The crackling of the dried bushes of the desert, the wind blowing up the mountainside. David could hear the hollow howling of the face. Continuing around the hill. He was drawing closer to a cave. He felt the cold chill of the night run up his spine. The lines painted on his face began to warm the skin on his face. He should have worn something warmer. The hairs on his arm stood straight the risen goosebumps of his skin at the roots. His brown hair blew in the wind. The wind kissed his forehead. There were no stars out, instead, a tapestry of black clouds overlayed ahead. Everything pointed to the presence of the darkness. Everything was barren, dead.

  David found some footprints, not fresh enough to be recent. Just enough to raise suspicion. Deciding to follow them up the path, the ground arching to a crest over the mountain. Taking a deep breath. Wrapping his body tighter in his cloak. It did not help much, but just enough to break up the wind from crashing into his cold skin. The howling grew louder. The cave was close by. Taking a right around a rock formation. His eyes painted over, taking sight of the cave entrance. Symbols carved into the arch overhead. He had found it. Relieved hoping that the hideout would be abandoned but preparing himself for the worst.

  Taking a step inside, it was dark. The cave is void of light, an abyss of darkness. David felt nothing but evil. His heart grew heavy, feeling it drop into his stomach. He was alone, feeling cut off from the spirits there. He continued slowly into the descent of the cave. “You’re a long way from home, Guardian.” David ignited his green blade, bringing light to the darkness. Raising it overhead horizontally, hoping to help as a flashlight. He turned around, wondering where the voice came from. David continued down into the darkness. Hearing demons whispering in his ears, flinching to the side. Nothing. David tried to recompose himself. Feeling dread soon consumes his heart. He reached into his back pocket, attempting to press the button on the beacon. He shook his head; he was not going to give up. Trying to fight it with whatever light he had stored within himself. “You can feel its power.” More whispers echoed throughout the cave. “How could you leave us?” Eve’s voice cried out, “You weren’t the man I thought you were.” A newborn cry echoed after her voice.

  “Eve!” David said, “I’m sorry.” He cried out into the darkness.

  “You were supposed to deliver us from the darkness.” Gabriel’s voice screams out in anger. “You are nothing, but a demon left of a man!” A trumpet blared out. David watched as a blue sword charged at him. Locking with David’s.

  “Gabe, what are you doing?” David cried out, the darkness began to grip onto his heart, the light in his eyes began to turn black. David looked at his hand, his green sword had faded to red and black. His hands were covered in black and red blood. Everything was so real. The darkness was so tempting, so much power. He could feel it at his fingertips. He desired it. No, he craved it. A lust he had never felt for something before. He could become powerful enough to bring peace to Earth. Stopping the corruption of the Order and destroying the Brotherhood once and for all. He felt a hand on his shoulder, turning his head. A face he had not seen since he was a child. Tears rolled down his face.

  “This is not my son.” Her voice of harmony broke through the darkness.

  David closed his eyes, “Stop!” He demanded dominion over his mind and heart. His broadsword flashed to white. Everything fell to silence. The dark hands from the corners of the abyss retreated into the shadows. David fell to one knee, “Mother?” He begged out into the darkness. His sword shifted back to his viridian green blade. Nothing but silence. He took a deep breath regaining his composure. David was back at ease. He was back in control of his mind and spirit. Placing one foot in front of the other he marched deeper into the abyss. David could feel the darkness avoiding him now, like oil and water. Thinking of the white blade. Never seen anything like it before, maybe just a part of the outburst of his energy?

  David came to the end of the cave. A flat wall stood before himself. Rubbing his hand across the rough rock, it was tainted by corruption. He could feel the energy field around it, he would not be able to use the spirits to blow the wall down. There was no other way inside than that. Not that he had seen during his descent. He turned around looking up to the entrance he had just come from. Nothing. He could go back and report that it had been abandoned. But that would not be true, not without him confirming at least. David sat down, crossing his legs. Closing his eyes, meditating, calling out to God and the spirits for an answer. He only prayed they would answer.

  Eve fell to her knees, Gabe swung his sparing sword at her, stopping just centimeters from her blue hair. Her eyes stared into the distance. “Now you’re dead.” He said moving away from her. Everyone watched on at her, she grabbed onto her chest which was stinging in pain. Gritting her teeth.

  “Are you okay Eve?” Jasmine asked walking over to her and kneeling, placing her hand on her back.

