The Shadow of Death

by Timothy Smith

  Now I’m starting to feel really guilty about this. How could we just leave without even telling him? If something happened to us, uncle wouldn't have even known. No wonder why he’s so upset…

  Ira: "Look, as long as I was there with them, I would’ve made sure that both Theo and Cherise would return home safely." He said with assurance, but Obi responded with a strong rebuttal.

  Obi: "Ira, don’t! Just don't! You think I don't see the recent bandaging on your arms? Or Cherise’s ripped clothing?! Or how about Theo's present condition? With all due respect Theo, you look like shit!" Somehow brought into the conversation, Theo exclaimed back at the abrupt insult.

  Theo: "Hey!" He exclaimed, but his complaint was largely ignored by everyone.

  Well Obi certainly does have a point, but it’s probably best not to say anything.

  Ira was at a loss for words as Obi continued chastising him with a pointed finger.

  Obi: “I'm going to be honest with you kids. From what I’ve seen in my entire life, Theo is only second to Ira in swordsmanship. But even with that said, no amount of skill will save you from being a reckless fool! The way I see it, you're all lucky to be alive! And from the look of Cherise, maybe even worse! If you all weren’t so lucky, I wouldn't have had a clue as to what happened to any of you!" He said so uncharacteristically serious, which unsettled the others.

  And again, Cherise felt the need to apologize, lowering her head slightly as she spoke.

  Cherise: "I'm sorry, Uncle... It's just that we knew you would never allow us to leave, but even still you deserved to know. We should've told you." And seeing the sincerity of her words, he just shook his head.

  Obi: "Don't you three ever try another crazy stunt like this again! You kids may have not noticed, but with the world at war, you all have a good thing going on here… Try to keep that in mind." He said while still clearly upset, but trying to hide his emotions as he walked off, having said his peace on the matter.

  After Obi had left, to change the dampened mood a bit, Ira spoke lightheartedly.

  Ira: "Great job, Theo. Look at the trouble you got us into this time!"

  The others laughed at his comment, but once again Theo's laughter was cut short by a sharp pain at his side, followed by his grunting. His reaction just encouraged more guilty laughter from the others. And having her fill of giggling at the situation, Cherise got closer to Theo to say playfully.

  Cherise: "Well Theo, I hope you've had your fun, because as one of the Order’s designated healers, I'm not letting you to leave your bed for a month!" And trying to keep a smile, he replied sarcastically.

  Theo: "Yay... Sounds great." The others just laughed before helping Theo get to his living quarters.

  The days came and went, and over a month had passed since their return from Kings Height. During this time, over the strict eye of Cherise forcing him to stay in bed, Theo had almost fully recovered from his wounds. But similar to Ira, Theo now too bore scars of his own, forever a constant reminder of what transpired. And once word spread of Theo's wounds being fully healed, Keller summoned the three along with Obi, to explain the next step in their trials.

  ────────

  Keller had been waiting alongside four others in the Order, who diligently stood behind him as they waited patiently in the center of the courtyard. As Obi and the three arrived, it appeared that Ira was finally making an attempt to show some respect to the old man, wearing his robes properly when presenting himself in front of Keller. Truly a low bar that Ira alone had continually not met up until this point, but it was a start if nothing else. And when Keller had seen Ira was actually dressed properly, he inadvertently let out a small smile he immediately tried to conceal, before announcing to the four.

  Keller: "Well, your journey here hasn't been without its setbacks… But it is about time we have you start on the second phase of your trials. After this, there will be but one more stage left remaining. However like your last trial, I can assure you that this too will not be easy." For some reason, Keller didn't seem to be speaking nearly as enthusiastically as he had done so before with the last trial.

  Why does he seem so nervous today? He’s normally much more thrilled to talk about things like this. Something must be bothering him.

  The old man paused in his speech for no other reason than dramatic effect, as he raised his hand to his side, presenting the few others in the Order behind him.

