Three

Two years later...

Agrianthropos Island

It had been two years since Maverick Morelli saved Keyller from being buried six feet underground, and the exiled Earl was now on his way to his first initiation at Agrianthropos Island, located in the Philippines.

Keyller met Byrone a year ago and introduced him to Foedus when he learned about his desire to exact lex talionis. Byrone was someone he saved from the verge of dying and, in return, he introduced him to his boss, Jake Mondragon, one of the organization's bosses.

Foedus is a ruthless and clandestine organization that will help him exact his revenge. But to enter and be acknowledged by the seven bosses, Keyller had to do the three initiation rites; a hundred lashes, an orgy with 10 women, and three kills with the target provided by the bosses. Even if they were innocent, Keyller has nothing to say against it as long as the boss wants them dead.

Keyller firmly secured his feet as he landed with a soft thud on the white sands of the island of Agrianthropos City, the sanctum where the members can get laid wherever they want. And the place where he could get his support when he succeeded in the initiation rites.

He undid his harness and let it drop on the sand before firmly pulling the parachute's rope that he used and giving it to the guy who welcomed the man in front of him. Jake Mondragon.

After Keyller met up with Byrone on his boss's plantation in Italy, they traveled to Manila before continuing their journey to the Island. Keyller was forced by Mondragon to jump and parachute his way down to test his endurance. Keyller silently followed.

“We’re here.” Mondragon stopped in his tracks and looked coldly at Keyller. “Are you ready?”

Keyller, with a stoic expression, answered, “As always.”

A silver Lamborghini Aventador parked in front of Mondragon and the latter rode in, leaving Keyller and Byrone to ride in a sedan just after they emerged from the sand and reached the road. But Keyller knows best. Mondragon was just testing his limits, how far his statuesque body could go. Keyller didn’t disappoint him when he easily skydived from the helicopter they were riding at almost 14000ft without using oxygen. Skydiving was one of Keyller’s favorite sports when he was still an Earl. So, what Mondragon tested him was an easy feat. But he rather goes lowkey because, besides people from his past gang, no one else knew that he was of royal blood.

Their car followed Mondragon’s silver Lamborghini and they stopped at a grandiose mansion. Byrone informed him that this was owned by Lev Petrov, another founder of Foedus. The first initiation will be done here.

***

Grunts and mockery enveloped the crimson-lit room surrounded by the dark-colored brick wall as Keyller kneeled on the carpeted floor, and the bosses of Foedus watched him as he received his first initiation. Fifty lashes. The other fifty would be given after a week.

“Argh!” Keyller grunted as he held his ragged breath when the forty-first lashes landed on his bare back. He ignored the pain that came from every whip and the contemptuous look he received from the founders who were watching him while they were sniffing white crystalline objects.

Jake Mondragon hit him like he was hitting a rock. He is no saint, a monster. But Keyller didn’t show any weakness. In every whip that lands on his body, the only thing that comes to his mind was the killer of his family. That gave him strength.

“Wanna give up, kid?” Trace Dimagiba, one of the heartless founders of Foedus asked. This is how Byrone describes Dimagiba to him; heartless.

Keyller was kneeling on the carpeted floor and smirked as he raised his head to look at Trace. His messy hair covered his sweaty face, but the stubborn look in his eyes was visible. This kind of pain won’t let Keyller give up. He won’t give up now that he has his way on how to get his vengeance.

“Giving up is only for the weak. I’m not like that!” Keyller gritted his teeth when Mondragon hit another on his back. Keyller could feel the stinging pain. His face twisted in discomfort but he still could still do it. He will finish the fifty lashes.

“Your face is already showing that you wanted to cry, and you still won't give up?” Lev Petrov, the owner of the mansion, commented. The founders laugh because of Petrov’s words.

His eyes sharpened and met Lev Petrov’s spiteful look. “I. Won't. Give. Up.”

“Very well then,” behind him Mondragon spoke. “Take this hit and let's see if you can!”

“Argh!” Another whip hit Keyller and this time it was heavier than ever. Keyller almost dropped his tired body but his reflexes were fast enough. He used both his hands to steady his body.

Jake Mondragon whipped him like he was the killer of his father. Too strong. Keyller almost couldn't hold on. He could feel his back getting numb from the lashes and it was taking his breath away.

He could feel the blood slowly dripping out from it. He was losing consciousness and his vision started to get blurred. He was getting deaf to the sound of lashes as Mondragon hit him whip after whip. A gut-wrenching pain traveled from his ankle to the end of his hair. His whole body was aching!

“There is no place for your cockiness here, Hijo! If you drop dead before the lashes finish, you are not qualified to enter Foedus!”

In his blurry vision, Keyller forced himself to look for the owner of that voice. Elliot Hart. Beside him was Logan Castillejo, the youngest of the founders. He could clearly remember these two faces after Byrone showed him their profiles. It is an important reminder that he needs to identify every member to avoid complications in the future.

“Like I’ve told you, giving up is only for the weak. This hit won’t kill me, and I will show you that!” Even though his body was numb all over, Keyller stood on his ground. He rested both his hands on his thighs, straightened his back, and continued kneeling.

“Perseverance. I like that.”

“Well, let’s see if he can last until the end,” Daxon Walker sneered.

“Give up and go back to your mother, kid,” Jeru McBride added.

Keyller disregards McBride and Daxon's taunting. His vision was starting to see black, not just blurry. His ear was deaf because of stinging pain in his back. Just a little more and he could reach fifty lashes. A little more. . .

When the lashes hit the mark and Mondragon finally stopped lashing him, Keyller felt his whole body finally stop responding. But the smile on his face was apparent. He made it. The first half of the first initiation was done. He was finally on his first step toward getting his revenge. Pain, mockery, and contempt were nothing if he could get the help of this organization.

“Byrone thinks so highly of you, Hayes. It seems like he is not wrong in choosing you.”

Mondragon’s last words invaded his ears as his consciousness started to fade. He smirked. I will show you how to f^ck next.