Authors notes: Yeah um...Asthar time! I don't really get this character, but inspiration struck and this came out. Hope it will be a nice read for my readers!
Thank you all for the reviews and kind words!
Never thought these small one shots would be this liked :)
The Island is once again under attack, and General Ashtar has a mission. To protect the turret control room from being destroyed. It was a duty assigned for him by Count Arganan himself.
He found himself the sole protector of the control room. Fate however had a odd sense of justice. It sent one person to him, but fate liked it's challenges. Would this person lead him to victory or his defeat?
He Is My Sin.
Asthar stood steadily in the large control room. His brown eyes completely focused on the door leading outside. He knew his duty and what was expected of him. Not to let the enemy harm the control unit. He had rushed here as soon as the first explosion was heard, signalling the Gurak attack.
''May the gods favour us all today..'' Asthar mumbled calmly in prayer. Before his eyes he saw his two pupils and he hoped they would come out of his alive.''Or at least the young and promising.
A grin appeared on his face, at his own words. He had always been a man of duty and honour, but also a man with a sense of humour. It was something that had helped him many times. When on a gruesome mission or when hitting a dead end with his research with miss Mirania. His humour allowed him to relax and let go of things for a while. When he once again focused he could see things more clearly.
The doors leading outside, to the canon burst open. At the same time, the middle aged general's body tensed. Preparing itself for battle and so did all his senses. The warm grin turned into a scowl, as he shot forward.
His sword slashed across the throat of the Gurak so fast that the warrior never knew what happened. With sickening splat of crimson to the wall, the blade continued it's path. The body fell long forgotten to the ground, only to be joined by another a few seconds later. As the general swiftly hacked off the head of a mage.
''Damn it! It's the general... we better call for reinforcements!'' One axe wielding Gurak shouted.
''I would strongly advise against that.'' Asthar calmly stated, as held the tip of his sword against the man's throat. Their eyes met and he could see respect shining in the enemy's blue eyes.'' If you desist, I would gladly consider sparing your life.''
Just as he had spoke those words three enemies ran inside the room. He settled with knocking the warrior unconscious. Another explosion shook the castle and parts of the roof came crashing down. Causing more confusion amongst the inhabitants of the turret control room. When the shaking had stopped, Asthar soon found himself surrounded. Forcing him to switch to a defensive stance.
''General!'' A man's voice reached him over the sound of swords clashing. He took a quick glance over at the elevator, only to see Dagran saunter into the room.
''Ah, Master Dagran! Good timing.'' Asthar greeted the knight in training, with a saucy smirk. He felt his energy replenish with the arrival of a companion. His thoughts began to wander, as he saw the proud younger man throw himself into battle. Not a second of hesitation, as his blade mercilessly cut down into Gurak flesh.'' Let's finish this quickly, eh?''
''As you say, General...'' Dagran merely replied, with a hint of coldness to his voice. His eyes completely focused on the enemy in front of him. He felt the rush of battle through his veins, that and something completely different.
It was something that did not go noticed by the older man. Asthar spared a glance at the man, after he had disposed of another enemy. Blood spattering, as he withdrew his blade from the chest of a deceased Gurak warrior. He is a fine swordsman...perhaps even better than my own pupils. Have I maybe overlooked this man's capabilities based on his closeness with Count Arganan?...
Asthar quickly re focused on the battle at hand. His blade came crashing hard against an enemy sword. Faces mere inches apart, he and the Gurak fought for dominance. He adjusted his footing and pressed harder, making his enemy back up against a wall. With a quick shove, he managed to make his enemy to loose balance. It gave him the opening he needed, and he thrust his blade through his enemy's heart: drawing a slow and painful moan from his lips.
The room had been enveloped into silence, after the last Gurak fell. The older man wiped his brow, letting out a shaky laugh. It was not fun admitting to becoming older, but his body was starting to tire more easily than a few years back. He was just to turn around to thank his saviour for helping him out, when he barely managed to parry a sword.
''Have you gone mad, lad? Can you not separate friend from foe!?'' Asthar exclaimed in shock, as he stared wide eyed into a pair of hazel eyes. The hate and anger he found in Dagran's eyes shook him to the core. This man was always so level headed and kind. He would never have believed to seeing such malice in his gaze.
''You are not a friend to me!'' Dagran sneered angrily, his face set in a permanent scowl.''You damned Imperial knight scum!''
''You are in no right to speak like that to a superior, lad.'' Asthar coldly responded, and started to defend himself. He parried a heavy blow, and delivered a kick to his opponent's stomach. It sent the younger man reeling backwards. But that did not stop him from gracefully avoided his second attack by back flipping.'' If you value your position and your life, I suggest you back down.''
''I have every right! General Asthar Kerr formerly the head of the infamous Imperial unit known as Gales.'' Dagran spat out the words vehemently. He raised his sword again, sending the surprised looking general a cold glare.'' Your sins ends today, Asthar!''
