Here's chapter thirteen. The reason this is being updated a day early is because I'm going to New York City for a little while, and don't know exactly when I'll be back. So you get this chapter now! Thank you Eddie Camp, SilverKing32, Kamen Rider Ebon, and Draconet for reviewing last chapter!
Chapter Thirteen: No Regrets
"Where are we going?"
Mala couldn't keep from blurting out the curious question. Thankfully, Trevor didn't seem annoyed. "There's a Light Army base not far from here," he informed her. "Master Tollun - he's our leader - sent me a message that I'm supposed to head there. As for why…" he shrugged.
Mala nodded in understanding, then continued on behind him in silence. It had certainly been odd that they'd been called to go somewhere when the town back at the edge of the woods needed cleaning up. And it had been surprising that only Trevor had been asked to come; even more so when he asked her to come along. He told her it'd be good experience, but she wasn't too sure.
Eventually, the trees thinned and the duo found themselves at the base of a range of mountains. Looking up, Mala could see something that resembled a fortified building situated further up. She lifted a finger to point at it. "Is that it?"
Trevor nodded. "Come on; we'd best get up there." He paused a little distance up, turning back to look at her. "Need help?" he questioned, extending a hand towards her.
She shook her head; one of the good things about being a thief was that she was able to do things like this without too much difficulty. She jumped onto the trail, bypassing Trevor before turning to look back at him. "You coming?" A small smile etched itself on his face, and he nodded as he headed up after her.
The 'trail' wasn't really much of a trail. There were parts of it that resembled a pass - probably an attempt on the Keybladers' part to make it less perilous for their warriors to travel - but most of it was the typical mountain terrain. "Why didn't you guys make a clear path?" Mala panted as she hauled herself over a steep precipice, silently telling herself over and over not to look down.
"It's been this way for generations," Trevor responded. "It's not fun to climb, I know, but it means it will discourage our enemies."
It took them a while, but the duo eventually managed to make their way to the front of the base. Looks more like a war fortress, Mala thought, shading her eyes as she looked up at the towering ramparts. "No guards," Trevor commented. "That's odd."
"Maybe that's the trouble Tollun told you about," Mala suggested, and added silently, Or maybe it's a trap. It wasn't that she didn't trust Trevor or the Light Army leader; however, she was concerned that whoever had sent the message may not be Master Tollun.
Trevor didn't seem to share her worries, however, and nodded. "Let's go," he murmured, summoning his Keyblade and pointing it at the lock on the door. A beam of light flew from the tip, going into the lock and opening it with a click. He and Mala pushed the doors open, and they headed inside the fortress.
They hadn't walked far before a Keyblader came to meet them. "Hello, Trevor. Glad you got the message."
"Warren," he said with a nod, "is something wrong?"
"Well, your brother decided to pay us a visit," Warren replied, his tone of voice suggesting he wasn't thrilled with the fact.
"What?" Trevor exclaimed in surprise.
Mala glanced at him curiously. "Isn't that a good thing?" she asked, wondering why neither sounded happy about the fact.
Trevor exhaled heavily. "We…weren't exactly on good terms the last time we saw each other."
"When was that?"
"…Two years ago."
"What?"
Trevor ignored her surprised exclamation. "Where's he being held?"
"Down in the dungeons, of course," Warren replied with a roll of his eyes. Trevor nodded, then headed through the corridors with Mala following, trying to keep up with the boy's longer stride.
She felt curiosity well up inside her as she thought about Trevor's brother. Why hadn't the two of them been getting along? Why had it been enough to keep them apart for two years? What was he doing in a Light Army base, and what had he done to land himself in the dungeons? What was he like, and, most of all, who was he?
Mala followed until she and Trevor found themselves down in a dark, dank dungeon, large barred cells as far as the eye could see…which didn't seem to be very far down here. Trevor proceeded more slowly, searching each of the cells for any sign of human life. He finally stopped before one, where a figure sat pressed up against the wall. He summoned his Keyblade and unlocked the door, opening it and stepping through. "Hello, brother."
The person lifted his head. Mala gasped in shock. His hands were chained to the wall above his head. A single window was high up in the stone wall of his cell, letting in slanting rays of sunlight that cast him in odd shadows and highlights. He looked battered and beaten, but a spark of defiance still flashed in his all-too-familiar amber eyes. "Gillick? Gillick is your brother?"
At the sound of his name, Gillick turned his head towards the person who'd come with his younger sibling. He narrowed his eyes when he saw Mala, who just seemed shocked. "The coward returns," he hissed at her, in no mood to even try to be civil with the thief girl.
She narrowed her eyes, taking a step forward and opening her mouth as if she were going to send back a stinging retort. Trevor stopped her with and outstretched hand. "Please leave," he told her quietly. "What I have to say is not for all ears." Mala looked confused and curious, but didn't object. With one last hostile glance at Gillick, she turned and headed out of the cell.
Gillick drew his legs under him and managed to push himself into a standing position, his arms stretched awkwardly behind him because of the shackles. He looked at his brother, not sure what to feel. He'd grown since he last saw him, but that was to be expected. He'd added streaks of white to his formerly completely ash-gray hair, and his blue eyes sparked with new power. After two years, the two brothers were finally together again…though not on completely friendly terms.
