The Shadow of Death

by Timothy Smith

  Dwarf: "It isn’t any concern of mine, but if you be lookin' to fight the Empire, you’d be needin’ your head checked. There’s nothin’ one boy can do to stem this tide. But I guess such foolhardiness is to be expected from folks wearing half dresses, thinkin’ cause they call ‘em robes makes ‘em any different.” With that last demeaning comment, the dwarf managed to ostracize himself from the entire crowd.

  And seeing that he had no more business to continue here, the dwarf then said.

  Dwarf: “Well, at least the trip wasn't for nothin'." He said before kissing his coin, and afterward turning his cart around before making his exit out of the temple grounds.

  Still worried about Ira, Cherise followed after him. As she was walking away from the crowd, she also noticed something was strange about Theo. She saw that he already had a fully formed black fiend emerging from his back. But Theo remained silent, trying to contain his anger of the news to himself as he looked down silently. The dark shadowed fiend that mirrored his appearance whispered into his ear, as he looked down, Theo was becoming increasingly more embittered and angrier by the second.

  I’ve never seen the shadows take full form so quickly before. And right after they heard this news, it can’t be a coincidence.

  Perceiving the darkness to be poisoning their thoughts, Cherise knew what she needed to be done. And forcing herself to be optimistic, she spoke out loud to the two.

  Cherise: "Ira, Theo, we still haven't delivered your trophy to Keller, remember? I'm sure he's going to be really impressed by you bringing back a Aijin as a trophy." As Cherise said this, she noticed both of their dark figures dissipate ever so slightly.

  That confirms it!...

  With the tense situation unto only herself, Cherise now finally had learned something important to ease her heart. Now having a newfound realization on the darkness, she continued speaking in a positive attitude.

  Cherise: "Come on, when he sees the size of the Aijin I'm sure he'll be thrilled! This may even be a record of some sorts! But before we do…-“ She said with a mischievous smile, “-Remember to show Keller your rabbit first, Ira." Cherise's remark got a slight chuckle from the two, as the dark presence on their backs yet again dissipated slightly further.

  Unknowing of what she was contending with, Cherise’s cheery demeanor and playful comment helped lighten the mood of their group a bit. Having stayed out of the conversations up until now, he wanted to have the last word in.

  Obi: "I want to go on the record as saying, I hope you kids don't plan on doing anything stupid, like getting yourselves involved with the Aelaan Empire."

  Refusing to answer, neither Theo nor Ira gave any telling signs on how they felt about Obi’s warning. But upon further inspection, they did show something. With their own varying reactions, the two couldn’t hide the fact that their minds were elsewhere, that they were still weighing how to deal with this recent news.

  Hoping they'd take Obi’s advice to heart, Cherise couldn’t help but notice their disregard for his question. Still feeling the need to keep their mind elsewhere, she fought the urge to get openly upset with them.

  Just because you both decided to ignore Obi warnings about not getting mixed up with Aelaa this time, doesn’t mean it will be the last time you two hear of this.

  CHAPTER 20 – DIVISION

  For the time being, the discussion of the Aelaan’s invasion was dropped so the four could deliver proof of the first trials completion. Cherise was in front of the group as they were walking over to Keller's lodgings, and she cringed at the sight of something ahead.

  On their way, standing in directly in their path, was Oland. As he regularly was, Oland was talking to some of his usual friends in the Order, all of which he had ample enough time over the years’ to poison their minds against the three. Dreading this unfortunate chance encounter immediately upon their return, Cherise couldn’t help but frantically think to herself in worry.

  Oh, no… What terrible timing…

  As the three drew closer, Oland let out a disgusted sneer after noticing their approach. His callous nature showed itself being unusually unpleasant today, as he looked on them with a foul expression before throwing his arms to his sides.

  Oland: "Really?! And I thought we’d finally been rid of you! Why couldn’t you scum have just died!" Even from the likes of him, it was a surprisingly contemptuous and bold statement.

