BEYOND

Beyond: Borders (PART IV: Finale)

In the night, they ran through the forest. Quietly. But quickly. With Tamashi leading them the way, they got to the border of the wall. They all hid either above or behind the trees. Tamashi glanced at the guards who were constantly watching every change in the surroundings.

“I need a guy to follow me. Just one. Preferably someone skilled and quick” Tamashi carefully whispered to Hal.

“Take me then” Hal said and signaled Gil to come closer and he did. “Take charge for a while” he said to Gil.

“Sure thing” Gil answered.

“Let’s go” Tamashi said to Hal and she lead him to the side of the wall. “Make sure no one is watching” she said to him as she placed her hand on the wall.

Hal held up his spear, watching their surroundings. He looked from left to right, being very cautions of the sudden changes or sound he may take notice. Tamashi, on the other hand was very busy feeling the wall, looking for the false brick and as soon as she found it, she pushed it in and Hal was surprised to see a door open.

“Quick, get in” she said.

Hal went in first and Tamashi followed. When they were both inside, she pressed the same brick and the path closed.

“Now I need you to knock the guards out at the tower so we can open the gate”

Hal nodded and the two of them head for the tower with Hal taking the lead. He placed his spear in a holder at his back while taking out a small knife. As soon as he saw a guard, he would quickly sneak behind and cover his mouth then slit his throat. When Tamashi saw this, she looked away with her hand over her mouth.

Unlike in Luciel’s world, she never saw anyone get killed. It was also different when she saw the bodies lying on the ground when she first got there. She was fully aware people were getting killed, but she never saw it actually happen. And it never occurred to her that Hal was one of the people doing the killing.

Hal noticed how pale Tamashi got. His eyes jumped from the soldier bleeding to death to Tamashi and he understood. He stared at her for a second before facing forward.

“Leave the guards to me” he said and she looked at his back. “You don’t have to waste any arrows”

How nice it must be to live in a world without seeing any bloodshed. This was the thought in Hal’s mind. It was no wonder why she was so kind to him.

They moved forward while Hal kept a safe distance between them to avoid her clothes being stained. He quickly put an end to the life of every soldier they found. When they reached the top of the wall, there were more guards than they expected. Watching over the lever that will open the gates were four men who quickly took notice of them.

Hal drew his spear and exchange blows with them. Their armors were really strong like Tamashi thought. Hal’s attacks were absolutely useless. He had to carefully aim at their weak points. The joints.

It was like watching an action movie for Tamashi. She watched as Hal manuavered and dodge every s***h the soldiers gave. Hal aimed and slice the exposed knees and elbows then would finish them by piercing the stomach when they stretched their arms up to s***h him.

By four was too many, even for a skilled warrior like Hal. He still received cuts on his arm and shoulder. But he managed to defeat them. Or so he thought. The soldier he cut down behind him stood up while Hal’s back was exposed.

“Hal!” Tamashi yelled.

It happened so quickly. Hal was turning around while the soldier rushed to deliver his attack. His sword was up in the air and was prepared to s***h Hal. Tamashi pulled out an arrow from her quiver and aimed at the lower back of the soldier. She fired her arrow and it pierced through the man’s body. He fell on the guard just before Hal was attacked.

Tamashi drop to her knees as she couldn’t believe what she had just done. She took a life. For the first time. She actually took a life.

Hal looked down at the fallen soldier then quickly went to Tamashi’s side.

“Hey, hey, look at me” he said and held Tamashi by her cheeks, guiding her eyes to his. “Tam, look at me”

“I… I killed someone…”she said. Almost a whisper.

“No, no you didn’t. Look at me Tam. You didn’t kill anyone. You saved someone. You saved me”

“But I…”

“You did nothing wrong. You hear me. You saved me. That’s all you have to know. Alright?”

“Hal…”

“Come on, you have to get up. We need to open the gates”

Hal took her by the hand and pulled her to the lever. As Tamashi watched, Hal pulled the lever and it opened the giant gates.

The soldiers below were astonished to see the gates opening at this time of night. Even the guards at the borders were confuse. On the other hand, as soon as Gil and the others saw this, they quickly held their weapons tightly and attacked the soldiers. Not anticipating an attack, they were taken aback.

Gil and others were able to cut down their enemies and enter the walls. With every step they took inside, more soldiers came running to defend their town. The villagers were alerted and rushed out of their homes heading to the shelters to protect themselves.

