Unexpected death of James

[Ramona's POV]


He slowly approached the child and observed his face. The child's eyes were glowing and his lips stretched into a smile. There was a faint, unique mark on his forehead. He reached out to touch it, but his hand suddenly felt a burning sensation, causing the baby to cry out in pain.


Startled by the baby's cry, he quickly pulled his hand back, his heart racing. The sound of the baby's cry filled the room, as tears streamed down the child's face. Feeling a surge of fear, he stepped back, unsure of what had just happened.


The burning sensation in his hand remained, serving as a reminder of the strange encounter. He couldn't shake the feeling that there was something extraordinary about this child, something he couldn't fully understand.


As the baby's cries quieted down, he cautiously approached once more, keeping a safe distance. His gaze fixated on the faint mark on the child's forehead, which now emitted a soft glow. It seemed to pulsate with an otherworldly energy, captivating and mysterious.


Driven by curiosity and a desire to understand, he reached out once more, this time hesitantly brushing his fingertips against the mark. A surge of warmth flowed through his veins, spreading from his hand to his entire body. The room appeared to brighten, as if illuminated by an otherworldly light.


However, as the glow intensified, so did the baby's cries. The child's pain was tangible, and he swiftly withdrew his hand, his heart burdened with fear. The room returned to its usual state, the mark on the baby's forehead fading back to its faint, almost imperceptible state.


Overwhelmed by curiosity, he knelt down beside the child and began examining the mark, which resembled two parallel lines with slight curves at their ends, glowing in red, known as the 'ZHOREL MARK'.


It was said that those who possessed this mark had the ability to shape the world, for better or worse. A surge of excitement and trepidation coursed through his veins. The legends and tales surrounding this mysterious symbol had always fascinated him, but he had never imagined encountering someone who possessed it.


James swiftly fed the infant a peculiar red liquid to calm him. The liquid caused his mark to vanish. He then commenced chanting mantras softly into the baby's ear.


"In darkness I thrive, inflicting pain with every stride. Suffering is my art, I tear souls apart. With every act of harm, I strengthen my twisted charm. Pain is my currency, I revel in others' misery. Innocence I devour, my cruelty knows no hour. With each cruel deed, I plant a wicked seed. My heart is cold, compassion I withhold. I am the master of torment, my cruelty knows no relent."


These words caused the baby to cry even louder, while James continued his sinister chant. The cries of the baby intensified, becoming more desperate, and echoing throughout the dimly lit room. James's eyes gleamed with a twisted satisfaction as he took pleasure in the child's suffering.


"I am the darkness that lurks within, the monster they never saw coming. Their nightmares made flesh."


"Your tears are like nectar, intoxicating and addictive. I crave more, always more. No one can escape my grasp. Your suffering is my ultimate triumph. I am unstoppable." His voice reverberated throughout the dwelling.


James commenced his preparations to wield the knife, ready to offer the infant as a sacrifice for his immortality. With the moon hanging high in the nocturnal expanse, casting an eerie luminescence upon the aged abode, he stood before the altar, his heart burdened with both anticipation and trepidation.


Years of delving into forbidden arts had led him to this moment, in pursuit of the elusive secret to eternal life. Now, he believed he had finally unearthed the solution - a malevolent and sinister ritual that demanded the forfeiture of an innocent life. His hands quivered as he clutched the ceremonial blade, its gleaming edge ominously reflecting the faint illumination.


The infant, swathed in a gentle wrap, lay serenely upon the altar, oblivious to the impending doom. The weight of his decision pressed heavily upon James, yet he was consumed by his yearning for everlasting existence, willing to pay any cost.


As he lifted the knife, memories of his troubled past flooded his mind. He had grown up in poverty, with his family struggling to make ends meet. He had witnessed the suffering and decay of mortal life, which fueled his obsession with immortality. The idea of breaking free from the cycle of birth, aging, and death consumed him, blinding him to the consequences of his actions.


