Rebellion

by J. D. Netto

  “How are you feeling, Isaac?” Xylia inquired, walking her way to me.

  A shy smile appeared on my face. “I am alright.”

  Her arms wrapped around me in a tender embrace. Her heart was beating at a rapid pace.

  “I am glad they are alive,” she whispered in my ear.

  I returned her embrace.

  “Thank you.” There was such comfort in her embrace. It was odd having all these positive emotions strike me at once.

  “Please sit,” said Alistar, pointing to one of the stools.

  Devin had his eyes fixed on Alistar as he nibbled on a piece of bread. “How are they doing, Isaac?” he asked.

  “They appear to be well,” I replied as I took a seat. “I found it strange that they did not move from their beds. They looked unconscious.”

  “That does not surprise me,” said Alistar. He picked up a plate with a piece of bread on it and placed it on the table in front of me. “You have to eat.” His eyes bore deep into mine.

  I broke the piece of bread in half, waiting for him to elaborate on his previous comment. His son and daughter stood next to the fireplace, watching.

  “One of my men informed us that an army of dark creatures arose from the Ruins of Madbouseux. He claimed he saw men with wings like dragons leading this army.” He sighed. “There was such fear in his face as he shared the story with me.”

  “What did these dark creatures look like?” Devin laid the bread on the table.

  “They had yellow eyes, similar to a feline’s,” said Arundel from the corner of the room. His sudden response startled us all.

  “Arundel, please,” said Alistar, darting him an impatient look.

  “Their mouths were long and thin,” he continued, disregarding his father’s order. “They looked human, though scales covered their bodies.”

  “Be quiet, Arundel.” I was surprised when I saw Alistar’s fist pound the wooden table.

  “I was the one who saw the creature.” Arundel scowled at his father. “I saw them—”

  “Hold your tongue. This is my house and you live under my roof. Please refrain from speaking.”

  An uncomfortable silence lingered. Sela ran to her brother’s side. In anger, he wrapped his arm around his sister, walking to the door.

  “You’d better not—”

  Arundel slammed the door before his father could finish his sentence.

  “Please excuse him,” Alistar said after a brief silence. He pressed the tips of his fingers between his brows. “My son thinks too highly of himself.”

  “Arundel saw the army?” Ballard asked, walking closer to Alistar.

  “Yes.” There was anger in Alistar’s voice. “He did leave out a very important detail about this newfound army.”

  We already had Nephilins, Fallen Stars, and all sorts of dark creatures against us. A part of me did not want to know what this important detail was.

  His face shifted in the direction of the fireplace. His eyes watched the fire dance. “They were seen flying away from the ruins.” His voice was low and ominous.

  “What are they?” Xylia asked, crossing her arms.

  “We do not know what they are. There are no accounts of these creatures.” Arundel ambled around the room. “Lucifer’s army grows strong.”

  I took a small bite from the piece of bread I held in my hand. All this information was of great importance, but I wanted to know why my parents were lying on a bed in a stupor.

  “Two days ago, my men were patrolling the Road of Ahnor when we found three bodies hanging from a tree. They had been burned and mutilated. We only knew who they were because of the royal jewels they wore.” Alistar reached into his pocket. With his left hand, he took out three brooches.

  He held up one that was shaped like an Aquila with its wings spread wide. “This one is made out of bronze,” he said, twirling the brooch between his fingers. “This design can be easily recognized.”

  “That is the emblem of the Kingdom of Tarsh,” said Devin, gazing at the jewel.

  Alistar set the object on the table. The next brooch he held was made out of glass. It was shaped like a five-pointed star.

  “The emblem of the Kingdom of Watermiles,” Alistar mentioned. “They say they are the brightest star next to the Sea of Glass.”

  With a look of discontent, Petra sighed. “Hold up the other brooch.”

  Alistar tightened his lips, laying the object he held next to the brooch from Tarsh.

  “Do you know who this brooch belongs to, young one?” Alistar had in his hand a golden brooch shaped like a combat helmet. The helmet’s thin comb was long and curved.

