Silas Gravestone walked down a long stretch of hallway, his stride steady and his face set in a scowl. He stopped before the large double doors at the far end, drew a deep breath, and gripped the handles tightly.
Silas pushed open the surprisingly heavy doors with relative ease, but the moment he crossed the threshold, the atmosphere shifted, growing thick, heavy, and almost suffocating.
The young dream demon knows exactly why the pressure has changed, which is why he doesn't let instinct take over. Instead, he moves forward with calm determination, steeling his resolve as the doors slam shut behind him.
Silas Gravestone: We need to talk. (Silas spoke with a calm yet firm tone, resisting the urge to cower before the might of the two immensely powerful figures, one standing tall and imposing, the other seated, watching him in silence)
"How disrespectful... Can't you see we're in the middle of an important conversation?" (The man said to Silas, his entire form shrouded in a veil of darkness and swirling purple mist, with only his menacing violet eyes gleaming through the shadows)
Silas Gravestone: Stay out of this, this is between me and my grandfather! (Silas snaps, his red eyes blazing with corruption as he locks a fierce glare on the man of shadows)
"You little..." (The man of shadows growled, moving a couple steps forward)
"Enough." (A gruff, yet commanding voice snapped them both to attention, silencing the room in an instant)... Leave us. (The man ordered, his red gaze now burning with intensity)
"As you wish... Master." (The man of shadows said with a bow, his form quickly breaking apart and vanishing with the wind)
"Now... What have you come to ask me, child?" (The old and decrepit man asked, his gaze now fixed on Silas)
Silas began to sweat, now struggling to find the courage to speak to his grandfather. The elderly man was clearly worn down by time. His long silver hair was curly and disheveled, his face was weary and haggard from age, giving him a frail appearance. He wore a once proud suit of silver armour, now dulled and rusted, and over his shoulders hung a tattered black cloak, that could easily be mistaken for rags.
Though the man appears old and weak, Silas still fears and respects him, and with good reason. This seemingly frail figure is known as the strongest man in the Nightmare World, the sole force behind the creation and destruction of countless domains across the realms.
Silas Gravestone: Even from here, I can feel that overwhelming pressure. It's slowly weighing me down, relentlessly trying to crush my spirit... It's terrifying. (Silas thought with dread, his body trembling slightly in the presence of his grandfather)
"Is something wrong?" (The old man asked, his gaze sharpening as he noticed Silas's rigid, uneasy posture)... (Sighs) "Forgive me. It's difficult to control sometimes... Is this better?" (He inquired, the once
overwhelming pressure in the room now greatly diminished)
Silas Gravestone: I'm sorry, it's hard to speak with you when you're like that. (Silas explains, starting to feel a little bit better)
"You don't have to be sorry, my boy... You're still not strong enough to stand by my side. But if you keep training hard and honing the skills I taught you, I have no doubt in my mind that you'll reach my level eventually." (The old man tells him, a weak smile creeping across his lips)
Silas Gravestone: Grandpa, if you really have so much faith in me, then why did you undermine the authority you gave me, and in front of my team?! (Silas asks him)
"That was not my intention. I wanted you to show them how strong you really are, but you chose to hide your true power instead... Why?" (The old man asks, his tone soft-spoken, yet his presence demands an answer)
Silas swallows the heavy lump in his throat before finally giving him an answer.
Silas Gravestone: I do not trust the Destroyer. I believe that he will one day betray us. So when that day comes, I want him to underestimate my power. Just enough for me to destroy him. (Silas explains, a menacing look present in his glowing red eyes)
"(Chuckles) That's my boy. This is why I chose you to carry on my legacy. Soon, you will inherit this world, Silas Gravestone. So watch closely... and learn how to rule it." (The old man said as he rose from his shadowed throne, his eyes filled with pride as he looked upon his grandson)
Silas Gravestone: I will do my best to carry on your legacy, Grandpa. (Silas said with a smile, kneling before his grandfather)
"Good." (He said with satisfaction, approaching his grandson and placing a firm hand on his shoulder, smiling down at him warmly)
To the untrained eye, this may seem like nothing more than a touching moment between grandfather and grandson. But in the realm of corruption and nightmares, these two are a malevolent force of pure destruction and chaos. Their presence alone is enough to paralyze the strong-minded with just a single glance, and annihilate the weak-willed without even moving a muscle.
[Name: Elias Gravestone]
[Race: Nightmare Demon]
[Title: Nightmare King]
[Level: MAX]
[Skills:????]
Next: The Monster In My Head