Part 11: Darkness becoming known
Kludd's bedchamber door opens slowly and quietly, as the white and brown barn owl, with red markings on her body, Pure One General, Elanore steps in. She is unsure if he is awake or not, as Nyra has sent her. She is wearing a dark red scarf with a silver pin holding it. It has been weeks after being ambushed by Ramaxon and his solders while on a patrol within Tyto Forest. Her stiches were removed and she has been healing nicely, her scars being covered by the white feathers on her chest and stomach. She then walks onto the balcony.
"Lord Kludd." Elanore addresses
"Yes, General." Kludd replies as he turns his head
"Nyra asks if you want to make an address to the soldiers tonight." She reports "She says that you should make your statement that you will someday take down the Guardians and rah-rah-rah."
"I did tell her I wanted to make an address, Elanore." He replies "Of course, I will tell you or tell you, tell her, when to gather the soldiers."
"Yes, my lord." She says with a swift bow
Elanore leaves the room to report to Nyra, and get started on her chores. It is true that Elanore is both General of the Pure Ones and her personal assistant, often having to do her chores, fetch her things and take care of her schedule. Often, she finds herself always cleaning her room and also relaying orders back and forth, walking halfway around the base and back. If anything, she has one of the most chaotic jobs, dealing with Nyra besides all of the soldiers and their chaos.
"Kludd says that he will be making an address later." Elanore reports back as she walks past Nyra to go to the training yards
"Oh, Elanore." Nyra then says, prompting the young barn owl to turn around "Make sure to water the tiger lilies I had got this evening."
"Pardon?" Elanore replies with confusion
"Oh, I hadn't told you yet. Kludd left me a bouquet of tiger lilies this evening by my door. I guess you hadn't heard as you were in training this evening." Nyra says before a swoon
"Ok then." Elanore says before a disgusted face as she walks away down the hallway "I'll get onto it as the ladies and I attend to your chores."
Over in Ga'Hoole, Autumn has been making a good recovery. Merissa left Ga'Hoole a few nights after her impromptu arrival. She had her fair share of fun, political agenda, and also relaxation from her few nights she spent in Ga'Hoole. After she left, Autumn has had her stiches removed and she was given the all clear to go back to teaching her classes as they've healed over nicely and the swelling has gone down. It seems that Autumn is quite the healer as she can recover quickly; call it a gift if you may.
Autumn's students were thrilled to hear that their ryb was coming back to teaching their class, as they do hate having substitute teachers, which never usually have the same flair for teaching that Autumn has. Autumn always has a competition in the class where they earn points for every time they do their homework, get a correct answer, behaved or won one of the class games. At the end of the month, they are rewarded with a treat of some sort. It has proved to have some of her Middle Year 2 students from this lower class, end up in the 10/15 student cut for Moon Master Class for their senior year.
Besides that, for the weeks that Autumn has been recovering from her wound, Ga'Hoole has been slightly off as Autumn is the cheery owl who often is chatting with everyone she knows, sharing a well-mannered joke and brightening everyone's night with her heart-warming giggle. If anything, parliament has been less agreeable without Autumn's abilities to be able to be the peacekeeper and solve a disagreement with a compromise, as they have been fighting about a set of new rules for chaw practice.
Autumn awakes and then is getting ready for the first night back, she is happy to be returning to her post as the Search and Rescue and Star Class ryb. Besides having to attend to her duties, she has found that being on leave does get a little boring at times when she isn't reading or sleeping and whatnot. It is when she is just writing letters and having talks with dignitaries to do with her diplomatic career that is truly not fun. She is more often seen commanding over Ga'Hoole whenever she can, as the diplomat stuff is more of Barran's field of expertise.
Autumn and Ezylryb land outside the Star Class classroom as the GTA bell has been rung and the students have gathered in the classroom to start their school night.
"You have a good night, dear." Ezylryb says before they kiss and he takes off to his classroom fervour along "I'll see you later."
"You two." Autumn replies as she looks inside her classroom "Bye."
