The Son of Light

Chapter 18 A Council of War.

For a long time, Matthias couldn't speak, nor even think. All he felt was anger, confusion, and hate. What had she been doing? Everything Tallant had said had come true. "No! No! No!" he wanted to scream "Why?" Something else was happening to Matthias's heart other then feeling wrath. It was pain. Heartache. A pain so poignant it felt as if someone had stabbed him in the heart and blood was pouring forth. Matthias felt as if the whole world had ended, and his heart desperately tried to reassure himself that everything in spite of this, would end in his favor. But the more he tried to cope, the more stupid and self loathing he felt. As the exited the vehicles and entered into the house, Matthias was so despondent and forlorn that Takeshi took notice and approached Matthias. "Matt, are you all right?" he asked sympathetically. "Yeah. I'm just great . . ." Matthias had then rushed to his room threw himself onto his bed and bawled his eyes out. Beating his pillow with his fists.

Later at final formation, Matthias stood dolefully at parade rest while his compatriots all talked jovially amongst themselves. Tallant called them to attention and then back to parade rest, and Wandy addressed Die Eisenfaust. "Excellent work this week, brave warriors!" he cajoled. "We are very nearly at our journey's end. Stay true and faithful for our cause is just. Just a little bit more long suffering, and we shall take back the Fatherland by the this time next year!" Everyone except Matthias and Takeshi cheered and made other gratuitous expressions of approval and joy. Wandy held up a hand for silence and resumed speaking. "That being said, there are a few more objectives we must meet before then. Matthias Lichtträger, post!" Slightly disoriented by the sudden command, Matthias fell out and rushed forward to stand at attention and about turned to face the company. "Matthias has contributed Immensely to our cause this week, and as such he will remain her in the estate with me for the remainder of the year. I am pleased to say we have finally discovered the secret of his blood, and that we intend to weaponize it against our enemies. However Matthias is going to need a battle buddy for his own accountability while he resides her with me. Matthias, choose one of your brothers!"

Matthias insides quaked. He was overjoyed to know that they were finally reaching the end, and that he would not have to return to the Internment zone. But he was also disheartened in knowing that only one other boy would share his fortune. But who would he choose? How could he choose? Everyone here deserved to be free of that infernal zone and all its pain and misery. But he could only take one. He surveyed all, carefully weighing his options. "Takeshi," he said. "Takeshi, post!" Takeshi fell out and like Matthias positioned himself in front of the company. "The rest of you will return with Tallant Schlechtmann to the Internment zone tomorrow and await further orders pending our next mission. I ask only that you all continue to be long suffering and patient. It has come to my attention that many of you are questioning the legitimacy of our cause, and becoming disillusioned with every passing mission. Trust me my Warriors. This will end. And that end is coming soon!" With that they were dismissed for supper.

But Matthias didn't join the others. He had no appetite given what he had seen earlier that day. All he wanted now, was to go to room and sleep away the pain, if that were possible as he didn't doubt his dreams would be haunted by the terrible reality. He opened the door, and was about to draw up a bath for himself, when his heart nearly burst with sudden rush of hate and anger. There sitting on his bed, smiling as if nothing at all had happened earlier that day, was Allegra! "You!?" roared Matthias bearing his teeth. He raised his fist and advanced upon her. Her face fell and became terribly fearful. "What-?" "How dare you show your face to me? after what you did?" he yelled. "Matthias what are you-?" "Don't you dare lie! I saw you! I saw you kissing that man outside that cafe!" Matthias was so angry at this point his body was convulsing, his veins throbbing and his eyes blazed. "Matthias? that wasn't . . All right yes, I don't deny it. That was me. But please listen to me. My actions today was for the cause. Everything I do is for the cause!" Matthias pulled a face of revolted disbelief. "Huh? What do you mean-?" "I'M A WHORE!" she bellowed. "I am a prostitute! . . . An escort. I fuck men for information and I relay that information back to Wandy!" Matthias stared at her, this was absolute madness. "Then why-" "Wandy doesn't trust you Matthias! He's furious that you didn't kill Wexely, but then you went and killed Munrow. He's also suspicious of you and your past. So he ordered me to "befriend" you, and to extract the truth about you."  She began to cry. Matthias heard, but also didn't hear as his heart swelled with furious indignation at the blatant treachery of it all.