Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Corrupt Principal ❯ Hall of Hellfire ( Chapter 3 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

By: MellyN

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Corrupt Principal

By: Melissa Norvell

Chapter 3: Hall of Hellfire

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Opening his eyes, Schnitzel flinched and darted his eyes around at his surroundings. His eyes widened slightly as he attempted to take in his situation. The prince couldn't move his arms, and his biceps were tight and in pain. The room was dark, musty and damp. It felt like a cell but it was so dark that he couldn't see if there were any bars. The rings that had once adorned his navy blue eyes had vanished and he was momentarily free of the possession that had clung to his royal form.

'Where am I? Why am I in a straight jacket?' The prince attempted to move his arms, but all he heard in response was the clinking of the links on the chain that held his arms back, and elbows bent. It was painful…It all was painful and his body ached. Schnitzel also had a powerful, throbbing headache and felt the room spin if he glanced around too quickly. Even though he was clad in different clothes, the scent of blood was still thick on his form. What had happened between now and the point at which he had come into contact with that mysterious boy? 'My head is spinning, my entire body hurts and I reek of blood.' He positioned himself to the tea-sitting position as he tried to keep his balance. 'Kanon…Yayoi…What happened to them? Are they captives? That boy, he's the…No…He killed the prime minister. Why didn't he kill me? What's his aim?'

His thoughts were soon interrupted by a sudden clash. His eye darted swiftly back to see a girl, dressed in what seemed to be summer wear of some sort. It was exotic, an orange, wrap around skirt with flower print and a matching, bra-like top. She wore a lot of jewelry, bold, golden bracelets around her wrists and ankles and large, hoop earrings. Her hair was long and bright sky blue with three fluorescent orange streaks - one in her bangs and the others located in the two piece of hair that hung over her shoulders. Her eyes were also interesting, one being the same bright blue as her hair and the other being the same bright orange as the streaks in her hair. He wondered what such a beautiful, foreign girl was doing locked in such a dismal place.

"Who are you?" Schnitzel questioned his voice cold and void of any emotion. He would show her nothing about himself, especially when he was chained up and she seemed to have free reign of their cell. For all he knew, she could be there simply to torture him in some fashion. "What are you doing here? Are you a prisoner like me?"

"I'm Jia-Jing and yes, I am a prisoner, just as you are," the girl spoke quietly, in a calm tone that seemed as though she held a fair amount of knowledge regarding the situation.

"How is it that you can walk around freely while I'm restrained?" Schnitzel never took his gaze from the woman. That matter alone was suspicious.

"He knows that I won't try to get away. I have no desire to leave this cell," Jia-Jing told him with defeat shining in her bi-colored eyes. Someone like Schnitzel desired freedom, but she had done far too much to consider the option. She knew her place and wisely stayed in it, not only for the good of the situation but for the good of herself as well.

"Why?" It seemed more than strange that someone would even want to consider staying in such a place. If he had free reign, he'd be out of there quickly.

"I'm repenting for a sin," her words were simple, yet truthful.

"Tell me what's going on," the prince frowned. He knew now, more than ever, that the girl knew more than she was saying. What sin was she repenting for? Did it have something to do with the death of the Prime Minister? Was she involved in the boy's master plan? If so, then why was she sharing a cell with him?

"Is that something you truly desire? You might not like the knowledge you receive," Jia-Jing told him as she looked upon him with dead eyes. The marionette prince wished to know of all of the hell he had been placed through. It was a heavy reality to be faced with. Humans liked to be in control of themselves, and knowing that he was forced to do unspeakable acts could very well crack his sanity.

"I'd rather be faced with the pain of reality than the bliss of delusion," Schnitzel wanted the truth. No matter how painful it was. No matter how it made him feel, he was tired of suffering with that amnesia.

"Alright, to be blunt, you're under a possession."

"Possession?" It seemed so unbelievable. Such a thing existed outside of the realms of human imagination? Not only that…Such a thing was used on him. A power like that could not be counteracted by any form of military power his forces possessed. Even the special ops and experimental division's advanced technology would not even hold a candle to something as profound and breaking as what he had just learned.

"Yes, that's what I said. Think about it. Can you really remember anything that happened to you between now and when you first arrived here?" The girl saw the prince's expression change to one of thoughtfulness.

