CHAPTER 4:Ashes of broken bonds

Stone lay broken on the cold, cracked floor. His body ached, every breath ragged and shallow. His limbs felt like stone, heavy and useless.

Ben knelt over him, eyes burning with years of resentment and hatred.

"You always thought you were better," Ben spat, voice low and sharp. "Better than me at everything. Smarter, faster, stronger. The golden boy."

Stone's throat tightened, but no sound came. He was frozen, trapped by the paralysis potion Ben had slipped into their food.

Ben's grin was cruel, a twisted mask hiding the venom beneath.

"Remember when we met? Back in the academy? You were the star. I was just the kid struggling to keep up."

Ben's laugh was bitter. "I watched you take everything—the praise, the victories. Everyone loved you."

Stone's mind flashed back. The early days—the fights, the laughter, the friendship. How they'd dreamed of being heroes together.

But somewhere along the way, the friendship cracked.

Ben's voice pulled him back.

"I hated you for it. Every day."

Stone's eyes burned with pain. "Ben… we were brothers."

Ben's expression twisted. "Brothers? You had no idea what that meant."

He stood suddenly, stepping over Stone's trembling form.

His eyes landed on Stone's mother, still caught in the paralyzing grip of his potion—frozen and terrified.

Ben crouched beside her and grabbed a fistful of her hair, yanking her head back with a savage pull.

Stone's heart lurched.

"Ben, please!" Stone's voice cracked, tears blurring his vision. "Don't… don't do this."

But Ben didn't listen.

The blade gleamed, cold and merciless.

With a brutal slash, he cut through her neck.

Her head rolled away, hitting the floor with a sickening thud.

Stone's mother's body slumped, lifeless and broken.

Seconds passed like hours.

Then, the head and body began to fade—dark sparks swirling, devouring the life until nothing remained.

She was gone.

Stone's sobs tore through the silence, raw and desperate.

"No… Mom…"

Ben stood, brushing the blood from his blade.

"Too weak to protect her," he said softly, voice venomous. "Just like you."

Stone tried to push himself up, but his limbs refused.

Ben looked down, eyes wild with fury and pain.

"You think you're better than me? That you deserved everything?"

Stone's voice was barely a whisper. "We could've been brothers."

Ben's laugh was hollow. "Not when you always outshined me."

He slammed his boot into Stone's ribs.

Stone gasped, pain exploding through his body.

Ben's fist followed, crushing and relentless.

"Die knowing how much I hated you," Ben growled.

Stone's vision darkened but his fists clenched in desperation.

He grabbed Ben's arm, clawing, punching with what little strength he had.

Blood spilled.

Ben stumbled but recovered quickly, eyes flashing with rage.

He drew his blade again, eyes blazing.

"Not good enough."

Stone screamed as the blade plunged into his chest—once, twice, again and again.

Each stab a scream without sound.

Each strike a thousand years of rage.

"Die!" Ben shouted. "Die!"

Stone's breath slowed, his eyes fixed on the cracked ceiling above.

The light in his eyes flickered and died.

A single tear traced a cold line down his cheek.

Silence fell.

Ben stood, staring at the broken body beneath him.

He spared Stone a glance—empty, cold.

Then turned and walked away.

Stone's body began to shimmer, dark sparks rising from his skin as his soul faded.

Ben raised his hand, whispering an incantation.

Flames erupted, licking the walls, devouring the house in roaring fire.

He didn't look back.

******

Later, in a cold chamber lit by flickering candles, Ben reported to the council.

"Mission complete," he said, voice steady, sharp.

A murmur of approval swept through the elders.

Ben's lips curled into a dark smile.

"Stone...is dead"

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