Instinctively, Isaac tried to pull his hand away from Azrael's grip, but no matter how hard he yanked, he couldn't break free.
Panic rising, Isaac clenched his teeth and swung his other hand toward Azrael's face, aiming to slap him.
Of course, Azrael wasn't going to let Isaac push him around again. He released Isaac's wrist, then quickly slammed his palm into Isaac's chest, sending him flying backwards into the wall.
Taking advantage of the moment while Isaac was still stunned, Azrael slowly began to rise from the cold floor that had served as his bed for the past five days.
"You bastard! How dare you do this to me? Father won't be happy when I tell him what happened here!" Isaac coughed as he pointed at Azrael in fury.
"Looks like you're still aware of your situation, Isaac." Azrael merely smiled as he spoke to him.
Slowly, Azrael walked toward Isaac. With each step Azrael took, Isaac felt his body tremble. He didn't know why he just knew instinctively that something was terribly wrong.
"Acting tough just because you survived death. You're way too full of yourself, devil spawn!" Isaac, legs shaking, forced himself to stand, his back aching from slamming into the wall.
"Let me ask you one thing. Why do you hate me so much?" Azrael ignored Isaac's nonsense, still taking slow, deliberate steps toward him.
Isaac laughed when he heard Azrael's question. "You're really asking me that? You're a cursed demon child. Father said your parents died under mysterious circumstances when you were born. You should be grateful we even took you in."
Azrael clenched his fists, trying to suppress the fury rising inside him. But the storm within reacted before reason could take over.
In a flash, Azrael was already in front of Isaac, one hand wrapping tightly around Isaac's throat.
Azrael's grip was so firm that Isaac's feet left the floor. His face turned red as oxygen was cut off from his brain.
"I never asked your family to take me in if all you were going to do was treat me like an animal!" Azrael's eyes gleamed sharply for a second, a crimson flash lit up his irises.
Isaac couldn't speak. He only pounded at Azrael's arm, hoping he would let go. But panic set in when Isaac looked into Azrael's face and realised how terrifying he'd become.
A thin grin crept onto Azrael's lips, and the suffocating killing intent around him made Isaac think, for the first time, that he was going to die here.
"Don't expect mercy from me, Isaac. That night, you wanted me dead so don't blame me for doing the same," Azrael said calmly, tightening his grip around Isaac's neck.
Isaac's pupils rolled back. He thrashed wildly, struggling to escape Azrael's grasp.
Watching Isaac's body twitch under his chokehold, Azrael's smile widened with dark satisfaction.
And then, Isaac's body finally went limp. Azrael released him, and Isaac's corpse collapsed to the floor with a loud thud.
A thin black mist rose from Isaac's body, slowly spiralling toward Azrael and being absorbed into him. A whisper echoed faintly in the back of his mind—not his own, but something darker, urging him to crush everything that once caged him.
"So this is what you all wanted to happen. Don't blame this devil for what he's about to do." Azrael grinned darkly as he grabbed Isaac's hair and dragged him out of the basement.
. . .
Azrael realised night had already fallen, and he knew the Copper family would be relaxing inside the house at this time. So he dragged Isaac's lifeless body with him back toward the house.
Now, Azrael's curiosity burned brighter, he wanted to know the truth about what really happened to his parents. Why did everyone call him the devil's child? He needed to know, especially now that he was certain he harboured something dark within like the black mist he met in his subconscious.
The door creaked softly as Azrael pushed it open from outside. Everyone inside turned toward the entrance when they heard it.
At first, they thought it was Isaac finally returning from the basement. But shock struck them like lightning when they saw it was Azrael who stepped through the door.
"You?! How are you still alive?" The first to react was Alwin, stunned to see Azrael standing there.
"Curious?" Azrael pulled the corner of his mouth into a disturbing smile.
Christopher rose from his seat, stepping toward Azrael, ready to teach him a lesson again. He had no problem killing Azrael a second time.
But he stopped in his tracks when Azrael threw Isaac's limp body in front of him.
Aunt screamed in horror when she saw what had happened. She rushed over to check on Isaac's cold, unmoving form.
"What did you do to Isaac to make him lose his life?!" she shrieked in fury, demanding Azrael explain himself.
"I… killed him." Azrael answered plainly, without the slightest trace of guilt.
Aunt turned to him with wide, furious eyes, her body trembling with rage. Christopher and Alwin were no less stunned by his confession.
Christopher stormed over and grabbed Azrael by the collar, his murderous aura flaring to life.
"So the rumors were true. You really are a devil's child, born to bring disaster," Christopher growled in a voice as cold as a hiss.
"You're the one who turned me into this, Uncle. Why do you look so surprised?" The smile on Azrael's face didn't fade, unshaken even by Christopher's oppressive presence.
"Don't talk nonsense! Don't blame me for what you've done! You already murdered your parents, and now you're trying to destroy my family too?" Christopher snarled, his brows furrowed in disgust.
But Azrael felt no fear toward him. He couldn't understand why his uncle still acted as if he weren't a threat.
"Does he really think I won't kill them too?" Azrael thought to himself.
The smile on his face shifted into something darker, a twisted smirk. His crimson eyes gleamed as thoughts of tormenting the wretched people before him filled his mind.
Azrael gripped Christopher's wrist tightly, so tightly that Christopher's bravado cracked into pain. His face contorted, and his knees buckled.
Christopher screamed in agony, bending forward in pain. Alwin and Aunt, seeing what was happening, panicked and rushed to help him.
"Azrael, stop it!" Alwin shouted, trying to reach for Christopher.
Of course, Azrael didn't just stand there. He pulled back one hand and aimed it at Alwin, who was charging toward him.
A dark pulse rippled through the air, freezing Alwin mid-step. His hands clawed at his throat, choking on a force he couldn't see but one that clearly wanted him dead.