  Petra cleared his throat, scowling at the object. “That is the emblem of the Kingdom of Swordsmouth.”

  One of our greatest fears was now a reality: Those that we had sought to find on the Road of Ahnor were dead.

  “So they are dead,” Adara mumbled with a vacant stare.

  Alistar set his eyes on me. “Underneath the tree where we found the bodies, we also came across your parents. We assume they were trying to protect the kings and the queen from their murderers. Your parents have been unconscious since we found them.”

  I closed my eyes, trailing my hand across my face.

  “I wanted to warn you before you saw them,” Alistar added.

  “Who murdered them?” Adara whimpered. “The kings and the queen?”

  “We are not sure.” Alistar crossed his hands behind his back. “We have been looking for these winged creatures, but we cannot find them.”

  “I think we might have come across those that led them out of the ruins,” said Ballard, sinking his hands into his side pockets.

  Alistar’s mouth opened, and his face grew pale.

  An unexpected, frightening screech echoed from the street.

  “What is that?” Demetre asked. We all drew our swords.

  The screech continued. From the window, I saw people flocking to the front of the house, their eyes wide in bewilderment.

  “What is going on?” Alistar marched to the door.

  A bellowing growl resounded. Alistar’s shoulders rose up as he let out a long breath, shaking his head in disappointment.

  “Are we to just stand here?” Xylia reached for the door handle.

  “Do not open it!” he shouted, grabbing her wrist. Her eyebrows rose in surprise.

  The moment I saw him lay his hand on her, I pushed his body against the wall, pressing my arm against his neck.

  “Don’t you dare touch her,” I said, bearing my gaze into his. “Do not mistake her for one of your children.”

  There was great rage burning inside of me. The sudden desire to take his life invaded me.

  My companions stared at me, confused.

  “Isaac, stop,” said Demetre, grabbing ahold of my arm.

  Why were such dark desires finding their way into my heart? My hand trembled as I released Alistar.

  “Be careful, young Isaac,” he said, rubbing his neck. “Your courage might yet be your downfall.”

  The crowd’s gasps and murmurs invaded my ears as whatever stood outside let out hair-raising screeches.

  Devin pushed Alistar out of the way, swinging the door wide open. The guttural sounds of the creature loudened.

  A strange being stood on the street. Thick chains were locked around its neck. Dark stubs stood where its wings had once been. Its menacing, bright yellow eyes were set on the crowd that surrounded it. Arundel held the chain that imprisoned the beast. Sela stood next to him with her hands clutched at her sides. She looked at the grotesque creature, frightened.

  “I thought you said you did not know where these creatures were, Alistar.” Demetre looked at Alistar and then walked toward the beast.

  Alistar had his face fixed in the direction of the crowd.

  Drool trickled down the creature’s thin neck as it screeched. Its human-like body was covered in small scales.

  “Arundel, what are you doing?” Alistar shouted, marching his w
ay to him.

  “Dad,” Sela whimpered, running toward him.

  “Our people deserve to know the truth!” Arundel screamed at the top of his lungs, tightening his grasp on the chains.

  “Your stupidity will get us all killed, Arundel.” Alistar halted, standing a few feet away from the creature.

  “Avoiding the truth will get us killed.” Arundel pointed his finger at his father. “Our people need to know what goes on beyond our borders. We have been confined here for far too long.”

  The crowd murmured amongst themselves as they watched the creature. Fear shrouded all of their faces.

  “Have you forgotten the tales our forefathers shared with us?” Alistar turned to the crowd, spreading out his arms. He then turned his eyes back to his son. “Have you forgotten the reason the Kingdom of Madbouseux fell?”

  “Of course I haven’t,” said Arundel. The creature continued to growl. “But we are not them. If you do not show our people the reasons they have to go to war, then I will.”

  “War…” Alistar scowled at his son. “The fact that we have remained hidden has kept us alive. We are one of the few peoples that have not forgotten the ancient ways.”

