by Tony Johnson
“I joined because ever since I was a kid, I knew this is what I wanted to do with my life,” Caesar spoke up. “I am the seventh generation of men in my family. All my forefathers were warriors and I want to follow in their footsteps. Not too close though,” he clarified and then revealed, “every single one of them died at an early age.”
“Your father is dead?” Quintis asked, surprised. You've never told us that.”
“He died when I was four. That's another part of the reason I wanted to become a warrior. I want to create a worthy legacy he never got the chance to. What about you Quintis?”
“Well I wish my reasons were as noble as both of yours,” he looked from Titus to Caesar, “but the reason I became a warrior was because I knew I needed to work and support a family someday. When I thought of what I wanted to do for a career, nothing sounded more fun than being a warrior. I'd rather have something new and exciting every day rather than doing the same monotonous work.”
“Providing for family is still an admirable reason,” Caesar encouraged him.
Now that the three others had explained why they wanted to be warriors, they turned to Malorek.
“How about you Malo? Why'd you join?”
“I had nowhere else to go but the warriors. I lived in a terrible orphanage growing up. My foster parents were a mess, my father especially. He was always angry and the constant amount of alcohol he consumed only fueled that anger. He beat us kids and left bruises and scars. None of us could fight back because we were kept malnourished. I was powerless to do anything, but I knew becoming a warrior was my access to power. I’ll be able to prevent people like him from hurting innocent people. I can be a voice for the voiceless. Like you said Titus,” he turned to the Elf, “‘a chance to make a difference.’ It is our job to be enforcers of justice. To make an example out of the people who don’t respect the law so that everyone knows that evil will not stand in this city or this kingdom.”
“Our views are quite different from yours then,” Titus shook his head, not allowing Malorek to equate his own beliefs to his own.
“How do you figure?” Malorek asked condescendingly.
“You view the warriors as a weapon against injustice. You think that instilling fear in the people by making an example of lawbreakers will be what helps keep order. People already live in fear of the monsters, they don’t need to live in fear of warriors too. I see us more like a tool rather than a weapon. Being role models for the people, leaders who by example show the right way to live. If we can teach people to respect each other, then they’ll respect the law.”
“But the only way you get respect is through fear,” Malorek’s voice rose in an argumentative tone as he shifted his seat on the sandy beach. “Think about monsters. They won’t attack us because they know that if they do, we’ll kill them. They’re scared of us. It’s the same way with the people. They need to know that if they break the law, we’ll make them pay for it.”
“I don’t agree with that,” Titus responded, to which Quintis and Caesar looked at each other and smiled, enjoying the debate between the two bunkmates. “Let’s say there’s a bank with someone’s gold and a dragon who’s guarding it. Respect would be not stealing the gold because you wouldn’t want someone to steal from you, so why do it to someone else? If everyone agreed to that principle, the dragon would not even be needed.”
Caesar chimed in, seeing what Titus was saying and presenting it differently because based on the look on Malorek’s face, he could tell the Human didn’t seem to understand. “If the warriors, or in this case, the dragon, were gone, then there’d be no fear of consequence. What would be in place to stop people from breaking the law? Nothing. That’s why respect is needed. It goes beyond just having people follow the rules. It connects us all and calls for each one of us to act morally whether or not somebody is watching.”
“You’re both being too idealistic. Reality has proven to us that people aren’t morally right,” Malorek used air quotes around his final two words to mock Caesar as if it the proposed concept was unattainable. “You haven't lived the life I've lived. You haven’t seen what I’ve seen. For thirteen years I lived in that orphanage and the one thing I learned is that people are evil. They are crooks, bullies, liars, and abusers. They deserve to be punished before they make innocent people suffer from their actions.
“Take my foster father for example. There’s only one way to stop people like that. And respect isn’t gonna do a thing. Some people refuse to obey the law. Jail cells are never going to change them. They are beyond help.”
This time, Quintis was about to speak up, but Malorek cut him off and continued ranting, “You guys are letting minor issues get in the way of the bigger picture here. Whether people respect the law or fear it, it doesn’t matter. All I know is that evil will always exist and it’s a warrior’s job to prevent it as much as possible. As long as I’m alive, I’m gonna make as much as a difference that I can. And if that means people need a rude awakening, maybe even to the point of death because they refuse to change their ways, then I’ll be the one to see that it is carried out. If you were real warriors, you’d do the same.”
“Malorek, listen to me,” Quintis spoke assertively so he wouldn’t be interrupted again. “Your beliefs are skewed. You’re using the sword to combat the evils of society rather than proven, effective means like religion or education. This fear that you think we as warriors need to cause in civilians is something only you want to see. I can understand it, you grew up in a dark place, but this quick temper, this anger you hold inside of you, you have to let go of it. People make mistakes, but they’re redeemable. I agree with you that not all are, but you have to give them a chance. The more you let this ideology get out of control, the more you’re gonna turn into the very thing you despise.”
