Despair [3]

[Kontrolu P.O.V]

When I lay my hand on someone, I have the power to manipulate their thoughts or feelings.

If I choose to control their mind, they become entirely loyal to me without question.

I'm certain I used my left hand, the one for mind control. So why is this little troublemaker still standing? 

"How did she break free from my influence?!"

I need to understand how she managed to strike me instead of her brother?!

Could it be that she possesses an incredible strength of will or something?!

"No, it's nothing like that," the brother responds with a grin.

He destroys my dolls and materializes himself once more.

Tap, tap, tap...

With each step he takes, my body involuntarily retreats. My stomach is wounded, yet I am strangely numb to the pain.

Terror has rendered me motionless.

Black and White reaches his sister and places his left hand on her head. They share a loving smile that pierces my heart.

Tears unexpectedly stream from my eyes. It's a feeling I remember all too well.

'This brings back memories.'

During our childhood, my brother and I relied solely on each other for support following the tragic loss of our parents at the hands of erratic adventurers, forcing us into homelessness at the tender age of 12. 

Due to our physical features, specifically our large noses, we were subjected to ridicule by the other street urchins, yet my brother Igor always stood up for us.

Subsequently, we began to assert dominance over those who posed no threat to us, a natural response to ensure our safety and security. 

A culture of power dynamics emerged in Ablauf, where even cannibalism was not out of the realm of possibility. 

It was through these experiences that I discovered my unique abilities.

When we were 16, a severe heatwave swept through the city, leaving only the elite and fortunate individuals with access to water. 

As the weaker of the two siblings, I succumbed to the heatwave first, aging my body prematurely.

With no one to turn to for assistance, we found ourselves isolated in a community where nearly half of the residents bore a striking resemblance to myself. 

It appeared as though fortune had finally favored us when a man with black hair approached. The monocle perched on his left eye signified his elevated position in Ablauf. 

Addressing Igor with a smile on his angular face, he stated, "I will not give you a fish, but I will impart the skill of fishing. Are you interested, young man?"

Despite lacking formal education, Igor and I comprehended the essence of his message. Rather than simply providing assistance in the moment, he intended to educate us on self-sufficiency. 

Igor found himself in a position where he had no other choice but to acquiesce. It was then that the man presented him with a photograph of a young girl.

"I acknowledge the difficulties you are facing and recognize that this may seem like the only option available. Consider eliminating this girl and providing her blood to your twin sibling. 

However, feel free to explore alternative solutions if you have a more viable plan. I want to emphasize that I am not compelling you to take any specific action but simply offering a potential course of action for your consideration."

Upon hearing his' impassive yet resolute voice, a brief contemplative pause overcame Igor. A singular moment that flickered and faded quickly.

"I choose my brother. I will do anything to save him."

Igor's heartfelt declaration brought tears to my eyes. 

Until that instant, I had believed such selfless acts were confined to the realms of fantasy and myth, but here was my brother, affirming his willingness to sacrifice for me.

Within a mere moment, Igor swiftly retrieved the girl. The man handed him a knife, which he then used to sever her neck.

Igor grasped her legs, and each trickle of her blood descended into my mouth. 

This experience marked the moment I came to appreciate the unexpected sweetness of blood.

Following the consumption of the girl's blood, a day of rest was all that was required for my body to revert to its usual state. 

However, upon awakening thereafter, my pupils exhibited dilation accompanied by a reddish hue.

Not only that, but I desired more blood and wished for my brother to share in the same taste. It only took moments for me to procure a meal for him.

Following our decision to feast on human blood for sustenance, I observed a peculiar occurrence after a few months: my nose inexplicably enlarged each time I uttered a falsehood. 

This development indicated that I had been bitten by a crystal bug.

Nevertheless, one year later, the optimistic individual with red eyes from earlier elucidated the situation for me.

"Why would the esteemed Cchio bug choose to bite a thug like you? Additionally, who claims that acquiring abilities is solely achieved through being bitten by a crystal bug?"

My eyes trembled as I listened to his chilling words. It was no mere chance that he suggested Igor be the one to eliminate the young woman.

He expressed, "Indeed, that individual belonged to the Casano family, one of the esteemed noble Duke families. 

She possessed the power to manipulate individuals and their emotions. By consuming her blood, you have also acquired her abilities."

Subsequently, his following statement brought us great distress,

"As a respected civil servant, I am bound to escort you to Galactic Prison or in extreme situations, consider termination. Nonetheless, I am willing to turn a blind eye to the incident. 

In exchange, I request your cooperation. Rest assured, you will be duly compensated for your efforts."

In a vociferous manner, I asserted, "Please shut up! It is you who will ultimately be employed by us!" 

Despite my attempts to control him through physical touch, it was evident that regardless of the area touched, the individual remained unaffected by my influence.

"Why is your ability not functioning? The reason being, I possess a level of intelligence that surpasses the need to be controlled by external forces. Just as a tiger would not heed commands from a dog, no matter its size."

'Is Encender comparable to a tiger? Is she too intelligent to be subject to my authority?'

Black and white answered my thoughts with a smile. "She is the dumbest person in the world. She is like a red panda who only thinks about eating and destroying things." 

'Eh, what?'

Encender expressed dissent with her brother and visibly displayed her emotion through tense facial muscles and raised voice, exclaiming, "Hey!"

Tito turned back to look at her, "Do you know that red pandas are one of the cutest animals? I am just saying you are cute. Take it as a compliment."

She nodded her head, "I see. I forgive you."

'She is an idiot...'

Black and white shifts his gaze towards me, his previously smiling countenance giving way to a stern and serious expression. The golden hue of his eyes ignited, mirroring the intensity of his right hand.

"Are you ready to get burned into nothing?"

His chilly demeanor elicited a physical shiver throughout my entire body. I felt an urgent need to distance myself from him out of fear for my safety. 

As I attempted to retreat, my legs involuntarily propelled me backward until I found myself at the perimeter of the arena. 

The pain from the wound in my abdomen intensified, causing me to heave up a small amount of blood. 

This level of discomfort was entirely unfamiliar to me, even exceeding the agony endured while severely dehydrated.

'...there is no way I am dying...by Tito's hand!'

When I mustered up enough courage to face my adversary approaching me, a smile emerged on my face as I stated, "You are responsible for Tucky's death; do not attempt to shift the blame onto me. While it is true that she acted on my instructions, it was you who ultimately caused her demise by inflicting a fatal wound to her chest." 

Upon uttering these words, I allowed myself to descend from the top seats of the arena.

The moment my words finished, I let myself fall from the arena top seats. 

"Nooo!! Tito's heartfelt shout entered my ears. 

My physical form will collapse to the earth's surface. This demise seems appropriate for an individual of my nature.

"A dog need to die like one."

That man imparted this message following a brutal assault on both my brother and me. 

He exuded strength and intelligence, qualities that I lacked in my dog existence. 

"Do you sense it as well, Tito?" 

"Despair."