Try as he might, Schnitzel couldn't recall a single memory of that duration of time. It was as if it didn't exist. After a few moments of trying, he hung his head in defeat. "No…Has he possessed you as well?"

"I'm the one who gave him the power," Jia-Jing furrowed her eyebrows as concern and regret reflected in those oddly colored eyes. Ever since she had given the power to the youth, she had regretted that very day. It made everyone's lives living hell, and for that reason, among many, she locked herself inside of the prison and refused to see the light of day and hang her head in shame to the public.

"What?" Needless to say, the prince was shocked, but due to his weakened state, he only expressed it in a tired tone.

"This is why I am atoning. I didn't know he'd use it in this fashion," the girl tilted her head down regretfully, her orange and blue hair falling in over her face, hiding her expression.

"Who are you?" Schnitzel didn't really know what her response would be, or if she would even tell him.

"My name is Jia-Jing Cenecah. I am from the unconquered country of Siam. Even though our country isn't very large, I know of Titannia and your family. You're all quite famous and you've all been on television," the mysterious girl leveled him with a knowledgeable look. He knew at that moment that the girl knew more than she was saying, not only that, she was the key to ridding him of his possession.

The only question was how would he join forced with the girl? Even if he did, he couldn't be too sure that she would divulge much information about her strange power and how to get rid of it.

"How do you feel about Titannia's rule?" It was a simple enough question, but he wanted to know if she was part of a rebellion or an ally in arms.

"Depends on which viceroy you're speaking of. Prince Prussia is a fair ruler. He lets the people do as they wish. He just approves of the affairs and everyone in his Axis of Power adores him. Your younger sister, Nausiscaa sits on her throne and acts as a typical ruler. There is a split opinion of her on her Axis. You…You're respected, envied and feared. Your very presence is intimidating…" She paused as she looked at the pitiful shamble of a man below her and was reminded of his recent fall. "Well, it was intimidating. You're not so much now. You're nothing but a puppet, dancing on the strings of a cruel master's command. You're blood-soaked but honorless and damned, deemed the cursed nickname of Massacre Prince."

"Massacre Prince?" Schnitzel repeated the name; still confused by everything he was told. The man had no memories of anything that had happened to him, and why everyone referred to him as such a horrid nick name was beyond him.

"You don't truly remember, but you murdered all of your staff."

"What?" The prince questioned in shock as a bright light flashed and a sudden jar of nostalgia hit him as a stream of imagery from his rampage resurfaced in the recesses of his brain.

'I, Prince Schnitzel Eau Cossattia, Second Prince of Titannia, command you all to die.'

Unfortunately, the only thing he could recall was that brief instant, when he had given that command as he stood with a gun in his hand, pointed at someone, but it was unclear as to who it was. Navy blue eyes widened in horror as another white flash hit him. The prince gasped at the unstable emotion that flooded his senses. Shaking from the surge of emotion, he hunched down, face nearly touching the ground. "What? What madness is this?" His voice shook. Schnitzel couldn't believe what he had seen. Was it simply a hallucination, or had it truly happened?

"There is no madness, simply the facts," Jia-Jing advised, "the power is that of one's own self-destruction. One must ask themselves what they are willing to sacrifice in order to obtain it. It works on many levels and in many ways. If I tell you what you've done while under the possession, you will remember bits and pieces. Anyone can control you. Anyone who utters the phrase 'I command you', you will do whatever they ask." The prince sat up as the familiar ring of glow reappeared around his irises and he looked idly to her, awaiting the rest of her command.

Thinking for a moment, the girl looked a bit sympathetic towards the prince, but she knew that she must make him remember all of the brutal things that had happened to him if he ever wanted to figure out how to free himself. Prince Schnitzel had to be aware of his actions while he was possessed, and as a result, she would give him one simple command. "I command you to remember this moment and snap out of your trance."

"Huh?" Schnitzel blinked a little and the rings around his irises faded.

"Anyone can control you if they say that phrase. That's the power of the hex. Whatever command is given to you, anyone can use to their advantage if they know or find out about it," Jia-Jing's expression became grave when she spoke of the subject, and in that aspect, she worried about the Titannian prince.

His royal name was already ruined, and it would only be further run into the dirt with each murder and misdeed he committed.

