Bloodbound Secrets

The Dark King smiled slightly and said, "Your body is not yet ready to contain my power or any other power. The first step will be to change you, to become able to endure. But remember, this power will kill your heart over time, and strip you of your humanity. Will you accept this?"

Without hesitation, Roy looked him straight in the eyes and replied, "I don't care, I want the power to take revenge... and find my father again."

"Alright then... I'll start now."

There was no warning, just an overwhelming feeling of pain. Suddenly, shadows swept through his body, piercing through him as if it were black fire burning him from the inside. He screamed in indescribable pain, feeling his bones break and reform themselves, his muscles tear and then rebuild stronger than ever. His body grew at an insane speed, every cell in him changing, transforming into something completely new.

Through this agony, he saw fleeting glimpses of his past. He saw his father John standing in the shadows, his face obscured as if he were far beyond his reach. He saw his mother Sakura smiling at him, but he couldn't reach her. Every time he reached out, the images faded away as if they were nothing but a mirage.

When the pain was over, Roy opened his eyes. He was standing there, his body completely different. He was no longer the little boy he was moments ago, but a young man in his twenties. His body was stronger, taller, more agile. But he also felt something else... the darkness inside him, it was alive, moving as if it was a part of him.

The Dark King looked at him and said in a calm voice, "You have changed. But remember, this is only the beginning. Don't let this power consume you." Then he added in a low voice, "There are other kings like me, stronger than me... You have only discovered a small part of this world."

Roy didn't have time to process these words. Suddenly, he found himself lying on solid ground. He opened his eyes to find the sky above him, the stars shining as they always did. He raised his hand to see his long, strong fingers, he touched his face and hair, everything about him was different. He was back in the real world, but he wasn't the same person.

He stood up slowly, trying to process everything that had happened, and suddenly, he saw Sebastian standing in front of him. Sebastian's face showed no clear expression, but the shock in his eyes was enough.

"Roy... What happened to you?"

Roy looked at him for a moment, then said in a voice that was deeper and firmer than he was used to, "I got the strength I needed..."

Sebastian didn't answer right away. He looked at him, assessing the change, realizing that the person standing in front of him was not the same child he knew yesterday. But before he could say anything else, Roy turned to look at the horizon.

"I'm going to Taiga." He said it in a cold voice, as if nothing else mattered.

Sebastian sighed softly, then said, "Strength alone is not enough, Roy. Are you sure you're ready for what's to come?"

Roy didn't answer, just continued walking under the moonlight, his glowing eyes reflecting the darkness that had taken over his soul. And somewhere else, deep in the shadows, there were other eyes watching him... observing his newfound power, planning their next moves.