However, as the blade hovered over the innocent child, the seven dark forces began to attack him. Their presence was tangible, a malevolent energy that filled the air with suffocating darkness.


The first force, a shadowy figure with piercing red eyes, lunged at the attacker, slashing its claws through the air.


The second force, a swirling vortex of black smoke, engulfed the assailant, choking him with its ethereal tendrils.


The third force, a monstrous creature with gnarled horns and razor-sharp fangs, charged at the assailant, its thunderous roar shaking the ground beneath them.


The fourth force, a ghostly apparition with a mournful wail, materialized beside the child, shielding them from harm.


The fifth force, a swarm of malevolent spirits, swirled around the attacker, their eerie whispers echoing in his ears, driving him to madness.


The sixth force, a surge of dark energy, rushed forward, striking the assailant with such force that it sent him sprawling to the ground.


Emerging from the shadows, the seventh force appeared as a towering figure cloaked in darkness. Its eyes glowed with an otherworldly light as it raised its hand, summoning a powerful blast of energy that disarmed the attacker, causing the blade to clatter to the ground.


As the relentless assault of the seven dark forces continued, James found himself overwhelmed, his strength diminishing with each passing moment. Desperation etched across his face, he realized that he had underestimated the power of these dark entities.


The seven dark forces entered through his nose and inflicted damage to his brain, causing black veins to rapidly spread throughout his body. His once vibrant and energetic spirit began to fade. Fear gripped his heart as he comprehend the severity of his situation. The damage to his brain left him defenseless, unable to fight back against the invading force that was slowly consuming him from within.


The black veins continued to multiply, snaking their way through his veins like sinister tendrils. Each passing moment brought him closer to the brink of death, and the fear that had initially gripped him now intensified, morphing into a paralyzing terror.


Unable to communicate his anguish, his mind became a battleground of despair and desperation. He longed for someone to save him from this nightmarish fate, but the reality of his situation weighed heavily upon him. Death seemed inevitable, and the thought of succumbing to its cold embrace filled him with a bone-chilling dread.


As his body weakened, his senses became distorted, and he began to experience vivid hallucinations. Shadows danced menacingly around him, whispering haunting words of impending doom. The once familiar surroundings of his room transformed into a macabre labyrinth, where every corner held a new terror waiting to pounce.


In the depths of his despair, his mind became a battleground between life and death. The fear that had consumed him now intertwined with a glimmer of hope, a desperate plea for survival. However, as the dark forces tightened their grip, his hope diminished, and the inevitability of his fate became more apparent. He lacked the power to protect himself.


With a final, desperate cry, the seven dark forces retreated, fleeing from the room, leaving the innocent child unharmed. Their purpose fulfilled, the dark forces dissipated into the night, their presence fading away like a haunting memory. The child remained alone in that house.


Jacob arrived for the baby, riding his Kun Peng, which emitted a sound in the air and soared high towards James's house. Its wings flapped gracefully, creating a gentle breeze that rustled the leaves of the surrounding trees.


He landed his Kun Peng with elegance in front of his house, causing the ground to tremble slightly. Jacob spotted the child lying alone at home with a lifeless body. His heart sank as he grasped the gravity of the situation. He swiftly landed the Kun Peng outside the house and hurried inside.


The scene that met his eyes was heart-wrenching. The baby lay in a crib, unaware of the tragedy that had unfolded around him. Jacob cautiously approached the lifeless bodies of James, who had been brutally murdered, their vacant eyes staring into emptiness.


With a heavy heart, Jacob tenderly lifted the baby, cradling him in his arms. The child stirred, sensing the presence of a stranger. Jacob whispered comforting words, attempting to bring solace to the little one amidst the turmoil.


While holding the baby, Jacob noticed a reddish-orange light emanating from the infant's tiny fist, as if someone had placed a burning stone in his hand. Hastily, he opened the baby's fist and removed the scorching stone, which had left a mark on the child's hand.