Tales from the Rebellion (Book 6 of the Chosen Universe)

by PinkAtHart

A series of one-shot stories about the Eltarian Rebellion. If you've read my other Power Rangers fics, you're familiar with the Rebels. Here you'll find bits of history from the Eltarian Rebellion as well as the stories behind what made the Rebels end up following the paths they did. Featuring all of the Rebels you know from the Chosen fics universe and some new ones.

31. Thirty-One: Ruthless (Laby, UK Rebels)

THIRTY-ONE: RUTHLESS (A Rebellion story from the U.K. This is very much a story about Laby. It also centers around Nigel, Andru, and Rez. Featuring Urzula, Kezan, Marzurite, Clara, Lyzzano, Kenz, Meittan, Mick, and Aileen, with brief but important appearances by Garron and Trerry. This story also heavily features three non-Eltarians, Benjamin, Jean Marie, and Howard Mills. This is one of the few stories that doesn't involve Zell, Jezzeff, or the Witch, and it takes place entirely on Earth.)

The promise of a unique mission was what lured Laby in. Garron had arrived at the base in Tiger's Bluff with an unusual request. Nigel, Captain of the London Chapter of the Rebellion of Eltar, had encountered an unexpected threat. Although Andru and his Scottish Chapter had been called in to help, they needed someone with Laby's unique skill set to help the mission succeed. Jaybert had agreed to lend Laby to Nigel and Andru until the mission was completed.

He arrived at the mansion that housed Nigel's Chapter of the Rebellion. He'd never been there before and was blown away by the stunning property. The only one that might top this base was Andru's base in Scotland. He'd heard that they lived in an old haunted castle. Laby really wanted to visit that base one day, just because it sounded like a fun place to hang out.

A servant greeted him at the door. "You must be Master Labyrinth," he said politely. "Welcome."

Laby cringed. "Laby's fine," he corrected the man. With an amused smirk, he added, "I guess you can keep the Master part."

He followed the man inside. They arrived at a parlor room. Nigel sat sipping tea. Andru was drinking something a little more adult, as usual. Nigel stood as Laby arrived. Andru raised his glass in greeting as the servant left the room.

"Thank you for coming, Laby. I trust your trip went well?" Nigel asked politely. He offered him his hand and Laby shook it.

"The portal worked like a charm," Laby replied. "It didn't take long at all."

"Excellent."

"Laby, ya damn cunt, it's good ta see ya, Lad!" Andru declared. He stood and gave Laby a very tight hug.

The stark contrast between the two men's greetings didn't surprise Laby. Nigel had always been very polite and proper. Andru had thrown himself into the culture of Scotland once arriving on Earth, but he, too, had once been forced to follow rules and act with extreme dignity. This was because both men came from Founding Families on Eltar. Nigel was a Farmell, and it still baffled Laby how he'd ended up in a group like the Rebellion. Andru was a Treygan, and Laby completely understood why he'd run screaming from his family the moment he could.

"So, what's the situation? Garron was pretty cryptic. All he told me was it was different from anything we've encountered before," Laby said as he sat down. Nigel clapped his hands and a drink manifested. Laby smiled as he realized it was coca-cola. He'd become addicted to the sweet caffeinated drink a couple of decades earlier when it was invented.

"Oh, you could say that," Andru mumbled. "I don't think we've ever run into a human who worked with an Eltarian demon before."

Laby nearly spit out his soda in surprise. He blinked at Andru. "Are you serious?"

"Quite," Nigel replied.

"How the hell is that even possible? Are you sure he's not Eltarian?"

"There's not a drop of Eltarian blood in him," Nigel confirmed. "Rez works at Parliament as an errand boy. He was able to procure a blood sample for us."

"What kind of demon is it?" Laby asked. Some were easier to summon than others. Vizu and hezkans were among the easiest to call, and Laby figured a human might be able to do it with the right spell.

"Oh, it's not a what, Laby," Andru replied. "It's a who."

Named demons were exceptionally rare on Eltar. They were also complex beings, and summoning them was tricky. "Which one is it?" Laby asked.

"Baizamo," Nigel replied.

Laby's eyes went wide in shock. "The guy who destroyed the Eighth District of Eltar?" He asked in horror.

The Eight District had once been a thriving place. Eltar's Noble families had taken a liking to it. About fifty years earlier, Baizamo had wiped out anyone who hadn't run fast enough. Notably, many of the Farmells had died in the attack. Now, the eleven villages that had made up the district stood in ruins. It had clearly been the work of Warlocks, but no one had ever been charged with the crime. Although they'd identified the demon, it was unclear who'd summoned it in the first place.

"Yes," Nigel replied sadly. Laby might not know what had brought Nigel into the Rebellion, but he knew he still cared for his family deeply.

"I'm sorry, Nigel. I know how that must have felt for you," Laby said quickly, trying not to think about the attack that had wiped out half of the original Rebellion, including his parents.

"I take solace in the fact that my brother survived," Nigel replied. Rez was significantly younger than Nigel, but he'd managed to survive the attack and Garron had allowed Nigel to recruit him to the Rebellion.

"So, what's the plan?" Laby asked.

"You are to use your charming personality and natural adaptability to infiltrate the Mills family. Howard Mills is a highly respected member of Parliament. His wife was murdered shortly before the issues began here. It's very likely he either sacrificed her or her death is what set him off. Either way, he has two children. Benjamin and Jean Marie Mills are twins. They're seventeen years old, and we believe you will be the best person to earn their trust."

"Are they involved?"

"We can't be certain of anything at this point," Andru replied. "They seem like proper little noble children, but who knows what goes on behind closed doors? That little Jeanie's something else, though. Real feisty lass."

"My kind of girl," Laby replied. He figured it would be easy enough to charm his way into earning her trust and getting some answers.

Laby sat at a grand table with the two Chapters for dinner that night. He mentally listed everyone present. Urzula was Nigel's Lieutenant. She was a powerful Sorceress and was fierce in battle. Laby found her a bit intimidating at times because she was so intense.

Kezan was one of his tactical people. He was known for a fierce temper and a habit of getting into trouble. His little brother, Kenz, was just as bad, and the two had a lot of bad ideas when united, so Garron had assigned them to separate Chapters. Since Kenz excelled with a sword, he had been assigned to Andru's Chapter, where that was a requirement.

Marzurite was Nigel's other Sorceress. She was powerful and wise, and she was a Seer. She had a maternal presence that reminded Laby of Amareese. Although they were not officially a couple, Marzurite and Nigel shared a daughter, Clara, who was clever and skilled with weapons and strategizing. Once Clara had been old enough to make the choice for herself, Nigel had allowed her to become his other Tactics person.

Rez was Nigel's younger brother. He served as the Chapter's healer. He'd once been a proud member of the Eltarian Guard, but he'd lost his mind after surviving the attack on the Eighth District. Nigel had taken him in hoping to help him find peace, and slowly, Rez was getting there. It was clear he was traumatized, and Laby sympathized.

Lyzzano was Andru's Lieutenant. He was calmer and more practical than Andru, providing a nice balance to him, but he still had a strong playful side and Laby liked him. Meittan, their Sorcerer, was a serious drunk, but he functioned surprisingly well and was a blast at parties.

Mick was Andru's Healer. He was a warrior with a gentle soul. He had a strong sense of humor, which Laby valued in his friends.

Finally, there was Aileen, the only female in the Scottish Chapter. Feisty and passionate, Aileen was the only woman who could keep Andru in line. It was fun watching the two of them interact. The banter alone provided endless entertainment. Aileen was also a powerful Sorceress and was a complete badass. Laby was very fond of her.

"So, Laby, are ya up for this one?" Aileen asked him. "It's certainly going to be an adventure. None of us knows where it's going."

"Absolutely," Laby replied. "It sounds a lot more exciting than hanging out in Tiger's Bluff can be."

"Remember, you are Labyrinth Castor, an American student who is the only heir to the Castor family fortune," Nigel said.

"Ugh. Do I have to use my legal first name? You know I hate it."

"It's unique and ties to mythology. Wealthy people eat that sort of thing up. You can tell them to shorten it after you introduce yourself."

"The lasses will be all over you because you're interesting," Andru said cheerfully.

Laby rolled his eyes. "I do fine in that area, thanks. But alright, I'll play proper for the Brits," he said. "So, Rez, you work with this asshole?"

"I run errands for the members of Parliament," Rez replied. "They hardly notice I'm there. It makes it easy to gather information."

"What can you tell me?"

"He's as arrogant and pompous as Aphell Treygan."

"Aye, Laddy, tha's na' possible," Andru argued after downing a glass of scotch. "No one's as bad as my uncle except my father and grandfather."

"Trust me, Andru, he comes close enough," Rez replied. "I think he fancies himself untouchable and above everyone else."

"Maybe he is a long-lost relative," Andru said with a laugh.

"Aye! Laby needs this information before he makes his move. Shut up and let the boy talk, ya old coot," Aileen said, rolling her eyes.

"Go on, Lad. Tell 'im what 'e needs ta know," Andru said.

