ImmortalSpuffy202: Thanks for both of your reviews! Also I've updated "Who Am I?" If you're still interested in reading that! :)

Passing By (Guest): Thank you so much for your pleasant review! I'm glad you like the story!

"When they had finished relentlessly torturing me physically... that's when they moved on to an even more excruciating sort of pain."

"The thought just occurred to me..." Swift put a hand to his chin. "Where on earth could your friend be? You know... that man that was with you when your airship plummeted into the earth?"

Descole was too weak to answer him. He lay on the cold ground on his right side. He no longer could move; this being the only position he could lay in without crying out in agony since his back had been whipped and his ribs had been broken on his left side. He was curled in towards his abdomen, incapacitated from the pain. Blood dripped from the lacerations covering his stinging back. Barely able to breathe, the thought of where Raymond was happened to be the least of his worries. Then, he realised what Swift was planning. A terrible feeling of dread built up in Descole's chest. Closing his eyes tightly, he tried to stifle the groans that escaped him. "P- Please... d-don't... hurt him... I'll do anything... anything you want."

"Isn't that a shame? There are so many things I could have you tell me about the Azran... and yet they only want you dead. Then, all of their knowledge shall be unleashed! But the sacrifice must be gruesome and emotional."

"Which means Raymond needn't... be involved... He has nothing to do with this," Descole muttered.

Swift laughed lowly. "How stupid can you be? I've noticed that this man is more than a mere butler to you. I'm sure you know what my plan is. Stop denying the truth!"

"Please!" Descole cried desperately. "Let me read the Azran's words for myself!"

"Are you implying that I deciphered the words wrong?" Swift moved a step closer to Descole, causing him to tense in fear of being hurt further. Descole moaned in anxiety as he closed his eyes tightly, afraid of Swift kicking him again.

"Pitiful. I'm not going to hurt you. Not physically anyway..." Swift chuckled softly. Soon, the door opened. Two guards entered dragging Raymond in behind them. Dropping him to the floor harshly, Raymond groaned from the impact.

"Raymond!" Descole uttered weakly, his frail voice only a whisper as he looked at Raymond helplessly.

Raymond slowly propped himself up, but once he saw the terrible state his master was in, he quickly forgot his own pain and rushed over to his side. "Laddie! What have they done to you?!" Raymond reached out to put his hand on his convulsing shoulder, but Descole stopped him.

"Don't come near me, Raymond, it's a trap! They're going to kill you!" Descole shouted deliriously, his breathing shallow and unsteady.

Raymond, still shaken at seeing Descole beaten so severely, tried to stay calm. Descole nearly choked each time he tried to inhale. "Take a deep breath, Laddie. I'm right here with you. We can get this sorted out. You'll be all right."

"That's where you're wrong, old man. He won't be 'all right', and neither will you," Swift sneered.

"What do you mean? What does Targent want?" Raymond questioned.

Swift shook his head. "Quite unfortunately, I do not have the time to explain everything to you," Swift nodded to the henchmen that were behind Raymond.

"No! Raymond, leave!" Descole shouted, his body contorting in agony as the guards neared Raymond.

As they took ahold of Raymond once again, Descole could do nothing but watch powerlessly, his body in too much pain to move properly.

"It's time for the first of many sacrifices that must be made. Kill him."

"NOOOO!" Descole screamed; his red, perspiring face contorting. Gathering all his strength, he crawled on his side in agony towards Raymond and the two men holding him back. The man on his right pulled out a gun and pressed it against the centre of Raymond's back.

As soon Raymond felt the hard metal against him, his eyes widened and his heart began pounding violently.

BANG!

A gunshot echoed off through the room. The deafening sound caused Descole to stop crawling and stare in horror as Raymond tensed in the two men's grasp. After the noise had reverberated away, Raymond began to sway.

From his view on the ground, Descole could see the pain in Raymond's eyes as he slowly crumpled to the floor.

Descole held completely still, eyes wide and fearful, staring at Raymond's lifeless form on the ground. Swallowing hard, Descole wished this was only a nightmare he needed to awake from. Incapable of vocalising his anguish, tears finally overflowed Descole's eyes. With the very last of his strength, he cried out, tearfully weeping as he dragged himself on his side over to Raymond.

Descole rolled Raymond onto his back, causing him to gasp in pain. "R- Raymond... I- I'm s- so... sorry..." Descole mourned, another pain shooting through his chest at the sight of the red spot growing on Raymond's shirt.

"L- Laddie..." Raymond coughed. "Please... listen to me."

Descole closed his eyes, his tears falling.

"Desmond... this is not your fault. I know you want to blame yourself, but that's not the answer."

Descole still could not look at him, or acknowledge his words.

"Laddie... Please, look at me," Raymond feebly spoke.

Descole sadly opened his tearful eyes.

"I want you to know... how proud I am of all you've accomplished in your life, despite the dark times. I've always thought of you... as my son."

Swallowing, Descole drew in a deep breath and took Raymond's hand in his. "A- And I thought of you as my father..." Descole closed his eyes again, the aching in his chest growing unbearably.

"Farewell, my son... keep... making me proud," Raymond smiled weakly before his eyes fell shut. His entire body went limp as his final breath escaped him.

"Raymond?! RAYMOND!" Descole screamed, falling over his lifeless form and wept, now being in physical and emotional torment beyond his own imagination.

"A- After they had killed him, I eventually fell unconscious because of the pain and inability to breathe. Every single part of me, inside and outside... every nerve in my body was in such excruciating agony..." Desmond quivered and hung his head as he finished his story. "The next thing I remember is random flashes from escaping, and then awaking in that alley you found me in. The only thing I could remember then was what happened to Raymond..." Desmond sighed shakily, tears falling from his eyes.

"But didn't you say before you remembered escaping rather clearly, and that you knew where their hideout was?" Hershel questioned.

Desmond took his glasses off and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I thought I did, but now I'm not sure... The only thing I'm absolutely sure about is what I've just told you... and that Raymond is dead."

Hershel looked over at Claire again, not knowing what to say to comfort his brother. Claire's eyes were filled with compassion and tears at Desmond's story. She looked back at her husband, not knowing what to do either.

Hershel inhaled deeply. "Thank you for telling us, Desmond... I know that was very hard for you."

Desmond stayed quiet, still hanging his head in misery.

"I know also that you're in much pain right now. Please, Desmond, isn't there anything we can do for you?"

Silently lifting his head, Desmond glanced at his brother through his tears. "I suppose... I suppose physical comfort can be allowed... just this once," Desmond smirked slightly. Layton smirked back as he pulled his brother into an embrace. As Desmond let his tears free, Claire also joined the embrace from behind. Minutes passed, Desmond resting safely in their arms as he cried.

Layton thought about all Desmond had told him, thinking, could anything Desmond said possibly lead them to Targent? His eyes lit up. He waited until Desmond pulled away from him before speaking.

"Desmond... I know how we can find Targent."