  “I feel, cold.” She said softly, her voice heavy in dread. Clinching her chest tighter.

  “You feel the darkness,” Gabe said turning around. “You would be dead, you have to learn how to not be affected by it, especially in combat. It can be the difference between life and death.”

  “Gabe, this is different,” Jasmine said. Rubbing Eve’s back. Her eyes shifted to a bright blue before quickly fading back to her deep blue eyes. Feeling a burning in her chest. And then nothing.

  “What the hell?” Eve said, she turned her head looking at Gabriel. “I think David is in trouble.” She said. She was not sure how she knew that, but Eve knew he was in danger.

  Gabriel looked down at the ground. Raising his head at her, knowing that Master Eleazar would not give them his location to help. “Well,” Gabe said, he lifted his arm with his sword in hand. He felt as if he was lifting with everything in the world. He managed to hide it well. “How are you going to be able to help David if you can’t fight?”

  Eve stood up, her legs bruised and in pain. Jasmine stepped away from her, going back to the couch. Taking a seat next to Allison. Eve composed herself, trying to stay focused, she understood how easy it could be to fall to anger. Eve knew she would have to learn how to discipline her mind if she were to catch up to the others. Her arms were bruised and beaten as well. Jasmine looked her up and down. Some of those bruises existed in places that Gabriel did not even strike. Eve stood tall; her shoulders locked behind her head.

  “Blue has some fight in her.” Richard leaned forward, admiring her determination to keep sparing. Gabe smiled at her.

  “Defend again!” He yelled charging at her, Eve parried each attack. She could not give up, calling to the spirits to predict Gabe’s next move. Focused as if her life depended on it. Gabe implanted in her mind that he was going to strike her left leg. Instead, he went for a strike on her right arm. Eve was so focused on the spirits and energy around herself. Raised her sword, blocking it. “Nice!” He called out.

  Eve looked up into his brown and blue eyes. “I’m not falling for that again.” She said doing her best to hold the defense as Gabe pushed hard against her. She kicked her foot out, sweeping his leg. Gabe stumbled backward catching himself. Eve moved onto the offense and began striking at him. Unfortunately for the girl, she got too cocky forgetting Gabe had been dueling since he could walk. Gabe quickly recovered. Bending his back as Eve swung at him with an overpowered attack, completely missing him and falling into a stumble. Gabe stood back up straight swinging at her back. She whelped in pain. Falling back to her knees.

  “Gabriel, c’mon man,” Carlos said watching with a plate of food in his hands.

  “I’m just not going to let her hit me.” Gabe said, “She has to earn it. Plus, you have to learn a good defense before you can ever hope to be good at attacking.”

  Eve gritted her teeth in pain. “You’re such a dick.” She said. No matter what she did, Gabriel seemed as if he was completely relaxed, his heartbeat never raised. Unlike her, feeling as if she just ran a marathon. She forced herself back up to her feet again. “I cannot wait till I get to knock you on your ass.” She gritted.

  “David is the only one of us to do so.” Gabriel said, “Though he only focuses on hitting my hand. Gabe shrugged his shoulders. “Maybe you should make your way up the roster first.”

  Eve turned around and looked at him in the eyes, “Maybe you shouldn’t be so full of yourself.” She said raising her sword to him again. Gabriel shook his head.

  “You don’t give up do you?” He asked.

  “My mother hit harder than you,” Eve said taking up her squared stance again. Gabe squinted at her before charging again.

  “This is going to be a long night, isn’t it?” Kevin stood with his arms crossed, next to Eleazar. They both watched the two dueling.

  “You should get some sleep,” Eleazar said.

  “Master, what about David?”

  “Something tells me the boy won’t be calling for help within our near future,” Eleazar said, dropping his crossed arms and placing them on his hips sternly. “Call it for the night.”

  “They’re not going to like it.”

  “Sometimes as a leader, you’re going to have to do things people are not going to like.” Eleazar walked away into his room. Kevin stood there, not sure what to think. Calling a silent prayer for his friend.

  “Call it,” Kevin said walking up to the group. “We’ll do shifts, I’ll make a schedule.”

  Gabe stopped his attack and looked at Kevin, Eve took her chance to strike at him. Hitting him in the hand. He shook his hand in pain dropping the sword. “That does not count!” Eve just smiled at him shrugging her shoulders. Knowing it did not count, but it meant the world to her of satisfaction. Gabe continued waving his hand. “I’ll be here all night.”

