The Shadow of Death

by Timothy Smith

  As if terribly conflicted or ashamed with what his judgment would be, Keller closed his eyes as he began looking down, letting out a long exhaling of breath. Upon raising his head back up, he said his verdict.

  Keller: "Blood has been spilt from one member of the Order of the Light, to another. This offense cannot go unpunished!-" Giving only a moment for the weight of his proclamation to sink in, he exclaimed further to everyone around, "-Iranagi, dissent between our ranks to the point of drawing blood from another member requires immediate action. The penalty for these crimes against the Order will be thirty lashes!” After Keller said this, he turned his body to Obi, with a face full of disappointment and anger.

  Keller: "Obi, I also see this as your failure. You will be the one to do the lashings. With every strike, I want you to consider that your guidance, or lack thereof, has helped lead Iranagi to show such a lack of respect to our ways and traditions. Everyone here, see to it that it's done!" After he said this, the old man spoke nothing further before turning around and walking off.

  Dreading what he was charged to do as he looked back towards Ira, Obi noticed that through some reluctance, it looked as though Ira seemed to accept the punishment as the crowd was closing in around them. Oland was escorted to seek medical care as the others in the Order were almost set upon them.

  With a loud crack between the mob and the others, Theo struck the ground with his sword with all his might. His strike broke a cracked the stone foundation of the courtyard underfoot, as he yelled out ferociously.

  Theo: "I’ve had enough!! I refuse to accept this!"

  His actions seemed to deter the mob enough to stop them for a moment, but that false impression was quickly undone, as some of them started placing their hands on their sheathed weapons. Walking up to Theo, Obi placed a hand over his should.

  Obi: "Theo, look at Ira for a moment. He’s willing to accept this punishment so you three can still have a home here."

  Still hot with anger, Theo looked at Obi and then to Ira, who both gave an earnest nod to affirm their position. Seeing that they were in agreement on the matter, Theo then looked back to Cherise, who seemed torn, but otherwise she said nothing herself. He then scoffed at the ridiculous nature of this situation before bitterly speaking back to Obi.

  Theo: "You call this our home?! The way I see it, we lost our homes a long time ago. There’s nothing for us here, and we keep on pretending otherwise."

  And seeing that there wasn’t anyone who’d so readily agreed with his statement, Theo clenched his teeth in a frustrated anger. Pulling his sword back before thrusting it onto his shoulder, he took his leave, saying nothing more on the matter.

  Cherise might’ve found herself agreeing with Theo if not for seeing his present state. Unnoticed till recently, she saw Theo’s shadowy fiend had passed the point of being fully formed in his appearance, nearly taking on the monstrous appearance of the presence she saw following Razkaul years earlier. His physical appearance also gave her little reassurance to his intentions, should he have been encouraged. His eyes showed nothing left besides a bitter anger. And in this moment, the sight of him terrified her.

  Back to her feet, Theo had left Cherise behind, as the mob was about to grab ahold of the others to enact Keller’s punishment on them. Grabbing ahold of Ira by his shoulder, she began pleading with him.

  Cherise: "It's not fair! Things only went so far because you were only trying to protect me!" Looking back at the two, Obi just sighed, feeling powerless to change their current situation.

  Knowing how much Cherise still wanted to try and make a life at the Order, Ira turned to her with a smile. He then hugged her before he said softly.

  Ira: "It's alright, Cherise. This is my choice." And upon letting go of her, he walked towards Obi.

  ────────

  The mob quickly surrounded the two before they began leading them to one of the sides of the temple grounds. A circular area of dirt, with nothing else but a damaged stump with bolts at its center.

  The men forced Ira to his knees once they arrived at their destination. As they began tying him down to the stump, another man in the mob handed Obi a whip, which he reluctantly accepted. Distraught, Obi tried his best to mentally prepare himself for what he’d have to do before finally raising his whip.

  Watching through tearful eyes, Cherise saw every sorrow filled lashing Obi had to strike down on. The punishment seemed to be mentally tearing Obi apart as badly as the pains of the lashings of the whip looked.

