And if it wasn’t made clear enough already, by now, all of them knew Ira was hell-bent on seeking vengeance for how they’d been treated in the Order till this point. In his eyes, this was a great opportunity to vent out his frustrations, and he couldn’t care less what the others in the Order think about it.
Without so much as saying a word, Ira rushed towards the other three, heading at them straight on. The closest man swung his polearm, while another holding his sword closed in on Ira from behind. In full sprint, Ira slid under the polearm’s swing, and getting beneath its wielder, he quickly got back to his feet to stare down the man down point blank.
Ira firmly grabbed ahold of the man wielding the polearm before throwing him over his shoulder, and towards the swordsman who was still in full swing. Ira’s sudden maneuver forced the swordsman’s swing to land on his partner as they collided with one another, forcing both of them to the ground. Seeing they were momentarily dealt with, Ira doubled back from the two to follow through with his assault, as he charged towards the last man standing.
Using his fellow partner as a weapon against the other man was an intentional humiliating display for the two. The bold, but rash action made it all the more clear in the moment, that Ira couldn’t care less about the consequences of bringing his opponents to such shame. He not only wanted to defeat these men who looked upon him with contempt over the years, but he also aimed to utterly humiliate them in the process.
Ira’s movements and attacks were so fluid, it was almost like he had preemptively rehearsed the fight. And although the others in the Order knew of Ira’s extraordinary talent in swordsmanship, they never quite grasped the full extent of his unique quality and skill in this art. Nor for that matter, did anyone else.
The last man had prepared himself for Ira's charge, standing firm as he swung his blade in his defense. His movements had already been predicted. Ira easily dodged his opponents swing before following through with his own attack. With pinpoint precision, Ira brought down one of his own blunted weapons onto his opponent’s hands. It was a deliberate strike intended solely to disarm his last standing opponent, instead of simply overcoming him.
Now with his opponent defenseless, Ira changed his hands to carry his makeshift swords position to that of their broadsides. With an uncontrolled rage, Ira let out all his pent up fury on his foe, unrelenting, as he continued striking his opponent left and right, again and again. Each blow he did from one side to the other, with the intention of keeping his defenseless opponent still standing, for no other reason than to justify his continued attacks, until Ira finally slammed the side of the man’s head, knocking him unconscious to the ground.
After noticing one of the two men behind him starting to get back to his feet, Ira rushed back. After arriving to the man who hadn’t even been fully standing, Ira kicked his face with his full might, which once again, violently forced him to the ground.
At the sight of everything that was unfolding, the crowd was whipped into a wild frenzy. And seeing that the crowds were wanting to get involved in the action themselves, Keller stepped forward. And fearing that things would quickly escalate to the spilling of blood, without saying a word, Keller walked towards Ira before grabbing his hand, and raising it high. It was solely a means of proclaiming that the fight had a clear winner.
Worried that Keller's intervention would not stop the crowd, Cherise and Theo grabbed Ira's arms, helping to restrain him as the old man yelled out to everyone.
Keller: "Back, back! However the trials took place, the conditions of the fight were not broken! Restrain yourselves!" He was also saying this as a reminder to himself, as it was clear he too was desperately trying to hold back his own anger.
Still riled up, Ira looked challengingly at the crowds around. His continued hot temper was only encouraged by the nonstop curses and profanities they hurled. Ira was more than willing to continue the fight they were goading him into, as he tried pulling himself free of the others.
Ira: "After all these years, have I not proved my worth!? Even now, after proving I could best four of our own! This is how you respond!?!" He was pulled back by a firm tug at his arm, before he looked back to see it was Cherise who’d done so.
Still tugging at Ira's arm, Cherise saw how the shadowy fiend on Ira's back changed drastically. Its form was now more similar to the monster she’d witnessed accompanying Razkaul, years ago. She leaned over to Ira, pleading with him.
