~ Chapter 28 ~
Extremely little was known of the Void though it had been described as a place of constant chaos was all Rye knew as she looked around at this horrid realm of evil.
The stories Rye had been told as a child of William Black, a mortal who defeated the Knight of Blades, Jack of Blades and the Queen of Blades brought some small bit
of comfort to her as she walked on with hope that she would soon find Reaver and leave this place of death. Passing what looked to be a small cave Rye gathered her
light and shot it into the cave lighting up its darkened interior only to discover the cave was inhabited by someone she thought she'd never have the chance to meet
or tear apart.
"And here I thought you of all people would have at least been allowed to join your wife and daughter on the other side" stated Rye as she leaned against the cave's
entrance.
The person who inhabited the cave stepped forward and running his hand through his grey hair he said "for the evil deeds I committed while I was alive the only
place for me when I died was here. Although I never thought I would see the day when a Hero would venture through the rip to this unholy place".
Folding her arms Rye glared at the person "I'm sure this must be a very exciting day for you considering your history with Heroes Lucien". Lucien smirked and
stepping even closer he asked "so you have heard of me little Hero and yet you stand here showing no fear but pure determination. I did what is happening to my
Albion when I looked through the rip, it's sad when you know you can do nothing to stop it".
Rye rolled her eyes and said "look Lucien it isn't your Albion anymore and I'm too busy to sit here and chat, so goodbye".
Lucien nodded his head and whispered "I know where Jack of Blades sits on his throne, it's the same place he keeps and taunts his prisoners".
"So does that mean you're going to help me?" asked Rye as she moved away from the cave. Walking beside her Lucien replied "yes I'm going to help you plus it's a
way for me to get closer to seeing my family again".
Jack of Blades sat on his throne looking across at the two prisoners chained to the wall. It pleased him that two powerful Heroes were his slaves especially when they
were the Shadow Hero Reaver and the Benevolent Hero Sparrow. Standing up Jack approached Sparrow and cupping her chin he said "I'm so glad I brought you back
and temporarily corrupted you, it was fun but do you want to know what's even more fun?" Through tear filled eyes Sparrow who felt like her spirit had been
shredded into tiny pieces slowly shook her head. Leaning closer Jack chuckled and continued "what's even more fun is seeing the benevolent spirit of the great Hero
Sparrow destroyed and the woman herself chained to my trophy wall".
Satisfied with the tears that fell from Sparrow's eyes Jack of Blades moved in front of Reaver and said "but you are harder to break. Shadows usually are but I know I
can break your spirit Reaver forgotten Hero of Skill". Reaver chuckled at Jack of Blade's comment and smirking slightly he said "you honestly think your immature
comment is going to hurt me, the one and only, the feared Reaver".
Jack of Blades laughed and looking at Reaver he grabbed Sparrow roughly by the throat and knocking off her air supply he said "then it shouldn't bother you if I
destroy your little bird". Seeing a look of concern pass over Reaver's face Jack of Blades released Sparrow and said "now I see how to break you forgotten Hero".
Rye walked along the darkened trail wondering how much longer it was going to take before she reached where Jack of Blades was holding her parents hostage.
Looking at Lucien she asked "so how much further do we have to walk?" Lucien looked at Rye and replied "not much further. You know you look just like someone I
wronged a long time ago except for the hair colour". Rye stopped walking and said "then you must have known my Mother Sparrow because I look like her except for
the hair". Lucien smiled and urging Rye along the path he said "so Sparrow had a child, a Hero destined to save Albion". Nodding her head Rye said "my Mother had
three children, all of us Heroes.
Look let's get to the point Lucien I know what you did to my Mother Sparrow but I think the question that's on my mind is are you sorry?"
Lucien looked at the ground and swallowed a dry lump in his throat. He had shot and killed Sparrow's sister and then when Sparrow had confronted him when she
was an adult he had shot her but she had somehow come back from the dead and shot him plunging his soul into the Void. He was sorry for what he had done to
Sparrow and her sister but even if he said sorry he knew Sparrow would never forgive him. Looking at Rye he said "yes I am sorry but your Mother would never
forgive me".
Rye and Lucien continued on in silence and as they reached a building resembling the old Heroes Guild that Rye had once seen a painting of Lucien grabbed Rye's
arm and said "I have to tell you that you must be careful when going up against Jack of Blades. He will use whatever weakness your Mother has against you so you
must be strong and don't falter or he'll win. I will help as best as I can".
Rye nodded her head and taking a deep breath she entered the building unaware that Jack of Blades was waiting for her with his sword drawn.
