His Grandfather’s eyes fluttered open. “Me,” He answered.
“Why must I forgive you? You’ve done nothing wrong,” Thad assured him, puzzled by his Grandfather’s words.
The Professor gently lifted his hand to Thad’s cheek giving him a sad smile. His eyes partially closed, his hand fell to the ground with a thud.
“Grandfather,” Thad shrieked shaking him, “NO. You can’t leave me. I need you. You can’t leave me,” He sobbed into his Grandfather’s chest.
“Thad,” Traiden said, gently trying to pull him away.
“Leave me alone,” Thad shouted, pushing Traiden’s arms.
Traiden obliged and stepped away.
Suddenly Traiden’s eyes focused as he realized the madness around them. The air was thick with smoke, making it hard to see. The ground was thick with blood and ash. Bodies lay everywhere as if they were carelessly discarded pieces of trash, the stench of death tickled his nose. To his left he heard the familiar voice of his friend as he fought with the enemy.
“Mathias,” He called out. “Mathias can you hear me?”
“I hear you brother. Are you okay?” Mathias called back.
“Yes, I am okay, but the Professor is not,” He shouted, his voice heavy with grief.
Mathias appeared out of the haze, his sword bloody and dangling by his side. Soot and blood covered his face and clothes. His right arm bore the mark of a badly aimed shade knife. He looked into the eyes of his friend and he knew. “No,” he whispered, running over to the still forms of Thad and the professor. He swept Thad into a bear huge. “I am so sorry, Thad,” he whispered softly.
“Leave me ALONE!” Thad demanded pushing off Mathias’s chest. “Just leave me alone.”
Mathias gently lowered Thad to the ground. He wiped away the tears caught in his own lashes. His heart ached as he watched Thad gently stroke the professor’s cold and badly bruised face.
“Mathias we must do something,” Traiden insisted, dragging him back to reality."Do you know where Leath is?”
“No. I haven’t seen him since we scattered and no one has thought to turn on thier pig comms."
"What about Zyphera, I haven’t seen her since I came to help Thad,” Traiden replied.
“Last I saw she was fighting off a group of Shadow Breathers not far from where I was,” Mathias answered.
“We need to gather together. This is our chance to escape,” Traiden insisted staring intently at the scene around him.
Mathis nodded in agreement. “Leath, Zyphera, can you hear me?” He bellowed as loud as he could to be heard over the noise.
“I hear you,” Zyphera yelled back, her voice floating in from among the chaos. A moment later they could see her silhouette heading towards them.
“Look out,” Mathias yelled as she passed a half burnt barrack.
Startled, Zyphera threw herself to the ground. A shadow leapt from the roof of the barrack and would have landed directly on top of her had Mathias not shouted a warning. Instead the shadow hit the ground with a loud crunch. Zyphera drew her bow aiming it at the crumpled form as she moved in cautiously to investigate.
The Shadow Breather was lying very still. She poked the creature with her arrow to see if it moved. Nothing happened, not even a noise escaped its slimy lips. “I think its dead,” she yelled in relief, “Or will be shortly.”
Zyphera dusted herself off and headed towards the group. “Whew that was close. I owe you one, big guy,” she said slapping Mathias on the back. “What?” she asked noticing the saddened look on her companion’s faces? She looked over to where Thad remained kneeling beside his Grandfather. “Oh no,” she gasped, her hand covering her mouth in horror.
She was about to go to Thad but Mathias stopped her.“Just let him be,” he said quietly.
Zyphera broke into tears as she looked at the terrible scene before her. “This isn’t supposed to happen,” she cried, “I promised Thad it wouldn’t.”
“Do you know where Leath is?” Traiden asked quietly, trying to maintain a level of calm.
“Oh my god Leath,” she said with panic, quickly scanning the surrounding area. “Leath, Leath,” She began calling out. “Damn it Leath you better answer me,” she ordered fearfully. She tried to see through the thick smoke that muddled the already darkened sky, but it was no use.
Seconds ticked by as they waited for Leath to reply. Mathias opened his mouth to speak but another voice broke in.
“Such a pity,” Madron spoke sarcastically. “I was so looking forward to disgracing him in the eyes of the boy.” His smirking face appeared in the smoky, orange tinged darkness. “No matter...... Just because one is dead doesn’t……” Suddenly, the smirk on Madron’s face turned into a mask of shock.
“That is for my Grandfather,” Thaddeus hissed, his voice rich with hatred.
Madron Slowly turned around. Thad stood before him eyes blazing with revenge, grasping the handle of a broken sword. The shattered edges glistened with Madron’s scarlet blood. Everyone else gasped. A large wound began seeping into the side of Madron’s cloak, running down the back of his leg.
Madron started at the boy in disbelief. “But I did this for you.” He mumbled his tone sincere. “I did this for you,” he repeated reaching out to Thad.