At the tower, Hal and Tamashi were overlooking the attack. Still a bit of a shock, Hal had to grab Tamashi by the hand to pull her out of the tower. When they were below, she ran into Jedd and Forrest who noticed Tamashi’s slightly blanked expression.

“Hal, what happened to her?” Forrest asked while warding off the soldiers.

“I’ll tell you later” Hal answered, fighting back as soldiers came attacking them. “We need to head to the castle! Tam, tell me where to go!”

When she heard Hal call her, it was only then she noticed he was calling her “Tam”, she snapped out of it. They were in the middle of a war, she reminded herself.

“Ah… right. This way!” she said and ran to the same path Luca showed her before.

Hal followed Tamashi and Forrest and Jedd followed them. Along the way, Gil saw them and went after them.

“I have a question” Forrest said and placed an arrow to the heart of a soldier chasing them.

“This might not be the best time to ask” Gil said and slashed the chest of another soldier who appeared out of nowhere.

“But I just have to ask” Forrest fired two more arrows and it hit two other soldiers aiming at them from a roof. “Tamashi, you said there was a friend from this side helping us”

“That is correct” she answered and was pulled back by Hal when a soldier blocked their way.

Hal pulled out his sword and their weapons collide. He pushed him back and when the soldier was on the guard, Jedd shot him in the knees then to his stomach. They all continued running.

“Is this friend a guy?” Forrest asked.

“Why does that matter?!” Jedd said, slightly annoyed that his friend is asking all this nonsense while they were busy fighting.

“I was curious and wondering is this guy was better looking than our Hal here”

They all grunted at Forrest while still busy fighting back at all the soldiers coming at them.

“Actually, he’s a prince” Tamashi said.

“A prince?!” Forrest exclaimed. “So he is better looking than our Hal?! Are you choosing him instead of Hal?!”

“What?!” Tamashi was surprised by this question. “Why, why, why do I have to choose between them?”

They were put to a stop when six soldiers blocked their way again. Hal, Jedd and Gil started fighting them while Forrest while chatting with Tamashi who was really confuse with him.

“Well I just assumed after I saw you and Hal holding hands that you were, you know, together” Forrest said and formed a grin.

“Ah—that was nothing” Tamashi said, feeling slightly embarrass. “I was just, I mean, we were just—“

“So there is something between you too” he said teasingly.

“Forrest, this is really not the time for your gossiping” Jedd said and pulled out his pair of dangers after having a hard time fighting off the enemies with just his bow and arrows.

“But it really is big news especially since we all thought Hal would end up with Esme”

“What?!” Tamashi and Hal said at the same time and exchanged looks.

Gil and Jedd both eyed Forrest, cueing him that that was something shouldn’t have been said. Forrest felt guilty for spilling the beans and after releasing an awkward laugh, he began firing arrows at the enemies.

“Hal a-and… Esme?” Tamashi asked them but no one was answering. “Are you telling me, Hal likes Esme? Hal?” she said and faced Hal who was busy exchanging blows with a soldier.

“I never—“ he dodged the attacked and pushed Tamashi back before she was hit then blocked the next one with his sword. “—said that” he continued.

“It was actually more of Esme liking Hal for a long time”

“Forrest!” Gil and Jedd scolded when he commented.

“Oh… I see” Tamashi said, almost a whisper.

At last, all the soldiers were down and they all continued making their way to castle.

They were almost to the bridge leading up to the castle when they were ambush by three dozen soldiers.

“There are too many” Gil said.

Tamashi looked around as the four men fought off the soldiers. Her eyes were wandering the place when she saw a familiar chapel. It was the same chapel near Luca’s place.

“This way!” she yelled and started running towards the old chapel.

The guys saw her and followed her while cutting down as many of them as possible. When they reached the entrance, Tamashi quickly opened the doors and when they were all inside, Gil helped Hal blocked the entrance by putting up chairs behind the twin doors. They could hear the soldiers forcing their way inside. The loud thuds were echoing in the halls.

They continued to run deeper in the church. Tamashi wasn’t exactly sure what she was looking for but she was certain it was in there.

It can’t be a coincidence that Luca kept coming here whenever he was disappearing in the night. She thought.

They found their way in the circular room behind the altar.

“Great. It’s a dead end” Jedd said.

Tamashi looked around the area.

There has to be something here. There has to be. She kept telling herself while frustratingly pacing around the room.

When she stepped on the rug, she felt some sort of energy. She looked down and squinted her eyes. She wasn’t sure why but she walked off the rug and made every else do the same. She quickly threw the rug off and they all saw the symbol.

