Shadowstruck

Chapter 3 Part 1

The sun reflected off of the soot-covered metal spires in the distance. Noah could see that the flag with the royal family's crest on it had been torn and burned. He felt rage surge through him and he glanced towards the writhing column of smoke between him, his friends, and death.

He was pretty sure he'd rather choose death than keep surviving out here. 

Noah glanced around, looking at his friends' faces. Each had varying levels of determination and anger. Even Koko. And she was quite possibly the nicest, kindest person stuck out here.

A voice crept up in the back of his mind. This is your fault. 

He shook his head and concentrated on keeping the energy shield up. For some reason, this...thing could past through it easier than others. He had an angry red gash on his arm as a reminder.

The twisting, dark cloud lashed out again. Whitney and Sean backed up. Neither of them had long range weapons.

Noah was about to tell them to run, get to safety, away from whatever this was, but Cooper pushed them towards the woods. "Go! We got this covered."

Sean looked ready to argue but Cooper spun him around and shoved him towards the trees. The two of them sprinted for cover, barely avoiding a dark, cloudy blade thrown by the smoke. Cooper looked unimpressed as he gripped his sword and faced the dark cloud, shrugging his jacket back onto his shoulders. It was a bit large and the rapid movement from before had caused it to slide down a bit. Noah watched his stalk forward, holding the hilt in both hands as the fading sun reflected off of it.

He was a good kid. Noah was still surprised that he hadn't even voiced an option of staying. He just...went. With no hesitation. He had some of Noah's respect for that. And also some fear. Anyone who stuck to their word that quickly could probably be a threat if used in the right way.

Noah was suddenly very, very glad Cooper was on his side. Even more so than he had been previously. He thought about the promise they had made just a few days ago.

"Death is permanent. You - you can't take that back. And if I can do something, anything, to stop that...I will."

"Huh."

"I-If someone dies, you cant take that back. Death isn't a joking matter, it's a line, and a line you can't un-cross. No one deserves to die."

Noah shook his head trying to bring his attention back to the current situation, but Cooper's voice echoed around in his head.

"Can you promise me something? Please?"

Noah shut his eyes, trying to focus.

"Just...keep me from doing something I shouldn't do."