''Just who are you?'' Asthar asked hesitantly, his color had drained slightly by the mention of his old unit. He raised his blade to defend against Dagran's vicious attacks. Their blades moving in perfect sync, clashing against each other. Testing each others strengths. Judging by the hate shining in his opponent's eyes, and how passionately he fought, it was something clearly amiss with Dagran.''You couldn't possible-''
''Indeed I am!'' Dagran snarled hatefully, as his sword sunk though his enemy's shoulder. Brutally he withdrew his sword, watching as the blood quickly flowed from the wound. Not waiting for his enemy to regain his senses, he kicked the blade from Asthars hand. Then he delivered a brutal kick to the man's stomach.''I survived that night...13 years ago.''
Asthar grunted from the impact, as he landed harshly on the floor. The pain in the shoulder made his breathing ragged. He guessed at least two ribs were broken, seeing as he had trouble sitting up. This however was nothing from the pain he felt, when looking up into Dagran's tormented face. So this is the product of my failure all those years ago...
''I was told that the son had been in the burnt house...'' Asthar half whispered, as he gazed up on Dagran. His mind frantically trying to grasp onto the right memory from 13 years ago.'' If I'd know...I..I would-''
''I can still remember the day when the Empire's meaningless war came and tore my life apart...'' Dagran coldly spoke, his eyes boring into Asthar's brown ones. He pointed the blade against the left side of his chest, just above his beating heart.'' Your knights, Asthar. They stood there laughing as they butchered my family right in front of my eyes.''
Asthar's breath hitched when seeing tears well in Dagran's hazel eyes. It showed just a small portion of the pain this man had carried all these years. Seeing his family being murdered, not being able to do anything. Having to move on all alone, struggling in the harsh climate of this world. All that could the middle aged General read from looking into a set of hazel eyes. ''I'm truly sorry-'' He was once again interrupted.
''Don't you dare say those empty words!'' Dagran angrily shouted and stomped down hard with his right foot on the man's chest. His breathing uneven, as he tried to regain his calm.'' Sorry does not bring my family back. Sorry does not make things better. All sorry does is lightening the burden on your own conscience.''
Asthar knew right then and there, that his life was forfeit. Even though he knew he had not ordered his unit to attack that village. He had always know the fate of that single village would always follow him. If he had punished his men, and not looked though his fingers on their transgressions, this man's tragedy could have been avoided. He also knew that telling him this was meaningless. This man is corrupted by vengeance, and it had warped his mind. He would never believe a word he said and he could not blame him.'' Go on then, lad. Do what you set out to do.'' Asthar calmly spoke, his eyes never leaving Dagran's face.
Dagran sheathed his sword, and picked up a long dagger from the ground. He knelt beside his sworn enemy, grabbing hold of him. He shifted him into a sitting position, ignoring the painful moan that accompanied said movement. He positioned the sharp tip of the blade against the back of his enemy. Their eyes met for the last time. Finally...finally...I have avenged my family...
''Killed by an enemy dagger? Just as resourceful as always I see...'' Asthar dryly commented flashing his enemy a grin. Hiding behind his mask of humour, not wanting to give the man the satisfaction of seeing his pain and fear.'' Not the way I'd imagined my own demise, but beggars can't be choosers...''
''This is how they killed my mother...'' Dagran coldly informed him, as he plunged the dagger inside the man's back. He settled with one brutal twist that ensured it was properly embedded.''Goodnight, General...''
Asthar slowly sank down to the floor, laying on his side. His eyes never leaving the retreating form of Dagran. The only sound he could hear was the sound of boots slowly fading further away. The pain that held his body prisoner was excruciating. He felt warm blood trickle down his back, and down his chest. He felt his life force slowly draining at a steady pace.
It was true what people said. About one's life flashing before your eyes just before facing death. His life had been a good one, filled with many laughs, friendships and experiences. Old comrades and friend's faces flashed before his eyes. A woman with long blond hair, and green eyes made his heart ache. They also said a dying person thought of their regrets. That was also true, his biggest regret was a woman named Elena. She was like a breath of fresh air. Her blond hair reminded him of the sun and her green eyes of a lush forest. They had grown up together, but he had taken her for granted. He regretted not marrying her when he had the chance. She had been so heartbroken that she had not had the energy to fight a sickness that struck her. She truly had been the love of his life, but he hoped to see her in the afterlife.
Rumour also entailed atoning for ones sins, before facing their maker. His thoughts once again drifted to the man with tormented hazel eyes, and a false mask. Yes, Dagran was a creation of his own making. He was the true embodiment of his sins and failures. Thanks to him and his weakness back then lead to this man turning into a monster. He had seen the unhealthy state of some of his men, but as always chose to believe in the good in people. It was a lesson he learned the hard way, but the one who paid the price was an innocent young boy.
''I confess to it...'' Asthar whispered softly, while withdrawing the dagger from his back. His gaze once again wandered to the figure slowly walking away. His executioner sauntered confidently across the blood stained floors, like he did not have a care in the world. A monster was a correct term for him. A proud, vicious monster who strikes with precision and without guilt.'' …..He is my sin...''
Just as Asthar was to succumb to the darkness that called for him, he heard the elevator doors open. So close yet so far away. It was a sure sign that his death had been pre destined to be this way. A voice called his name, making him focus on his last moments alive.''General Asthar!''
Fin.
