Episode 18 – "Chains" (Opening)
The forest is quiet. Too quiet.
John trudges through the trees, every step heavy, his breath fogging in the cold night air. He's muttering to himself—words only the trees hear.
A sound cuts through the silence.A low, rolling chuckle.
John freezes. His eyes dart, scanning the shadows.
Another chuckle. Louder. Closer.Then—he sees him.
A figure leaning against a tree, swaying slightly as if the night itself bends around him. A long hatchet resting casually on his shoulder.
"Who the hell are you?" John growls, hand twitching toward his holster.
The man tilts his head, lips curling."Not everyone gets to be infamous, Mr. Van Reap…"
The grin fades. His eyes harden.
Before John can even blink—BAM.
The blunt side of Destroyer slams into his skull. The world spins, cracking apart like glass. His knees buckle.
Blackness swallows him whole.
John gasps awake.
Darkness. Four walls closing in. His wrists ache—raw rope burns dig into his skin. He's stripped down to rags, sitting on a cold wooden floor. The air stinks of mildew, sweat, and iron.
His head throbs where Destroyer struck him. Every blink feels like a hammer.
The sound of a door creaking open.Light pours in.
Grim steps inside, slow and deliberate, hatchet swinging lazily at his side. That damn sway in his walk. His shadow eats the room before he does.
"Well, well," Grim drawls, voice like silk dipped in venom. "The mighty Van Reap. Slayer of men. Demon in the flesh. And yet—look at you now."
He tosses something at John. A photograph.John stares at it: his old army portrait. Back when his eyes still had light.
Grim chuckles. "Crazy, right? Underneath all that manly bush—just a man. A broken one."
John's face twists, rage and shame battling. He pushes against the ropes, wrists bleeding."I'll kill you… as soon as im free" he growls.
Grim steps close. The grin dies."No, Johnny boy. You'll do exactly what THE FUCK I TELL U."
He slams his forehead into John's, knocking him back against the wall. Blood trickles down John's nose.
The door slams shut. The lock clicks.
And John realizes—he's not just a prisoner. He's owned.