Supernatural: Chronicles of the Order
Chapter 11: The Fear Inside
(DISCLAIMER: No, I don't own Supernatural because it belongs to Eric Kripke and Warner Bros. So, enjoy the show! Rated M for graphic violence, adult content, and adult language.)
I was back on my feet as I was sparring with Shigeru in the dojo. After resting up and the seizure, I was back into training, but put on light duty as I continued to fight it out with my kendo stick in my hand. Even Shigeru was armed with a kendo stick as he was pushing me to my limit until he knocked mine out of my hand until I fell onto the floor. With Shigeru helping me up, we were both tired as we were about to have our lunch soon. It wasn't long until I saw Reiko appear with some rice balls and green tea as she set them down next to us. The strenuous exercise and sparring for the past few days made me exhausted as I wanted to just simply take a bath from all that training. It may be a first start, but I had to focus on what was being thrown at me instead of being out on the field for now.
"I take it that you went to the biggest sandbox in the universe," said Shigeru as he grabbed a rice ball. "Sounds to me like you've been turning suckheads into soot."
"If I hadn't done that, Dean and his comrades would have been dead by now," I said.
"I'm so glad that you're safe, Sammy," said Reiko as she sat down with me and Shigeru.
"You know, after you finish training, I suggest that you do something about your situation," he said.
"What situation?" I asked.
"I want you to marry Reiko. She's got a kind heart and her cooking would be more than enough to make you fat and happy. Besides, if you did that, then we'll be brothers together."
"I bet that Dean would flip if he heard that one."
"Oh, he would 'cause it's on: cake vs. pie! Which dessert would win out?"
I laughed at that sentiment as I was still on the mend during training. Grabbing a rice ball, I started to eat at it as I later stared at it. In my minds eye, the further hallucinations have kicked in as I noticed the rice turn into maggots as I tried not to think about it. This wasn't real. I had to block it out as I closed my eyes and tried hard not to think about it. When I opened them back up, I saw that the rice ball was back to normal as I couldn't let the hallucinations get to me. When I ate the rice ball in my hand, I was happy that I have been enjoying Reiko's cooking as I was also trying to maintain my sanity after what I've been through. After a week of slumber, I was starting to see through the cracks of the trauma that I've experienced for a while now.
Still, I wanted to push myself to my limits as I was trying hard to sharpen my mind and body from the training that I had gone through. I had to keep from going off the deep end as I had to make sure that I didn't see any more hallucinations so far. My mind was playing tricks on me as I just wanted to get some rest after sparring with Shigeru in the dojo. After finishing up the rice balls, I got up as I left the dojo and went straight towards the bathhouse. I was feeling exhausted as I entered inside and stripped off my clothes. Even though I put them in the hamper to be hauled off to the laundry room, I was naked as I was walking towards one of the wash basins. With some soap, I scrubbed myself as I even washed my hair with the shampoo and conditioner that were above the wash basin. This was something that I always did as I rinsed myself off completely. By the time I went into the hot spring, I was feeling the stress melt away as I was very comfortable indeed. It wasn't long until I saw Shigeru come into the hot spring after washing up and rinsing himself off earlier, for he was also tired from sparring in the dojo.
"I see that you're worse than me," he said as he saw me staring at the ceiling.
"Shigeru..., I'm starting to feel the hallucinations in my mind play tricks on me and it's not just seeing Lucifer," I said.
"What are you talking about?"
"Yesterday, I had a seizure after I saw Lucifer standing in my room. It could also be something that I picked up while I was back on Gethos."
"According to Gramps, he chewed out Castiel for plucking you out of here just to go to that giant sandbox of a planet a week ago.
"It could also be the fear that's been creeping up. Earlier, when I ate one of Reiko's rice balls, my mind played tricks on me when I was looking at a ball of maggots in my hand crawling all over."
"That's so gross... Did you even eat the rice ball?"
"I closed my eyes a bit and figured that all that wasn't real. When I opened them up again, I saw the rice ball become a normal rice ball again instead of a gob of maggots."
"By the way, your brother's coming here to this planet."
"I know, but this place is the main headquarters of the Order after all."
"This place is like the main branch, but it's a lot bigger, I kid you not."
