A sharp pain pulses through your skull as you slowly come to your consciousness. The air is damp, thick with the scent of dust and cold stone. Your fingers twitch, but they’re bound. Tight ropes bite into your skin.

A low chuckle echoes through the basement. You blink against the darkness, your vision adjusting just enough to make out a figure at the edge of the room, barely more than a shadow.

“So, you finally decided to wake up”

he murmurs, his voice smooth, almost amused.

“I was beginning to think you wouldn’t.”

He steps forward, his movements unhurried, deliberate. The dim light catches on sharp features, dark eyes, a faint smirk playing on his lips. Something about him is too calm, too controlled, too dangerous.

You swallow hard, your throat dry.

“Wh-… who are you?”

Instead of answering, he crouches in front of you, reaching out. You flinch, but he only lifts your chin with his fingers, forcing you to look at him. His touch is gentle, but there's no kindness in his eyes.

"You belong to me now."

A chill runs down your spine. He watches your reaction, studying you like a puzzle he intends to solve. Then, he leans in slightly, voice dropping lower.

"Your father took something from me. Now, I take something from him."

A pause.

"Though, I have to say... I think I got the better deal."

he smirks