“That’s the royal family’s crest” Hal said.

“What’s it doing here?” Gil asked, saying out loud what every else was thinking.

Tamashi stared at it while feeling the ground. There was definitely something there. She could feel it. When her hand traveled to the center, she was able to push a piece like in the wall. When the ground was splitting to half, Hal pulled her away and they all watched as a path was opened.

They heard a sound coming from the halls and they all knew the guards had made their way it. There was no time to think about where the path was leading. It was the only other way they could go. They quickly went down the spiral staircase and as if some sort of unseen force was helping them, but as soon as they were all underground, the path closed.

“Can anyone see anything?”

It was completely dark in there and they were all careful taking a step when they heard Forrest’s whine. Without Forrest talking, there was only silence. But not to Tamashi. She could hear it. A voice in the wind. It was soft and gentle. A sound that was pulling her in. As if it was trying to guide her.

“We have to go further in” she said.

“We can’t see a thing here” Jedd complain.

“J-Just follow me” she said.

“And how are we supposed to do that when we can’t see you?” Jedd complained again.

Tamashi thought for a second before answering. “We have to hold hands” she said and grabbed the hand of the person next to her.

She felt him held back and with just that touch, she was certain it was Hal.

“You can’t be serious?”Jedd said and he felt someone grab his hand. “What the-?!”

“Please don’t let go…” the whine of Forrest made him grunt.

“I’ll hold his other hand, you hold Hal’s” Gil said, holding back his resentment to this idea.

They all heard Jedd sigh and called out for Hal who took his hand after following his voice. Tamashi started walking slowly following the force that was pulling her in. They could all tell that they were heading downward.

Down. Down. Down the spiral stairs. Until finally, they reached the bottom. With her free hand, Tamashi reached out and felt a wall. A stoned wall. It was cold and smooth. She moved her hand to the right and she felt some sort of slot.

“Are we there yet?” they heard Forrest asked, sounding wimpier than before.

She tried pulling it and the wall move.

“Hal” she called out and Hal walked to her side. “Help me pull this”

They let go of each other’s hands and Hal let go of Jedd’s. Tamashi started pulling while Hal pushed the wall side wards. Slowly, they could feel a cold breeze and started hearing water. When the wall was fully opened, they saw a lit sewer.

“Finally! Light!” Forrest cried out and hurried to the other side but immediately covered his nose. “What is the smell?!”

“It’s a sewer Forrest, what do you expect?” Gil said and they walked to the other side.

“We have to close the path, just in case” Tamashi said and she and Hal did just that.

“Do you know which way to go?” Jedd asked Tamashi.

Tamashi looked around trying to figure it out but, unfortunately, was lost. She tried not to show it on her face, really hard. Gil knelt down and stared at the water.

“We go left” he said.

“Why?” Forrest asked with his voice sounding squeakier after covering his nose.

“The current is going right meaning that would lead us to the outside. The soldiers are there. So we go left to where the source of the water is” he explained.

No one had a better answer so they followed Gil.

Will this lead us to the castle? Tamashi wondered to herself.

Meanwhile, after being taken away by a soldier, Luca did his best to buy Tamashi some time. He convinced the soldier to take him home for a while to gather some things. After a long discussion as to why he should let him, he was home. He dillydallied as much as he could. Going through his trunk, shelves, and study table and putting in things in his satchel whenever he saw something he could fit in his bag. While the soldier was standing guard at the door.

“Are you done yet?!” the soldier yelled.

“Just a moment sir!” he yelled back.

Luca looked around his home, trying to figure out how to get out of this pickle. He saw the window from his bedroom and had an idea. He looked back at the door and smiled.

He quickly opened the window by his bed as quietly as possible and started climbing out. When he was outside, he closed the window.

He rushed to the chapel while looking over his shoulder. He took the same path he always did before. He went to the same circular room like before. He rolled the rug over and open the floor. As soon as the path opened, he rushed downstairs. Down to the sewers, he went left and to the pipes. Following the pipes and the water, he got to a pathway leading to another spiral stairs. He went up and pushed the floor board up. He was finally in the castle.

Once he was inside, he gentle placed the floorboard back. He looked around to see if anyone was there, but fortunately, no one was. He headed towards a table and lit the candle then he took out a piece of paper. There he started writing a note and afterwards he pinned in on the wall using one of arrows. The last thing he did before leaving the room was blowing out the candle.

