Warning: OoCness! (Applies to all future chapters, you've been warned.)

Chapter 8:

Harry looked at the order in his hands and trembled. So Master had caught up with his little game, and he was ordered to kill. For a fleeing second he thought of disobeying, but there came so strong a stab in his heart that it sent him trembling down to the floor. He tried to focus his eyes, now clouded with sparkles, and his head hurt as much as his chest. The ruthless pain did not ease until he persuaded himself to carry out his Master's will. But it was not until much later did he manage to stand up and call for his prisoner.

The old man was a rather dignified one, and had looked in wonder as his conqueror shook before him. All Harry's killings before with the exception of the Serpent Brothers were so impersonal that Harry was not greatly affected; but now, he had actually called for the man and intentionally prepared to kill another being. Harry bit his lips until he tasted the bitterness of blood. Surely I can do it; I must do it. He took a deep breath, and raised his hand. Moody closed his eyes.

Minutes passed, and Harry's hand shook. Finally he let it fall to his side and spoke in a quiet tone, "Leave, now."

Moody looked at the feared Rider, not sure if it were some sort of evil trick being played on him. Harry's self-control broke down and he shouted, "Go! Leave! Don't ever let me see you again!" Already he felt the pain coming and was much relieved to see the old man run. He let himself collapse onto the ground and was soon consumed by pain. It bound him in every direction, hurt him inside and out; he could not escape from it. He twisted and writhed, biting his lips because his pride would not allow his to call out. He struggled until a troubled sleep took him, and even in sleep he was not free of the pain. It haunted him…

When he woke up again all was quiet, so he figured it must be late at night. He winced as he struggled to get up, still hurting all over, and wiped away the sweat on his forehead. Images of the dream were vivid before his eyes:

Severus bent down gently and whispered in his ear, "Harry, my only hope, he bonds you not, heed my teachings."

Harry thought about Severus, and was ashamed that he had forgotten about him. I am just like them now, cold-blooded and all. In his tent, surrounded by his followers ten thousand strong, he felt alone. Tomorrow he will rise again like a machine, sword in hand and ready for more orders. One day he would break down, he would bow to the pain and start killing without cause just like all the other dark beings. Funny the world should be afraid of a boy who didn't even have control over his own life. Then he was startled by his own treacherous thoughts: how could he, when Master meant everything…how could he even think about taking control of his own life? Master gave me everything, Nothing matters except what Master says, and I always obey. "Always Obey!" he repeated the words until he realized that he was shouting out loud. Panting, he looked outside his tent, nothing stirred. Harry thought about tomorrow again and suddenly it was too much for him. He couldn't face it, and he couldn't take it! He must run away. Maybe he will find Severus, maybe he wasn't dead; and he would listen to Harry and make him feel better just as he always did. Dazed and not realizing the true treachery of his actions, Harry picked up his sword and mounted Floke, leaving the mask behind him.

Thales walked to and fro in his tent, his face troubled. Severus came inside, "Any news?"

Thales shook his head, "No, there is nothing. The only thing we know is that they stopped the attacks three days ago."

"Not a single fighting?"

"None, and I wonder what evil plans they have in motion…I just wish we could find out before it was too late."

Severus looked thoughtful, "Perhaps I should go to Ceres, in case there is indeed some ploy at work."

"That would be me."

Severus looked resolute, "No, the kingdom cannot afford to lose both you and the Prince, besides I've had some dealings with those dark creatures before."

Thales looked at him, hard. Finally he drew a breath, "Alright, I shall send five hundred escorts with you then."

Harry lay on his back, not caring to shield himself from the pouring rain at all. He did not run far and wide as many of his pursuers had thought. In fact he was still in Ceres, less than one hundred thors away from the camp. The pain still held his even when he had decided to desert the army, but it was wearing away more and more now with every second he spent free.

Then the sound of hooves awoke his. It must be another of his pursuers. He got up reluctantly, to hide in the bushes near by.

"Sir, the rain is too heavy, we must stop here." He heard a male voice say.

"Alright, we shall camp here then." A voice answered.

Harry's heart jumped at the voice; it was the voice that comforted his so many times after he was beaten, it was the voice that whispered at his ear. Severus.

Harry did not think of anything else, his mind only grasping one thing. That Severus was still alive, that Severus was here. He jumped out of his hiding place and ran towards the voice. Five hundred swords came out at once at the sight of this strange being of mud and water running towards them. Harry did not think twice; he took out his own sword and fended the guards off almost effortlessly. All he knew was that he wanted to reach Severus and they were in the way.

"Severus!" he called, clearing a way through the wall of guards as he ran. Finally he was facing him, finally he was within reach of him, and the look on the older man's face made him stop dead.

His face was that of loathe, of pain, or even fear. Now even you are afraid of me, even you hate me; I am just one of them for you now.

In his frantic state Harry did not see a young man sprang before Severus, holding his sword threateningly and yelling, "Stay away from him! You killed my sister, I'm not about to let you kill my father, too!" Sister…kill…his numb mind was trying to work things out stupidly when a sharp pain in his stomach made his look down. He saw blood pouring out of himself yet he felt strangely detached. Half dazed, he heard Severus stop the young man, "Hold it, he maybe of some use for us later."

To everybody's surprise, Harry knelt down and laughed.

Oh, what the heck, I'll just post it since I'm finished anyways. And well, drop a review if you like, I'd appreciate that