Revenge in form of Judgement

Omega stood before the man he had despised for decades. His golden hair gleamed under the dim, enchanted lights, his violet eyes narrowed with a controlled fury. The weight of 21 years of patience, planning, and unspoken hatred bore down in his gaze.

He despised unnecessary killing—he knew too well the necessity of survival—but justice demanded balance.

"I am the consequence of the actions you took over twenty-one years ago," Omega said, his tone calm yet laced with venom. "Today, Archduke Lizian, you will face that consequence."

Lizian's lips quivered, shock and anger battling within him. His mouth opened, but the words refused to form.

"You… you—" he stammered.

Omega sighed, almost disappointed. "Hmph, a shame." With a simple gesture, he released Lizian's chains.

The heavy Bromus bindings crashed to the ground. Instinct took over Lizian's weakened body. He stumbled, yet with sheer pride, forced himself upright, staggering backward to create distance between them. His limbs trembled from exhaustion, but his presence remained defiant.

'It's a shame he's fallen into my hands under these conditions,' Omega thought, 'Were it not for his injuries and suppression, this would be a far more dangerous encounter. Not that I'd ever use my personal power on such filth.'

Lizian straightened, his ragged breath sharp against the silence. "It took more than five warriors beyond normal limits to capture me. All of them equal to High-Rank Noble Warriors. Otherwise, you'd never have succeeded."

Omega's smile turned mocking. "Hah, yes. I'm aware you were… distracted by that unfortunate girl." His voice dripped with mockery.

"You bastard! Do you think you'll survive this affront?" Lizian snarled, his tone desperate to reclaim control.

Omega's voice softened, each word cutting like a dagger. "Perhaps not. If it weren't for the times we live in. The Royals, the Nobles, the soldiers—they're drowning in wars, scandals, and uprisings. Even a prince's disappearance is a trivial concern amidst a kingdom's survival."

Lizian's eyes narrowed. "All this… for revenge? You risk a powerful syndicate for petty emotion?"

Omega's gaze sharpened, and his tone dropped into something more dangerous. "Do not reduce this to revenge, Lizian. I have risen above such emotions. This is not vengeance. This is judgment. I exist to remind the powerful that their actions have consequences. When power is abused, I will be the force that restores balance."

"Arrogant brat!" Lizian roared, lunging forward, his fist crackling with condensed energy.

Omega's movement was a blur—calm, efficient. He sidestepped Lizian's strike and, with a swift pivot, swept Lizian's legs from beneath him, pinning him underfoot.

Lizian gasped, his body refusing to respond. The cumulative damage, the suppression, and now—the terrifying realization—his sight dimmed. A temporary blindness struck him.

Omega knelt, placing his hand gently on Lizian's head. "Let me heal you. You should be able to see when I pass judgment." A faint glow of magic enveloped his hand as he chanted, "[Recover]. [Clean]."

As the spells took effect, the filth and blood washed away, revealing an aging man in his late forties—golden hair dulled with age, but still noble in its flow; his once regal face now marred by arrogance and fear.

Omega stood, presenting a green jade pendant, etched with intricate patterns and a symbol Lizian recognized but dared not name.

"Do you recognize me now, Archduke Lizian?" Omega asked, his tone devoid of warmth.

Lizian's pupils shrank. His mind clawed through fragments of memory, desperately trying to deny the truth. "Which one are you? Who was your father… no—who was your mother?"

He searched Omega's face, the pendant, the familiar yet elusive aura. He recalled gifting fake royal trinkets to naive women, charming them for a night before discarding them into ruin.

Now, he trembled—not before a child—but before a predator born from those sins. A tiger that killed not for survival, but for justice.

Omega's voice was calm, but its weight was undeniable. "How many children did you order to be killed? How many girls took their lives? How many souls bleed because of you, Archduke?"

Lizian, desperate to reclaim his dignity, gathered his energy and launched a powerful energy punch. But Omega caught it—barehanded. The sheer strength of his grip made Lizian's bones creak.

"You see, Lizian," Omega whispered, "I could have killed you years ago. But your connections, your cowardly influence, made that impossible. They discarded you, but I… I will not."

Omega's grip tightened. Lizian's pride shattered.

He fell to his knees, his voice trembling. "Please… Forgive me. I will never repeat my sins. I'll give you anything—anything you desire."

Omega's smile shifted—calculating, cold. "Anything, you say?"

"Yes! Anything!" Lizian pleaded, though internally his mind seethed with vengeance. 'Once I'm free, I'll raze this entire place. You, your allies, your loved ones—I'll make you all suffer.'

Omega leaned in close, a predator's smile gracing his lips. "Then, accept my gift."

Dark energy condensed around Omega's hand, forming tendrils of cursed mist. He pressed his palm against Lizian's forehead. "Accept judgment."

A scream tore through Lizian's throat as the [Dark Curse of Judgment] was etched into his very soul. It felt as if his mind would shatter, but suddenly, the pain subsided. A deceptive calm.

"What… what did you do to me?" Lizian gasped, his eyes wild.

Omega's smile was soft—mockingly so. "Nothing much. A curse resides within you now."

"Impossible!" Lizian spat. "My bloodline repels curses. No spell can bind me!"

"That's true," Omega conceded, "for normal curses. But this isn't an ordinary one. The Dark Curse of Judgment is designed for the corrupt. It bypasses resistances through a simple condition: your own sins."

The room darkened unnaturally. Shadows gathered, coalescing into vague, wraith-like forms.

Lizian's breath hitched. "What… what is this?"

Omega's eyes glowed faintly. "Those are the souls you've harmed. This curse ensures you'll relive every emotion you inflicted—every terror, every agony—until death, or until not a single soul remains to judge you."

Lizian, now trembling uncontrollably, crawled toward Omega, ready to beg once more. But Omega's boot met his chest, sending him crashing into the far wall.

CRACK!

Lizian slumped to the floor, unconscious.

Omega's gaze lingered on him, cold and satisfied. He activated the chamber's healing formations, designed not to heal completely—but just enough to keep Lizian alive… and sane enough to suffer.

---

Outside, Fang awaited his Lord's exit. Seeing Omega emerge, he bowed. "My Lord."

"Seal this chamber. No one enters. Let him suffer. Check in at intervals, but do not interfere."

"As you command, My Lord," Fang replied, a glint of approval in his eyes.

Omega, however, felt an unfamiliar sense of serenity. This is merely the first step… towards true justice.