Cain awoke slowly to the loud sound of his Mark growling, shifting around on his back. Damn it. It was hungry again, despite having been fed the day before. His eyes blinked red in the cold dark room, moving towards his bag in the corner. Fortunately there wasn’t any pain yet, so he could stave off the hunger with the leftovers Argia had given him. But he needed to find other sources of food, fast. He jumped off his bed and started to rummage through the bag in the corner. He found the small glowing blue pouch a few moments after, and in one quick motion, tossed the contents into his mouth. A powdery substance started to worm its way down Cain’s mouth and throat. Thankfully, it was tasteless, but if Cain moved, he wouldn’t be able to stop himself from gagging on it. A few moments later, Cain managed to swallow it down, letting him breathe once again. His Mark stopped its squirming, resting itself again on his back. But Cain knew it wouldn’t stay that way for much longer.
“Do I go?” Cain whispered to himself out loud. He considered the option to join the expedition. The Tower had many creatures throughout that he could find crystals easily enough, especially in a larger group-like setting. It could also give Cain more mystical items that could benefit him in the long run. All and all, the Tower was ultimately a very useful place, especially to a person like Cain. But even then, he was hesitant. No. Cain shook his head. His very core shaking was a familiar feeling throughout the past year. He knew what he was. He was afraid. Afraid of the past. Afraid of losing control of himself. That’s why he had strayed away from the Tower. That’s why he had been running from it for so long. The ghost of his sins haunted him so deeply, grasping at his soul and screaming into his thoughts every waking moment. And like a scared wild beast, he always had let it drag him down. No. Not anymore. Soft words that resonated within him, where violet eyes had stared deeply into his. I won’t let it control me any longer. Cain closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. Flashes of fear, of anger, of sadness, all flew by. They were like a storm that threatened to batter Cain’s core. I have to face it. He opened his eyes, and placed his left hand onto his right, directly atop his scar. His Mark roared out into his mind, a dragon’s cry.
“Argh!” Cain grunted out as a surge of pain flooded his senses. The cracking of bones could be heard as Cain’s body shifted and conformed. I am in control. Not this shitty tattoo. Jaw clenched, Cain bit his tongue as he muffled his screams. He had always let go whenever he had used the Mark’s powers before. But he refused. The pain, however, was immeasurable, too immense. Like he was being split in two, stretched through the middle until he was ripped apart.
“I… won’t… lose…” Cain growled out, he clutched his chest where his rapidly beating heart resided. However it was too late. An image of a scarlet beast was imprinted in his mind as he choked, falling to the ground. His vision slowly began to darken as the pain became too unbearable. His eyes drooped, his arms losing strength. No. I can’t. His thoughts became too slow. I’m… sorry. Darkness filled his vision. However, before everything was lost, Cain saw it. A bright emerald orb of light in front of him on the ground. He couldn’t even react as it floated in front of him. What… the? Somehow, as Cain stared at the light, the pain he had felt dissipated. His vision cleared like it was normal. Cain reached out with his right hand, trying to touch the sphere of light. It felt so warm to the touch, so familiar but alien at the same time. It reminded Cain of him. Someone he dearly missed. Everything felt calm as he watched the impossible sphere in front of him float away and disappear.
“What just… happened?” Cain could only gasp out as he recovered, his breaths heavy. He couldn’t believe what he just had seen. It was such a strange sight that he almost forgot the immense pain he was just in. He stared at his scar on the back of his right hand, studying its features. A blood red blotch, a remnant of a cancer that once resided on it. Now that parasite resided in his back. I couldn’t conquer it today. But, I swear. He clenched his fist, letting out a long breath. It was that of relief, letting go of something. His resolved eyes flared bright within the darkness.
“I’ll face it myself.” A feeling he had long lost blazed within him.
-
The early morning light illuminated the forest as Cain trudged along the path. He carried two bags, one of his usual items and belongings. The other bag was intended to hold items that he would find in the Tower, having packed several necessities for the expedition that awaited him.
“I can’t believe I’m doing this.” Cain sighed as he walked on a familiar trodden path, a tinge of nervousness snaked its way through his thoughts. If only there existed more damn wolves. Then Cain wouldn’t have to go through the trouble of entering the Tower again. They used to attack even during the day. He mused, remembering the times he barely survived the old man’s harsh training, all the pain he had suffered. It was hell, but he definitely had gotten stronger because of it. Unfortunately, both the wolves and the old man were gone, now relics of the past. Now these woods were basically empty, silent aside from Cain’s quiet footsteps on the light snow as he entered a small clearing in the forest. Suddenly, his Mark growled, squirming and causing Cain to violently shiver. Damn it. Cain knew immediately that this was not because of hunger, but something else. It was a warning of another Mark being used nearby. He caught a sudden glimpse of a figure to the far right of the clearing. It was a person looking straight at him from behind a tree, around thirty feet away. Cain immediately drew his blade, the recently sharpened blade gleamed in the bright sunlight.