"Shigeru..., I don't think that Dean knows about what I've been going through, but he's gonna see it eventually. The hallucinations were just a tipping point in my traumatized fear that was growing in me, but I have to control all of it. It's not just the side effects of the raw power, the bad memories, the constant terror or Lucifer simply tormenting me on a daily basis. It's the whole general fear that would never leave me alone. I can't let myself become ensnared again."
I wanted to make my point clear as I was still soaking in the hot spring. When I got out of there, I wrapped myself in a towel as I dried myself off until I put it in the clothes bin. Grabbing a robe, I put it on as I left the bathhouse and went towards the laundry room. It was a place that looked like a laundromat, but the washers and dryers weren't coin operated, which was a godsend. Laundry duty was something that I mainly did sometimes as I stuffed my clothes into the washer. With a small box of laundry detergent being opened up and poured into, I was ready to go as I found a bottle of fabric softener and put a cap full into it before I started it up. When the washer was already starting, I simply waited in the seats as I heard it fill up with water. The wait would soon be worth it, but I also had a bad feeling that my hallucinations would go into full effect soon.
Without warning, I heard the sound of chains rattling as I was searching the walls and ceiling. I later heard nothing as I felt my head aching. All of these events happened so much as I wanted to be calm and quiet. I couldn't tell Dean about this. I didn't want him to be worried too much about me as I even wanted him to be a tough soldier in the Hunter Corps. With him coming to Alecrast, it would be difficult for me to talk about the problems that I had since I had been banished, but he'll know eventually. When I heard the laundry in the washer go to the first spin cycle, I waited as I didn't get impatient. After I heard the clothes spin, the washer was on rinse as I later saw a familiar nuisance standing in the way. It was Lucifer again as he was still trying to get me to talk to him. I didn't want to do that as I was trying to block him from my mind.
"You know, it's not gonna work," he said as he was waiting for the right moment to pounce.
I didn't answer him.
"If you keep ignoring me and giving me the silent treatment, I'm just gonna come back for more, bunk buddy!"
"Just leave me alone!" I screamed as I couldn't take it anymore.
"Ah, finally, he speaks... It's about time that you started talking to me."
"Go away!"
"And miss the sweet spot?! Not a chance, bunky! You see? I own you just like I own Ippei and even Shigeru no matter how many times he says that he's done with me."
"You're not real! All of this is in my head! I won't let you own me anymore! I won't do that!"
"If you don't even let me in your little circle, then I'll do a lot of damage to the people around you: your friend, your brother, your mentor, and even your little girlfriend."
"You leave Reiko out of this! She's got nothing to do with it! You also leave Dean, Ippei, and Shigeru out of this as well!"
"I guess that you still haven't the guts to admit that you like me, don't you, bunk buddy!"
"I'm not your bunk buddy and I'm not your friend!" I covered my ears as I didn't want to listen to anymore of the disheveled man's taunts. "Ippei told me everything about what you did to him and Shigeru! You tormented them mercilessly just to get your kicks!"
"Sam! What the hell's going on here?!" cried Shigeru as he entered into the room as he was dressed in a robe. "Hey, are you feeling okay?! Talk to me!"
Once again, he saw Lucifer standing in front of one of the dryers as he was still taunting me without any mercy. He didn't want him to harm me even further as he decided that it was the last straw and got towards the elephant in the room and was ready to face him head on.
"Hello..., Shigeru," said Lucifer. "Long time, no spooning..."
"Cut the crap, Lucifer! I heard every little detail about what you would do if Sam didn't bow down and kiss your ass on a daily basis!" he yelled.
"Well, excuuuuuse meeee, Mr. Smart-Ass! I'm just there for the entertainment and Sammy's about to bring in the party favors!"
"You're not doing anything to him! I thought that I told you to leave him alone!"
"Ah, c'mon! I was only joking around!"
"Oh, yeah?! Well Gramps told me how you pushed Sam down and made him hurt his left hand in which a dango stick poked right through it. I won't let you harm him like you did me!" He sees Lucifer losing his power as he was starting to disappear. "For a while, I was being tormented by you because you refused to leave, but you decided to take Sam to ride shotgun on your little joyride of misery. Well, there are other ways to combat you without cowering in fear! Hell you even made me go without sleep so bad that you left me in a coma in order not to wake up, but if it wasn't for Gramps saving me in the end, I wouldn't be alive today!"
