Daniel Kolfaxx

Cursed Human / Rogue

Submitted character story

Thousands of years ago, a poor farmer named Taran Elliot was on the brink of starvation. Seeing his desperation, a demon only known as Twitch approached him, offering a way out. He accepted the offer, being put into a cruel, rigged game against the naive farmer. Taran failed, and was punished harshly for it. Thus begun the Elliot Curse, a cruel spell that could never be broken, only passed down the bloodline.

The Elliot bloodline survived thousands of years, sentencing the firstborn Elliot child to a fate worse than death. As soon as they turned 27, it activated, forever altering their lives. Only when they had their own child did it finally release them, only for the cycle to continue. Those who birthed a child young had no idea they were cursed, which made it even harder to track. This lasted until magic began to wane, leading to the curse vanishing.

Many centuries passed. The Elliot Curse was forgotten. And yet, the bloodline survived. The firstborn heir became a man known as Jesse Kolfaxx, who was married to his wife Barbara. The two gave birth to a child, who they named Daniel. 

The three lived a normal, quiet, middle class life together. Daniel's grades were average, however what made him stand out were his piercing green eyes and unending compassion. He made friends very quickly through love and kindness alike. Playdates at the Kolfaxx household were very common throughout his school years. As he graduated, he decided not to go to college, not wanting to saddle his family with debt. Although his parents disagreed with the decision, they supported him regardless.

Daniel moved away from home shortly after, ending up in Lumien City. He took a job in a small board game store, where he quickly rose up the ranks, becoming manager in a few years. The shop only helped him make more friends- the group would often meet after hours to drink and play together. But, there was one piece missing: A lover.

Daniel began searching for a partner. Although he had a few flings, nothing stuck until he met a woman named Mikaela Bolton. The two clicked almost instantly, falling deeply in love. A few years later, Daniel proposed. She said yes.

Daniel had everything he could want. A loving fiancée, supportive parents, a group of friends, a stable job, and an apartment of his own. Life was fantastic.

Then he turned 27.

Daniel woke at midnight in a cold sweat, hungrier than he had ever been. He attempted to eat, only for everything he tried to be vomited right back up. He checked his phone, but couldn't recognize the people on the pictures or the names in the contacts. Upon calling one simply labeled "Mom," he didn't recognize the voice on the other line. Based on her tone, she didn't recognize him either. Daniel was scared, confused, and alone.

This lasted until a man walked past his apartment. The scent was irresistible. When he peaked his head out to see what was causing the smell, the man wasn't carrying any food. That's when the changes began. Daniel's body began to tremble. He felt liquid leaking from his eyes. Upon wiping it away, his hand came back red. Daniel ran to the bathroom, watching in horror as he transformed.

Daniel's once radiant green eyes turned a deep red. The scleras and irises were gone, reduced to a sea of crimson, only interrupted by his dark pupils. Daniel's fingertips split open, allowing the bones to jettison forward, each in the shape of a short, hooked talon. When he tried to scream, Daniel's mouth tore to the sides of his face. His teeth grew razor sharp, while a second set of equal fury grew right behind them. Finally, an immense pressure filled his back. He doubled over as four massive, fleshy, vein-covered tentacles burst free. Upon seeing his new form, Daniel screamed in terror, unable to accept the reality of the man in the mirror.

For days Daniel stayed in his apartment alone. He tried every food he owned, hoping one would stay down, but they never did. He tried to remember the people he loved. He couldn't remember their names, faces, or voices- only what they had done together. Nobody looked for him. Nobody called. He could only infer that they had forgotten him too.

Whenever someone walked past the door, he smelled that same sweet scent as before. Daniel didn't want to accept what his body was telling him. After attempting to devour a live pigeon, he finally came to terms with what he had to do.

That night, Daniel left his apartment via the window. He stalked the streets until finding a sleeping homeless woman. After tearing off and devouring her shoulder, he realized it not only stayed down, but tasted incredible. Daniel carried her away and feasted, leaving nothing but a pool of blood and ripped clothing. When he was finished, he stayed rooted to that spot for hours, sobbing uncontrollably into his hands.

Daniel's life quickly collapsed following this. He only left his apartment to feed, meaning he lost his job. Without the money, the eviction notice came shortly after. Daniel only took a black raincoat and his engagement ring with him- everything else was abandoned. He tried visiting the morgue for food, only to be seriously injured by the many chemicals injected into the bodies. His system demanded fresh meat.

After months on the street, Daniel found a billboard covered in missing posters. He recognized most of the faces immediately. From that day fourth he decided that he had to use his abilities the best way he could. Instead of hunting who was easy, he targeted the wicked. This led to more sightings, but he didn't care. He couldn't keep devouring innocent people. 

Daniel is still out there. He has learned to hone his abilities. Most of the time he is in human form, walking down the streets in his black raincoat. His once glowing green eyes have grown dull, surrounded by dark rings from his sleepless nights. His black, shoulder length hair is greasy and wild now. And yet, his lean, trim form persists. Most people walk right by without knowing what he is, as he only changes into his true form while hunting, fighting, or sleeping.

Those who see Daniel in his true form usually see him climbing walls or ceilings like a massive, fleshy spider on his four limbs and four tentacles. His stealth is merely a ruse, as he can both run much faster than a human and leap incredibly far with ease. His tentacles can tear limbs out of sockets, while his jaws can crush bones with ease. When he eats, he tears his prey to shreds with both hands and all four tentacles, practically swallowing the meat whole.

Daniel's curse only allows him to consume water and other humans. Any other food or drink is immediately vomited back up. He can eat every part of the human body and has a special preference for liver. Daniel usually leaves nothing behind but blood and torn clothing, as he does not wish to waste his kill. Because he can still drink water, Daniel is commonly seen nursing a bottle of it, sipping on it quietly.

Despite his curse, Daniel's compassionate heart is still alive and well. Although he is alone, should someone take him in he would be a man with his heart on his sleeve, listening to others' woes and speaking of his own emotions openly. Because of the disparity between his form and his heart, he occasionally wonders if he should end his own life to save his future victims. He hasn't yet because he still wants to live and find a way back to humanity.

Daniel is unaware his curse came down his bloodline. He is unaware that giving birth will free him. He hopes there is a cure out there, unaware that there is not one.

Daniel Kolfaxx is a good man forced to do terrible things. He still tries to convince himself that he's a human and that there is a way back. And yet, with every other person he consumes, that belief is harder to maintain.