The Shadow of Death

by Timothy Smith

  Not having much time to react, Theo stumbled backwards as he saw the building falling on top of Khenir who let out one last scream of terror. Ashes and smoke scattered, and covered the scene after the building’s collapse. Once the dust settled, Theo stood in amazement after seeing that the building’s rubble was now blocking the road. The fallen debris, and flaming rubble prevented any potential pursuit from any Aelaan soldier, who may have considered following after him.

  What had happened was nothing short of a miracle. Taking it in for a moment, Theo looked in pure astonishment before turning around, and continuing on his way down the narrow road. His walk was slow, and the consuming flames were nipping at his heels.

  ────────

  Both Ira and Cherise were heading back down the road where Theo was left behind. As they were making their way, the winds started picking up, and the fire that was set to the town was spreading rapidly. Seeing the raging flames, Ira and Cherise only grew more anxious by the second until Theo was finally within their sight. After seeing her brother, she excitedly yelled out.

  Cherise: "Theo! You're still okay!" But as she got closer to him, her hopeful demeanor changed to worry.

  Barely even noticing Cherise was in front of him, Theo was in poor shape. He was even having trouble just trudging forward, as he was actively fought the urge to just collapse and lose conscience. When Cherise approached Theo, she reached around his body to help him stand.

  Cherise: "It's alright Theo, we're here. It's like I told you before, right? We'll always be there for you." Leaning onto his sister for support, he smiled before passing out, and falling into her arms.

  CHAPTER 30 – CONSUMING FIRE

  With the fires getting increasingly closer, Ira noticed an abandoned empty pull cart nearby.

  Ira: “Well, that’s awfully convenient.” He said before running to Cherise’s side, and helping her move Theo to the cart.

  When at the cart, Ira roughly threw Theo atop of it. Cherise cringed at the sight of it. Before grabbing Theo's sword to load onto the cart, Cherise pouted as she angrily asked Ira.

  Cherise: "You couldn't have been a little more gentle?!" To which Ira was much more worried about the current state of the town aflame, as he gave Cherise a half-hearted answer in return.

  Ira: "Uhh... He'll get over it." He said as he was getting in front of the cart, preparing to pull it.

  Ira: "Look, in just a minute, this place will be completely engulfed in the fire. Once you load up his sword, we need to get out of here."

  He wouldn’t find any disagreement from her, as Cherise quickly loaded the sword on board before getting beside Ira. And getting ready to help Ira pull the cart, she smiled as she said back.

  Cherise: "You don't have to tell me twice!"

  With the fire nipping at their heels, Cherise and Ira pulled the cart with relative haste. Somehow, all three of them managed to make their escape out of the Kings Height. However, the outcome of the town they sought to protect, was altogether another matter.

  ────────

  As they were a safe distance away, occasionally the two would look back to see that the entirety of the town was engulfed in the raging flame. The sight of Kings Height was unsettling. It was altogether too eerily familiar to that fateful day years ago.

  ────────

  Some time passed as they continued on their way. Once fully sure they were a fair distance away from any potential pursuers, they stopped the cart. While Theo remained fast asleep at the back, the short break gave Cherise the opportunity to be able to properly aid him. When she had finished bandaging him, and assisting in whatever other medical procedures she could, Cherise spoke happily to hide her concern.

  Cherise: "Looks like the worst is behind us. And although Theo won't be running around for some time, he'll pull through this." And with a concerned expression, Cherise looked over Theo's sleeping, and bloodstained bandaged body.

  This is the second time I’ve had to bandage you, Theo. You can’t keep doing this to me…

  The sight of him made her feel helpless, as she decided to scold her brother.

  Cherise: "Stupid! Why'd you have to go this far?" Sympathizing with him, Ira said.

  Ira: "You already know why he did this. He bought me time to come back for you." He said while repositioning himself in front of the cart to pull it forward again.

  I already know that… I just can’t stand seeing him like this.

