by Leon Logos
“Very well,” said Alistair, with a nod. “Then ensure when you find out that I’m telling the truth, you kill her in front of me.”
“Uncle Alistair,” she said, in disbelief. “W-why…?”
“Gladly,” replied Viktor. “I’ll even be courteous enough to kill you a kilometer away from your children. If you’re not lying, of course.”
“If I’m dead,” Serenity rationalized, “who’s going to take care of your kids, Uncle? They’ll be left alone to fend for themselves!”
“Destiny can take care of them all!” Alistair disproved. “Once she’s recovered; I also request that she gets medical attention. Apologies.”
“Fine, no more demands, then,” Viktor grumbled. “Everybody, let’s go. Alistair, you lead the way. And don’t try anything funny. As for my men, you watch these Councilmen! Wait for us! See you, Garen.”
“I’m coming with you,” said Garen.
“Garen,” Serenity whispered, quiet enough for only him to hear. “You’re not serious…? Are you going to let them…?”
No response.
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
Cackle accompanied them as well, questioning Viktor feverishly about where they were going. Serenity had never heard of this vault before.
“Serenity,” Sixto muttered, who was trying his best to keep up with the others. He was supporting Destiny, who could barely walk straight.
She withdrew back a little, grabbing Destiny’s other arm and hanging it around her neck. With her assistance, the two of them could move Destiny a tad quicker. Just enough for them to keep up with Viktor and Alistair.
“Uncle Ali is lying,” Sixto whispered. “Don’t worry.”
“I don’t think so,” Serenity replied worriedly. “He looks serious.”
“There’s no way,” Sixto shook his head. “He wouldn’t do that.”
“Are you really a traitor?” Destiny asked feebly.
“You can call me that,” Serenity said, ashamed, conceding that she essentially was. This was why Alistair wanted her dead.
“Are those your other brothers?” Sixto asked, jerking his towards Cackle and Garen. “The ones who came for you?”
“Yeah,” she nodded. “But they didn’t come for me; at least, not entirely. The two that were captured were their targets. And obviously, I guess they wanted to launch an ambush on us.”
“Big guy and a kid with an evil smile,” Sixto said thoughtfully. “Are they as arrogant and douchey as the other one?”
“If you hate Kyler, you’ll hate them even more,” she murmured.
She desisted from speaking any further, the knot in her stomach discomforting her too much to speak. She kept her mouth shut, her thoughts rampantly predicting her fate. Anxiety had been pervasive since Garen and Cackle showed up; but she was feeling, perhaps, more anxious than she did while she was traversing the battlefield.
Alistair was leading the way, Viktor’s rifle pointed right at his back. She knew where they were going. It was a room on the first floor that had always been locked since she arrived. And probably longer than that. The double doors were of polished wood, painted with some Latin words she didn’t understand. She had never inquired about the door ever before. To her, as she passed by it frequently, nothing piqued her interest. It was equivalent to the door of a parent’s office, off-limits to the children.
Lily stuck by Lyla’s side, clutching onto her arm. Both of them had dried up their tears, not making a sound. Lily’s eyes were glued onto her father’s back; it seemed she was aware of what was going to happen to him. Lyla faced forward perpetually, not looking at anybody. Now that she had confessed her grievances with her, there was nothing much more left for her to say. Serenity hoped the moment was cathartic for Lyla; maybe now, she’d find somewhere in her heart to forgive her.
Though, Serenity wondered how Lyla knew of the nature of her mother’s death. Serenity was uncertain on whether the other siblings knew. There was no chance Alistair would’ve told them about it. He absolutely refused to talk about his late wife, neither mentioning her name or even connoting her existence. It was as if Alistair was afflicted with a severe case of Alzheimer’s, his memory of her faded.
She knew virtually nothing about the night her parents were killed. And now more than ever, she was desperate to procure the details. Only Alistair or Dorian could give it to her, since they were undeniably the two people that knew the most about it. They lived it, and considering they were part of the Council, they definitely knew everything about it; what was already known and everything that was confidential.
