Bloodbound Secrets

Roy walked steadily outside the place where he and Sebastian were staying, his eyes shining with a steely determination even though his insides were filled with hesitation. The voice of the Dark King was echoing in his mind, telling him that he had to find Rose to perform the magical ritual that would allow him to bind his soul to the power of darkness. He wasn't sure what awaited him, but he knew that this path was one of no return.

As he advanced, he began to feel the atmosphere around him changing, as if the place itself was trying to prevent him from arriving. He found himself in a deserted area, but something about it was not normal. Suddenly, he heard a rustling sound coming from the darkness, and only moments later, strange creatures appeared before him, half-humans and half-beasts, their eyes glowing fiercely, their bodies twisted as if they were created only to torture those who crossed their path. He had no choice but to fight.

His black aura erupted with terrifying force, his red eyes glowing in the darkness, he felt anger boiling in his veins as he pounced on them. His movements were faster than before, each strike was enough to finish one of them off, but he realized that their power was increasing with each attack. He had no choice but to unleash his full power, and when he did, the ground around him shook, and the dark energy exploded to destroy everything that stood in his way.

When the fight ended, he was breathing heavily, but in front of him appeared a long corridor leading him to his destination. He gathered his strength and walked towards it, until he reached a small house in front of which stood a woman with blond hair, her eyes cold as if she could see into his depths. She looked at him with careful evaluation before saying in a calm voice: "I knew you would come. But before I can help you, you have to prove to me that you are able to bear what is coming."

He did not have time to ask questions, as she raised her hand, and in an instant the world around him was plunged into darkness. He found himself in an empty place, but he was not alone. In front of him stood a person who looked exactly like him, but his eyes were darker, his smile was full of mockery, and his voice was a frightening echo of his own. "So, you think you're strong enough? Let's see if you're really worthy of this power."

Without warning, he lunged at him at an unimaginable speed, and the real battle began. Every punch, every strike, every move was like he was facing a part of himself he didn't want to acknowledge. Darkness surrounded them, restricting his breath, trying to pull him deeper into it. But Roy wasn't ready to give in. He had to prove that he was in control, not the other way around.

He didn't know how much time had passed, but he felt his body trembling with exhaustion. Still, he didn't let himself fall. With sheer willpower, he was able to push his dark version back, until he disappeared completely into the darkness, and he came back to consciousness to find Rose watching him with neutral eyes.

"I survived." She said in an emotionless voice, then continued as she drew a magic circle around him, "But this was only the beginning. Now, we'll see if I can handle what's coming."

He felt an immense pressure bearing down on him as he once again sank into the darkness, but this time, he wasn't afraid.