The Devil's Masquerade- Part 2

Zormi stepped into the heart of the camp, his radiant smile and harmless posture disarming those who remained wary of the stranger in their midst. The smell of cooked food lingered in the air, and the soft murmur of conversations provided a stark contrast to the chaos Zormi had left behind in his life. As his crimson eyes scanned the camp, they fell upon her—a woman whose beauty made time seem to slow for him.

She had auburn hair that cascaded over her shoulders like liquid sunlight and eyes that shimmered with warmth, kindness, and strength. Her smile was gentle, reminiscent of a serene morning. She moved with a grace that seemed almost unnatural amidst the harsh environment of the island, distributing food to the camp's inhabitants with a calm, motherly presence.

Zormi felt something stir within him—a sensation both familiar and alien. He prided himself on being invincible, a prodigy born with no weaknesses, unmatched in combat and strategy. Yet, if there was one thing that could be considered his flaw, it was his appreciation for beauty. He adored all things beautiful—the elegance of a sword's craftsmanship, the vibrant colors of a rare flower, the serenity of a starry night.

But nothing captivated him more than the beauty of women. To Zormi, women were among the most exquisite creations in existence, embodying both strength and delicacy in a way that no other being could. He revered them, admired them, and often found himself enchanted by their presence.

This woman—Marzia, as he would later learn her name—embodied everything he admired. Her beauty, her warmth, her kindness—all of it was a potent combination that Zormi found utterly irresistible. In her, he saw not just a beautiful creature but a potential treasure to claim, a companion to possess.

She approached him with a bowl of steaming soup, her soft smile never fading. "You must be hungry," she said, her voice like a gentle melody. "Here, have some warm soup. It's not much, but it'll help."

For a brief moment, Zormi's usual persona faltered. He accepted the bowl, his statue-like face softening into something almost genuine. "Thank you," he said, his voice quieter than usual. "Your kindness... it reminds me of my mother."

Marzia's smile widened, a genuine warmth in her eyes. "I am Marzia," she replied, her tone light and friendly. "What should I call you, stranger?"

Zormi took a delicate sip of the soup, his expression one of bashful delight, even though the truth was that his mind was already calculating. "I... I am Aurguisi," he said, his voice soft, almost humbled in her presence. His eyes never left hers, his charm unwavering.

"Lady Marzia," he continued, his words flowing like honey, "your camp seems extremely warm, just like you." The compliment came effortlessly, and Zormi could already sense the effect it was having.

Marzia blushed slightly, her smile still not fading. She was used to compliments, but there was something about Zormi that made her feel seen, truly seen, in a way no one had in a long time.

"Just Marzia," she replied with a slight chuckle, "and yes, thankfully nothing bad happened even in the mist. It was hard, but we all survived." Her voice was full of resilience, a quiet strength that Zormi couldn't help but admire.

But as she spoke, she noticed a subtle shift in his demeanor. His smile faltered just for a moment, his eyes clouding with sorrow. She immediately caught on.

"I overheard what you said," she added quickly, her tone gentle and sincere. "It's unfortunate... but at least you survived, Aurguisi. Now you'll be safe with us."

Zormi's eyes softened for a moment, the sorrow in them real enough to be convincing, though it was only a fleeting emotion. He had learned long ago that showing weakness, even if fleeting, could draw people in and make them trust you.

His lips curled into a small, appreciative smile as he looked at Marzia. "Thank you," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "I can't even begin to imagine what I would have done without your kindness."

Inside, Zormi was calculating, planning. He had no intention of being weak or helpless, but the persona he had crafted, the one that pulled at Marzia's heartstrings, would serve him well. He was already beginning to weave a delicate web of influence. And Marzia, with her warmth and beauty, was now a key part of it.

"Just then, a hand covered Marzia's eyes and a playful voice said, 'Guess who?'"

"Who, I wonder?" Marzia responded, her tone light, a soft smile spreading across her face. The look in her eyes shifted slightly, turning into something more affectionate. She had known this person, this presence, all too well.