"So, I became a tool?" Schnitzel frowned and looked to the ground. This was his ultimate low. He was reduced to a zombie-like lapdog for a terrorist, and no matter what he did at this point, he was powerless to save himself. Not only that, but he could not go back to ruling over his Axis. As soon as he returned, the people would have him assassinated or publicly executed for various charges and treason to his own crown.

He was no longer a symbol of prestige and power but a tyrant and murderous psycho who needed a good deal of committing.

"Yes, but you can only give the person the command to do so. When you possess someone, you can only give them one command. The only thing is, you were simply told to obey, so you must obey whoever commands you. It has a broad spectrum. It's one of the most dangerous commands," the girl noted both the dangers and loop holes in the power itself. "Everyone can literally control you."

"Why are you telling me this? Are you on his side or mine?" Just what was her aim? Was she trying to mock him or honestly aid him?

"I am not on anyone's side but my own," she made that painfully clear. "I'm not involved and I don't care about Japanese or Titannian affairs."

"Then why did you give him the power?" Schnitzel questioned. It made no sense that someone would give such a destructive power to another and claims not to be involved in the situation or even take a side.

"I cursed him with it because I, myself wanted to be rid of it. After what I had done while under its influence…I will not go back to it," Jia-Jing's voice strengthened. She would never beyond any circumstances, go back to such a sinful and corrupt life…a life that was so full of pain for her. "I cannot live like that. It's a dangerous, corrupt power that destroys everyone who's associated with it, even the one who possesses it. You are just a sad victim in all of this," she reached forward and placed a gentle hand on the weary prince's shoulder. "I feel sorry for you."

"What happened to everyone? Are they really all dead?" Surely someone had to survive. If there were only but one survivor, he could get in touch with them and they could inform him on everything that happened, granted they trusted him and saw through the possessed figure that they had once come into contact with.

It was a far-fetched idea, but he couldn't give up hope.

"All but two; Kanon Fussinii and Yayoi Hatalia, but time is running short…Yayoi was sent to be executed and Kanon is suffering from injuries," Jia-Jing informed.

It was grim.

"What happened to me in all of this? Why am I like this?" Even if he dreaded the answer, he would rather be faced with the truth, then live on not knowing of his acts.

"I'd rather you not know," Jia-Jing didn't agree with his logic, however. Right now, the prince was calm and collected. He would need every ounce of strength to see him through his possession and if she revealed what had happened to him now, his mentality would break down and he wouldn't be able to put up such a resistance to the mind control.

"Why?" Schnitzel looked a little annoyed. They were his memories and she had no right to keep them from him, even if she thought it was for his own good.

"I hate to do this but, I'd rather you have confidence than fall apart," Jia-Jing held out her hand to the prince. "I command you not to ask me that question…" She forced the last part of her command out as she looked to the ground. "…ever again."

"Yes master, I only obey you," the doll-like prince obeyed.

Jia-Jing's expression saddened as she turned her sights from the prince's blank stare. To know that she had just commanded him to do such an act upset her greatly. The prang of guilt viciously ate at her heart. Prince Schnitzel deserved to know what happened, even if it broke him. It was cruel of her to demand such a thing. 'What is he thinking? Kuromoji didn't give a specific enough command. Anyone can control Prince Schnitzel. Did he do it on purpose? No…He just didn't think about it. He still has a chance to be free. For that, I am glad. He needs hope.'

Or at least, that's what she would convince herself of so the guilt wouldn't eat her alive.

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The doors opened as Prussia and his trusted right hand man, accompanied by the elite royal guard walked through. Tons of personnel and various staff swarmed them, so much so that it was suffocating. The guards did their best to keep everyone away from the prince. Above everything, he was not to be touched. However, one of the medical staff managed to reach through their defenses. The man's hand was headed straight for the prince's shoulder but was quickly caught by the white-headed man, who wore a look of scorn and disgust towards the other male. Who did he think he was to override royal authority and lay his dirty hands upon his highness?

"You do not have authority to be in this chamber," the man spoke, unaware of who he had just tried to touch.

"You will not touch his majesty. Do you not realize that this is First Crowned Prince Prussia Vi Cossattia? Who do you think you are?" The white-haired man scolded his subordinate for daring to lay a single finger on his highness.