"Is that so? I gave you the time of your life and all you do is belittle me? Well, shame on you, Shigeru."
"Don't start that crap on me 'cause I'm not falling for it ever again. I may see you, but I won't ever let you in to cause your torment on others." Lucifer continues to lose his power as he was starting to become see-through. "I'm telling you again, you disheveled bastard, leave Sam alone!"
With that, Lucifer disappeared without a trace as he was gone from the laundromat. I was relieved that Shigeru came to the rescue as I saw him holding his ground. It was quiet again as we heard the washer on spin cycle. We were the only ones in here as we saw a basket full of clothes that needed washing. It was Shigeru's laundry as he was ready to put it in one of the frontloader washers on the side. With a cap full of fabric softener and a scoop of laundry detergent put into the wash, Shigeru started stuffing his clothes into the frontloader as he closed the door and started it up.
"Well, good riddance to bad rubbish... for now..." he said as he sat down in one of the chairs.
"Lucifer will come back, I just know it," I said as I was shaking with fear.
"No, he won't because he's not gonna get to you. Not when I'm around."
"Shigeru..." I looked at him as I had tears in my eyes. "Was it true that Lucifer tormented you so badly that you went into a coma?"
"Yeah... That bastard wouldn't leave me alone for a while. All he ever did was make faces, taunt at me, and even tried to do harm to Gramps. It's not a pretty sight, believe me, but no matter how many times you give him the silent treatment, he'll just sit there until you break."
"All those times I kept quiet..., Lucifer just stood there, only to torment me for no reason... And after that..., I broke my silence just to tell him to leave me alone... It's like he said...: You can't torture someone who has nothing left to take away..." I broke down crying as I felt the tears flow. "How could I be so weak like this?" I wiped my eyes with my robe sleeve. "How could I even let him get to me like that?"
Shigeru saw the anguish in my well-being as he was remembering the same thing. He faced Lucifer just like I did as he once cowered in fear. When he saw me break down in sobs, he remained in the laundry room with me as he did his best to calm me down. We were both victims of Lucifer's torment, but we also had some hope in our well-being just to face down the terror inside of both of us. Shigeru faced the disheveled man in spades as he didn't cower in fear or cry out in terror. All he did was go up against him in a way that made him face his fear head on. As for me, I only become scared to death of Lucifer altogether as I felt the fear swelling up inside of me the moment I saw first saw him on Ippei's ship. I couldn't let myself give into the fear again. I had to concentrate real hard on keeping Lucifer at bay as I had to face the fear inside me, for I could never let that happen to me again.
"Hey, don't let it get to you, you hear me?" said Shigeru as he put his hand on my shoulder to comfort me. "Besides, you have that raw power just to utilize your potential just in time and to top it off, you can't let the elephant in the room get to you."
"It's hard enough as it is, but the more I try, the more I feel such terror," I said.
"So? The elephant in the room will not be running around right now. Besides, you have your mind to take charge of, not Lucifer. You are your own person. You have the ways and means to be unique and not be pushed to the ground because you got something that no one has in his or her disposal."
"I see what you mean..."
I later got up and took out my clothes as they were cleaned up and ready to go to the dryer. When I turned it on, I watched it spin as I saw all the clothes tumble. It was something to watch as it was much better than Lucifer gloating at me. Still, I was most likely to be going up against the inner torment that I had been suffering from, for had to maintain all my courage and strength just to keep all of it at bay...
Ippei was at his office as he was hard at work checking up on some of the missions and details that were logged in. His efforts to be an Elder had its perks as he was also looking at the news that was on his tablet. The headlines of the usual monsters from the Elder Days had been nil as there would be no one there to tell about it, no thanks to the public not realizing the threat besides their petty politics. By the time he left his office, he was on his way to the main hall, where a social party was about to take place. He always loved the social scene as he usually mingled and gathered information about any possible monster threat from the time of the Elder Days. With the decorations up for the upcoming festivities, he saw several dignitaries from other planets arrive by spaceship when they came forward for tonight's gathering. With some of the dignitaries coming by invitation, he noticed some familiar uninvited guests appear as they were about to give him trouble. He recognized them very quickly as they were none other than Severin and Sylvana, who have just arrived here just to rain on his parade.
