บท 9: *Truth or Dare*
Onyx went up to Advandth's room and leaned against the doorframe, staring at his friend who was now more vulnerable than he had ever seen her. He would be very angry if she died. It was possible Phoenix would have to stop him from a killing spree.
He could see her chest rise and fall very little. Her could see her eyes darting around behind her lids. He wanted her to wake and tell him what had happened and why. What prisoner was Neclord so upset about he blamed Advandth for it that he mutilated and humiliated her for it? Was it Elliot? Did Neclord even order others to take Elliot? Did he even know about the boy?
So many questions that would have to wait to be answered. He sighed.
"Where did she go?" Ecthrois asked from behind.
"Likely to Ethereal."
"So, she's hiding again?"
"Would you rather she kill me?"
Ecthrois's moved around so they faced each other. "I would rather you stop chasing her like a dog chasing a rabbit, because that rabbit is more dangerous than you think."
Onyx shook his head. "Not going to happen."
"If you keep pushing her, she is going to kill you."
He shrugged. "Don't I deserve it?"
Ecthrois narrowed his eyes. "Since when are you ready to die?"
"Since she couldn't even stand the sight of me. Since when she first fell through the basement door and saw me, she has barely talked to me unless to threaten someone. Since I could see the pain in her eyes and realizing how wrong I was, and knowing I did this, caused that pain."
Ecthrois snorted. "I can't believe you are all pathetic because one bitchy woman of whom you broke her heart is pissed at you. Grow up!"
Onyx curled his lip. "I've about had it, Ecthrois!"
Before they could lunge for each other, Elliot stepped up and shoved at them both. "Take it outside! Your friend doesn't need to wake up to fighting!"
Onyx almost lunged again as Ecthrois raised a hand to hit Elliot, but he stopped. Ecthrois shook his head and stormed off. Elliot checked on Advandth then walked back out. He glanced at Onyx. "If you want to help, stop antagonizing Phoenix."
"I'm not!"
Elliot raised a brow. "I saw what happened outside. You're lucky she didn't slice your throat."
Onyx shut his mouth.
Elliot said, "Help. But don't get in the way. Let her calm down. Leave her alone."
"She's going to kill herself."
"Then let her."
Onyx glared. "You want me to let Phoenix walk into danger to get herself gutted?"
"No one can stop her if she is determined. She'll do what she wants. Try to stop her, you're only going make her more pissed. Let her go, let her do her thing, she'll come to her senses sooner."
Onyx thought that was dumb logic, but didn't argue. If anyone would know, it was Elliot. It didn't matter how it made Onyx feel. It didn't matter at all.
Phoenix did not go to Ethereal as Onyx had believed. Instead, she went and checked on Anthrax. She found him eating a sandwich and a huge bowl of chili. Raising her brow, she sat beside him and sighed. "Hungry?"
"Whoever cooks here makes good food."
Phoenix smiled and allowed him to eat in silence for a while, her mind whirring.
But he seemed to sense something and set down his food. "What's wrong?"
"Why did you save me? Why did you save me when you knew it could potentially cause you harm?"
Anthrax set the bowl on the table and slightly turned to face her. "I had a wife once, Girl. She gave me Zegrath. She gave me happiness I never knew I could feel. And when she died, my life was turned upside down. I quickly was in debt. Zegrath had grown sick. I needed help. Neclord offered that help. I knew he wasn't a good man. I knew I would be paying for Zegrath's safety with my life, but he was the only family I had left."
Phoenix nodded, seeing what he was saying.
Anthrax continued. "When I saw you, your big blue eyes, I knew I had a chance to save you. It would redeem me from slaughtering all the other lives in the past, but maybe it would help redeem me from not being able to save my wife." He gave a small smile. "And I somehow knew you wouldn't forget that day. And later, when I heard of a girl with blue eyes and red hair haunting the Ironshades, even when I didn't believe it was really you, I knew you were laying my kindness forward. I hoped you and Zegrath would meet and you'd help him."
Phoenix gave a small, humorless laugh. "Zegrath can't be saved. I found that out when he stabbed me in the back."
Anthrax tilted his head. "Tell me about Zegrath. Tell me what you know about him."
Phoenix did. She told him about meeting Onyx for the first time, the game they played, the small talks that seemed to bring them together. She told him then about how Onyx changed, hating her, blaming her for hurting his father, and caging her so that Neclord could have the other Ironshades aim weapons at her. So Neclord could have one of them shoot her. She told him of how the shot wasn't missed on purpose, but because she was saved by another enemy. She told him how she promised to kill Onyx, and despite that, he still came for help.
When she finished, ending with the small talk she had with Onyx before coming here, Anthrax was smiling. "How is any of this funny?" she asked defensively.
"Girl-"
"Phoenix."
Anthrax bowed his head. "Phoenix, Zegrath, or Onyx, is unique. He will believe whatever he is originally told unless or until he has proof otherwise. Once he gets that proof, he will regret what he has done or what he was about to do. The Zegrath you knew, the one who put you in danger, he was the one who was manipulated and told you were the enemy. The Zegrath you see now must have gotten some evidence and has regretted treating you the way he did."
"That doesn't make sense."
Anthrax shrugged. "Let's say you are in Ironshade, Phoenix. Neclord has this method of using family to manipulate his followers. Neclord takes your sister. Would you risk her life by going after him or wait for the right moment to strike?"
"I'd kill him immediately if he takes my sister!" she spat.