“I can see you. Leave now.” Cain growled loudly, his left hand threateningly hovered above his right. He watched the figure step out, giving Cain a clearer view. The hooded person was wearing what seemed to be black leather armor, covering them from their feet to neck. They wore a strange mask depicting that of a wolf, and they had two silver shortswords, one in each hand. Wait, was this the figure that killed the Giant Deer? Cain's eyes widened in surprise. It raised its right hand.
“Wha-” Cain couldn’t even finish his sentence as the loud whoosh of air entered his hearing. Instinctively reacting, he tried to move his left hand down onto his scar as he dodged to the right. But it was a little too late. Damn it! Cain screamed inwardly as a piercing metal stabbed through his leather shoulderpads, sticking straight into flesh and bone. Pain and adrenaline filled his body as he spat out blood, his vision scarlet red as he saw the wolf masked figure rapidly approaching towards him, both blades raised in a mad charge.
Clink! Cain barely raised his sword in time to defend himself, causing them both to be pushed back. The wolf masked figure, however, didn't give up its pursuit, swinging wildly. Cain could barely match the blades with one injured arm, causing him to take knicks and damages to his armor. The wolf masked figure seemed to be in a Mark empowered state, which Cain couldn’t really match while also being attacked from an unknown ranged source. If it kept going on like this, Cain would most likely die. A wild idea suddenly came to mind, one that was extremely dangerous. But still, he had to do it. There wasn’t really any other option. He quickly sheathed his weapon as he watched as the wolf masked figure raised both of their swords. At the very moment they swung down, Cain threw his body towards them, placing his left hand onto his right. The cold metal of the blades slashed through his bags and chestguard, straight onto his back. A scream roared out of Cain, one that he couldn’t tell came from him or his Mark. The masked figure stumbled far back, barely catching their swords from the impact. A bright red light filled Cain’s vision as an insatiable hunger threatened to devour his consciousness. But he was still alive, barely still in control. He could barely feel it, but he knew his body was morphing, transforming even at this very moment. His breaths were heavy as he stood up, watching the wolf masked figure attempting to regain their composure. Cain took a step. A moment later, the figure looked up to see a dark shadow descending upon them. They let out a loud grunt, quickly raising their swords in time. The blades collided with flesh, slashing the palm of Cain's right hand. Unfortunately, they couldn’t block the other. It swung underneath and dug straight through the wolf masked figure’s chest, claws drilling through leather as well as flesh and bone. Cain could barely register the screaming of his foe as blood splattered all over him, the swords now weak on his palm. Cain’s roar was draconic as his right hand gripped both swords and tossed them aside.
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“Do-!“ A deep masculine voice barely came out from behind the mask before being stopped short. Cain’s left hand had destroyed the heart of his enemy, squishing it into a pulp. Its body went limp, dropping onto the blood stained snow as Cain released his grip. At the same time however, a whoosh of air from the far left entered his ears, his hearing enhanced by the Mark. Cain easily dodged the arrow this time, which hit a nearby tree behind him. His face violently cocked towards the direction it came from, his eyes filled with a beast-like hunger as he scanned for his next prey. He easily spotted the person running in the distance, sprinting as fast as humanly possible away from Cain. A wild grin became plastered onto his face. So began the chase. Cain’s body let out a horrific creak as he channeled more and more of his Mark’s power. Bone cracked, broke, and reformed as he convulsed in pain. There was a brief moment of silence in the forest as the transformation finished. Then, he moved. He rushed forward like a wild beast, clawing and grasping snow in rapid succession, his vision a crimson blur of trees and snow. He didn’t need to see. He could already smell, hear, and feel his prey’s fear. In a matter of seconds, Cain closed the distance between him and the running figure. His prey looked back, for the briefest of moments. The last thing they saw was the scarlet abyss of a monster’s mouth.