  With every blow, Ira clenched his teeth, refusing to yell or groan. Resolving himself in remaining as motionless, and as calm as possible, so those around would find as little pleasure as possible in his agony.

  Similar to Theo, for whatever reason Keller was also not present during Ira’s lashing. Perhaps by him trying to remain unpartisan or genuinely feeling regret in his decision. For Ira in this moment, whatever the reason for their absence, it didn’t matter.

  With every lashing and strike the mob cheered on, and with all the vitriol and hate in the mob, it was becoming abundantly clear to Cherise, that even though she was in the crowd, she was entirely alone amongst them. The only comfort she could find in the moment, was the thought that her presence may bring some slight comfort to Ira and Obi. But she couldn’t help but be appalled by the crowd’s cheers.

  How can they be so cruel?... We only ever wanted to live peacefully besides them here. What have we done to deserve this? Will they ever really accept us?

  Always trying to remain an optimist, it wasn’t till this very moment that Cherise realized how much the Order as a whole rejected the exception of their entry.

  With the lashings finished, the cruel laughter of the mob subsided entirely, as they slowly dispersed. With bloodstained scars riddling his back, Ira was still remaining motionless, as he remained still tied up to the stump, all the while looking down as the crowd was leaving. Seeing that only him, and the other two remained, Obi then reached down to Ira before speaking sympathetically.

  Obi: "Let me help you up." Without looking back, Ira sharply snapped back.

  Ira: "Don't!! I don't want your help!"

  After hearing the tone of Ira's response, Obi withdrew his hand despairingly before walking away without saying another word. Only Cherise remained, as she walked up to him, and gently placed her hand on his head before speaking gently.

  Cherise: "In all the commotion, I forgot to thank you for saving me." Ira looked back at Cherise, revealing the tears from the pain he hid in shame, as she continued speaking to him with a comforting smile.

  Cherise: "Thank you, Ira. I want you to know that no matter what happens; I want you to remember, that I'll always be there for you." Ira looked back down, unable to hold back new tears as he said repeatedly.

  Ira: "Thank you, Cherise... Thank you... Thank you..." He sobbed, as Cherise embraced him lovingly.

  CHAPTER 21 – THE INNER DARKNESS

  It was no later than an hour after the incident occurred, that Cherise was in Ira's room, having just finished tending to and bandaging his wounds. Beside Cherise were her medical supplies, alongside a bucket of slightly bloodied water she used in washing his wounds. After he was laid down to rest with her assistance, Ira was fast asleep on his bed. After she had just finished nursing Ira, Cherise looked at her hands in resentment, noticing that his blood covered them. While she examined her hands, she thought to herself.

  How could they have done something so terrible? We've done nothing but try to live here with them for all these years. They even repeatedly laughed at Obi being forced to lash Ira, again and again! How can such awful people live with themselves? How can they act so malicious?!... Wouldn’t it be better if people like them just died?

  As Cherise dwelled on her thoughts, she reached to her bucket of water. Drawing it closer to her, she noticed something unusual inside. As she brought the bucket closer to her face, she gasped in horror, after seeing an unnatural reflection cast on the water’s surface
. Behind her, leaning its face by her ear, was one of the living shadows she had seen so many times before, mirroring her appearance. And once it took notice of Cherise staring back at her, the fiend looked back through the reflection, and smiled a sinister grin.

  Her heart instantly racing, Cherise jumped back in terror, screaming, as she dropped the bucket, spreading its bloodied contents across the room’s floor. Falling to the ground herself, Cherise looked behind to witness the fiend staring directly back at her, face to face. A nervous anxiety quickly overcame her, as her heart now forgot to beat. The fiend remained silent, grinning in delight of her terror, merely inches away from her. The longer she stared back at the horrific shadow, the more her nervousness gave way to courage. Staring back with a determined expression at the fiendish presence, Cherise spoke in defiant confidence.

