THE DEVIL'S TOY BOX-THE GAMEOF THE GODS

8. eight Alex Walker

The beeping sounds of the accept button in the red system tab sounded into Alex's ears. He lifts his eyes to look at the blurry red tab flashing before his eyes. " I will kill them all." Alex kept mentioning the words. His life flashed before his eyes and memories flowed into his mind as he began to recall how he got here under the magical influence of his grandmother, memories at a funeral ground at age ten with Alex standing in front of a casket buried in the ground.

…..

I found myself engulfed by a sea of mournful faces, each bearing an expression etched with anguish, torment, and an overwhelming sense of despair amid a somber congregation.

The black shroud covering the cemetery served as an appropriate background for the deep sorrow that engulfed my emotions. The environment appeared dark and pallid, as if the heavy clouds overhead were the weight of an approaching storm, casting a gloomy pallor upon the scene. My countenance reflected the depths of my grief, a hollow emptiness eating me. A torrent of emotions converged within me, manifesting as an unspoken language of distress, pain, and profound sadness.

Amidst this emotional turmoil, a solitary teardrop traced a delicate path down my chin, descending upon the ground below. Every shimmering drop represented the depth of my grief and the severe loss I had experienced. My mind turned to the woman who had loved me without asking for anything in return or placing any restrictions on it. She has always been a ray of sunshine and a source of love and support. I was even more upset over her absence today as I stood among the bereaved. I am known as Seo Jin Won in Korea, and my English name is Alexander Walker, so my American dad called me with the moniker "Alex" for short and the war of the son! It all began at the beginning of age ten

.....

The grand, majestic mansion of the Yoon family, its stone walls adorned with ivy, and its towering turrets reaching towards the sky. Inside, spacious rooms filled with antique furniture stood alongside contemporary pieces, showcasing the seamless blending of eras. Each room held its charm, filled with relics that spoke of rich art and storied past.

A grand celebration was in full swing, marking the culmination of a remarkably successful business year. The expansive main hall had been transformed into a scene of opulence, with richly adorned, framed family portraits hanging from the walls.

The room was abuzz with the lively chatter of guests, their voices intermingling with the melodies. The guests were dressed in their finest attire, with the gentlemen donning tailored suits and the ladies wearing elegant body-fitted gowns that flowed gracefully as they mingled and conversed Their laughter and applause echoed throughout the room, a testament to the joy and success that permeated the evening.

"Cheers!!" a clink of wine glasses among men

Among the guests were prominent figures from around the world in the business industries, and their accomplishments were hailed as exemplary. The hall was adorned with long banquet tables dressed in crisp white linens and glistening silverware. Crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceilings, casting a dazzling array of light that cascaded onto the exquisite china plates and sparkling glasses. Bottles of champagne, their golden necks reflecting the flickering candlelight, stood at the ready, maids in black and white gowns and butlers in white and black suits with bow ties strapped around their necks, ready to be poured and savored by the esteemed guests.

Alexander and his mother, Marylyn, were gathered by prominent men trying to obtain favour from them.

"I thank you for the opportunity for me to be part of Yoontan Foreign High School as a top teacher." A tall, big American man with full, greasy blonde hair and blue eyes in a green suit bowed as he politely announced it to Marylyn and Peter Walker.

''AH! This is my daughter, Sarah Woods. Sarah says hi to Alex." The man urged young Sarah to say hi to Alex. A young boy standing next to Alex cleared his throat.

"It seems these businessmen have lined up their daughters for you to pick. You're lucky man, Alex. You look like a young celebrity prince, Alibaba."

"Lucky, can you stop calling me that?" Alex whispered

"Ahaah! My name is Lucky, and yet I am unlucky. Since I am your best friend, I should be lucky. It's strange. " Lucky adjusted his glasses to the ridge of his nose while complaining silently.

"Shush! They will hear you; stop talking," Alex whispers silently while trying to fake a smile. "All I just want to do now is get out of here. I'm hungry and tired of standing," Alex complained.

Ten years old, Sarah lifts her hand to shake Alex but is caught off guard by the girl standing behind her.

A father dressed in the priestly robe of an archbishop walked along with a young, beautiful girl in the color of a nun. She has silver crown hair and brown eyes with a fair white complexion, measuring similar height to Alex. Her beautiful demeanour commanded attention, and the two boys couldn't help but stare, ignoring Sarah's unintentional handshake.

"Lucky!" Alex called.

"I think I found the one," Alex declared, still staring at her.

"At age ten? Seriously, that's not fair; I saw her first," Lucky dragged. The girl walked towards Alex and lifted her hand for a handshake.

"Hi Alex Walker, I am EunJoo Young, but please call me Christy or Christabel."

"I will give you all my superhero toys and draw free comic characters lucky. So get out of the way," Alex whispered while he rubbed his two hands on his suit, smiling at Eunjoo.

"Roger, boss!"

Alex stared at her, handshaking her with his two hands, and said.

"Hi, I am a walker. I mean, I am Alex Walker by name." Christy raises an eyebrow.

"Yeah! I just mentioned your name." She smiled

"Get a grip, man! Stop behaving like a moron, Alex, you are smitten by her," Lucky whispered.

