PAIN BREEDERCHAPTER 8: "The Shadow of the Crimson Conclave"
FADE IN:
The rain began to pour down violently again.
As if the sky itself was watching everything unfold.
Cain stood at the entrance of the cave. His black uniform was soaked, but he seemed completely unaffected. A faint, mocking smile lingered on his face.
CAIN(calm, deep voice) Well then… come on, Breeders. Show me your fists.
Suddenly, a crushing weight pressed down on Ren.
It felt like a massive boulder had landed on his chest. His lungs felt like they were about to burst. He started sweating. Cold sweat mixed with the rain.
CAIN(smiling, mocking) What's wrong? Is my power too heavy for you?
Lira took a step toward Ren.
LIRA(hoarse, barely audible voice) Run… Ren… run…
Her voice was muffled. Perhaps her throat had been damaged.
Cain moved suddenly.
In an instant, he appeared right in front of Ren.
His hand shot toward Ren's throat like lightning.
His fingers were about to touch—
BAM!
Elara's foot slammed into Cain's arm with a hard kick.
Nothing happened. Cain's arm didn't even budge.
But the kick managed to stop Cain's attack for a split second.
Cain's eyes slowly shifted to Elara.
His smile widened.
CAIN(pleased, mocking voice) Well done… You're brave.
Suddenly, flames erupted from Cain's arm.
Dark red, almost black flames. The heat made the air shimmer.
CAIN But courage alone isn't enough here.
Ren's throat was still burning. His lungs were still constricted.
Elara stood firmly in front of Cain. Her weakened body was trembling, but there was an unyielding light in her eyes.
ELARA(weak but clear) …Don't touch… my son.
Cain laughed. His laughter echoed through the cave.
CAIN How touching. A mother protecting her child. But remember… Everyone here is a monster.
Ren clenched his fist.
Purple cursed energy flared violently around his arms.
REN(panting, full of rage) …Come on then.
Ren finally moved his fist.
His right fist, glowing with crimson-purple flames, flew toward Cain's face.
BAMMM!
Cain caught the punch in his palm.
His smile didn't fade at all.
CAIN Come… Let's face each other.
In a flash, Cain's hand moved.
His left hand grabbed Elara's leg, and his right hand seized Ren's arm.
SHAAKKK!KRRRAAAKKK!
The sound of bones breaking echoed through the cave.
Elara's leg and Ren's arm snapped at the same time.
The pain was unbearable.
Both of them groaned at the same moment.
At that exact instant, the sound of a sword slicing through the air rang out.
YOREN lunged forward and swung his sword at Cain's arm.
YOREN(shouting) Let them go!
Cain's arm was slightly cut, but the wound immediately began to close.
Black-red energy burst from the cut, and the flesh fused back together instantly.
At the same time, Lira drew her bow and began firing arrows one after another.
The arrows struck Cain's back and shoulders.
LIRA(shouting) Run!
Because his arm was cut, Elara tried to free her leg.
But Cain's grip was still iron-tight.
SHAAKKK!
Cain's arm moved again, squeezing Elara's leg even harder.
The sound of bone breaking rang out.
Elara cried out in pain.
At the same moment, the same pain exploded in Ren's leg.
REN(shouting in agony) MOM!
Ren swung his other fist.
BAMMM!
The punch hit Cain's face.
But Cain didn't move at all.
It felt like punching a rock.
Blood flew through the air.
Ren's hand was covered in blood.
Cain then took an arrow right in the back of his neck.
SHAAKKK!
For the first time, a genuine expression of pain appeared on Cain's face.
His arms loosened for a split second.
Taking advantage of that opening, Ren freed his arm.
Yoren and Lira shouted at the same time:
YOREN & LIRA REN! RUN!
Ren started running without looking back.
Elara followed right behind him.
As they ran past Yoren, Yoren grabbed Ren's arm and pressed a folded map into his hand.
YOREN(panting, urgently) The guild is here! Run, quickly!
He cast a spell behind them.
The entrance of the cave began to close again.
The stones slid shut with a loud rumble.
Inside remained Yoren, Lira, Cain, and the soldiers.
Outside, Ren and Elara ran deeper into the forest.
The rain was pouring down violently.
Ren's leg and Elara's leg were still throbbing with pain.
But they didn't stop.
Behind them, the shadow of the Crimson Conclave continued to grow.
END OF CHAPTER 8