The Guardsmen

Chapter 42: Encroaching Possession

Night falls and the moon rises into the sky. A small fire flickers in the center of the group. Acacius leans against the base of a tree with his arms and legs bound.

"I can't wait to leave the damn forests" complains Calina.

"Me too," says Andrus.

"So how do we plan to get to one of the king's advisors?" asks Evander.

Calina waves her hand dismissively.

"That's a later problem for future us to deal with. Let's just chill out until then!" she says.

Evander's expression changes to a mix of annoyance and disbelief. Acacius suddenly groans.

"Hey, he's waking up," says Evander.

Everyone directs their attention.

"Where...where am I?" asks Acacius.

"Still the damn forest" Calina says in a condescending tone.

Acacius tries to move and stretch but is immediately stopped by the tight bindings. His eyes suddenly widen.

"You have to leave me! I'm not myself! I can't-" says Acacius.

"Shut it. You don't have a say" interjects Andrus.

Eden watches Acacius in silence.

"You don't understand!" shouts Acacius.

"No. You don't understand!" Andrus shouts back.

The back of Kokuro's hand suddenly slaps Acacius's cheek from behind the tree. Andrus softly chuckles in amusement.

"You're too loud," says Kokuro.

"Please...I'm sorry. You have to let me go. It's not safe!" pleads Acacius.

"Why?" asks Evander.

"It's Dabria!" says Acacius.

Calina scoffs.

"Well, then no biggie. We're going to take of that, and then you. Win-win on our part!" she says.

"Wait...what are you going to do?" asks Acacius.

"I don't know what my guy is going to do, but I just know he is good at what he does" replies Calina.

"Who are you-" says Acacius.

"Who is this 'guy' of yours? You're being very vague" says Kokuro.

"Well, Number Four, in our line of business; being vague is kind of our whole deal" condescends Calina.

Kokuro shrugs his shoulders and joins the group around the fire.

"Please! You have to-" says Acacius.

Acacius suddenly stops as if he is choking on his own words. His eyes roll to the back of his head.

"Acacius?" mutters Eden.

Acacius's head limply drops down. Without warning, a large bolt of red lightning shoots into the night sky. Everyone jumps to their feet. Dabria raises his head; his red eyes glowing and glaring through the mask.

"Welcome to the end of this era! I've almost come back to life!" Dabria sings ominously.

Evander draws a pistol and quickly aims.

"I've done my time and served my sentence. I see you've dressed up to die!" Dabria continues to sing.

With minimal effort, Dabria snaps the bindings around his arms and legs. The aura of bloodlust seeps into the air. Dabria rises to his feet. A sudden bolt of lightning strikes down on Dabria. Eden stands with her arm extended; electricity enveloping her body. Dabria stands paralyzed.