Chapter 5- Tears and snowflakes

"BOY!" bellowed Voltaire. Kai was already awake and had been for the past two hours, watching the sun rise up over the mansion. He shook his head to rid himself of snowflakes and nimbly made his way to his grandfather's study, changing his face to a look of indifference.

He entered the study. He stood to attention, "grandfather" he said, stony faced.

Voltaire cackled and mocked. "That's no way to greet your grandfather on Christmas day is it? Christmas is a time for family, for us to be together." He smiled twistedly. "So," he clicked his fingers and the servants left, bowing their heads as they left, knowing what was to befall their young master.

Kai glanced at Voltaire, rather unnerved. Voltaire didn't notice and retrieved a small box from his desk drawer. "Here, grandson" he said, smiling at Kai, "Is your Christmas present."

That smile scared Kai more, his grandfather was never this – nice. Kai suspiciously opened the box, maybe there was a scorpion inside ready to bite him, or a snake. Inside, was a set of car keys. Kai looked up at Voltaire incredulously, a small hope burning inside him that this Christmas might be different.

"By my standards, you are old enough to drive" said Voltaire, standing up and moving towards the door. "That is, if you can after our little heart to heart."

Suddenly, he whisked around, thrusting out his foot, aiming for a perfect kick at Kai's chest. Kai ducked. He should have known. He should never have dared to hope that his grandfather was one bit as caring as Tyson's. He'd been a fool to think that just because it was Christmas day, that this day would be any different. He felt sad that everyone else was enjoying presents and breakfast indoors with a bright fire and a colourful tree.

Voltaire had backed him out onto the landing now, across the landing, into the antique armoury. Here resided hundreds of glass cabinets filed with centuries old weapons and armour. Swords and daggers hung from the wall. The bright sunlight, reflected off white snow, glanced off the cabinets. He could see blades glinting at him, could imagine daggers hurtling at him.

He felt his back thud into a glass case. He dropped the keys and sprang into a defensive position.

"A little jumpy young Kai?" sneered Voltaire. He reached over and grabbed a spear out of its mahogany holder. "Don't be scared, grandpappy just wants o give you a Christmas resent." They circled each other, one cabinet between them.

"I just want to reward you for being such a good little boy this year," Voltaire leaped, thrusting the spear straight through the glass cabinet. Shattering glass filled Kai's ears, the metal tip of the spear missing his middle by an inch.

Voltaire quickly grabbed another one and aimed. It hurtled towards Kai who brought up a foot to meet it, cracking the spear in two.

Voltaire hefted out a sword. The sun glinted off its jagged side. Kai grabbed a bunch of knives. He really didn't want to have to kill him. Voltaire roared and chased Kai, who ducked behind a table, the sword sliced his calf. Kai felt the flesh tear and willed himself not to look. I

n desperation he hurled the knives at about where Voltaire would be and ducked behind a suit of armour. Voltaire laughed and with one swipe of the sword, sent a rack of swords raining down onto Kai. Kai dodged and grabbed one. Blood from his leg dripped onto his shoe.

He brought himself to fight Voltaire. Their swords clashed as they duelled, Kai's leg getting weaker by the minute. Triumphantly, Voltaire's next blow sent Kai falling backwards.

A 17th century spear made its way towards Kai, and found its target in Kai's right side. He screamed and tried to move back, the pain making him weak. He wrenched it out; clutching a hand to his side, blood streaming out. He rolled to avoid another blow.

Voltaire brought out a new weapon now, a sword with 2 extra prongs at the hill, he held a bayonet in his other hand for good measure. As Voltaire charged, Kai held up an old shield to protect himself.

Broken glass was cutting into his backside but he knew it was over. He couldn't move, couldn't crawl. He held back tears, as he knew this was the end.

His vision blurred and he saw a vague shape careering towards him. He held the shield tightly but it was beginning to fail.

The two prongs of the sword struck the shield and stuck but the long middle one surged through the shield, wood splintering and it hit Kai's chest. He cried out, bent over, curled, and clutching his fresh wound.

He felt something grab him. He couldn't get away. He was being lifted, lifted… into a pair of caring warm arms?

No, he was dropped, he felt his shoulder pop, and then there was a heavy weight on his back.

He felt something sharp dig into his back, it cut through him, swords dancing repeatedly on his back, carving into him.

"Happy Christmas Kai."

He felt the weight go and footsteps leaving, and relaxed, he could succumb to the world now. He let his tears fall, he wondered what Tyson and the others were doing right now. Were they laughing and having fun? Sitting in a sea of wrapping paper while he lay in a sea of blood?

Sobs escaped him.

He heard a whipping noise, air parting to let metal through. It struck him in the back, to the left of his spine. Searing pain shot him into darkness. He lay cold. The light reflecting snowflakes on his face, his tow toned hair limp with a red substance. Eyes closed. Tears and snowflakes.

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Adieu