sorrow for the lives lost.
But even in the face of tragedy, there was hope. With the human soldiers vanquished, peace could once again reign over the land, and Blake vowed to rebuild and protect his home for generations to come.
*** *** ***
"Eat at my sanity? How could it do that?" Knox asked, confusion evident in his voice.
"Uhm, well, I don't know," Ethos responded hesitantly. "All I see is that a part of your brain responsible for maintaining your sanity is being consumed, and I'm not sure what happens when it's fully depleted. I can only imagine that any stressful situations or influx of negative emotions could accelerate the process."
"Bahh, it can't be that bad," Knox said dismissively. “Even if it does, it can’t consume it that fast, right? I’ll probably have enough time to wipe the Aetherians.”
“I don’t know, Sir.”
Suddenly, out of nowhere, Knox felt anger surge through him towards Ethos. "How don't you know?! You useless garbage!"
Ethos flinched at the outburst. "I'm sorry, sir."
Realizing his reaction was unwarranted, Knox quickly composed himself and apologized to Ethos before continuing his training. Next, he experimented with some of his new skills, especially the one called 'My Wish Is Your Command.'