  Cherise: "Even though I know what the others did to Ira and Obi was wrong, I have sympathy for them. Even they’re not beyond hope, just yet." As these words were crossing Cherise’s lips, the fiends grin changed to that of fear, as its body started to disappear before vanishing into thin air.

  Feeling an exhausted relief, Cherise held her head back from plopping forward. As she lay there, Cherise smiled after having just overcame a fiend of her own making. Worn out, but at the same time renewed, Cherise thought to herself.

  I think, I finally understand what’s been going on. The monsters I’ve been seeing, they’re a reflection of a person’s heart, their inner darkness… So as long as I don’t stray from the path, can they even harm me?... But then again, there is the matter of how the Darkness is related… It’s just so much to take in, and I’m so tired…

  Similar thoughts crossed Cherise’s minds as she pondered the significance of what transpired. Looking over to Ira, she smiled lovingly, seeing that he somehow managed to sleep through the entire event. With her heavy eyes on him, she leaned on the side of his bed, and before she knew it, fell into a peaceful slumber.

  CHAPTER 22 – DESPAIR

  Waking up from her rest, Cherise didn’t have a clue how much time had passed as she got to her feet. Looking to Ira with an affectionate smile, she saw he was still in bed, soundly asleep, and the dark cloud that followed him, gone. Her smile faded however, as she got a good look around the mess she left behind in his room. With a defeated sight, Cherise rolled up her sleeves before getting to work.

  It didn’t take nearly as long as she’d suspected it might to tidy up the place. And with this newfound time on her hands, Cherise wanted to think on her recent discoveries, but she felt some strange compulsion to consider it elsewhere.

  ────────

  It was dusk when Cherise left Ira’s room as she made her way outside the temple grounds. Wanting to be alone to ponder her thoughts, she headed far passed the outskirts to someplace she'd never been. To her surprise, on her way, she saw Theo in front of her. He had been sitting at the mountains edge, dangling his feet over the cliff’s side.

  Is this where he usually runs off to when we can't find him?...

  While Cherise considered this, Theo was just sitting silently, looking down in deep contemplation himself. He was not as alone as he might've imagined, as he was still accompanied by the fully formed fiend from his back, whispering conniving words into his ear.

  That monster has likely been with him since we heard about the Aelaans again. And since then, it’s hardly decreased in its potency… This… This isn’t normal… What must you be thinking right now, Theo?

  After Cherise saw Theo, she resolved herself before walking to him. Lost in his own thoughts, it wasn’t until only by sitting by his side, was she even noticed.

  Cherise: "You're normally much more alert. Something on your mind?" She said smiling, and giving the impression he’d rather be left alone, Theo only returned her question with a slight look back.

  As was the case years ago, after what happened to their village, Theo’s eyes were once again lifeless. Reasonably concerned, she pressed her questions.

  Cherise: "What's the matter Theo? Please tell me! I can see from that look of yours, that this isn't just about what happened to Ira and Obi, is it? You know whatever it is, you can tell me." Giving a cold look back, he flatly replied.

  Theo: "I don't want to talk about it."

  Like I’m really going to give up that easy!

  Mirroring her thoughts, Theo’s protests didn't seem to deter Cherise much, if anything it encouraged her, as she only scooched in closer. Now close enough, she put a comforting hand on Theo's shoulder, which he responded by irritably swatting it away. He didn't say a word as he kept looking down the cliff, wallowing in his bitter anger. She didn’t get mad at his rude behavior, but rather, only became more concerned for Theo after seeing his reaction. Not knowing what to say for a few seconds, Cherise finally found the words that escaped her before speaking sympathetically.

  Cherise: "Theo, no matter what happens, you know that you can always come to me, right? And not just me, but Obi, and Ira too. We’ll always have your back." He scoffed before offering his vexing reply.

  Theo: "Oh, is that right? Like how Obi had Ira's back earlier today? I think I can do without!" And upset with him clearly maligning Obi's true feelings, she tried to refute his claim.

  Cherise: "That’s not-" But was cut off by Theo, who exclaimed back.