Thad eyed Madron in confusion. He dropped the sword to his side, his face softened. He tried to understand the meaning of Madron’s words. But as quick as the sword fell, it rose again hungry for Madron’s blood. Thad ran at Madron, a scream born of anger and hurt escaped his lips. All reason was blocked out. Thad was guided strictly by his raging emotions. No one was going to stand in his way and whoever tried would regret their actions.
He was so close to Madron that he could feel the fear radiating off his victim. His face broke into a wicked grin as he thrust the sword forward with all his might. But instead of finding skin and bone it jerked to a halt in mid-air. Thad stumbled to the ground.
“I am sorry Thad but I cannot let you do this,” A cloak figure apologized, materializing out of thin air.
Thad picked himself up, turning to meet his new foe. “Gabriel,” He gasped, “What are you doing here?” he asked, momentarily forgetting the fire burning in his veins.
“I have come to help you,” Gabriel replied, pulling back his hood.
“Well you’re too late,” Thaddeus spat, “He’s dead.”
“I didn’t come to save your Grandfather,” Gabriel admitted, “I came for you Thad.”
Thad looked at the keeper, his face a mask of anger and pain. “Just what are you suppose to save me from?” He asked through clenched teeth.
Before Gabriel could reply, a familiar voice filled the air.
“You know, it would have been polite to offer the cripple a ride on your disappearing act,”
Leath grumbled, stumbling out of the surrounding haze.
“What…..how did you…”Zyphera stared at the two in confusion.
“I will tell you all about it later,” Gabriel replied, relieved his conversation with Thad had been interrupted. “But right now we must get out of here. Where is the Professor?”
Mathias pointed to the crude stretcher Traiden guarded.
Gabriel walked over to the broken body of his dearest friend, gently picking him up. “You’re going home dear friend,” he whispered quietly into the Professor’s ear.
Thad remained motionless, staring at the body of his Grandfather lifelessly hanging from Gabriel’s arms.
“Mathias, can you fly with the professor?” The keeper asked.
“Of course I can,” Mathias replied.
Gabriel carefully laid the Professor in Mathias’s arms. “Fly to the door, someone will be waiting for you there. We will follow on foot as soon as we can,” he instructed.
Mathias nodded. He gave one last look at Thad before he pushed off the ground. He opened his wings and caught a low current formed by the raging fires.
Thad stood at the edge of the group, watching as Mathias and his Grandfathe
r slipped into the murky sky. His heart pounded with agony. Pain ripped through every vein. He wiped the tears from his eyes. “I will avenge you,” He whispered. “I will make Madron wish he had never existed,” he promised. With no one watching, he spun quietly on his heels, following the bloody trail left by his injured prey.
There is no end only death
Thad took no notice of the happenings around him. His eyes could only see the trail of delicate scarlet droplets leading him to his revenge. He was in no hurry. His prey was injured, vulnerable and scared. No one could stop him. An evil that lay dormant awakened inside, fueling his body with rage.
“Do you really think you can hide from me?” Thad called out as he followed Madron’s path into the Labyrinth. He crept quietly down the maze of stone corridors listening for any sound of his enemy. As he drew closer to the heart of the Labyrinth his ears perked and his skin tingled. He let the broken blade drag along the stone floor, filling the air with a horrid screech.
“Are you scared of a helpless little boy such as my self?” Thad taunted, drawing nearer to the almost in auditable noise Madron was emitting.
“You would be frightened if you knew what I know about you Thad,” Madron replied breathing heavy.
“You must get up,” The young boy urged, taking his arm and wrapping it around Madron’s shoulder.
“Where did you come from,” Madron asked gazing at the boy in confusion.
“I was waiting for you in the garden and when you didn’t show I came looking for you,” the boy replied.
“That is very kind of you,” Madron managed a weak smile.
“Quick we must go, he is getting closer,” The young boy insisted, a smidge of panic setting in.
Madron looked at the boy. “I have to finish this. You go; I won’t be far behind you.”
The boy looked at Madron. “Go” Madron commanded gently, “I will be alright.”
The little boy fiercely hugged Madron, taking his hand in his before disappearing down the path. Madron struggled to his feet ready to face Thad.
Thad rounded the corner. His eyes cold; his face a stone mask chiseled with malice as he stared down his nemesis.
“I admire your bravery, or is it the damaged ego and childhood that is keeping you going?” Thad sneered as he drew closer.
“It is neither. My actions may have been harsh and childish, but my intentions were pure. You have the right to know….”
Thad cut him off. “Spare me your good intentioned crap,” he hollered, “I am sure you’ve spent days convincing yourself your horrid actions are noble and just. But unlike you, my conscious is clear. Your death is deserved and justified,” Thad bellowed as he grasped his instrument of revenge firmly in his hands “Any last words?” The growl in his voice reverberated off the labyrinth walls.
Madron gazed at the nine year old boy standing before him. “One day he will understand why I did this,” He thought to himself. “I beg of you, just ask one question of those around you. Ask them who you truly are?”