During the time Tamashi was with Hal preparing to depart, Luca was hiding in a secret hole behind a painting waiting for the right time to confront the king. That’s when he heard screaming and gunshots.

“Tamashi” he whispered.

Through a tiny hole, he saw the soldiers in the castle running around. He overheard them saying they were being attack by barbarians. When the guards were gone, he got out and looked out the windows. He saw the soldiers battling the men from the other village while the town folks were running towards the shelters. But when he saw them killing each other, he felt sick. It wasn’t what he wanted. Not even close.

He rushed to the throne room where he knows where the king is usual is. He tried avoiding as many guards as possible on the way. Once he was at the great hall, it became more difficult to do so. He quickly attempted to hide behind one of the displays of a tin man but was caught before he could. The guards grabbed hold of him and dragged him to the throne room where the king was looking out of his giant window, watching the battle wage on.

“Your Majesty, we caught this rat out at the hall” the soldier reported.

The king turned around and his eyes met with Luca’s. The king smirked and clasped his hands behind his back. His smile grew wider and wider as he walked to his throne while Luca’s eyes followed him.

“Leave us” the king said and sat down.

“Are you sure Your Majesty? He could be dangerous especially right now. We’re under attack!” the soldier exclaimed.

“Oh don’t worry. This man is no danger. His harmless. My harmless, pathetic, little cousin”

The soldiers looked at each other confusingly before exiting the room. Luca kept glaring at the king.

“I’m surprise. I didn’t think you were even capable of acknowledging me to anyone, Logan” Luca hissed.

“Don’t sound so scornful little cousin. Whatever I say, those guards won’t believe me. As if they’ll actually believe that I would have such a lowlife cousin”

The sound of soldiers’ yelling, gunshots, and bombs being thrown echoed in the palace.

“Logan! Look around! This isn’t the time to be mocking me. The town is under attack. Our town”

“Our? Excuse me, ours? I think you may be mistaken. This isn’t our town. This is my town. My people. I am the one who is ruling. I have the crown. And no mongrel is going to raise their voice at me”

“What are you talking about? I am entitled to speak up. I am royal by blood”

“Dirty blood. Half-blood. You are not entitled to anything but to continue working the job I told you to. A job you have been avoiding for days”

“Logan, please”

“No, no Logan. It’s ‘Your Majesty’” he said and stood up.

“This is ridiculous! Look at those people out there. Crying for help. Dying. And you’re sitting here, safe and sound, and letting them sacrifice their life for what?”

“For what? For the greater purpose!”

“What greater purpose? World domination?”

“Yes. World domination. Putting the whole world in the royal family’s hand to lead them into a better tomorrow”

“You’re not doing anyone any favor. Invading other people’s nation is cruel. Pushing your ideals into someone else’s is cruel. Using other people’s homes as target practice is beyond cruel. Can’t you see that? Can’t you see that people are suffering? Other people out there are dying, hurting. Even your people. Because you rule them in fear. Fear that if they disobeyed you, they’ll be silence like everyone else. And why? Why did all this happened? Because of a ridiculous dream of a greedy man!”

A loud explosion shook the palace. Luca ran to the window to see what it was. Houses to far from the palace were up in flames and the fighting was getting closer and closer. The cries were getting louder and louder.

“I guess that’s my cue to wrap this whole thing up”

Luca turned and saw Logan draw his sword. Logan pointed it at Luca who took a step back.

“What are you talking about? What do you mean wrap things up?”

“And here I thought you were actually smart. Draw your sword”

“I won’t fight you Logan. That’s not what I came here for”

“Draw your sword Luca”

“No”

Tamashi and the others finally reached the castle. While the others were still climbing up the stairs, Tamashi saw a familiar arrow. She walked towards it’s and pulled the note out.

“In. Proceed as plan”

Hal looked over the note and the rest followed him. They all eyed Tamashi.

“It’s from Luca. My friend” Tamashi answered the silent question. “We have to go now”

Tamashi started walking but Hal pulled her letting Tamashi give him a “what-are-you-doing” look.

“We’ll lead. I doubt you’ll know your way here”

Hal took the lead and they quietly sneak their way in the castle which was difficult because all the soldiers were on alert and every attendant was in panic as the fighting was nearing them.

The soldier spotted them and they ended up engaged in battle. Hal used his spear to ward off the enemies alongside Gil while Jedd and Forrest backed them up with their archery skills. They all surrounded Tamashi to protect her.