  “No.” Kevin said, “If David needs help, we’re going to need everyone rested up.” An hour each tonight. Do not be late.” He demanded. There was a newfound spark in his leadership that they could all see. He was fearful for David and had to be strong for the team. “Allison please heal our new fighter.” He smiled at Eve. “We do not want David thinking we beat her.”

  “I mean, Gabe did.” Allison laughed. Eve just smiled from the corner of her cheek. “Come here our little blueberry.” She grabbed Eve’s hand and took her over to the medical room in the corner. Eve tossed her sword to Carlos, who snatched it from the air. He smiled wide at her. Jasmine swiftly slapped him upside the back of his messy hair.

  “What the hell was that for?” He rubbed the back of his head.

  This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  “You know what that was for.” She scowled at him. “Stop that. You’re just going to get your heart broken.” She shook her head and walked away towards the elevator.

  “What? Why not?” Carlos cried to his sister. Richard smiled and shook his head as well walking past him.

  Ethan walked over to him, “Dude, you have a better chance breaking David’s defense wall than you have than even touching her hand.” He said grabbing him by the shoulder forcing him to walk to the elevator.

  “So, I’ll take the middle shift,” Gabe said. Looking over at Kevin.

  “You sure? That’s the worst shift.” Kevin said.

  “Yeah, that’s why I’ll take it,” Gabe said.

  “You okay?” Kevin asked him.

  “My brother is the strongest person I know,” Gabe said, turning around. “Goodnight Kev.”

  David was still meditating, his body relaxed. It would really help to have a special ability right now. He thought to himself, like Kevin’s point break. That would be useful right now. “Focus David,” He thought to himself. He took a deep breath. Exhaling repeatedly, until the air was pouring into the cave and outwards. As if it were acting as a tunnel in his own lungs.

  David opened his eyes, standing up with a purpose in his movements. He walked over to the barrier raising his hand, he focused all his energy on that exceedingly small point. A white pulsating wave came from the center of his palm. Soon the barrier fell to a cloud of glimmering dust. David opened his eyes, sending a blast from his hand blowing the rocks and dirt in his path down. The cave opened to a cavern; all the trapped air escaped out from the new hole. David stood strong, feeling as if he was no longer alone, he was now truly in the presence of evil. As if the Devil was standing in the very next room. He took a deep breath. With diligence, he walked forward. Hands at his side, he was ready to meet whatever his fate held on the other side. Stepping into the open cavern, it was black. Not able to see what was in front of him past his hands.

  He reached for his sword; he was not alone. Not even in the slightest. The shuffling of feet moved around him. David placed his hand in his back pocket, slightly moving out the beacon. Contemplating to apply pressure on it under his cloak. “Tell me, David. Did they name you that because you are a conqueror?” A voice called out to him, it echoed off the halls of the underground cavern. He recognized it, seeming familiar. But at the same time, it was foreign to his ears. “Of course not. You cannot slay a goliath; you are still too weak to kill your friend.” David moved the beacon into his hidden inner waist pocket in his black jeans. Going against his master’s wishes. “Odd that you would come alone. Has the Order abandoned you as well?” David remained silent, standing with his chest out. Breathing calmly. “You hope to kill all of us for the rank of knight? Oh yes, that is right, you do not kill. You will not survive this place.”

  “You strike me down, and I am free. You will always be a slave to the darkness.”

  “We shall see.” The voice called out, malicious in intent. A crimson blade ignited feet away from David, revealing Liam standing before him. His eyes were red and orange. Drooping bags under his eyes. Black and purple cracks moved from the outer corners of his eyes to the sides of his head. Despite appearing as a corrupted man, David still sees his friend. Lost. “I am more powerful than you can ever hope to become,” Liam said, his teeth yellow. David remained silent.

  “That’s the difference between us, I don’t want to be powerful,” David said.