"Lefnar! You're finally back!" she exclaimed, her voice full of joy as she recognized him, her face lighting up with happiness.

"In back, my love," Lefnar replied, his brown hair ruffling in the light breeze as he pulled Marzia into a tight embrace, pressing his lips gently against her cheek. Their connection was undeniable, intimate, as if no distance could break them apart.

"And who is this new face here?" Lefnar asked, pulling away from Marzia to glance at Zormi, his gaze sharp and a little wary. "Did something happen when I went out for scouting?"

Marzia smiled and gestured toward Zormi. "Meet Aurguisi, the newest addition to our camp," she said, her voice filled with a gentle warmth.

Zormi, who had been observing this interaction with keen interest, flashed his radiant smile. On the surface, it seemed innocent, but underneath, Zormi's emotions were anything but. His crimson eyes burned with a hidden fury as he gazed at Lefnar and Marzia. The affection between them, the way Marzia had melted into Lefnar's embrace, made Zormi's blood boil , but he masked the emotion with a kind expression.

"Nice to meet you, Lefnar," Zormi said with an innocent smile, his voice smooth as silk, yet there was a deadly edge to it. His outward calmness was a mask, hiding the seething anger inside.

Lefnar, oblivious to the storm brewing within Zormi, laughed lightly and clapped him on the shoulder. "Are you sure he's safe?" Lefnar asked, giving Zormi an appraising look, his brow furrowing slightly in suspicion.

Marzia, noticing the tension, tried to ease the mood with a softer approach. "Come on, Lefnar, don't be so suspicious. The boy's been through a lot. He's the last survivor of his crew, after all," she said, her voice full of pity and compassion as she glanced at Zormi.

Zormi's eyes darkened for a moment, but he quickly reined in his emotions, smiling back at Marzia. "It's true," he said, his voice soft and full of mock sorrow. "All my brothers died… half of them in the mist, and the others by the island's dangers."

The sorrow in his tone seemed real enough, though it was laced with an undercurrent of something darker. Marzia's eyes softened at his words, a pained look crossing her face. "Oh, that's horrible," she murmured, placing a gentle hand on his arm.

The tension in the air seemed to ease, but Zormi could sense the jealousy creeping into him. He had to hide it—he had to be careful. "Thank you for welcoming me," Zormi said, bowing slightly, though his eyes never left Marzia. "You have no idea how much it means to me."

Lefnar, however, wasn't entirely convinced. "Does the leader know about this, Marzia?" he asked, still sizing Zormi up. "Is he really someone we can trust?"

Marzia nodded with a reassuring smile. "Yes, the leader's already invited him. He's under our protection now," she said, her voice light and confident.

Zormi stood tall, his imposing presence undeniable. He looked at Lefnar and then at the others around him. His eyes narrowed slightly, still locked on Marzia. "I appreciate your kindness," he said softly, though there was a wicked glint in his gaze, a hint of something far darker lurking beneath his calm exterior.

Lefnar, trying to keep things lighthearted, turned to joke. "He's a tall one, isn't he?" he said, laughing. "Though his smile seems kind of… stupid."

Zormi's smile didn't falter. Instead, it widened, his expression now chillingly pleasant. "Most People say i have a pleasant sime," he responded lightly, his voice smooth and honeyed. But inside, his anger was bubbling up. How dare Lefnar belittle him, especially when Marzia had shown him such kindness?

The evening wore on, and Zormi found himself growing impatient. He couldn't wait any longer. The feeling that something precious to him was slipping away—the warmth Marzia gave to everyone, but not to him—was unbearable. Zormi had to act.

"Marzia," he said, his voice now lower, more insistent, "may I help you with something? I don't want to be a burden."

She smiled at him, handing out pieces of bread to the others. "No sneaky snaking," she said playfully, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

Unable to hold back any longer, Zormi's face shifted, and the kind facade crumbled away. "You are beautiful, Marzia," he said, his voice raw with desire. The softness that had once defined him was now replaced by something more dangerous, more hungry. He stood up straight, his towering form towering even more menacingly.

