Fully Alive: Chapter 14, a short story by HarrySaintcrow. Date added: 2011-08-29. Times viewed: 761.
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- Intro: The fight is on as Master Sawyer and the gang take on Keselbrock and his minions, but will the old man be enough to stop the general or will he need someone with a little more firepower?
Chapter 14
Keselbrock was a master swordsman with his broadsword, using every inch of the deadly steel to attack his opponent. Sawyer blocked every attack with ease with the curved steel of Tim’s sword. With every attack Keselbrock came with Sawyer was always a step ahead with a block or a parry to the attack. The old man moved with grace and speed around the younger opponent seemingly playing with him.
“I have to say you have the drive but the attacks are not what I expected.” Sawyer said as he blocked another attack and slammed the butt of his sword handle into Keselbrock’s gut. “Your stride is sloppy and you emphasize your attacks before you make them. You’re a billboard, son.”
“It’s why I’m a strategist, not a fighter anymore. Some of us have to succumb to the frailties of age.” Keselbrock said. Sawyer turned around in time to see two hunters advancing on him with swords drawn. He broke off from Keselbrock and met the hunters midway. Steel flashed above his head but sawyer rolled forward and caught on hunter in the gut. He turned on his heel and cut the other hunter’s arm off then kicked a third hunter that had appeared. A fourth went to cut him but sawyer was already spinning to meet the attack. More hunters swarmed him to the point that he disappeared for a moment in a crowd of hunters. Out of the center of the crowd a sword flew through the air and landed near Kira as she took out another hunter. She sheathed her own sword, grabbed it and began to use it on the next hunter that attacked her.
Lance was handling another group of hunters as he noticed Kira fighting her way to Sawyer. He dispatched the group and raced to her just as she cut down two more hunters. Lance noticed the stride and the swing: Watched her almost dance through the attackers as the blade just went where she needed it. Every hunter that attacked her was cut down as she thinned the group around sawyer who was putting them down as fast as she was. They wound up back to back as the hunters surrounded them and a moment later Lance was there as well. Andre joined after running a hunter through with his knife then cutting another’s throat with his fingernails. His hands and sleeves were covered in blood and so was the lower half of his face. His eyes were silver in appearance now and reflected whatever they saw. The four of them stood in the center of a ring of hunters as Keselbrock clapped behind them.
“I must admit, the legend is nothing compared to the man himself; but as I said earlier, superior numbers will always win over strength.” He said as he came to the forefront of the hunters with his broadsword sheathed. Storm clouds began to roll in and the slight rumble of thunder made them all look to the sky for a moment.
“Strange, the weather was supposed to be clear tonight.” Sawyer said to himself.
“I’ll have that sword now young lady.” Keselbrock said with his hand outstretched.
“Don’t give it to him Kira.” Lance said. “He’ll kill us all if he gets it.”
“He’ll kill us regardless if I give it to him.” Kira said.
“Very true. I grow very impatient now and I must make the kill before he arrives.” Keselbrock said.
“You cannot stop Timothy. He’ll tear you apart before you ever touch her.” Sawyer said.
“Wishful thinking?” Keselbrock asked.
“Hard truth.” Sawyer said.
“Enough, time to finish this.” Keselbrock said before he made a small flick with his wrist and the sword was pulled from Kira’s hands. Both Lance and Master Sawyer looked at him with surprise as he deftly caught the sword and gave it a testing swing. “You know, I have always admired this sword; but I prefer a straight blade myself. Still, it is quite beautiful.” Keselbrock said.
“How did you do that?” Sawyer asked.
“Oh you mean how I managed to use magic in your domain, simple.” Keselbrock said as he pulled a large medallion from under his vest. “Remember that the covenant has an immunity amulet for when the Council Elder visits. It was given to me when we found out the sword was here.”
“Still, you’re not strong enough to use its full potential.” Sawyer said.
“No but strong enough to do what needs to be done.” Keselbrock said as he sent a shockwave at the group. All three men were knocked back and slammed into the dirt as Kira stood there. Her limbs were frozen again like the last time as the hunters left and surrounded the men while Keselbrock approached Kira. “I lost you in America but I have you now. I’m sorry you had to be dragged into this but this is what happens when someone like that filth is left unchecked.”
“That filth is my husband and he’s more of man then you’ll ever be.” Kira said before she spit in Keselbrock’s face. He wiped the spittle away and slapped her across the face.
“Twice is quite enough.” He said.
“That’s okay; I’m sure he’ll piss on your ashes when he burns you down.” Kira said.
“Who? Timothy? I’m afraid he’ll be dead before he ever gets a chance.” Keselbrock said.
“That's what you think.” Kira said before she looked up at the sky.
