Darkwood: The Crimson Cavalier

WTF just happened??

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Darkness enveloped Onyx as he floated in a sea of confusion, consciousness flickering like a dying candle. Chaotic memories of the Infernian attack flooded back: claws tearing through flesh, primal screams echoing in his ears, and the suffocating grip of the Eldritch demon's influence. A shadow loomed over him, pulling him back from the abyss.

"Onyx," a steady voice broke through the haze. "Wake up. You need to wake up."

With a jolt, Onyx's eyes shot open. He was sprawled on the cold floor of the mortuary, the scent of iron heavy in the air. Greyson knelt beside him, urgency etched on his face. The man's sharp suit contrasted starkly with the horror surrounding them, a bizarre beacon of control in the chaos.

"What... what happened?" Onyx stammered, breathless, as the events of the attack clawed at the edges of his mind.

"Stay calm," Greyson instructed, his eyes scanning the room. "You were possessed. The demon took hold of you, but I managed to bring you back. However, it's still here-dormant, waiting for the right moment to seize control again."

Onyx pushed himself up, trembling. "My parents... I need to find them!"

Before Greyson could respond, the door burst open. Gerald stood there, his face a mask of fear and fury. "Onyx! What happened? Are you okay?"

"Dad!" Onyx shouted, relief washing over him like a wave, quickly followed by chilling dread. "You shouldn't be here!"

"Too late for that," Gerald replied, stepping cautiously into the room, eyes narrowing at Greyson. "What did you do to him?"

"Your son is recovering from an attack that nearly cost him his life," Greyson replied, rising to meet Gerald's glare. "But he's not the only one who needs help."

Onyx watched as confusion flickered across Gerald's face, quickly replaced by protective fury. "What do you mean? What's happening?"

Before Greyson could explain, Onyx's mother, her eyes wide with panic, entered the room. "Gerald, Onyx-what's going on?" She froze, taking in the scene: the overturned furniture, the bloodstains, and Greyson standing between them and their son.

"Mom!" Onyx cried, scrambling to his feet. "We were attacked-"

Gerald cut him off, his voice rising. "What the hell is going on? Who are you?" He pointed an accusatory finger at Greyson.

"Enough!" Greyson's voice boomed with an authority that silenced them all. "You're all in danger, and time is short."

Onyx's heart raced as Greyson took a deep breath, his eyes piercing through the fear. "Onyx, you were possessed by an Eldritch demon during the attack. It took everything you had to fight back, but it left a mark. You're not just a victim; you're bound to that darkness now."

"No!" Onyx's denial erupted, anguish pouring out. "I can't be-"

"Listen!" Greyson interjected, stepping closer. "The demon can lay dormant, but it's still inside you, waiting for an opportunity to seize control again. If you don't confront this, it will consume you entirely."

Gerald stepped forward, his expression torn between disbelief and despair. "And what about me? What did you mean when you said he's not the only one?"