  “Luckily for you, I have been told to keep you alive.” Liam took up an offensive stance, preparing to attack him. David drew his broadsword from its sheath, infusing his bright green blade. Becoming the only light in the darkness. David took up his defensive form, preparing for whatever was to come. All he had to do was remove his hands. And he could bring him home. Multiple crimson blades began to appear surrounding David along what he thought were walls, but instead lined hundreds of acolytes. Standing around as if they were in a coliseum. Realizing there were no other options at this point. David inhaled deeply and exhaled calmly. David retracted his green blade. Throwing his sword to Liam’s feet, as it bounced. “That was easy.” He said retracting his blade as well. He smiled at his old friend. David stood there, knowing the God was with him. Liam sent an intense wave of purple lightning, David caught it, attempting to absorb the attack. However, it was far too sporadic for him to contain. Immediately, sending him flying, tumbling on the ground. David did his best to remain conscious, however was unable to keep his vision from fading to black.

  Gabriel was sitting in the cavern, watching the holographic map rotate slowly. Picking at his fingernails. Thinking deeply of the situation. Their father did not know. How terrible it must feel to not know your very own son’s life was in constant danger. Gabe thought to himself. His mind pondered on all questions. It was not until everyone was asleep that he could focus on himself. Hearing everyone’s thoughts all the time was deafening. Only a few of them learned how to block him out. Gabe chuckled, he appreciated that more than anything. He thought about Eve, how determined she was to learn about everything. Her desire to leave her old life put him off. How could you be so ready to leave everything behind to join a bunch of teenagers fighting till they died? He mused on the idea, thinking about her made him think of seeing how David now laughs. He had not laughed as he does now in a year. Foolish, he thought to himself. Gabe knew his brother more than anyone, he would not do anything to place his own desires before the Order, or more importantly his duties. Even more foolish he thought. Placing everything over yourself never leaves enough room to be genuinely happy in life.

  “You should take that advice for yourself, Gabriel.” A woman’s light voice came from behind him. Gabe shot up immediately. His heart sunk. Feeling butterflies in his stomach.

  “Mom?!” He called out searching for her. He looked down at the ground. “Am I really that tired?” Gabe asked himself. He sat back down, looking at the roof. Gabe was thinking he was losing his mind, maybe he was better off not thinking. He rubbed his chest over his heart. Could this have been a sign or just his trying to tell him what he wanted in life? Gabriel shifted his blue eyes to one of the banners on the wall. Looking on at the logo of the Order. A cross formed into a sword, angel’s wings spanning from its sides Thinking about the council, could it be possible for corruption to live within it all? How strange of a concept that an entire world fell under the control of a council of grandmasters all over the world? What if one did not agree with the other? Could they just separate and start a war? Of course, they can, that is exactly how the world wars happened. Gabe thought to himself. What really was evil? Why was everything forbidden that the council did not like? Anything from utilizing the dark energy, to simply doing anything they do not like? How bad of an idea would it be, that every adept was in control of their own future? Everyone could come together or choose to be left alone. Live how they wished and pleased. Gabe looked away from the banner and over at a picture of the team. He stood up and walked over, looking at everyone, including Liam and Kaitlyn. Why is it that when members of the Order wish to separate, they are monitored or sometimes even executed for doing what the council did not want them to? “The young always inherit it.” He whispered.

  David slowly opened his eyes, a dark room, kept lit by a single flame. Etchings along the walls. He felt a sharp pain in his chest. Trying to rub his chest, his hand refused to move. He turned his head over slowly looking at his hand, watching as it was bound down with cloth and chains. The cloth was soaked in a strange substance. Trying to move his legs, they were bound down as well. Laying on a stone table. David attempted to move his body epileptic. Despite his efforts to break free. He was stuck. He opened his hands, trying to use his telepathy to break the chains. Nothing, he felt as if he never had powers at all. He was cut off from it. Not understanding how. Must have been the substance his hands were soaked in.

  The door opened, inside walked an acolyte. David looked on with him with his brown eyes. “What did you do to me?” He asked. The acolyte stood in the corner. Arms crossed. “Or are you going to stay quiet and obey? What kind of freedom does the Brotherhood offer if you just do what you’re told?” David asked smiling. He was going to play this game as long as he could. The acolyte looked on at him, sending electricity out of his hands. David gritted his teeth in pain taking the shock.

  “Shut up Guardian.” The acolyte said his voice robotic through the mask. “This will just be easier if you just submit to the Abaddon’s Legion.”

  David panted from the pain. “Legion? What a stupid name for a bunch of edgy teenagers.” David smiled up at him. The acolyte shocked him again. David gritted his teeth, trying to hold his pride. He did not want them to see any hint of him even giving up. David regained his composure, sweat rolling down his forehead. Breaking into his left eye caused him to squint.