  As soon as the words left Oland’s mouth, Cherise noticed a black figure immediately manifest from his back. It happened far too quickly, in less than a second. As she bore witness to the unusual quick appearance of the fiend, Cherise stopped walking, frozen, as she was struck with fear after hearing something from within the temple’s halls to her side. The unnatural sound of the noise was unexplainable to describe, like an unintelligible whisper from a shrieking banshee. Finding her own fear stricken eyes gazing on the temple, her eyes darted back to Oland after noticing his approach, him stepping forward helped her remember the more potent threat in the moment.

  The Darkness, it’s somehow related to everything I’ve been seeing!... But I can’t focus on that now! I need to make sure things don’t get out of hand!

  Oland: Continuing his approach with a smug expression. "If I remember correctly, which I know I do, weren't you going to be done by nightfall, Iranagi?... Well, what happened? Maybe this line of work really is too taxing for you after all?" He said tauntingly in hopes to get a response, and just as quickly getting one, as Ira started walking towards him.

  Ignoring his comments, Cherise turned to Ira and Theo.

  Cherise: “Just ignore him. Today’s supposed to be a day we celebrate the completion of your first trial. Let’s just deliver your trophy to Keller.” Oland stopped walking forward to gauge their reactions after Cherise’s intervention.

  Already frustrated with the recent news of the Aelaans, Ira was doing his best under the circumstances to keep his temper under control, before nodding in agreement to Cherise’s plan. Finding it humorous that Cherise intervened, Oland taunted Ira further.

  Oland: “What this? I didn’t realize she had you on such a short leash.”

  Although Ira wasn’t saying anything, Oland could see that he was seething with anger. The realization of that fact seemed to urge Oland further in his harassment. When Ira tried to lead the others passed Oland and his friends, the noble stood in his path. Oland then proceeded to then deliberately step in front of Ira’s way multiple times to the laughter of his friends.

  Obi: “Now that’s enough! Step aside, Oland!” Taken aback by his interference, Oland stopped.

  Thank you, Uncle… Who knows what could’ve happened next?

  As Ira started walking by Oland, under his breath, he whispered something to him with a taunting smile.

  Ira: “Who’s on a leash?” He said chuckle.

  Nearly stumbling to get in front of Ira’s path again, Oland goaded him once more.

  Oland: “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were there.”

  You could see it in the noble’s eyes, it wasn’t just a simple taunt, but another twisted reminder to Ira, that he saw him as of lesser value than dirt. Nearly at his breaking point, in a cold but silent anger that mirrored his voice, Ira issued his threat.

  Ira: "I'm in no mood for your games. If you know what's good for you...-" His voice trailed off before he continued speaking with the same cold seriousness, "-You'll back off!" Oland snarled, responding with an unbelieving scoff.

  Oland: "Is that a threat?! What gives a vermin like you the audacity to challenge me?!"

  Obi: “I said, that’s enough!” His words utterly ignored this time as the fierce anger between the two was palpable.

  Oland: “It’s no wonder the rest of your filthy kind died out! Even animals know not to oppose their betters!”

  The impertinent noble knew all too well how to push Ira, but this was far beyond what Oland would normally say. As he sneered back to Ira in hatred, it seemed far too personal today.

&
nbsp; With a deadly serious expression, Ira looked back into Oland’s eyes. Exchanging no words before slowly grabbed the hilts of his sheathed black fangs, preparing himself for a fight. As Ira was slowly leaning forward to get into his battle stance, Cherise ran towards him.

  Cherise: "Ira, what are you doing?!"

  Hoping to de-escalate the situation, Cherise jumped in between the two before gently grabbing ahold of Ira to retrain him from fighting. But her intervention seemed to too late, as Ira’s anger in the moment seemed only comparable to that of Oland, who was already looking for an excuse to be rid of him. Surprised at Ira’s nerve, Oland stuttered as he was finding the words to yell back at him.

  Oland: "Y-y-you bastard!" Oland screeched before drawing his sword without a second’s hesitation.

  While pointing his blade towards Ira, Oland yelled in disgust and contempt.

  Oland: "Protocol be damned! We've suffered your presence for far too long! It’s the commoner filth like you that’s the invisible rot eating away at our status and honor! I’ve had all I can take of this farce! It looks like I’ll have to deal with you myself!"

