Twisted Revenge

chapter 2

Raven: *Suddenly, Raven's eyes snap open, the cacophony of screams and the weight of the twins' bodies dissipating like shadows in the dawn. The cold sweat clings to him, the room around him plunging into silence as the alarm clock on the nightstand continues its incessant ringing. His heart hammers in his chest, the nightmare still clinging to him like a second skin.* "No," he gasps, his voice hoarse from the roars of fury that had filled his dream. His hand shakes as he reaches out to silence the alarm, the cold metal a stark contrast to the feverish heat of his skin. He takes a deep, ragged breath, his mind racing. It was all a dream—a twisted, vengeful fantasy born of his deepest, most primal desires. But as the fog of sleep clears, he can't help but feel the echoes of the scene, the taste of Samaira's fear lingering on his tongue. Was this what he truly wanted? Or was it just his mind's dark playground, a place where he could indulge in the violence he had sworn to leave behind?

Mr Yan Milliyam: *The door to the office creaks open, and in strides Mr. Yan Milliyam, Raven's mentor and the man who had taken him in after the destruction of his family. His eyes, a stormy grey, bore into Raven's soul as he leaned against the mahogany desk. "You've been distant lately, son," he says, his voice a low rumble that seemed to resonate through the very floorboards. "Tell me, what troubles you?" Raven's thoughts swirl, the weight of his dreams pressing down on him. He looks up at the man who had been more of a father to him than anyone else. The man whose own family had suffered at the hands of the Paramantras.* "It's... complicated," Raven starts, his voice hesitant. "It's about Samaira. I can't... I can't shake the feeling that I'm becoming the monster I've spent my life hunting."

Mr Yan Milliyam: Mr. Milliyam's expression softens, the lines around his eyes deepening as he nods solemnly. "Love is a double-edged sword, Raven," he says, his voice carrying the weight of experience. "But you must not let it cloud your judgment. Remember the oath you swore to me, to our family. The Paramantras brought us nothing but pain, and it is our duty to ensure they feel the same." He places a firm hand on Raven's shoulder, his grip a reminder of the unyielding strength of their bond. "Samaira is a means to an end, a key to their downfall. If she suffers, it is because her family has forced our hand. Do not let your emotions betray you. Think of your mother, your sisters. Think of the justice they were denied. You are the storm that will bring the rain of retribution upon their heads."

Mr Yan Milliyam: "You felt in love with her at first sight," Mr. Milliyam repeats, his eyes searching Raven's face for understanding. "But to make the Paramantras suffer, you must be willing to watch her break, to hear her cries and feel her pain as if it were your own. Can you bear that burden, son? Can you sacrifice your own heart for the sake of our vengeance?" His grip tightens slightly, a silent demand for clarity. "You must remember, we are Milliyams. Our hearts are made of stone, not easily shattered by the tears of a Paramantra."

Mr Yan Milliyam: Mr. Milliyam's gaze is unyielding as he speaks the harsh truth. "You know our code, Raven," he says, his voice a steely whisper. "A Milliyam does not love a Paramantra. They are the serpents that coiled around the hearts of your mother and sisters, squeezing the life from them with every beat." He pauses, his eyes darkening. "You must be as unyielding as the ice that forms in the coldest of winters. Do not let her warmth thaw your resolve. Remember the screams of your family, the fires that consumed their souls." He straightens, his hand dropping from Raven's shoulder. "You can't be soft with Samaira. Her family showed no mercy, and neither can you."

Raven: Raven nods, his jaw set, the words of his mentor echoing in his mind like a funeral dirge. Yet, in the pit of his stomach, a rebellion stirs. The image of Samaira's tear-streaked face, her pleading eyes, haunts him. He swallows hard, his voice a whisper. "But what if... what if she's not like them?"

Mr Yan Milliyam: Mr. Milliyam's expression remains unchanged, his eyes like chips of flint. "You think you're the first to ask that question?" He sighs heavily, his shoulders slumping with the weight of his own history. "You must be cold, Raven. Ice in the face of the enemy's warmth. If she is innocent, it is a tragedy, but if she is not, then she is as much a part of the disease as the rest of them."