Summary: What is the past that Cole Turner tried to keep hidden? What torture did Cole have to endure at the Source's hand just to survive during his youth? The nightmare is revealed! R & R please!
"Bow down before me," commanded the Source. The young boy shook from evident fear, but obeyed. The Source laughed deeply, growling his approval of the young assassin-to-be. "Very well," hissed the Source as he turned to acknowledge the woman to his right, "Your life will be spared." He waved his bony hand absentmindedly, and at that, the young woman bowed and left in a hurry, finally being dismissed. The Source loomed over the boy with his death-like hands gripped tightly in his lap.
"Boy," the Source sneered at the frightened heap at his feet. "You will look at me when I am speaking to you," he suddenly roared. Before the boy could even process the sentence, a fireball appeared in the Source's hand. It smashed into the boy's shoulder, causing him to recoil in pain, but he obeyed and shifted his gaze to the Source, not wanting another fireball attack. He shrunk back, sensing the evilness lurking in the dark robed man, and after a bit of hesitation, claimed, "My name is Cole."
The Source roared in outrage, "NO! You do not have a human name here, boy; you have to earn your name." Cole shuddered in terror, completely confused as to why his mother just dropped him at the feet of the 'evil man' and ran. The 'evil man' threw Cole against the back cave wall, holding the boy with an invisible hand at his throat. Cole struggled for oxygen, as the Source laughed and declared, "Your life means nothing to me, boy. And you will learn, as did your mother, to obey my orders and commands. Understand?"
Cole tried to choke out a 'yes' but realized he couldn't, so he nodded instead. The Source released his grasp on Cole, and he tumbled down to the floor, completely dazed. "I have no use for you now…" He waved his hand dismissively, and two guards came into the room to take the boy to his quarters. The Source held up a long, bony finger, and pointed at a guard, engulfing him in flames. The other guard bowed before him, trying to save his own ass. The Source laughed as Cole visibly began to shake. "You!" He pointed at the remaining guard, "It is your duty to watch the boy, and make sure he is not killed – I may, in fact, need him. If you fail…" The Source left the threat hanging in the air, as the guard looked at the scorch marks left by his companion. "Yes sir," said the guard nervously, "I understand." The guard bowed before the Source, and shoved Cole to his knees.
After the bow, the guard hauled Cole to his feet and shoved him roughly towards the exit of the Source's quarters. Once they were walking through the dimly lit corridors, the guard turned on Cole. He hit the boy square in the jaw, sending Cole to the ground in a heap. "Well," said the guard, "That takes care of that mess!" He kicked Cole the rest of the way to where the boy would be staying in the Underworld. At each kick, Cole groaned in pain, but too weak to stop him. When the guard and the broken boy finally reached their destination, the guard left Cole on the floor, just inches from his makeshift bed, a mat. Cole groaned in pain, and could not force himself to his feet; to find comfort a few inches away.