The clouds had rolled even farther in and lightning flashed across the dark grey mass as it blocked the dying sun. Sawyer and Lance were just starting to get up as they watched Kira floating before Keselbrock now.
“that’s what I get for being so damn cocky.” Sawyer said.
“same here.” Lance said. Sawyer gLanced up at the clouds when he heard the rumble and watched the lightning.
“hurry up you damn fool.” Sawyer said.
“What did you say?” Lance asked but he never got an answer. The scream from above them brought there attention back to the clouds. Even Keselbrock stopped and had to look as something pushed through the dark mass and came hurtling for the plateau. They couldn’t make out what it was at first until it came closer. Lance could see the black wingspan of something and what looked like a human body. “Oh shit.” He said.
“Hey Keselbrock!” Sawyer yelled. Keselbrock spared him a glance from the clouds. “Time’s up.” he said. Keselbrock looked back and saw the shape disappear in the tree line for a moment and the thought that maybe it had crashed came across his mind but it soon faded when he heard the scream again.
To Kira, everything slowed for a moment as Tim exploded from the trees. His wings were pulled back enough to avoid the trees and keep him above the ground as he flew straight at Keselbrock like a bullet in flight. Keselbrock tried to defend himself but Tim slammed into him before he could even bring the sword up to fight off his demonic attacker. His concentration broke as Tim came out of the trees and Kira was able to at least let herself fall to the ground. Tim’s left wing rushed over her as he slammed into Keselbrock and took him for a ride. Time caught up with her as both Tim and Keselbrock slammed into one of the buildings on the plateau. The building exploded from the force and chunks of wood and debris flew through the air. Dust and dirt swirled around the impact zone making it virtually impossible to see what was happening now but they could all hear the sounds.
The sounds of fists hammering flesh were heard as well as Keselbrock’s screams of rage and pain. Tim continued to scream himself for a long moment until in an instant everything went quiet. Lance, Sawyer, Andre, Kira, and even the remaining hunters were all holding there breath waiting for the dust to settle to see what was left, but none of them had to wait long. Bare feet on soft earth could be heard walking towards them as Keselbrock emerged first through the settling dust. He was being held by the collar of his coat and hanging a good six inches off the ground. His face was battered and bruised with blood coating half of it. The man holding him emerged a second later.
Tim stood in front of the whole group holding Keselbrock with his left hand and his sword in his right dressed in tattered blue jeans and his familiar black coat. His eyes glowed with that same blood red light that seemed to hold everyone entranced. He held the man there for a moment before he finally spoke to them all.
“If any of you shit heads got something to say; now be the fucking time.” Tim said. The hunters looked to each other then at there fallen leader and remained silent. “Good, then grab your wounded and your dead and get the hell off this property.” It took only a minute for the hunters to grab there wounded and dead and bring them to a fixed spot outside of the sanctuary’s field. In an instant the lot were gone leaving only Tim, Keselbrock and the others. Tim dragged Keselbrock to the edge of the plateau that overlooked the city below and brought him close to his face. “Tell the covenant that I’m back, and I want to be left alone. I want my family to be left alone. If any one of you assholes comes after them or me I will bring this fight to you. Do you understand me?” Tim said.
“They will find you and they will kill you.” Keselbrock said.
“Not if I send them a sign.” Tim said as he set Keselbrock on his feet and let the man go.
“What sign?” Keselbrock asked. Tim’s sword flash for an instant and Keselbrock’s left arm dropped from below his shoulder. He screamed in agony before Tim twisted and kicked him off the mountain. Tim could hear the man screaming all the way down, disappearing into darkness below.
“That sign.” He said before he walked away from the edge. He closed his eyes for a moment and when he reopened them they were no longer glowing red but reverted to black with red irises. He looked at the three men standing there before he looked at the girl standing in front of him.
Kira didn’t know what to say or what to do as Tim began to walk towards her. She took in the complete image, seeing the dirt on his coat and jeans as well as his body. His hair was still that mess of spikes but they were naturally black now along with the pointed goatee at his chin. He stabbed the sword into the ground halfway to her and Kira started walking towards him unsure of what she would do. They kept walking towards each other until at the last minute Kira took off at a dead run towards him. He caught her in the air as she leapt into his arms and kissed him as if trying to devour him. She held tight to him feeling he might disappear if she let go but he didn’t. He kissed her right back with the same intensity and passion she had. Both of them spinning in place as Tim kept a tight grip on her. Kira finally came back up for air and smiled as she looked into Tim’s blood red eyes.
“What the hell took you so long?” she asked with a laugh in her voice.
“You know I like to make an entrance.” Tim said as he put her back on her feet.
“I thought I’d lost you forever.” She said. Tim smiled even more as he whispered into her ear.