Alex recomposed himself.

"I think she is half Korean and half... well, like me," Alex whispered, only to be cut off by Lucky.

"Anybody hungry," Lucky asked. The trio nodded as they made their way to dinner, and Sarah gritted her teeth and squeezed her hand into a fist.

"That little punk ignored me. Who the hell does he think he is? OH, I am not beautiful enough. I will show him the power of a woman. I'll show him who is boss?" meanwhile, at the other side of the table. Three people were watching the scene.

"Hey, Clara, don't you think it's unfair that Porcupine Alex gets all the VIP special treatment compared to us? I am so pissed right now. Are we outcasts or bastards? Are we not grandchildren as well?"

"Cassandra, Alex is the same age as us and is already in league with prominent figures in the business industry. He's even got the nerve to open his teeth to smile when he barely does anything. Dante, you… say something about this? You are always quiet when it matters."

"That's because it is of no use complaining about it. It's f*cking annoying, and you know I have anger issues. I could murder him right now. I clock eleven, and Grandma didn't remember my birthday but was in her office. Alex's birthday looks like a wedding party. She bought him a toy house, a bicycle, and more."

"What! Is that true? That cow got all that. What we got for our birthday is some stupid dolls and a trip to Dubai!"Clara folded her hands into a fist.

"Perhaps because she is not directly related to us, we do not blend well. Uncle Kingston’s children and Uncle Paul always talk with each other and rarely want us in their space, and it's all because of Alex and his damn mother of his," Damte voiced out.

Clara took a glance around the party. "We could probably mess with him a bit. What do you reckon, Cassandra, Dante?"

"What do you have in mind?" Dante questioned

"We will need a cup of wine. Follow me," the trio weaves through the crowd of people holding a cup of wine.

An aged woman in her late fifties with long dark hair and blue ocean eyes dressed in a shiny, sparkly red dress walked down the red rug on an exquisite staircase, raising a cup of wine. She said

"A toast to everyone bathed in luxury and celebration, the success of the business year was not only an occasion to revel in personal accomplishments but also a testament to the power of collaboration and determination. I want to remind all those in attendance at this party hosted by me, Magdalene van DER Yoon, of the heights that could be reached when minds and hearts were united in pursuit of a common goal. Thank you for a wonderful year, and next year is another race. A toast to long life and prosperity, cheers!"

"Cheeeeeers!!!!"

They raised their glasses in a toast, acknowledging the tireless efforts that had led to such remarkable achievements over the past year. Proud smiles graced their faces as they clinked their glasses together, the sound resonating through the hall like a harmonious symphony.

"Hey Eunjoo, please give me a moment. I need to attend to my grandma." Alex cuts in on the silence.

"Ok, no problem, sure." Came the response, Alex smiled

"I will be right back. Don't go anywhere."

Alex turned and ran through the crowd to see his grandma. Suddenly, a foot stretches out, and he trips on the floor. Clara let her cup of wine slip from her hand, but Alex swift to dodge the spill from the cup that fell to the ground." Alex rose to his feet and stared at the three assailants.

This trio's Alex knew it too well. He could describe them as relatives. Dante lifted his spiky short, messy yet stylish, blond hair while his cat-shaped, intense, dark blue eyes gazed at Alex.

"Tsk,” Dante snorted

Dante is the only heir and child of Simon Yoon, with an angry personality matching his fist. Words get to him easily, as he is a bit sensitive. Clara and Cassandra's twin' sisters always match with the same shoulder length, straight blonder hair, cat striking blue eyes, and a matching white gown outfit, yet their personalities are twisted. These two are spoiled and as self-centered and wicked as their mother, Ha Yeon Yoon. I was warned by my mother to stay clear of those groups; I had to attend a separate school because of the fear these trios might pull on me.

"Hey, Alex, why are you on the floor?" Lucky and Eunjoo, who saw Alex fall, rushed to help him to his feet.

"Blonde hair, green eyes—you must be lucky the unlucky I have heard about. I hear you are quite smart," Dante cuts in.

"Well, if you say so," Lucky bows his head, adjusting his glasses to the ridge of his nose, to greet the trio before assisting Alex up to his feet. Dante grabs Lucky by the collar, pulls him to his face, and says, "If you are so smart, you should pay more attention to the scene around you if you don't want to get into trouble with us. You Don't want to be unlucky the unlucky. " Lucky took a glance at the trio and understood that Alex was being bullied and had been warned not to butt in.

"Are you alright?" Eunjoo questioned

"Leave my friend alone." Alex stood tall to his feet and gave them a death stare.

I must not look weak before them. Alex thinks as he gets ready for a fight. "Dante, let go of lucky"

"Alex!" Marylyn’s voice thundered across the hallway. Alex gave him a death stare before he turned and walked away.

"That! That! Little brat! Did you see the death stare he gave me? Fuck, I could murder him." Dante felt irritated and intended to move in Alex's direction but was pulled back by Cassandra.

"Don't worry! A time would come to deal with him." Cassandra tapped Dante's back.