"What the hell are you doing here?" he asked as he was maintaining his composure.
"Ippei Mitani, I presume?" said Sylvana as she was dressed in a red gown with her brown hair up. "It's such a surprise running into you of all people."
"I take it that you brought your brother after your father dropped charges against him."
"Don't you talk back to me, you Elven trash," said Severin as he was dressed in maroon clothing.
"Hey, don't even try anything, Severin," said Ellen as she appeared out of one of the kitchens. "You may be the son of the Thrippe family sire, but you need to have restraint, not be a spoiled brat like you always do."
"I'll have you crushed, Ellen Harvelle."
"That's enough," said Ippei. "As you know, this is my home and no one is going to crushed here. Besides, it's a social gathering after all."
"This is not over, Ippei," said Sylvana. "Anyway, I heard from the teahouse that you have that annoying little pest hidden somewhere. Could it be that Sam Winchester's been here all along?"
"Don't push it. If you or your brother make trouble for my guests, servants, dignitaries, or family, I will have the both of you thrown out on the spot, is that understood?"
Both Sylvana and Severin didn't say a word as they saw Ippei walk into the further halls. He didn't want them there in his home as he was aware that they would even make trouble for me as well. It wasn't long until he saw another ship appear as it landed in the clearing as expected from outside. Without a doubt, he noticed it to be the one that came to Gehenna and Orianthis as some certain crew member came out of it. Colchuvar came out first as he had his Claymore in his hand. Dean, Kevin, and the Orianthan nurse also came out of the ship as well when they were ready to go inside. Ippei was on hand to welcome them as he saw the door to the hall open up. It wasn't long until he saw me and Shigeru bringing our laundry to our rooms as we had our hands full. He was waiting for us to get changed as he was expecting us to join him at his party.
"What's with the regalia?" asked Shigeru.
"The both of you need to get dressed," said Ippei.
"What for?" I asked.
"I'm hosting a social gathering for all the dignitaries here in the Order, so I suggest that you get ready."
"Ippei..., I'm not ready to be at a party like this."
"Sam, you're part of the Order and you'll always will be. You can't turn down any social gathering or else your reputation will suffer a great blow."
"Ah, c'mon, Gramps!" cried Shigeru. "Sammy's tired and he's been struggling to stay above water!"
"You saw Lucifer again, didn't you?" I nodded. "I see... You broke your silence after all that torment. This isn't something that you can't ignore and to top it off, I have Severin and Sylvana here, which would be trouble around here."
"Why did it have to be Sylvana...?" said Shigeru. "We all know that she only pines for her twin brother just to keep the bloodline in the Thrippe family pure."
"Just ignore them and you'll be fine. Now, then; go get changed right away."
We obeyed Ippei's orders as we went towards our rooms to do that. When I returned to my room, I was dreading the worst as I had to face Severin once again. The memories of him whipping me in the courtyard and the Executioner's Grounds on Orianthis weren't pleasant as I tried to keep calm as much as I can. When I got to my closet, I found some regal Heian clothes as I was about to get into them right away. Just as I was about to do so, I turned around after I heard the sound of chains rattling again. I was starting to lose it as I felt something wrap around my neck. It was a chain that was stringing me up as I was struggling to get free from it. Closing my eyes, I was trying to visualize this nightmare as I found it gone the moment I hit the floor.
My hallucinations were getting out of control. I had to hold it together as I was panting for breath. Still, the arrival of Severin and Sylvana had triggered a crippling sense of fear as I was about to be ready to stay in my room because of it. I didn't want to hurt Ippei's feelings as I looked at the clothes in my closet. I felt the fear creeping up as I closed the closet door and buckled under the pressure. I was losing it. My heart thudded sharply against my ribs as I wanted to just fall in the cracks. The fear that I had was strong as I was reminded of the cruelty that scared me to death. I wanted to die. I wanted to get away from it all. When I got up and walked towards the window, I opened it up as I was seeing the drop down of the castle. I was about to go for it as I heard some laughter right behind me. Turning around, I saw Lucifer once again as he was sitting next to the table. He was itching for me to take the plunge as I couldn't take it anymore.
