Age of Darkness

Chapter 36: Secrets Unspoken

I rush forward to the door, grabbing James, and throwing him into the wall. I punch him in the face, and throw him into the opposite wall. Drawing my sword, I put it to his throat, just enough to release a single drop of blood.

I want so badly to drive it through his throat. I want to hear him scream. I want him to suffer, the way my grandfather suffered. I want him dead.

No, I can't. I need answers. I want reasons, words, excuses. A proble with people. Then... Then I'll kill him.

''Give me one good reason why I shouldn't kill you...''

He looks down at the blade on his throat, then opens his mouth to speak, but the leader of the Last Council speaks first.

''Because he's our spy. He's on our side.''

I spin around, facing the elder.

''Lies! He's responsible for my grandfather's death!''

''It's true,'' James speaks. ''I'm on your side, Nicholas. I always have been. I may be a fool, but I'm not stupid enough to turn to the side of Zirkon.''

''Of course you're on his side! Because of you, my grandfather is dead! You burned down my house! You tried to kill us! Why? Why?!''

I ready myself to stab him right through on my sword. I'm ready to explode from anger. He sighs.

''Because I had no choice...''

''No choice?! Of course you had a choice!''

I'm grab him again, ready to end his life. He looks at me with cold, but sorrowful eyes.

''If you'd let me explain, boy... How about you put the sword away, and we... talk?''

''You don't make the choices. Not now. Get talking, or I'll make sure you never talk again.''

He moves my hand away from his neck, and stands. I don't trust him. I look at him with suspicion, and wariness,

''Years ago,'' hs begins. ''I was younger. Your grandfather was younger. Decades, even. I stopped keeping track. I was foolish, I had no freewill, or intelligent thought of my own. I was a follower. I saw power, and I wanted it. So when James, whom your grandfather raised as a child, told me of his plans, of what he was capable of, and what he could give me if I assisted him, I took it.''

He looks me in the eyes. I see fear, but I also see regret. He looks at my sword, like he's sure I'll pull it out on him. No, not yet.

''I will always regret that moment in my life. I've made a lot of mistakes, but that was probably my greatest...''

Killing my grandfather was his greatest mistake.

''Zirkon, ah, Michael launched his attack on Zaria. It was better then. Then, after the ongoing war with Damus, we they were expecting the attack. They fought back, and Michael had to fight long and hard to break through into the city. When all seemed lost, your Grandfather, Alexander, and his apprentice, Zelda, were Altaria's last hope. They infiltrated the castle, and Alex destroyed the monster he had created. Or so he thought...''

I start paying attention. I never knew much of my grandfather's past. Other than the legend of the Hero, which I had no clue he had anything to do with until recently. I heard bits from Zelda, from my grandfather, and from the Oracle, until two of those three were... killed by Zirkon. So I take in any info I can get.

''After Zirkon's fall, I was regret-stricken. I was broken. I retreated to the edges of the earth, content with living the rest of my life in solitude. Things were well. I started to work my way back into society. Life improved. Years passed. Then, a few years ago, my dreams began to twist. I could feel him. He pulluted my thoughts, haunted my mind day and night. His body was struck down, but his consciousness lived on. Cast into the Dark Realm, never to return. That is, unless someone were to free him from his prison. I didn't know what to do. I feared for my life, and so I accepted my task. I took Cole under my wing, and began to search out the truth of how to resurrect my former master...''

My grip on my sword strengthens, as I begin to get angry again...

''I worked for manh weeks at the Tower of Time, conducting the Dark Magic necessary to bring someone back from the Dark World. The exhaust almost killed me, but it was not as bad as what would have happened, if I turned away from him. I needed one last thing to make the process complete.''

''Me...''

''No, not you exactly. A human with a strong life force. And you, being raised by the Hero of old, I thought you would be the best choice. Part of me hoped I would die trying to capture you. But, no... I had to settle with killing Cole, which actually benefitted our cause. A weaker life force, made Zirkon's regeneration of power slower. Then, after leaving you at the Tower of Time, we launched our attack on Zaria. I'm sure Christian already told you, but it was swift and deadly. The townsfolk did not expect us, and we spept through the city. Zirkon killed many. A few escaped here. He took the castle, killed the king, and declared himself the Dark Lord of Altaria. His men have been searching for you fr days. He senses your presence. He knows you're here. But I will not reveal the tunnels. I am done answering to that man.''

I sheath my sword... I still hate the guy, but part of me pities him, being forced under the wrath of Zirkon. I can't imagine what he's gone through in his life.

''And why are you here?''

''I feel... remorse. I regret ever joining Zirkon in the first place. I was friends with your grandfather. Before the wars. All of this, it's all my fault. I'm a coward. I feared him. And I'm sorry, I truly am. And so, I am here to help. I have served as Zaria's spy since Zirkon invaded.''

I don't trust him one bit...

''And you have a plan?''

''Yes, you plan to lead these people, yes?''

''I'm not a leader, but I will serve as general.''

''A military leader, you are the only hope this city has. Good. Your task is to form an army of sorts, launch an attack. Do that as you will. Stand against Zirkon, when nobody else will. If you manage to injure him in battle, as his right hand man, I shall prepare the healing potion for him. But instead of a potion, I shall poison him. It's an unlikely chance, but if all goes according to plan, perfectly, then Zirkon will fall, and Altaria will be saved.''

''And if it fails?''

''Then we will have to settle on our last resort. Our final hope. You will have to face him yourself, and kill him.''

''Sounds simple enough, I thought that would be my task anyway, so it's no big shock.''

''And one last thing, boy...''

''Yes?''

''Zirkon is... immortal. Only one thing can kill him. One of the things he keeps closest to him. Otherwise, he is unstoppable.''

''What is it?''

''Only his own sword can kill him. And only if it's handled by one with a pure heart. The Divine Power from within you can destroy Zirkon's Dark Power from within, and you shall strike him down with it.''

Of course, how can anything ever be simple? This is my life... Nothing can ever be easy! I get close to James, and give him an icy cold stare.

''You are the only person Zirkon trusts. You make this happen, or I promise you, I will kill you. No tricks.''

''No tricks.''

''Now get out!''

I shove him out of the door, wanting to get him out of my sight. It's hard to take in everything I've just heard, but I'm starting to get used to that kind of thing.''

The elderly head of the Last Council, whom I assume is Christian, speaks up.

''What an interesting meeting. Hopefully, Nicholas, and Elizabeth, all shall go according to plan. You may hate him, and for good reason, but that man has a part to play, for better or for worse, and depending on which road he chooses, he may make your job a lot easier. Now, me to show you to your rooms.''

''Room,'' pipes up Elizabeth.

''Room?'' Christian eyes us with a develish grin. ''Well, I shall show you to your room, shall we?''

He guides us through a section of tunnels, but my mind keeps travelling to James. Somehow, I fear for him...