An Evil Justice

Prologue – A Night of Sin

Any similarities between this novel with real life events, people or other novels are purely coincidental.

Enjoy!

--* Hona City, Missor *--

A pale moon loomed over the busy city, showering the citizens outside with an eerie, yet cozy white light. Faint chatter filled the calm night air as mistresses gossiped, merchants advertised their wares, and children laughed with joy.

Though the city was mostly quiet during the nights, men and women of all ages have come out of their houses to enjoy the city's Full Moon Festival. Due to ancient rumors of spirits rising from their graves to visit their loved ones and bless their descendants with good fortune, it has become a tradition to celebrate under the light of a full moon. Of course, it was just a rumor, but few could resist the urge of a jolly party.

In the middle of the city square, a majestic bonfire roared loudly, splattering warmth over hundreds of jolly spectators. Bands of instrumentalists surrounded them, banging on their drums and playing various instruments. Dancing maidens wearing intricate masks surrounded the flames, their hips swaying with a seductive rhythm and their feet moving to the beat.

"Mommy! Look, it's a ghost!" a child's voice came from a nearby crowd. The boy pointed at a nearby alley, his eyes filled with curiosity. Noticing his parents’ mesmerization with the raging fire and alluring women, a mischievous smile appeared on his face. With a snicker, the child snuck away from his parents, who had yet to notice their missing son.

"Hehe, I'll find that ghost and show them!" he laughed joyfully. Though he only saw a dark figure, the child was almost sure that a black silhouette had appeared by the alley, beckoning him to approach. With great finesse, he meandered his way through the crowded square, narrowly avoiding crashing into strangers.

Before anyone could stop the child, he had already made his way into the dark alley. While a terrifying place for most children, the boy had steeled his nerves and entered the cramped passage, curiosity driving his body. Inside, a pungent scent lingered in the air, forcing him to pinch his cute little red nose. Rats ran about the sewage covered floor, brushing against his dainty legs and flies pestered him with their buzzing wings.

Immense regret welled up in the child's throat as he peered deep into the horrifying darkness of the alley. No matter how much bravery he could summon, he was still an innocent child, filled with naivety and purity. A sense of foreboding pierced his motivation as more and more rats and flies continued to surround him like the curious animals they were.

With a loud sigh, the boy turned around to the city square, forsaking the sense of adventure that had seethed in his chest. He knew that his parents would yell and scold him for running about, but the fear was too overwhelming. As he marched back, his pristine white shoes splashed into puddles of sewage, painting them a horrific red color. It was at that moment that the boy stopped.

At the corner of his vision, the child saw the black silhouette once again, beckoning him to approach while it sat atop a dumpster. A ghastly black cloak obscured the figure, hiding its face, but it was unable to keep his muscles and gigantic frame from protruding.

"M-mister, are you a ghost?" the child's innocent voice broke the silence, quivering as he spoke.

Without replying, the figure unhurriedly hopped off of the dumpster, landing onto the spoilt ground, splashing sewage onto the walls. A gruff hand rose from his side and reached into the dark and foreboding cloak, fishing out something from thin fabric.

"Hey... Wh-what are you doing o-out here anyways?" the child’s voice cracked as he paled in terror, his feet clambering backward, the panic in his eyes intensifying. Alarms were sounding off in his head as the figure approached menacingly like a vile creature stalking its prey, yet he could do nothing in retaliation. In fear.

*Tip* *Tap* *Tip*

As the man took wide and rough steps, his feet stomped the ground and splashed water everywhere. Just before he could the child, he disappeared like a ghost, suddenly vanishing into thin air, only to reappear behind the child. His hand had withdrawn from the dark cloak covering him, revealing a dazzling knife, which glowed with glaring crimson. With a simple swing, it sailed through the air, splattering red over the molded walls of the alley. The child’s poor and frail body slowly collapsed into the puddle of blood, the cloaked figure simply looked up into the sky; his chilling red eyes stared at the pale moon above.

Crimson liquid dripped from the sinful blade onto the red-laden floor. With a cold harrumph, the man walked away from the alleyway, his devilish eyes were devoid of any sense of guilt or sadness, just cold dark emptiness. No bloodlust, no anger, no emotion.

And so, the night continued on innocently.

...

"Good afternoon my nation! Welcome back to Wolf News, I'm your host, Hanie Rogers.

Today, we have received a report of murder within Hona City, part of the Missor State. Recently, the city had undergone their traditional Full Moon Festival to celebrate their dead in hopes of receiving their ancestor's blessings. Unfortunately, coinciding with this large scale festival were four murders occurring within an alleyway near the city square.

We've identified the victims as Howard Gart, a 21-year-old college student, Kathy Steed, a 27-year-old tourist from the Reins Empire, Franz Villard, a 63-year-old military veteran and Dan Fischer, a six-year-old boy visiting with his parents.

The victims were all found with their throats slashed with a knife, their bodies hidden inside of a dumpster except for the child, whose corpse was left outside in the alleyway. Unfortunately, his body was decayed and eaten by rats, while those who were in the dumpster were feasted upon by maggots. The studio offers their condolences to the victims' families.

On other news, the Frozin government has declared w..." the TV screen suddenly blacked out, drenching the lonely room in darkness and absolute silence. Sitting on the ripped sofa, a well-built man held a remote in his hands, his crimson eyes eyeing the blackened screen. A ragged cloak hung behind him on a stand, which strangely smelled of sewage and iron.

"Who's next...?" a terrifyingly deep voice emanated from his mouth.