Fan Fiction ❯ Trancending Death ❯ For a Chance ( Chapter 7 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Alex clenched his fist tightly as the last bit of his patience and resolve was being tested. Everyone exchanged confused looks as to why Alex was behaving this way.
What in the Hell’s going on? He should be tearing that damn mage limb by limb. Instead he’s not even trying to defend himself. He’s letting this mage make a mockery of him, Kiba thought as he watched the scene unfold before him.
“I’ll do nothing,” Alex replied in a voice that was barely audible. Alex’s eyes were fixed on the ground. He knew all eyes were on him, but at the moment, he couldn’t bare to meet their gazes.
Torin laughed at Alex’s pain as he verbally crushed his pride. He knew Alex was at his mercy, and with that thought he laughed arrogantly. “What could be so important to you that you would due away with your precious pride so that you wouldn’t offend me? What could be so important, that would make you so afraid to do anything, just because you need my help?”
So that’s why he didn’t attack him. Alex was afraid that if he did, the mages wouldn’t help him. Now, that damn Torin is taking advantage of Alex’s weakness and using it against him, Shadow thought as he glared angrily at the mage.
Alex, this is really that important to you. That you would sacrifice your pride, which meant so much to you, just for a chance to bring her back, Aurora thought, tightly gripping Shadow’s hand as they continued to watch to see what would happen next.
Everyone held their breath as they awaited Alex’s answer to Torin’s question. They could tell by the fact that Alex’s eyes remained directed towards the ground, that he was still ashamed by his actions. Still, his voice was calm and clear as he spoke. “I want to know about necromancy. I want you to tell me if you have any of Scion’s spell books, or if you know where any of them are.”
The mages could not contain their shock after hearing Alex’s request. Murmurs of protest and questions of why erupted from the crowd in unison. All of them wanted to know why Alex wanted to learn necromancy, especially after he was the one who banned the art in the first place.
“You don’t need to know the lad’s actions. All you need to do is tell him whether or not you can help him,” Kiba yelled. The mages glared at him and were about to protest further until Alex’s voice broke over everyone else’s.
“No, if they want to know and it will help them to trust me with their secrets, then I will tell them my intentions,” Alex said slowly.
Kiba and the others couldn’t believe the crestfallen look in Alex’s eyes as he finally lifted his head up to look at Torin. Shadow’s of pain filled his eyes as he took a deep breath and prepared himself to tell them his intentions.
“Alex...,” Aurora softly whispered as her heart tightened in response to the pained look on his face.
Before Alex could say anything Torin raised his hand to silence him. “It’s obvious why you want to learn necromancy, you have no need to tell me.” Torin then turned to look at his fellow mages, and in a mocking tone continued. “The once feared Lord of the demons has been turned into this spineless beast before you all due to the loss of his human wench. This pathetic fool hopes that he can bring back his dearly departed and in the process bring some meaning back to his pitiful existence.”
“Shut up! He’s been through enough already without having you degrade him like this!” Aurora yelled.
“Leave him alone! He hasn’t done anything to you and you don’t have any right to say something like that!” Shadow added.
Kiba placed a soothing hand on either one of their shoulders as he tried to calm them down. Shadow turned and looked at him with question.
“How can you honestly stand by and watch while they tear him apart. I thought Alex was like a son to you?” Shadow asked.
“He is like a son to me! It is because of that reason that I must stand by and do nothing. If this is his wish, and this is what he willing to do for a chance to bring her back. We shouldn’t interfere. If he can go through this and still keep his dignity, then the least we can do is stand by and support him. He chose this path himself when he decided to call on their help.”
Alex’s eyes were full of restrained hatred as he glared at Torin. “You are correct in your assumptions mage. I do want to bring her back. Now, can you help me?”
Torin closed his eyes and smiled evilly as he thought of his answer. Without opening his eyes he smugly stated. “It’s not a matter of whether or not I can help you. It is a matter of whether or not I will help you.”
Out of mages who stared coldly at Alex, one mage stood out. Kiba noticed the man’s eyes widen with surprise at Torin’s words.
“Uh oh, this doesn’t look too promising,” Kiba muttered beneath his breath. Shadow overheard his words, but knew that if Kiba wanted to tell him what was going on, he would.
Alex bit back the words he wanted to say about the incomprehensible arrogance that Torin was displaying. Alex restrained his urge to rip Torin limb from limb and leave him in a pile of his own blood. Every time one of these thoughts came to mind another image came too. I’m doing this for Brittany. I vowed that I would bring her back no matter what the cost. My pride is but a small price to pay if it means getting her back. Besides, once I know the truth about necromancy and once I have Brittany safely back in my arms, I’ll be sure to get my revenge. Torin evidently knows either about necromancy, or he knows the whereabouts of Scion’s spell books. Either way I’ll take what I can get. A few minutes of humiliation is worth it.
“What do you wish me to do so that you might reveal to me what you know about necromancy or the location of Scion’s spell books?”
None of the demons liked the fact that Torin’s smile stayed on his face while he looked at Alex. His eyes seemed to brighten as an idea formed in his head. When he finally said it, it was apparent that it would not be easy for Alex to accomplish. “Simple, I want you to do only one thing, and that is to prove your loyalty to me. I want you to pay homage unto me, and declare yourself my vassal from this day forth.”