  “Submit.” The acolyte said.

  “If you’re hoping to break my will. You’d have an easier time fighting, God.” David raised his head starring him down, a fire in his eyes.

  “You’re not the first and you won’t be the last to break.”

  “You never heard of me.” David said, “Go ahead shock me, it will not change a thing.”

  The acolyte did just that, just this time it was prolonged. “This is going to be so fun.” He laughed.

  This continued for hours, but to David seemed like days. Each question he refused to answer. Every time he was told to submit, David refused. It was met with punishment. He could feel his skin burn, his veins boiling. When his faith faltered in the spirits, he placed his faith in his father. When his faith in him was broken, he held his faith in his brother. He continued to last for hours more. David began to cry, screaming in anger. Remembering what he told Eve, to control his emotion. He thought of Eve, how much pain he was in, he never felt before. He would take on this storm until he would die before he allowed for his friends to be hurt. Maybe he should have held her hand, he began to doubt himself. He shook his head. What was he thinking? He was going to survive this. His screams fell back into his silence.

  Concurrently in time, the shifts continued, each hoping for a change. Waiting for David’s call, every minute that passed, seemed to them that the call was not going to come. Eve and Gabe held their faith strong for him. Everyone else continued to fill with doubt.

  “Submit. You will die if you don’t.” The acolyte said looking at David, bruised and battered.

  David raised his bloodshot eyes, dry tears down his face. He smirked at him before lowering his head again.

  “How can you possibly smile?” He asked him.

  David licked his dry chapped lips. “I now understand why this is happening.” David looked upon him, “I was never read my rights. I just want to see my lawyer.” The acolyte walked over to him, punching him in the mouth with his steel-lined glove. David took the punch, blood running down with his spit. Red lining his teeth, David chuckled.

  “You want to keep asking stupid- “David spat blood in his face, laughing up at him. Before being punched again. “I’m going to watch you die slowly, Locklear.”

  “I can’t wait till my brother punches a sword through your stupid face,” David said blood running down his nose. David felt nothing, “The difference between you and I.” David said. Noticing his hands were dry. “I have been ready to die for an awfully long time. You are terrified of it.” He said.

  The acolyte widened his eyes noticing David was now back in touch with his powers. Going to shock him but was immediately blown back. Smashing against the wall. David broke free one of his hands by snapping the chain. Reaching into his waist. As Liam stormed into the room. Wearing his silver and black armor. A deep black cloak on his back. His golden hair was uncut and blowing behind him. David moved his hand back. “It seems he fell, and my hand got free.” Liam shocked David with his purple lightning. David screaming in pain.

  “Why won’t you break?!” Liam screamed at him, full of anger and hatred. He stopped electrocuting him.

  “Because you’re drowning,” David whispered. In so much pain, he could not bring himself to talk louder again. “I am not going to just stand by and watch.”

  “No, I just learned to swim with my demons.” Liam said, “Stop trying to save me, you were never trained for it.” He said. “It’s not who we are. You are the Order’s personal assassin. Do what your masters tell you too. Like you did with Eve, or at least you said you did.”

  “That was to keep you from bringing her into this all. How does that make you any different than me? You have been slaughtering people we have known. Our own people Liam!” David said, his heart in everything. “All for the sake of a Brotherhood.”

  “We will never be free as long as the Order stands.”

  “We will never be at peace if we continue butchering each other,” David said locking eyes with him.

  “You and I were trained for exactly that.”

  “We are not the cards life gave us,” David said. “Come back, we will change things. The right way. Think of Kaitlyn.”

  “I will create a world, worthy of her memory.” Liam ignored David, as the other acolytes came inside the room. Wrapping his hand in a new wet cloth. David felt his connection leave himself again.

  “This is not what she would have wanted. She wanted to run away with you, leave it all behind. You blame yourself because you had faith in me to bring everyone back home. I failed. You don’t think I don’t blame myself every day for that?” David cried out as Liam was leaving the room.

  Liam stopped in the doorway. He wanted to turn back to David. Knowing he meant everything he said. It was just too late. Liam continued out the door and down the hallway. David wept for his friend. Praying silently. Hoping he had enough time to press the button. He was tired of this place. The green light flashed from the tracker in his waist pocket. David prepared his mind for more days of torture, what he did not know, was he had only been there for five hours. This was his trial of suffering.