  All the while, Cherise was in front of Ira, doing her best to calm him down and prevent them from fighting, if it was at all possible at this point. Completely undeterred by her presence, Oland charged towards both of them with his sword fully drawn.

  Paying no heed to Cherise’s intervention, Oland was posed to strike her down along with Ira. His disregard for Cherise being in the way made Ira’s choice clear. In a fraction of a second, Ira pushed Cherise aside, safely towards the ground, before drawing one of the black fangs, parrying Oland's strike.

  After deflecting Oland’s blow, Ira’s silent fury showed. He followed through with a lightning speed counter-attack, swinging his blade back at his assailant. The black fang cut through Oland’s flesh and bone like butter, the strike nearly severing the noble’s hand entirely as he yelled out in pain. Still consumed with rage, Ira looked down on Oland with bloodlust in his eyes. He unsheathed his other black fang before raising them high, posed to land the finishing blow. Ira’s resolve to land the killing blow was only further strengthened after catching a glimpse of Oland staring back at him in disgust even now.

  As Ira was about to bring down his hated adversary, Obi put his staff in between the two to interfere with the death blow. Only after ensuring his staff blocked the way, Obi himself stood in Ira’s way.

  Obi: "Stop!!!!!" He cried out, and his intervention bringing Ira back from his fury, as he relented on his swing.

  Still holding his blades in the air, Ira demanded of Obi in frustration and seething anger.

  Ira: "Obi, move! Get out of my way!" He exclaimed back.

  Obi: "Stop it! For just one second, let's forget about whether or not he deserves it! Do you seriously think that killing him will make your problems here go away?! That things will somehow be easier going forward?! That there'd be no consequences?!" As Obi was saying this, in an attempt to appeal to Ira’s reason, he whispered as he leaned closer towards his ear.

  Obi: "Just listen to me, will you! Both you and I know he's just the worst, but you also know that he's not the only one in the Order who shares his opinions on you three." As Obi said this, Ira glanced up, noticing the other's in the Order behind Oland looking back at him with rage, all of them now preparing themselves to fight him.

  Obi continued to speak in a hushed voice, getting even closer to Ira so as to whisper so softly to be sure no one could hear.

  Obi: "Look, I don't blame you for getting angry, but don't give them fuel to come at Cherise and Theo for what you intend to do here." Trying to justify his actions, still infuriated, Ira glanced over to Oland to yell.

  Ira: "He would've killed Cherise to get at me! He deserves cut down like the dog he is!" Stepping fully in Ira's way to see Oland, Obi said more calmly but loud enough for everyone to hear his opinion on the matter.

  Obi: "Yeah, he does deserve it. But I'm going to ask you again, and this time really consider it. What would the consequences be if you were to strike him down?-" Only giving Ira only a second to respond before he continued, "-Hmmmm?!" As Obi said this, he quickly glanced his eyes to his side towards Cherise, who was still on the ground looking back at Ira with great worry.

  Looking aside to Cherise, as Obi hinted, Ira realized that she got caught up in the middle of this fight, largely because of his own lack of control. Without saying a word, Ira's fierce anger seemed to be restrained the longer he looked on at her. Swallowing his pride, he sheathed the black fangs.

  Still in the courtyard, the commotion of what occurred undoubtedly got the attention of many in the Order. And as it would just so happen, not even a minute had passed before Keller appeared on the scene. His yelling voice could be heard continually from the ever closing distance between him and the group.

  Keller: "What's happened, what’s happened?! What’s with all this racket!? Would somebody mind telling me what on Ehya happened?! Explain yourselves!!" He said while approaching the group, as quickly as his legs could carry him.

  After just arriving on the scene, Oland was on one of the old man’s sides, while Ira was on his other. Keller looked down at Oland, and saw that he was grasping at his nearly decapitated hand, trying desperately to hold it in place with his other. As the old man was looking on Oland, he noticed the noble was looking down to hide his face, trying to hide his enraged expression. And after seeing the noble’s condition, Keller glanced in front of his injured subordinate to see an increasingly nervous Obi, standing in between both Oland and Ira.

