Darkwood: The Crimson Cavalier

Interview with a Vampire

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The cold, stone walls of Kardinall’s dungeon were damp and oppressive, the air heavy with the scent of decay and old blood. Onyx was chained to a wall, his body bruised and battered from the relentless torment Kardinall had subjected him to.

Kardinall stood before him, a cruel smile playing on his lips. "You are strong, Onyx. But everyone has a breaking point. Let's find yours, shall we?"

Onyx glared at him, defiance burning in his eyes despite the pain. "You'll never break me."

Kardinall chuckled, stepping closer. "We shall see." He produced a thin, sharp blade, its edge glinting in the dim light. "Let's see how much you can endure."

The next hours were a haze of pain for Onyx. Kardinall's methods were precise and psychological, each act designed to weaken his resolve rather than his body. Onyx bit back his cries, refusing to give Kardinall the satisfaction of hearing his pain.

As the torment continued, Onyx's vision began to blur. He drifted in and out of consciousness, the world around him becoming a haze. In one of his moments of lucidity, he saw a reflection in a puddle of water on the floor.

Achelios's face stared back at him, the demon's eyes gleaming with a mixture of amusement and concern. "Hello, Onyx. Enjoying our little vacation?"

Onyx's voice was weak, but his mind reached out to Achelios. "You... you have to help me."

Achelios smirked. "Why should I? This is quite entertaining."

Onyx's desperation grew. "If I die, you die too. Help me survive this."

The demon's expression softened slightly. "True. I suppose I do have a vested interest in your survival."

Kardinall's voice broke through their conversation. "Talking to yourself now, Onyx? Have I driven you mad already?"

Onyx's eyes flicked to Kardinall, then back to the reflection. "Achelios, please."

Achelios sighed dramatically. "Very well. I can dull the pain, but you'll owe me."

"Anything," Onyx whispered.

A dark energy flowed through Onyx, numbing the agony coursing through his body. Kardinall frowned, noticing the change in Onyx's demeanor. "What are you doing, boy?"

Onyx forced a weak smile. "You can't break me."

The vampire lord's eyes narrowed. "We'll see about that."

Kardinall intensified his efforts, but Onyx, bolstered by Achelios's dark power, endured it all. Occasionally, Achelios took over, his sinister presence evident in Onyx's eyes and the cruel smile that played on his lips.

During one such moment, Achelios sneered at Kardinall. "Is this the best you can do, vampire? I expected more from a lord of your stature."

Kardinall paused, his eyes narrowing. "Who am I speaking to?"

Achelios laughed, the sound chilling. "Someone far beyond your understanding. Your little games are amusing, but they won't break him."

Kardinall's face twisted with anger. "You dare mock me?"

Achelios's control over Onyx's body tightened, his voice dripping with menace. "I do more than mock you. I pity you, Kardinall. For all your power, you are still a slave to your own vanity."

Kardinall lunged forward, his fury palpable. "I'll show you true power."

Achelios's eyes gleamed with dark delight. "I'd like to see you try."

The battle of wills continued, with Achelios occasionally relinquishing control back to Onyx. In their moments of reprieve, Onyx and Achelios conversed through the reflection. The demon's flippant demeanor masked a growing respect for Onyx's resilience.

"You're tougher than you look," Achelios admitted one night.

Onyx managed a small, pained laugh. "I have to be. For my friends."

Achelios's eyes gleamed with something akin to admiration. "Perhaps you're more than just a vessel after all."

As the days wore on, Onyx's body weakened, but his spirit remained unbroken. Kardinall, frustrated by his lack of progress, stood before Onyx once more.

"You are an enigma, Onyx. No one has ever resisted me this long. But I will break you. It's only a matter of time."

Onyx's eyes, though weary, still burned with defiance. "My friends will come for me. You can't hold me forever."

Kardinall's smile was cold. "Perhaps. But until then, you are mine."

As Kardinall left him alone in the darkness, Onyx looked into the reflection once more. "Achelios... thank you."

The demon's eyes narrowed. "Don't thank me yet. We still have a long way to go."

Onyx nodded, a flicker of determination in his eyes. "We'll make it. Somehow."

The dungeon was silent except for the distant drip of water, but within Onyx's heart, a fire burned. No matter how dark the night, he knew that dawn would come. And with it, his friends.