Chapter 166 You Are Delusional
Alberto slowly regained awareness through a haze of pain and exhaustion that pressed heavily against his senses. His head felt heavy while a dull ringing filled his ears. The cold stone wall behind him pressed against his back as his body hung slightly forward from the restraints that kept his arms stretched apart.
The metal chains around his wrists dug into his skin while the iron around his ankles held his legs spread and immobile. His breathing came unevenly as he tried to gather enough strength to lift his head.
The room remained dim with several torches mounted against the walls casting faint light across the chamber. The floor beneath him had been stained by earlier collections of blood that had already begun to darken.
A slow drip echoed softly from somewhere nearby.
Alberto blinked slowly as his vision steadied.
The familiar ache spreading through his arms told him the blood extraction had not been a dream. His muscles trembled slightly as he tried to shift his weight but the restraints prevented even the smallest movement.
A sharp sting ran along his side and forced a weak groan from his throat.
He lifted his head slightly and looked around the chamber.
Several guards stood near the walls while watching him with quiet interest. A table nearby held rows of glass containers filled with dark red liquid that reflected the dim light of the torches.
His blood.
The realization made his stomach tighten.
A familiar voice echoed from across the room.
“Ah, he wakes again.”
Alberto’s eyes slowly moved toward the far side of the chamber.
Maleek stood several steps away with his arms folded behind his back. The faint light revealed the uneven texture of his burned face while his remaining eye studied Alberto carefully.
Alberto swallowed slowly as his throat felt dry.
“How long will I remain atoning for a sin I knew nothing about?”
His voice sounded rough.
Maleek walked a few steps closer.
“Long enough for you to become useful.”
Alberto’s jaw tightened slightly.
“You call this useful?”
Maleek glanced toward the table filled with containers.
“Your blood carries remarkable power.”
Alberto looked at the glass containers before turning his gaze back toward Maleek.
“And you think you can just take it?”
Maleek smiled faintly.
“I already am.”
Alberto pulled weakly against the chains that held his arms.
The metal rattled loudly but did not loosen.
“You are insane.”
Maleek stopped a few feet away from him.
“Many have called me worse.”
Alberto exhaled slowly while trying to steady himself.
“You cannot keep draining me like this.”
Maleek tilted his head slightly.
“Why not?”
Alberto stared at him.
“Because I will die soon enough.”
Maleek’s smile remained calm.
“That depends on how cooperative you choose to be.”
Alberto felt anger rise despite the exhaustion weakening his body.
“You chained me to a wall and stuck needles into my arms.”
His voice grew stronger for a moment.
“What part of that sounds cooperative to you?”
Maleek watched him quietly.
“I require a certain amount of blood.”
Alberto’s brow furrowed slightly.
“For what?”
Maleek gestured lightly toward the containers.
“To awaken the puppet army.”
The words sent a chill through Alberto’s body.
“You are planning to use my blood for that?”
Maleek nodded slowly.
“Yes.”
Alberto’s breathing grew heavier.
“You think my blood alone will activate them?”
Maleek’s remaining eye glinted faintly.
“Your blood carries the strength of an ancient line.”
Alberto shook his head slightly.
“You are delusional.”
Maleek’s smile widened slightly.
“Perhaps.”
Alberto lifted his head again with effort.
“Even if you succeed, those puppets will never obey you.”
Maleek leaned closer until his face hovered only a short distance from Alberto’s.
“They will obey whoever holds the power.”
Alberto stared back at him.
“And you believe that will be you?”
Maleek straightened slowly.
“I know it will.”
Alberto’s arms trembled slightly from the strain of hanging against the chains.
“How much blood do you plan to take?”
Maleek looked toward the containers again.
“Enough.”
Alberto closed his eyes briefly as dizziness crept into his mind.
“You are going to kill me.”
Maleek shrugged calmly.
“That depends on how strong you truly are.”
Alberto forced his eyes open again.
