CHAPTER 51

The carriage ride was silent. I sat down on the floor, between the two benches on the side. That is whet the guards and the girl sat. I buried my head in my hands.

"You are a different person Eyrx." The girl said.

I didn't glance up at her. "And you did too, Alsara."

"You remember me?" Alsara said.

"How could I not? You were Riviori's little girl. You were ten when I saw you last." I replied.

She said nothing.

"Tell me something. How could you follow in your father's footsteps?" I asked.

"Shut up! I am nothing like my father! I'm not some blood thirsty monster!" She snapped, changing the mood instantly.

"Yet you capture me." I said, keeping my voice level.

She remained silent. With a huff she leaned back on the bench.

"I have to give you credit Eyrx. You instilled fear in the hearts of the many monsters of Serpents Shard, at such young age." She said.

"What is your plan Alsara? Your using your father's tactics, capturing people. Do you have the sensory link too?" I asked.

"Yes, the sensory link is in place. But I am not like my father I don't use fear as a tool." She said.

"You don't use fear? Then what to call this? Capturing me at gunpoint?" I yelled, my anger ready to be released. I stood up, giving her a glare. The guards brought their guns up.

"You have never experienced true fear Alsara. The fear your father implemented is the same as yours, yet you don't know that you are using it!" I snapped, I felt my power build up, it was so strong the air became damp, the wood of the carrige damp, rain drops thudding on the roof.

The guards and Alsara blanched.

Alsara quickly regained her composure. "I wouldn't do that. Attack me and your guild burns."

I let my hands fall to my side. Alsara let out a small chuckle.

"Why are you doing this?" I asked after a long pause.

"To make money. You will go on jobs and give me money and if you refuse your guild dies, along with that pink haired boy." She snapped.

I say back down. I realized the purpose of my capture, bringing me back to my childhood hell.

It took three days to reach Svar. Three days away from Natsu and his love. I stepped out of the carriage and into the falling snow. Serpents Shard's headquarters rising up before me. The lone tower dwarfing the rest of the town. Alsara stormed ahead towards the tower, the guards surrounding me. The large wooden doors opened letting us in, the dark memories coming back. Seeing this tower as a young child, remembering the pain I received i this tower. I took a deep breath putting all those dark memories behind a locked door in my mind. It wouldn`t help me if I lose myself.

Nothing much has changed, the main hall still had the same long wooden tables. The large stone throne on the dias against the back wall was empty. The one thing that was different was the absence of screams. No screams from the lower levels where the torture chambers were. The banners were still the same, a green snake wrapped around a dagger.

The guards led me to Alsara who stopped at the steps to the dias.

"Everyone! I have someone for you to meet. He was main weapon in the guild many years ago. The boy assassin, instilling fear into everyone he met! And he has decided to join us! I give to you Sea Viper!" Alsara exclaimed, gesturing to me.

The men, women and, children at the ables clapped, some I recognized from my time at the guild. Some were new. I walked off the dias towards the stairs leading upward.

"Where do you think your going?" A man asked, as I walked passed.

"None of your damn business." I snapped walking up the stairs towards my old quarters.

I remembered the path well, up to the third landing, taking the hallway on the left, last door on the left. I reached for the handle, feeling the cool surface on my hand. It was locked.

"Looking for something?" Alsara said from behind me.

I jumped at the sound of her voice, she dangled a key in her hand. She took a step closer. Placing the key in my hand.

"You know you are handsome." She whispered. "Did you have someone back at your old guild?" I could feel her breath against my ear.

"Yes." I said, keeping my voice level.

"I bet she was a pretty girl." She whispered.

"He is." I said.

The look on her face almost made me laugh.

"B-but don`t you think I`m pretty too?" She asked.

"I do, but the only one I love is Natsu." I answered.

I put the key in the lock and entered, closing the door behind me, leaving a confused Alsara outside.

My quarters haven't changed either, it seemed someone dusted though. The large bed against the side wall, the desk opposite, and the large doors leading to the balcony. I opened the dresser seeing new clothes. The bathroom still contained the large tub.

I walked to the balcony doors, flinging them open. I felt my boots crunch on the snow. I felt a tear run down my cheek.