"Well, aren't you quite the bungee jumper," he said as he winked.
I ignored him as I was ready to jump out the window.
"I guess that you made your decision after all. It's gonna be fun when you get back in the cage with me!"
I got up on the windowsill as I was about to take the plunge. I couldn't take much more torment from either Lucifer or Severin as I was ready to end it all. Everyone would be much better off without me in the end as I was ready to take a nosedive. With Lucifer serenading my fall that was ready to come, I was most likely to leap in the end, for my training here was a waste and a folly indeed...
"So, any last words, bunk buddy?" asked Lucifer as he had a triumphant smile on his face.
"Farewell..." I said.
Just as I was about to jump, I heard the door open up in my room as I felt a set of strong hands yanking me back inside of my room and closing the window. Whoever it was, he or she was not too happy with me for trying to end my life so readily as I was struggling to get back to the window. There had been too much in me as I couldn't take it no more, for my torment would continue the moment I would be still alive.
"What the hell were you thinking, Sammy?!" cried a familiar voice as I felt the arms grip tight around my waist. "What made you want to end your life again?! Why would you consider that as a last option?! You know that we can't function without losing one another!"
"Dean..." I said as I turned around to see him with anger and worry in his face.
"Don't ever do that again! That's twice that you tried to kill yourself and if you're dead, then I'd be losing it, too."
"I can't take it anymore... It's all too much for me."
I felt Dean's arms tighten around my waist until he placed a hand on my chest. He felt my heartbeat clearly as it was both erratic and alarming. He had a feeling that I was reliving the terror of Severin's cruelty on Orianthis as I felt shaky. I didn't want to come out of my room as I was scared to death. Still, I was trying hard to hold onto my sanity as I felt tears flowing down my cheeks. When I turned around, I noticed that Lucifer wasn't there as I couldn't let him torment me again. I was in full panic mode as I even wanted to squirm away from Dean's hold over me.
"Let me go," I said as I was struggling to get free from Dean's grip.
"Not until you calm down first," he said.
"Let me go, Dean!"
"What? And let you fall out the window again?"
"I'm not gonna fall out the window. Just let me go..."
And so, Dean released me as I went towards the window anyway. When I opened it up, I didn't try to fall out of there as I saw many lanterns being lit. The social gathering was something that I had to attend to because of my status as a member of the Order. I walked to the closet once again to get out the kimono that was hanging in there as I wanted to get dressed right away.
"Well, you've got some new clothes there," said Dean as he was staring at the kimono in the closet.
"I need to get changed," I said.
"You're not gonna fly the cuckoo's nest, are you?"
"Just let me get dressed!"
I watched Dean leave as he closed the door behind him. I was alone without Lucifer cackling at me as I took off my robe and put on some underclothes. With a white robe put on, I put the other one into the hamper as I went towards my closet to put on the clothing that was in there. The outfit that I had looked great on me as I decided to brush my hair and put it up first before putting the black hat on that went with the clothing. When I was all ready to go, I left my room as I was in the hall where Dean was still standing in front of me. He was waiting for me to get to the social party as he was dressed in his soldier uniform as well. We were both ready to join the party as we were ready to meet Shigeru, Ippei, and the others in the main hall.
"So, you ready to meet up with the man of the house?" asked Dean.
"Ippei's waiting for both me and Shigeru to show up," I said. "He even told us to get changed so we wouldn't look awful."
"I bet that Shigeru's gonna wear something that's not black."
"Dude, black will always be the color of choice in the Order and besides, it's better than being left out all the time."
