Page 34 of Insatiable Hunger

CAIN

John continued to make his way through the forest, unbothered by the intense storm that bubbled above. He was driven by an immense craving for revenge, one hand clinging to my hunting knife while the other burned bright with his green-colored fire. He was focused and alert, aware of everything around him as he pushed through the woods. I could feel my body weakening with each minute, unable to physically withstand such power in itself for long. I knew the possibilities of this outcome when I consumed the crushed remnants of John’s bone, but he promised me power—his power. Power to wreak havoc onto the others, and yet here we were, gallivanting through the woods in search of something called the Triad opposed to tracking the others. They were such easy prey, wounded and slow. We could have easily caught up to them, the strength of his power and my body unmatched, for now.

What even is the Triad?I asked from within my own mind.Why are we hunting them instead of the others? You promised!

Patience, dear Cain. “The Triad is not a what, but a who,”he spoke aloud, holding my hunting knife tightly within his grasp, scanning the trees for any sign of movement, listening.

Who are they?What about your revenge?

“The Triadispart of my revenge.” He spoke low, cautious to remain undetected.

Snap.

John whipped his head around, searching the darkness for the cause. “They are the unfortunate reason I was caught. You see, it was the Triad who handed me over to the protestants who founded this town. They are quite skillful and consist of three groups, each more powerful and ancient than the last.” He bent down, picking up a rock, tossing it in his hand before chunking it a few feet ahead. As the rock hit the ground, a metal clank pierced the air: the jaws of a bear trap striking the stone. John grinned, enjoying this new game. “It seems their hunting methods have not altered over the last few centuries. Splendid.”

John slithered along a tree as the rain poured onto my body. He climbed a nearby trunk, nestling himself onto a lower branch, watching the ground below.What groups is the Triad made of? Who are they? How did they catch you?John played with the knife, looking into the reflection as we stared at one another.

“One of the fractions consists of the descendants of the original protestants who built this town. Presumably, their beliefs are the same as the original men, which means they are extremely violent and religious, a fun combination when one is toying with them. The second group is what are known as the mountain men. That part is extremely skilled in hunting and tracking. They know more of these mountains than the protestants or townsfolk. They prefer to live within the trees, making nature their home. They too are religious, in their own unique way. History does them little justice, referring to them as simple hillbillies, but in truth, they are a strong community who are responsible for much of your world’s events, pulling the strings from the shadows. It is a pity youothershave condemnedthem, portraying them as incompetent fools. They make such formidable prey.”

And the third group?I could feel a dark shadow fall across John’s face.

“The last group is by far the most dangerous, consisting of the original inhabitants of these lands. They come from tribes of ancient warriors who have protected these lands long before my kind, or any outside this world, ever ventured here. They steer the Triad, uniting the three groups into one, creating a powerful force. It was they who captured me. They are unmatched, protected by something old, making my magic useless against them.”

What is the purpose of the Triad?My curiosity only grew, starving for more information.

John repositioned his feet, lowering the knife. “Truthfully, I am not sure. The Triad was formed not long before I arrived in this world, but their true purpose branches from the original tribe members whose ancestors have dwelled in these lands centuries before the rest who fled to this new world.”

New world? Where are you from?I asked, slightly frightened by his words.

John smiled, his lips curling high. “I, dear Cain, am from an infernal town known as Bessetton. It is an old, decrepit place filled with darkness and evil. A place where someone can own your body and soul, forcing you to perform for the mere entertainment of those above you. Where they laugh and rejoice at your misery.” He shuddered, as if remembering something traumatic. “Ironically, it is not far from Bedeville, the cursed town this very one is named after.”

Snap.

John tilted his head, scanning the shrubs and patches of grass below. He watched closely, noticing the slightest movement just near the tripped bear trap. His hand burned,vibrant green magic flowing from his palm. My head ached, the power flowing through my body, slowly searing my nerves.Make it stop. Make the pain stop, John.

“Sadly, I cannot,” he whispered to me.

Why not?I demanded, pushing against his presence.

He shoved my existence back, his eyes remaining fixated below, catching a slim glimpse of a strange man. “You knew the risks when you offered yourself to me, Cain. Do not blame me for your misfortune. Others cannot withstand the dark magic of a hexer. The effects vary but, eventually, your body will weaken. It will slowly rot from the inside out, consuming your soul until your body fails you. Once it does, my soul will wander, searching for its next vessel, while yours withers away like dust in the air.” The sick reality hit me. I should’ve known there was a catch to our deal, but my judgment was clouded by my emotions, unable to understand the costs.

John’s lack of care for my life angered me.Release me. Find a new body!

“Too late, dear Cain. When you drank the water, mixed with the powder from my bone, you sealed the deal. There is no escaping your fate.”

This isn’t what we agreed!I pushed against his presence, fighting to take back my body.Get out!

John’s power forced me back, his inner voice echoing through my consciousness.Know your place!The words silenced me.

“Allow me this kill, and we shall hunt the otherstogether. Your friends, the Triad, all of them. You may use my magic, let its chaos consume you so that you may become the most powerful version of yourself, raining your dark desires down onto those you despise.” I contemplated his offer.

If I am to die, then let us burn the world as I die with it.

The man below stepped from behind a tree, slowly moving towards the trap that rested at the base of the tree John was hidden within. His hand twisted as his fiery power gripped the man’s neck, slowly squeezing the air from his lungs.

“Perfect,” he purred. John leapt from the tree, landing on one knee. “Tell me, Cain.” He rose, approaching the fearful man as he remained constricted within his fiery grip. “Have you ever strangled a man before?”

Never. A strange excitement flooded my nerves, fighting back my horrible fate, swallowing the pain of his fluctuating power.

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