Suffering

Everyone was shocked by Amadeus's courage to face death without fear. "Such bravery from such a young child is amazing," said High Priest Archibald.

"Don't mistake my actions for bravery. Death with my family is much better than living with this human trash," Amadeus spat, disgusted by the villagers' actions.

The villagers bowed their heads in shame and guilt as Amadeus walked past them. "Amadeus, we are sor..." one of the villagers began, but he was silenced by a deathly glare full of rage and hatred from Amadeus.

Amadeus continued walking towards his mother. "You say you're sorry? I don't want your pitiful apologies, you worthless shit," said Amadeus.

Genevieve hugged Amadeus as soon as he reached her. "Amadeus, don't worry. Everything will be fine," she said, trying to hold back her tears and forcing a fake smile.

"Yes, Mother. As long as we are together, everything will be okay," Amadeus replied, rubbing his mother's hair to calm her down.

"Amadeus... my son, I am sorry," Genevieve said as her tears started to fall uncontrollably.

"Why are you apologizing? It's not your fault," Amadeus thought.

The two minotaurs began moving to cover all exits, ensuring no one could escape. "Now, shall we start the sacrifice ritual?" said High Priest Archibald, opening his arms and casting a spell.

[Altar of Sacrifice] chanted High Priest Archibald.

A giant golden magic circle appeared on the ground, its intricate patterns and symbols glowing with a radiant light. The circle expanded, covering the entire area with its luminous presence.

In the center of the circle stood an altar made entirely of mana. The altar shimmered with a translucent, ethereal glow, its surface smooth and flawless. The mana that formed the altar pulsed rhythmically, as if it were alive, waiting for the sacrifice to be placed upon it.

"Well, this is very exciting. Who should I sacrifice first? Maybe..." High Priest Archibald began, but he was cut off by Leonard.

"Me. Start with me," Leonard said.

High Priest Archibald responded with a demonic smile. "So, you want to play the hero until the end?"

"I am no hero. I am just a father who couldn't protect his wife and children," Leonard said, broken and depressed, unable to lift his head to face his family.

"Then please, Baldwin, will you do the honors?" said High Priest Archibald.

"Sure, it's about time we finish this," said Paladin Baldwin, his menacing voice sending chills down the spines of everyone present.

Leonard was teleported from his chains to the altar, where his hands and legs were bound. This was one of the effects of the spell, allowing the user to teleport anyone inside the circle directly to the altar.

Paladin Baldwin, a tall huge man around 250 cm with a strong, muscular build, approached with confidence. His golden Armor shone brightly, covering him from head to toe. The emblem of the Alpha was engraved on his chest plate, showing his divine loyalty. Baldwin's face was hidden by a helmet, adding to his intimidating presence.

As he stood above Leonard, Baldwin drew his great sword from his back. The sword was decorated with golden carvings that glimmered in the light. Although it looked new, it had clearly seen many battles, with small marks and scratches along the blade.

Baldwin held the great sword firmly, ready to fulfil his duty. He gazed down at Leonard, prepared to deliver the final blow.

Baldwin asked, looking at the broken Leonard "Tell me, do you have any last words?".

"Genevieve, Maximilian, Seraphina, Isabella... Amadeus, forgive me. I couldn't protect you because I am too weak. Please forgive me," Leonard said, squeezing his teeth in anger, tears of regret and shame falling from his eyes.

Amadeus's closed his eyes as Baldwin raised his great sword. " my sovereign of the beginning Alpha, take this loyal follower into your warm light as an offering from us to bless our journey to defend your realm from invaders," Baldwin prayed, his great sword gradually being covered with golden light.

As Leonard's head rolled on the ground, a scream broke the silence. "Leonard, noooo!" Genevieve screamed in pain as her husband's head rolled on the ground. Screams and cries filled the air from Leonard's family.

the bagger shadow said with a depressed voice " 5 left "

While his family was having a mental breakdown, Amadeus kept his eyes closed, afraid to see the lifeless body of his father.

"It's okay, everything will end soon," Amadeus said, barely holding himself together amidst the screams of his family.

Suddenly, the world shifted. Still closing his eyes, Amadeus was transported to the dark domain, standing in the middle, oblivious to what was happening around him.

The shadow assassin laughed at Amadeus. "What a coward, just standing there like a sheep waiting to be slaughtered."

The mage, trembling, said, "O-of course he w-would be s-scared. Who wouldn't be after seeing their father's head rolling on the ground?"

"Next," Baldwin said, looking at the family.

"I will go then. my children forgive me for falling to protect you " said Genevieve. She was teleported to the altar, and Baldwin repeated the same words before cutting her head.

the Nobel shadow said as he made on of the chess pieces fall " 4 left "

Isabella who was scared not knowing what to do as she just lost Bothe her parents in horrifying way, the only thing she could do was hold Amadeus hand.

