William walked away from the site of the last battle, blood still dripping from his sword. The morning light began to sneak between the trees, but the cold did not go away. It was not the coldness of the weather, but a cold stuck in his soul, as if the blood he shed was not enough to warm him.
But he didn't need warmth.
He needed answers.
Ten years ago, he was just a boy when his village was swept by a mysterious sect, a group of tattooed killers who slaughtered his family and everyone he knew. He never knew who they were, and why they did it, but he learned one thing: they should all die.
He found a dirt road coming out of the forest, and continued his journey until he reached a small town surrounded by dilapidated wooden fences. He didn't like cities, but the information didn't come out of nowhere, and he needed a thread to lead him to the sect.
He entered the town with quiet steps, but soon felt the eyes watching him. People avoided looking at him directly, perhaps because of his strange appearance or because of the heavy aura that surrounds him.
In the middle of the market, he sat on a wooden bench in front of an old bar. He wasn't in the mood to drink, but he took a moment to think.
"You seem to be an interesting person."
He slowly raised his eyes and saw a young man sitting next to him without an invitation. He had messy black hair, lively eyes, and a sarcastic smile. He didn't look like an ordinary person, but like an explorer looking for something exciting.
"You're not from here, aren't you?" The young man continued, leaning on the table carelessly.
William didn't respond, but he sensed something strange about this person. He wasn't afraid of him, and he didn't seem like a fool to approach a murderer covered in blood for no good reason.
"It's okay, you can ignore me, but I heard what I did last night." The young man said, laughing in a low voice.
"And who are you?" William finally said, in a low but sharp voice.
"My name is Cain. Just a traveller looking for exciting stories... and you look like someone full of them."
William didn't answer, but he felt that this person would not leave him alone easily.
"Anyway, I heard you killing men with a certain tattoo, right?"
At this sentence, William's hand slowly moved towards his sword.
Cain smiled and raised his hands as a signal that he had no bad intentions. "Calm down, I don't belong to them, but I hear a lot of talk, and I think I have something that interests you."
William stared at him for a second, then slowly said, "Speak."
Cain leaned forward, his voice becoming more serious. "There is a group known as the Black Eye. A secret organisation, no one knows who leads it, but they are responsible for many crimes across the country. Some of them carry a certain tattoo, which is the only sign that connects them to each other."
William felt his heart beat faster. The name was not familiar, but the descriptions matched those who were looking for them.
"I heard they have a makeshift camp in the northern mountains, not far from here. But getting into them is not easy, they don't trust anyone."
William was silent, then suddenly stood up, which made Cain raise his eyebrow in amazement.
"Where are you going?"
"To the north."
Cain chuckled, then jumped out of place. "So, what if I join you? You might need someone who knows how to speak instead of killing directly."
William looked at him blankly, then turned to continue his way.
But Cain didn't intend to leave so easily, so he followed him with a light smile.
"I'll consider this an agreement."
⸻
Blood road
After two days of travelling, they approached the foot of the mountain where the camp was supposed to be. The road was deserted, and the area seemed to belong to another world, where death was the master of the place.
William suddenly stopped, then looked at the ground. There were many footprints, some of which were modern.
"They are here." He said in a low voice.
Cain put his hands on his lois and said with a sarcastic smile: "And now what? Are we going to break into the place like monsters, or do you have a plan?"
William didn't answer, but he began to move quietly, sneaking among the trees.
From a small hill top, they could see the camp. It was simple, consisting of several black tents surrounded by guards. There were about thirty men, each with the same tattoo they saw on their previous dead.
They didn't have a chance against this number alone.
"We have two options." Cain said. "Either we're watching and waiting for an opportunity, or... acting crazy."
William knew what he wanted to do, but for the first time in years, he was not alone. There was someone next to him, someone who was not hidden from him, but was admired in a strange way.
"You know I won't stop you, right?" Cain said with a smile.
William closed his eyes for a moment, then opened it.
"We wait."
Cain raised his eyebrow in surprise, but he didn't object.
They sat in the shadow, watching silently. Perhaps, this time, killing will not be the only option.
But blood always followed William, sooner or later.
And its smell had reached the community.