  “But ignoring the other kingdoms makes you useless,” I said, walking closer to Alistar. “The fact that you know the stories of the past cannot change the future of Elysium.”

  “It is none of our business what the other kingdoms do, young one.” Alistar’s face broke into a cold stare. “My duty is to keep this village confined and protected.”

  “It was ignorance that led King Bartholomew to fall.” Arundel’s voice boomed across the crowd. “Do not be like him, Father.”

  Silence lingered.

  “He succumbed to the dark powers of the Book of Letters, leading his people to death. You do not have to do the same.” Arundel’s eyes glistened as he looked at his father. “We have men that can aid others in this war.”

  “You talk of war,” a man said from amidst the crowd. “What war is this?”

  “Are we in danger? Are there more of these creatures?” asked a young girl.

  All of their voices merged into a single questioning choir. They demanded to know what was happening beyond their borders.

  The fact that Alistar knew the truth and had concealed it from his people enraged me. No matter how dark the truth is, it must be told.

  The people’s murmurs ceased as the neighing and galloping of horses surrounded us. The men that had ridden with Alistar approached us.

  “Are you alright, my lord?” one of them asked, holding a sword in his right hand.

  Alistar trailed his eyes across the crowd. Arundel’s discontentment with his father’s actions was stamped on his face. The monstrous creature crawled on the ground, its teeth shimmering as it growled.

  Alistar walked to his son, standing inches away from his face.

  Arundel’s chin quivered as he looked at his father.

  “Give me your sword,” Alistar said, stretching forth his hand.

  Arundel ignored his request.

  “Give me your sword,” he insisted.

  “No,” Alistar whispered, stepping away from his father.

  With great rage, Alistar grasped Arundel’s sword, pushing his son to the left as he marched toward the creature. With a single move, he bore the sword’s blade into its skull. The beast’s growls turned into gurgles as its body twitched.

  Alistar opened his hand, letting Arundel’s sword fall to the ground. Its blade was smeared with blood.

  “I have kept you all safe in the shadows of the Weeping Mountains,” he spoke in a booming voice. “For hundreds of years, we have lived in peace, without the interference of outsiders. I promise that this peace shall last while the village is under my watch.” He pointed at us. “I deeply regret bringing these outsiders into our village. We can see that they have brought nothing but chaos to us all.”

  “What does he mean?” Adara shot her eyes toward me. “We have not done anything.”

  “Bastard,” Devin said behind his gritted teeth. I grabbed his arm as he attempted to approach Alistar.

  “I am afraid you have overstayed your welcome in my house.” Arundel raised his hand, pointing to a building next to the pub. “I believe the Rest of Ale will be a great place for you all to rest tonight. You shall leave in the morning.”

  He started back to his house.

  “Father!” Arundel pushed the crowd out of his way, walking to Alistar. “Why are you doing this?”

  “Ah, I almost forgot.” Alistar narrowed his eyes as he scratched his chin. “Men, I believe Arundel has earned himself a night in prison. Make sure he is locked in the darkest cell we have.”

  “You can’t do that!” Xylia huffed as her brows curved. She stomped her way to Alistar. “You would arrest your own son?”

  She came to a halt when two guards approached Arundel. They chained both of his wrists and feet with heavy metal chains. The remaining men carried the creature’s dead body away.

  “I will do whatever needs to be done to keep these people safe. My son’s behavior was reckless, so he shall be punished like any other citizen would.”

  My hands trembled as my heartbeat quickened. I was filled with the desire to take this man’s life. His pride and arrogance were repugnant.

  My surroundings disappeared when my eyelids pressed together. In the darkness around me, I saw Alistar crouched on the ground, naked. He shivered as he sobbed.

  “I will fail like he did,” he whispered. “There is no strength in me to fight.”

  Though I saw him in such a fragile state, my desire to take his life still burned.

  “They judge me but they do not know what is inside of me.”

  I drew out my sword.