“You can’t expect him to do that! He’s the Lord of all demons. It is unthinkable for you to even think that he would summit himself to do something like that,” Kiba angrily declared.
“He will if he ever wants a chance of seeing his beloved Brittany again,” Torin countered. He sneered as Kiba once again raised his head to protest. Only this time, before Kiba could say anything, Alex kneeled before Torin.
Torin laughed in triumph as he extended his right hand towards Alex. “Kiss my hand and declare yourself my subject, just as we once had to do before you.”
“Don’t do it lad! He’s making a mockery out of you,” Kiba declared.
“Alex, you can’t be serious. It’s not worth it. Don’t do this Alex. You don’t even know if this bastard’s going to keep his word or not. For all you know he might not even know anything about necromancy!” Shadow yelled.
“Alex... what would Brittany say to this? Do you really think she would let you go through with this? Do you really think she would want you to sacrifice yourself to this monster?” Aurora asked as tears welled up in her eyes. “Alex, you’re better than this. Surely you can find another way. You can’t let him do this to you.”
“No, I made a vow that I would do anything to bring her back. I was willing to sacrifice innocent lives to bring her back. It is only natural that I would be willing to sacrifice myself to bring her back as well.” Alex quietly declared. He then looked up at Torin and added. “That is, if you will keep your promise and tell me all you know.”
“I am a man of my word,” Torin replied. “Now, pledge your allegiance unto me.”
Everyone was quiet as Alex took Torin’s outstretched hand. He took a breath before beginning and, knowing all eyes were on him he lowered his head towards the ground. “Know this Torin. I am doing this for Brittany and for Brittany alone. She means everything to me.”
“I could care less why you are doing this. Just hurry on with it.”
Alex sighed and nodded. Before he could begin, a voice rang out. “Stop this Torin right now! You’ll be the death of all of us if you don’t!”
Torin’s eyes widened with shock as he glared into the group of mages. Alex looked first at Torin, but then turned his gaze onto the mages to see who spoke out against Torin. A mage wearing a grey and black cloak stepped out of the group of mages and faced the two men. He had spiky red hair that was tied back in a small ponytail and bright green eyes. He was evidently one of the younger mages, seeing as how he didn’t look any older than twenty five.
Alex was shocked by the young mage’s defiant look as he spoke to Torin. “You do realize that if you continue this charade he will kill all of us for your stupidity!”
“Silence, you have far overstepped your boundaries. I would think twice before speaking out against me, Raza. Do not interfere in matters that do not concern you,” Torin cautioned.
“Torin, you know I am loyal to you and you know I am loyal to the mages. I do not speak out against you out of hate, but these matters to concern me. You know as well as I do that the wrath of Demon Lord is not one that is taken lightly. He may have given up his title but the fact still remains that he still is the Demon Lord. The only reason he gave up his position is because he wanted to start a life with his mate and now she has perished. The only hope he has left is to turn to necromancy. His spirit has been broken and so has his will to live. You can see it in his eyes. He is not long for this world,” Raza replied.
“You think that by making him your servant that will spare you from his wrath? In case you have forgotten Torin, it was his subordinates that dealt him the fatal blow. I highly doubt his loyalties to you would be worth much after you tell him the truth. I am sorry Torin, but I value my life. I do not want to gamble it on the hopes of a man who’s lost the most precious thing to him. He’s placed all his hopes on you, what do you think he will do when you tell him the truth?”
Alex noticed that Torin paled for a second before answering Raza’s question. “I have nothing to hide, Raza. Everything I have told him is the truth. If he swears his loyalty to me then I will tell him everything I know about necromancy.”
Raza shook his head in disgust before turning and looking at Alex. Alex was a pathetic sight to behold. The once great Demon Lord was now kneeling before a mage and about to declare his loyalty to him. He was broken, and willing to do anything in hopes of bringing Brittany back. Even though he withheld his pain it was obvious to see that it was slowly killing him. It was this reason that Raza chose to do what he did. “My Lord, I too once lost someone that was very dear to my heart. That is why I know what you are feeling. It is that reason, that I cannot sit idly by and watch Torin increase your pain tenfold with all his mockery and taunts. The question you should be asking your subject is not whether or he will teach you about necromancy, but rather how much does he really know about the forbidden art of necromancy.”
Alex’s head shot up as his hate filled eyes met with Torin’s. A feral growl escaped Alex’s lips as he asked in a harsh tone. “Is what he saying true Torin?”
Torin’s once confident gaze faltered as he muttered a hasty reply. “N-no, of course not. He is just a fool who has forgotten his place. I promised to teach you what I know, and I intend to keep my word.”
Alex took a deep breath before looking back up at Torin. “You’re lying.”



Author's Note: Not much to say. Alex was willing to sacrifice his pride because he knew that if he attacked them there would be no way in Hell he'd get the bokk of necromancy. It's for that reason that he was so willing to do whatever Torin wanted. As always, reviews and opinions are welcomed. Kudos, bye.