“You will regret this.”
Maleek gave a quiet chuckle.
“I doubt that.”
One of the guards stepped forward with another tray of empty glass containers and placed it beside the earlier ones.
The sight made Alberto’s stomach twist.
He struggled weakly against the restraints again.
“Please stop.”
Maleek looked at him with mild curiosity.
“You are begging now?”
Alberto’s voice carried desperation.
“You already have enough.”
Maleek shook his head slowly.
“Not yet.”
Alberto’s breathing became uneven.
“How much more do you need?” Alberto yelled out in frustration with tears gathering in his eyes.
Maleek folded his arms again.
“Enough to activate every puppet waiting beneath the earth.”
Alberto stared at him with disbelief.
“You are building an entire army.”
Maleek nodded.
“Yes.”
Alberto’s voice softened as exhaustion returned.
“You will destroy everything.”
Maleek shrugged.
“Only the weak will fall.”
Alberto felt his strength fading as he continued hanging from the chains.
“I will not let you do this.”
Maleek smiled faintly.
“You are in no position to stop me.”
A woman approached quietly from the side carrying another set of needles and tubes.
Alberto noticed her movements immediately.
His eyes widened slightly.
“No.”
The woman placed the tray beside the table and prepared the instruments calmly.
Alberto shook his head weakly.
“Please.”
Maleek watched with calm interest.
“You still have plenty to give.”
Alberto’s voice trembled.
“I cannot take any more.”
Maleek stepped closer.
“You will give until I say otherwise.”
The woman approached Alberto and grabbed his arm firmly.
He tried to pull away but the chains held him firmly in place.
The sharp sting of another needle pierced his skin.
Alberto gasped as the familiar draining sensation began again.
His body jerked weakly as the blood flowed through the thin tube into another waiting container.
“Stop.”
His voice barely rose above a whisper.
Maleek stood nearby while observing the process.
The container slowly filled with dark red liquid.
Alberto’s breathing grew shallow as the dizziness returned stronger than before.
“You are killing me.”
Maleek shook his head slightly.
“You are helping me.”
Another container replaced the first.
Alberto’s head drooped forward briefly before he forced himself to look up again.
“Why are you doing this?”
Maleek’s expression remained calm.
“Power is never given freely.”
Alberto’s voice cracked slightly.
“You think this will make you king?”
Maleek’s eye glinted faintly.
“I do not need a crown to rule.”
The second container filled quickly.
The woman replaced it with another without hesitation.
Alberto felt the world spinning around him.
His arms felt numb while his fingers twitched weakly against the restraints.
“Please.”
Maleek tilted his head slightly.
“You are stronger than this.”
Alberto tried to focus on Maleek’s face.
“You will regret what you are doing.”
Maleek gave a soft laugh.
“I have lived with regret before.”
The third container filled slowly.
Alberto’s body sagged heavily against the chains as his strength continued slipping away.
The woman removed the needle briefly before preparing another one.
Alberto’s eyes struggled to remain open.
“Enough.”
Maleek looked toward the tray.
“Not yet.”
Maleek shook his head again.
“I need enough blood to awaken them.”
Alberto swallowed weakly.
“You will unleash monsters.”
Maleek’s expression did not change.
“They will serve their purpose.”
Another needle pierced Alberto’s arm.
He cried out softly as the draining sensation returned once more.
His breathing grew ragged.
The edges of his vision darkened slowly.
“Please help me.”
The plea slipped from his lips before he could stop it.
Maleek watched him carefully.
“No one is coming.”
Alberto tried to keep his eyes open.
“They will find you.”
Maleek’s voice remained calm.
“Perhaps.”
Alberto’s head sagged again.
“But not before my army rises.”
The container continued filling while Alberto’s strength faded with every passing second.
His breathing slowed as his body struggled to remain conscious.
The torches flickered softly along the walls while the slow drip of blood continued echoing through the chamber.