IronGuard

CHAPTER 3

TWO YEARS AGO

"More!" Captain Gildas yells, "You think you'll be able to save your sister with that attitude!"

"I'm exhausted!" Marcus exclaims barely able to stand, one knee slowly sinking in the mud and his clothes getting heavier as the rain continues to pour, "We have been practicing this since morning!"

"A battle with the enemy could last for days without sleep!" Captain Gildas kicks mud into Marcus' face and attacks, "You will be weak! you will be exhausted! you will be standing in front of Death's door" He delivers deadly blows which Marcus is lucky to deflect.

Marcus stands up and pushes Captain Gildas back, recovering his stance and will. 

"Why do we have to do this now!?" Marcus breathes heavily as he feels that he is near the point of breaking, "And why is Dello here while the rest are running in the mountains?" He shouts out to Dello who is standing under a tree out of the rain.

"He's suppose to be next after you but since you haven't given up yet" Captain Gildas smirks, "I want him to see you suffer" He attacks Marcus again and  this time Marcus crosses blades with him, now it is a battle of strength.  

"I won't give up! and I won't suffer!" Marcus gives it all his got to push back Captain Gildas' sword but the Captain notices it and kicks him in the leg, Marcus falls down to the mud and Captain Gildas points the end of his sword at Marcus' neck. "That was a dirty trick!"

"That is reality boy!" Captain Gildas kicks away Marcus' sword and stares at him deeply, "Truth is the demons will do anything to kill you! Just like what they did to your family!" 

Captain Gildas' words feel more sharp than any blade and heavier to the heart than any rock. Marcus closes his eyes and Captain Gildas assumes that he has conceded and accepted defeat. He removes his sword from Marcus' neck and walks away. 

"Marcus, there will be those who will stand in your way when you go after your sister" Captain Gildas looks up and stares at the rain clouds slowly passing with the sun hinting that it will show its face again, "Your friends, fellow IronGuard and the demons will stand in your way, if you can't defeat me, defeat all those that stand in your way then" He looks at Marcus who is still down on the mud, "You can forget about taking your sister back!"

Marcus' eyes explodes open as if lightning hits him in the heart, shocking life back into his body. His fingers slowly twitching in the mud, his heart beating faster and faster and his mind goes dark but comes quickly the face of his sister, her face, her smile and her eyes telling him Come for me.

"Dello! Get your gear, you're up next!" Captain Gildas cleans his sword with a cloth but Dello is not moving, "What are you waiting for? I said you're up nex-"

"Captain" Dello nervously points at Marcus and Captain Gildas turns back.

"Well, well what do we have here" Captain Gildas chuckles, "It seems he just don't know when to giv-" He notices Marcus' eyes blank as a piece of paper but has a clearer message than any letter.

 I will take my sister back! 

Captain Gildas' sword hand trembles and slightly loses his grip for a moment. He looks up the sky and sees the sun shining again and as he is under the tree covered by its shadow. Marcus is standing on the open field with the light shining upon him. Not a very superstitious man but this time Captain Gildas thinks that the heavens are trying to say something. He only laughs in excitement and raises his blade.

"This boy really is something" Captain Gildas whispers, "Alright Marcus! Seems you've got some energy left let us see what you can do from here"