“Those are your last words?” Thad asked baffled by Madron’s actions.
“I had my reasons for doing this, just like you have your reason’s for what you are about to do. You deserve the truth Thad. Haven’t you ever wondered where you came from, who your family is?” Madron asked, hoping his questions would cause Thad to hesitate.
“Enough of this, I see what you are doing,” Thad shouted, lunging forward. “Your words are meaningless, a weak attempt to earn the right to your worthless life,” Thad snarled in disgust. “But it is over for you. I have won my justice, and you, you have lost your life,” He said raising the sword high above his head.
A scream rang out in the night. Madron opened his eyes. Pain raced through his arm and fingers. He took his left hand and slowly touched his right bicep. His face went white. Beneath his fingers he could feel the smooth texture of his bone exposed by the bloody gash.
“You didn’t kill me?” Madron stuttered with relief.
“I wouldn’t get my hopes up just yet,” Thad sneered. “If I let you die quickly what kind of justice would that be for my grandfather? Considering the slow, terrifyingly painful death you kindly bestowed upon him,” Thad bent low to whisper in Madron’s ear.
Madron took this moment to try and turn the tables. He lashed out with his left arm, hoping to snag the young boy. Thad’s reflexes were no match for his weakened enemy. He danced away laughing gleefully.
“Is that all you’ve got old man,” He roared, swinging the blade high into the air again.
This time the blade ripped across Madron’s back. He screamed, collapsing to the floor in agony.
“Aren’t you going to beg for my mercy?” Thad wondered, kneeling by his helpless foe.
Madron looked into the cold dark eyes of his young judge. “You may take after your mother,” Madron tried to keep the pain out of his voice, “but you have your father’s eyes.” He saw the flicker of confusion flash across Thad’s face. He knew he had sparked the fire.
“You lie,” Thad screamed thrusting the sword into the back of Madron’s leg. “I don’t know about you,” he said crouching beside Madron, his breath heavy with excitement, “But I am really beginning to enjoy this,” he smiled, pulling the blade out slowly.
At that moment Zyphera, Gabriel and Traiden came blasting around the corridor towards them.
“Thad, NO!” Zyphera screamed racing forward.
“He deserves to die Zyphy,” Thad seethed, staring at her with a hardened face.
“You are too young to deal the justice of the world and bear the weight of those actions,” She pleaded, closing the distance between them.
“Are you going to stop me?” Thad challenged, his eyes fixed on hers.
His words surprised her. “Thad, I don’t…..oh my god. Thad what’s happened to you?” She gasped, her mouth open in shock. She stopped to dilerberate her next course of actions.
“It is amazing the power a nine year old boy has when he decides to finally take control of his own life.” He sneered running his finger down the bloody blade.
“Don’t do it Thad,” Zyphera begged hoping to talk him down, “You are not yourself. I promise you will regret this later.”
Thad gazed at Zyphera, considering her words for just a moment. Slowly a mischievous smile played across his lips. He swung the sword in the air, spinning around to deliver the final blow.
“NO,” Zyphera screamed, rushing towards him.
“Clang!” The sword collided with solid ground and splintered into a dozen pieces. "You let him get away,” Thad accused as he recovered from her shove, drawing in a slow deliberate breath as he turned to face her.
“Thad don’t do this,” she warned, readying herself.
“I didn’t do this Zyphy, you did when you robbed me of my justice,” Thad sneered at her.
“I don’t want to fight you Thad.”
“Perhaps you should have thought of that before you stood against me.”
Thad leapt at Zyphera. She effortlessly dodged his attack. Her mind worked fast to find a way to bring him down without injuries. Thad was already on his feet, moving to deliver another blow. Zyphera quickly sidestepped his assault. She grabbed his right arm throwing him to the ground jamming her knee between his shoulder blades to hold him in place.
“Now you listen to me. I know you are not the Thaddeus I have helped raise for the last eight years, so we are going to stay here until he is returned to me,” she instructed in a hostile voice.
“What’s the matter Zyphy, you can’t handle my true colors,” Thad snorted.
“This is not you Thad, and I will prove it to you one way or another.”
Traiden and Gabriel followed Zyphera into the labyrinth but were momentarily held up by a rude encounter with a small group of Shadow Breathers
“Do you think they’ll mind if we borrow a sword or two,” Traiden said quickly removing a few weapons from the grasp and holster of a downed shadow.
“I
don’t hear any objections,” Gabriel replied over his shoulder as he removed a very deadly looking blade from the clenched fist of another.
“Don’t worry I am only borrowing it for a short time,” Traiden promised patting the breathers shoulder.
“Quickly now, before anymore of those filthy creatures attempt to hinder us,” Gabriel ordered, moving quickly down the corridor.
“I am with you on that one,” Traiden replied.
Within moments the two successfully navigated the corridors of the labyrinth. Traiden was about to round a corner when someone grabbed him from behind. A giant hand clamped over his mouth.
Sentry Rising Page 28