"Howard Mills may be from Earth, but he lost his humanity long ago," Rez explained. "He radiates with darkness now. There are rumors he practices the occult, but he writes everything off as being purely for academic interest. He's a respected scholar, so no one really questions that. He is rising in rank in Parliament monthly as people either die or fall upon great misfortune. This began right after his wife was murdered. They have no suspects for that crime."

"Alright... What about the kids?" Laby asked.

"Benjamin is very popular with ladies and is well-liked by boys his age. He's easy-going and charming, and as any girl in London will tell you, he's not exactly bad on the eyes. He's clever and passionate about politics. He'll probably become involved in government affairs when he finishes school. Jean Marie is... Well, she's really quite lovely."

"Do I sense a crush?"

"Of course not! That wouldn't be proper. I'm far too old for her."

"You're Eltarian, Rez. We're all too old for any human, but that hardly matters. You look like you're nineteen."

"Well, I am much older than that."

"You're the youngest of Jinnifer's brothers, Rez. You're barely over two hundred. You're basically still a teenager."

"Look, I appreciate what you're saying, but Miss Jeanie is attached to this mission. I see no reason to become romantically involved with an assignment. It would be foolish."

"It's my plan," Laby replied with a laugh. "I'm sure I can charm Miss Jeanie into confessing any dirty little secrets her daddy might be hiding."

"Be careful, Laby," Nigel said. "Jean Marie is not what you might expect."

That piqued his interest, but he figured he'd find out what Nigel meant when he met her the next day.

The following morning, Laby headed to the Mills house. It was just as large as Nigel's base. Urzula stood with him.

"Ursula, luv, do come in," a man said as he arrived at the door behind the butler who'd opened it.

"Thank you, Howard," Urzula replied sweetly. Laby found it amazing how well she played the part of a proper gentlewoman. "This is my nephew from America. You'll recall I mentioned he'd be coming to visit?"

"Yes, of course. Howard Mills, my boy. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance." He offered Laby his hand.

Laby shook it firmly. "The pleasure is mine, Lord Mills," he replied.

"Jean Marie! Do come down for a moment!" Howard called.

"She is in the garden, Sir," the butler said.

"Of course she is. Come, let us greet my daughter."

The garden was stunning. Laby wasn't much for that sort of thing, but even he saw its quiet beauty. Man, Vagris would be in heaven, he thought. Ash would have been enchanted by the place, too, but he tried not to think about Ash.

The girl who was kneeling beside an elaborate bed of flowers stood as she realized her father was watching her. "Father," she said, bowing politely. "Ursula."

"Jean Marie, this is Ursula's nephew from America," Howard said.

"I see," Jean Marie said. She was quite beautiful, and Laby understood why Rez had a crush on her. There was a hint of mischief in her eyes that made Laby instantly like her.

"Let us leave the children and have tea in the parlor, Ursula," Howard said, leading Urzula away.

"So, does Ursula's nephew from America have a name?" Jean Marie asked playfully.

"I do, in fact. It's Labyrinth Castor, Lady Jean Marie," Laby replied grandly. He took her hand and gently raised it to his lips, locking eyes with her as he kissed it.

"Oh my," Jean Marie said with a laugh. "You certainly lay it on thick."

He was surprised she'd called him on that. "Most people find me charming," he said with a laugh of his own.

"You're definitely that." She laughed again. "My father just loves sending suitors my way, however, you're the first American he's brought in. I do like your name, Labyrinth. Mythology is a passion of mine."

"Honestly, I prefer Laby."

She nodded. "That suits you better," she decided. "So, tell me, Laby... What brings you to London?"

"Adventure," Laby replied honestly.

"Good answer," another voice said.

Laby turned around as Jean Marie smiled at the new arrival. He was surprised by what he saw. The tall, muscular boy had an easy smile that lit up his eyes. He leaned against a fence with his arms across his chest watching Laby and Jean Marie.

"London's full of adventure if you know where to look," he added. "New suitor, Jeanie?"

"Yes, and he's from America," Jean Marie replied in a mock-serious tone. She began laughing, and so did the young man.

"Did you run off every eligible man in London already?" He teased her.

"Oh, hush, Ben! Laby, this is my brother, Benjamin Mills."

"Laby? What an unusual name," Benjamin replied.

"It's short for Labyrinth," Laby explained.

"I like it. While we're discussing nicknames, Ben's fine, by the way."

"And so is Jeanie," his sister chimed in. "No matter what our father tells you."

Damnit, Laby thought. I kind of like them. I hope they don't turn out to be involved in this mess.

"Peony for your thoughts, Laby?" Ben asked, offering him a flower from the garden.

"That is the worst joke you've ever made, Ben," Jeanie teased him.

Laby took the flower and smiled. "It wasn't that bad," he said. "I was just taking this place in. I'm a long way from California."

"That you are," Ben replied. "So, Laby... Do you fancy a spot of tea?"

"Tea's not really my cup of tea," Laby replied.

"Oh, nonsense! You're in London, Friend. Let me introduce you to a proper cuppa."

Laby really preferred soda to tea. Still, when in Britain...

"Alright," he agreed. He followed Ben and Jeanie into the house. A servant brought them tea a short time after.

He spent the next several hours with the siblings. He found himself laughing when he least expected to. Jeanie was sassy and passionate. She was fiercely independent and wanted to marry for love, not status. The fire in her eyes as she spoke about the things she cared about reminded Laby deeply of Serafine. It made his heart ache, but at the same time, it soothed him to be near her.

Ben was full of endless stories and humor. He cheerfully ticked off everyone who mattered in London's High Society and told Laby little details about them that he filed away for later. After all, one never knew what might prove useful eventually. He told himself he was just doing his job, earning their trust and gathering information, but the truth was he just wanted to remain with them a bit longer. It was so rare that Laby got to interact with kids his own age.

You're a lot older than them, he reminded himself, but he was immortally fifteen. At his core, Laby would always be a teenager. Mentally and physically, he'd never truly age.

That night, there was another attack. Nigel and Andru brought their Chapters to the crime scene to investigate. What they discovered made even Andru's stomach turn a bit.

At first, it was difficult to tell what they were looking at. The house had collapsed, and Nigel wished desperately that it had been the cause of the occupants' deaths, but he knew the truth was not nearly so merciful.

"Brother... Take Clara back to the mansion for me," Nigel said before they got any closer.

"Nigel, I can handle this," Rez replied, seeing through the excuse to get him out of there. "I am the one who alerted you to the situation to begin with."

"Spare yourself the trauma, Laddy," Andru said. "You've seen enough carnage to last a dozen lifetimes."

"Am I or am I not a Soldier of the Rebellion of Eltar? I was part of the Guard for over a century. I can face these horrors. I owe these innocent souls that much."

Nigel sighed. "Very well. However, should you become overwhelmed, please go home," he said.

They began sifting through the rubble. The police had abandoned any hope of finding survivors, but an effort would be made in the morning to recover the bodies.

"My God..." Marzurite said softly as she found the severed head of an infant. She began whispering an ancient Eltarian prayer for the dead.

"Nigel..." Urzula called.

Nigel and Andru both joined her. Two small hands lay clasped together, even in death. The rest of their bodies were not attached to the hands.

"Bastard!" Andru shouted. He wanted to tear everything apart, but then again, the demon had already done that. "They were children!" He cried. "Wee babes who'd yet to even live, slaughtered, and for what?"

Aileen put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "We'll make him pay, Andru," she vowed. "Mark my word, he'll regret ever existing by the time we're finished with him."

"This is Warlock magic. How could he have learned it?" Clara asked. She'd flipped off her emotions and shifted into practical mode, a trait she'd inherited from Nigel.

"He must be working with a Warlock," Lyzzano replied. "There is simply no way an ordinary human could do all of this damage."

"What Warlock could be in London?" Mick asked.

"Well, Hezzo comes through often enough," Nigel replied, "but he wouldn't have done this."

"Do you not recall the monster he was as a child?" Urzula asked. "Killing nannies from the crib?"

"Hezzo may have questionable morals, but he wouldn't slaughter children... And even if he would, Maegus would never stand for it."

"Neither would Ling, and we all know he's Hezzo's conscience," Aileen added.

"And Tinny would just sit on him to stop him," Meittan chimed in cheerfully.

The Circle spent a great deal of time in Scotland. Of all of the Rebellion's Chapters, the Scottish Chapter knew them the best. The Circle remained a bit of a mystery to everyone else.

"Here's the true target," Kezan said.

"Or at least 'is 'ead," Kenz added.

"Bit of 'is torso, too."

"Ugh. Gentlemen, please be a bit more respectful of the remains of this family," Marzurite said in disgust. "They were innocent." She shook her head, casting a spell meant to help their souls cross over peacefully.

As Nigel spotted the head of one of the children, his chest ached. Her eyes and mouth remained open in silent terror. He gently closed her eyes, stroking her blood-soaked blonde hair, wishing he could soothe her somehow. "She couldn't have been more than seven," he said softly.

Andru stood beside him, stoic and serious for once. "Oh, sweet lass..." He mumbled. "Nigel... We cannot let Laby come to any of these crime scenes. He won't be able to take it. Even all these millennia later, he's still haunted by the slaughter of the original Rebellion."