Alistair stopped by the door, then stepping aside from it. Serenity was surprised the door was still intact, having not been breached by one of Viktor’s men. Then again, the location of this room was fairly secretive; one would have to stumble upon it by accident to actually find it. She only passed by it so frequently by following Sixto, as they often took shortcuts to get around the house. It was still a miracle the door had survived.
“The door’s wood,” Alistair said. “Feel free to gun it down.”
“Why is your money located in this room and not a bank?” Viktor asked dubiously. “This isn’t the Middle Ages.”
“We’re not the most conventional people,” said Alistair. “Yes, we’ve got a considerable amount stored in a bank account. But what you’ll find beyond this door should prove to be more—how should I say this—pleasing to that acquisitive eye of yours. It’ll satisfy your greed.”
“If so, why no steel door? Why wood?”
“The polished wood is more aesthetic,” said Alistair simply. “Believe it or not. The vault beyond this door is the real security.”
Without further questions, Viktor opened the fire on the door. The gunshots were deafening, especially within such close proximity of them. Within three seconds, the door burst off its hinges. Alistair stepped in first.
There was a stainless-steel vault door at the end of the long, narrow room. Instead of a rectangle, the door was shaped like a circle. It was quite an anachronism; an obsolete, wooden door containing a modern room.
But instead of a rotating dial or wheel, there was another fingerprint scanner. She found flaw with this. Wouldn’t it make more sense to have a ridiculously long password than a fingerprint scanner?
“How come nobody broke down this room?” Viktor asked Garen.
“Good question,” said Garen cluelessly. “But it seems we don’t need this guy. To open that vault, it needs a fingerprint.”
“Yes, my fingerprint,” said Alistair. “And mine alone.”
“Then what reason are you alive right now?” Viktor scowled. “I could just cut off your finger and there shouldn’t be any issue.”
“Regardless, I’ve shown you the way,” said Alistair. “You must meet your end of the bargain. My children will live, and Serenity dies.”
“Hmmm,” Viktor pondered, folding his arms.
“You’re not cheating me, are you, sir?” Alistair asked, raising a censorious eyebrow. “I’ve given you quite a lot.”
“Let’s open the vault first,” Viktor decided. “Go on.”
Alistair stepped forward slowly. Viktor shoved him forward, signaling for him to speed up. Indignantly, Alistair placed his thumb on the scanner. He kept it there for three seconds until the vault door swung open. Alistair opened it all the way and then stepped aside, revealing the contents. Cackle and Viktor’s jaws dropped, Viktor nearly dropping his rifle. Serenity wasn’t so surprised to find stacks upon stacks of golden ingots.
“All 24-karat,” Alistair assured. “Authentic as ever.”
“YES!” Viktor exclaimed triumphantly. “Excellent!”
“Bars of pure gold!” Cackle said, stunned. “Viktor, what’s my share?!”
“Don’t start!” Viktor reproached. “I’m the one that has kept your family financially healthy and stable all these years.”
“That’s not fair!” Cackle argued. “The money we got from you never came to us. I just want dollars
to spend for myself for once!”
“You guys will get your share of the spoils, be patient!” Viktor reassured. “Make yourself useful and fetch a sack for me. A big one.”
Disgruntled, Cackle exited the room.
“You’ve got three minutes!” Viktor called out, when he was in the hall.
They heard his footsteps quicken hastily. Viktor turned to Alistair.
“Well, well, it seems you haven’t been lying to me after all,” he said, delighted. “And I thought all you Aurelians were dissembling tricksters!”
“Whatever presuppositions you’ve had about us are most likely false,” said Alistair calmly. “Look at us; you really think us to be savages?”
“No, probably not,” said Viktor. “But I don’t care; our preconceived notions were rational. Your kids can live, that is your reward. Now, you die.”
“Father!” Lyla and Lily called out in unison.
“You girls get out now,” Alistair ordered softly. “It’s all right.”
Lily broke free from Lyla’s grasp and darted into her father’s arms. Lyla followed suit. Serenity watched the scene dismally. This was the last time he’d ever embrace his children. Sixto and Destiny stayed back; Destiny kept murmuring incoherently, tears streaming down her cheeks.