  Theo: "Does it matter?! Please Cherise, just leave me alone!" He said more forcefully than before, clenching his fists while he continued to peer down the cliff.

  I don’t know what to do… His mood hasn’t improved one bit since I arrived, and that monster is still as potent as ever. I feel so helpless…

  Unsure of how to continue, Cherise at the very least wanted to offer Theo some parting words to consider. Holding back her tears, she spoke.

  Cherise: "I know it’s been hard, I know it's been difficult. I’ve been there through it all too, right beside you. But even then, since the first day we arrived here, we’ve had each other, and we’ve always have each other… Just don't forget that, okay?" She said from her heart, leaving Theo to his thoughts.’

  CHAPTER 23 – PRIDE

  The following day, Cherise had fully intended to stay by Ira’s side while he stayed in bed, recovering from his injuries. And as she was on her way to his little home in the living quarters, Obi approached her to say something. Stopping in front of her, after noticing his current state, Cherise didn’t want to mention how surprised she was. She’d never once seen him look so gloomy before. And she was fairly certain, although she dared not say it, that Obi appeared to have even less hair then yesterday. Now having Cherise’s undivided attention, he spoke his mind.

  Obi: "With all that’s happened recently, I know it isn’t much comfort, but I made sure Keller was given the Aijin’s head this morning. Can’t say I’m too surprised, but he was still sore with me as ever.” And audibly sighing, he continued.

  Obi: “Even with that said, you could tell from the expression Keller gave after just catching a glimpse of the sheer size of the Aijin’s head, that even that stubborn old man couldn’t hold back how impressed he really was. Though he’d never say it.” He said with a lighthearted shrug.

  Obi: “Oh, and another thing. He told me he'd allow some extra time for the next part of the trials, to give Ira the time needed until he’s fully recovered." He said with a nervous chuckle, as the simple mentioning of Ira’s name seemed to rekindle some unpleasant memories.

  He then said somewhat despairingly asked Cherise.

  Obi: "You on your way to visit him?" Knowing how much the recent lashings must’ve weighed on his mind, Cherise timidly answered.

  Cherise: "Yes, I want to be there for him.-" And seeing Obi's expression brighten only a little, she then said reassuringly, "-Don't look so down, Uncle! I'm sure he doesn't blame you. You know that, right?" He paid no mind this time to being referred to by her favorite nickname of him, as he responded regretfully.

  Obi: "Doesn't change the fact that I was the one who did the
lashings." Appearing offended, she spoke forcefully back.

  Cherise: "If they didn't have you do it, it would've been done by someone else! Someone who would've been striking down much more harshly!"

  Giving a contemplative look, Obi gave a sincere smile, as if a weight was lifted off his shoulders. From witnessing the lashings first-hand, Cherise knew that Obi didn't put too much weight into the strikes, but just enough for it to look convincing. After all, she was the only one who cared enough for Ira’s wellbeing to look for it.

  He grinned as he put a hand on Cherise's head, before ruffling her hair into a mess when he replied, noticeably more high-spirited. He couldn’t help chuckling to himself.

  Obi: “So it seems I’ve been found out, huh? I thought I was more subtle than that." He said with a warm smile, before putting his hand on her head again.

  Obi: "Thank you, Cherise!” He said cheerfully, before once again vigorously running his hands through Cherise’s hair, only stopping when her hair was thoroughly rearranged and quite simply ruined.

  Even though Cherise had fully come to expect Obi to awkwardly handle such uncomfortable situations, she couldn’t help but get annoyed. His behavior was one thing, but after finding out how ridiculous her hair had become, she pouted, making her annoyance with him easily known. With a nervous chuckle, he spoke to her.

  Obi: "You've always been such a sweet girl. I want you to know I'm very proud to see the young woman you've become!" And unable to maintain a serious conversation, Obi gave her a quick final hair ruffling, before walking off with a smile.

  Well, I certainly didn’t expect to see that side of Obi today.

  And as she thought further, she giggled to herself.

  And to think that he’d turn around so quickly. Only just a minute ago he looked so dreary… But still… Look what he did to my hair!!