  Keller: "This will be your trial, armed combat. Your skill will be tested by our most seasoned warriors here. If you do not meet my expectations after you had your chance to spar with them, I will see to it that you’ll be dismissed from the Order." Ira's taunting grin to the others in the Order after hearing this immediately irritated the old man, who said sharply back.

  So that’s why Keller’s was on edge…

  Keller: "You listen here, Iranagi. This is not something to take lightly! They will not go easy on you! Keep that in mind." Still keeping his smug grin, Ira dismissed the warnings as he responded confidently.

  Ira: "I'll try to keep that in mind, old man." His comment soured Keller’s disposition along with all the others behind him.

  It’s no wonder why Ira’s so riled up, but does he really have to provoke them like that?

  Turning around to whisper to those in the Order behind him, Keller spoke to them.

  Keller: "Do not go easy on the young man. Teach him respect!" He whispered before regaining his composure, and turning back to face the others.

  Keller: "Since you're so confident Iranagi, how about you go first? Choose any of these four to be your opponent."

  All of the men behind Keller could be counted among those in the Order who resented their presence there. To add to his distaste of them, Ira knew they were among those who laughed on as he was lashed. It was the fact of who they really were, which is why Ira showed a nearly immediate disrespectful attitude. Though it was little more than a month behind him, the memory was still fresh in Ira's mind, as he sneered at the sight of them.

  Ira started eyeing all the four behind Keller, considering who really deserved to be humiliated the most. His demeanor seemed to sour all the more as he looked on at the four others in the Order. Even now, every one of them still looked back at him in disgust, and contempt, as they anxiously glared at Ira. With a few seconds of thought after looking over the others, Ira put on a confident yet challenging grin, as he tauntingly proclaimed back.

  Ira: "Why only one?! I'll take you all on at once, by myself!” His bold statement was head turning to everyone within earshot, as they looked at him in astonishment.

  Feeling the immediate need to intervene, Cherise yelled towards Ira in a disappointed rebuke.

  Cherise: "Ira, no! What are you thinking?! You don't have to do this!.." Boiling with anger, Keller cut her pleas off short, as he proclaimed loudly.

  Keller: "No, It's too late for that, Cherise! There’s no way I can overlook such an outrageous comment! It's about time Iranagi learned some respect!-" And in a stern tone, the old man continued yelling at Ira specifically, "-How many times have I been lenient with you?! Since you've arrived, I've been patient with you for over these past ten years, and even now you still show such blatant disrespect?!" And looking back to his four subordinates in the Order behind him, Keller didn’t temper the volume of his voice when he ordered them further.

  Keller: "Get the metal practice weapons!-" He said before turning back to Ira, and saying further, "-Once wasn't enough I see. It still appears that you need to learn your lesson the hard way! We’ll see for ourselves if your tongue is as sharp as your skills."

  Keller said while looking in disappointment at Ira, but the more he stared at the defiant young man, the more his disappointment was slowly being overcome by his anger. As the four from the Order went to gather the metal practices weapons as requested by Keller, Obi spoke to Ira in a frustrated disappointment.

  Obi: "Do you always have to pick a fight?! What are you thinking? Are you really so t
hick skulled? No matter how this turns out it'll bring nothing but trouble! On one hand, if you lose, I’m sure Keller will not be so forgiving. You will have failed the trials on terms, you, yourself have made. You’ll be kicked out of the Order! And on the other hand, if by some divine act you actually win, you'll have disgraced the others in the Order. They’ll be harboring even more resentment towards you! Now go over there, and beg Keller to reconsider!"

  And unable to control himself, Obi tried to smack Ira on the back of the head, but his hand was caught. Holding Obi's hand in place, Ira gave him an angered yet determined look before speaking back.

  Ira: "I'm just returning the favor from before. They've never accepted us here, and they likely never will. Barely a month had passed since those same four were laughing at my lashings! They couldn’t have cared less that I was defending Cherise! And the truth is since then, I've been waiting for an opportunity to like this to come." And throwing Obi's hand aside, Ira continued to speak with resentment.