“All right, that’s enough,” said Viktor, irate at the sentiment in the air.
He raised his rifle and pointed it at Alistair, who shoved his children out of the way. Lyla and Lily stumbled, out of the danger.
“Wait!” Alistair hissed. “What about the second part of the deal?”
“Oh, I forgot,” said Viktor dully. “You’d like to see the girl die?”
“Make it happen,” said Alistair forcefully.
“Uncle Ali, why?!” Sixto said, befuddled. “I don’t understand!”
Viktor turned to Garen again, seeking his permission or approval.
“Should we grant his dying wish?” Viktor asked. “Do you mind?”
Serenity took a few steps back surreptitiously, her eyes fixed on Garen. It was his answer that would decide her fate. And she couldn’t predict it. She stopped retreating when Garen glanced back at her. Serenity gazed into the deep depths of his pupils, trying to determine what his response would be. She was prepared to run, the way to the exit open.
“We had a deal!” Alistair shrieked, predicting the decision.
Without warning, Garen fired one shot. Alistair yelped, convulsing and doubling down, then falling onto his knees. Lily and Lyla screamed hysterically. Alistair had been shot in the chest. A rivulet of blood instantly began flowing out of the wound, staining his high-quality coat.
“Even I can admit, that was cold,” Viktor smirked. “Finish him off.”
“Nah, let him bleed out,” said Garen. “Don’t need to waste any more bullets. Honestly, I miscalculated the recoil of a single shot.”
Sixto set Destiny onto the floor carefully. He then sprinted towards Alistair. He knelt down, immediately tearing off cloth from his clothes to create a makeshift tourniquet. Garen realized what he was doing and reacted.
“No!” Serenity shouted. “Don’t! They’re supposed to live!”
“He’s not,” said Garen dismissively. “You get out of here.”
“Wait, I still need information from him!” she begged. “Please!”
“What information?” Garen asked skeptically.
“About Gunther,” Serenity returned. “And the night he took me.”
Garen’s expression darkened. He suddenly looked twice as cross.
“I told you to forget about him,” he reminded. “You don’t need to know about that. It’s in the past and irrelevant.”
“You w-want to know what?!” Alistair choked, coughing out blood. “W-why he took you? W-why my wife had to die? Why Gunther hates me?!”
Aside from the feebleness, Alistair’s voice was rife with fury and bitterness. With mad eyes, he glared directly at her. Sixto repeatedly implored him to desist from speaking as he tried to stop the blood flow. Alistair paid him no mind, fixing his attention on Serenity.
“All this war and upheaval!” Alistair continued. “Because of rejection!”
“What are you talking about…?” Garen asked. “Speak before you die.”
Alistair coughed and wheezed again, his life fading.
“Gunther is a weakling! Declaring war on us Aurelians—just—just because his love was unrequited! Crimes of passion! Monstrous!”
“W-what are you saying?” Serenity asked, dazed.
“Before Sebastian, your whore of a mother was being tupped!” Alistair cried, outraged. “Gunther couldn’t let it go!”
“Huh?!” Serenity said, offended. “Why would you say that?!”
“YOU KNOW WHY I BROUGHT YOU HERE? I COULDN’T CARE LESS ABOUT YOU! YOU WERE MY BAIT, Y-YOU—”
Alistair couldn’t get his last words out. He coughed repeatedly until he began to struggle with his breathing. Soon enough, he lacked the strength to communicate. His body began to grow limp. Then, his eyes rolled upward, and he just stopped. Ceased all movement. Dead.
“N-NO!” Sixto yelled, in horror. “UNCLE!”
At this moment, all four of the Aurelian youngsters began to cry. Lyla and Lily wailed uncontrollably, as Sixto and Destiny shed their tears more quietly—but passionately nonetheless. Serenity was more focused on Alistair’s final words. To her, they were cryptic.
“What was that last sentence?” she asked Garen. “About my mother?”
“Like I care,” said Garen sourly. “Tell these kids to stop crying. Before I make them stop. Here comes Cackle.”