"Agreed. We shall spare him the worst of this," Nigel replied with a nod. He forced himself to step away from the little girl.

"I sense powerful dark magic lingering here," Aileen said. She closed her eyes as she touched the head of the man whose family had been slaughtered. She began trembling before radiating with power. When she opened her eyes, her pupils had turned blood red. This happened whenever she connected to the lingering energy of evil.

"What is it, Lass?" Andru asked.

"Thirteen..." She replied.

"Thirteen?" Mick repeated in confusion.

"Thirteen families and the deal shall be complete."

"This makes nine," Nigel said.

"Yes... Four more families must fall. Then, Baizamo shall collect what he is due."

"And what is he due?" Andru asked.

"That's unclear."

Marzurite joined her. She touched the man's head and began screaming.

"Marzurite!" Nigel cried in alarm.

"Let her do this, Nigel," Aileen said. "Her gift as a Seer may give her clarity where I cannot find it."

Reluctantly, Nigel allowed Marzurite to do her job. He was deeply protective of everyone in his Chapter, but Marzurite had given him his daughter. He was especially protective of her.

"He seeks... a bride," Marzurite said in horror when her screams stopped. "After all the death and carnage is complete, he will take her for his bride."

"Who, Marzurite?" Nigel coaxed her gently.

"A strong spirit... Young, beautiful... I cannot see her, but I feel the strength in her heart. She shall not go easily. And then, after he takes his bride, the killing shall resume..." She took a deep breath as tears streamed down her cheeks. "All those families, Nigel..."

He held her, stroking her back soothingly as she wept in his arms.

"We must leave," Rez said softly. "The police shall return soon."

He was right. The Rebels returned to the mansion just as Laby arrived. "I heard," he said. "The Mills Family has a gossipy maid who wouldn't stop talking about the horrible discovery at one of Howard's co-workers' homes. They said the house collapsed?"

"Yes," Nigel replied.

"This demon took a page out of Zell's book," Laby said.

"Not precisely... Laby, the collapse came after they perished."

Laby turned serious. "Did they suffer?"

"Horrifically. I'll spare you the details."

"No, Nigel. I need to know what we're up against."

"Just focus on the twins, Luv," Clara suggested. "That's your part of the mission."

Laby took a deep breath. "I'm not a little kid, guys. I'm older than most of you. I am a Lieutenant of the Rebellion of Eltar. Whatever happened, you can tell me."

"The family was slaughtered, Laby," Andru said, deciding to respect his wishes. "Ripped apart while still alive. There were so many parts scattered around it's going to be difficult to recover them all. There were at least two young children and an infant, in addition to the man and lady of the house. The servants were killed as well."

Laby tensed, but he forced himself to remain focused on the mission. "We'll put a stop to this," he vowed. "That son of a bitch will pay for what he's done."

"That's the spirit, Laddy," Andru said, patting him on his back. "Now, excuse me while I retire for the night." He headed straight for his room. There, he turned to a few shots of vodka before his memories could overwhelm him.

Andru Treygan had witnessed countless slaughters over the millennia. As one of the few Rebels who was older than Laby, he'd been around when the Coalition was still wreaking havoc. His family had been involved in a number of those slaughters, mostly indirectly. Treygans tried not to get their hands dirty, after all. The final straw for Andru, however, had come when his father stood holding the corpse of a little boy he'd killed.

"I had no choice, Andru," Percival insisted. "The boy had evidence against Aphell, and while I do not care what becomes of my brother, my father insisted I handle him. After all, if Aphell's predilections were to ever come to light, it would shame the entire family."

That was the Treygan way. They were liars, cheaters, and murderers who'd happily stab each other in the back, but if anyone else dared to cross a member of their bloodline, the others would rush to defend him.

Andru had decided that day, at the age of ten, that he would never be like the rest of his family. He'd kept that promise, fighting his father at every turn before finally disowning the family when he was a legal adult. When the Rebellion had cautiously approached him in their earliest days, he'd happily joined. Although he respected L'Derro, Maizza, and Vitella deeply, he shared Garron and Destonyel's views that, sometimes, violence was necessary to prove a point. Still, senseless slaughter had never been his thing, and he had never harmed a child.

He downed another shot before the first tear fell. When his door opened a few minutes later, he knew who had entered the room. Only one person would have had the guts.

"Aileen..." He said softly.

"I figured ya might be having a hard time of it," she replied. She was carrying whiskey. She sat beside him, pouring them each a glass before wrapping her arms around him. She held him as they drank together, neither discussing the horrors of the night.

The next crime scene came one month later. During that time, Laby had grown extremely close to Ben and Jeanie. Most days, he forgot he was on a mission at all. The day after the murders, however, Laby was very focused on his job.

He convinced Ben to bring him to his father's private library. The assortment of books on the occult was incredible. Howard Mills had collected books and artifacts from every culture on Earth. There was one book, however, that caught Laby's eye.

He reached toward the book. It radiated darkness. More importantly, he recognized the crest on its leather-bound spine.

That's the Treygan Family crest... He realized.

"What's so special about that one?" Ben asked Laby curiously.

"I just think the gold crest looks striking against the black spine, don't you?" Laby replied.

"Let's have a look together."

Laby opened the book as casually as he could. He was quite surprised to see the words written on the inside. They weren't in Eltarian. The language had a few elements that were familiar to him, but the book was definitely written in another language, one that most likely predated Eltar.

"What the heck language is this?" Ben wondered aloud.

"Good question, Ben," Laby replied. "Say, my friend is a bit of a linguistics expert. May I borrow this?"

Ben hesitated. "My father would not approve of me lending out his things without permission," he said. Then, he grinned a bit mischievously. "So don't get caught, alright?"

Laby laughed. "Thanks, Ben. You're the best."

Ben hesitated as he noticed something. "What's this?" He asked. He grabbed whatever had caught his eye. Suddenly, he started convulsing.

"Ben!" Laby cried. He tore the object from Ben's grasp. It was a strange talisman. Laby could feel the magic pulsing through it. As it tried to attack him, he tossed it into a labyrinth.

"Ben... Ben, you're safe now," Laby promised as he held the seizing boy in his arms. "Just stay with me, alright?"

"If you insist," Ben mumbled weakly. He stared into Laby's eyes. "Now there's a sight..."

"Are you okay?" Laby asked frantically. He struggled to calm himself down.

"I'm splendid," Ben replied. He reached up and touched Laby's face gently. "Thank you."

"You had a seizure," Laby said, still refusing to let Ben go. He's okay, he told himself. You can release him. He's fine.

"Laby... I'm alright," Ben said gently, seeming to realize how terrified Laby was. He sat up slowly, still looking into Laby's eyes. Ben put Laby's hand on his chest. "See? My heart's still beating strong."

Laby nodded slowly. "You scared me," he said softly.

"You have my deepest apologies." Ben hesitated for a moment. Then, to Laby's complete shock, he kissed him.

Laby had been kissed before, of course. His first kiss had been with Serafine, but it certainly hadn't been his last. In his millennia of existence, Laby had kissed many girls and slept with a few he was especially fond of, but he'd never kissed a boy before. He found that he enjoyed kissing Ben just as much as he'd enjoyed kissing any girl.

After a moment, Ben pulled away. "Oh my," he said. "That wasn't proper at all, was it?" He stood up before offering his hand to help Laby back to his feet.

"Ben, I..." Laby began, but he wasn't sure what to say.

"This won't do, will it? The only son of a respected member of Parliament snogging another boy? How scandalous!"

"Right... I suppose we'd better forget this ever happened then," Laby replied. He was kind of disappointed. Laby really liked Ben. He was curious where this path could have led.

"I suppose it's fortunate I have always had a rebellious streak, isn't it?" Ben smirked at him.

"Wait... Ben, what are you saying?"

"I'm saying I like you, Labyrinth. I like spending time with you. I like hearing your laugh. I like snogging you. I like gazing into your eyes. I rather like beautiful things, and you are quite beautiful."

Laby felt himself blushing. "You know, I'm usually the one with the smooth pickup lines," he said.

"Well then, it's high time someone courted you, isn't it?" Ben teased him. He pulled Laby closer, wrapping his arms around him before kissing him again.

Ben seemed to forget about the talisman that had sent him into the seizure. Laby sent the labyrinth back to the mansion. That night, he opened it after calling Nigel and Andru into the room.

Andru paled significantly at the sight of it. "T'Dania..." He mumbled.

"Who?" Laby asked.

"She was believed to have been lost in the war."

"What war, Andru?"

"The war, Laby... The one that destroyed B'Deston and Nozann. T'Dania was an incredibly powerful Sorceress. She sought power above all things. Rumor had it she colluded with Warlocks and learned their dark magic."

"What happened to her?"

"She vanished in the war. No one knew if she perished or was abducted... However, my grandfather believed she fled to another planet."

"Why was he so sure?"

"Because T'Dania's last name was Treygan, Laby. She was my great-grandfather's mother."

"Wait, are we talking about Rinton's granny?"

"Yes. And if my grandfather was right and she left B'Deston freely... She could easily have come to Earth long before any Eltarian. That's her talisman. I've seen it in our family's lore books."