Amadeus could feel his sister's hands shaking as their mother's head rolled on the ground.

"Everything is going to be okay. It isn't like I could do anything," Amadeus told himself.

the bagger shadow said with a depressed voice " right, nothing can be done but waiting for the invadable ".

"I will go first, sister. We were born together, and for sure we will meet in death. Just don't leave me alone for too long," said Seraphina, trying not to show her fear.

Seraphina was teleported to the altar and executed by Baldwin.

the assassin shadow said " 3 left "

"Brother, I am going to meet our sister, i cant leave her alone for long" said Isabella as she got herself together after seeing her sister courage.

Isabella was teleported to the altar and executed by Baldwin.

the mage shadow said shaking " 2 L-left "

"It's almost my turn, and all this will end. This nightmare will end," said Amadeus.

the slave shadow said with a warm voice " yes this nightmare will end soon ".

"Look, little brother, promise you won't open your eyes no matter what happens," said Maximilian to Amadeus who was still closing them.

Maximilian was teleported to the altar. "Sorry, brother, I can't keep this promise," said Amadeus as he opened his eyes. There he saw Baldwin execute his brother, and his head rolled to the ground where all the bodies of his family were thrown.

the general shadow said with a menacing voice filed with rage " 1 Left "

"Nooooooooooo!" Amadeus screamed with all his power, nearly losing his mind from what he saw.

"Nothing is going to be okay, and death will not be the end of this nightmare because I won't let it end, not before I take my revenge," Amadeus thought.

the general shadow said with a menacing voice " you finally understand, this nightmare will never end, since when one ends anthore begins, endlessly repeating the suffering "

Outside, Amadeus had entered a berserk state, launching himself at Baldwin with a primal fury. "Kill, I will kill you all! I won't forgive a single one of you!" he screamed and cried, his voice raw with emotion. He hit Baldwin's armor with his bare hands repeatedly, each strike sending shockwaves of pain through his shattered and bleeding hands. The sound of bone cracking and flesh tearing filled the air, but Amadeus felt nothing but the burning need for vengeance.

The assassin shadow smirked and said, "So he's not that weak, I guess that's to be expected."

Now, Amadeus was not in control; it was his rage overwhelming him. "Hm... such words from a child. You are more like a demon than a human," Baldwin said, his voice cold and mocking.

He grabbed Amadeus's head, squeezing it tightly as he lifted him to his face to have a good look.

Baldwin's eyes were indifferent as he watched Amadeus struggle, like he was holding an insect rather than a human.

"You bastard, I won't forgive you, no matter what. I won't forgive," Amadeus said, his voice strained as he tried to break free from Baldwin's grasp. His eyes burned with a fierce determination, even as his body weakened.

"Child, you should never say what you can't do. Then your words will be more worthless than air," Baldwin said, his tone mocking, then he placed Amadeus on the altar.

As soon as he was laid down, shackles made of golden light materialized, binding his neck, legs, and hands to the altar.

"Any last words?" Baldwin asked, lifting his great sword into the air.

In the dark domain, the shadows began to speak.

The assassin shadow said sarcastically, "Last words, you say? Well, these won't be our actual last words."

The beggar shadow, with a depressed voice, added, "Because our suffering has no end."

The slave shadow, with a warm voice, chimed in, "This moment of death is familiar to us."

The noble shadow, smiling, remarked, "It has actually become the best part of each cycle."

The mage shadow, no longer shaking, stated, "And the least scary part of it."

The general shadow, with a menacing voice, concluded, "My last words? I think they would be something like..."

"You, High Priest Archibald, I will kill you 100 times, no, 1000 times, or maybe millions of times, or billions. I will make you beg for hell as it will be better than what I will do to you. And you, Paladin Baldwin, I will cut off one of your arms and one leg and both your eyes to turn you into a worthless man," Amadeus said with a demonic smile and tears made of blood.

"Hm... so you will turn me into a worthless man? Child, what did I tell you before about empty words?" Baldwin said with a little smile.

"My sovereign of the beginning Alpha, I offer you this child, a loyal follower. I hope you accept him and bless us in our mission to protect your realm," Baldwin prayed, and his great sword was fully charged.

Amadeus gave High Priest Archibald and Paladin Baldwin a good look, ensuring he would never forget their faces. The memory of their cruel smiles and mocking eyes burned into his mind.

"I will never forget you because..." Amadeus thought.

"I never forget the people who have wronged me," said the shadows in unison, their voices blending with Amadeus'. "Because I give each one of them a promise—to make them suffer for what they did to me."

As Baldwin's great sword came down, cutting through the air, it finally reached Amadeus's neck.

And with that, everything became dark, and the soul inside Amadeus fell into an endless void.