A new era had begun for the former campers, an era many of them had long believed would come. Gwen and Duncan were a couple, and while the others knew they should be happy, there was a sense of uneasiness among them. Something about this new pairing just didn't sit right with the others. Trent's opinion was clear, but the others were still unsure what to think. D.J., Abigail, and Aneka had pledged their support to Gwen and Duncan, and Bridgette, Geoff, LeShawna, and Harold were inclined to lean that way too. Heather, Justin, Noah, Ezekiel, and Chris were leaning more towards Trent's side, but they had not made up their minds yet. Izzy, Owen, Chef, Katie, Sadie, Tyler, Lindsey, Eva, Cody, and Beth decided to remain neutral on the whole issue, not wanting to start an internal war. The strangest reaction was Courtney's, who seemed to be ignoring the whole thing, pretending neither of them existed.
All things considered, Gwen and Duncan's decision could not have come at a worse time. The campers had finally received their ultimatum from Drevis and Verizzano. The storm was gathering on the horizon, and the campers were more divided than they had ever been. It seemed as if this whole thing had been planned, as a way to turn the campers against one another, making them vulnerable to attack. If this was indeed the enemy's plan, it was working perfectly, but there was one amongst the campers who saw this flaw and was determined to fix it. Four days after Gwen and Duncan's relationship became official, Cody called the group together. Once everyone was present, Cody fixed them all with a piercing stare.
"Alright." he said. "I know that there are some issues that have risen recently that we don't all agree on, but we have to put these things behind us. We've been given an ultimatum by the enemy and if we hope to have a chance of winning this war we must stick together."
"You raise some good points Cody." said Justin. "But how are we supposed to work as a team when we continue to stab one another in the back?" He threw a disgusted look at Gwen and Duncan. Duncan glared back at him.
"Look, I'm not saying I agree with what Gwen and Duncan did, or what Trent or Courtney or Aneka did for that matter, but it doesn't matter." said Cody.
"That's were you're wrong my friend." said Ezekiel. "It does matter. It means they're not trustworthy, eh."
"So we arrive at the real issue at last." said Duncan. He stared directly at Ezekiel before continuing. "You think Gwen and I are untrustworthy do you? Well I ask you Ezekiel, who the fuck made you the judge of our personal decisions? What Gwen and I do doesn't affect you or anyone else here, except her and me."
"Another incorrect statement." said Noah, cutting in before Ezekiel could respond. "Everything any of us do affects all of us. You should know that better than anyone Duncan, you're the one who laid down the guidelines for this family, remember?" Duncan glared at Noah, but said nothing.
"Look, Noah's right." said Gwen. Everyone looked at her, surprised. "All of our actions affect all of us, but we cannot let these kind of things drag us down. I'm not going to defend or explain my decisions, but I will say this, change happens. It is a part of life, and sometimes it is necessary. What happened between me and Trent, between Duncan and Courtney happened. It's over now and I believe it happened for a reason. There is nothing that can be done about it now, so we need to put it behind us and focus on the future, our future, and how we're going to stay alive."
"No, I can't accept that." said Heather. "You and Duncan have broken our trust too many times. How are we supposed to trust you now?"
"I'm not asking you to trust me." said Gwen. "I'm asking you to join me the final battle against a common enemy. Surely you can put aside your feelings and make an alliance. Unless you want us to fight as separate groups, in which case we will all be slaughtered like cattle."
"At this point, that would almost be a more favorable option." Justin muttered.
"Yeah, you think so, pretty boy?" snapped Duncan. "Well if that's how you feel, why don't you go and find Drevis and ask him to kill you. You're useless anyway."
"Blow it out your ass, you arrogant criminal." Justin replied.
"Alright, that's enough." said Abigail. "I have heard enough of your bullshit, all of you. Do you not understand what we are facing? Are you all so blind that you will willingly throw away friendships that have kept you alive for so many years? Cody is right, none of this matters. I have been betrayed more than once in my life, and I am still willing to trust people. If you really are the family you claim to be you will shut up and work this out or you don't deserve to call yourselves a family. We are facing an enemy more terrible and more powerful than anything you have yet experienced, and we cannot defeat it with an every man for himself approach. If you want to keep your lives, and I truly believe you do, you will work together or you will die, and I will just watch."
The others stared at Abigail for what seemed like an eternity following her speech. Finally Courtney spoke, "Alright, we'll work together." She looked around at the others, who each nodded to confirm they were in agreement.
"Good." said Abigail. "May this be the last time you let such petty bullshit get between you. You have something truly special, you cannot afford to let worthless arguments destroy it."
Meanwhile, Trent, who had not been at the meeting was wandering aimlessly through the streets. He had not returned to the hotel after leaving the hospital four days earlier, and had no intention to. Seeing Gwen with Duncan had awoken something in Trent, something dark that he could not get rid of. The more he thought about it, the more he realized he didn't want to. He had embraced the darkness and now all he wanted was to see Gwen and Duncan suffer.
Trent knew exactly how to go about this, but he was not sure if he wanted to go down that road. He was not sure if he could live with himself if he allied with Drevis and Verizzano, but it was the easiest answer. Finally, after many hours of brooding Trent made his decision, he would contact the enemy and offer them his services.
Trent met Drevis and Verizzano in the park, not far from the hotel. Drevis smiled as Trent approached, knowing exactly what he wanted. "I hear you are looking to betray your friends." Drevis said, looking at Trent. "Is this true, Mr. McKenzie?"
Trent hesitated a moment before answering. "Yes, it is true." He did not look at Drevis as he spoke, choosing to stare at the ground instead,
"You are quite certain you wish to do this?" Verizzano asked. Trent nodded. "Any particular reason why you feel compelled to betray your family?" Verizzano continued.
"I can no longer live with them." said Trent, looking up at the two of them. "They have destroyed my ability to trust humanity. My best friend and my wife, together, behind my back. I don't expect you to understand, but it's too hard to continue to trust them." He paused, swollowing the bile rising in his throat and continued, "I wish to join you in your quest to destroy them."
Drevis smiled broadly at Trent's words. "You wish to save yourself by offering up your friends on a silver platter. It is commendable of you to do such a thing, but how do I know you have not been sent to spy on us?"
"I assure you, I came alone, under my own power." said Trent. Drevis nodded, seemingly content with Trent's response.
"Then I ask only one thing of you." said Drevis. "Kneel and swear allegiance to the darkness." Trent did as he was told and after swearing his allegiance rose and faced the other two.
"You understand that by taking this oath, you have sworn yourself to a lifetime in the service of the great Drevis, Lord of the Darkness?" asked Verizzano. Trent nodded.
"Then welcome my brother." said Verizzano. "Welcome to the Shadow Guild."
A/N: Oh yeah, I did it. I made Trent a traitor. Betcha didn't see that coming, did you? What does Trent's betrayal mean for the others and will they be able to defeat Drevis? Check back later to find out! Oh and by the way, only 5 more chapters to go!