This is chapter sixty - one. Thank you the traveler90, Draconet, Eddie Camp, caitlinkeitorin, and explosivebagel for reviewing last chapter!
Chapter Sixty - One: Remembrance
As the metal settled into his hands, Gillick felt immense pain flash through his head and heart. Images passed before his eyes, flickering and broken. He cried out, spots beginning to appear before his vision. He almost released the helmet, but hands reached out and kept it held firmly in his grasp.
The images continued to flicker across his mind, appearing solid one moment, then breaking up. What's…what's going on…? he wondered. Am I really…the Knight? Desperate to know the truth, he dug deep into his memories, fighting against the pain. Then, slowly, he turned his eyes down and looked into the tinted glass of the helmet.
Then the pain stopped, and instead he was being overwhelmed by a sea of sensations…of memories…
Many towns, torn apart by magic. Many bodies; those of people killed by his hand…
Looking down at a frightened Light Army Keyblader. He could kill him, it would be so easy…no, it was Trevor…he couldn't kill Trevor…
Ripping into Keybladers, reveling in their destruction. Then pain pierced his arm, and he let out a cry. He looked at the arrow briefly before ripping it out, the wound closing up with the aid of a spell…
Xuren stood across from him, injured. His wounds weren't healed yet, either, but he wanted to crush him…
Racing about a town, listening to frantic cries as they searched for their protectors, the Keybladers…
Swooping out of the sky and cutting open a woman's fragile flesh with ease…
Blasting through the body of a Keyblader with magic…
Holding Xuren up by his throat…
Fighting Silver and Allia…
An arrow ripping off his helmet…
Mala and Riun begging him to stop…
Meeting someone who appeared to be the Knight…but that was wrong, he was the Knight…
Gillick gasped as the flood slowly abated. He staggered a few steps backwards, his amber eyes stretched wide. "Gillick?" Mala asked as she released his hands, but he barely heard her. Though no new images poured in, the memories of what he'd done as the Knight continued to pulse through him.
"I…am the Knight."
The words escaped him, devoid of emotion. He looked down at the Knight's helmet, and watched as it flashed. The light from it went to his sword, healing the mar in its side. He slowly walked over to the weapon, reaching down and picking it up with tentative fingers. The runes on it flashed once, and Senn's words echoed through his ears. 'I thought you'd be worthy of the sword's power.' The Knight's power.
He looked at Mala, Riun, Silver, and Allia. He turned his gaze to the destroyed camp. He felt his breathing start to come in rapid, shallow breaths. "Gillick…?" Mala tried again, reaching a hand towards him.
He flinched away as if he'd been struck. He took a few more paces backwards before whipping around and racing off, ignoring the cries that resounded behind him. He didn't know where he was going; he just knew he had to run.
But no matter how far he went, he would never be able to outrun himself.
The images continued to flash through his mind; destruction, power, fear. His heart clenched. What am I? He felt sick as he imagined himself ripping through someone's body; destroying innocent lives with no reason for the violence. What kind of monster am I?
He wasn't like the Keybladers; he was worse.
His legs gave out from under him and he fell to the ground. He dropped the sword, taking his weight on his hands and knees. He was breathing hard, his eyes stretched wide as his body shook. His heart felt empty, shattered, sick. He lifted his hands to clutch at his head, trying desperately to stop the visions that pierced his mind. What the hell? He curled slightly in on himself. What was all my fighting for? He arched up suddenly, a scream tearing from his lips. Stop! Just make everything STOP!
He slumped, his head still lifted and his eyes closed. A few tears that he found himself unable to control slipped from his eyes. For a few moments, he just wanted to quit. To give up. It'd be easier than dealing with the horror in his mind; the guilt of what he'd done, and the knowledge of what he'd do again. He'd always thought he was strong…but maybe he wasn't strong enough…
He stayed in that same position for several moments, unable to find the will to move or act. Then he slumped forward, hands resting on his knees, and slowly opened his amber eyes. They scanned across the sword. He wondered why he'd brought it with him. His eyes narrowed in fury and despair. That…thing, he thought vehemently, is what caused all this. He reached for it, wanting nothing more than to smash it against some rocks, throw it as far as he could…or perhaps bury it in his own traitorous heart…
Then he remembered what Senn had told him. When you're ready to listen, come and find me. The sword will show you the way. Senn knew…he knew the secrets behind the Knight. Maybe he'd know a way to stop its power.
Collecting himself, Gillick forced himself to stand. I may be…that thing now, he thought, unwilling to think its name, but I know what attacked me when I was a child. He held the sword out in front of him, resisting the urge to get rid of it. I need answers. And I will get them. The ruins on the sword glowed briefly, and he felt it tugging him forward. Trying to push away the memories he'd regained of his time as the Knight, he allowed the weapon to pull him forward.
Mala looked up into the night sky. "It's close to the New Moon," she commented, looking at the sliver that was left of the orb. The darkness of the night would make her task simultaneously easier and more difficult. Taking a deep breath and positioning her quiver and bow into a better position on her shoulders, she prepared to set off.
"Where are you going?"
She jumped at the voice. "S-Silver!" she stammered, whipping around.