Her students are preparing for either a substitute teacher, or for their actual ryb to enter so they can welcome her back. They even have a banner hanging over the chalkboard ready to be unveiled. Autumn then enters and 25 students cheering and giving her a warm welcome back meet her. They throw confetti and all give Autumn a massive group hug.
"Goodness, you all missed me." Autumn quips
As Autumn has her lessons with her students, she has missed how lively her students are. She has history first lesson, in which her students tell her answers and do their work, even if there are often a few loungers. After that, she has elective drama class as she teaches her students some new activities to help with improvising when they are stuck. By recess, she has playground duty, where often she has to deal with the dilemmas, the injuries, sometimes break up a fight or give out the detentions in some cases. Besides that, she goes on walk about as she chats with everyone she knows in Ga'Hoole and catches up with the other GTA rybs.
By next lesson, she is teaching Senior year students things they will need to know if they are tapped to be in Search and Rescue Chaw. Autumn teaches the students her game of Tag, which involves hide and seek. She even gets into it as her students are trying to tag each other and move about without being noticed, and hiding when they need to. She then dismisses the class before heading off to math class, where she has them doing a quick quiz before some textbook work. As her students have Combat Class, she can call it a day and then start tutoring pupils that need the extra help or a working towards making Moon Master Class for Senior or Fire Master Class for Middle Year 2. On the other hand, they are students who are working at the same level as Fire Master students, but need help with understanding.
She then gets back to her hollow, placing her workbooks on the desk in the study as she works out her lesson plans. Ezylryb comes home after supervising study hall, comes behind Autumn, and kisses her cheek.
"I love my job…" Autumn giggles "Ryb of the Search and Rescue Chaw and of Star Class in the Middle Year of the Guardian Training Academy and also third in command as Lady of Ga'Hoole. I may get stressed a little, but I do love to teach and be a part of ruling Ga'Hoole. Respect, admiration and Royal Guard."
"Well, I definitely respect and admire you, my Princess." Ezylryb says as he empties out the back of her cape for any of the confetti and there is a fair bit of it "Goodness… so much confetti. For lower class students they're pretty creative with the confetti"
"Yeah, I know. I was fearing I would have a pile of it in the back of my hood." She replies as she looks at the pile of confetti on the floor before picking up some and throwing it in the air with a giggle "Hurray."
"Glaux, I love your child-like innocence. You've been through many a hagsmire on earth, but yet you're always cheerful and happy." He says as he brushes the confetti off
"It always helps to stay positive, remember." She giggles as he takes her wings "There may be times of hardship, but it will always help to find the good in the bad."
"That is so true, my rose." He agrees before holding her close "You're smarter than one would give a pretty darling like you for."
"I love you so much…" She says she nuzzles his neck
"And I love you too." He replies before kissing her head and lets go "Alright, I'll leave you to your work. Besides, the Lady of Ga'Hoole should always make sure to keep up to date with her work."
"And what are you, a manual?" Autumn quips
Ezylryb laughs before kissing her head and hands Autumn a letter that she has to reply to.
Kludd is walking down the hallways of the St. Aegolius base. Nyra and Elanore are following as Kludd prepares himself to face his soldiers after making a full recovery from his illness. The soldiers are gathered in the throne room, all standing with some anticipation of what their king will say to ensure that they are not going to lose this everlasting war. The throne room door open as soldiers then cheer when Kludd walks down the middle of the crowd of soldiers, followed by the Queen General and General. Kludd then takes his place upon his throne, with Nyra to his right and Elanore to his left. Cheers and chants continue before Kludd raises his wing.
"Silence." Kludd orders as a hush comes across the crowd, "It has been a month since our retreat from Rosewood, a month since I last sat upon this throne without feeling horrible and rundown. However, let me tell you one thing: That I would never had left Rosewood with defeat. I would have fought till we ruled that kingdom."
"Kludd, I called that retreat as…" Nyra tries to say, in defence of her orders given a month ago
"Silence, Nyra." Kludd then says with a turn of his head
Nyra then silences herself as Kludd faces his soldiers once again from high atop his throne at the head of the throne room.
