The Captain of the Guards discreetly summoned a trusted messenger:
"Deliver this letter to Mark, quietly. Ensure no one suspects its true purpose."
The letter read:
"Dear Mark,
You have been selected for a special assignment to assist with harvest festival preparations and crop inspections in Brindlemark Village.
You will depart immediately and serve for approximately two weeks.
Your skills in logistics will greatly benefit the village's harvest efforts.
Report to the village elder upon arrival.
By order of King Malakar"
The messenger nodded understandingly – unaware of the dark truth behind the innocent-sounding assignment.
Mark would likely suspect nothing, walking blindly into the clutches of Zha'thik
...and the cult that awaited him.
The Captain watched the messenger leave, then turned to King Malakar:
"The letter is sent, Your Majesty. Mark will soon be on his way to... his fate."
King Malakar's expression was a mix of relief and moral anguish:
"May the gods forgive us for this deception."
Lord Thomas whispered:
"Do you think Kai will hold to his end of the twisted bargain?"
King Malakar's voice laced with doubt:
"I fear Kai's word is as worthless as the darkness that drives him.
He will betray us once Mark is sacrificed."
The Captain nodded gravely:
"Yet, Your Majesty, I believe Kai will spare our kingdom...
as long as we follow his every command and Mark meets his dark fate.
Sacrificing one man – or even a few innocent maids – might save our entire realm from destruction."
Lord Thomas looked horrified by the Captain's pragmatic words:
"You suggest we prioritize the kingdom's survival over innocent lives?"
The Captain's expression remained resolute:
"Yes, My Lord. A terrible choice, but perhaps the only one that prevents a catastrophic slaughter of our entire people.
King Malakar nodded slowly, despair in his eyes:
"I fear you are right, Captain. Our hands are tied by Kai's darkness.
We must sacrifice Mark to save our kingdom."
Lord Thomas whispered:
"May the gods have mercy on our souls...
For we will crown Kai, the embodiment of evil,
as the 'Hero of Light' – a twisted mockery of hope."
The Captain's grim conviction sealed their fate:
"We will follow Kai's commands,
sacrifice Mark to Zha'thik...
and deceive the people and Goddess Yui into believing
Kai is their divine savior, worthy of her devotion and trust.
This darkness may forever shroud our land."
ALL believed this was their only choice.
**IN THE CASTLE HALLWAY**
Kai walked down the dimly lit hallway, his arm wrapped tightly around the maid he had chosen, her eyes wide with fear.
Ryan followed closely behind, his own captive maid trembling in his grasp.
Kai's gaze drifted ahead, his memory suddenly sparking:
"Wait, Ryan... I recall one of the attendants escorting Mark to a room... down this very hallway."
He turned to the attendant who had been guiding them to their own quarters:
"Actually, lead us to Mark's room instead."
The attendant's eyes widened slightly, sensing something ominous:
"Y-yes, milord. Right this way..."
Kai's grin spread menacingly:
"Perfect timing. Mark needs a... farewell visit from us before his little 'harvest festival' trip."
Ryan chuckled low in his throat, anticipation building:
"This should be painful for him."
The attendant led them to Mark's door, hands shaking slightly as she guides them:
"M-milord Mark is within..."
A soft knock at the door broke the silence in Mark's room.
He felt a sudden sense of unease, wondering who could be visiting at this hour...
Cautiously, Mark opened the door:
His eyes widened in horror as he was met with hostile glares from:
Kai and the attendant girls, who looked terrified – but then Kai pushed past them.
The attendant girls stepped back, eyes fixed on Mark's shocked face, before Kai ordered:
"Inside."
Kai entered Mark's room, his menacing gaze locked onto Mark.
Then, Ryan followed behind him, turning to the attendant girls with a scary smile:
"Try to run... and you'll all be dead."
He toyed with them, voice low and menacing, making them cower together in fear.
The girls remained frozen outside the door as Ryan stepped inside, closing it behind him – trapping Mark:
Kai's voice was low and menacing:
"Mark. We've been discussing your... unexpected arrival in this world."
Ryan's eyes narrowed:
"You're the 'Commoner' who somehow transferred in with us, aren't you?
Our intel suggests your presence has triggered a 'Penalty Mode' – Accelerated timeline for Malum's awakening."
...
(The rest of the brutal scene unfolds as previously described)
....
Ryan kicked him once more before turning to leave with Kai.
The door creaked open, and the girls gasped in horror as they saw Mark's broken body on the floor.
Kai's gaze turned to them, his expression unreadable:
"Now... lead me to my room."
The girls exchanged terrified glances – they knew attempting escape would be futile, and possibly worse.
One of them stuttered:
"Y-yes, milord... this way..."
As they walked ahead of Kai and Ryan, their bodies trembled visibly, fearing they might suffer Mark's same brutal fate if they disobeyed or tried to flee.
Kai followed the trembling girls to his new room, Ryan walking silently beside him.
Once inside, Kai turned to the girls:
"You've seen what happens to those who displease me...
Ensure this incident with Mark remains unknown to the rest of the castle staff."
His voice dropped to a menacing whisper:
"If even a whisper of this escapes your lips...
Your families will suffer Mark's fate. Do you understand?"
The girls nodded vigorously, tears welling up in their eyes:
"Y-yes, milord... we won't speak a word."
Kai's expression twisted into a lustful smile:
"Entertain me... tonight. Inside."
He gestured to the room behind him, his eyes gleaming with sinister intent.
The two girls, the attendant and the maid, exchanged terrified glances - they had witnessed Mark's brutal beating just moments before.
Both girls began sobbing uncontrollably, their bodies shaking with despair:
"N-noooo... please..."
The attendant girl clutched the maid's hand as if seeking comfort in their shared horror.
Kai dragged them both inside his room, slamming the door shut behind them.
Meanwhile, Ryan grabbed the remaining maid, pulling her towards his own room:
"You're mine tonight..."
Her screams were muted as Ryan closed his door, leaving only eerie silence in the hallway.
The sounds of distress came from both rooms, chilling the castle hallway:
Muffled screams, pleas for mercy, and haunting sobs echoed through the doors.
The once-peaceful corridor was now a testament to the darkness that had consumed the castle.
Kai's and Ryan's laughter mingled with the girls' terrified cries, creating a haunting melody of horror.
But amidst the terror, other disturbing sounds leaked out:
Forced moans of pleasure, strained and unnatural, sent shivers down any listener's spine.
The implication was clear: the girls' resistance was being brutally overcome.
The kingdom's supposed "heroes" had unleashed a nightmare within its walls.
**CONTENT WARNING**
This story contains graphic descriptions of physical abuse, emotional manipulation, and non-consensual acts.
If you or someone you know has experienced similar trauma, please seek help from trusted resources:
- National Domestic Violence Hotline (US): 1-800-799-7233
- National Sexual Assault Hotline (US): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
- Local support services in your country or region