She could just barely make out the outline of the Silver Fang's leader in the darkness. "You wouldn't happen to be going after Gillick, would you?"
Mala inhaled deeply. She didn't like having to confront the warrior, but she knew she couldn't let fear stop her. Not this time. "I have to," she said quickly. "He…he's my friend, and I…" She trailed off, unsure of how to put what she felt into words.
"Well, then I guess you'd better get going."
She jumped in surprise. She hadn't expected that response. "Wh-what?" she stammered, unable to think of anything better to say.
"I'm still not sure how much I like him," Silver commented, walking towards her, "but I know now that he's not as bad as he tries to make himself out to be." She stopped beside her. "What he's going through now, I wouldn't wish on anyone." Mala continued to stare at the woman, dumbfounded, and Silver sighed, turning her gaze to the sky. "It's a beautiful night," she whispered. She paused, then added, "Go. Your friend needs you."
Mala dipped her head, emotion choking her. "Thank you, Silver."
She turned and headed off into the darkness of night, her eyes attempting to adjust. She remembered the words of a certain man, the one who'd given Gillick that cursed sword; words spoken to her during one of the Knight's attacks. 'There are connections all around you. The Knight is much more than what you see at first glance. Be very aware of that.' She closed her eyes briefly. Gillick…I can't even imagine what you're going through right now. Her eyes slid slowly open, the pinprick of tears in their corners. But I'm going to be there for you…whatever it takes…
Trevor walked towards Tollun's corridors, his heart heavy. His master had called him and, by this point, he knew that could only mean one thing. He knocked on the door, and Tollun called out, "Enter."
As he pushed through, the young general wasted no time in asking, "The Silver Fang have been found, haven't they?"
Tollun closed his silver eyes slowly. "So you'd guessed, huh?"
"It seemed the most likely reason," Trevor responded quietly.
Tollun nodded slowly. "Yes, they have been found. Apparently, the Knight attacked their camp not long ago. The stir attracted some of our Keybladers to the area. Once they realized what they'd found, they reported back to me."
Trevor sucked in his breath. "The Knight?"
"I want you to lead a group of Keybladers to the location immediately," Tollun continued as if he hadn't spoken. "I'll send one with you who saw the wreckage; she'll know the way."
Does he even care…? His shoulders sank, and his heart felt heavy. "Yes, sir." He turned around to leave.
"Trevor." Tollun's voice caused him to stop short. "You seem out of sorts. Is everything alright?"
The boy forced dreary thoughts out of his mind, trying to forget what his brother had told him, and what he himself was beginning to see. "Of course, sir," he said, faking cheer as best he could. "Everything's fine."
Tollun was silent for several moments before saying, "Very well. Carry on." Trevor nodded, then continued out the door.
Never once did he look back.
The sword kept tugging Gillick onward, it's pull only lessening when he began to walk the wrong way. He tried his best not to think about what he'd done, instead focusing his pain into anger at the man who'd cursed him to be a monster. When I find him… He silently listed ways to pay Senn back, though he knew he may never act on any of them.
He'd traveled for a full day and night. He looked around him, eyes narrowed against the wind. This place is a wasteland. Why was the sword taking him here? Or was Senn really sending him to his death…?
He shook his head. No, he couldn't think that way. Not now.
He saw a dark spot appear on the horizon. He raised his free hand to shield his eyes. A cave, he realized, just able to make out dark blue - gray stones. Knowing his destination was close, he made a beeline for the structure, the tugging of the sword emphasizing his hunch. He paused at the entrance to the cave for a few moments, looking into the darkness that stretched before him. Then he stepped forward, into the unknown.
The cave, he realized, was actually a tunnel. He continued forward through the darkness, the press of the tunnel walls and the persistent pull of the sword his only guides forward. The only thing he could hear were the sounds of dripping water and his own footsteps. It seemed an eternity before the darkness began to clear.
He stepped out into a cavern. He looked around at the blue - gray walls, then to the pool at the far end, which was emitting a pale green - white light. Before the pool stood Senn. The man glanced behind him as the black haired boy entered. "Gillick. I was wondering when you'd come."
Gillick shoved the sword into its sheath, then removed the sheath and threw it on the ground in front of him. "Talk," he snapped, his anger flaring. "Why does this sword create the Knight? And how come, in my hallucination from a few months ago, I saw your face when I hit off the Knight's helmet?"
Senn looked away. "You saw a hallucination of me? How interesting."
Gillick clenched his fists in fury. "Answer my questions!" he snapped, fury resonating through his voice.
Senn sighed, then turned around and lifted his hand. Light gathered before the appendage, suddenly bursting out into a long, sword - like weapon. A Keyblade. Gillick's eyes widened in shock, and Senn gave him a small smile. "I suppose you're wondering how I can do this, too? And how it answers any of your questions?" The Keyblade disappeared, and Senn raised the hand to rub his temples. "Actually, it is an intricate part to this mystery."
Gillick's anger cooled slightly, but his fists remained clenched. "Tell me. Tell me everything you know."
Senn gave him a sad look. "Of course; I suppose I owe you that much. But for you to truly understand, I will need to go back before the beginning…"
There's the end of chapter sixty - one. Reviews would be awesome, please?