Sword of Stars

Chapter Thirty Six. Gone.

Garek had no idea how long he had been a prisoner. Was it months or years? There was no way to tell being confined to the lavish pavilion. His mind felt as numb as his genitals. He lay on his side with the silk blankets half covering his naked body when he felt Syndrome rise.

“Don’t get up to any trouble while I’m gone Swordbearer. I will be back in no time to continue our session,” she rumbled.

The tent flap opened and she was gone. For how long he didn’t know. She seemed to go for random and unspecified times so he could never predict when she would return. Every second of it was bliss until the dreaded moment she came back.

Garek threw the blankets off, deciding that he wouldn’t waste another chance to search for the sword. He knew it was here somewhere. He could feel its pull, as if it was calling him.

He stood in the centre of the tent and closed his eyes. That’s where he could feel it the strongest, as if it were right below him. He had searched underneath the carpets and there was nothing but solid ground. He frowned as he thought, scratching at his short beard. He had definitely seen the sword disappear into the sand where he was standing, how could it be here? Surely Syndrome didn’t touch it, she couldn’t have.

Perhaps what Rilik had claimed was true, maybe he was still in the Endless Sands trapped in an illusion that Syndrome had spun. He didn’t think he had the strength to fight the power of Chaos without the Sword of Prophecy. He needed it and it felt so close.

He opened his eyes a stared down at the red carpet. He focused on one spot, concentrating with all his will and need. He thought about how much the world needed him. He thought about what would happen to his mother if he didn’t escape from this place. He thought about his new friends who were now stuck in the middle of a massive desert without direction. He thought about his best friend Cecil.

Garek looked at the tent entrance as he hesitated. He made his way across the room and put his ear to the opening, listening for any small sound. After he was sure that Syndrome wouldn’t come back he knelt down in the middle of the tent and put his hand flat on the carpet. With eyes closed he summoned up an image of the sword in his mind, solidifying it, making it tangible.

He felt his hand begin to sink into the carpet, the feel of hot sand warming his skin. He sank deeper and deeper. Then his fingers closed around the hilt of the sword and his mind exploded with visions.

The world burning. Cities falling. People dying. A man flew through darkness as small lights zipped by. A single ray of light breaking through the darkness. A wall of sand with two gravestone upon it. A small cottage with trees and greenery blooming around it.

Garek’s vision cleared and he pulled the sword from the sandy carpet. It still shined the same as the day he pulled it from the diamonite. A voice sounded outside and Garek’s heart twisted. He sprinted for the bed and threw the silk sheets over his body, pretending to be asleep, sword tight in his hand.

“Honey, I’m back,” Syndrome said as the flaps opened.

Garek peeked through a blurred gap in his vision. Syndrome’s curved hips swung with each step as she made her way across the tent. She picked up a bottle and poured herself a small portion before sitting down on a pillow with a sigh. The dress she wore only covered a fraction of her body, leaving little to the imagination.

“I know you’re awake, Swordbearer. Come here and have a drink with me.”

Garek didn’t dare move. A bead of sweat rolled down his forehead, his whole body burning with anticipation.

Syndrome’s face turned dark as she lowered her glass. “I said come here.”

Garek squeezed his eyes closed as he felt a pull on his emotions. He tightened his grip on the sword until his palms ached. He tried his best to control his breathing but his pounding heart threatened to burst out from his chest. The blood was pumping so hotly in his ears that he couldn’t hear anything. He opened his eyes to see Syndrome standing next to the bed. His eyes traced up from her dainty feet, up her long legs and to her chest. She slipped the small dress off and it floated to the ground like a feather.

“I was thinking of giving you a treat, Swordbearer, but now I think you need further punishment.” She lowered herself down on the bed, straddling his waist.

Garek reached up and put a hand behind her head. With a burst of strength he pulled her down as he lifted the sword from under the blankets. It pierced the middle of her chest and exploded out her back.

“No…” Syndrome coughed in agony. She attempted to lift herself off the sword on shaky arms. Garek let go of the sword and used his other arm to hold her down. He grunted with the effort as he fought against her chaos born strength.

With a horrifying wail she leaned back, causing Garek to lose his grip. She put both hands on the blade and attempted to put the sword out. Both her hands hissed against the ancient steel and Syndrome’s howl intensified.

Garek scrambled out from underneath the dying monster and backed up against the furthest wall of the tent.

Syndrome’s eyes began to glow white, sending beams of light burning through the canvas. Her wails became haunted and two-toned. A wind whipped through the tent, throwing blankets and pillows in all directions. A smoky being rose from the ground and swirled around Syndrome’s body, ready to take her away to wherever these beings go to die.

A loud boom and piercing scream sounded and Syndrome was gone. The Sword of Prophecy fell to the sand with a soft crunch. A whispering voice carried on the wind.

Chaos…

Garek felt the heat of the star bare down on him and he fell to his knees. He was back in the Endless Sands, alone. He lay down on his back and breathed a sigh of relief. He thought it much better to die alone in the desert than be tortured by that creature.

After a few long minutes he struggled to his feet and collected the sword. He found the scabbard nearby and after strapping it back onto his belt and sliding the sword back home, began his walk once more.