Scar

Marco Valenti's fists connected with Viktor's jaw, sending him crashing into the alley wall.

Their mafia crews circled around, watching the brutal fight unfold.

Viktor Kuznetsov – a ruthless Russian mobster – had disrespected Donatello Esposito's territory.

This beating would be his warning... or his death sentence.

As Marco pummeled Viktor, he felt a sudden, eerie chill run down his spine.

Suddenly, Viktor head-butted Marco, splitting his left eyebrow open.

Blood gushed down Marco's face as he stumbled back.

As Marco blinked blood from his eyes, he saw a figure emerging from darkness.

She was tall, with piercing green eyes and raven hair. Her presence seemed to freeze time – the fight forgotten.

Marco's crew exchanged nervous glances. Viktor, still on the ground, whispered "Koldunya..."

The woman's gaze locked onto Marco. She glided closer, her black dress billowing behind her.

The woman reached out, her fingers brushing Marco's bleeding eyebrow.

His skin tingled as the wound sealed itself, leaving no scar... yet.

Then she whispered in his mind:

"You have a role to play, Marco Valenti. A path of blood and darkness awaits. Are you willing?"

Marco's crew saw only his eyes widen – they heard nothing.

Marco thought back to her: What do you mean? What path?

The woman's eyes gleamed with intensity as she replied in his mind: A path where your scars become power. Where darkness reigns, and you rule beside me.

Suddenly, Viktor tackled Marco, breaking the connection.

As they struggled, Marco saw the woman vanish into thin air.

Marco's fists crushed Viktor's skull against the concrete. His crew watched in horror as Viktor's body went limp.

As Marco stood up, he saw strange symbols etched into his bloody knuckles.

They glowed faintly, like embers. Marco felt their heat spreading through his veins like dark energy.

His crew backed away slowly, whispering among themselves. One word echoed: "Scar..."

Marco rushed to a nearby alleyway sink and scrubbed his hands frantically.

The symbols remained, glowing brighter as water touched them. Marco's skin burned, as if the symbols were searing deeper.

He looked up to see his reflection – eyes glowing faintly, like the symbols.

Suddenly, the mirror exploded outward. Marco stumbled back, shocked.

A figure stood in the shattered glass: the mysterious woman.

Ruby stepped back, eyes never leaving Marco's.

"You're cursed with darkness, Scar.

Your scars will heal, but grant you powers: strength, speed, agility... and more. You'll fight for me, beside me."

Suddenly, guns clicked behind them. Marco's crew, led by his best friend Leo, had arrived.

"Marco, what's going on? Who is she?" Leo demanded.

Ruby's eyes locked onto Marco's, burning with intensity.

"Remember, Scar... darkness calls, and you will answer," she whispered.

Then, she vanished into thin air. Marco stumbled forward, grasping at emptiness.

His crew surrounded him, concerned.

"Marco, what's going on? Who was that woman?" Leo asked again.

Marco shook his head, still reeling.

"I... I don't know. But I feel different. Stronger."

Leo eyed him warily.

"You look different too. Your eyes... they're not the same."

Suddenly, Marco's vision blurred. He felt his body changing – muscles growing, senses heightening.

Marco clenched his fists, fighting the transformation.

No... not now. Not in front of them.

But his body had other plans. His muscles bulged, clothes tearing.

His senses heightened – he could smell Leo's sweat, hear his crew's rapid heartbeats.

Marco's vision blurred completely, then cleared.

He looked down at his hands – they were massive, veins bulging like snakes.

He roared, fully transformed into Scar.

His crew stumbled back, terrified.

Leo drew his gun, hands shaking.

Leo's gun wavered, but he fired.

Scar felt bullets rip into his chest – pain flared, then vanished.

He looked down, seeing bullets fall from his skin like magic. His crew gasped in horror.

Leo fired again, but Scar charged forward.

He swatted Leo's gun away, grabbing his friend's throat.

Leo kicked wildly, but Scar's grip was iron. His friend's face turned purple as Scar lifted him off the ground.

Suddenly, memories flashed through Scar's mind: Marco and Leo growing up together, joining the mafia as brothers.

Scar's grip tightened. Leo's eyes bulged, face turning blue. His body went limp.

Scar dropped him, watching as Leo crumpled to the ground. His crew fled in terror.

Scar stood alone, Leo's lifeless body at his feet. He felt nothing – no grief, no guilt.

Only hunger. Hunger for more power, more destruction.

Suddenly, a voice whispered in his mind: Well done, Scar. Your first sacrifice.

Ruby's voice.

Scar's eyes blazed with fury as he demanded: Ruby, show yourself!

The air seemed to ripple, and Ruby stood before him. Her eyes gleamed with approval.

Well done, Scar. Your power grows.

But Scar felt a spark within him – Marco's conscience flickering back to life.

Leo... oh God, what have I done?

Ruby's smile widened.

Do not be weak, Scar. You are mine now.

Marco's eyes widened as his personality fully resurfaced.

Leo... my friend...

He dropped to his knees beside Leo's lifeless body, clutching his friend's hand.

Ruby's voice echoed in his mind, but he blocked her out.

No... I'm not Scar. I'm Marco.

Suddenly, a warm glow spread from Marco's hand into Leo's body. Leo's eyes flickered open.

Leo sat up, rubbing his head.

Marco... what happened? I thought I was dead.

Marco smiled weakly.

You were. I... I brought you back.

But as Leo stood up, Marco vanished into thin air.

He reappeared in a dark cave, far from the city. He collapsed against the wall, exhausted.

As he caught his breath, he noticed his right hand glowing.

It moved on its own, drawing a symbol on his palm: The same symbol Ruby drew on his knuckles earlier, but this one glowed white.

A healer symbol.

Marco realized he had two powers: Scar's darkness and this white magic.