"Our enemy, however, isn't Rosewood Tyto Resistance, no. It is the Guardians of Ga'Hoole. I may have walked myself into a near-death, but, this only shows us that they are more resilient than I thought." Kludd continues as he begins to pace around on his perch "Someday, we will lead the Guardians into downfall, watch the Great Tree burst into flames as both the tree and their owls all die. It is just as Lord Mordecai wanted with the founding of our fraction. As we are to continue on our legacy of being the owls that plague the shadows of the night, to return to the fight some night soon from now and to defeat the enemy in a bloody duel to the death."
"Yeah!" The soldiers reply in agreement
"We will rise above our cowardly retreat and fight once more. They may think we have coward out, but we are stronger and braver than they think. And in the immortal words, we are Tyto's, we are Pure Ones! Now, who's with me?" Kludd continues with malice and resilience in his voice
A roar of chanting and cheering erupts from the crowd of owls. Who all but know that they are serious and wooed by their High Tyto's anger for Guardians and undeniable passion for the Pure Ones to endeavour to kill the Guardians, following in the claw prints of owls like Mordecai, Aura, Jacobi and the late Metalbeak, they know Kludd will not sway from this mission. As Kludd watches on inventively, Elanore and Nyra are watching.
Nyra knows she was doing the only thing that would have made sure they would not have died from being slaughtered. Call this retreat running away like owlets, but it was for the best nature of the lives of the soldiers and also for Kludd, how almost died trying to kill his brother, the Princess of Ambala and also the Lyze of Kiel. However, as Kludd was making out, her decision was somewhat shameful, as he had said that they would have fought to the death. Every so often lately, he has been two-sided when it comes to her decisions, often approving of them one minute and disapproving another. Once again, he is making out that she made a terrible decision, even if it was to try to save the lives of her solders and to make sure that Kludd would not have ended up worse.
"Are you alright, Nyra?" Elanore asks while Kludd is distracted with elsewhere matters
"Sometimes I think he is saying that I shouldn't have input into anything." Nyra sighs
"I mayn't be a relationship councillor, being only 14, but I know that you may have disagreements, but you two are meant to be together. I see you two loving and passionate. You shared kisses and stared out upon the kingdom upon the balcony like you and Metalbeak used to do when I was nine and a half." Elanore replies, somewhat cheering Nyra up
"I guess so, besides, maybe Kludd will pull though his promises." Nyra replies as she looks upon her soldiers
"We shall rule all and all shall bow down to us!" Kludd then says, prompting more applause and approval from his soldiers
"Someday, Kludd." Nyra then says
"Oh we will, Nyra. We will. As Glaux as my witness." Kludd replies before taking off
It is later on in dinner as Nyra is eating with Kludd. With her blocked nose, the food tastes bland for the white barn owl and she still has her cold. After the address today, she feels as though Kludd has gotten his confidence back. He has been less… well, confident as of late as he has been having daymares. He won't ever talk about them with her, but she feels as though it is of her concern.
"Kludd, can I ask you something?" Nyra asks
"Hm? What is it?" Kludd replies
"Why don't you tell me things? I mean, i don't want this to end up where we never talk anymore unless it has something to do with the army." She sadly asks in a quiet tone of voice
"Nyra, I don't want to worry you with anything. These past seven months since Metalbeak died, you have always been worried and now that you're moving on, the last thing I want is for you to start worrying again." He answers as he takes her wing
"I know, but… It is so quiet." She rebuts
"Well, not really. I can hear you sniffing." He says before picking up her hanky and she uses it to blow her nose
"I guess, but that doesn't count." She replies before placing the hanky down "Why aren't you talking to me lately?"
"I am, but… I guess I haven't the words since I'm kinda… well…" He tries to explain before Nyra gives him a sceptical look "…Busy."
