Gabriel tugged on the restraints that chained his hands to the metal pole. It was pointless to break free. His wrists were covered in dry blood after many failed attempts to escape. But, even if he could find a way to escape from his bonds, he would have to deal with Giovanni, who was vigilante as he watched the Doctor with a wave of always present anger in his eyes. Giovanni was silent throughout his watch. Gabriel would try to get him to speak, but Giovanni's lips remained sealed.

''I recognize you,'' Gabriel muttered. ''You're one of the council's dogs.''

Giovanni's expression was blank. He scanned the empty room. There were no windows to peer out into the open world, and only one door between them and freedom.

Gabriel licked his bloody lips and winced in pain as he moved. When he was cuffed, a few survivors gave him a few tough kicks for good measure. ''I would have thought Lucan would have been buried by now. That old fool was always too cautious. I knew that if I hadn't left, he would have only made me suffocate in the dirt.''

''He kept you alive,'' Giovanni finally spoke. ''I'd be more grateful.''

''You don't sound pleased with your wise leader's verdict. Isn't there anyone else that could outvote him?''

''You wouldn't want that. Helen would have had your head if she had the final decision.''

Hearing this, Giovanni gazed down at the floor and grinned. ''My darling is on the council? And I noticed that the colony look at my daughter like a messiah…what has changed?''

''A what?''

Gabriel snorted. ''I wouldn't expect a lapdog like you to understand an old-world term.''

There was a slight twitch in Giovanni's face. However, he returned to his stoic form as he locked eyes with their prisoner. ''How can you act this way? You abandoned your family! You abandoned humanity! All for what? The chance to be the Dragon's dog?''

''There's a difference between you and I,'' Gabriel leaned forward. ''I get what I want by serving the Dragons.''

The moment the room fell silent, the door was opened. Giovanni instinctively reached for the knife in his pocket but stopped when he recognized the person walking into the room. He eased as Thane approached them. The young man stared at Giovanni before his eyes shifted over to Gabriel. There was an uneasiness in Thane's expression that was almost unrecognizable to Giovanni. It reminded him of when Thane was a young boy always trying to prove himself to his father. He hadn't seen Thane like this in a long time.

''What's the matter?'' Giovanni asked.

''You've been watching him for hours,'' Thane replied. ''I'll take the next watch.''

Giovanni's brow creased. ''That won't be necessary.''

''I disagree,'' Thane stated more firmly. ''My father wouldn't like it if his best man fell asleep on the job.''

''As I said, it won't be necessary. You don't need to trouble yourself.''

Thane's face wrinkled with annoyance. ''This isn't a request. It's an order from my father. He wishes for me to watch the prisoner while you rest.''

Giovanni stared intensely at Thane. He wanted to argue with him. However, if he was right and this was an order from Lucan, he felt compelled to obey, even if every part of him was screaming to refuse. He was almost certain that Thane's father made no such order. But, he couldn't prove otherwise until he asked him personally. Begrudgingly, he nodded and rose to his feet, walking past Thane without a word.

''Good dog.'' Gabriel taunted, watching his guard exit the room, leaving only the Doctor and Thane.

Releasing a heavy sigh, Thane paced back and forth, keeping his distance from Gabriel. The young man clenched his fist nervously. ''So…you're really the one who made the formula?''

''I am,'' Gabriel answered proudly. He then tilted his head and stared at Thane curiously. ''You mentioned a skeleton before…were you there when my daughter received the abilities from Abraham?''

Slowly, Thane nodded. ''We were in the tunnels when we found him. He suddenly came to life and attacked us. I didn't see what happened because I was captured by slave-traders afterwards. But, I saw it grab Isabel.''

''Fate works in mysterious ways.''

Thane snorted. ''I never would have thought a scientist would believe in old superstitious stuff like that.''

''Superstitious is what strives men of science. It's our duty to make the impossible seem possible. To learn and create new wonders.''

''You call making someone like a Dragon a wonder?''

''Oh, yes!'' Gabriel said excitedly. He stood up against the metal pole. His binds rattled against it, causing Thane to take a step back. Despite their positions, Gabriel felt like the one in control. ''You must admit that there's a part of you that yearns for that type of power? You must have seen the new strength my daughter has?''

