Soldier

Chapter 53: Jace

I chose my friend. Power means nothing, if it means losing everyone I care about. I realized this too late. I understand now... I rushed the world. I already... he already killed thousands... millions. I left that book where it was, and helped Alex walk out of the room. More visions plagued my vision as we walked, but I can still see.

I have my arm over Alex's shoulder, keeping him up. Alex held onto his side with his other. He's lost a lot of blood. The bullet punctured a lung, and passed through some smaller arteries. If Alex doesn't get a doctor, real help, soon-he is going to die. But he should have... Alex should have already died... It's a feeling I have had since I saw him. There shouldn't be a way that he can even move...

Though, that doesn't matter. I have to get him out of here. The castle is collapsing in on itself. Pipe lines carrying water are bursting everywhere. Were already soaked about halfway down from the knees and the water is still coming. If we don't get out of here, both of us are going to die. I can't let that happen!

I continued to push forward with Alex. Alex started to cough up blood. Were just about to get into another hallway. We've gotten lost in the maze of the castle. What luck... I can't tell Alex that now. Probably wouldn't appreciate the joke right now. Just hang in there, old friend...

I tried to open a door at the end of the room were in. As I grasped the metal doorknob, the wall exploded with water pressure. The wall is obliterated and water filled the room nearly up to the roof. I struggled to keep myself afloat.

I sunk, water getting sucked into my throat. I resurfaced to breath and sunk all over again. The water clouded my vision as I tried to do a thousand things at once. I flailed my arms in the water as I tried to keep above the water.

A loud, bang, came out of nowhere.

The next thing I knew I found myself swept outside into a small trench system.

I started to slide at an extremely fast rate, down with the water. I fell under the water for a moment as my body hit against a hard surface. I tossed back and forth with the water, until I grabbed ahold of a ledge, or something.

I pulled myself out of the water as I coughed out the water from my lungs. I nearly fell back in as I splashed onto a grassy surface.

I dragged myself away from the water, and stayed on my knees. My cloths feel heavy. My hairs dripping water.

I looked around. I'm in a courtyard...

A cold breeze tried to freeze me to death as it blew by.

I shook my head, and tried to figure out where Alex is.

Someone grabbed me by my shoulder and stood me up. Before I saw who it is, I felt as the person punched me in my jaw.

I flew back onto the ground and looked up at the one who hit me. It's the person who was with Kairi... Wait!

I looked past him to see Kairi kneeling over Alex. He has his hand over hers, and he has a smile on his face. Kairi yelled over to the person,

"Kal! Let him go... he can help Alex!"

The guy, named Kal, stepped out of the way from Kairi's view. She looks dead set she could help him.

"Jace... you can use that book to save him... right?! Right?!!"

I froze up and only managed to squeal. A fool... that's what I am... a fool... I never thought of using the book to heal someone. I blindly forgot about all its uses... only what I wanted to know was what I did. Why... why you cruel world... you cruel f___ing world!!!

Kairi pleaded again,

"You can... can't you! Please... can't you?! HEs you friend, isn't he! Answer me!"

My voice cracked. My throat feels sore and squeezed.

"I don't even have that book anymore... even if I did...I can't... we made a deal... that no one in his family, would be affected by the book. Including him... I'm sorry...! I'm sorry! I...I-!!!"

Kal grabbed onto my arms and pulled them behind my back. He pulled out some rope and tied my hands together.

"You're not getting away. You are under arrest for treason, and murder!"

Kal shoved me onto the floor next to Alex.

Alex tried to say something, but couldn't. His head is laid against Kairi's lap. With his final words he told Kairi,

"I love you... Kay. I can't stay much longer... Promise me you will take care... and tell them, tell them I'm sorry. Without... without friends, family, we are nothing. Don't forget that. Every living thing doesn't deserve to die... but they do anyways. Listen to your heart, and do what's right. Never forget that... Take care, Kairi. Please don't cry... everything's going to be... alright," Kairi kissed him one last time as more tears fell from her cheeks. Alex turned to face me and smiled. Why is he... why?!

"Why are you smiling Alex? I-"

"Thanks for being my friend Jace, up till the end. Don't lose sight of who you are... Goodbye my friend... I'll see you... next time... none of you forget____ __ ________"

He closed his eyes with a smile and didn't say anything afterwards. Kairi shook him hard, but he didn't respond.

Kal lifted me off the ground, and threw me to the side.

He knelt down beside Alex and made a cross with a small rosary in his hands.

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry Kairi. I wish there was another way. All we can do now... is say our goodbyes,"

Kal stood up. Kairi held onto Alex's body as she tried to hold back tears. But she couldn't, and cried over his body.

A voice came into my head.

"You see... you have created a tragedy. The world is changed Jace. I hope you can live with your decision. You, have, fallen. This is why I do not interfere. Why, I should never have... but then, if I hadn't, humanity will have already died. I love my children, Jace, but I... gave them choices so they could carve their own destinies. Regardless of their choices, I wish only that they love me and love each other and forgive those who have lost their way. But you Jace... you failed the test."

The voice disappeared and left me alone to my wallowing. The voice left, after it pointed out everything... everything I did and accused me of. I didn't even get a chance to respond... but it's right. People have died, reasons were made, and ideals were chosen. Angels and demons, and whatever else out there is real... exist. Have I really done any good... I don't know. What did I really accomplish... what was my purpose? Everyone seemed to find theirs... but I am still left in the dark. I learned much, but lost too much in return. I have killed people. I don't know what's going to happen from here on... All I know is that world has changed, and I was the one who did it. This time... there are going to be better things then what it is. Lives have been lost, but life does not care. It moves on. Life will grow even in the wake of death... Well... I will just have to end that. I can still fix... my mistakes...

I have to...