  Seeing that Cherise offered no answer as she worriedly looked at Theo, Ira decided to drop the subject. And as Ira started pulling the cart by himself, he looked back at Cherise, concerned for her well-being when he asked.

  Ira: "About what happened to you back there, I want you to tell me honestly. Did they hurt you? Are you alright?" She looked down after hearing his question, still burdened over what happened, her answer was silent but sincere.

  Cherise: "I was scared. I kept screaming and pleading for him to stop, but he never did…”

  And pausing for a second, so as to catch up with Ira. Her saddened demeanor didn't change as she grabbed ahold of Ira's arm, holding him tightly. But smiled widely, as she happily said to him.

  Cherise: "But! Even then, I held out hope you’d come find me! That you would come for me!" She said while starting to have ever cloudy vision, as she started thinking on what transpired, and wiping at her eyes she said despairingly.

  Cherise: "But you weren’t there in time. And I was so scared…-” Her voice trailed off as she dug her head onto Ira’s chest, as he anxiously listened on while she continued, “-I killed someone..." And in a desperate plea, she looked up at him.

  Cherise: "I can't do this anymore! I never wanted to hurt anyone, and the thought of what could happen to you, or Theo terrifies me!" She said nearly on a verge of tears, as she held onto him.

  In hopes of comforting Cherise, Ira extended his other hand to hold her. And before he could say anything, Cherise nestled her head onto his chest again before saying softly.

  Cherise: "Please, just let me stay like this for a little longer."

  At first, he was initially surprised for a second at her request. Making up his mind, he held onto her more closely, more gently, as he answered her request with only a single word.

  Ira: "Sure.-" And after giving it some thought, he leaned his head closer over to her ear to whisper softly, "-I'm sorry."

  For quite some time, Cherise held onto him longingly, as she bawled over what had happened. It was slightly selfish, but Ira had no intention of cutting her weeping short. With how he saw what happened, it was the least bit of comfort he could offer her in return.

  Seeing it as nothing less than his own fault, from Cherise’s shaken state, to Theo nearly bleeding out, all of it. He goaded them into coming, and they would’ve never been hurt if he hadn’t. Ira looked down at Cherise, angry with himself for allowing her to get hurt. Guilt stricken, he saw it as his failure, and he was adamant that it would not be repeated.

  ────────

  Later the same day, the two were still walking with Theo asleep at the back of the cart. They traveled on a dirt road surrounded by the Great Plains. On their path, and in the distance, Ira noticed something strange. Pointing out what he’d seen, he said.

  Ira: "You see that?" And looking where he pointed.

  Cherise: "I can't make it out from here."

  Neither of them wanting to be left in the dark on the matter forever, they headed towards the scattered objects on the road ahead. As they continued pulling the cart ever closer, slowly the obscured objects were revealing themselves for what they were. Her stomach dropped at the sight of their true identity.

  Cherise: "This is terrible… How could they have done something so awful!" She said despairingly.

  Laid before them were the wreckage of carts, scattered clothing, and worldly possessions. And among all these were the bodies of the refuges they’d earlier seen fleeing Kings Height. The bodies of these innocents wer
e spread out across the road and open plains.

  Cherise could hardly bare to see it, as Ira came closer to inspect one of the corpses. Kneeling next to one of the bodies, it was clear that this victim was not slain by any blade. At a glance, it appeared that all around them were corpses with similar injuries. Claw marks to familiar bite wounds that Cherise recognized instantly, as she said.

  Cherise: "It was Aijins that did this? All the way out here? How's that even possible?"

  Ira noticed a spear sticking out of one of the refugees bodies, with a crudely attached flag atop of it. Upon further inspection, the flag was baring the Aelaan signature symbol of the two moons. The makeshift flagpole protruding from corpses of one the refugees was just a cruel sign of the Aelaan's sense of humor, as it was also a means of them taking credit for the massacre before them.