I was right about that as I was walking with my brother side by side. We had never walked together in a long time as we were on our way to the main hall of the castle. I was feeling calm now as I was assuring myself that nothing can go wrong here in Ippei's house. Tonight was the party as I was ready to stay calm of all people. By the time Dean and I got towards the main hall, we were sitting at a table by the window as we stared at the moat and mounds of houses and shops all over Ippei's large humble abode. The dignitaries that arrived here were dressed in their regal regalia as they were either socializing or getting some hors-d'oeuvres just to tide them over. Just as we were about to meet up with Ippei himself, we saw Reiko come in with a tray full of food in her hands. She knew that I would show up along with Dean as she set the tray down at our table. I was blushing as I couldn't hide it while Reiko was there in front of me. Even Dean found her to be beautiful as she was even dressed up in her elegant Elven gown, which was a medium lavender.
"There's some grilled eel on skewers and some sukiyaki for you," she said.
"Thank you, Reiko," I said.
"There's even some for your friend, too."
"Hey, I'm his older brother," said Dean. "I bet that there are people who would mistake me for the younger brother when I'm four years older than Sam."
"But I thought Sammy's the older brother..."
"Actually, I'm four years younger than Dean."
I watched Reiko smile as she was giggling at the fact that one of us gets mistaken to be either older or younger. When Dean decided to dig into the food that was given to us by Reiko, he got some sukiyaki as he grabbed some chopsticks and was ready to dig in. With one taste of the sukiyaki, Dean was in heaven as he decided to eat the rest of it in his bowl. He had never ate any other kind of cooking like this as he wanted to get some more.
"Do you like the food?" asked Reiko. "I cooked the sukiyaki and grilled eel to make it taste really good."
Dean was staring at me as he grabbed me by the scruff of my robe. "MARRY HER!" he yelled.
"You want me to marry Reiko?" I asked.
"She's your best bet, Sammy! She'll make one hell of a wife for you! C'mon, Sam!"
Reiko giggled at the sentiment as she was at her happiest. Even I was smiling as I wasn't afraid to be here at the social party. I was even reminded of the fact that there is nothing to fear when I was with those that are considered to be my family. After we all ate our dinner, I decided to go towards the courtyard as Reiko followed me from behind. As for Dean, however, he was still at the scene as he was waiting for someone to whisk him off his feet. Just as he was about to get up and leave the table, he saw Severin and Sylvana standing in the center of the hall ballroom as they were about to dance to some folksy music. Their provocative dancing had touched a nerve with some of the dignitaries that were visiting here in Ippei's house as they were known about the Thrippe family, whose members all came from the same cloth and without no extensions.
"So, I take it that the spoiled brat and his sister are taking the dance floor," said Shigeru as he had a tray of dessert in his hands. "It's also a godsend that my sister's cooking and kindness are keeping Sam occupied for the time being."
"Those people out there in the center make me sick," said Dean as he had a sour look on his face.
"I wouldn't make that face if I were you. It would make you lose your appetite." Shigeru gives Dean a slice of pie from the tray of dessert. "Here, I know that you always loved pie, so I grabbed a few slices."
"You've got olallieberries here; that's why the pie's so good. Did your sister bake it?"
"Reiko always helps around the kitchen to cook and bake, but Gramps always wants her to be a proper lady so she can be given to a proper husband."
"Is there anyone in Elven royalty that can marry her?"
"No, but according to our priests who worship the gods of this planetary system, she is destined to marry a lone Terran with raw power."
"I knew it..." Dean grabs a fork to dig into his slice of pie and shoving it into his mouth. "The lone Terran that your sister's slated to marry... is Sam..."
"Well, if Gramps approves of the union, then he might let her marry Sammy right away."
Dean grinned at that sentiment as he finished up his slice of olallieberry pie. He was wanting me to marry Reiko just as much as Shigeru does when there would be such strange notions that went along the way. By the time Dean and Shigeru saw the Thrippe twins finish their dance, they bowed and kissed each other on the lips as they were both disgusted by their antics. Both hunter and High Elf were sickened by the twins' embrace as they watched them leave to their quarters for the night. It wasn't long until Ippei came along as he was forced to house the Thrippe twins for now until they got back to Gehenna to their father. It was going to be one hell of a night afterwards as there would be further trouble along the way.
"Just look at them leave," said Dean as he was seeing Severin and Sylvana leave the main hall. "They have some nerve to be here at this place."
"I may not have any say in the matter, but I can't be rude to them," said Ippei.
