Driven to Despair, teleported to Danger

NO ONE'S POV:~

"Well, well, it seems you've done your homework," a voice slithered from beneath the obsidian cloak, a chilling amusement lacing the words. "And what might be the meaning behind such a theatrical display? A dagger against me? A laughable notion. If I wished to silence you, it would be as swift as a falling star."

The figure remained shrouded in shadow, an enigma in the moonlight filtering through the jungle canopy. Only a pair of eyes, icy and predatory, pierced the gloom, gleaming like polished obsidian. The sword in his hand, a masterpiece of dark artistry, shimmered menacingly, reflecting the moonlight with a deadly dance.

"I may not be your equal in strength," the girl countered, her voice a defiant tremor against the night, "but I will not succumb without a fight. Never."

"Your appearance... it's familiar," the figure mused, his voice a low growl. "You are Seraphina, are you not?"

"Indeed," she acknowledged, her gaze unwavering despite the chilling presence before her.

"You spoke of these people's good fortune in meeting you," he said, a dangerous glint entering his eyes. "But perhaps it is you who should be thanking the stars. Had you chosen a different path, had you acted on your impulses, you would not be standing here now." Cloak said

Leon groaned, the last of the pain fading from his wounds. He pushed himself up, his vision still a little blurry. "Will someone tell me what is happening?" he croaked, his voice hoarse.

Cloak, his face a mask of fury, glared at Leon. "It seems that things are happening too quickly, wouldn't you agree? If you don't keep quiet for a while, I will end your life here."

"Cloak, you are on his side, then why are you talking about killing him?" Elara

Cloak turned, his gaze icy. "So you tell me how should I talk to a rapist? Anyway, my duty here is to take the 'key' safely from here, and one of these two is Sarah's key."

Sarah, who had been observing the exchange, spoke. "I don't understand what is happening here, but both of you listen carefully. He was not going to rape me. I just teased him a bit too much, and he did this to scare me."

Cloak scoffed. "And you think I would believe that?"

Sarah shrugged, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Well, even if he had raped me, I would have enjoyed it."

The room fell silent. Leon stared at her, his jaw slack. Cloak sputtered, choking on his own disbelief. Sarah, oblivious to the effect of her words, continued to smile, a playful devil in her eyes.

"You see," she said, "sometimes, things are not always what they seem."

Cloak smiled, a chilling expression. "Indeed. And I see you're trying to defend him, to divert my attention. A clever girl, as expected from key. but it won't work."

With that, Cloak lunged at Leon. He moved with terrifying speed, his fists a blur of motion. Leon, still weak from his injuries, was no match for Cloak's overwhelming strength. It was like trying to stop a tidal wave with a twig. Cloak, however, did not unleash his full power. He merely toyed with Leon, each blow calculated to inflict maximum pain while ensuring Leon remained conscious.

Sarah gasped, fear replacing her earlier amusement. She scrambled back, her eyes wide with horror. Leon, his face contorted in pain, tried to crawl away, but Cloak continued his relentless assault.

Leon's body screamed in agony, each blow a searing reminder of his own weakness. Rage, a cold, burning fire, ignited within him. Cloak wasn't just beating him; he was demonstrating his power, a cruel display of dominance. Leon gritted his teeth, his face a mask of stoic indifference. He would not give Cloak the satisfaction of seeing his pain. Instead, he focused his mind on the memory of Cloak's smug face, each blow fueling the burning desire for revenge. He vowed that one day, he would return this humiliation tenfold. He would become stronger, faster, more powerful than Cloak, and then, he would make Cloak pay for every ounce of pain he inflicted.

Suddenly, Sarah found her voice. "Stop! Please, stop!" she cried, her voice trembling. "He's not worth it! I'm the key, take me!"

Cloak paused, his gaze fixed on Sarah. He looked at her, then back at the battered Leon, a cruel smile playing on his lips. "The key is of utmost importance to us, Sarah," Cloak said, his voice low and dangerous. "And Leon… Leon has tried to defile it. I cannot forgive that."

Sarah came between them, her eyes blazing with fury. "Fine then," she said, her voice trembling with a mixture of anger and desperation. "Since I'm the key, I'm ordering you to stop hurting Leon right now. Otherwise, I'll commit suicide."

Cloak's expression changed. The cruel smile vanished, replaced by a look of genuine surprise and concern. "Sarah," he said, his voice softening, "making you angry was never the plan. I am merely your helper, your guardian. If you do not wish for me to continue, then I will stop."

Sarah shook her head vehemently. "You shouldn't have started it in the first place!" she exclaimed, turning to Leon with a look of deep remorse. "I'm so sorry, Leon. I'm so sorry I put you through this."

Cloak dismissed her apology with a wave of his hand. "Such minor injuries will heal in a matter of moments." He began to chant in an ancient tongue, a dimly green light emanating from his hands and enveloping Leon's body. The pain subsided, the swelling receded, and the bruises began to fade as the green light washed over him. Leon watched in astonishment as his body miraculously healed before his eyes.

However, the healing did little to quell the rage burning within him. The humiliation, the pain, the loss of control – it all fueled the fire within him. He remembered the face of that boy to give him back ten folds when he'll meet him again.