  Ira: "You're mistaken Obi, no matter what happens, they would devise another reason to hate us, like they always have." In shock, with defeated hands up, Obi walked back from Ira.

  Obi: "I'm done with trying to clean up after your messes. Whatever comes of this is on your head alone! Just don't involve the others in your childish quest for vengeance!" He said with a pointed yet warning finger, before leaving in a fit.

  All the while, Cherise was getting closer to Ira. And placing her hand on his shoulder, she spoke her mind.

  Cherise: "Please tell Keller you've changed your mind. It's just like Obi said; No good can come from this!"

  And although her words rung true, this time around, Ira clearly had no intentions to back down. The anger and resentment he held had festered inside him for far too long.

  CHAPTER 32 – WRATH

  As they awaited the return of the four seasoned warriors from the Order, Ira and Cherise continued discussing Ira’s heated provocations to Keller and the others. And even though his anger boiled inside him, Ira did his best to conceal his outward emotions for Cherise’s sake. And appearing to be keeping a level head, he continued speaking to her.

  Ira: "We deserve to be here, Cherise. You’ve seen it for yourself. To prove our worth, we’ve trained harder than any of the others. Both me and Theo, are clearly the best fighters the Order has to offer. And what have they done? What have they said? They say we don't belong, they call us scum, trash. They’ve even so bold to have said to our faces that they'd wish us dead. You've heard it yourself. You know they aren’t idle threats. And you know all too well that they've even gone so far to have drawn their blades against us." Cherise didn’t deny his allegations when she replied.

  Cherise: "We'll get through this, like we always have. It’s as I told Theo, we'll still always have each other to rely on! Ever since Obi took us in, we've had a home here with each other, and we still can. So please..." Her pleas were starting to make Ira lose his nerve.

  The more Ira found himself looking on at Cherise, the more he was losing his resolve. Turning his head to Theo, to get a second opinion on the matter, he asked.

  Ira: "What do you think?”

  Having remained silent the entire time, Theo actively thought on the situation, as he still had plenty of resentment for the Order himself. After giving the situation some more thought, he replied to Ira’s question.

  Theo: "There's no denying that they deserve a good beating. And if nothing else, know that I also want to put them in their place just as much as you do, but what will come of it? To get a little payback you'd not only make your own life here, but Cherise's life here even more difficult!" Ira was at a loss for words when Cherise turned her attention to Theo, now concerned of another matter now as she asked.

  Cherise: "What do you mean, Theo? Just Ira and me? Where are you in all of this? You really are intending to leave?" Theo just gave an affirming look back at her, saying nothing.

  That look in his eye, he’s really intending on going through with it. I don’t understand why he’d choose to leave now of all times. Just when they’re both so close to becoming full fledged members.

  While the three were discussing these matters amongst themselves, Keller’s four subordinates were returning. Each of the men who had returned carried a dulled metal practice sword, with the exception of one in particular who carried a metal pole as his weapon of choice. Although the makeshift weapons were dulled, they were clearly sturdy enough to do some real damage. When they arrived, the seasoned fighters stopped just behind Keller, before throwing two metal practice swords at Ira's feet, which were similar in style to the black fangs he was so accustomed to.

  After arriving, the four senior warriors in the order remained diligently behind their leader, as they awaited their next orders, but they certainly weren't alone on their return. The men were followed by many more from the Order, likely all the others who tagged along were persuaded by the four to witness Ira’s sure to come beating. After one of the men threw the practice swords at Ira's feet, the old man wasted no time in proclaiming.

  Keller: "When I told you that we were going to begin your next trials, I initially had no intention of it being held today. I was going to wait to give you the ample time to prepare, but I've changed my mind. Such arrogance needs to be addressed quickly! There will be no ceremony, no preconditions, all of the traditions we have seem to have are broken all too often by you, yourself, without you so much as batting an eye to merit such formalities."