"Do you think she's still alive?"

"Even if she's not, somehow, her talisman ended up in Howard's possession," Nigel replied.

"You're damn lucky it didn't kill you, Laby," Andru said. He held it in his hands. "It attacks anyone without Treygan blood. She would have had to give Howard permission to touch it, even if it was from the Afterlife. Otherwise, he'd be dead."

"It almost killed Ben," Laby said softly. The horror of that was still hitting him.

"Got a soft spot for the lad, Laby?" Andru asked.

"I..." Laby paused. "Look, Ben and Jeanie aren't involved in this. They have no idea what their father's been up to. I'm good at spotting liars."

"Well, ya had plenty of practice in yer early years, with both Zell and Jezzeff so actively in yer life," Andru replied with a laugh.

"I do wish you would refrain from using his name, Andru," Nigel said after cringing.

"We all know the bastard will be back one day, but I doubt uttering his name will be what resurrects him," Andru protested.

"I don't know," Laby joked. "He hated being mocked. He might come back just to punish you for daring to speak poorly of him."

Andru laughed heartily. "Ya might be might, Laddy," he said. "Alright, enough of that talk. Show us the book."

Laby pulled out the book. Nigel flipped it open. "I have no idea what language that is," Laby admitted.

"I do," Andru replied. "My bastard father forced me to learn it. Every young Treygan was expected to study it." He sighed. "It's the original native language of B'Deston. This and the Nozann language were combined into what became the first dialect of Ancient Eltarian. It was how the planets communicated with each other... You know, when they weren't slaughtering each other."

"So it's probably T'Dania's book then?" Laby guessed.

"I'd say so. The question is, how the hell did it fall into the hands of Howard Mills? And what else is he hiding in that library?"

"I'll go back to see Ben and Jeanie tomorrow and try to find more answers."

"We need them sooner, Laby," Nigel said. "Shapeshift into something small and sneak in tonight. You can shift into your true form when you are certain it's safe."

Laby nodded, understanding the importance. "Alright," he agreed. He transformed into a tiny tabby cat.

"Laby the Tabby," Andru said with a snort.

Laby ignored him and jumped out of the window before heading to the Mills house. Everyone was asleep including the servants. Satisfied, Laby snuck into the library and shifted into human form. He began looking through everything he could get his hands on.

He was so absorbed in this task, he didn't realize when someone joined him until he heard a familiar voice ask, "Laby? What are you doing in here?"

Laby was ready to hit Ben with an excuse about thrill seeking or perhaps having forgotten something that belonged to him, but he couldn't bring himself to lie as he looked into Ben's eyes.

"I'm sorry, Ben," he said softly.

Ben studied him for a moment. "What is it you're apologizing for?" He asked.

"Ben... I'm not who you think I am."

"You mean Ursula's not your beloved aunt?" Ben asked lightly.

"It's more than that... Your father is mixed up in something very dangerous, Ben, and I'm worried that you and Jeanie aren't safe."

"You're spying on my father?"

"Yes," Laby admitted.

Ben considered this. "Yet you told me the truth," he said after a minute.

"I can't lie to you, Ben. I really care about you and Jeanie. I wasn't faking it, but I'm really scared for you both."

"You believe my father is a danger to us? We're his family, Laby."

"I think he killed your mother," Laby blurted out. Goddamnit, why can't I lie to him? He wondered. He was usually so good at working undercover.

Ben tensed. "I believe that, too," he said, shocking Laby.

"You do?"

"I cannot explain this in a way that doesn't make me sound bloody mental, but the night my mum died, I felt something in this house... It was cold, and dark... I can only describe it as the purest of evils. And ever since, I have felt it still... Lingering in the air, attached to my father, like an invisible shadow." He looked devastated as he added, "And, one by one, his rivals are meeting horrific ends. Homes burn down... Floods destroy properties... A tornado tore through one family's home. Tornadoes are fairly rare in London, and the one that hits just happens to wipe out a member of Parliament's entire family? And now, a building collapsed for absolutely no logical reason. Another family, gone, another member of Parliament who disagreed with my father, dead. I'm not a fool, Laby, but he is my father. I have no evidence, and part of me is still too loyal to him to believe he could do these things. It's impossible, yet here you are, validating my horrible theory about my mother's rather premature demise... I do not know what to do."

Ben was trembling. Before Laby could stop himself, he kissed him. As Ben returned the kiss, they both deepened it. Ben desperately seemed to need to ground to Laby, and Laby... Well, Laby just needed Ben. It was like the endless void of pain he'd had in his chest for millennia lessened slightly when Ben's lips were pressed against his.

Finally, they broke the kiss. Ben managed to put a smirk back on his face. "I'm not sure what to do, but snogging's probably not the solution," he said with a laugh.

"It made you smile, though," Laby pointed out.

"It made you smile, too, Labyrinth."

Laby might hate his given name, but it sounded kind of sexy on Ben's lips. He didn't mind the intimacy of allowing Ben to use it.

"I'm sorry, Ben... About your mother," Laby said softly.

"Jeanie and I adored our mum. She was a wonderful, kind woman. Are you close to your parents?" Ben asked.

Laby couldn't look at him as pain filled his chest again. "Hey... What did I say?" Ben asked gently. "Did you lose them?" He guessed.

It was rare that anyone read Laby so well. He nodded slowly. "I did," he replied in a whisper.

"I'm sorry, Laby. How long has it been?"

"Millennia."

Ben didn't laugh. Instead, he studied him, tilting his chin so Laby was looking at him. "You're serious," he said in wonder.

"Ready to run screaming yet?"

"No," Ben replied. "Tell me, Laby... Tell me your real story."

And somehow, that was enough to make Laby throw out every rule of the Rebellion and blow his own cover completely.

"My name is Labyrinth of Eltar," he began. "It's a distant planet that's supposed to be a paradise but is really anything but behind closed doors."

"Sounds like London," Ben said with an amused smile. "Go on."

"I was born a very long time ago, and I'm never going to die. I'm immortal. It was an accident."

"An accident?"

"My best friend liked to practice magic on me. Somehow, and no one has ever figured out how, her spells combined and made it impossible for me to die. I can be hurt. I can suffer... But I'll still get back up at the end of it."

"She sounds like a hell of a girl."

"You have no idea," Laby replied. He felt tears in his eyes.

"Laby... Luv... What happened?"

"I lost her... Her m-maniac of an evil b-boyfriend s-slaughtered her, f-f-framed her y-younger b-brother, and ex-ex... executed him... And twelve years l-later, h-he did the same thing to their b-baby s-s-sister." Laby hadn't let himself fully feel his grief in a long time, but he couldn't stop it now. He started to sob in Ben's arms. A labyrinth formed around them.

Ben stared at the labyrinth in wonder as he held him patiently. "I'm so sorry, Labyrinth... For all of the grief you obviously carry," he said softly. "Are you doing this?"

"It's a labyrinth," Laby explained. "They're kind of my thing. That, and shapeshifting. No one will find us until I release it."

"Incredible..." Ben said in awe.

It was strange, but he felt safe in Ben's arms, and they were hidden in his labyrinth. You can cry, he told himself. He won't judge you, and you're both safe in here. It's alright to break for a few minutes.

Laby kept speaking, stuttering as he got more emotional but managing to get his point across. He told Ben about losing his cousin Celestia, and his parents, and being the sole survivor of the slaughter that had changed the Rebellion from peaceful protestors to warriors. Ben continued to hold him and listen, encouraging him to let everything out.

Over an hour later, Laby finally felt calm. "You didn't run," he said, pleased his stutter was back under control.

"I swear to you I never will," Ben promised.

"I'm a mess, Ben. You should run."

"I like a challenge. Besides, us broken ones need to stick together." Ben kissed the top of his head before moving his lips to his cheeks. He kissed his way to Laby's jaw, then his neck.

Every single one of Laby's nerves felt like they came to life. He forgot about anything except Ben as he allowed himself to get lost in this new intimacy between them.

When they finally parted, Laby mumbled, "Garron's going to kill me..."

"I won't let anyone hurt you, Laby. Ever," Ben said.

"Garron's not just anyone. Besides... It's sort of in the rules that you're not supposed to fall in love with your mark."

"Did you just admit you love me?"

"And that I'm supposed to be using you to get to your father."

"I don't care about that part." Ben kissed him again. "I trust you, Labyrinth... And I love you, too."

Laby hadn't expected the emotions those words brought up in him. He's human, Laby, he scolded himself. You're an immortal alien... And humans live really short lives. What the hell am I doing? This is the dumbest thing I have ever done, and I've done plenty of dumb things before now.

After the labyrinth vanished, Ben helped Laby finish going through the things in the library. What they found next was all the proof he needed.

"Does my father keep a journal?" Ben asked in confusion as he looked at the apparently familiar handwriting in the book.

The words were written in fairly modern Eltarian. It was clear Howard had been studying his demonic friend's native tongue. "Ben... This is a record of the things your father has had the demon do," he said sadly. "It's not admissible in a courtroom, of course, but it is proof. Your father is guilty."