"Be my maiden, Marzia," he said, his voice intense, almost hypnotic. "I promise you will survive this island. You belong with me, not with Lefnar."

The words left his mouth before he could stop them, and Marzia, stunned by the sudden shift in Zormi's demeanor, tried to pull away. "What—no! Unhand me!" she screamed, fear beginning to take over.

Lefnar was quick to react. "Marzia, what's wrong?" he shouted, running to her side.

Zormi's smile twisted into something cruel. He could feel his patience slipping away, and before he could even think, he was already moving.

"What did you try to do?" Lefnar shouted, his fists flying as he charged at Zormi.

Zormi, despite his overwhelming strength and combat prowess, did nothing to avoid the punch that came at him. He took the blow willingly, using it as an excuse to retaliate. The moment Lefnar's fist connected, Zormi's eyes flashed with dark delight. He grabbed Lefnar's wrist and twisted, throwing him to the ground with an effortless motion.

Lefnar scrambled to his feet, but Zormi was already on him, attacking with brutal force. Each punch landed with a sickening thud, and soon Lefnar was battered and broken, struggling to stay conscious.

"ENOUGH!" came a roar from the main tent, and Taika, the leader of the camp, emerged, his massive frame looming over the scene.

"Stop it now," Taika commanded, his voice heavy with authority.

Zormi, still wearing his twisted grin, stopped for a moment, his chest heaving with exertion. "He punched me first," Zormi said calmly, almost too calmly, his voice light despite the violence that had just unfolded.

"But you—" Taika started, but he was interrupted by Marzia's frantic voice.

"Zormi, what have you done?!"

Her words cut through the air, but they didn't seem to reach Zormi. His mind was fixed on one thing and one thing only: Marzia. He had made his move, and now, he would take what he wanted.

"But i haven't done anything marzia, yet!" Before anyone could react, Zormi's palm shined with silver light as a katana appeared in his hand, seemingly out of thin air—its silver blade gleaming with deadly intent—was in his hand. With a single, swift motion, he beheaded Lefnar, the man's head rolling from his shoulders and hitting the ground with a sickening thud.

"You may get angry now marzia, now somethinghad happened" he said looking at marzia with a twisted grin. The beauty that he saw from Marzia was now gone, something vile had now taken her place, something unwanted to zormi, his reasons to masquerade was now gone, annoyance was the only emotion left in zormis twisted mind, someone had sullied the beauty he seeked, this enraged him further.

Marzia screamed, the sound piercing the night air, her heart breaking. Zormi's eyes gleamed with dark satisfaction. He had claimed what he wanted, and nothing would stand in his way now.

"Why must the heavens be so cruel on me, why does no beauty last long enough for me to enjoy?," he muttered under his breath, a growl rising in his throat. His rage was palpable as he roared, hoping to attract more monsters to the scene. He was no longer interested in the petty people around him. His bloodlust had returned in full force.

It wasn't long before monstrous roars and shrieks echoed from the depths of the island. The ground shook as something terrible drew closer. Zormi had done what he intended, and now, he would leave. He was done with the games.

Taika, enraged, swung a massive axe at Zormi. The power behind the blow could have cleaved a mountain, but Zormi dodged effortlessly. In the blink of an eye, Zormi cut off Taika's arms, rendering him helpless. Without a word, Zormi stepped over the fallen man, heading toward the camp's outskirts.

Zormi raised his katana, slashing through the air with such precision that it seemed to tear the very fabric of space itself.

A fissure, shimmering with silver light, appeared before him. Without a moment's hesitation, Zormi stepped into the rift, his body disappearing into the dark void, leaving behind the chaos he had created.

The camp was left in disarray. Screams filled the air, as miniature predatory cats, drawn by Zormi's roar, began to ravage the survivors. And in the silence that followed, only Marzia's sobs could be heard, her broken heart heavy with the weight of the man she had unknowingly allowed into her life.