"Severin and Sylvana are sure living it up here in this place, I can tell you that. They even live up to their reputation as the perfect ones whose bloodline is pure."
"I heard all about them and their dad who kicked Sam out of the fort on Gehenna," said Shigeru.
"All I know is that the Thrippe family have a tendency to screw their own kin so they can keep their precious bloodline pure."
"I have a feeling that they did something bad on their travels, but-"
Without warning, everyone heard the sound of sprinting footsteps as a courier ran into the main hall, where the festivities were being held. The courier was a Zasselian man as he was recognized by the green skin and plant-like vines on his face and body. He bore bad news indeed as he was about to give the dignitaries the worst indeed.
"Where is Ippei Mitani?" asked the courier.
"I'm right here," he answered as he came forward in the center.
"The main office of the Order has given me a message for you."
"Okay, spill it."
"Sylvanus Thrippe of Gehenna has been killed while on a mission to Harkonnen."
"What?!"
"Who killed him?" asked Dean.
"The assassin who did this unholy deed has been known to be the deceased's daughter, Sylvana, who forged the copies of her brother's release while he was being held in contempt on Orianthis."
"You gotta be kidding me!"
"The new leader of the Order fort on Gehenna, Sadie Thrippe, has called for swift action against her half-siblings who did this heinous deed, for she had an epiphany after being healed by an angel of the Lord."
"Kuzan, tell Ginryu that we'll find Sylvana and detain her along with Severin. We can't let them leave this castle."
Ippei made his point clear as he was ready to take swift action against Sylvana for releasing her twin brother and killing her father earlier. They had to be stopped as they had blood and corruption on their hands, for they wouldn't escape the castle without delay. There had been a death in the Order, but the ones who committed that infernal deed would soon be found in a matter of time...
Kevin was out of the bathroom after doing his business in there. As usual, he had to report back to Colchuvar immediately as he was about to be briefed on their next mission from the main office. With the party still going, he was itching to get back to his master until he heard the sounds of passionate moaning coming from one of the lounges. Out of curiosity, he decided to investigate even further as he heard the pleasuring ecstasy that came from the one next to the statue of armor. With the sliding door being nearly closed, Kevin decided to take a peek as he saw Severin on top of his sister as he was pleasuring her by even having his member inside of her. It was a shock to see as Kevin was disgusted at the fact that Severin and Sylvana were much in love with one another as they were in the very heat of the moment. When he sprinted away, he was running out of the hall as he was searching for Colchuvar right away. He wanted to tell him about what the twins were doing to each other as he ran towards the garden where the dojo was.
He spotted me and Reiko sitting in the garden as he had to tell someone about what he saw, but he heard footsteps approaching in great strides. Fleeing the garden, he was on the run as he was about to take another turn towards the courtyard. Spotting a shrine, he was ready to hide into it until he was finally caught by Severin and Sylvana, who had their swords in their hands. Kevin was screwed as he was fearing for his life in this terrible predicament. There was no place to hide now, for this would be the end of him if he wasn't careful.
"Well, well; if it isn't Kevin Tran, the aid and operative of that tall bastard, Colchuvar," said Severin as he had his sword pointed at him. "Actually, you can't back out on this one because you're gonna die soon."
"I didn't do anything to you!" he cried as he tripped over a stone backwards.
"Liar!" cried Sylvana as she drew out her own sword and pointed it at Kevin. "I know that you saw us in there! I know that you watched us make love to each other and you were going to snitch us out to your master!"
"You're disgusting! Yes! I did see you in there having sex in the lounge, but what you're doing is nothing but incest!"
"Wrong, little bird!" yelled Severin. "What my sister and I do are none of your pathetic little business and besides, it's a natural thing that we do this. As for you, you're gonna die for your petty little interference!"
Kevin was about to be killed on the spot until he was saved at the last minute by the sound of the shrine bell. Severin and Sylvana put away their swords as they were about to see who was ringing it. Little did they know was that I was the one that rang the bell as I remained hidden out of sight. With Reiko also in hiding, I was happy that she was safe and out of harm's way as I rang the bell again. Severin, however, was starting to get irritated at the bell sounds as he wanted to know who was ringing it. Even Sylvana was angry as she also wanted to know who was ringing the shrine bell in the evening. Just as the twins were about to reveal the ringer of the bell, they saw flashlights pointed at them as they turned around and faced the Order's guardsmen along with Ippei standing in the middle.
