PAIN BREEDERCHAPTER 2: "The Third Breath"
FADE IN:
The rain continued to fall.
But it no longer touched Ren's body.
As if the rain itself was rejecting him.
Elara lay on the ground.
Her eyes were half-open.
Her breathing was irregular and weak.
Ren knelt before her.
His hands rested on his knees.
They were no longer trembling.
SYSTEM VOICE(cold, flat voice) [Test Completed] [You have passed the First Trial] [You are no longer fully human] [You may proceed]
Suddenly, the air tore apart.
A purple-black portal opened.
A violent wind began to hurl everything around.
Ren's long wet hair fell across his face.
He walked toward the portal.
He reached out his hand.
But his fingers touched something like invisible glass.
[ENTRY DENIED]
Ren's brows furrowed.
SYSTEM VOICE Error. One final trial remains. Inflict pain. Take the key.
Ren looked at his mother.
Elara's eyes were half-open.
Weak.
But she was still looking at him.
REN(whispering) Mom… hold on. Please…
SYSTEM VOICE [Current Synchronization: 47%] [Next Threshold Approaching]
Ren slowly approached her.
REN(in a low voice) The more pain you give… the stronger you become.
Elara's lips moved.
ELARA(very weak) …Ren… enough…
Ren didn't answer.
He just looked.
At his mother's face.
He had seen that face thousands of times in his dreams.
Now it was real.
And because it was real, it hurt even more.
REN(whispering) If I stop… you'll leave me again.
Elara's eyes filled.
But this time, no tears came.
Only an empty gaze remained.
ELARA …are you doing this… to save me? Or… are you trying to save yourself?
Ren's jaw tightened.
He didn't answer.
He slowly raised his hand.
This time, it didn't tremble.
SYSTEM VOICE [Pain Input Recommended] [Current Purity Level: High]
Ren grabbed his mother's arm.
His fingers dug into her skin.
Elara's body convulsed.
But this time, she didn't scream.
She simply took a deep breath.
And endured the pain.
The same pain exploded in Ren's chest.
Deeper this time.
More familiar.
REN(gritting his teeth) …I'm getting used to it.
Elara's eyes closed.
But not from pain.
From exhaustion.
ELARA(whispering) …you… are changing…
Ren didn't answer.
He just held on.
And squeezed.
Harder.
Deeper.
Elara's arm began to tear apart.
Skin ripped.
No blood flowed.
Only crimson-black energy veins emerged.
At that moment—
SYSTEM VOICE [Final Trial Activated]
Something emerged from the portal.
A long, black sword.
It hovered in the air.
SYSTEM VOICE Everyone must pay a price. Both of you are included. Leave a mark on your soul… or sacrifice a limb.
Ren froze.
The sword slowly descended.
Its sharp tip stabbed into the concrete.
Elara's eyes widened in fear.
ELARA(weak, trembling voice) …Ren… don't…
Ren looked at the sword.
Then at his mother.
Then at his own left arm.
The rain was pouring violently.
There was no expression left on Ren's face.
Only emptiness.
REN(low, almost emotionless voice) …we have to pay a price.
A black droplet slid from Elara's eye.
This time, it wasn't a real tear.
It was a piece of her soul.
Ren pulled the sword from the ground.
He walked toward his mother with heavy steps.
The sound of his shoes echoed in the rainy air.
He looked into his mother's eyes.
There was nothing left in them now.
Only pain and a little bit of hope.
Her eyes had faded.
Ren began to choke on his tears.
Memories flooded his mind.
The scent of fresh flowers.
That terrace.
What had happened that now the smell of alcohol and cigarettes filled everything?
Why had his mother caught that disease?
Why couldn't he find her?
Everywhere he looked, he saw himself and his mother — their old selves.
REN(in tears, broken voice) I'm sorry, Mom… So we can get out of here…
And he drove the sword into his own stomach.
The pain was unbearable.
Ren collapsed to his knees.
The sword went in through his stomach and out his back.
No blood flowed.
Only crimson-black energy burst forth.
At that exact moment—
Elara's hand touched Ren's.
It was burning hot.
Still the same warmth.
Her weak arms wrapped around him from behind.
ELARA(very weak, trembling voice) …I… will do it…
SHAAAKKK!
The sword stabbed into Elara's stomach.
Ren's eyes widened in horror.
REN MOM—!
Elara's body shuddered.
But she didn't let go.
Her powerless arms wrapped around Ren's waist.
Their two hearts now beat side by side.
Their two souls were bound forever.
As two dead beings.
The portal's purple-black light flared violently.
It was ready to swallow them both.
Ren's eyes were filled with tears.
But this time, he was smiling.
In pain.
Broken.
Real.
REN(whispering) …now we can go.
Elara looked at him.
In her eyes, there was both fear and a strange pride.
The rain poured down violently.
And the portal swallowed them.
END OF CHAPTER 2