Shrinking away, the man saluted with his head hung in shame. "I'm so sorry, your majesty. Please forgive me."

"Don't worry yourself too much," Prussia smiled kindly at the man. "You are simply acting upon your orders and I would expect nothing else." After all, he didn't give the medical staff any prior warnings of his arrival, so it was only natural that they act accordingly.

"Thank you for your mercy, my lord. If there's anything I can do-" The male was happy that Prussia had been so kind to him and he had not received any punishment as a result of his unruly actions towards the prince.

"Yes, as a matter a fact, there is." After putting much thought into his request, the prince told him with a quaint smile.

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Kanon lay in bed in white hospital attire. Her long, pink hair was flowing around her like tangled seaweed and her eyes were flooded with sorrow. Dried tears hung heavily to her pale skin and dark-circled eyes. She hadn't remembered how long she'd been crying, and flashbacks had been reeling through her head of her prince, delivering the fatal blow to her unborn child, wiping its existence from the face of the earth before it could even get the chance to full develop into a human being.

"My baby…My baby is…" Kanon said to no one, absent-mindedly swallowed in her own grief, which, by this time, had made her slightly delusional. New tears clung to her eyes, and even though she had been broken and exhausted, she refused to stop thinking about that moment in time. "Why? Why did you kill my baby? What happened to you, Prince Schnitzel? I've never known you to act like that…The whole time I've been with you…I mean, sure…you were ruthless and cold, but you had a kind side. I wanted…so much for you to hold my baby…" She could no longer control the tears that flowed down her pale cheeks as the door to her room opened.

Turning her head, her gaze went to Prince Prussia, who entered the room. The clacking of his boots signaled his advance towards her, along with that of his trusted right hand man and several guards. Normally, if she were seen in such a state, she would be utterly humiliated, but in this instance, she didn't care. It wasn't as if Kanon was disrespectful to his highness, but she didn't have the drive or strength to put on a front.

"Prince Prussia Vi Cossattia? Y-You're in Japan?" She questioned weakly, though her voice held as much surprise as she could muster. The only member of the royal family that she had met in person was Prince Schnitzel, so seeing Prince Prussia, in the flesh and before her very eyes was more than shocking. It was unbelievable.

"I'm including my brother's region in my Axis until he returns," Prussia took a seat near the woman's bed and leveled her with soft, blue eyes. She had gone through so much, so he would not press her.

"What are you going to do about Japan?" Kanon cast her eyes downward with a frown.

"I'll handle the situation how I should. As of now, even with Prince Schnitzel's rule, this land is unelaborated by Titannia," Prussia replied. That very fact was a problem all in itself, and with the alliance going sour between both countries, there was no doubt resistance that would be breaking out soon.

The people wanted answers, and he could not deny them a proper explanation. First, however, he wanted answers from everyone involved. Prussia wasn't going to open his mouth to the public unless he knew what exactly had happened.

"I'm so sorry. I failed his highness. I wasn't able to protect him. I left him unguarded and now I've gotten you involved as well," Kanon closed her miserable eyes with a deep-set frown. She had just set Prussia up for the same punishment as Schnitzel received, and she only feared the worst for the elder prince.

She didn't want Prussia involved in such a horrible situation.

"A major inconvenience, but tell me, Countess, do you know what happened? You were accompanying my brother, were you not?" The beautiful man questioned. It was time to get down to business, and probe her for information. This was the main reason that the prince had come to her in the first place.

"Yes…I was…I'm not sure you'd believe me." Opening her eyes, she looked a little unsure of herself, almost as if she was afraid of mentioning the vivid details of that instance, and she was. Kanon was terrified of speaking about it, for fear of bursting into tears. The loss, pain and dread of the situation were so fresh on her mind. She hoped that Prussia didn't want to press things further, but that was a slim chance in itself. If it was a critical matter, the Titannian prince would only seek more information, despite her feelings. While he was a kind individual, he would not set her personal feelings aside to disregard information.

"I want to know, even if it seems beyond human comprehension and logic. A prince simply can't end up going missing. There's got to be a logical explanation to all of this,” Prussia remarked, and that was what he intended to figure out.

Feeling as if she had been defeated, Kanon lowered her head and murmured the cause of Schnitzel's recent actions, "he's been possessed."