"So, you're in for another licking, aren't you, you old fool?!" yelled Severin.
"Severin, we meet again, but you're not gonna get away again," said Ippei.
"You're making a mistake, Ippei!" cried Sylvana as she was ready to unsheathe her sword. "You're jeopardizing your position as an Elder of the Order!"
"No! It is you who has jeopardized your own," I said as I emerged from my hiding place.
Severin saw me in the clear as he was itching to unsheathe his sword and cut me down. He still hasn't forgotten about what I did to him since the summit on Orianthis as he was ready to put some fear into me. He was ready to do that to me as I maintained my composure and not falter under the pressure. I had to face my fear as I couldn't let it get to me again..., especially when it came to going up against my own inner terror.
"Sam Winchester," said Severin as he was being apprehended by the guards. "I thought that I broke you the moment you were all bloody from all those lashes on your body!"
"My wounds have been healed, Severin, but I won't let you lay a hand on Kevin," I said.
"This isn't over because when my brother and I are free, we'll get our vengeance on you," said Sylvana. "You should have been put away a long time ago so no one would depend on that raw power of yours. All it will ever do is bring you misery instead of happiness."
"That's a burden that I have to bear until the end. Guards, take them away."
I watched Severin and Sylvana be taken away by the Order guards as they left the courtyard entirely. With Kevin watching, he was relieved that the ones that tried to kill him were getting their just desserts in the end. It may have been a triumph for me, but I was still reeling from the fear that will always be a part of me for the rest of my days. Even Ippei was concerned as he had to train me for a lot longer while I stayed here in his home. To my shock, I saw Lucifer standing in front of a hedge as he was ready to do his worst on me. He was waiting for me to cringe in terror, but I didn't let it this time. Even though he was still ready to pounce, I showed no fear this time as I didn't let him win out in the end.
"Hey, you're supposed to be my little bitch, bunky!" he yelled. "You're supposed to be someone who has to bow down to me!"
I touched the jeweled mark on my forehead as I made Lucifer disappear for a while. I couldn't let the fear and sudden breakdown of my psyche get to me this time as I wanted to hold my ground for a while. I was no one's bitch. I was someone that had raw power in me. I was above all things... a Winchester...
The ordeal about the twins at the social party had been top news here in Ippei's home as everyone in the Order was talking about it on the sly. Even I was hearing all about it as their dastardly deeds made the front page. I even noticed that their father, Lord Sylvanus, the man who brought his cruelty upon me, had been murdered as his killers had been the perfect twins all along. While I was in the teahouse getting some breakfast, I saw Ellen get out another newspaper as it had another disturbing article on the front page indeed.
"This is just wrong indeed," she said as she saw the pictures of Severin and Sylvana on the front. "'Twin forgers and murderers escape guards.' That's not all: according to the Order's guardsmen, two of them were killed with their throats cut, but the twins' rescuers left a nasty trail of yellow."
"Sulphur...," I said as I sipped my tea.
"Are you serious?"
"A demon had saved them from being locked up at the Belbe Citadel on Gehenna. It was only a matter of time before he or she plucked the twins away out of sight before something else happened..."
"Let's only hope that they get their due this time..."
I was hoping for the same thing as I wanted them to pay for their crimes. The murder of Sylvanus was something that I didn't expect as I only had nothing but pity for him. As for the rest of my training, I had a long way to go, both mentally and physically, for I had to master my emotions that would be useful in the long run. By the time I left the teahouse, I was ready to go back to the main house as I saw Reiko standing in my way. She looked beautiful as she was dressed in her summer gown. With June ending, it was the start of July as I wanted to resume my training soon enough. I saw Reiko in all her beauty as I was still blushing from seeing her. I was starting to fall in love with her as I was about to feel the need into marrying her before the summer was over. Still, I had nothing to fear, but I had a long way to go after that. I had to further control my fear as I wanted to retain my sanity and happiness, for it was also for Reiko's sake that I would be there for her as well...
To be continued...
