"The book in my closet...Redwall...it's ancient."

"Over two thousand years old."

"Must be a nice place to live."

"I have nowhere else to go, so I may as well.

Then, the boy disappeared into the book, never to return to his nearly deserted planet...

Because the book was burned that evening.

Chapter 4

Mattimeo had defeated the demon easily. One thrust to its side with his fist, and a slash to its stomach with his dagger, and the demon was on the ground, shaking badly.

"Shall I do the honors, old chap?" spoke Basil. He had a fake grin on his face, and was just trying to lighten the moment.

"No, you go on inside. I can handle this."

"Are ya sure ya wanna go through with it? He is your father, after all.

"I'll be fine. He is in no position to hurt anyone."

"Suit yourself." Basil then hopped off towards the Abbey.

Then, Matthias turned his head to Mattimeo with a sad, forlorn face. The red was gone from his eyes, and he looked exactly like he did before death.

"Please...my son...Don't kill me...please..."

Mattimeo's stern expression softened to a considerate smile as he leaned over to help his father.

"Father, I would never kill you on purpose. You know that."

"Yes, my son. I do know so...which is why I have the advantage!

Suddenly, the demon leaped and caught Mattimeo in the stomach with a sharp swipe of his claws. Mattimeo fell down and gasped for air, but his pain had taken all of his breath.

"You were always a fool, Mattimeo. You, more than anyone, should know that demons have no emotions."

The monster grabbed the dagger Mattimeo had dropped and stabbed him square in the shoulder, causing him so much pain that it knocked him unconscious.

Then, just when the monster lifted the dagger for the final strike, Constance had run out from where she was hiding and tackled the demon with the full force of her muscle bound body, knocking the demon into a tree.

"Who do you think you are, attacking an innocent creature like that?" she roared, baring her vicious molars as she spoke.

The demon got up and tried to kill Constance, but she grabbed it and bit it in the shoulder as hard as she could.

Blood spewed everywhere; on the grass, on Constance, on Mattimeo and on the demon. As a last resort, the falling monster dug its dagger deep into Constance's stomach, and ripped downward at the same pace that he kneeled and fell.

When the battle was over, Mattimeo was unconscious, and Constance and the demon were both dead.

--------------

When Mattimeo awoke the next day, he was in the infirmary, and Abbot Mordalfus was in a chair beside him. He then spoke in quiet words, as the young warrior mouse was still drowsy from his stressing fight.

"My son...there is something I must tell you."

"What is it?"

The Abbot bit his lip until it nearly bled, and managed to speak about half a minute later.

"While you were knocked out, Constance gave her life to save you."

Mattimeo was now wide awake and wide-eyed.

"Her burial is this afternoon."

"No," Mattimeo whispered. He now felt worse than he ever had in his life. "This is all of my fault...I should be the one in a grave. Not Constance...no..."

"My son, the last thing you should do is blame yourself. You are not the one who killed her. It is no beast's fault save the demon's. Besides, I did not even expect her to live as long as she did. She was a mighty badger, however old she was, and we were proud to have her in the Abbey."

"I know you're right...but I just can't help but feel sad."

"That is a good thing. It shows that you care. And it does not bring shame to cry."

And with that, the Abbot left the room.