  The old man said, glaring at Ira as he was awaiting a response, and with no defense given, Keller’s patience with him was wearing thin. Keller clenched his fist before looking towards the ever growing crowd around, all of them, waiting anxiously to see Ira get put in his place once again.

  Looking back at Cherise one last time, Ira found the strength in himself to swallow his pride, before looking back at the old man. And restraining himself as much as he could, Ira painfully uttered the following words.

  Ira: "Keller, let's just have the one on one match like you mentioned earlier." And the old man responded sharply.

  Keller: "It's too late now, Iranagi! For years you've tested my patience! It’s been far too much! Your blatant disrespect will not go unpunished. Not today! You will learn your place and be humbled, even if that means we’ll need to have some sense beaten into you!-" And pointing to the ground, Keller proclaimed, "-The next stage in your trials will take place right here, right now!"

  After hearing that Keller refused to back down, Ira felt an ill-begotten relief come over him. His chains unshackled, Ira no longer felt the need to restrain himself. And as a clear sign of disrespect, Ira grinned tauntingly towards the old man as he unfastened the upper portion of his robe before throwing them to his sides.

  Keller boiled with rage so fiercely his body trembled. After seeing yet another affront to their leader, the four behind him were all the more anxious to put Ira in his place, as they awaited for Keller's approval to begin the trial. And matching their eagerness, Ira prepared for his fight to come by throwing his sheathed black fangs over to Theo for safekeeping.

  And removing all doubt that he genuinely relished the fact that Keller denied his request, Ira grabbed ahold the metal practice swords before him, as he confidently and tauntingly proclaimed.

  Ira: "That's fine old man! I was actually hoping you'd say that! After all…-" He said before speaking in a much more hushed and menacing voice, "-I was looking forward to get the chance to beat down your rabid dogs’, just like I did with Oland."

  He’s taking this way too far! And not to mention it’s way too reckless! Challenging four of the Order’s most seasoned warriors! How much anger must you have inside you, Ira, to do all this?...

  Looking back at Cherise, Ira saw the concern on her face, and he smiled before speaking softly to her.

  Ira: "I'll be alright, Cherise. I promise." And not fully convinced on the matter, she reluctantly backed away.

  Following through on his words,
Keller abruptly and unceremoniously started the trial, as he waved the four to start moving towards Ira. And as they surrounded him on all sides, the old man yelled out.

  Keller: "Ira needs to be made an example of, don’t hold back! Beat him until I tell you to relent! His trial starts now!" His words immediately led to ill-intentioned cheers of the others in the Order who looked on.

  Preparing themselves for the coming fight, the four men started encircling Ira on all sides. The crowd cheered Ira’s coming defeat, which only further emboldened his defiance. That’s when Cherise saw the shadowy fiend emerging from Ira’s back. Although surrounded, it was made clear by Ira's taunting grin that he wasn't in the least bit worried of his situation, but in fact, he was reveling in it.

  Ira wouldn't be giving the others a chance to start the coming fight on their terms. Quickly turning around, Ira lunged at the man who stood behind him. In an instant, he swung one of his weapons in an upward arc, striking his opponent’s sword, sending it skyward as it sailed into the air. Following through on his initial strike, with full strength behind his next blow, Ira mercilessly struck his unarmed opponents gut with his other blunted weapon, sending him reeling in pain to the ground.

  After dispatching his first opponent so easily, Ira stood tall as he looked threateningly to the remaining three. A momentary unsettling silence fell over the entire scene, after just witnessing such a brutal display. Everyone was in shock, not just at Ira's unnecessarily callous actions, but they were also amazed at how swiftly he was able to deal with one of their four most seasoned warriors.

  Is this what you really want, Ira? To earn their respect out of fear?...

  That aside, I always knew you were talented, but to best one of the most skilled members of the Order so easily, I wouldn’t have thought it possible.

  However, Ira's actions had an entirely different response from the crowd. All of them were immediately infuriated by his display. Now having all the more reason to detest Ira even further, they yelled their curses and slurs at him.