"Grandma," Shouted Alex, striding up the staircase and reaching out to Magdalene.

"Alex, my wonderful grandchild," Magdalene turns and hugs Alex.

"How I have missed my grandbaby. I hear you excel tremendously in your studies and arts; your skills in painting are quite remarkable."

"Yes, Grandma, "Alex said with a wide smile

"He takes after his grandma," a voice cuts in, Magdalene turns her head toward the man in a gray suit striding up the stairs towards her.

"Peter Walker, where is your wife? Where is my daughter? "Peter turns his head.

"She was behind me a moment again," Magdalene frowns.

"I don't like you. You know that. I don't know what my daughter sees in a mere bodyguard to have married you as her husband. You can't even take care of your wife. If not for my lovely grandson, Alex,"

"Mother, stop bullying my husband. He has done everything to impress you, but you are still hard on him." Marylyn cuts in, striding up the stairs as she lifts her beautiful gold gown.

"I will do everything to win your heart, Mom," Peter says, bowing his head in submission with a smirk on his lips.

"I have heard you. Anyway, I see Alex takes after my daughter in arts. I think I should prepare for his grand future and have respective shares of the art foundation transferred to him; however, the Art Galleria and its shares can only be assessed when Alex turns 22. You must prove to me that you can handle it with your studies. All shares should be released to him immediately." Magdalene smiles, rubbing Alex's cheek

"Yes, mother. I will do that right away." Marylyn replied with a smile.

"Alex, come with me. Grandma has a surprising gift for you. Although I couldn’t attend your tenth-year birthday two weeks ago, I have a small gift for you.

" yeeeeeeeh! Grandma! I love you," Alex jumps, feeling excited.

"Let's take a picture of us," Magdalene calls a photographer, who snaps Magdalene, Peter, Marylyn, and Alex together.

A few minutes later, Alex watched his grandma pull the handle of an office door, and the duo walked in. What stood before Alex was an expansive room—an office that exudes a nostalgic charm reminiscent of the 90s.

The room is adorned with tall bookcases that reach the roof, brimming with a vast collection of books. The scent of aged paper lingers in the air, adding to the room's ambience.

In the centre of the room, a sturdy table sits, covered with a rich burgundy tablecloth. A vintage rotary phone, its cord twisted and looped, rests on one corner of the table; a high-backed leather chair, weathered by years of use, stands regally behind the table.

A brass reading lamp, its shade shaped like a half globe, stands tall beside the chair, ready to illuminate the pages of a chosen book. The gentle glow from the lamp's warm light creates a cosy atmosphere within the room. On the right-hand side of the room was a brown door. Alex's grandma smiled, looking at Alex, and said.

"Here is the surprise!" Alex felt excited, and the handle of the door was pulled down and opened, Alex's eyes widened in great joy and smile.

At the same time, Kingston Yoon, Paul Yoon, Simon Yoon, and Ha Yeon-Angelica Yoon meet up in the hallway leading to Magdalene's office

"Where is that slut, Magdalene?" Ha, Yeon glanced around her surroundings.

"Well! It's about time we set the plan in motion. I have waited sixteen years for this day, and I won't let anyone get in my way!" Kingston slams his walking stick on the floor.

"Guys, do you think this is wise? What if we get caught? I don't want to lose my influence. I think we should quit it. I am scared!"

"Shut the hell up, Paul, You have always been weak and fearful. How did you end up becoming a police chief? I thought some formal training should toughen you up but you're still as f*cking annoying as ever," Simeon cuts in

"How dare you? Have some respect. I am your older brother and am only concerned for our safety. I joined the police to cover the walls of my insecurities. I have more power than you and I can mess you up anytime."Paul retaliated.

"You better don't fall sick because my syringe would render you useless." Simeon slandered

"Enough!" Kingston shouted, slamming his walking staff on the ground.

"Enough of all your petty quarrels, Even though we are not born of the same mother. We have one common enemy and one common goal and that's Magdalene and her daughter. Taking what is rightfully ours. I have spent too much time preparing for this day, and anyone who tries to mess it up will have me to content with. I hope you all have not forgotten what I am truly capable of."Kingston slams his walking stick on the floor, and the trios remain silent.

"Magdalene is alone right now. The documents are ready. Let's begin" A young, tall man with brown hair matching his eyes in a blue suit walked in from the hallway.

"It seems Lawyer Raymond is ready. Let's begin, It is time to take what is rightfully ours." Ha Yeon smiled

Five people began their journey through the hallway, heading to Magdalene's office.

Alex receives his birthday gift with great joy from his grandma when they hear a knock.

"Knock knock! Magdalene turns her head towards the door as she hears a knock at the main door.

...

...…..

The hallway looked and felt longer than usual. Magdalene weakened and walked slowly with her eyes spinning. She fumbled words and said.

"Alex, somebody save Alex, Save my grandson." Magdalene walked out to the staircase leading to the hallway. The world comes spinning before her eyes before she stumbles and falls, rolling down the red staircase to the large hallway filled with guests."

"kkkkkyyyyyaaaaah" was the scream that thundered from Marylyn's voice as Magdalene was drenched in a pool of blood as the guests gathered