Chương 35: The Confrontation with the Past

Persephone

There was an image at the center of the page. It was a black ominous shape. From what seemed like a head peered out blood red eyes. It bore into me, looking for the best way to torture me. The image sent shivers down my spine. It felt visceral, imbued with a primal fear. Despite the small size, it seemed to dominate the entire page, drawing all eyes on it. With a image like this, I shuddered to think what the real thing was like.

Xavier slammed the book shut. With a burst of rage, he threw the book back at Carolinus, it impacting against the chair behind Carolinus with a heavy thud. "Are you trying to pour salt into old wounds?" There was a hint of violence in his voice. His murderous aura returned, darkening his face and the room.

"So it was this." Carolinus remained calm, speak with a tone that merely suggested a satisfied curiosity. He picked out the book, setting back on the table, flipping it back open to that page. "995 men. This thing killed 995 of the best in three days, by itself." His voice was filled astonishment. He stared into the page, studying every word on it.

"Praise the gods that it is gone!" exclaimed Epoch. His eyes flickered around the room quickly as he said that. There was an uneasiness about him that was always present. He never sat still, always looking around. It was fairly obvious that he was nervous about something. Carolinus was right. Epoch would make a terrible liar. His emotions are like bright flares at night on his face.

I wanted to see what the others thought about all this. But as I glanced around the room, I saw that it wasn't much use. Solskin had his eyes closed, muttering to himself. He looked like his mind was ready to melt from running a impossible obstacle course. Savah was even worse. He wasn't even thinking, assuming a complete spectator role. He leaned against the wall, mesmerized by the dumpster fire of a conversation.

With a look of helplessness, I turned back to the conversation at hand. Xavier was still staring daggers at Carolinus while Epoch drummed his fingers against his ancient tome. Carolinus, sensing the tension, looked up again, meeting Xavier face to face. "Shut the door!" he barked. The guards, shaken from the shocked stupor, immediately slammed the door shut. A lock automatically fell into place, giving out a loud click.

"Xavier, as your older brother, I am going to ask one last time. Will you come back?"

"Carolinus, you should know me. I never, never, change my mind."

"That is unfortunate," Carolinus let his hand fall to his axe. "You know, you are technically a deserter."

"Try me."

Weakly, Solskin stood up finally. "Can we all just drop the weapons?"

Solskin

I felt dwarfed by them, like a little child trying to stop his parents from arguing. My blood ran cold from the intensity of the argument. My sword shook at my side, my hands trembling with fear. I gripped my pants tightly, trying to calm my nerves.

Carolinus got up slowly. His every movement had a slow deliberation behind it as he ambled his way over in front of Xavier. Side by side, I could notice quite a few differences. Carolinus seemed much more aged, as if he had the world weighing him done. His build was larger than Xavier's, but it had an unmistakable presence about it.

Staring at Xavier with a forced smile, he glanced at his right hand. In a sudden blur of motion, that hand drove straight into Xavier's face. The force caused Xavier to stumble into the table, knocking over chairs. His murderous eyes shot up at Carolinus as blood began to trickle down his nose.

"You coward. Do you know what we have gone through? Father already gave his life before we were born. Mother went insane after we received the news. Now, still, she locks herself away, refusing to talk to me. I was lost my mother and brother on the same day. I was left alone. ALONE. Do you know how painful it was? I searched and searched for you. And then I saw you. In that forest. I know what you are going through." Carolinus went quiet for a moment, as if he was letting the weight of his words sink in.

Carolinus's voice went soft, sadness coating each syllable. "Please, I want the man how would sacrifice himself for his men back. The man who saved my life countless times. Xavier, I trust you. I know you will come back to me. I just know it. I never blamed you for what happened. To mother. To the First Regiment. To me. I never will, just… come back. Come back to my side and be my brother again. That is all I ask."

Xavier cut in, his voice flat and unwavering. "If you saw, then why? Why would you want a monster at your side?"

"You are not a monster. None of it is your fault. Let-"

"But I am a monster. Don't you see? It. It is in me. I will just kill you all." Desperation clouded his eyes as tears began to well up in the corners.

"Then stay. I will take the risk. Forget about commanding the army, just stay with me. Epoch can hel-"

"He can't." Xavier's voice choked.

"Then why did you come here? There is no reason."

Xavier was quiet. His head hang dejectedly downwards.

"Why did you come back to the capital? With what happened, I thought you would never leave that forest. Just let us help you."

Xavier chose to remain silent. Carolinus reached out to comfort him, placing a hand gently on his shoulder. Epoch also had a sympathetic look on his face. He stood up and walked over. He reached out as well, placing a hand on Xavier's shoulder.

Something happened. The moment Epoch touched Xavier, a cold chill rushed through the room. Ice actually began to coat the interior of the room. The candles lighting the room flickered and everything seemed dark. Xavier's hands shot up with frightening speeds. He began to lift both of them up by the neck, choking them. The bandages on his left arm yellowed at a rapid rate, coming loose in process. It was black underneath, like old armor.

Xavier spoke, but there was another inlaid in it. The two voices grated each other, creating a sensation that caused your gut to twist and churn. "Don't. Touch. Me. I will kill you." His eyes were bright yellow.