Looking away and gritting his teeth, Thane kept his mouth shut for as long as possible. But, all the jealousy and hatred that was bubbling up inside began to rise to the surface. He grunted in frustration. ''It should have been my power.''

''Why do you say that?''

''Because your partner went for me. He said you're next. But, Isabel got in the way. She took that power when he was trying to give it to me.''

Gabriel's eyes widened. He studied Thane's form for a moment, taking note of the way his fist balled and his body trembled with rage after confessing. The light in the back of Gabriel's mind switched on. ''Yes…he was.''

Thane hesitated. ''What?''

''I told you fate works in mysterious ways. Abraham saw your potential. He knew you would be the right person to become the first of a new species. My daughter is too simple-minded and selfish to understand that. It pains me to be the father of such an ignorant child. I wish I were in your father's shoes. He must be so proud of you.''

Swallowing the lump in his throat, Thane looked away. ''No, he's been treating Isabel more like one of his own. And her bitch of a mother even got to become a part of the council before me.''

''That bitch is a cold and manipulative woman, believe me,'' Gabriel hissed. ''She and Isabel are holding us back from true greatness. You know it too. I can see it in your eyes. If you had that power, you could do so much more.''

Thane stepped back and shook his head. ''I'm not doing this. I know you're playing me. You're just saying what I want to hear so I can free you. Fuck you. You can't even give me what I want.''

''What if I can?''

Thane was silent as he watched Gabriel leaned forward to the metal pole. The prisoner moved his hand so that he could stick two fingers inside of his mouth. He reached deeper and deeper until he was gagging. Thane scowled in disgust as he watched Gabriel choke himself. Seconds passed, but he didn't stop. This went on and on until Gabriel heaved and spat out something from inside. Gabriel gasped in shock when he saw a small vial sliding along the floor. There was red liquid inside of it.

Gabriel panted before glancing up at Thane with a sinister grin. ''You didn't think I would waste the formula for a gladiator brawl. I had created more. This was all that I could save before my lab was destroyed after Albatox and Baerock's defeat. I knew I would be searched, so I had to keep it safe. You are the only other soul who knows about this.''

With his heart racing and his palms sweating, Thane reached out without even thinking. It was as if the formula was calling to him. He batted his hand away and stared back at Gabriel. ''Why didn't you use it on yourself? Why are you giving it to me?''

''If I wasted it on myself, Isabel would be convinced to kill me. Then, my work would die with me. But, with your help, we can leave here and fulfil our potential together. You can help bring the dawn of a new world. You will become the hero you deserve to be. The hero you should have been.''

''How do I know this will work?''

''You saw what it did to the slave, Adira,'' Gabriel said. ''This will give you the power you need to take your rightful place as the true savior. With this power, you could conquer this world, and others with it. Or, you can destroy it and go back to being a good little boy for your father.''

For a split second, Thane thought about lifting his foot and stamping it down onto the vial. His mind was screaming for him to reject what Gabriel was offering him, but the temptation was too great. He had been watching from the sidelines as Isabel grew stronger and become a hero to all. It was infuriating to watch when that power could have been his. He had dreamed of that fateful day ever since it happened. He had dreamed of the skeleton claiming him and making him the one with the power. Now, he had the chance. Thane knelt and reached for the vial. He gently took it and stared at the contents inside. The liquid swirled like lashing flames. He could feel the heat through the glass.

''I'll think about it,'' Thane said, turning to walk out of the room. ''Giovanni will be back any moment to watch you.''

''You say that as if your father didn't instruct you to replace him as the guard,'' Gabriel smirked. ''You lied so that you could speak with me. See, you do want that power too. You are someone who does whatever it takes to get what you want. You deserve this more than my daughter.''

Saying nothing else, Thane stormed out of the room. Alone with his thoughts, Gabriel smiled to himself as he gazed up at the ceiling. He had no doubts that Thane would take the formula. After all, Gabriel had said everything that Thane wanted to hear. It was only a matter of time.

XXX

Thane let his feet sink into the sand as he stared up at the sky. He stood alone in the middle of the stadium, clenching the vial in his hand. He couldn't stop shaking as he considered his options carefully. As much as he wanted this, he argued if this was the right thing to do. What would the others think? What would his father think?

''Thane?''

He wouldn't have to wait long to find out.

