Volume V: The Tragic End of Treason

Chapter 21. Continued Inconsistencies

            So here’s where the story should get interesting.

            Before I forget, there are a few things I should get out of the way. To continue with my pattern of explanation of character, I should include my fellow companions and enemies. I’ll explain from the outsider’s perspective, instead of according to my personal vengeance. An attempt to be neutral and unbiased. Doesn’t hurt to try.

            Galat was my right hand man, my “for better or for worse”; whatever came up, he’d handle it. No matter what the obstacle was or how much he protested, he still ended up at my side on the line. He had his convictions, morals, and principles, but he had a distinct line he wouldn’t cross. In case of fire, go out and drown your madness in alcohol. Loyal to the core, Galat had no true ambition beyond his service to others. When granted freedom, he merely laughed, kept his liberty locked in a jar and moved on with his life of servitude. Galat came and went, his death went without reply because he was far from memorable. Just another rung on the later, he was there more for looks.    

            Ashe, the last standing of Dyre’s large family. He was loyal to his cause, refusing to betray Dev with his life on the line. He tried as hard as he could, but he was the youngest and weakest of the group. With all the rest dead, you’d think he’d quit on his insane notions and let go of the fool’s dreams. But instead, he allowed silent vengeance to consume him and he became devoted. His devotion was sorrily misplaced. And he paid the cost with his life; the first casualty in our children’s war of morals.

            Hadrien was the faithful and just leader. That might be giving him too much credit. There was something in his general character that made your spine crawl when you caught sight of him, that, something...he held power in the palm of his hand but you wouldn’t dare go near enough to check for sure. He was the great and powerful, the booming voice that demanded attention, the stern eye that couldn’t be reconciled with. He was beyond emotion, caring only for his little sister, Morgan. When it came to her, he was the all-knowing father, holding her leash close to his side. It was with the same chain that she choked herself later on. He doesn’t know how to shoulder blame properly, so he shifts it continuously until he’s run out of people to put it to. And then he just starts shooting people to make up for it. One way or another, he’s never wrong. Never.

            Morgan, Hadrien’s baby sister, the true first casualty; her loss being innocent and neutral. She hung herself with the chain her brother kept her with, figuratively speaking. Sweet girl, a lot of potential, creative, artistic...she could have gone anywhere. She was remembered for her kind smile overshadowed by the dark gloom in her eyes. Her misery was etched into her features, her longing to be free. The freedom that finally came to her wasn’t exactly what she had in mind. Perhaps it was the only way.

            Marcellus took the place as head troublemaker. Him and his little sister, Dev, were high up on the chain of command under Vincent, high enough to try to take over following his “tragic” demise. Yet, due to “family issues”, no such smooth transition of power occurred. When Vince fell, Marcellus’ headstrong methods and brutal techniques led some to question his role as a leader; his split-second decisions and deceiving character led more astray. So when it came down to it, Marcellus was overlooked for the position, leaving his little sister in his place. He was too proud to take it sitting down; rounding up his more loyal comrades, he quit the gang and set out to start his own. Finding problems in his own ranks, he turned to tearing apart any success he could find, starting with his sister. The rivalry took awhile to come into full swing, but when it finally did, everyone was caught up in the fray. Cellus has no convictions about getting innocent people involved in his personal matters. Similar to his predecessors - Cicero and Vincent - Marcellus was ruthless in his methods. But he lacked the charm, the gleaming smile and cool character to pull it off. His silent, brooding demeanor left most people suspicious at a glance. He never quite learned to expand on his “people” skills.