Volume V: The Tragic End of Treason

Chapter 22. Define - Forever

            So here’s to the end of all ends. This is the fall that will send the gods to tears. And as they drown in their sorrow, the world will stop turning and chaos will rule all. Cry, Havok - be prepared for the madness in store. Let it be known - it was my hand that let this insanity slip out. I confess to any willing to listen - put your blame on my shoulders.

            My life ceased to be my own awhile ago. Returning home, I decided to drop by Toryn and inflict the latest dose of justice in my eyes. She was awake, pacing around her apartment. I let myself in. She looked up at me nervously.

            “What’s going on?” she muttered. I moved closer to her.

            “What do you mean?”

            She pulled a gun and leveled it on me. I moved closer until the flat of the barrel pressed into my chest. I merely smiled wider. She squared off, her body locked down, a shining example of control. I reached out and held the gun by the top, pulling it closer. She held tight.

            “What’s going on? The apocalypse. Tonight the gods will fall.”

            And I pulled the gun away, hit her swiftly, and watched her hit the floor. Stage one - complete. Now, on to the bigger fish; remember - sharks are drawn to the scent of blood.

            It took awhile of dragging, pushing, and carrying, but I achieved my purpose. I took Toryn to the warehouse, where all things happened. Where Vincent died. Where my sanity abandoned me. It was only fitting to come here. I’d hit her hard enough to keep her down, but chemical means were my certainty. I left her on the ground, unconscious; I went to collect my thoughts.

            First off, I’m not insane. I know exactly what I’m doing. I want the Endless. I want to screw up everyone’s carefully laid plans. I want compensation for the life I lost. Toryn’s blood is

on my hands, I know this. Right now, she’s my only hope in getting the bigger prey to show. Ironic - my condemner was my savior.

            Let me explain - Toryn led the group in deceiving me. She helped purposely destroy my life. She damned me to this hell without a hint of compassion. And she almost got away with it. The Endless wouldn’t come to me unless I really screwed up the works. Killing Toryn is a bit of a wrench in the gears. They’ll answer my cry or they’ll pay in blood.

            Somewhere deep down my conscience screamed out for release. I was intentionally blocking out my bleeding heart, my soul’s torments. I knew that what I was doing was wrong. I knew that this was a girl I had loved at some point. I knew that I was risking everything here. But the point was simple - what was I risking and why? What did I have left to risk? My sanity was shot to Hell. I didn’t have anything worth saving or hoping for. I was doing this because I had to. I needed to finish it. The tragedy, the drama, the constant cycle...it had to end. I couldn’t sit by and allow it any more. I couldn’t. This would be the end of all ends and I would make sure of it. I was ready for anything.

            Come what may.

            Toryn was stirring a bit when I finally heard steps echo in the distance. Even, matched steps, harmonizing together. You could tell that there were two pairs of feet, but they moved so well, so perfectly together, that most people would just overlook the obvious. They had both come. And that would probably put Klyde up in the rafters somewhere, Draven possibly in tow. The Endless were my concern right now, they were my point and purpose. They slunk out of the shadows to face me. Side by side, even and haunting. I had seen them so many times throughout the years that the usual eerie feeling that permeates from them was long gone. I had the gun in hand that Toryn had leveled at me earlier. The Endless stood and stared on.