“I never left your side, angel.” He said before he took her hand and lead her back to the three men standing there waiting for them.
The first person to come near them was sawyer. “Glad to see you’re still as fast as ever, sir.” Tim said before Sawyer socked him across the jaw. The blow sent Tim stumbling for a moment as he looked at sawyer with a confused look.
“You owe me a new building, son.” Sawyer said with a smile.
“Yes sir. Would you like new Harley Davidson wallpaper with that?” Tim asked with a smile. They embraced each other in a hug as sawyer patted him on the back.
“It’s good to have you back kid.” He said.
“Good to be back, sir.” Tim said. “André I see your looking well.” Andre waved slightly as the blood on his hands dripped slowly down.
“If you don’t mind sir, is there somewhere I could wash this mess off at?” Andre asked.
“Of course, I have facilities in my home. You all can stay the night of course and make your plans for your next move.” Sawyer said as he slapped Tim on the back and lead the way to his home but they all stopped as Lance stood there in there way. No one moved as Tim slipped out from Kira’s arm and stepped closer to Lance.
“There are no words that can be said for what I did to Audrey but I can say that I’m sorry it was the only way you would kill me and stop what would have happened.” Tim said while looking Lance in the eye.
“How could you kill her, you know that she is something special to me and you were one of the closest people she had as a friend. Do you know what it did to her? She has nightmares of you. I hear her screaming in agony and that kills me every time I hear it.” Lance said as he stopped pacing and turned to look Timmy in the eyes. The anger flowed through him and into his hand as he balled it into a fist and swung at Tim. The blow nearly knocked Tim’s head off and a ribbon of blood flew from his mouth. “That is for killing her and it’s not even close to what I want to do to you right now.” Lance said before he stormed off up the stairs to Sawyer’s home. Tim spit a glob of blood from his mouth and called to Lance.
“You think it was any easier for me?” Tim asked. Lance stopped and turned slightly. Tim slowly walked up the stairs towards Lance while speaking to him. “Almost a year I spent, in darkness with nothing but the memories and sounds of what I did that night. I lost myself in that darkness and it consumed me.” He said as he finally stood on the same step as Lance. “I could apologize a thousand different ways and none of them would make any difference. What I did is done and I can’t change that; but please believe me, I did it to protect all of you.” Tim said.
Lance glared at him and then simply walked away.
“Tell that to Audery.” He said before he disappeared into the house. Tim stood on the step and couldn’t bring himself to look at anyone. Andre went in next and then sawyer. Kira waited a moment and then she walked up and rubbed Tim’s arm. She could feel the tension of his muscles in his arm through the material of his coat.
“Come on. Let’s go inside and I’ll catch you up on things.” Kira said. Tim shook his head slightly and went inside ahead of her. Sawyer pointed Andre towards the bathroom he kept in his home while Lance went up the stair case leading to the second floor and the bedrooms. The outside of the house seemed to be more reminiscent of a Japanese style home but the inside was more akin to an American log cabin. The floors were polished wood with thick throw rugs everywhere. The living room was large and inviting with large comfortable chairs and a thick sofa. A large fireplace was already warm with a going fire as Sawyer walked through the living room and into the kitchen.
“There’s food in the fridge and pantry. Just make yourself at home.” He said.
“Thank you sir.” Tim said.
“You and I got a lot of catching up to do after you get settled.” Sawyer said before he looked at Kira and then back at Tim. “But I think she comes first right now. Your old room is still in the same place. I suggest you two go upstairs and catch up. I’ll be in my study if you need me.”
“Good night sir.” Kira and Tim said at the same time. Sawyer simply nodded and left the two of them in the kitchen. Andre came in shortly afterwards with only his tattered undershirt.
“I believe I too will call it a night.” He said as he wiped the last remaining smears of blood from his arms and tossed the towel into the garbage can.
“It’s good to see you André.” Tim said.
“As it is good to see you. I trust you are feeling better than when you left our world.” Andre said.
“Different at least.” Tim said.
“Good, then I will have to ask you a few questions when we are not on such a tight schedule. Please do not let me stop you two.” Andre said as he gently took Kira’s hand and laid a small kiss on her knuckles. “Goodnight, cheri.” He said then turned and bowed to Tim before leaving.
“Why is it both of them are assuming I’m going to jump you in bed as soon as we get up there?” Kira asked.
“They’re both very smart and know how to read a situation. Are you going to jump me when we get upstairs?” Tim asked.
“Well hell yes. I haven’t been laid in almost a year now.” She said.
“Then I guess we know why they know it.” Tim said. Kira grabbed the lapels of his coat and yanked him down to where he was leaning slightly over her and only an inch away from her face.
“Just shut the hell up and kiss me.” She said. Tim happily obliged her.
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