Episode 8 – The Price of Power

Footsteps echoed through the wreckage.

Jonathan’s one good eye widened when he saw the man approaching. Relief surged through his chest.
“Arkham! I’m so happy to see you,” he said quickly, still dragging Diag’s unconscious body.

Arkham’s gaze stayed low, his boots crunching over glass and debris. His voice came flat, cutting.
“Man, shut up. Get outta here before I finish what that boy started.”

Jonathan froze. A shiver ran through him, Arkham’s words heavier than any blow. In an instant, he scrambled, hoisting Diag higher onto his shoulder and hurrying down the corridor—like fear itself pushed him faster.

Arkham kept walking. The hallway lights flickered overhead, casting shadows across the destruction. Walls shattered, debris strewn everywhere, bodies of unlucky bystanders left behind in the carnage.

Beside him, Marsa skipped along, lollipop stick flicking between her fingers.
“Arkham… do you think you should’ve stopped the fight earlier?” she asked softly.

Arkham lit a fresh cigar, smoke curling around his face as he looked down at her.
“Small price to pay,” he said, smirking faintly. “Besides… Diag, Mordo, and Jonathan are gonna get the full blame for this.”

He exhaled smoke.
“Marsa, give the cleaning crew a call. Don’t want these boys gettin’ caught up in anything.”

She nodded, pulling out her phone with a little sigh. “Okay…”

Arkham kept walking, boots heavy as he approached the end of the ruined hall.

Back to Ja and Ronin.

Volvok pushed himself upright, his twisted smile stretching wide. The gaping wound in his chest slowly sealed shut, flesh knitting back together as if nothing had touched him.

He threw his head back, laughing jaggedly.
“Amazing power… you brothers might actually make this fun.”

But just as he stood tall, footsteps echoed.

Arkham turned the corner.

Volvok’s confidence shattered. His grin vanished, his eyes wide with fear.

Arkham walked steady, every step calm. He sniffed the air and smirked.
“Fear… best smell there is—especially when it comes from someone like you, Volvok.”

Ja and Ronin turned toward him—only to freeze. Their bodies refused to move, muscles locked in place.

Ronin’s breath caught.
What’s going on with my body? Why can’t I move?

Next to him, Ja’s face twisted in frustration, his glowing eyes flickering.
Move… move… MOVE!

Arkham’s presence alone pinned them like insects.

“Hey, boys,” Arkham said casually as he walked right past them, not sparing a glance.

He stopped in front of Volvok. The demon trembled, orange glow flickering.

Arkham raised two fingers.
“Switch back with Simeon.”

Volvok resisted, teeth bared, smoke hissing from his body.

Arkham tilted his head, his single eye narrowing.
“Volvok… have you forgotten what I could do to you without even breakin’ a sweat?”

He crouched low, his shadow swallowing Volvok.
“Switch. Now.”

Volvok convulsed, body trembling, until black smoke spilled out and the demonic glow faded.

Simeon resurfaced, gasping, panic in his voice.
“I told him not to take control… I told him… I told him…” he repeated, trembling.

Arkham’s heavy hand landed on his shoulder. For a moment, Simeon thought it was comfort.

SMACK!

The slap cracked across his face, blood spraying.

“Fucking useless,” Arkham muttered.

He stood, exhaling smoke, then turned to the frozen brothers.

“Alright, boys,” he said calmly, rolling his shoulders. “I was told to bring you in…”

He shrugged off his trench coat, letting it fall to the floor. His eye glowed faint in the flickering light.

“…but I’m gonna give you a chance to run.”

His lips curled into a grin.
“But first—show me what you got