Death in Darkness, Born out of Darkness

"911, what is your emergency?" a voice spoke through the phone, prompting a young lady to reply in a scared yet hasty tone.

"They... they're dead," she said, her voice trembling. She remained hidden behind her door, peeking outside at what appeared to be a scene of complete and total carnage. In the midst of it all, a man sat in a pool of blood, surrounded by the lifeless bodies of three people: two children—a boy and a girl—and a woman. His appearance showed no bitterness or sadness, but to a keen observer, the pain in his eyes was unmistakable.

"Come again, who is dead and what is your location? Ma'am, are you in danger?" The voice spoke again, trying to understand what the lady said. It sounded vague at first, so more clarity was needed, typical of some call center protocols.

"I think the young man killed his wife and two children. I am at 124 Blue Avenue Drive," she replied, still maintaining her fear. Yet, curiosity couldn't be subdued as she continued to peek through her gate.

"Find a place to hide, help is on the way," The phone lady said cutting the call and then forwarding it to the nearest police units.

Later on, police and paramedics arrived at the scene, and the man was taken into custody. Throughout the ordeal, he never spoke a single word. All he did was look deep into the universe with painful and teary eyes. His pain was now visible, and for some reason, the police who handcuffed him all looked scared for unknown reasons.

He was taken to the nearest police station, where he was detained and later brought to court for the murder of his wife and two children. They asked him a series of questions, but through it all, he remained silent, not even bothering to get himself a lawyer.

His entire demeanor was akin to a lifeless body forced to continue living. He had lost all strength, along with his love, in the form of two beautiful children and a beloved wife.

Who would be able to endure something like that? He lost his will to live, yet the heavens didn't allow him the chance to die. While awaiting his court date, he was locked in a 3-meter square room with no fan. For a whole month, he just sat there, emotionless. He talked to no one, simply waiting for whatever fate had in store for him.

"The people vs. General Karsha Damon," the bailiff announced as the day of the court hearing arrived. An enigmatic young lawyer could be seen sitting beside the man accused of killing his children and wife.

The man identified as General Karsha Damon was indeed a respected general in the United States Army. He had spent all his 32 years serving his country, participating in numerous operations that led to the capture and assassination of many notorious individuals.

He had been awarded many times for his bravery and valor. Yet here he sat, in an orange jumpsuit, ready to receive a sentence that would shape his life for the worse. He appeared doomed, yet he didn't seem to care. On the contrary, the lawyer sitting beside him seemed to be doing all the crying.

The prosecution gave their opening statement, describing the general as a cold-blooded killer who had lost all self-control. They painted him as a man who brought the carnage of the battlefield into his home. They went further, narrating in graphic detail how he stabbed his children repeatedly in the heart and neck, ending their lives in the most painful way possible.

The general, however, simply let his tears flow down his face. He wasn't angry despite the damning portrayal; he was heartbroken by the description of how his children died. He wanted to scream out his anguish, but under the table, the lady lawyer, who bore an uncanny resemblance to him, held his hands.

She also had tears streaming down her face. The man being depicted as the most notorious killer was her last remaining relative. She knew her brother didn't kill his family, yet here they were, facing the horrific accusations. She was furious, but as a lawyer, she held herself back and remained professional, albeit barely.

When the prosecution finished their opening arguments, the lady also gave hers. She, on the other hand, sang praises of her brother/client's love for his family, describing how he would go to heaven and hell just to provide for them. She highlighted his accomplishments as a soldier and how he saved countless lives. Her entire speech celebrated the greatness of the man they were about to condemn.

But despite her impassioned plea, the final verdict went against them, and the man was sentenced to death by electrocution. A week after the verdict, the day of the execution arrived. It became a major media event, with numerous outlets broadcasting the death of a man they believed to be innocent yet guilty.

A little after noon, the television began broadcasting the live execution. Strapped into the chair was the most respected General in all of US Army history. However, when his face was shown, there was no fear or panic in his eyes. Instead, a chilling, murderous look gazed into the camera with deadly intent.

"What are your last words, General Karsha?" the priest asked, showing no empathy toward the man about to face a 2000-volt electric charge.

The air hung heavy with anticipation as the man slowly began to speak. "I used to tell my men, a man is only complete when he has his better half and little ones running around the house. And a man is forever broken when all those are taken from him." He paused for a moment before continuing.

"There won't be any sorrow for the wicked, just as there won't be any pain for the unjust. I lost my family, yet I am the one being executed. I don't know who killed my family or why they did it, but they should pray this is where my story ends. Because if not, I will crawl my way back just to hunt them down and inflict the most grueling pain imaginable." The priest took a few steps back, feeling the weight of pain, intent, anger, and sorrow in the man's words.

"I will be back," he concluded, his short sentence filled with threats and anguish. To most observers, it sounded like the ramblings of a madman. But deep within the heavens, a tall figure with a battle-hardened, sinister, bloodthirsty, and cunning demeanor let a smirk slip across his lips as he gazed into the universe.

A few seconds later, a small smile escaped his lips, prompting him to utter a sentence, "Finally, after hundreds of thousands of years waiting, I finally found a worthy opponent." With that, he stood up and then vanished.

Back in the execution room, the priest anointed the General's forehead before the executioner looked at his watch, adjusting the helmet. "General Karsha Damon, you are hereby sentenced to death by electrocution," a man declared, and immediately, the executioner pulled down the lever, sending a surge of electricity into the general's body, snuffing out his life force in an instant.

[General Karsha's POV]

As the announcer proclaimed his sentence, he sighed, bracing himself for what was to come. He felt a surge of electricity course through his body, and for a few moments, his worldview darkened. When the haze cleared, he found himself no longer in the chair. He was naked and floating lifelessly in an unknown space.

He had heard stories about how people reunited with their loved ones after their deaths, yet for some reason, he felt that wasn't for him. He had promised revenge, and as someone who believed in fairy tales, he knew he wouldn't find peace until he fulfilled that promise.

Even so, he couldn't help but wonder why he was just floating in an unknown space instead of being on his way to the afterlife. With no answer forthcoming, he remained there, floating for an unknown amount of time.

However, being in one place for so long began to wear on him. His patience started to thin, and just as he was about to lose it, a deep voice spoke from behind him.

"Now, now, why the rush? Didn't you promise revenge just a few days ago?" The heavenly yet hellish being emerged from the shadows, surprising General Karsha. He took a couple of steps forward, glancing at the imposing figure.

"I come in peace," he said, allowing a small smile to escape his mouth. However, General Karsha didn't lower his guard. He stood there, giving the 6-meter-tall figure a warning look that seemed to say, 'if you take another step, I will end you'. It was a rather comical sight, especially considering his nakedness, which brought another huge smile to the figure's face.

Without saying another word, the figure shrank down to a more human height and casually waved his hand, manifesting a robe to wrap around General Karsha. "Like I said, I come in peace. No need to be hostile. I am here to fulfill your dying wish, so try to appear friendly since I hold the power to grant you what you want and also to send you to the deepest part of hell," he said, expecting a reaction from General Karsha. However, to his surprise, the general just stood there, looking at him with a straight face.

The figure was taken aback by the reaction of the man he thought would be more receptive. However, seeing the 'I don't give a fuck' look on General Karsha's face piqued his interest. It's not every day someone manages to impress him, especially a mortal, and to do so effortlessly was remarkable.

"Straight to the point then. I won't tell you my name or who I am, but I can grant you a chance to get back at the people who took everything from you," he continued. This time, General Karsha reacted.

"And I presume you want something in return..."