Several disappearances and unexplained events have been registered shorty after the commercialization of an ancient statue linked to some legends from a mysterious place called "Reich der Finsternis" in eastern Germany, there is no know route leadin...
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The rebirth
The tension among the Americans spiked as the executioner's imposing figure advanced toward them, his pupils dilated and aflame. Liz's anxiety soared to unimaginable heights. Memories of their first encounter in the village flashed through her mind. The last thing she wanted was to feel like a coward again; the voices of those who had put their trust in her—like her brother and Commander Thompson—echoed, reminding her of the importance of finding a solution in the face of adversity. But now, she felt defeated, convinced there was nothing more she could do. She was alone, with no way to win. The only thing left was to pray there wouldn't be fatal consequences.
Then the executioner spoke.
"Escaping from the courthouse?" he started, his voice eerily calm before it turned into a booming shout. "FOOLS! Did you really believe you could evade the justice of the Reich der Finsternis?"
The men, trembling, hesitated before one of them dared to respond after a long, tense pause.
"Natural instinct," one of them managed, breathing heavily. "Anyone in our situation would've done the same."
Adrenaline still coursed through Liz's veins, but the executioner's cold, piercing stare made her feel like prey cornered by a predator. She knew her survival instincts might not be enough this time.
"And now what?" the other man asked, feeling lightheaded from fear. "Are you going to take us back?"
"No," the executioner growled, his voice dry as sandpaper. "If you were headed to the courthouse, it was by order of the Duchess. But this is my domain. Here, I am the law!" he bellowed, pausing to savor the terror in their eyes. "And let me make one thing clear: I don't take prisoners."
The mention of the Duchess stirred a flicker of curiosity in Liz, as did the name Rowland, which she had heard before.
"NO! PLEASE!" one of the men begged, dropping to his knees. "We'll do anything! Anything you ask!"
The executioner unsheathed his sword, the metallic sound lingering ominously in the air. The men were speechless, their pleas caught in their throats. Liz's gut told her the worst was yet to come.
"Well..." the executioner rasped, his soulless eyes locking onto them. "If the Duchess wanted you alive—which is rare, especially for Americans—there must be a reason. So I'll give you the same choice we gave that meddlesome American agent." Liz stiffened. He was referring to her.
"Are they looking for us?" one of the men blurted out excitedly, only to be silenced by a sharp elbow.
"Shut up, Marvin," Mike muttered between clenched teeth.
"I'm sorry, Mike... but..."
"I said SHUT UP!" the executioner roared, his voice as chilling as the grave. Both men froze, terror written on their faces. "I'm not done yet. You have two options: live and serve our creed, or die. Mr. Holzmann told me about you. I know you were with that Rowland fellow when you escaped the courthouse. You attacked the coachman to flee. I don't know how you pulled it off, but it doesn't matter now," he continued, turning his back to them briefly. "Nothing happens in Reich der Finsternis without us knowing. We're everywhere. So, your only way out is to tell us what you know. And I know you understand what I mean."
