The Wolf

Ch. 58: Martyr

~Nico~

"Hm, not bad. Not bad at all," The fake me says, his voice begrudging approval.

I stare blankly at the corpse at my feet. Crimson blood creates a halo around the body, seeping slowly into the soil. Alex's blond hair is touseled and out of place, his blue eyes unseeing. I wonder what number this one is? Number 200? 300? I've lost count a long time ago. But it's not like any of that matters. It's just a meat suit in the shape of Alex.

"Good, but one more time," It says silkily in my ear. His hands grab my shoulders as he sticks to my back. His voice is a low purr. "It wasn't quite what I was looking for. You understand, don't you?"

I nod my head without a word. Who cares anymore? I just need to finish the trials. I've already died countless times and killed more than that. Death has no meaning here, so any fear or repulsion that I first held has faded along with the innocence that I've also killed off numerous times.

It smiles and pats my head mockingly. "You're such a good pet, Nico. Just a little more shaping and you'll be just right."

Everything goes dark. First comes the smell. I smell hundreds of bodies packed into a small area before I feel myself being tossed around. The voices come next, a steady hum of chattering. Finally, I see that I'm standing in the middle of a crowd. Looking around, it seems that I'm at the Pack grounds; not an unfamiliar sight during all of these trials. I'm surrounded by fellow wolves who are watching something on the stage. I glance up to see it's Alex with his father. Both are giving a speech about something dull and unimportant that doesn't reach my ears that are ringing with three simple words: Kill them all.

And that's when the show starts. I start by slitting the person's throat next to me before I move onto the next person. Without even blinking five people are dead. The crowd turns rowdy with panic as screams and shouts break out amongst them. I don't even bother looking to the stage to see Alex's look of horror and disgust. I snap a neck with my hands and set flame to a dozen other people. Fangs tear my flesh apart but I barely register the pain as I keep moving. Blood coats everything in a spray of crimson. In an instant, the entire Pack is taken out except for Alex and I.

"Nico, why?" Alex growls, his eyes glowing gold and fangs bared. He can barely contain his anger.

I don't bother answering as I mutter a spell under my breath. I break through Alex's defense before he can even change into a wolf and place my hand over his heart. It ceases beating the moment I touch it. I watch without a single drop of sympathy or regret as Alex's eyes lose the shine of life. I look down at myself. I'm bleeding from various bites. Flesh has been ripped off in some places. And I have a knife in my spleen. I topple over and die beside Alex.

"Ahahaha, that was much better. You're still lacking in some parts, though," It says, placing a hand on my shoulder.

I glare at him. What more does he want from me? I've done it hundreds of times already. Just what am I missing?

"You want to know what you're missing, don't you?" It questions with a smirk on his lips. His blue eyes have a maniacal spark in them that sends a shiver down my spine.

"..." I remain quiet, gritting my teeth with impatience. I'm so tired. I want to return to the surface so badly. I'd prefer that nightmare to this hell.

It steps toward me. He wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me close, a twisted smile on his face. Slender fingers lift up my chin, forcing me to meet his sadistic gaze. He places a kiss upon my lips. My body stiffens and I cringe at the contact. Its skin is cold and similar to a corpse. The hair on the back of my neck stands on edge with disgust, but I'm unable to pull away from him.