"Possessed?" The blonde prince arched an eyebrow. Part of his mind hesitated to believe such a thing. It sounded nearly impossible. Possession? He had never heard of such a thing.

"He's…He…" Kanon tried not to choke up as she was forced to recall everything that had happened that day. "He killed all of his guards and shot me in the stomach. I was pregnant with a child," she tried to explain, but the tears flowed from her face as she laid a trembling hand on her stomach wound as she choked back a noise. Prussia's eyebrows furrowed in concern for the pink-haired woman. He knew that nothing he could say would bring any ease to her soul. "He…He wouldn't do it on his own. Ever. Yayoi Hatalia, he's still alive. Please save him. He could tell you. He saw everything. Prince Schnitzel, his eyes were so dead, as if he didn't know me at all."

'What kind of madness have I entered in to? I wasn't counting on things to be this complicated.' Prussia thought to himself, in shock of what he had just been told. At this point in time, he knew that there was no other choice. He must announce what had happened publicly. The people had a right to know something of this magnitude.

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Kuromoji sat back in his red, plush seat as he propped his head up regally and stared at the darkened screen in front of him. 'Hmmm…Now that I've made the first move, what should I do?' He pondered to himself before the screen flashed on, and Prussia's image was shown. Amused and captivated by such a beautiful man on screen, the boy smiled and awaited the streaming broadcast.

What did Prussia have to say?

"People of Japan, I am Prince Prussia Vi Cossattia, First Crowned Prince of Titannia. A couple of weeks ago, my younger brother, Prince Schnitzel Eau Cossattia , had come here to strike up an alliance with Prime Minister Kenichi Kihara, and both of them have gone missing. I've been in contact with the Japanese government, and they haven't had any leads either. Together, we'll investigate this terrible incident and restore the harmony of Japan. This is not intimidation; Titannia is an ally, not an enemy. We do not long to make war with Japan, but stand beside of them in their efforts," Prussia continued with his valiant speech, despite looks he was receiving around the room. "However, if this is a hostage situation, we will persecute the culprit to the full extent of both Japanese and Titannian low. Citizens of Japan, anyone with any information on the whereabouts or identity of the one responsible, or the officials involved, please step forward and offer your knowledge. We want to put this terrible fiend behind bars."

The prince wore a pained expression as he closed his eyes and frowned deeply, turning his head to the side as he clutched his chest in pain. "It pains my heart to know that such a thing has happened. I'll keep everyone informed on this matter of urgency."

Yayoi watched the screen in the darkened room, the light from it bathed his body as sorrowed eyes and ears fell upon the distinguished prince's words.

As the screen turned off, several people who had gathered around a building began to talk amongst themselves on what had just happened. Among the crowd was a young, Japanese boy with short, black, curly hair and hazel eyes. The youth wore a serious expression and continued to stare at the screen in thought, even though the broad cast was over. All around him, he could hear the voices and diversity of the reactions of his fellow Japanese.

"Are you serious?" A man asked in outrage at the broadcast. "That guy acts like he can just come in here like he owns Japan and issue all of this stuff."

"Damned Titannians think they can just walk on us," a woman nearby agreed with his words. Prussia had been overstepping his boundaries.

"I heard that Prince Prussia is different. He seems very passionate about this," a man made a conflicting opinion. He didn't think that the prince was horrible at all. From all of the information he had gathered, Prussia was a stable ruler and one of peace.

"Only because there's a Titannian involved. Like he'd do it if it were an all Japanese affair," the antagonistic man argued his point.

"Do you think the Prime Minister is alright?" Another woman asked, concerned for Japan's political figure.

Hazel eyes narrowed on the screen as a frown crossed the youth's face. 'Prince Prussia…Why are you here?'

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Prussia turned away from the darkened screen, the same frown was plastered to his face. The prince wasn't sure if what he said to the entire country of Japan would get him hated or loved, but he was willing to make that sacrifice.

Standing by the controls to operate the televised speech, his assistant looked to him in disbelief and slight disappointment. "Your highness, should we have given them that much information on the subject?" He was unsure of how much of a positive impact Prussia's speech would make on the people.

"The people have the right to know the truth, Ulysses," the prince leveled the elder man with a grave expression. No matter what the news or how it made him look, the prince firmly believed in telling the people the truth.

