The month had passed in a blur, as if time itself had accelerated, unnoticed by Harris, Noel, or Cable. During these days, the trio had trained relentlessly under Mondrik's guidance, learning to harness their mana, while being strictly forbidden from approaching the pit where Mick and Sandro were held. No one knew what transpired there but Mondrik, who kept the secret with the precision of a master.
As the deadline arrived, Mick and Sandro had to make their final decision. The trio approached the pit, a stench of decay and rot wafting from it, prompting Noel to mutter through a grimace:
"The smell… it's like a rotting corpse."
Mondrik remained silent, while Cable and Harris nodded grimly, their senses overwhelmed by the foulness that nearly stole their breath. When they reached the edge of the pit, the sight before them froze their hearts—terror painted across their young faces, while Mondrik looked on, almost in awe, as if witnessing a divine experiment.
Mick had perished a week into his captivity, refusing to acknowledge Mondrik as master and savior. Sandro, driven to the brink of madness by hunger, now faced a gruesome source of sustenance: Mick's body, half-devoured already.
Cable screamed, his voice cutting through the air:
"What the hell happened here?!"
Horror etched every face.
Mondrik smiled quietly, unfazed.
"What a perfect specimen… this Wind Boy agreed to serve me a week ago, but only after he consumed his friend Mick," he said, pausing briefly before continuing, "I've been contemplating his new identity all week."
—One week earlier—
Mondrik had visited the pit to gauge their readiness to become his followers. What he witnessed shocked him—Sandro was feasting on Mick's body, indifferent to the world around him. When their eyes met, Sandro's spirit seemed extinguished, yet he spoke in a chilling calm:
"I have a question… Are you Nua's father?"
Mondrik smiled, replying softly,
"Yes… I am her father, though I haven't seen her in ten years. How do you know her?"
Sandro fell silent for a moment, then spoke, voice low and steady as he carried a piece of Mick:
"Then… I will serve you willingly."
After a pause, he added,
"But I want you to create a new identity for me."
Though surprised, Mondrik felt a thrill of satisfaction—Sandro would be the perfect pawn in his plan.
"You will remain here one more week while I choose your new name," he told him. Sandro nodded and returned to Mick's shattered body without hesitation.
—Present Day—
Mondrik sat before Sandro, ready with the new name:
"You shall be Julian Ravenssod. In fact, all of you will carry Ravenssod as your family name from this day forward."
Sandro's face was a blank canvas, devoid of emotion, as he said simply,
"I like it, Master."
The fear vanished from Harris and Cable, replaced by smiles of loyalty, while Noel remained cautiously observant. Together, they all spoke in unison:
"We will always serve you."
Mondrik allowed a satisfied smile to cross his face. He turned, and Julian—once Sandro—emerged from the pit. The others followed, hearts aflame with newfound loyalty and awe.