  Pulling the spear out, Ira yelled in frustration as he threw it as far as he could. The noise woke Theo from his slumber, as he slowly started pulling himself up to look over the cart’s side. Holding onto one of his many wounds, he looked around, disoriented. And seeing that Theo was up, and moving so soon, Cherise was immediately concerned as she exclaimed aloud.

  Cherise: "Theo! You’re in no condition to move! You need to be laying down." But her request was ignored as Theo caught a glimpse of the remnants of the massacre.

  In shock of this sight, Theo stumbled off the cart, groaning as he picked himself back up. Still holding onto his side, he walked towards one of the deceased refugees. And without saying a word, Theo knelt down beside a fallen child before resting his head against the ground, as if he were apologizing for not saving them. He then cried out.

  Theo: "I can’t go back to the way things were! Not while the Aelaans continue to slaughter the innocent… I can't just go back to the Order to finish the trials, pretending this isn't happening!"

  He’s lucky he didn’t bleed out, and he’s thinking about chasing after them?!

  Cherise: "You're in no condition to fight with those wounds! You’ve lost a lot of blood as it is already. And we need to get you back to the Order where I can get you treated properly. That will also give you time to think this through. We still…" And Cherise stopped talking when she noticed Theo was weeping.

  What am I saying?... It can wait until later.

  Without saying another word, Cherise got beside her brother to place a consoling hand on his shoulder. Hoping that it’d help, it was the least bit of kindness that she could offer.

  CHAPTER 31 – FESTERING WOUNDS

  Not even a week’s time had passed after the three had left Kings Height behind them, as they were just making their way through the entrance of the temple grounds of the Order. Throughout the entirety of the journey on their way back, Theo had, and was still being dragged along in the cart by Ira. The injuries from the scattered cuts, and fever were more than enough reason for Theo to still be lying down. Nevertheless, with an exhausted expression, Ira looked back at Theo before complaining.

  Ira: "You owe me big time! You know that right?" He said lightheartedly through the frustration.

  And after hearing what Ira had to say, Theo let out an earnest laugh, but it was cut short due to a sharp pain in his side. Theo almost laughed further his reaction in his ridiculous state, but decided to settle for holding his sides like any other sane person would do under the circumstance. But Cherise couldn’t help but find the situation funny.

  Nice to see that even though they’re both beaten and tired, they’re still just as lively as ever.

  ────────

  The three continued making their way deeper into the temple grounds. And it didn't take long after they entered the courtyard for them to be noticed by Obi along with others in the Order. Obi had been frantically rubbing the back of his head in aggravation before he spotted them.

  ….It finally happened.

  Trying to hide her shock, and to her amazement, it appeared that Obi’s fears had finally become realized. It seemed that with all the frustration Obi had endured from the two over the years, he’d finally become bald. After seeing that she was also partially responsible for this latest endeavor, Cherise had immediately made up her mind never to speak of it. It was discretion of hers that was not quite shared by the others.

  As soon as he’d spotted the three, Obi started running over to them, as he yelled out.

  Obi: "Where on Ehya have you all been?!" And apparently lacking any sense of tact, Ira ignored the question and asked bluntly.

  Ira: “Obi, how long have you been bald?!”

  Oh, wow! Did he really?!

  Cherise felt obliged to blush on Ira’s behalf. And already quite upset as it is, Obi was some distance away when he reached out his hands towards Ira, making it look as if he wanted to strangle the young man, but instead settling for a loud frustrated grunting sound in response to the question. And doing his best to ignore Ira’s comment, upon closer inspection, Obi had mixed expressions on his face after seeing the state of the others. Letting out an audible sigh, he spoke in a disappointed and irritated tone.

  Obi: "I knew you three would do something stupid like this. I feel I should change my approach with you kids. Maybe I should ask you all in advance, if you intend on doing something you know is against the Order’s rules? Well?! Is there any other taboos of the Order you kids intend to break that I should know about?!"

