Chapter 10: what a nice tone you have

Please note that the following content contains graphic and disturbing scenes of violence, torture, and mature themes, and reader discretion is advised.

Ashenhold city, a sprawling metropolis situated on a coastal plain, surrounded by rugged mountains and dense forests, presented a façade of peace and tranquility. However, beneath this exterior lay a complex web of corruption and crime, masterminded by various mafia organizations. The most powerful of these was the Nightshade organization, led by Chris Corsini, a 25-year-old who had inherited his father's empire after his death.

As Chris walked out of his office, he was accompanied by Leona, whose excitement was palpable. The atmosphere in the building grew increasingly tense, as if everyone was aware of the impending horror that awaited in the torture room. Chris's expression remained inscrutable, but his eyes seemed to burn with an inner fire, fueled by his encounter with Zoey.

Upon entering the dark corridor, the stench of death hit them, causing Leona's lips to curl into a wider smile as her anticipation soared. The corridor was lined with cage-like gates, each containing people with tattered appearances and blood-stained bodies. Some had their eyes closed, appearing to be on the brink of death, while others scurried into their cells in fear as Chris emerged from the darkness.

As they walked, the sound of their footsteps echoed through the corridors, eventually leading them to the torture room. The room was wide and spotless, with the scent of disinfectant filling their nostrils. Chris smiled, satisfied with the cleanliness of the room, which allowed him to gauge the extent of his "work" when he was done with his "visitor." "Good job, Leona," he said, his voice calm and collected.

Leona smiled, "I try my best, boss." The room was empty, except for a young man bound to a chair in the middle of the room, his head hung low. A table and a single chair stood at the corner, and Leona quickly moved them next to the tied individual. She then placed a heavy leather bag on the table, opening it to reveal an assortment of weapons, including knives, a hand saw, a hammer, guns, and other instruments Chris used for his torture sessions.

The scene was set, and the air was thick with anticipation, as Chris prepared to extract information from the young man, using any means necessary. The darkness of the room, the smell of disinfectant, and the array of weapons all contributed to an atmosphere of foreboding, hinting at the horrors that were to come.

Chris dragged the chair in front of the young man and sat down, crossing his legs. The sound echoed in the room, causing the man to open his eyes. He looked around, taking in the sight of the weapons sprawled on the table next to him. He tried to loosen the chains that tied him down, explaining "look, I don't have any information you're looking for, I'm just a small fly there men" in a distressed tone. As he stopped struggling, realizing it was futile, Chris looked at him with no emotion in his eyes.

The man in front of him was a small underdog for the 'viper's nest', an organization that Chris suspected had a hand in the disappearance of his sister months ago. "You being a small fly is what brought you here, small flies that go unnoticed are usually the ones that see things the most" Chris said calmly. "So why don't you just cooperate and tell me everything you know about my sister's disappearance" Chris concluded, his voice still calm.

The man gulped in fear, "Y-your sister? I don't even know who you all are" he said, looking between Leona and Chris. Chris stood up, walking towards the weapons and picking up an axe. He checked the blade, making sure it was sharp enough. "Sorry for my bad manners, I should have introduced myself earlier, I am Chris Corsini and my sister is Vicky Corsini" he said, introducing himself.

The man who was chained to the chair shivered after hearing the name. "C-c-chris corsini "!? Of course, he knew who Chris Corsini was, the most feared mafia lord in all of Ashenhold city. He had only heard of his name as he worked for another big mafia organization, so he had heard about the real leader of the Nightshade. He had heard about his dealings and some of his killings, how he drinks the blood of his victims for a living and sleeps with the dead. He was well aware those were exaggerated rumors, but he didn't want to find out himself. He knew he had to come clean, so he would be let go. "I would tell you all I know if you promise to let me go" he said, fearfully.

Chris smiled 'kindly' "of course, I would let you go, when you tell me everything you know" he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. Ken, the man chained to the chair, started to talk, telling Chris everything he knew about the organization he worked for, thinking he could sell the organization to free himself. Chris had his brows raised after Ken finished. "That's it"! Chris asked, his voice laced with disappointment. "You literally just told me a bunch of useless things with only a sprinkle of useful things. Still useless, by the way" Chris said, frowning with feigned displeasure.

Ken's eyes widened with realization. "You never planned to let me go, did you?" he asked, his voice shaking. Chris laughed, the sound echoing in the room, making the hairs on Ken's neck stand on end, knowing he should start to say his last prayers. "Look, I can work for you while I pretend to still be part of them and bring you information. I-i- could be your inner man" Ken proposed, desperately wishing Chris would agree.

But Chris was unmoved. "Now, why would I trust someone who was willing to sell his own people just to save his own skin? Here in Nightshade, we prioritize loyalty, who's to say you won't sell us out next time?" Chris said, with a small smirk plastered on his face. "Now, I would have ended you in one swift move, to save you the pain, but I really am in quite a mood right now, and I need to hear screams of pain to calm my mind. And also, you know my identity now, I can't keep you alive. Leona" he said, nodding to Leona.

On cue, Leona brought the table directly in front of Ken, with a maddening smile, ignoring Ken's screams. "No! Please! Let's talk this out! I can be a lot of help to you! Please don't kill me!!" Ken pleaded, but it was too late. Leona released one of Ken's hands and placed it on top of the wooden table. "I haven't even started yet and you're already screaming. What a nice tone you have" Chris said, with a calm smile. He held Ken's hand down, and before anyone could blink, he descended the axe on it, chopping from his wrist out like a piece of wood. The axe blade was so sharp, it cut through his hand like butter. Blood spilled on Chris's face, and he chuckled with ecstasy.