“None of you understand!” Malorek gave up sharpening his swords. “The best way to rule is through fear. When I am seen on patrol, civilians will fear me. They will straighten up and behave how they’re supposed to. If they don’t, there will be consequences. Everyone will respect my power and obey my authority because they fear my name and position.” With that, Malo rose with wet sand caking his feet and ankles. He angrily tried brushing it off as he walked away from his friends.
They all think they’re better than me. They live in a fantasy world where everyone bows down to them and acts in accordance with the law all because they lead by perfect moral example. Sooner or later they’ll learn life isn’t as black and white as they think it is.
Over the next six months, Malorek's relationship with his three friends deteriorated. He stopped eating meals with them and eventually refused to speak to them. His anger was exacerbated when Caesar began dating Sarah, who had told the Elf about her feelings for him. Malorek’s selfish lie from The Piping Stack was exposed, but Malo felt like he was the victim and that Caesar had betrayed him by dating the woman he liked.
Quintis remained involved with his long-time girlfriend, and Titus had begun a relationship with a librarian named Olivia. Even though the three trainees spent what little free time they had with their significant others, that didn't mean they didn't attempt to keep their friendship with Malorek alive. Titus, Quintis, and Caesar had tried on numerous occasions to include Malorek in their extracurricular activities, but Malorek had declined all their invitations. Each of the three even tried to hang out with him one on one, but Malorek avoided those situations as well.
At the end of Boot Camp, Malorek, Titus, Caesar, Quintis, and eighty-five other trainees entered into the second and final stage of Warrior Training. Trainees now had four years to complete a variety of beginner, intermediate, and expert level classes. The majority of trainees needed all four years to attend the classes and pass all the exams, but it was possible to do it in one year if every class was taken during a hectic schedule and each exam was passed the first time.
Malorek was the first trainee in Celestial's history to fulfill all the requiremen
ts within a year. He decided to serve as a land warrior, rather than aerial or naval, and was drafted to a Celestial watchtower with the graduating class of the year 973.
This is the greatest day of my life, he thought as his official set of armor and weapons were presented to him. Along with the sixty others he graduated with, they all commenced their warrior careers by reciting the Warrior's Oath which they had to memorize by heart.
“A warrior I am,
an honor I have earned,
I've passed the tests I've been given,
and won't forget what I’ve learned.
Each day I swear this solemn oath
we call the Warrior's Creed,
to protect the weak and helpless
and serve anyone in need.
I'll denounce the morally wrong
and stand for what is right.
Let my character be an example
in men, women, and children's sight.
These are the people who I defend
no matter what the cost.
I refuse to see this kingdom crumble
or to see its citizens lost.
I’ll vanquish the forces of darkness
in air, on sea, or land
with the armor on my body
and the weapon in my hand.
As warriors we stand together
united we are strong,
our bond shall never be broken,
a brotherhood for all lifelong.
These words, I speak them true,
I'll honor them till death.
I bind myself unto this pledge
until my final breath.”
Unlike Malorek, who had no friends or personal life, Titus, Quintis, and Caesar took their time to graduate since they each had to balance their relationships with their studies.
In the five years inbetween Malorek graduating from the warriors and killing his orphanage parents, Titus and Sarah got married and had two sons, Darren and Ty; Quintis married and had a daughter named Kari; and Titus married Olivia but had not been blessed with any children, although they were trying.
Malorek secretly kept tabs on them all, wanting to know what was happening in their lives. Each time one of them got married, each time one of them had a child, and each time one of them received recognition for doing something brave on patrol, he grew envious. His anger towards the three never subsided. In fact, it grew more and more as time passed. They seemed happier and happier, while he got more depressed and neurotic.
At the age of twenty-two, on the same night that Malorek killed his foster parents, the first of the three fell victim to his hate.
Chapter 74
“Honey, wake up! Someone's knocking at the front door.”
Sarah's panicked voice sent Caesar's heart racing before he even opened his eyes.
“At this hour, something must be wrong,” his wife added, having been awoken in the middle of a stormy night. Flashes of lightning lit up the couple’s bedroom window as heavy rain pounded the roof.
“Stay here,” Caesar cautioned, before getting out of bed and quickly heading to the door. Along the way, he grabbed one of the two swords next to his bed in case he needed to defend himself and his home. “I'm coming! I'm coming!” He responded, annoyed at the frantic knocking.
Caesar, now twenty-two, and sporting a month-old beard, was beginning his third year of working full-time as a warrior. He also took care of his family, which included his wife and two sons. He needed all the rest he could get and being jolted out of a deep sleep was his least favorite way to be awakened.
“What is it?” he asked, while still in the process of opening the door. “Oh, hello captain,” Caesar corrected his tone upon seeing his superior.
“Canard, the other captains and I are gathering as many warriors from our watchtower as possible. Joel Bennett, one of our city patrol warriors, has been killed, by another warrior no less,” the captain shook his head in disgust. “Bennett and his partner were arriving at a disturbance report at an orphanage earlier today. When they arrived, a warrior decapitated the Dwarven foster father there and killed the mother. He then threw a dagger into the throat of Bennett, killing him.”