Ben nodded slowly. "And Mum?" He asked.

"He killed her as a sacrifice to summon the demon. I'm so sorry, Ben."

Taking a deep breath, Ben asked, "So how do we stop him?"

"You don't. My friends and I will handle this. We're trained for this sort of thing."

"Laby, my father did this. I have to help make it right."

"You need to stay safe, Ben. You and Jeanie are too important to me. I'm not letting you guys get mixed up in this mess any more than you already are."

"Are you going to steal the book?"

"I can't. If he notices, he might snap. I'll bring Aunt Ursula by and she'll use magic to make a copy we can study. We need to know exactly what he's done and what he plans to do next."

"Laby... I have to warn Jeanie."

"I agree."

"I won't have you talk me out of it. She's my twin, and I won't leave her vulnerable to our apparently evil father, so... Wait. You agree?"

"Yes. Jeanie won't be safe if she doesn't know the truth. We'll tell her together, in the morning. For now, I need to go back to the mansion."

"Laby... Is Raymond an Eltarian, too?"

"Yes. He's part of Nigel's group. His real name is Rez."

Ben chuckled. "What's so funny?" Laby asked.

"Jeanie rather fancies him," Ben replied, still laughing. "It seems we're both attracted to aliens. Must be a twin thing."

Laby started to laugh, too. "I'd better go before we wake everyone up," he said. He kissed Ben goodbye before shifting back into a cat.

"Bloody hell! You really do shapeshift," Ben said. He scratched Laby behind his ears. "What a cute little tabby cat you are... I'll see you tomorrow, Gorgeous."

Laby purred before leaving the same way he'd arrived.

The following morning, he returned with Urzula. While Laby kept Howard distracted by engaging in a cheerful conversation with him, she made a copy of the book. She joined them all for tea before returning to the base.

When they were alone, Laby and Ben told Jeanie the truth. "Well, I suppose this explains a lot," she said after taking a moment to take everything in. "My father has been rising in status ever since Mum passed away." She shook her head. "After he killed her," she corrected herself. "The bloody bastard... He'll pay for this."

"He will," Laby agreed. "My friends and I will make sure of it."

"Laby... I want to help. In fact, I insist upon it. Our father is a monster. It is our duty to put an end to his reign of terror."

"You and Ben are human, Jeanie. You're a lot more vulnerable than we are. Human lives are too short as it is. I'm not willing to risk either of you getting killed. You mean too much to me."

Jeanie softened slightly. "You've become one of my dearest friends, Laby. I adore you, and I appreciate that you're trying to protect us. I know about you and Ben... You're family, Laby. And we protect our family."

"You told her, Ben?" Laby guessed.

"She took one look at me yesterday after the first time we snogged and figured it out," Ben replied with a chuckle. "Jeanie knows me better than I know myself."

"I already knew he fancied you," Jeanie clarified. "It's clear from the way his face lights up every time he sees you or talks about you. I have no issue with it. You are already very dear to me, and you make my brother happy. That is all that matters to me."

"I appreciate that, Jeanie," Laby replied. "On Eltar, they've become much more accepting of men loving men and women loving woman over the millennia, but I know it's still not really accepted here on Earth. I always stuck to girls before, but gender was never something I thought about much. Maybe it's because I can do this." He shifted form into a beautiful young woman in a stunning long blue dress.

"Blimey! I didn't doubt you, but to see you shift form... That was remarkable," Jeanie said. "As is your fashion sense," she added with a grin.

"I could always use this form when we're out in public together, Ben," Laby offered.

"I like your original form better," Ben replied.

Laby smiled and shifted back into his true form, carefully hiding the fact that he was blushing again.

"You two are adorable," Jeanie teased them.

Laby spent the rest of the day with them before returning to the mansion. Nigel took him aside. "You seem distracted, Laby. Is everything alright?" He asked.

"Nigel... I messed up," Laby admitted.

"What happened?"

"I think I'm falling in love."

"With Jean Marie? I can hardly blame you. She brings light to my brother even in his profound grief. He is always going on about her."

"Jeanie's amazing. In fact, she reminds me a little bit of Sera. I think they'd have been great friends. However... It's not Jeanie I've fallen for."

"Benjamin? Well, that's unexpected. That boy's always been a lady's man. Is it mutual?"

"Yes. Ben loves me... And I love him." He sighed. "I'm a fool, Nigel. He's human. Humans die so soon... I'm immortal. I'll lose him."

Nigel softened. "Laby, you cannot condemn yourself to a lifetime alone just because you're immortal. Humans live for decades... Yes, eventually, he'll pass away, but you will have all of that time together to cherish. Love is life's most precious gift. Embrace it while you can."

"He's my mark... And I told him everything. Jeanie knows, too."

"Laby... Do you trust these siblings?"

"With everything I have."

"Then I trust them, too. The Rebellion has worked with human allies many times in the past. I can see how deeply you care for them. Do not let your mind talk you out of listening to your heart."

"I love them both, Nigel. Jeanie's like a sister to me, and Ben... He's just..."

Nigel smiled patiently. "I know that look in your eyes. Your love is true. Allow yourself this happiness, Laby. Decades of joy are better than trying to deny one's heart. You cannot help who you fall in love with."

"Decades..." Laby mumbled. It might not be very long to an Eltarian, but it sounded like Heaven. Perhaps Nigel was right. Decades were better than no time to love at all.

For the next few months, the Rebels worked closely with Ben and Jeanie. Laby fell deeper in love with Ben every moment they were together. As time wore on, Jeanie and Rez began spending a lot more time together. Laby watched as Jeanie brought the broken Eltarian out of his shell and made him smile and even laugh for the first time since the attack on the Eighth District. It made Laby's heart happy to see the two of them falling in love.

By February of 1912, they'd managed to prevent two of three attempted attacks. Howard hadn't summoned Baizamo in three weeks. It was a nice break, but everyone was tense as they waited for the inevitable other shoe to drop. Something was coming and they could all sense it. Even Ben and Jeanie were concerned.

To take Jeanie's mind off of it, Rez took her to the English countryside for a day. They lay on the grass beside each other. Jeanie curled her body so her head could rest on his chest. She listened to the sound of his heart beating and sighed contently.

"This..." She said softly.

"What do you mean, Miss Jeanie?" Rez asked. He still addressed her as that fairly often despite the fact that they'd shared a few stolen kisses and had admitted they had feeling for each other.

"This is what I have been waiting for... What none of my father's suitors could give me. This moment, right here... True peace as I lay beside the man I love beneath the sun and trees."

Rez smiled. "I adore you, Jean Marie Mills," he replied softly.

"Rez, promise me something," she said. She'd been using his true name in private since learning the truth about him, but she stuck to Raymond in public.

"Anything."

"Promise you will tell me your story one day."

He paused. "How about now?" He asked.

"I understand if you aren't ready."

"You might as well know, my Jeanie." Rez sighed. It wasn't easy for him to talk about the horrors of his past, but the girl he loved so much deserved to know the truth of why he still screamed in his sleep most nights.

Jeanie remained curled up on his chest. Focusing on that gave Rez the strength to continue speaking.

"I came from what your people would consider a family of Noble blood," Rez began. "We do not have Royalty on Eltar, but the Founding Families are as close as we come. I am a Farmell. We are the largest of the Founding Families. The Yizaks and Treygans are right behind us, while the Vretiz family is nearly extinct. A fire wiped most of them out millennia ago. Had my family been smaller, we might have met a similar fate fifty years ago."

"How old are you, Rez?" Jeanie asked softly.

"I have lived for two hundred and thirteen years."

Jeanie gasped. "I have always preferred older boys, but this age gap might shock my father a bit," she joked.

He couldn't help but laugh. Rez loved the way Jeanie could make him laugh even when he was upset.

"My brother Nigel left before I was ever born. He had been the youngest member of the family when he vanished. No one spoke of him, and I never understood why, until our older sister Jinnifer told me the truth. Nigel committed Treason. On Eltar, you must have very solid evidence of this before you accuse a member of a Founding Family of such things, and his accusers had absolute evidence of his crimes."

"Nigel? He's so polite and kindhearted. I can't imagine him doing anything illegal."

"He murdered Ezgar Treygan, third son of Rinton, and uncle of Andru."

"Yet Andru and Nigel are as close as brothers."

"Andru hates his family. Most of them are terrible people. Ezgar was no exception. Nigel was in love with Ezgar's daughter, Elynn. When he learned that Ezgar was abusing the girl, he tried to convince her to run away with him so she would be safe. Elynn refused because she feared for Nigel's life. One night, Nigel had a horrible feeling. He ran to their home and found Ezgar attacking Ellyn worse than he ever had before. Her screams echoed through the night. Nigel pulled that monster off of his daughter. They struggled for a while before Nigel outmaneuvered him. As you know, my brother is very clever. Anyway, he tried to save Ellyn, but it was too late. He was discovered there, in shock, sitting beside her corpse. Nigel was arrested. My brother has always been a man of honor. He admitted the truth about Ezgar and why he murdered him. Aphell, who adored Ezgar, accused Nigel of killing Ellyn in addition to her father. Nigel couldn't prove he didn't do it, and Aphell was able to frame him because there was no evidence that Ezgar had been the one to kill her. Jinny didn't believe it. She tried to get him off, but even with the entire Eltarian Guard investigating, there was no way to clear him. After all, he did kill Ezgar, and it was only his word against Aphell's that he was trying to save Ellyn when he did it. He was found guilty, and at Aphell's insistence, they were going to execute him."