Cherise: "Please, that’s enough! Let’s just go already!" And Ira looked back and saw how hurt she was by his actions.
Ashamed of what he had done to her, Ira's resolve started to melt. And deciding to give in to her wishes, he allowed himself to be pulled aside from the angry crowd. To make light of the otherwise heated situation, as they were leaving, Theo spoke up.
Theo: "Well done Ira, well done. I think they like you now." He said casually, but Ira was in no mood for his jokes, as he kept silent, restraining his anger.
Having kept her eyes fixated on Ira the entire time, Cherise noticed that his shadowy fiend was slowly disappearing right after the moment he looked at her. It was the kind of sign she needed to see.
Even with everything that’s happened over the years, it still looks like there’s hope for us yet…
CHAPTER 33 – TRUTH
Several days had passed since Ira's last trial, and as tensions in the Order were still high, it appeared Theo had somehow seemed forgotten. In addition, during this same time since Ira’s ruthless display, the three had been keeping a low profile, with Keller not so much as even approaching them.
One of these days during this time the sun was shining brightly overhead when Cherise noticed Ira and Theo together, sitting side by side, near the temple grounds entrance. The two of them were looking over the mountains sloped descent, staring at the ocean of clouds below, as they were previously discussing a matter with one another.
And while she walked closer to the two, Cherise saw Ira’s black fangs on his side. It wasn’t particularly unusual, but since the last incident, he had never parted from them. The two were likely, for a multitude of reasons, looking out in contemplation, as they stared at the clouds below. Their concentrations broke when they heard Cherise walking up from behind them. And also having something weighing on her mind, she sat down beside Ira.
Cherise: "So... I haven't seen Keller for some time... It's been a whole week since your last trials Ira, and Theo hasn't even had his!" She said before sighing briefly, and giggling after a thought suddenly came to her mind, before continuing.
Cherise: "We sure have come a long way since we first got here, haven’t we? And even though we've grown up, we still keep managing to get ourselves into the same old messes, time and time again." She said with an innocent yet mischievous smile, poking fun at Ira.
The others couldn’t help but let out a short burst of laughter. Both of them responded in a similar like, agreeing with her. And with an exaggeratingly wide mischievous grin, she got closer to Ira.
Cherise: "…We've grown up, but we keep managing to get into the same old messes, time and time, and time again."
Laughing at Ira’s expense, Theo found Cherise’s repeated joke all the more hilarious the second time. And as for Ira himself, after seeing her teasing smile back at him, he also couldn’t help but laugh along with the others. And after some time, Ira had his fill of guilty laughter, as he smiled back at Cherise.
Ira: "Okay, I'll admit it. I may have made things a little bit worse." And looking at Ira with a raised eyebrow, Theo had to chime into the conversation.
Theo: "May have? A little? Ha!-“ He said playfully with a lighthearted expression, as he continued, “-I can still picture the first guy’s face you hit in the gut... Priceless." He said while trying to imitate the face the man had, eyes crossed, mouth extended, which gave the three another good laugh.
I can’t believe I’m laughing! But the face he made was so ridiculous… I’m such a terrible person!
She thought
to herself in guilty pleasure, as she continued laughing about it. And trying to take her mind off her the whole ordeal, Cherise realized something before smiling to the two.
Cherise: "Isn’t this nice?...” She said before she was abruptly interrupted by Theo.
Theo: “What? Ira kicking peoples butts?” He said with a smile of his own, and Ira couldn’t help but laugh at that too.
Cherise: “No…” She said while trying to hide a smile of her own before continuing on with her point.
Cherise: “It feels like it’s been ages since we’ve just been able to sit together, having fun like we used to.-“ And nearly chuckling at the thought, she said, “-Even if we're laughing about Ira beating someone up again." She said teasingly, with a mischievous grin, which Ira seemed more than happy to oblige her comment by boasting about it.
Ira: "And I wasn't even trying!" He said confidently, puffing out his chest.
