Author's POV
Im's trap had been set in motion, and it had successfully caught the supernaturals. They were chained against the walls as hundreds of warriors entered and stood before them with their weapons drawn. When I say hundreds of supernatural leaders were chained, I truly mean it the hall was enormous.
Raven: Oh no, it burns!
Alvin: Of course it burns, you idiot. Can't you see it's on fire?
Im: The little one is rather smart.
Junior: Supreme, why are you doing this?
Im laughed maliciously.
Im: Isn't it obvious? I hate every single one of you.
Nevine: Supreme..
Im: You were all so foolish.
The vampires in the hall turned pale.
Kemran: Untie me and I'll show you who I really am!
Im: Your temper won't help you, Kemran.
Keman: You're nothing but a bastard!
Kamran: How dare you treat us like this?
Im: I dare because I am Im, the incarnation of evil. And I believe you already know why I'm doing this.
Kamran: What do you mean? Kemran!
Naynah: Im, we know the truth, but you also know why we broke the alliance. Why not leave us alone? We did nothing it was the sorcerers. Release us and we can help you wipe them out.
Athena: What are you talking about, Nayn?
Kemran: Don't listen to her. Release us instead and we'll help you send them straight underground.
Suddenly, a black mist swirled around Im.
Im: Oh really? I will release none of you. Killing you all is my mission.
He laughed demonically, a sound that sent shivers down everyone's spine.
Im: And afterward, I will become the one who rules over every supernatural being.
Naylinah: Why? Why such hatred?
Im: Let me tell you my past, then.
Im turned to face them.
Flashback: Im's Past
A young boy lay on the ground while Lénon stood over him, unaware that the child was conscious.
Lénon: What should I do with him? I should have given him to Kajal. Damn it, I can't take him with me, or my pack will discover what I've done. I won't ruin my reputation over a brat who's already as good as dead.
He looked down at the boy.
Lénon: Sorry, little one, I have to leave you here.
He shifted into a wolf and ran into the forest. The boy Jinking sat up, remembering the man who had killed his father. Then, visions came to him, revealing the truth about his birth and his past. His eyes glowed with a dangerous, chilling light.
Jinking: The Gronds family I'll kill you for murdering the man who raised me. The Delmal family I'll wipe you out one by one for that man's mistake. The Talor family I'll slaughter you all for rejecting me. You will all pay for hurting my mother. This is my vow the vow of Jinking Storm.
Jinking stood, his clothes stained, just as another boy his age appeared.
Boy: Whoa, you scared me, man.
Jinking's menacing gaze made the boy step back. Then he noticed the blood on Jinking's clothes.
Boy: Th-th-there's blood
Just then, vampire fangs slid from Jinking's mouth. The boy's face turned white.
Boy: V-vampire!!
As he tried to run, Jinking rushed him and sank his fangs into his neck. The boy's scream echoed through the forest. Once his body was drained and lifeless, Jinking threw it to the ground, stripped off his own clothes, and dressed in the boy's. Without a second thought, he wandered the forest for days, killing hundreds not figuratively, literally. After each death, he took their money.
Eventually, the Supreme Demon's men strange name for a child's mother to give caught him. They were taking him to Hasrland, a city not far from the three others.
Jinking: Gentlemen, where are you taking me?
The men gave no answer, but Jinking smirked bitterly. He knew they were taking him to meet the Supreme Demon. His chance to kill him and take his place.
Hours later, they arrived at Hasrland. The men dragged him into the throne room.
Man: Supreme..
An imposing figure sat on a throne, facing away. Only a diamond ring gleamed on his finger.
Demon: Kanon, what have I told you before?
Kanon bowed his head.
Kanon: Forgive me, Supreme.
The Demon turned, his face now visible.
Jinking: Not as handsome as they said.
Demon: Excuse me?
Jinking: Someone as weak as you doesn't deserve to sit at the top.
Kanon: How dare you!?
He tried to grab Jinking, but Jinking seized his hand and snapped it.
Kanon: AHHHH!
He screamed as Jinking flung him violently against the wall.