  The old man then noticed that Ira was looking back at him with a resolved but hardened expression, which basically admitted to his deeds done here, and yet refusing to regret them in the slightest. Being distraught at this sight, Keller tried to hide his disappointment from the others before asking plainly in a clear but well contained anger to everyone around, insinuating every word as he spoke.

  Keller: "What-happened-here?" He said with his eyes fixated on Ira, and Oland replied to Keller’s question, trying in vain to hide his enraged emotions.

  Oland: "This scum attacked me without warning!" And seeing Cherise on the ground, Keller sharply yelled back.

  Keller: "Silence! Do you think me a fool?! I have not gone senile just yet boy! When I ask a question, I want to hear the truth!"

  After hearing the blatant lie from Oland, Ira took his attention off Keller only for a moment, to stare at Oland with contempt. Looking back at Keller, Ira pointed towards Oland, with his fiery anger rekindled.

  Ira: "Oland has done something unforgivable! We got into an argument that escalated out of control, to the point we drew blades, and Cherise tried to stop us..." He paused for a moment, as just the mention of it filled him with rage.

  Ira: "This spineless coward would've cut her down to get to me!”

  The memory still burning fresh in Ira's mind, he was unable to contain himself from reaching, and drawing one of his black fangs once more, preparing to finish where he left off. Catching Ira unsheathe one of his blades, Obi stepped towards him with his hand outstretched.

  Obi: "Calm down!" He said before grabbing Ira’s chest by his shirt, and pushing him to the ground.

  Being thrown to the courtyard floor gave Cherise enough time get next to Ira. She then started holding him firmly to calm him down, as she spoke softly to him.

  Cherise: "It's okay Ira. I'm right here. I'm okay. And I'm not going anywhere." Her eyes started swelling up with tears as she said this.

  For her sake, Ira’s anger slowly dissipated as he let go of his black fangs. Upon dropping his blades to the ground, Ira reached out to Cherise. Wrapping his arms around her, and holding her tightly back. After a few seconds, he had regained his composure so as to look back towards Keller to await what the old man would do.

  Now realizing the situation had finally died down enough for him to make a move from Ira without repercussions, Obi started walking towards the old man to plead their case.


  Obi: "Keller, you have to understand. You know as well as anyone else here how Oland’s been harassing these kids. Since day one, they've always been at each other’s throats. It was only a matter of time before it just went a little too-" Before he was finished speaking, Keller struck the side of Obi’s face with his cane.

  Keller: "Enough!-" He exclaimed before inhaling deeply, and then speaking remorsefully as he continued, "-I thought I told you to take care of them... You were supposed to watch after them..." And holding back his tears and disappointment, Keller pointed his cane at Oland as he yelled at Obi.

  Keller: "Well?! What is that?! Were you going to say this went A LITTLE TOO FAR?! His hand remains attached by the dangling flesh of his skin! If this is what your guidance to these three could lead to, than you have utterly failed them!" And now turning his attention to Ira, the old man continued.

  Keller: "But that does not excuse your own responsibility on these actions you yourself have done! What do you have to say for yourself?!" Gently nudging Cherise aside, Ira stood upright before responding back in a defiant tone.

  Ira: "It's just like I said earlier. Oland and I fought, but he was the first to draw his blade and strike. He would've cut down Cherise to get at me! The second he unsheathed his blade, he should’ve prepared himself for the consequences!-" He said before turning to Oland to say a little more coldly, "-I won’t apologize for my actions. I regret nothing!" Oland yelled back to Ira’s remark.

  Oland: "Lying filth! That's not what happened! You filthy cur! I’ll see to-" Keller intervening again to cut off Oland mid speech as he exclaimed.

  Keller: "Silence!-" And after yelling out, Keller gave a contemplative look before speaking further, "-I must think this over."

  The old man looked at everyone, and even his dimmed eyes could see the ever enlarging crowd that gathered around was quickly turning into a mob. Of these increasing numbers, a vast majority of them were gathering behind Oland, in support. The entire crowd looked towards Ira, who in return made it plainly obvious by what he said, and his expression, that he truly did not regret his actions one bit.