But neither Theo nor Cherise were particularly convinced by his statement, as they looked back at him suspiciously, which led to a momentarily awkward silence. And seizing the opportunity to lighten the mood, Cherise playfully jumped on Ira to start tickling him.
Cherise: "Didn't even try, huh? Who do you think you're fooling?"
Theo chuckled at Ira’s expense, after seeing he was laughing uncontrollable. Theo couldn’t help but find it somewhat funny, that even though Ira was such an impressive fighter, he was totally defenseless to Cherise's tickling onslaught.
Being well pleased with herself making Ira almost laugh to tears, Cherise finally relented her assault. Justifiably satisfied that she was able to have a little bit of payback, even if in fun, for all the trouble he'd brought her recently. And pulling himself up, Ira smiled as he looked back at Cherise.
Ira: "And they think I was harsh with the others during the trials. They have no idea." To which Cherise gave him another wide mischievous grin in return.
Looking towards the others, Theo spoke up in a much more serious tone.
Theo: "Cherise, while we were here, another merchant brought news with him, as he came and went to sell his supplies." To which she listened intently, already having a good idea of where this was leading.
Theo: "The Aelaans are continuing their conquest with no end in sight. And we already know more than anyone what they're capable of. What they've done." Fairly confident in what Theo was trying to say, Cherise felt obligated to respond.
Cherise: "Theo, don't go. I know what you’re saying is true, but there’s something bigger at stake than this war…” She paused after realizing how bold of a statement it was, and seeing the curious looks from the others, she continued.
I’ve kept this secret too long. It’s now or never…
To the others, she seemed unusually nervous before she spoke again.
Cherise: “What I’m about to tell you both may sound crazy, but you have to listen!... Since the first day we arrived here at the Order, something's not been right, something’s been terribly wrong… There’s been a beast lurking in the shadows, hiding its intentions, concealing its presence.” Based on their time at the Order, her remark was an obvious hint to what she alluded to.
She stopped again for a moment, unsure how her pent up words admission over the years would finally be taken. And resolving herself, she continued with a hint of fear in her voice.
Cherise: “A sinister and unnatural evil is at work here… The Darkness from the legends we all heard so much about, is alive and well!”
Cherise: “I can feel it… I can see it…” Her face was pale, as she seemed to relive the horrifying moments, before mustering up the nerve to continue.
Cherise: “Waiting for the right moment to reveal itself, it hides in the shadows, going unnoticed by most." She spoke in an unnervingly serious tone, as she looked back at the Order’s temple.
Both of the others were amazed by her sudden admission. Of the two of them, Ira had to verify if she was being sincere.
Ira: "Cherise, you can't be serious, can you?" He asked of her wholeheartedly, but Theo answered on her behalf.
Theo: "I've seen it too!-“ And seeing Ira’s expression, he said firmly, “-I know how it must sound, but there's an unnatural presence at work here, and no one else seems to have noticed it…” And somewhat dreading his conclusion on the matter, he continued speaking ominously.
Theo: “There’s no doubt left in my mind, the legend is true! The Darkness has already started making its move, and if we're not careful, we might end up being consumed in its wake." And facing the west, he walked a few feet forward before looking out at the sky for a moment, and speaking further.
Theo: "I can’t help thinking that the Aelaans renewed conquest, and the darkness stirring, are somehow linked?... But would it even matter?! It doesn't change the fact that there are still innocents being struck down by the blade, with every passing day. Towns and villages, burned! Children made orphans, slaves, or they’re killed in cold blood! All of this, to what end? To quell the Aelaans insatiable pursuit of power?! They’ve proven, time and again, they’ll never stop." And turning back to Ira and Cherise, he continued to say more softly.
Theo: "Cherise, that one time at the cliff before you came, I saw something. And if I were to describe it out loud, you two might think me mad.-“ He said with a lighthearted chuckle before continuing, “-But it was clear as day...” He gave an abrupt stop to his thought, as a means to justify himself changing topics.