Sure enough, Cackle sped into the vault room. He skidded to a halt, catching his breath. His eyes landed on the crying children, then on the deceased Alistair. He swore under his breath angrily.
“What did I miss?!” he complained. “You should’ve waited for me!”
“Forget it, start looting the gold,” Viktor ordered. Cackle cursed again, stomping into the vault.
The looting must’ve been premeditated, planned out before the onset of the attack. She had seen Viktor’s men carrying sacks all around, some of them full already.
“SIR! SIR!” one of Viktor’s men bolted into the room urgently.
“What is it? Why so frantic?” Viktor demanded.
“I-It’s not over!” the man croaked. “We’re under attack!”
“By who?!” Viktor said startled.
“Another army! Aurelian reinforcements, we think!”
CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN
Serenity knew she was remiss in forgetting to warn Viktor or Garen about the oncoming Aurelian reinforcements. Now that it was known to them, she felt it was more favorable to keep her mouth shut and not mention that she had known this would happen. Out of umbrage, Viktor probably would kill her on the spot and label her as an enemy again.
Apparently, the Aurelian reinforcements were already in the residence property, converging on the main house. The bulk of Viktor’s forces were in the courtyard. Viktor declared that they’d hold the courtyard down, defending from there. All that was left was to wait for the enemy, who most likely had eliminated the residual soldiers roaming the streets.
Serenity saw Viktor’s men scattered in battle formation. Silently and patiently, they waited for the enemy to come into their line of vision. Viktor and Garen joined them, reloading their weapons. Cackle had stayed behind in the vault room, finishing up.
“B-Bastion,” Destiny gasped, pointing a trembling finger.
They were still inside the main house. Serenity looked to where she was pointing. The Councilmen were still alive, being watched by a single man. It seemed Viktor was still intent on holding a proper execution. Sixto nudged her roughly on the ribs.
“We can still save them,” he hissed. “Serenity. You hear?”
“How?” she whispered back. “They’re being watched.”
Sixto jerked his head, signaling for her to look down. In his left hand was an Aurelian pistol; he must’
ve swiped it from one of the bodies. She looked at him apprehensively, presentiments manifesting immediately.
“Don’t do it,” she warned. “It’s too risky.”
“During the battle, everyone will be distracted,” Sixto said, wiping his eyes with his free hand, pocketing the pistol.
His tears had dried up for the most part. Sixto quickly accepted his uncle was dead. His resilience was commendable, snapping quickly out of the state of bereavement. Destiny was the same, suppressing her emotions with the realization that they were still in danger. Lyla and Lily still sobbed intermittently but ceased their crying and wailing.
“Wait, they’re going inside!” Serenity said. “Look!”
The man who was initially watching the Councilmen was now leading them back inside through one of the outdoor hallways.
“I’m following them,” Sixto said adamantly. “Hold Destiny.”
“No!” she protested, as Sixto left her to support Destiny all by herself.
“Sixto, d-don’t,” Destiny grunted. “Just hide. Now.”
“Yeah, you guys go hide,” Sixto nodded. “Destiny, lead the others to the secret basement. The Venators know where it is, and they’re smart enough to guess some of us will be hiding in there.”
Sixto took off running to track down the Councilmen, his ears deaf to her calls. She groaned disgruntledly, setting Destiny down on the floor.
“Lily, Lyla!” she said urgently. “Listen to Sixto and take your sister.”
They didn’t respond, sniffling silently.
“Lyla, I know you hate me,” Serenity conceded. “Fine, that’s all right. But if you care about Destiny, do as I—as Sixto says.”
It worked. Lyla grabbed one of Destiny’s arms, gesturing Lily to grab the other. Though they were unbalanced, the two of them could passably transport Destiny. Thankfully, Destiny didn’t need to rely on her sisters fully to move. She had recovered a tiny fraction of her strength.
Three seconds later, a jarring cacophony of gunfire ruptured the air. She took one glance outside to ascertain what it was. The battle had commenced. She couldn’t see the enemy; only that a horde of them were advancing upon the main house, amidst a blizzard of bullets. Another thing she noticed, with the cursory glance she took, was that they had shields.