-
Cain returned to the sane world from the light purr of his Mark. It was content and satisfied. His vision was somewhat blurry, but eventually it cleared. He didn’t know how much time had passed. Maybe an hour or two passed? There was still bright light in the forest, so he probably had time left to make it to the Tower expedition. However, his body ached heavily. Checking his current state, most of his blood stained armor were either chipped, marked or battered from his usage of his Mark. At least my cloak and usual bag are still usable. Despite being tattered, Cain was happy the cloak could cover most of his appearance. He was also thankful that his injuries had healed, now scars, albeit massive ones. Regeneration was one of the few benefits that he was provided by his Mark at least. Though the negatives definitely outweigh the positives. When Cain fully confirmed that he was all good, he swapped his attention back to his surroundings. The forest was empty, but he knew that didn’t mean he was really alone, especially after that ambush. At his feet was the still body of one of them. The corpse was completely ravaged, most likely torn apart from Cain in his berserk state. It was impossible to discern any real distinct features from the broken armor and blood from a glance, but what was unique was the right hand of the body was split from the body. Where the Mark or Scar was supposed to be on their hand was blank and gone. My Mark probably devoured… theirs. Cain shuddered about the implication as the Mark on his back shifted happily. I really have to do this, huh. Despite being disgusted, Cain still kneeled down as he began to search through the corpse. He had to make sure if it happened again, he knew who they were. They had specifically targeted him, and they could have been part of a Hunter group. Though, Cain didn’t know he had any enemies. They could be associated with the Giant Deer killer. He thought as he stopped rummaging through the body. The corpse didn’t seem to have anything. Wait, what is that? There, by the head, Cain could see a small, emerald light on the snow. He reached over and grabbed it. Interesting. In his palm was a small emerald crystal, clear and well cut. It looks similar to the crystals that monsters drop. It let off a gleam as Cain raised it towards the sunlight. This could be important for later. Argia can inspect it. Cain pocketed the gem and stood back up. For now, let’s get to Sanctuary. The situation for Cain had gotten a lot more precarious, and he needed more than food now. Before he left though, Cain considered burying the bodies, but shook his head in the end. There wasn’t much time for that, and Cain also wanted to leave a message to his hidden enemy. He was not one to be messed with.
-
It took Cain around fifteen minutes to make it into Sanctuary, entering the gates that were much more open during the day. Hopefully I’m not too late. Cain’s eyes scanned from underneath his hood as he moved quickly through the central road, the people becoming a blur as he passed by. But he could tell that a buzz of excitement radiated throughout them. Cain’s ears twitched as he picked up various voices along the way.
“The Argonauts, they can do it right?”
“Jason is super strong, of course that Tower will be cleared.”
“I wish I could’ve joined!” He really made it a spectacle, huh. Cain didn’t really know how to feel as he listened to the words of Sanctuary’s citizens. They talked about the expedition into the worst place in the world like it was some sort of game, like it was some kind of competition. Maybe it was to them. Those who lived in protection of Hunters, living in the mercy of those who sacrificed their lives to climb an unclimbable tower. It was a life that Cain scorned, but couldn’t help but be a tiny bit jealous of. It was carefree. Cain shook his head, ignoring his thoughts. It's coming up. Cain could see the Tower in the coming distance as he quickly approached the central plaza. The same old obsidian spire that haunted his dreams and waking thoughts. It glowed eerily in the bright daylight, reaching impossibly out to the heavens. His clenched fist lightly shook. I will conquer it. I swear to you. Cain’s resolution was to spirits long dead, as he made it to the central plaza. Upon entering, Cain could see a huge crowd of people surrounding the bottom of the stairway to the Tower. However, a large group of Sanctuary’s guards was blocking the way.
“The expedition is now underway! If you wish to join, please get in an orderly line! Only Greaters or Scars can enter!” What seemed like a guard captain yelled out as they tried to handle the horde of Hunters that wanted to enter. With a loud groan, the crowd quickly dispersed, respecting the order of Sanctuary. However, three were left behind. Those who moved found themselves on the sides of the plaza, watching as the guards regained their composure. There were three Greaters or Scars in that crowd? Cain's eyes were wide in surprise. Greater Marks and Scars were rare, and these were people left over from the expedition. Cain couldn’t imagine how many of them that Jason had gathered, but if there were at least twenty, there could actually be a chance that they could push through the barrier that Cain had faced. He tried to inspect the three, but from his distance Cain couldn’t make out any features through the crowd and guards. He could only watch as the guards checked the right hands of the three people, before letting all three up the stairway to the entrance. Their bodies disappeared into the black hole of the Tower. I guess that makes it my turn. Cain sighed, before making his way through the crowd.
“Hey, watch it!” Cain ignored the passersby as his gaze focused onto the Tower. His heart fast as it loomed before him, approaching the guards. The eyes of both the surrounding crowd and guards alike were bored onto him as he stood around ten feet from the entrance.
“Halt! Here for the expedition?” The guard captain stood in front of Cain with two guards flanking their sides. Each one of them wore light plate armor reminiscent of a knight, their faces covered by helmets. Cain nodded, removing his gauntlet in response and revealing his Scar to them. One glance was enough for them, and the guard captain nodded to the rest of the guards.
“Let him in.” With that, the sea of guards split, allowing Cain passage to the stairway up to the Towers entrance. Here goes nothing. Thoughts and emotions raced through his head as he took his first step up the stairs. Was this really worth it? He did not know. But it was too late to question his choice now. He was fully resolved to finish this damned Tower once and for all. Whether it would kill him or not, Cain was in it to the end. When he finally made it to the top, the familiar void once again greeted him.