"That's horrible!" Jeanie cried.

"It is, but it's not uncommon on Eltar. Innocent people or those who kill in self defense or defense of others are executed all the time. I didn't know that when I joined the Eltarian Guard, but I've learned the truth since joining the Rebellion. Anyway, Andru heard of Nigel's plight. He convinced Garron to order a rescue mission. Andru actually led the mission and helped break Nigel out of prison. No one in my family saw Nigel again until fifty years ago." Rez sighed. This was the part he'd been dreading.

"Tell me, Luv," Jeanie coaxed him.

"Eltar has many villages and only one big city. There was a collection of villages the people called the Eighth District. Many members of Eltar's High Society lived there. It was a wealthy, elite area. A large number of my family members resided within those villages, including my parents. I still lived with them. I was under two hundred, which made me a teenager by Eltarian standards, and I spent so much time working with the Guard I hadn't bothered to move out on my own yet. One night, as everyone slept, a horrific beast attacked the entire district. It moved from village to village leaving complete destruction in its path. People were torn apart while still alive. Their bodies were left in so many pieces that many were never fully recovered. The slaughters were followed by natural disasters... Fires, floods, tornadoes, and earthquakes which brought down buildings. Those who were lucky fled, but more lives were lost than saved." He pause. He was trembling. He felt panic overwhelming him, so he tried to sit up, hoping it would make it easier to breathe. It didn't.

"Rez... You don't have to go on, Luv," Jeanie said gently as she sat up and held him. "I can wait as long as you need me to."

"No, Jeanie," he said softly. "I need to get this out." He took a very deep breath with great effort before he continued. "I can still hear the screams and smell the burning flesh... My parents were torn apart in front of me. So were countless men, women, and children I knew and loved. I flipped a switch and shifted into Guard mode, trying to save as many lives as I could and refusing to process what I'd already lost. I rescued a lot of people from my village and two of the neighboring ones, but it wasn't enough. It will never be enough. I only stopped because the monster tried to slaughter me. My limbs were barely still attached to my body and my entire chest was torn open and exposed. Jinny and our eldest brother showed up with the Guard just in time to distract the beast from finishing me and several others off. My sister probably did more damage to it than anyone else. She'd retired from the Guard long before, but she was still tougher than any of them. She wounded him severely enough that he fled. The attack ceased, and they pulled as many survivors from the ruins as they could find. I was one of them. They healed me as much as they could, however..." He carefully unbuttoned his shirt, revealing the thick scar that ran from the bottom of his throat down to his belly button.

Jeanie traced the scar gently with her index finger. "Oh, Rez... You have survived so much..."

He hastily tried to close up his shirt, but Jeanie gently pushed his hands away. She kissed his scar. The sensation sent a shiver through Rez's entire body. "You're still beautiful," she promised him.

He nearly started to cry. The weight of his trauma was hard on him, but realizing that Jeanie still loved him even though she knew the truth about both his physical and psychological scars was overwhelming.

"I went into complete shock once the attack was over. Jinnifer took me in. I didn't speak. I awoke screaming in the night. Everything reminded me of what I'd witnessed and everyone who'd been lost. I didn't understand why I was still alive when they were not. Jinny finally realized I would never get well on Eltar, so she did something mad and tracked Nigel down. As an Elder, she should have immediately arrested him. Instead, she became an accessory to Treason to help me and begged him to take me away. She believed that Nigel's gentle and patient nature would enable him to help me... And she was right. Nigel coaxed me to start speaking again. He helped me find a sense of purpose by introducing me to the Rebellion, and when I learned of their mission and saw the good they were trying to do, I ultimately decided I wanted to join them."

"And here we are... Facing the same demon who did all of that."

"Yes. All that carnage and destruction was brought about by Baizamo. And now, he is here."

"Are you frightened, Rez?"

The Guard in him wanted to deny it, but he couldn't lie to Jeanie. "Yes, Jeanie," he admitted. "I'm terrified. That doesn't matter, though. I shall face him with honor and fight as furiously as I did that night. I refuse to allow him to harm any more innocents."

"Who summoned him fifty years ago?"

"We still don't know. It was Warlock magic, but no one ever figured out which one did it or why."

The conversation ultimately moved to less devastating subjects. Jeanie made him laugh again and Rez found a way to relax for the rest of the day. Fifty years ago, he had believed he'd never laugh again. Now, with Jeanie, he knew he had happiness in his life once more.

Laby sat with Andru and Nigel one night. "I think I want to request a transfer," he said before he could change his mind.

"A transfer?" Nigel repeated.

"Don't give Jaybert the satisfaction," Andru joked. "You're the only one who can keep him in line."

"Did something happen with your Chapter?" Nigel asked.

"No... They're great. I mean, Jay gets on my nerves sometimes, but he's alright. Flekt's a good man, and Amareese... Well, I love Mama Ama with all my heart, but she'll understand," Laby said.

"Ah. It's for love," Andru guessed. "You shoulda led with that, Laddy." He laughed.

"I don't want to leave Ben when this is all over, and I'd miss Jeanie, too. I love them both like family, but it's not like I can bring them back to the States with me. Nigel, if I asked Garron to re-assign me, would you let me join your Chapter? I really love it here."

"Laby, any Chapter would be lucky to have you. Of course you're welcome to join us. It would be an honor," Nigel replied.

Laby smiled. "Thanks. I'll talk to Garron after the mission's over."

"Well, let's drink to that!" Andru said, raising his glass. He toasted Laby's soda with his whiskey. Nigel toasted them both with a glass of brandy. They spent the rest of the night enjoying each other's company. Laby knew he was making the right choice.

It was a stormy day in early March when the other shoe dropped.

Jeanie was sitting with Rez in the garden when Howard stormed in. "Excuse us, Raymond," he said.

"Of course, Lord Mills," Rez replied. He left the garden, but Jeanie had a feeling he didn't go very far.

"Jean Marie, the time has come for you to be married," Howard said firmly.

"Married? Father, I told you I won't marry any of your charming young suitors. I wish to marry for love," Jeanie reminded him.

"That is not your choice, Jean Marie Mills. It is my choice, and I have promised your hand."

"I won't do it, Father. I refuse. My heart is already taken."

"He wants more than your heart, Jean Marie. I'm sorry, but there is no other way." Howard began to cast a spell. Jeanie tried to run, but she couldn't seem to move.

The creature which appeared in the garden was even more horrifying than Jeanie had imagined, but she refused to give in to her fear.

"Baizamo, this is my daughter, Jean Marie," Howard said. "I present to you your bride."

The demon laughed darkly. "She shall do nicely," he replied.

"I will not be married off to some demon!" Jeanie declared. Sheer stubbornness gave her the ability to break free of her mysterious paralysis. She might not have magic, but she had a strong heart, and she wasn't going to go down without a fight.

"This one has spirit," Baizamo said in amusement. "I shall enjoy destroying it." He grabbed her by her throat. Jeanie struggled and clawed at him, digging her nails into his fists, but that only made him laugh.

"No!" Rez cried as he reappeared. "Let her go, you bastard!"

Baizamo studied him. "You..." He growled. "I nearly killed you once. It is time I finish the job."

"You shall unhand her or face your destruction," Rez said. "My sister wounded you severely the last time we met. I shall do even worse if you harm Jeanie."

"My bride will suffer greatly as I destroy what she is and mold her into something new. Something dark and evil. Then we shall rule the demonic and human realms together."

Jeanie spit in his face. Enraged, he released her. She kicked the demon in his chest with enough force to knock him back.

"Feisty..." Baizamo mumbled. "You have found me an excellent bride, Howard Mills. She shall have great power once I make her a demon."

Baizamo suddenly attacked Rez. It was unexpected, and Jeanie screamed as his chest was torn open once more.

"No!" She cried.

"Jeanie... Run..." Rez groaned weakly.

Baizamo was clearly not planning to risk Rez surviving a second time. Jeanie did the only thing she could. "I'll do it," she said.

"Jeanie, no..." Rez protested. He couldn't say anything else as he began struggling to breathe.

"If you release him and allow me to have him healed, I shall go with you. I will be your bride," Jeanie said.

Baizamo nodded. "Very well. Call in a healer," he said.

Jeanie tapped the communication stone Rez had given her in case of an emergency. "Mick!" She said firmly. Rez was his Chapter's healer, so turning to Andru's healer was his only hope.

Mick looked confused as he answered her call. "Jeanie?" He asked. "What's happening?"

"Rez is critically wounded. Come to my family's garden. He doesn't have much time," Jeanie replied.

"I'll be right there," Mick promised.

Baizamo crushed the stone with his hands and laughed cruelly. "Now, you belong to me," he said. He dragged her off toward the house. A portal opened up inside and Baizamo, Jeanie, and Howard were transported to a pocket realm.