They fought their way to the great halls. The number of soldiers kept increasing as they went deeper in the castle. The explosions were also increasing. Tamashi hurried to a window and saw the battle was already in the palace grounds. The blasts were now every couple of minutes and the gunshots were all the time. Tamashi saw more bloodshed than she’s ever dreamt about. It was like if the battleground where she was transported to was transferred there.

Tamashi got lightheaded from all the screaming and death she was witnessing. This was not something she was used to or was something she was prepared to see.

“This isn’t right” she said. “I have to do something”

Tamashi looked around and when she saw there was a space to walk, she climbed on the window. Hal noticed and was alerted. He hurried to her and tried to stop her by grabbing her arm.

“What are you doing?!” he asked.

“I need to do something” she said trying to fight him off.

“What are you talking about?”

Tamashi shrugged him off and began walking on the little space beside the window. She carefully made her way to the roof overlooking the palace ground.

She needed to get everyone’s attention but she didn’t know how. How do you get the attention of people waging war?

She wasn’t the type of person who would shout to a crowd but in this case, it was necessary. She took a deep breath and faced the soldiers.

“CITIZENS OF—citizens” she cleared her throat after remembering she didn’t know their proper name. “SOLDIERS!” all the men stopped their fighting and looked up to Tamashi. “STOP YOUR FIGHTING! THIS IS ALL NONSENSE! WHY ARE YOU FIGHTING EACH OTHER WHEN NEITHER OF YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR EACH OTHERS SUFFERINGS. The people aren’t at fault for what the leader ordered them to do. It was their decision, not yours. You might have decided to follow those orders but I do know that none of you would have done so if they weren’t threatening you”

The soldiers, along with Hal and the others, looked at each other.

“You don’t know me and I may not be the most informative person right now but I do know that what your king is doing is not right”

Luca and Logan were looking out the window like the rest. Luca was surprised at what she was saying and as for Logan, he was furious.

“This king, past kings and the man who started it all. They are all wrong. You must know it! It is not right to force their own ideals onto someone else. It is not right to invade someone else’s homes and take them. It is not right to ask you good men to sacrifice your lives for a cause that is only their own! Look inside yourselves and think about what you really want, what you believe in”

“Someone needs to silence her”

Luca looked at Logan after hearing what he said. The anger in his eyes was so obvious that Luca was forced to draw his bow and ready his arrow.

“What did you say?” Luca said, almost in a threatening tone.

“I said, someone needs to silence that despicable woman”

Logan started walking to the door but Luca blocked him.

“No one is going to harm her. She’s my friend”

“Your friend? So your friend is trying to wage war against my people?”

The people started talking amongst each other. Some of them were lowering their weapons and Logan’s men began wondering the things that were left unspoken until that day. There were always people who never fully trust the decisions of their leader but it was never talked out loud.

“Please, I beg of you. Both sides. Lower your weapons. Stop all these unnecessary killings!” Tamashi cried out.

Logan pointed his sword at Luca while Luca aimed his arrow at Logan. The two looked each other not as cousins, but as enemies. The tension rose when the villagers who were listening to Tamashi started rallying. Those who opposed the king aimed at those who agreed.

Tamashi returned inside the castle were the soldiers were still fighting against Hal. Hal pulled Tamashi away from them. Loyalty for the king was of highest priority when working inside the palace. So all soldiers were angry at Tamashi for speaking. Now all the guards’ blood thirst rose higher.

“Kill the girl!” one of them said.

“Forrest, I need you to get Tamashi out of here” Gil ordered him. “Hal, go with him”

Hal and Forrest took Tamashi and ran towards a room that turned out to be the throne room where Luca was shooting arrows at Logan who was repelling them with his sword.

“Luca!” Tamashi called out with relief.

“Tamashi! You can’t be here!”

“You” Logan said when he saw her face. “Well this is a pleasant surprise” he wore a smug face that Luca fully understand the meaning.

Hal went in front of Tamashi and drew his sword towards Logan. Forrest aimed his bow at the same guy.

“Pleasant indeed. We were looking for you” Forrest said in delight and a bit cocky.

“Stay away from her Logan!” Luca yelled.

“It’s three against one. I urge you to yield” Hal warned and glared at Logan.

Logan’s smirk only widened. Hal charged towards him and the two started exchanging blows.

The castle began falling apart from all the bombs it took. The ground was shaking and the crumbs and sand were falling from the ceiling.

