The Reaper's Wicked Obsession-Chapter 222: Echoes Of A Past

"What’s the code?" The Serpent demanded.

Logi instinctively reached for the handle of his axe. "Code," he replied.

"Yes. The code."

’He knows,’ Logi thought sternly. He had no idea what this code was, but he had a strong feeling it was something they used to tell the altered apart.

"Fuck," he quietly cussed.

He hated when he had to fight, but this was a necessary violence. He can’t risk getting discovered.

Logi moved quickly, but to his shock, the Serpent had already drawn his double-headed axe, and their steel collided.

Logi grunted as he forced off the Serpent and struck again.

They were confronted in a heated battle, and Logi didn’t have the upper hand. This Serpent was skilled.

The Serpent’s muscles displayed because of the sleeveless tunic he wore—bulge as he spun his double-headed axe between his hands, passing it behind his back and to the front again in one smooth, fast motion.

"You’re not a Serpent, are you?" he said, his voice low and rough.

Logi remained muted, temporarily intrigued by his skill with the axe. He had wielded one for winters, and never had he come across someone who had talents with it.

"Why such a question? Disappointed I’m not brain dead like the lot of you?" Logi bit back.

"Unfortunately, I’m not worthy enough to please the warden in that aspect."

Logi laughed scornfully. "Of course, it’s a great honor to become his tool for the rest of your pitiful lives. I almost feel sorry for you."

The Serpent struck again, quicker and more powerful. Logi intercepted his attack, but he was overwhelmed by its terrifying speed, which was almost similar to Kraven’s.

Logi panicked as his defense faltered, giving the Serpent the opening he needed.

Striking a powerful hit, Logi’s back slammed against the wall harshly, knocking the air out of him.

But his attention snapped back in place when the steel came for his head at speed. He evaded, and the collision met the wall, cracking upon impact.

Logi kicked the Serpent, and he fell to one knee, attempting to strike again, but it was too late.

The Serpent kicked Logi against the chest, and it sent him crashing into the door.

Logi tried to catch his breath when he dropped to the ground, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth. But the Serpent pounced on him and lowered his axe.

Logi reacted quickly and seized the weapon, holding it in place with all the strength he could muster.

"Die!" The Serpent growled.

"Forgive me." Logi gave him a bloodied grin. "But I don’t think it’s my time yet."

Green weaves slipped off Logi’s fingertips, and his green eyes shone.

The Serpent froze upon having a clear glimpse of his eyes, but it was too late. A wall from beneath broke apart and slammed into him, knocking his body off Logi.

Logi sat up, controlling the wall back to the same spot, and repaired the other broken one.

Rising to his feet, he walked to the Serpent, struggling to stand, as blood oozed from his head.

"I enjoyed our little warm-up," Logi rasped, trying to steady his breath. He swallowed hard and said. "But my cover can’t be blown." He wielded his axe. "Say your last prayers to Lifara, you greet Daudi."

"Logi!"

Logi’s hand paused mid-air with wide eyes. "H-How do you know my name?" He stepped away in shock.

The Serpent forced himself to his feet and stepped into the light. He pulled his hood back, revealing his neck-length dusky hair.

Logi narrowed his eyes in perplexity, but when the Serpent removed the veil concealing his face, his heart still, and his axe slipped away from his grip, the clatter ringing through the air.

Those sapphire eyes and the scar carved from his nose down to his right cheek.

"Marek?"

~♧~

The Sixth Floor

There were ranks of strength in the Serpent’s Tower.

Kyla, the Serpent who took Isadora, explained after she lied about missing the briefing held in the morning.

Isadora was also believed to be a Fang, a newly bought-in member from a week ago. Which meant she was the lowest of ranks and was forbidden from roaming other floors until initiation.

Kyla was the Matron of the Fangs and much to Isadora’s bringer of problems, she was searching the floors for any Fangs that had wandered recklessly, which was how she stumbled to her location.