They watched each other, neither seeming to quite know what to say. Finally, Gillick broke the silence. "Why are you here?"
"Why are you here?" Trevor countered.
He was not going to admit to his stupid actions in front of his younger sibling. "None of your concern," he responded.
"Really?" Trevor sounded highly sarcastic. At least he picked up something from me, he thought grimly. "I believe that I'm still a part of the Light Army, and you're not."
"You're point?" Gillick growled, looking away.
Trevor sighed in defeat. "Fine. But answer this." The former Keyblader glanced back towards him. "Why did you leave the Light Army?"
Gillick snorted, turning his head to face his brother fully once more with narrowed amber eyes. "If you weren't so blinded, you'd know why."
"You sound like a Dark Army warrior," Trevor hissed, his blue eyes suddenly narrowed, as well.
"And I'm not a part of them now, either, am I?" he snapped, annoyed.
"Why? Why have you abandoned the way of the Keyblade?" Trevor's temper seemed to be rising, as well. "Don't you have any sense of loyalty?"
"Loyalty?" Gillick spat mockingly. "And what is that? A pretty word, nothing more."
"A pretty word?" Trevor snarled. "Loyalty is sticking by someone or something, and never leaving them to face challenges on their own. But I guess you wouldn't know anything about that, huh?" He shook his head. "You're not the person I used to look up to; who I used to trust. You don't care about anything but yourself anymore!"
"Your wrong," Gillick growled back. "I still care about my family, which is more than I can say for you."
"What?" Trevor snapped, eyes glaring blue fire.
"You'd kill me in a heart beat if your Master told you to." He narrowed his eyes. "Just like an obedient little puppy."
"What happened to caring about your family?" Trevor demanded.
Gillick noticed he didn't deny his claim. "Truth hurts sometimes," he growled back, more quietly now.
Trevor snorted. "You've never been one to take people's feelings into consideration much, Gil," the younger boy admitted grudgingly.
"Don't call me that!" Gillick snapped back.
"Why? Are you trying to get rid of all connections to your past, too?"
He lowered his head, closing his eyes and clenching his teeth. "Get out," he hissed.
"What?" Trevor asked.
"Get out!" Gillick shouted without lifting his head.
There was a pause before Trevor responded. "Fine." His footsteps echoed off the stone floor as he left. Gillick heard him close the cell door and lock it once more before continuing on his way.
He sank back down onto the floor. He felt cold and out of strength. Right now…all he wanted to do…was sleep…
After the incident with the creature he would later come to know as the Knight, Gillick rapidly began to grow disillusioned with the Light Army. Remembering what Tollun had done, he began to see the things he'd turned a blind eye to before. It seemed that the Keybladers of the Light Army didn't really care about helping people; they only cared about helping themselves.
The boy who'd once been dedicated to becoming the 'best Keyblader ever' had become cynical and withdrawn, no longer enjoying being a Keyblade warrior in service of the Light Army. He could see the hidden motives behind another Keyblader's actions…even when there was none to be found.
The only member of the Light Army he'd converse with for very long was Trevor. But his brother was growing, slowly leaving behind his timid nature and becoming a brave young wielder of the Keyblade. Gillick wasn't entirely comfortable with this change, but…he was still his younger brother. So he'd still watch out for him, protecting him as best he could from the dangers of the world…and of the Light Army itself.
"You seem a little troubled."
Gillick jumped in surprise at the sound of the voice. "Who's there?" he asked, whipping around to try and find where the voice was coming from.
"Someone who can help you."
He snorted in disbelief. "Really?" came the sarcastic reply. "And how could you help me?"
"Simple." A person suddenly stepped out of the shadows before him, causing him to stumble backwards. "I am Viril," the man said, his eyes hidden by bangs, "leader of the Dark Army."
Gillick summoned his Keyblade immediately, getting into a battle stance. "What are you doing here?" he growled, remembering all he'd heard about the Dark Army.
"Because it seems like you're finally seeing the truth," Viril replied. "You're finally realizing that the Light Army is not what it claims to be. The Keybladers of the light," he spat the word out with disgust, "are blinded by their own element, and can no longer see the virtues they once sought to uphold."
Gillick's stance relaxed slightly. That was true. And…if it was the Light Army who told him all those things about the Dark Army…then how did he know it was true? They may just have been trying to make sure he stayed on their side. "So what of it?" he asked finally.
"You don't like it," Viril stated. Gillick didn't respond, which simply confirmed the statement. Viril extended a hand. "I can take you somewhere where things are much different than this."
"The Dark Army?" Gillick guessed. Viril nodded. The younger Keyblader's blue eyes narrowed in thought. Perhaps, he could join them…
As he extended his hand, however, he saw red eyes flash behind the bangs of the leader of the Dark Army. The sight reminded him of the glittering eyes of the Knight, causing him to jerk his hand back. The thought of the Knight…reminded him of Trevor. "No," he replied, shaking his head. "I have to protect my brother."
Viril frowned, obviously not pleased with his response, and drew his hand back. "Very well," he growled. "But the offer will remain open, if you ever change your mind." Then he returned to the shadows.
Yep, it's the end of chapter thirteen. Reviews would be great, please?