The fighting grew fiercer for every battle. The people from the town were marching towards the castle grounds and opposed the soldiers who sided with the king. Hal continued fighting with Logan while Forrest and Luca were fighting off the soldiers who got through the room.

The sun was rising as the king was overpowering Hal. Luca came to his aide when he saw Hal was being pinned down to the ground. Luca had his sword and fought Logan along with Hal. It was now two versus one.

Forrest and Tamahsi were fighting off the soldiers. Tamashi was careful to only disarm of immobilize them without fatal injuries.

Despite being outnumbered, Logan was quite skilled and was still at an advantage. He slit Luca on his thigh that sent him to his knees and he stabbed Hal on his left shoulder. With the two of them wounded, he charged towards Tamashi with the intent to kill her. Tamashi had her back wide open. Seeing Tamashi in danger, Forrest jumped in to save her. Logan, attempting to stab Tamashi in the heart, had now Forrest’s blood on his blade.

As if everything was now in slow motion in Tamashi and Hal’s eyes. Logan, with no remorse, pulled his sword out. Flickering his sword, Forrest’s blood splattered on the ground. Forrest felt his strength left him and he fell in Tamashi arms. She slowly sat on the ground and laid Forrest’s head on her lap. Hal rushed towards them and Luca fought the remaining soldiers while Logan fled.

“Oh ghad, Forrest” Tamashi trembled.

“Forrest…” Hal said in almost a whisper.

Forrest was shaking and was bleeding to death. He was gasping for air as Tamashi held his hand for comfort. She was almost in tears for her friend. However, Hal’s hands were trembling from anger.

“H-H-He lo…oks… g-good… I ca-can see… why you c-ch-choose him… T-Tam…” Forrest managed to say after looking at Luca then at Tamashi. “Yo-You have… deadly co-competition… Hal…” he said and smirk while bleed was coming out of his mouth.

Tamashi chuckled with tears. Luca look at him with pity and Hal looked away.

“Wa-watch over… Hal fo-for us…” Forrest said before his soul left.

Tamashi gentle closed his eyes and laid his head on ground before standing up. She dried her tears and hold back the rest. Luca gentle stroke her back and Hal stood up while tightening his grip on his sword.

“Hal?” Tamashi called out.

Hal ignored her and ran, following the path Logan ran to. Tamashi and Luca then followed Hal. They found them at the top of a tower where the walls were practically broken. They could already see the sky that was painted orange. Hal and Logan were engaged in a fierce sword fight.

“Hal!” she called out.

“Logan!” Luca cried out. “Don’t hurt him! Stop already!”

Logan slashed Hal’s chest that made him drop on his knees.

“Say your prayers, barbarian” Logan said and placed his cold blade under Hal’s chin.

“Don’t do it Logan!” Luca pled.

Tamashi drew Luca’s sword and met with Logan’s sword, pushing him back and away from Hal.

“Tam!” Hal said.

“I know you think what you are doing is right but if you just think about your people and the people from other islands you would see that you’re wrong. Just because the previous kings followed the same path as the first one, doesn’t mean you can’t change. Please look into your heart and realize that you are just being selfish. Just as the first king. Don’t let yourself be confuse by the same greed as theirs” Tamashi said.

“She’s right Logan” Luca butt in. “I know you have goodness inside you. I believe that! Just drop your weapon”

“Shut up!” Logan easily and skillfully got Tamashi drop her sword. He then cornered her to the edge. “Both of you have no right to speak to me and lecture me! I will conquer the east nation and I’ll become the greatest king of all time!”

“That’s not true!” Luca yelled, almost in desperation. “A great ruler is not one who aspires to be great. A great ruler is one who inspires others to be great. So be an inspiration. Oppressing others and giving them suffering is not being an inspiration”

Logan glared at Luca as Hal took deep breathes watching carefully at what comes next. Tamashi gulped and was frightened because one wrong step and she would fall off. Logan’s eyes twitch, fighting himself in his thoughts. Something inside him turned and was making him have doubts. But only for a second. Just a second.

He raised his sword and swung it at Tamashi.

“NO!” Luca and Hal yelled at the same time.

Logan stabbed her in the stomach, pushing her off the tower.

Tamashi could hear Luca and Hal calling for her but it was faint. And despite just being stabbed, she couldn’t feel the pain. All she could feel was the air and the soft light from the sun. She was falling. It was fast but it felt slow for her. She could see the tower getting smaller. All the loud explosions, gunshots, cries, and yelling was disappearing from her ears.

And suddenly it all went black.

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