Mick found Rez bleeding to death. "Hold on, Lad," he said urgently as he set to work healing him. It took nearly every ounce of strength he had to save Rez's life.

Laby and Ben arrived just in time to see Rez get back on his feet. "It's her!" He cried. Panic overwhelmed him and he felt tears threatening to fall, but he forced himself to remain strong.

"What do you mean, Rez?" Laby asked, trying to calm him by revealing the hypnotic spirals in his eyes.

"Blimey... You're even more gorgeous than I realized," Ben said softly.

Laby smiled as he continued to soothe Rez. "It's Jeanie..." Rez whispered in horror. "The demon, Baizamo... Mills offered her up to be his bride!"

"What?" Ben demanded. Laby had never seen such rage in his eyes. "I'll bloody kill 'im!"

"Where are they, Rez?" Laby asked urgently.

"They went into the house... I felt a portal... I think it's a pocket realm," Rez replied.

"Mick, take Rez and call in the others. Ben, you need to get out of here," Laby said.

"Not this time, Laby. That demon has my sister. I won't let you do this alone."

"Mick-"

"I'll call them," Mick promised. He gently guided Rez away from the garden.

"What's the plan?" Ben asked Laby.

"Winging it," Laby replied. "That's how I do some of my best work. Be careful, Ben. I'll get Jeanie out of this. No matter what happens, you take her and you run, alright? Swear to me."

"Laby-"

"Swear to me you'll get yourselves out of there. I'm immortal, Ben. I can't die. Both of you can. So swear, or you're not coming with me. I'll lock you in a labyrinth until this is over if it's the only way to keep you safe."

"Alright... I swear," Ben replied after a moment.

Laby nodded. He took Ben's hand. "Let's go crash a wedding," he said with a smirk.

"I love you, Labyrinth. You know that, right?" Ben asked as they headed toward the house.

"I know. And I'm damn lucky for it." He kissed him. "I love you, too, Ben. More than I thought I could."

They reached the house. Laby was able to sense the portal easily. He opened it. They fell through it quickly. Laby caught Ben before he could hurt himself as they landed in the pocket realm.

Jeanie stood with her demonic fiancé. Howard was about to begin the wedding ritual.

"Father, how could you?" Ben demanded.

"How did the two of you get in here?" Howard demanded. "Benjamin, this is none of your concern."

"None of my concern? She's my twin sister!"

"Return home at once."

"Good idea," Laby said. "Ben, take Jeanie and go home."

"You will not disrupt this ritual!" Howard said firmly.

"Wanna bet?" Laby challenged him. He pulled out a sword.

"You think a sword can destroy me?" Baizamo asked. He laughed.

"No, but I'm positive it'll kill your little friend Howie over there. And if he dies, the deal is null and void."

Laby was bluffing. For all he knew, Howard had been too foolish to demand his life be protected as part of their deal. He also didn't really want to kill the bastard in front of his kids, but if it saved Jeanie, he would.

"I will have a bride to draw endless power from!" Baizamo demanded.

Suddenly, Laby knew what he had to do to save the twins. "You want an endless supply of power and you chose a mortal?" He asked. He laughed at the demon. "That's not very bright."

"She is becoming a demon. I will make her immortal."

"Immortals can still die, Baizamo. The only truly endless power source is me."

"Laby, no!" Jeanie shouted.

"Laby-" Ben protested.

"I'm about as immortal as they come. Nothing can kill me. That means you can torture me for eternity and never need to find another power source again."

"Laby, please don't," Ben said. "There must be another way."

"Take Jeanie and run, Ben. You promised. Tell Nigel and Andru what happened. They'll get me out of this, and until they do, I'll manage. I can't die."

"You can suffer. I won't let you do this for me," Jeanie insisted.

Baizamo looked at Howard. "Do your part," he said.

Howard suddenly whispered a chant. A spell shot at Ben, striking him dead in front of Laby's eyes. It happened so fast Laby couldn't process it at first.

"Ben..." He whispered. He looked into the eyes he loved so much and realized they were unblinking. "Ben!" He screamed.

The pain was unbearable. He felt like everything inside of him shattered. He hadn't felt grief that extreme since he'd lost Serafine, Ash, Daphne, and finally, Celestia. By the time he'd lost his parents, he'd been too broken to fully process any more pain.

"You bastard!" Jeanie screamed before she attacked her father. She hit him with a ferocity Laby had never seen before. She continued to beat her fists against him, causing him to double over in pain.

Baizamo flung Jeanie across the room. She hit a wall hard and crumpled to the ground. Laby was still staring at Ben in shock. He knelt beside him, stroking his hair and gently closing his eyes.

"I love you..." Laby whispered. "I love you, Benjamin Mills, and I always will. Decades... We were supposed to have decades..." He began sobbing as the truth sank in. Their love had not lasted decades. Instead, they'd been granted mere months. Once again, Laby was alone.

"Your offer is acceptable, Labyrinth of Eltar," Baizamo said. Laby barely heard him. He continued to hold Ben in his arms, unable to force himself to release him.

"Get away from him!" Jeanie cried as Howard tried to attack Laby. She grabbed his hands, causing his concentration to break and the spell to misfire. It knocked her down beside Ben. She didn't move.

Laby stood up. He knew he had no choice. He had to keep fighting.

Why? He thought. It's pointless. All of this is pointless...

"Ben... Wake up, Benny, please," Jeanie sobbed. She knelt beside her brother, clutching him in her arms.

Jeanie, Laby thought. Jeanie's still alive. I can still save her. That's reason enough.

He forced himself to wrap a labyrinth around Jeanie as she clung to Ben's body. He sent them out of the pocket realm.

Baizamo smiled sadistically. "We shall meet later, Howard," he said. He waved his hand, sending Howard out of the pocket realm as well.

"Welcome to your eternity of torture," Baizamo said.

Laby was numb. At first, he felt nothing when the demon attacked him. Then, he felt unbearable physical pain, but it was a relief compared to the emotional pain he'd been consumed by. He welcomed the distraction even as he screamed in agony.

Only as the demon mocked his grief did Laby snap and try to fight back. Baizamo was powerful, but so was he, and he was pissed off and had nothing left to lose. He hit the demon with everything he had.

He managed to wound Baizamo and lock him inside of a very tiny, uncomfortable labyrinth. Unfortunately, Laby had no energy left to get himself out of the pocket realm.

Great idea, Laby, he thought as he continued losing blood at a rapid rate. What the hell am I supposed to do now?

Jeanie was freed from her labyrinth as Laby fell unconscious. She found her way to the Rebels, but just as she did, Howard grabbed her. He held a sword to her throat as he kept her in front of him like a shield.

"Let her go!" Rez shouted.

"You survived? How unfortunate," Howard replied.

"Rez! Laby traded himself for me! You must go after him!" Jeanie cried.

"Hush, Jean Marie," Howard scolded her. "Children should not speak unless spoken to." He drew a bit of blood.

The Rebels tried to attack him, but a shield of magic protected him from harm. He laughed. "I am too powerful now! You cannot stop me!" He declared.

"Try us," Andru replied. As Marzurite and Aileen cast powerful attack spells, Andru and Nigel ran toward him with their swords at the ready. The others followed suit.

As Andru reached the shield, he slashed his hand open. His blood shattered the shield.

"Impossible! T'Dania insisted only one thing could break that shield, and it couldn't be found on Earth!" Howard cried.

"Yes, one thing could break that bitch's shield... Treygan blood. I may have disowned the bunch of cunts, but I've still got their blood in my cursed veins," Andru replied.

Rez ran at Howard, tackling him to the ground and impaling him with his sword. For one brief moment, they thought it was over. Then, Howard floated into the air as he began to heal. His sword flew through the air and went straight through Jeanie's chest as Rez cut off his head.

Howard was dead, but the damage had been done. Blood poured out of Jeanie's mouth.

"Jeanie!" Rez cried as he ran to her. He pulled her into his arms and tried to heal her.

"Lad..." Andru began sadly.

"I can save her! Someone, pull the sword out. I can heal her!" Rez insisted.

"Rez... She's already gone," Nigel said gently.

"No! No, she's alright. She has to be alright..."

"Rez, I'm so sorry," Clara said gently. It was his niece's tone that reached him. Rez began to cry, rocking Jeanie's body in his arms.

"My sweet Jeanie..." He whispered as he wept into her hair. He would not speak again for over a year, and when he finally did, he would not speak of the Mills.

It was Urzula who managed to free Laby from the pocket realm. Mick couldn't heal him alone, but Rez worked with him. Although silent and broken, he was still a former member of the Guard, and Laby had been a good friend to him. He did his duty as a healer and tried to take a small amount of comfort in helping his friend.

By the time Laby regained consciousness, Garron had arrived. He sat beside his bed taking care of him.

"Garron?" Laby asked in confusion.

"I gave Aileen and Marzurite a break. They have been taking turns looking after you and tending to your wounds. Even with Mick and Rez working together, you were gravely injured and needed medical assistance," Garron explained.

Suddenly, Laby remembered everything. "Ben..." He whispered. He began to cry. "Where's Jeanie, Garron? Did they find Howard?"