Demon: Kanon!!
Jinking advanced dangerously.
Demon: How dare you harm one of my men?
The Demon rose from his throne. Jinking smirked.
Jinking: Seems you really know your place.
Demon: You brat, how dare you challenge me?
Jinking: I know exactly who you are.
Demon: Then why don't you show me respect?
Jinking: Have you ever seen a lion bow to a rat?
Demon: I'll teach you a lesson, boy!!
He drew his sword and swung, but Jinking caught the blade before it touched him.
Jinking: The truth hurts, doesn't it, Supreme? Too bad for you. This throne is mine now.
He yanked the sword free. The Demon staggered back in fear.
Demon: Who the hell are you?
Jinking: Your worst nightmare.
With one swift slash, Jinking cut his throat. The Demon collapsed, clutching his neck.
Jinking: Rest in peace, Supreme.
Kanon froze. Warriors rushed in, alarmed by his scream, but what they saw was beyond belief. Jinking walked calmly to the throne and sat.
Reluctantly, Kanon bowed. By the law of battle, the victor was Supreme now.
Kanon: Glory to our new Supreme.
The others followed, bitterness in their hearts.
Jinking: Now, get rid of that rat. Burn himâ€"or better, throw him into the forest. Let the wild animals feast.
The warriors wanted to scream that it was their Supreme, but they couldn't disobey. Jinking had defeated him; loyalty now belonged to him. They lifted the body and carried it away.
Jinking: Kanon, go see the healer. You look in bad shape.
He said innocently, though he knew he was the cause.
Kanon: Of course, Supreme.
He limped away. Jinking smiled victoriously.
Jinking: I'll find you soon, Mother.
News of the Supreme's death spread through Hasrland. The people mourned, but what unsettled them most was the identity of the child with no heart. Day by day, they witnessed his cruelty grow. He found his mother after six months, and later discovered he had a younger brother. Years later, his mother died during a battle between sorcerers, vampires, and werewolves, and his brother was killed by rogues. Jinking's heart grew even harder, his cruelty deeper. His hatred expanded no longer just the three great powers, but every supernatural being. His grand plan took shape: to destroy his enemies and rule them all. Anyone who stood in his way would die.
End of Flashback
Im burst into laughter after telling his story.
Junior: You're insane!!
Im: Yes, I am, boy. And now I'll kill you all just like I killed Nancia and Kamil.
The hall fell into utter shock.
Kamran: You killed my brother!!
Naylinah: You killed my sister!!
They shouted at once.
Im: Did I kill them? No, they never killed each other. It was all part of my plan. I sent Ilsa to spy, to make you believe they were turning against each other. But instead, they formed an alliance. Ilsa told me everything. And when Nevine discovered her, he killed her. That made it easy for me to convince you all they had killed each other.
Naylinah struggled against her chains, her eyes blazing red with fury.
Naylinah: You'll pay for this!!
Im turned his back.
Im: And how will you do that? You're all trapped.
Suddenly, a powerful gust of wind swept through the hall. Im spun around just as a portal opened in the ceiling.
Varen: A portal!?
All eyes turned upward as Garth dropped down, followed by MJ and Asher. Kemran and Naynah's eyes widened.
Kemran (whispering): The princess's friends
Im: What is this? Seize them!
The warriors advanced, but a sudden blast of wind sent them crashing to the ground.
Im: What the...?
The three stood proudly, smiling.
Im: A sorcerer, a wolf, and a vampire.
He sniffed the air, and his eyes darkened.
Im: Hybrids.
The revelation shocked everyone. Hybrids were supposed to be forbidden killed the moment they were discovered. Yet here stood three. Junior stared intently at the portal.
Alvin: What are you looking at, noodle brain?
Junior ignored him, still watching. Then a smile spread across his face as if he'd finally seen what he was waiting for.
Junior (whispering): Lis...
The entire hall heard him in the heavy silence. A figure leapt from the portal, landing in a crouch that shook the manor itself. Athena had arrived.
Im's mouth fell open in shock. Athena smiled.
Im: You!!
Athena: We meet again, Im.