"Yes, sir."

"I want the area thoroughly searched. Leave no stone uncovered," Prussia commanded.

"Yes, your highness," Ulysses saluted him obediently.

"Also, get in touch with the Japanese armies. I need to talk to the next official in line. If something isn't done, we'll be in tension. We've got to get the situation under control." At this point in time, it was all they could do to keep from having another war on their hands. Above everything else, Prussia would make sure that situation was avoided as much as possible.

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Kuromoji tapped the arm rest of the chair with one finger as he stared at the blackened screen, propping his head on one hand. He wore a look of amusement and deep contemplation. "Prince Prussia Vi Cossattia, why do you appear to be my biggest threat? You want an impossible goal. Your idea of peace is nothing but that. You will never be king. You're far too nice. It'll be fun to hack your mind. After all, I love watching pretty things writhe in pain. So, come and get me, Prince Prussia Vi Cossattia!" He held his arms out and smiled maniacally. "Welcome to Japan, and the Hall of Hellfire!" The youth threw his head back and laughed uncontrollably. The second victim of the royal family had jumped right into his arms, and soon, Prussia would be executed by his cruel hands.

Or perhaps, the hands of his dear younger brother…The idea made him smile in bliss.

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"Schnitzel Eau Cossattia, I command you to make a change in all of this and realize what's happening to you," Jia-Jing's words flooded his mind as he lay on the ground with nothing but a cast iron, spiked collar on, with a chain that connected him to the wall. Blushing in ecstasy from another sexual encounter with his master, the glow around his irises subsided as the full force of the situation hit him.

Eyes widening at the sensation in his backside, the prince lay there in confusion as Kuromoji thrust in and out of his form. Schnitzel's eyes widened. 'What? What's going on here?'Turning his head, he looked at the sandy-haired youth, whose form was covered in sweat that glistened as he moved. Navy hues then trailed to the chain that kept him close to the wall. 'What? My mind…I can't think straight…'

"Who the hell are you?" Schnitzel asked hazily as he did his best to concentrate on the boy's face as he collapsed on top of him, panting as the prince was allowed to get a good look at his face.

"What?" Kuromoji had a look of utter disbelief on his face. Chocolate eyes widened substantially as he stated in horror upon realizing that the prince was no longer under his control. Schnitzel had somehow slipped out of the possession. "You're…You're not possessed? How can this be?" He recoiled from the elder man's form. 'Did you break my possession? What kind of man are you?'

"So, this is how you get off? You possess people and have your way with them,” the black-haired slave stated with a look of disapproval. "You force them to be willing, but no matter how you look at it, that is still rape."

"How do you know? That girl…She told you about me, didn't she?" It was a mistake to place them in the same cell. Something would be done before Schnitzel could learn anything more of his power. He was certain that Jia-Jing was taught him how to break free of the possession.

That bitch would pay for this! No one ruined his plans to crush Titannia!

"Even if I've done some under-handed things during my reign as viceroy, what you've done is far worse. You are a rapist," a hand landed harshly across the side of the prince's ivory face. Until that moment in time, he had never been slapped or even touched in a manner that resembled something so rough. Well, that he remembered anyway. "Hitting me in anger won't make it any less true."

"I command you to stay under my possession for now and do not question me further!" Kuromoji yelled in anger as he growled ferally. He needed to think, and at this moment, he was losing his composure.

Schnitzel tried to resist it as the rings around his navy eyes returned. "You can't…have my will…"

Kuromoji got up and stared at the struggling prince. "Would you stop resisting?" He asked in a cruel tone as the nude prince tried to stand, only to be hit and shoved against the wall. His back hit harshly and the jingling of the chain sounded as he fell blank under the possession. Schnitzel didn't respond.

"Lay on the ground naked all you want, I'm going to get dressed," the youth sneered as he walked off with a hand to his forehead in a stressed out manner. 'This is a bad sign. He's resisting. If this continues, I'm not too sure how much longer I can hold out. That girl…' Hatred filled his form as he balled a trembling fist to his side and looked at one of his possessed guards. "I, Kuromoji, command you to have Jia-Jing Cenecah executed, along with Baron Yayoi Hatalia! Execute her A.S.A.P. and make sure she's dead."

…To Be Continued