“Did anyone see who the murderer was?” Caesar asked, ushering the captain to step inside the doorframe to get out of the heavy rain.
“Unfortunately, no, and the children were all too scared to talk. There was a boy, an eight-year-old Dwarf, who saw him, but the kid didn't say anything to us. The most he said was that he talked to the warrior before the attack and the warrior mentioned he used to live at the orphanage.”
Caesar's eyes widened as he instantly recalled the Boot Camp conversations in which Malorek discussed his hatred of his foster parents. Caesar, however, didn't let the captain see his reaction. He allowed his supervisor to continue talking while he half-listened, trying to recall any helpful details he could from the conversations six years ago.
“The murderer is on the run though. He could be anywhere, so we’re trying to get everyone to help us search for him.”
“Don’t worry, we'll find him,” Caesar stated, determined to bring Malorek to justice.
“We better. Killing a warrior is a serious crime. If this guy doesn't hang, then I hope he at least rots in a cell for his entire life.”
“That's probably the safest for all of us,” Caesar muttered.
“What?” the captain asked.
“Nothing,” the Elven warrior played it off. “Let me put on my armor and I’ll meet up with you guys to join the search.”
“You better bring your cloak too. The storm is getting pretty bad,” the captain cast a wary glance to the sky. “I've got to go round up a few more men, but I’m sure we’ll meet up again at some point throughout the night.”
“What happened?” Sarah asked after the front door closed and Caesar walked briskly back into the bedroom.
“Do you remember Malorek? The guy who asked you out and you told him no because you liked me?”
“Yes, the eerie one. He always gave me a weird vibe.”
“Well, I think he may have murdered some people tonight. There's a manhunt out for him right now that they want me to join in on.”
“Are you going after him?” Sarah asked while her husband headed to where his armor was propped against the wall.
“I have to,” he began putting on his plate and spaulders. “It's part of my job. You don't think I should go?”
“You know I don’t want you to. Your father was a warrior who was killed too young. I don't want our boys to grow up fatherless like you had to. Every single minute you're late coming home I worry that something bad has happened. And that's just on a normal day, but when you're specifically headed out to confront a killer,” she paused mid-sentence to keep her emotions under control. “I worry about you, especially if you’re going after Malorek. He never said another word to me after you and I started dating.”
“Yeah, he was angry at all of us and it was unwarranted,” Caesar reflected as Sarah walked over and helped buckle some of his armor straps. “I think he may have some mental health issues.”
“Do what you have to do, but be on your guard. He may hurt you if you confront him.”
With his armor snug, Caesar turned around and gave his wife a reassuring hug. “I’ll be careful. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
Together, the husband and wife of three happy years walked towards the front door but stopped when one of their sons came out of his room and entered the hallway. The blonde-haired two-year-old was dragging his favorite stuffed animal gryphon along with him by one arm.
“Tyrus. What are you doing up?” Caesar let go of Sarah’s hand so he could kneel and speak to the toddler.
“I was scared,” Ty said in a quivering voice, then jumped as lightning flashed and thunder loudly clasped above.
“Lightning is just Alazar’s way of striking down monsters at night. It will
never hurt you. You don’t have to be scared of it. Now back to bed with you,” Caesar lightly patted his son's behind, prodding him back into his and Darren’s bedroom.
“Be careful,” Sarah reminded her husband as Caesar stood from his crouched position and opened the front door.
“I always am,” he glanced back at her with a smile and a wink. Then, pulling his hood over his head, he exited, leaving his wife standing alone in the hallway.
Caesar headed straight for where he assumed Malorek would be, the beach along Darien Sea, in the very spot Malorek had his tantrum and left their group of friends. After arriving there, his theory proved correct. A flash of lightning illuminated a motionless figure without a cloak, staring out into the sea. He stood in a cascade of millions of raindrops. The panging of each drop bouncing off the man’s silver plate of armor could be heard over the waves of the sea as Caesar came up behind the murderer.
“It’s not often I find someone standing out in the middle of a storm,” Caesar shouted while maintaining a safe distance, seeing Malorek held a scimitar in one hand and a sheathed sword at his waist.
“How'd you find me?” Malorek asked, still facing the sea.
“I had a feeling this place meant a lot to you. You were never the same after that day in this spot. This is where you broke off your friendship with us. Tell me what happened earlier today, Malo.”
“You know what happened. I murdered three people. My foster parents and a warrior who tried to stop me.”
“Then you know what I have to do. Make this easy for me and drop your weapons,” Caesar ordered, drawing both of his swords.
“You and I both know that's not going to happen.”
“It's your only option. Drop your weapons now,” Caesar’s voice moved from conversational to commanding.
“I told you what he did Caesar. They let children starve. They beat the other kids and I,” Malorek’s voice grew louder in anger as he spoke, matching the rage of the storm above him. “I finally put an end to it. I did what was right.”