Theo: “For as long as I could remember, I only ever lived for myself. It’s about time I started living for others. I have to go. I know this is what I was meant to do."
…You know the truth of what’s happening, and this is the path you’ve chosen?
Speechless, Ira was continually surprised with every other word spoken from the others. And giving it a few seconds for Theo's words to sink in, with complete sincerity, she solemnly replied back.
Cherise: "I hope you're right." She said to him with a reassuring smile, before turning her attention to Ira.
Cherise: "Are you planning to leave too?" She said while selfishly grabbing ahold of Ira's arm, and holding onto him longingly, practically begging him to say no.
Needing a moment to process everything he heard from the others, Ira chuckled at the sudden change in topic in their conversation. Accepting the previous matter was dealt with, Ira had a distant look in his eyes, as he thought on her question. Looking out to the clouds once again, he spoke as if his following words were intended for himself.
Ira: "It feels like I’ve been wanting revenge against the Aelaans for as long as I can remember... But, I hadn't forgotten what happened last time I put you into harm’s way." And glancing at Cherise briefly, it was clear the memory of what transpired at Kings Height still weighed heavily on his mind.
He rose to his feet before slowly walking away, and with his back turned, Ira offered some parting words.
Ira: "Before the sun rises tomorrow morning, I'll give you an answer." He said, giving a parting wave.
CHAPTER 34 – COMMITMENT
It was already night, and Cherise was in her room preparing to sleep, as she used her candle light to start grabbing some appropriate clothes to sleep in. Already up later than she’s regularly used to, she pouted.
I can't believe Ira’s still not given me an answer yet! So much for his promise!
Right before Cherise was about to change into her sleeping attire, she heard a thud outside wall of her living quarters. The sound was followed by another, and another as she approached her window to investigate. Sticking her head out her window, to her surprise, Cherise saw Ira just beside her. And just after Cherise popped her head out, Ira leaned closer to her to speak under a hushed breath.
Ira: "I told you I would give you an answer before the sunrise, didn't I?" He said while extending a hand to help her climb down her window, and sneak out.
On first impression, Cherise wasn’t too thrilled with the idea, seeing that it was already the dark of night.
R
eally, in the middle of the night?... But I suppose one time wouldn’t hurt.
With a smile, after making up her mind, she accepted his hand. Holding onto Cherise’s hand the entire time as he helped her down, Ira then started leading her off the temple grounds, as he spoke with an excited anticipation.
Ira: "I have something I've been meaning to show you. And I figured that now’s as good as time as any." Excited, curious, but nervous at the prospect, she asked him back.
Cherise: "Outside the Order? But it's already so dark. I can hardly even see where we're going." And taking into consideration the nervousness behind her question, he responded back gleefully.
Ira: "Just trust me, and you’ll see for yourself that you’d be glad you came."
His heartfelt smile erased any of Cherise's uncertainty, as she held onto his hand firmly, deciding to oblige him in his wishes.
────────
After a few hours of walking later, Ira had taken Cherise to the life giver tree, which resided besides the cliff’s edge over the Forest of Giants. True to how magical the tree itself appeared, the life giver tree’s leaves were luminescent, and the water glowed blue as Cherise looked on in wonder. As it would any, the sight immediately got her attention, as it was a magnificent wonder to behold which completely captivated her.
Seeing the tree in all its glory instantly made Cherise satisfied in her decision for trusting Ira, and coming with him. With her gleeful joy, she happily spoke to him.
Cherise: "This is amazing! So this is what you wanted to show me?" Unable to hold back his enthusiasm after seeing her reaction, he answered.
Ira: "It gets even better.” He said mysteriously as he gently pulled on Cherise’s hand, guiding her towards the tree.
Ira: "Watch out. It's easy to slip in at night." He said, seemingly as a means to give himself an excuse to help her across.
The Shadow of Death Page 24