  “I miss her…” His voice trailed off. “If only they knew…”

  With my sword raised in the air, I was prepared to decapitate him. Once again, I wondered why these desires burned inside of me. No matter how proud or arrogant Alistar was, his only desire was to protect his people. I lowered my sword. Its tip pointed to the ground.

  Maybe I won’t kill you yet, I thought. I calmed myself, returning to my senses.

  The guards dragged Arundel from the crowd. He strained against their grasp, but it was no use.

  “I regret nothing, father!” he shouted as they took him away. “Tell them the truth!”

  XVI

  “Alistar!” I shouted in anger as I saw him walk inside his house. “Do you expect me to leave without my parents?” I headed toward him, walking up the stairs in front of the doorway.

  “Please, leave Papa alone,” Sela grabbed my hand, looking at me with glistening eyes. I jerked my hand from hers.

  “Look at me, coward!” I demanded, ignoring her innocent request.

  He turned around. “There is great darkness surrounding all of you. I do not want you to linger here any longer,” he said with fidgeting eyes.

  “Have you not yet realized that darkness has taken over our world?” Rage burned inside of me. “Sooner or later, this war will be at your doorstep.”

  He buried his face in his hand, shaking his head in disdain. My companions walked into the house.

  “I know of the books that you carry,” Alistar said. Surprised gasps followed. “I know of the powers they possess. I had men in the Kingdom of Bellator. They informed me of the rebellion that took place while you were there. I will not repeat King Demyon’s foolish actions.”

  “Will you do nothing, then?” Wrinkles creased around Devin’s eyes as he pressed his eyebrows. “Will you remain hidden in the shadows of the mountains as darkness grows?”

  “If it ensures our safety, then yes.” He turned his back to us. “The king of Madbouseux failed because he succumbed to the power of the Book of Letters.” His eyes looked over his shoulder. “Who is to say that I will not do the same?”

  “People are dying!” Xylia shouted as she shook her head, pointing in the direction of the crowd.

  “And m
any more will die, young girl.” He marched up to her. I tightened my fists, prepared to strike him. “Tell me, have you felt the power of your book growing on you yet?” Xylia’s eyes widened as her jaw dropped slightly. “Can you hear his voice calling for you?” She panted as the words drifted from his mouth.

  He circled the room with his fearful eyes. “Soon you will all be taken by him,” he said in a scornful tone. “No book-bearer can resist the temptations of Lucifer.”

  Petra cleared his throat as he stepped forward.

  “Tell me, Alistar.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “How can you be so sure that we will give in to the darkness? How can you be so sure that we will fail?”

  He pursed his lips into a snide smile.

  “Lucifer is already finding a place in every single one of your hearts.” With quick steps, he made his way to the kitchen. His hands trembled as he grabbed a cup and filled it with wine. I felt the frigid breeze blowing through the open door behind us.

  “Do I lie?” he asked, taking a sip from his drink.

  I could see apprehension taking over my companions. I looked at Devin, and his eyes shied away from mine. Demetre approached me, standing by my side.

  “I assume your silence is a response in the affirmative,” he said, spreading out his arms. “Why would I risk temptation when my people and me are safely hidden inside this village?” He was about to drink from his cup when loud screams were heard.

  I looked over my shoulder and caught sight of the fearful crowd making their way out of the streets. The screams loudened as I walked through the doorway.

  “What is it?” Ballard asked, following me with sword in hand.

  Through the white streets and houses came three dark, hooded figures. Their cloaks covered their feet, dragging on the snow. They marched in our direction, their faces hidden behind a shadow. The one on the far left had within its grasp a soldier’s head smeared with blood and dirt.

  “Be ready to attack at any time,” I ordered, shuddering at the sight.

  Petra’s hands trembled as they reached for his sword. Adara’s eyes glistened while she watched the mysterious figures approach us.

  “Now is not the moment to be afraid,” I encouraged them.

  I felt Xylia touch my shoulder. For a moment, it was as if we could read each other’s thoughts—we had both realized that blood was going to be spilled in this village today. Alistar pushed us from his way as he marched toward the mysterious beings.