Anthrax shook his head. "No, Phoenix girl, you wouldn't. If you go after Neclord and you die, your sister dies too."
Phoenix crossed her arms, frustrated. "So why did he go after my family? What did we ever do to him?"
"From my knowledge, nothing directly." He leaned back. "Neclord saw your family as an enemy because your father was part of the law. And as part of the law, he was hunting Neclord like an animal. Neclord didn't like that. He got the Ironshades together and ordered your house robbed and if you all were there, to slit your throats."
Phoenix frowned. "How can I trust this is true?"
"Every enemy Neclord has, he has a file on them. Most of that file is truth. But always, you will find a photo of each victim. Neclord will have that victim circled in red. I know because you and your family were circled in red."
"But isn't Neclord there all the time?"
Anthrax smiled. I'll give you a little schedule here soon so you can sneak in and search for yourself, but I want to tell you something first."
Phoenix stayed quiet, not in the mood to leave, but curious to hear more.
"Zegrath is a good man, Phoenix. What he's done, what he's had to do, is all because of Neclord. If he is coming to you, it means he trusts you. He wants you to trust him back because he wants to show that he'll never betray you again."
"I don't forgive easily."
"Be mad at Neclord. Not at Zegrath or the Ironshades. They all have families they are protecting. Be angry with the one who lied to them."
"How do I know putting my trust in one of them won't end up with me back in a cage, offered for slaughter?"
"I don't know about anyone else," Anthrax said softly, "but Zegrath will fight for your trust. He will fight to have you as a friend because friendship is what he values. Family and friendship. And he doesn't get it through manipulation. He'll get it by proving himself."
"How?"
"It will depend on the person, I think. But I think he has already started with you." When Phoenix looked confused, Anthrax said, "From what you've told me, Zegrath has looked after your friend, took care of your sister, and asked for your help. I'm sure he's done more you don't know about."
"If he is trying to gain my trust, should I give in?"
Anthrax laughed, and it was joyful and scratchy. "No, child! Make him work for it! Make him understand how hurt you are from what he's done." He smiled at her and leaned forward. "Just remember that he should eventually be given a chance."
Onyx and Devdan were sitting at the table talking softly when Aurora walked up and said, "Advandth wants to talk to you." Onyx stood and went upstairs. He saw his friend lying in bed still, but her eyes open. All day, he had worried, all day he couldn't stay still for long. Now it was evening and he felt his heart race.
"Addie," he breathed. She turned her head and smiled at him. He went and sat beside her. "You're going to get better," he promised."
Advandth breathed deeply. "Onyx, it's all my fault!"
Onyx cupped her face. "Addie, it's okay. You're safe. You're alright."
She shook her head. "Onyx, you don't understand! Phoenix! I shouldn't have asked!"
He didn't understand what she was talking about, but it was upsetting her. "Addie, I'm sure you had good reason for whatever it was you did."
She cried some more. Onyx couldn't take her tears. It made him want to find Neclord and do damage. "I didn't know she did it, Onyx! I didn't know she was going to be so thorough!"
"What, Addie? Do what?"
Advandth didn't answer, just cried. But she didn't need to. Soon, he heard another feminine voice say, "I rescued someone very important to Neclord."
Onyx turned to see Phoenix in the door. "Who?"
She shook her head. "You shouldn't know." Onyx opened his mouth to protest, but Phoenix said, "Not because I believe you don't deserve it, but because it will be safer for everyone that way."
He shut his mouth. Onyx caressed Advandth's face as she continued to cry. Then he said, "Can you tell me how?"
"I killed the guards, gave some pain meds, and snuck us out and to a safe place."
Onyx shook his head. "It's not just the prisoner he's pissed about then."
"What do you mean?"
He looked at her. "If these guards were there to watch someone Neclord thought important, then you killed some of his favorite people."
Phoenix shrugged. "I don't care. They harassed Advandth. They deserve to die."
Onyx agreed. He said, "Can she stay here? With you? I need to go back or else he gets suspicious."
Phoenix seemed to think about her answer, and Onyx believed she would deny his request. However, she said, "All of you are welcome to stay as long as no one who means us harm follows and everyone helps around the house."
Onyx blinked. "Phoenix-"
"But Ecthrois must also understand that this is my house and I don't care what he thinks, he doesn't get to belittle anyone here. And no fights. Take those outside."
"Phoenix-" he tried again. But she cut him off again.
"Elliot is boss when I am away. And Aurora will not be joining in any fighting sprees. She doesn't get to leave unless one of you go with her. Not Elliot. He can't fight like I can."
Onyx gave up his useless protest and sighed. He gave her a small smile. "I wouldn't want him without a guard either."
"He goes with me," she said softly. "We understand how the other works." Finally, she met his gaze. Onyx saw a spark of the Phoenix he used to know. "Besides, he wouldn't get along with any of you anyways."
"True."
Advandth hiccuped and raised a hand to grab one of his wrists, turning his attention from Phoenix. "As I said, I knew you more than liked her."
He smiled. "And you were right."
"I'll go find some soup," Phoenix announced and left the room.
Advandth groaned but blinked up at him. "Don't blow it, Onyx. She needs you."
Onyx chuckled. "Phoenix doesn't need anyone. She's strong enough herself."
Advandth said nothing, but Onyx felt himself promise both to his friend and to Phoenix that he would not blow it, no matter what the future threw at him, he wouldn't lose Phoenix again.
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