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Chris meekly asks still huddled behind Reia, “You know him?” Reia answers keeping her eyes fixed, “He is Saren. He and Zero go back to the days before Zero joined the war. Now he is a pawn of the Saekoo.” Directing his gaze to Reia, Saren speaks angrily, “I’m no body's pawn, and you should know not to speak ill of someone in their presence, Lady Reia.” Keeping Shetiga at the ready I pull Sarens attention, “We don’t care about hurting your feelings, Boy. Now, what are you doing here?” Saren laughs in reply, “What else? I’m here to bring you in so you can face the judgment of the Council.” “For what?” I ask. “For treason of course.” Saren answers quickly. Shaking my head I respond, “You know those charges are false. Cale ordered my capture at Tamlos request. Cale’s no more than a puppet and your no better.”
Saren spits in reply, “That’s Lord Cale to you and you will give the Lord of the Crimson Dagger the respect he deserves.” “You just don’t get it. You’re just a Saekoo lackey. Your great Lord Cale has been bribed. He is selling our people out to the Saekoo.” I snap in reply. Saren growls in his defense, “Lord Cale is no lackey. You’re not even Tu’ralotian, you’re from this PIT of a world. You’re from here and now you get to die here!”
In sync we dash at each other and our blades clash over and over. Joining swords we force the other back. Saren Spits his venom, “You’re weak Old Man. You’re no match for me now. You’ve gone soft.” Separating we stop only a moment before clashing swords again. Blocking each attack I being to huff breathless. “You’re no challenge.” Saren laughs as he kicks out my leg and I fall to one knee listening to his continued bragging, “I’ll drop your head on Lord Cales desk and no longer will I stand in your shadow. The legendary Zero will finally fall and Saren will rise to replace him.” Yelling Saren brings his blade down from over head.
***
“The legendary Zero, a farce. I’m the only one who is worthy of legendary status.” Saren sneers before screaming at the hand snatching the last morsel of food, “I called that!” Dropping the food to the ground the warrior meekly replies grabbing it from the floor, “I… I’m, uh. Sorry. You c… can have it if you’d like.” Saren backhands the food and it lands against the wall as he hisses, “I wouldn’t eat that now if you paid me. Not only did it touch the ground it touched your filthy hand. I wouldn’t feed it to dogs.”
We had been in roaming the Badlands for days and Saren had never passed a chance to insult the other warriors. We were crossing the Saekoo lines to punch a hole in their defense but we were waiting for the patrol to leave to area before continuing. Hearing enough I intervened, “Saren if you don’t shut the hell up your going to give our position away to the Saekoo.” As if on cue the Saekoo attacked.
Upon returning to Fort Barren I mourned the dead before they were transported to their homes. We had lost 27 of the best new recruits and 40 more injured were sent home never to return to battle. As I stood over the dead Saren saving his own neck was claiming to Lord Maxite he wasn’t to blame. Having heard enough of his lies I exploded, attacking him with my bare hands. “You rotten little shit! These men died because you couldn’t keep your bloody mouth shut!!” I screamed as my fist flew knocking Saren to the ground. In control again I turned and walked away to gather myself before the debriefing. Angry over being beaten Saren drew his sword and attacked. Instantly I drew my sword, bringing it down I shattered his blade and cut his face.
Saren was reprimanded after the debriefing and demoted. Afterward he vowed to repay me the embarrassment I caused him that day.
***
Only inches from my face I stopped Sarens sword with Shetiga. Trying to overpower me Saren gloats, “Your era is over Old Man, it’s my time now.” Sarens face becomes confused as I begin to laugh, “You never learn, Boy. Don’t underestimate your opponents.” Charging my Shards I force Sarens sword away with ease and bring my fist up to catch his jaw. Dazed Saren steps back as I stand and bring Shetiga across. Able to avoid the brunt of the attack Shetiga still manages to catch Sarens face.
Watching I see a portion of black hair float to the ground as Saren holds his hand over his face. Shaking in anger he spits, “You cut me. Again you ruin my face.” holding his hand out he sees it covered in blood. The gash runs along his forehead at almost a perfect right angle to the scar I gave him years before. “You’re going to pay.” Saren screams as he pulls a dagger out from his belt. Turning his head he looks to Reia and I instantly know his intentions. “You always had one flaw, Old Man, compassion. And now it will be your undoing.” Saren speaks before throwing the dagger.
I immediately activate my Time Shard and begin to race the dagger to Reia. Time slows to a crawl as I move heavily through it. Each step feels like I’m attached by a rubber band to my previous position, time holds you trying to keep you in place. Just as the effects of the Shard begin to wear off I grip the handle of the dagger and the blade stops an inch from Reias face. Raising Shetiga I block the obvious attack from Saren. Snickering Saren speaks, “Got you Old Man.” Drawing a second dagger he plunges it into my unguarded leg.
Pain shocks my system as he pushes the blade into the bone. Quickly I swing but he moves and Shetiga slices only air. Laughing at his own magnificence he explains, “Time to die Zero." Looking to the dagger I begin to feel dizzy as he continues, "You should be feeling it now. That dagger was coated in the venom of the Cintara.” As he speaks I can feel my heart pound harder as if trying to explode from my chest. The wound pulses as the venom is drawn from the blade into my blood. Saren continues, “I wouldn’t try to move were I in your boots. That will only make the venom react faster. Soon you’ll feel nothing but numbness and then you’ll weaken and be no stronger than a child.” Falling to my knee I begin to feel the numbing. Hearing enough Reia in a flash forms a vortex and pushes Saren away. Running Reia exclaims, “Zero!” as she takes me in her arms.
Saren back to his feet yells as he walks through the portal, “I think I’ll leave you to die here Zero. Oh and if you meet Maxite in Skilica tell him it was me who let the Saekoo through the southern line. I know he’ll be glad to find out who was responsible for his death.” Disappearing through the portal Saren laughs insanely.
Surrounded by the others I speak heavily between coughs, “The poison is already running its course. I can’t move.” Amanda franticly advises, “We should take him to a hospital. They can help him if we take him to a hospital.” Reia looking me in the eye explains, “Zero I’m going to remove the dagger. It is going too…” Before finishing she reefs the blade out of my leg and it is followed by a gush of blood. Reia instructs Chris to put pressure on the wound as I speak to Amanda who is still frantic, “The hospital can’t help me. They’ve never dealt with a poison like this. The only one who could help is Mage Golin.” Reia nods and explains what has to be done, “We need to go to Nosis and get Zero to Mage Golin now. If you want to help him you’ll have to come with us.” Amanda nods, “We already said we were going to go with you two so what are we waiting for?”
My eyes grow heavy and their voices trail into silence as I fall prey to the poison killing me from the inside.
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