"Really? Do you think I am stupid?" Nyra asks, taking some offence "All you do is stand on your Glaux-damn balcony thinking or pretty much playing with those wooden figures to plan an attack which you will never do."
"I don't think you are stupid, Nyra!" Kludd shouts, interrupting her "Heavens above, I hate how demanding you can be. Sprink, don't you think I am trying to rule this damn monarchy without screwing up?"
Nyra turns her head to look away from him "I gave you the throne as you were the only one who I could give it to, the only one I could turn in my hour of need and… I didn't know seven months later that same owl wouldn't be the same sweet boy who donned the helm after falling into the burning fires would become some... Oh I haven't the word!"
By later, after a while round of argument and apology, Kludd is asleep with Nyra next to him. Besides a slight whistle in her breathing because of a blocked nose, it is pretty quiet. Kludd starts tossing and turning in his sleep...
"Why did you do this, Kludd…?" a voice says in his head
Suddenly surrounded by darkness once more in his dreams… before hearing the rustling of feathers every so often as dead silence surrounds him. He looks round, but sees nothing but black and also smoke-like fog surrounding him. He takes a step before he is sent flying across this space without even anyone or anything touching him.
"What the hagsmire?" Kludd asks
Kludd lifts his head and he looks up to see the dirt beneath him with an orangey haze to its colour. He then looks up and sees himself in the middle of a burning forest and wearing his new helm upon his face. He takes a few steps around as all he sees is trees and other flammable objects on fire. A tree branch falls nearby him, causing him to jump backward in fear of being burned.
"Where am I?" Kludd asks
"You're fanning the flames of war, Kludd…" the voice taunts in a sing-songy voice
"Who are you, what do you want from me?" Kludd asks in a slight panic
He then is hurled once again, though a wall of flames, again without anyone or anything touching him. He lets out a loud scream as he then is hurled into water and is being dragged within a strong current. Holding his breath as best he can and trying to keep his eyes open to see what is going on as he beats his wings frantically to try and get to the surface.
"You're becoming into the darkness, Kludd…" the voice continues
Kludd then resurfaces and is frantically beating his wings to stay afloat while he catches his breath as he is rushes though the rapids of a river, beating into rocks on his way down and sinking a few times. He then crashes into a log blocking him from falling over a waterfall. He crawls onto the log as a mess of soggy feathers and he catches his breath. He touches his face and his helm is still on his head while he gasps for air and feels the pain from bashing into so many rocks.
He pinches himself, but… it is a dream…
He then looks again and the darkness and the eerie fog surround him once more.
"Hello?" Kludd says as he looks around
"Well it is a king and coward…" a voice says "Afraid of his own dreams…"
"Who said that?!" Kludd growls
"Ignoring your queen… Letting that bastard live… You should have killed that midget wench while you had her and then destroyed the rest of them and burnt Rosewood to the ground!" the voice continues
"Who are you to say such slander against the Lord High Tyto of the Pure Ones?!" Kludd screeches with anger
"Lord High Tyto?" The voice questions before a sarcastic laugh "You are nothing but the owl within the shadow of your brother, Soren."
"Don't mention that accursed name around me!" Kludd growls as he still tries to find the origin of the voice "He's just a little dreamer! He's nothing but a dreamer!"
"If he was a dreamer, why is he the apple of your father's eye?" the voice contradicts
"Shut up!" Kludd yells "He's nothing but a cowardly Guardian and a dreamer who defends those lower species bastards. He's a traitor to the Tyto race."
"Really now…" the voice says "…If you continue down this path of disunity it will be your loved ones who will suffer…"
"So?" Kludd arrogantly asks
He then is thrown once more and crashes and he is thrown through the gates of his base, as he rolls a little before lying belly down. As soon as he picks himself up… The base is destroyed! His army defeated and there are the bodies of his loyal soldiers everywhere. Some are a little dismembered as he walks around. The base is crumbling and falling apart as the towers of the castle come crumbling down. He then feels a pain in his chest as he looks down and sees there is a massive slash on his body. He continues on, but not without the pain and he starts limping too. He then walks up the hallway and walls have crumbled in, things are on fire and the soldiers defeated. One question gets raised as he continues though, where in Glaux name is Nyra and Elanore, his two second in commands and in his case for Nyra, his girlfriend.