He turned around and saw his father rushing to him along with the other members of the council, all except for Helen. Thane sighed with relief. He knew that wherever she went, her daughter followed, and Thane couldn't stand the sight of Isabel's face right now.

''Son,'' Lucan gasped. ''It's bad enough that you lie about me ordering you to watch the prisoner, but then you abandon your post anyway? We're lucky Gabriel didn't escape while he was alone.''

Thane was silent as he locked eyes with Lucan. ''Father…do you think I should have become the Dragon Slayer?''

Lucan flinched. ''What kind of question is…''

''Answer me!''

Lucan and the council all looked at each other with a mixture of confusion and worry. He stood before them like a defeated man waiting for a verdict that would deem him guilty. Lucan stepped closer. ''My son, what's done is done. Isabel has become the beacon of hope that humanity has craved for centuries.''

''But, you're still proud of me? Right?''

Placing his hand on Thane's shoulder, Lucan forced a smile. ''We are in difficult times. I do not fault you for any misgivings that may have happened…''

''Misgivings?'' Thane snarled. ''Like what?''

Suddenly, someone else from the council spoke. ''Your cowardice.''

Thane stood frozen with shock while Lucan turned sharply at the outspoken councilman. ''How dare you speak to my son in such a way?''

''I'm speaking the truth.'' He replied. Then, one-by-one, the other council members nodded in agreement. ''He tried to give away our colony to slave-traders. He's always the last to enter the battle. He's a danger to us all. Sir Lucan, you can't deny this.''

''Father!'' Thane shouted. ''Are you going to stand for this?''

Looking away from him, Lucan was still and silent. His head lowered as he turned back to his son. Thane felt his heart drop as his father looked at him solemnly. ''Thane, I will always love you, but…but, I…''

''What?'' Thane questioned. His anger rose with each breath. ''Tell me! Tell me that I'm a disappointment! Tell me that you're glad I didn't become the Dragon Slayer! Tell me that you would rather Isabel and Helen on the council than me.''

''Isabel will be on the council.''

Thane held his breath and narrowed his eyes. ''What?''

''We feel it's deserved,'' Lucan sighed. ''I have no doubt that you will be there one day. But, we will make Isabel a member of the council by dawn. She is our hero, after all.''

Time seemed to stop as Thane's world went dark. He shut out everyone and everything around him. Before he could be stopped, he undid the clip on top of the vial and chugged the liquid down his throat.

Instantly, he could feel his neck burning. Tears stained his eyes as it felt like the inside of his body was on fire. He collapsed to his knees, unable to hear the concerned cries of his father as he gasped and clawed at the ground. The pain was excruciating as he could feel his muscles being twisted and pulled. His heart was thundering so fast that he thought it would explode out of his chest. He threw his head back and let out one final scream. That scream soon turned into a roar.

The council retreated at the sound. Lucan leaned back, still wanting to be close to his son but fearful of what he was turning into. ''Thane, what have you…''

Lucan was silenced as Thane reached out and grabbed his throat. Thane was like a man possessed as he tightened his hold. Lucan's eyes bulged outwards and turned red. With no hesitation from Thane, he crushed his father's neck until his head rolled off his shoulders and onto the floor. The others in the council watched on horrified and tried to run. However, Thane blitzed past them with blinding speed. His fist crashed through the chest of the councilman closest to him. As he watched the man die, Thane raised his head and growled primally at the other terrified members of the council.

''Isabel can't be on the council if there is no council.''

XXX

HELLO MY SWEET SUPERSTARS! WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THIS NEW CHAPTER? THIS DARK DEVELOPMENT FOR THANE IS SOMETHING THAT I'VE BEEN BUILDING UP FOR A WHILE, AND IT'S ALL STARTING TO COME TOGETHER NOW. THE NEXT CHAPTER IS GOING TO BE QUITE THE SPECTACLE. HOW DO YOU THINK THINGS WILL GO? IF ISABEL AND THANE COME FACE-TO-FACE, DO YOU THINK ISABEL WILL WIN? I DARE NOT SPOIL ANYTHING. BUT I WILL SAY THAT THE NEXT CHAPTER WILL BE GOING BIG. I CAN'T WAIT TO SHOW YOU ALL. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING. WE'RE NEARING THE ENDGAME NOW. STAY SAFE. WEAR YOUR MASKS AND WASH YOUR HANDS. TA-TA FOR NOW.