  With no response from the three, Obi let out another aggravated grunt, as he covered his face in a pointless attempt to hide his frustration. A few awkward seconds passed before Obi let out a small laugh at the prospect of what he'd say next.

  Obi: "Well, I can tell you one thing for certain! It's going to be a tough to explain our way out of this one!" And always one for his impeccable timing, as if waiting for his cue, the old man’s yelling voice could be heard closing in.

  Keller: “There’s always something, isn’t it?! There’s always some kind of new mess you all make!! So what were you three doing this time!?!" The old man frustratingly said, as he waved his cane around.

  Why am I suddenly getting lumped in with all these accusations?... Wait, no, I guess it’s fair.

  Seeing that the old man had immediately lost his cool upon seeing them, Obi let out an exaggerated frown as Keller walked up to them. And ignoring Obi’s reaction, the old man sarcastically spoke to them.

  Keller: "Is there any other taboos you all intend to break that I should know about? I now feel I should be asking this in advance!" He said as Ira abruptly burst into laughter.

  Ira: “That's just like what Obi said!" And wide eyed after seeing he was somehow making light of the situation, Keller immediately replied back in a sharp tone.

  Keller: "Iranagi, shut up!" He said sternly, and only continuing to speak after he saw that Ira no longer found the situation humorous.

  Keller: "Well?! What happened?!" He demanded plainly of the entire group.

  The guilty appearance of the three alone was damning evidence unto itself.

  I better speak up quick, or he might end up getting really sore with us.

  Cherise: "I'm sorry, Keller. It’s just when we heard the news about the Aelaans preparing to attack another innocent town, we couldn't just stand by and do nothing. I’m su-" But before she could finish her thought, Keller cut her off.

  Keller: "You mean to say, these two knuckleheads dragged you into this, didn't they?" To which Ira and Theo gave Keller a nervous but guilty grin back.

  It was then when Keller noticed Cherise’s torn clothes, and the wounded state of the others. He looked at them with pity. The old man just sighed before continuing, after getting a good look at them.

  Keller: "Look, even with what happened to you three when you were younger, this kind of behavior will not be tolerated! I don't care about the situation, we have rules that must be followed!" And after he said this, Keller noticed something else as he started approaching Ira.

  The old man started swinging his cane, striking Ira continually, but clearly half-heartedly
, as he was spoke in annoyance.

  Keller: "And another thing! How many times do I have to tell you?! Wear your robe properly!" He said, seeming to have vented out all his frustrations for them in the moment.

  And turning around, he started to walk away before stopping to look over his shoulder with an unsettling yet serious expression.

  Keller: "If any of you ever break the Order's rules, and leave to fight again, don't bother returning." He said sternly before turning and taking his leave of the others.

  But as he was walking off, the old man raised his cane high, swinging it wildly as he yelled out once more.

  Keller: "And another thing, you're all grounded for a month! Seriously! You're all adults! This is pathetic!" Cherise giggled as Keller stormed off, knowing that the old man is terrible at hiding that he truly cares.

  It still looks like underneath that hard, stern-faced exterior of the irritated grumpy old man, Keller’s just as soft as he ever was. He’s still the same old kind-hearted grumpy grandpa Keller… But I can’t help but wonder if he’s also doing this out of regret from Ira’s and Obi’s punishment earlier.

  She couldn’t help but smile at the situation, but her feelings on the matter were not shared by the others. The rest of them were genuinely shocked and surprised that Keller hadn't issued a harsher punishment. Bewildered, Obi was the first to speak after Keller had left, as he spoke in earnest surprise of the situation.

  Obi: "Well, well, well, I definitely didn't see that coming.-" He said before turning to the three to scold them properly, putting on a forced yet displeased expression, he said, "-Just because Keller was lenient doesn't mean I'm not upset with you kids. How could you just leave without saying anything? You had to have known the risks you were taking." He was trying to speak sternly, but he was clearly hurt, and disappointed that they'd simply leave without his knowledge.