"This is the future, Kludd… You will cause ruin, Kludd. For you and those you love…" the voice says
"Elanore!" Kludd exclaims
He runs over to his general as a sword has been forced through the 14-year-old general's chest. He kneels beside her as he picks up a silver necklace, the one that he gave…
"Nyra!" Kludd calls out "Nyra, where are you?!"
"Your family, everyone you care about, even your army suffers if you don't make amends, Kludd…" the voice continues
He starts running through the base, but this pain of a cut to his chest and a pain in his starboard leg slow him. He darts his eyes around everywhere trying to find his beloved Nyra. He then enters the throne room and she is nowhere to be found. He then runs up the passage to her bedchamber and violently opens the door to see it damaged beyond repair. He hears a noise and starts limping towards it, before coming to a door and barges it down with all the strength he can muster. He slowly enters what is a partially destroyed nursery…
"Nyra?" Kludd asks as he limps around before turning a corner… "Nyra!"
She is lying on the floor barely moving as Kludd runs over and holds her in his wings. She has bloody gashes all over her body and tears in her eyes. Her breathing difficult as if there was something chocking her.
"Nyra… stay with me, please." Kludd says with tears welling in his eyes "No… They can't do this…"
"Kludd… I don't think I can hold on anymore…" Nyra says before she coughs up blood
"No, no, no. You can't die…" Kludd panics as tears well in his eyes "No, please no."
"They took Nyroc… Guardians… Our little son is gone!" Nyra exclaims as she coughs up more blood
"No. No…" Kludd utters with tears falling down his cheeks
"I love you…" Nyra chokes with her last breath
Nyra stops breathing and dies. Kludd starts panicking as he shakes her, thinking to himself "say it ain't so!".
"Nyra, please no… Don't die Nyra. Don't die. Please. Don't." Kludd cries while the tears flow from his eyes
"Your actions will lead to your family's death. Elanore, Nyra, any of the children you would have… They will all suffer because of you. You and your darkness…" the voice says before a hate-filled evil laugh that echoes through his mind
"Stop tormenting me!" Kludd screams as he continues to cry "Stop!"
Dark smoke surrounds him as he continues to hold the body of Nyra in his wings before it forms into an owl. This isn't like the evil owl god, Mordecai, first High Tyto of the Pure Ones and founder, no, it is someone else who has come out of the smoke holding a bloodied blade, and he recognises the owl as his brother, Soren. He looks with malice in his eyes.
"It didn't have to come down to this…" Soren says
Soren then comes flying at Kludd before everything goes black…
Kludd then sits up hyperventilating and freaking out. He looks next to him and Nyra is asleep peacefully and alive, he looks around and the bedchamber remains as normal as ever. He looks at himself, looking for wounds and sees none before pinching himself and knowing that he is truly awake. He is still freaking out about this horrid daymare, as it felt all too real, like all of this had actually occurred.
"Oh Glaux…" Kludd whispers still disturbed over what he saw "Could it be that I will cause all of this? Endangering my beloved Nyra? Any of the babes she may birth me? Say it ain't so…"
He then looks next to him as Nyra remains asleep. If anything, the voice in his head says that she and anyone else will suffer by any wrongdoings he may cause. It felt like a distant future, but, he would never want Nyra to die in his arms and vice versa. He would want to live for many years and raise owlets of his own, and treat them better than his father treated him.
However, as he had the most unsettling daymare yet… he starts questioning what the voice in his head was saying. Could it be that following down this path of destroying the Guardians, avenging Metalbeak and killing Soren will in turn destroy his loved ones? Could the daymares be telling him something?
Within moments… Kludd then is holding a quill in his claw. He looks over his shoulder as Nyra is still asleep, the eyelids covering her beautiful blue eyes as he begins to write…
The End…
…Or is it?