"Howard Mills is dead. He fell at Rez's hands," Garron replied.

"Good... How's Jeanie holding up? Can I see her?"

Garron looked at him sadly. Laby knew what must have happened, but he refused to accept it. "Laby..." Garron said gently.

"Where is she, Garron? I want t-to s-see her. Now."

"Laby, I'm sorry, but-"

Laby tried to stand up. His legs gave out. Garron caught him and forced him to sit back down.

"I w-want to s-s-see J-Jeanie," Laby insisted.

"I'm afraid the girl was lost, Laby," Garron said.

"No. No, Goddamnit! Where is she?"

"Laby, listen to me. Jean Marie was able to warn the others of your fate, however, before he perished, Howard killed the poor girl. I am terribly sorry. I fear it was inevitable."

Something in his tone made Laby understand. "You knew?" He asked in disbelief.

"I was aware that this was the most likely outcome. It was necessary, Laby. Howard had to be stopped."

"Necessary? You knew they were going to die and you didn't warn me? I could have protected them, Garron! I could have saved them!"

"Humans die, Laby. This is a simple fact of life. Their fate was sealed the moment Howard Mills summoned an Eltarian demon. The mission was a success. Mills is dead and the demon remains trapped in your labyrinth. You were very brave. They could not have done this without you."

"A success? We l-lost B-Ben and J-J-Jeanie, Garron!"

"Benjamin and Jean Marie Mills were not Rebels, Laby. Their fate is not our concern."

"Not our concern? You know what, Garron? Screw the Rebellion. I quit!" His rage kept him from stuttering as it surged through him.

Garron stared at him in shock. Apparently, the bastard hadn't seen that coming. "Laby, don't be rash," he said after a moment.

"I mean it, Garron. I'm done."

"What about the people the Government of Eltar slaughtered? The men, women, and children who perished around you? Only you remain to tell their story!"

"Stop! I've done enough."

"What about your parents, Laby? The Rebellion meant everything to them. How can you walk away from their mission? You owe it to them to continue their legacy!"

Laby tensed. He glared at Garron. "I hate you," he said harshly. "Go to Hell, Garron." He created a labyrinth around himself and refused to come out until long after he sensed Garron had left.

When he finally emerged, he stood up. Somehow, he found the strength to walk. He made it to the parlor.

"Laby! How do you feel?" Nigel asked.

"Like hell," Laby replied. "Nigel... Where are they?"

"We brought the twins here, Luv," Marzurite said, understanding who he meant.

"We thought you might want to say a proper goodbye," Aileen added.

"Take me to them... Please," Laby said.

Nigel and Andru took on the grim task. They led Laby to the room where they'd brought the twins.

"We'll leave you to it, Lad," Andru said.

"We'll be right outside if you need us," Nigel added.

Laby nodded numbly. When they closed the door, he went to Jeanie first. "Jeanie... I'm s-so s-s-sorry..." He said softly. He felt tears in his eyes. "I thought you'd be safe if I traded myself... I'd have spent a millennia being tortured if it spared you that fate." He stroked her hair, trying to figure out how to say goodbye, but he was lost. Jeanie, the human girl who had shared so many of Sera's qualities, was gone. He'd never see her again.

"I love you," he told her. "Thank you for being in my life. I'm... I'm s-sorry I c-c-couldn't..." He shook his head. There were no words. He kissed her forehead and forced himself to move on to her brother.

Ben looked like he was sleeping. There was no blood. There were no obvious signs of physical trauma at all.

"My love..." Laby whispered. "Oh, G-God, Ben... I'm so s-s-s..." He couldn't get the word out. "I love you," he said instead. "I will always love you, in the deepest part of my heart, b-but..." He took a deep breath. "I h-have to p-p-put this away. I c-can't... I cannot handle this. Forgive me, Ben. Please forgive me." He sobbed with everything he had, holding his dead lover and trying to release his seemingly endless supply of pain.

He left the room. He nodded at Nigel and Andru. "Can you p-please c-call Tr-Trerry for me?" He asked.

"Of course, Laby," Nigel said.

"Whate'er ya need, Lad," Andru added.

"I'm g-g-going to g-get s-some r-r-rest. Send him in w-when h-he g-gets h-here," Laby said before retreating to his room.

He wasn't sure how much time passed. Laby wanted to lock himself away inside of a labyrinth and vanish forever, but he resisted the urge somehow.

Finally, Trerry entered the room. He took one look at Laby and sighed. "Oh, Laby... I'm so sorry," he said softly. He sat beside him and allowed Laby to cry on his shoulder for a bit.

"What do you need?" Trerry finally asked after some time had passed.

"I n-need you t-to go into m-my mind, T-Tr-Tr-Trerry," Laby replied. "I... I n-n-n..." He started crying again, unable to get the words out.

"Just think the words, Laby," Trerry said soothingly. "You don't have to fight not to stutter if you let me read your thoughts."

I need you to make me forget, Laby thought.

Laby, that's a bad idea, Trerry replied. Your mind can't be modified the way others can. Your labyrinths mean magic of that nature doesn't work right on you. You'll remember eventually no matter how strong a block I place around the memories.

I can't do this, Trerry! Please help me. It hurts... It hurts so much. I can't handle this.

You're stronger than you think, Laby.

I can't be strong this time. This shattered me. I failed them! And that coldhearted calculating manipulative bastard Garron knew and let this happen!

Garron knew?

Laby allowed Trerry to see the conversation he'd had with Garron.

What a prick, Trerry thought. Laby, I'm sorry. You've lost enough. He shouldn't have sent you here if he knew this was how it would end.

I can't quit the Rebellion, Trerry, he thought. That asshole is right. I owe it to my parents to be here. I owe it to everyone who didn't survive that first slaughter... But I can't stay... Not if I remember what happened here. I can't live with myself if I have to work with Garron while knowing what he did.

Laby, I get it, but-

Please, Trerry! I don't know who to trust anymore, but I still trust you. You've been my friend since we were kids. We're family. Please do this for me.

I am so sorry for your pain, Laby, but this isn't the way. You need to grieve, and to process what happened.

I can't, Trerry! Not this time.

If I do this, the slightest nudge in the wrong way by one of your labyrinths could knock the memories loose. You need to understand that.

I'll deal with it when that happens... Just please... Please help me, Trerry. You're the only one who can. Please!

"P-please..." Laby whimpered aloud.

Trerry looked as devastated as Laby felt. "Okay," he said softly. "Okay, I'll do it."

He slipped into Laby's mind and hid the memories behind a powerful block. Laby recalled the mission, but not the twins. He knew only that the mission had been a success. He'd been gravely injured and was staying with Nigel's Chapter until he finished recovering. No one mentioned the rest of the truth in front of him.

Trerry cornered Garron after leaving Laby in Nigel's care. He promptly pulled Garron's consciousness into his mind.

You are a real son of a bitch, Garron, Trerry told him.

I assume this is about the children, Garron replied. They were destined to perish, Trerry. It was unavoidable. Now, kindly release me.

No. Not yet. How the hell could you send Laby on this mission knowing they'd die on him? How could you be so cruel?

Only Laby could infiltrate the Mills family. There was no other way, Trerry.

Really? Well then, I suppose there's no other way to handle you.

With that, Trerry locked Garron in his most painful memories. Garron's body would remain catatonic as Trerry kept him locked in a living nightmare, forced to relive his deepest grief and watch himself be powerless to help those he loved over and over again. He kept him there for a week and a half before releasing him.

"That is a fraction of what you made Laby feel," he told Garron when he finally released him. "Stay the hell away from him and me for a while or you'll regret it."

Garron wisely did exactly that. He was left shaking for weeks.

Three weeks after the twins died, Laby was fully healed and ready to go home.

"So, what's next for ya, Lad?" Andru asked.

"I'll head back to the States, but I feel like taking the scenic route home," Laby replied. He wasn't sure why, but he wasn't quite ready to go back to Tiger's Bluff yet. He felt off, almost like something extremely precious was missing.

"What's your plan?" Nigel asked curiously.

"I'm taking a luxury cruise to New York. I figure I'll spend a few days with Cap and Kizzie, then take the portal to Stone Hollow to see Raff, Felina, and Lido before letting Raff drive me back to Tiger's Bluff."

"Sounds like quite an adventure. Have a good trip, Laby."

Nigel dropped him at the ship the next day. The luxury ship was stunning and enormous. Laby had never seen anything quite like it before.

"Titanic, eh?" He asked, reading the name of the ship.

"Named for the Titans, of course," a man replied. "It's the largest, fastest ship out there. A powerful ship needs a powerful name. Let me tell you, God himself couldn't sink this ship!"

"Don't tempt him," Laby joked. "Titanic..." He repeated to himself. He grinned as he boarded the ship. "Sounds like a hell of a party."

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Damn, this one genuinely hurt my Feels. Wow. That said, if you're keeping up with Chosen Destiny, then you know Laby's memories have, in fact, recently been nudged. Expect this story to become relevant very soon, because just as Trerry warned, he's going to start to remember. The story continues in Chosen Destiny.