Isadora thanked the gods that Kyle bought into her story; the gods knew what could have happened if it hadn’t worked.

Isadora was now stuck on the sixth floor, with another group of Serpents.

She changed into the attire given. It was a sleeveless tunic, black pants, and boots, with a green shawl to cover her face.

Another rule was that no face shall be bare; it was an honor to the god of war and chaos, who was known for concealing his face, and also a twisted reason that they no longer have any identity, and it was Aric’s. The Warden of the Tower.

Throughout Kyla’s briefing, Isadora couldn’t help but feel revolted by their system. They treated not just the Fangs but full-fledged members of their Serpents as mere tools.

Kyla quoted: We’re the warden’s special tools.

Isadora adjusted her bracers, her eyes briefly skimming the room hall, little whispers filling the space.

They seemed to have the will to speak compared to the others she had met on the lower floors. Gods knew how long before they shared one brain cell.

They were all expendable and came here by choice. Why? Isadora had no idea why someone would subject themselves to such a fate, and she wasn’t sticking around to find out.

Isadora secured her twin daggers around her waist.

"Everyone!" a voice came through, it was Kyla’s. "Time for training!"

’I need to find Kraven,’ Isadora thought, but being closely monitored would be a difficult situation.

But in the meantime, her chances of finding Serena were high.

~♧~

The First Floor

Aric stood close to the wide window, hands placed behind. His milky eyes were fixated on the silver weaves flowing into the skies.

He ran a hand through his caramel hair as he released a sharp exhale.

"Warden, the Fangs are ready to be tested. Would you be attending?" A Serpent asked.

"Where is Marek?"

"He hasn’t returned yet. Should I go look for him?"

"No need. He’ll be here soon," Aric said with certainty. "Last winter, good results were delivered. I’m looking forward to this one. Kyla is the newly appointed Matron, yes?"

"Yes, Warden."

Aric faced him with a smirk on his lips. "To show my utmost interest. I’ll attend the testing, personally."

"They would be honored to see you in person. This will build their loyalty, Warden."

"Indeed. Let’s see what fine Huntsmen she’s raising for me."

The thunder struck heavily, shaking the skies, and the rain was endless.

~♧~

The Fourth Floor

"Marek," Logi voiced again, just to be sure his mind wasn’t playing tricks on him. But it only made everything clearer.

’It’s really him,’ he thought.

Throughout his winters of slavery, Marek was the only good thing that came out of it.

It was a long time ago, but they grew up together in the same mining town, survived, and prayed for a better future when all hope was lost.

They made a promise to always be together, no matter what the Realm hurled at them.

It could have been forever. Freed or in slavery, they would have prevailed together.

However, Logi’s intellect made him special, and the gold on his head was too much to be a simple worker in the mines.

They were separated.

Logi never thought he would ever see Marek again until now.

The gods were casting their game dice on their fate again because he felt trapped by the emotions that wanted to swallow him up.

The core memories came forth as winters after winters he’d wished to never forget became reality.

The look in Marek’s sapphire eyes mirrored Logi’s. Both were consumed by the past. The silence grew to the point it became suffocating.

Marek was the first to cut through the tension, sealing away the emotions that came forth. Aric, his master, had taught him to bury any attachments and any feelings that would hinder his succession.

But right now, the winters of hard work were in the mud

"You’ve grown taller," Marek said.

"And you’ve... grown," Logi said as his eyes observed him from head to toe. "You’re a Serpent, and tried to kill me."

Marek spat a mouthful of blood. "I should say the same for you. What are you doing here, Lo?"

Logi shrugged. "Isn’t it obvious? I’m here to become a Serpent."

Marek chuckled faintly, the deep, rich sound vibrating in his chest. There was a twinkle in his eyes as he said. "You never knew how to lie to my face. Remember? I caught you when you stole bread, and you told me you bought it."

"In Alda’s name, thanks for the scolding; it made me a better man," he said sassily.

Marek scoffed. "And that tongue of yours is still sharp."