Black Crystal Part 1 - The Origin

Chapter Twenty One ~ Peter's Decision

They all gathered in a very large dining hall with comforting lighting. There were more than enough seats for all eight of them. After their introductions, Lenora, Garen, and Lucius all explained everything that happened on their journey from Grants Pass to the Capitol, of the kindness of the people in Eugene, and of the battle against Bartholomew.

"That sounds like quite the journey," Nohr chuckled, taking a sip of water. "Glad to see you kids are okay."

"So, you're like Mr. Hero, aren't you?" Xander scoffed at Garen. Suddenly, a feeling of tension filled the room. Garen exchanged glances with Lenora, who shrugged with cluelessness, then he looked back at Xander, who continued speaking. "You don't seem all that tough. How'd a kid like you save my sister?"

"Xander," Maevis sighed with exasperation as she rolled her eyes. "Please, be nice! They dealt with a lot to get here."

"But it sounds like he only depends on others to get the job done," Xander said to Maevis, but then he turned towards Garen with a slightly cocky grin. "I'll bet you aren't even a knight-in-training yet."

"Of course I'm not!" Garen replied defensively. "I'm an orphan from a poor village. What did you expect?"

"I suppose I expected more." Xander took a bite from a bread roll he had before he continued speaking. "I thought that the guy who would save my sister would be a strong, powerful swordsman or something like that, someone like Rin here."

"Please don't drag me into this..." Rin sighed, keeping her gaze away from everyone.

"Calm down, Xander!" Nohr exclaimed. "Jeez; what is up with you tonight? Your sister's safe now! You should be happy that these people were able to bring her back safely."

"I should, huh?" Xander scoffed and shook his head.

"Please excuse him," said Maevis. "He's had his fair share of worrying." The dining hall almost immediately went silent. It was rather uncomfortable, but finally, Peter broke the silence.

"Well, this is quite a scenario," he chuckled. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna head outside. I think I'm gonna turn in."

"Hold on a second there," Nohr began, standing up. "You're not sleeping outside! Not when winter's coming! C'mon; we've got plenty of space here in the Castle."

"Eh, I'm good." Peter waved at them dismissively as he started to walk out of the Castle. "I've been doing it most of my life, so I've got no problem with doing it now." Everyone watched as Peter left the Castle. Lucius squirmed uncomfortably in his seat and finally got up.

"Excuse me for a moment," he chuckled nervously before running after Peter.

* * *

"Peter!" Lucius exclaimed as he finally found the exit to the Castle. Outside, Peter stood with his spear in one hand and his axe in the other hand. He didn't even pay attention to Lucius. "Peter! What are you doing?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Peter chuckled quietly. "I'm gonna kill him. I'm gonna kill Bartholomew myself, and I'm gonna do it alone."

"What!?" Lucius hissed. He looked around and put a hand on Peter's shoulder, trying to turn him back to the Castle. "Facing him alone would be suicide. The people of Eugene were gathering an entire army to face off against him. And you saw all those demons he had behind him! You can't face him alone. Please, come back to the Castle."

"And do what?" Peter replied with anger in his voice. "Sit there with someone who used to be my friend and tolerate being with people I'm not welcome around?"

"Peter, you know that's not—"

"Am I supposed to sit back like the rest of them while Bartholomew goes off on a killing spree? Do you expect me to let him go back to the village?" Peter quickly turned around with an angry fire in his eyes as tears fell down his cheeks. "It's over anyways, Lucius! I can't let him get back to the village..."

Lucius looked at Peter with a sorrowful expression. He opened his mouth to speak, but he couldn't think of anything to say that would change Peter's mind. It didn't matter much anyway. Peter turned around and began walking away from the Castle.

"Tell everyone I went off to explore in the morning," he said. "No one's gonna miss me anyway."