Episode 9: Friends or Foes?

Ever since his meeting with the Council, Chase had been isolating himself from others. There were two choices ahead of him; to give in or fight back. Everyone understood to give him some time and space before he could decide which option will benefit him the most. The things that Mr. Rousseau said to him were echoing inside his ears.

Gina was having a meal at the dining room. She might have looked strong but don’t let that fool you. Like a fragile glass, she was breaking inside. Then Chase pulled out the chair next to her and sat down. She was actually surprised by his approach but was happy too.

He didn’t say anything in the first minute but only gave her a smile before holding her hands. It was Gina’s turn to flush.

“I know things are tough at the time being and my behaviour didn’t make it easier for you-for all of you. I’ve been selfish and incompetent too but you guys were very patient, especially you. Thanks.”

She looked at him dearly.

“I’m just glad you’ve come to your senses.”

“Yeah, me too. Anyway, I hope from now on we don’t have any more secrets between us. Whenever you’re happy, worried or just plain boring, tell me about it. I’m all ears.”

Again, the roles had changed between the two of them. Gina was hiding her frustrations. He knew it. She tried to look away but he caught her dry eyes.

“Trust me, you don’t want to keep things to yourself.”

“I’m sorry, since when did you interfere with others’ business?” she said.

“Well, I have to. You see, I can’t have a psycho in my team. That would pretty much screw us up.”

“Oh, a psycho? Really?”

She pounded his chest.

“How’s that for a psycho?” she asked.

He had a smirk on his face.

“What?”

Apparently he was waiting for something. Then, he decided to let it slip. If she’d want to talk about it, she would have.

“So, what about your family? Do they know?” Chase changed the topic.

He thought the subject could make she feels a lot better. Turned out, the result was the opposite from what he was expecting. Her face was gloomy. Her brows curved downwards and her nose wrinkled.

“They’re...” she startled.

“Good to have you back bro!” Oliver suddenly interrupted.

He ruffled Chase’s hair. For some reason, Chase didn’t feel like challenging him today.

“Yeah, thought we’d have to kick your sorry ass,” Theresa added.

It was weird. Theresa and Oliver seemed to get along these days. They looked perfectly matched and almost looked like twins. Both of them had brown curly hair and matching sturdy black eyes.

“What? With Theresa’s inspiring speech last night?” joked chase.

“Now, don’t push it,” warned her.

They all laughed. If under different circumstances, it would have been an awkward moment for all of them to be seen in public together but hey, share a common enemy and you’re suddenly ‘friends forever’.

“So Chase, are we cool?” Oliver asked.

He pulled up his fist.

“Yeah, we’re cool,” replied Chase.

And his fist met Oliver’s. That night, in the dining area, something spectacular had taken place. Four very different people who were once foes and strangers had become trustworthy partners, fighting alongside with each other. The bright night continued as four of them shared their own side of the story of their pasts, presents and futures together.

***

The Vampiress was showing Chase portraits, documents and gifts that belonged to his ancestors. The first Verdict who voiced his opinions that concerned the safety of humanity had his portrait hung on the wall, Sir Johansson Verdict. He had the same colour of eyes like Chase did but his nose was slightly curved left and had thick lips. Yvonne said he was once a beautiful man but only had his face flawed right after his first battle with the Resistance Clan. His forehead was intense and so were his jaws. The fight might have worn him off.

“I’ll leave you be,” said the Vampiress.

Chase was too distracted with the weapons in the room, he barely noticed the Vampiress was gone. Captivated he was by the small silver knife that remained untouched in a glass box by the stone wall. Then the air turned chill. It was freezing in there. Chase noticed that there was no window in the room that could have possible be the entrance to the great wind. The hair behind his back stood. Something felt wrong.

“Hello Mr. Verdict,” uttered a voice.

Behind him was a man wearing red t-shirt with torn jeans. Above the clothing was a black robe that was too long it was sweeping the floor. Even with his humble appearance, Chase had a feeling he was not to be underestimated. His hair was blonde and long. If looked from the back, he would have been mistaken for a girl. His face was as white as the Vampiress herself but he seemed much colder and crueller. His small grin made him look more devious. Yet, he looked so familiar.

“As a tradition, before the war starts and I kill you, I simply must obey one rule that makes it fair for the both of us. I am permitted with one visit but am forbidden from harming you.”

This must be the leader of the Resistance Clan; Mr. Rousseau’s father.

“Yes, yes, I am the Lord Colvit.”

Clearly Lord Colvit was looking for any sign of fear in Chase’s eyes. Although his heart was beating fast, he wasn’t afraid of the Lord anymore than he’s scared of the Vampiress.

“You Verdicts are always, what’s the word? Ah, courageous. I respect that.”

Chase stood still, getting ready to defend himself in case he was attacked.

“Spare your worries away. I am here to make you an offering.”

He almost laughed.

“What could you possible offer me?” Chase asked.

“I am an old man you see. I’ve seen many things in this world and as I grow older, I begin to respect the value of wisdom. You are at the edge. Your side can’t fight ours. We have grown stronger than the last time.”

“From what I’ve heard, you’re losing more followers.”

Lord Colvit was impressed by Chase’s bravery to talk back to him.

“Even so, we have the advantage in numbers, skills and power. My visit here is to offer you my service.”

“I don’t need your service! I’ll fight till the end! We all will!”

The villain started laughing hysterically it almost shook the walls.

“We? Obviously boy, you are too naive! You have a betrayer amongst your people that you don’t even see it! Now I have learned from my first experience in war was too never trust anyone! For good sake, you’re still a child! And so are your dear friends. Your little guardians of the Delacruz are mere female vampires! They are now as weak as your fragile heart. Your ‘leader’, that treacherous son of mine, is no stronger than my slaves! Admit it child! You are at the brink of darkness!”

For a second, the Lord thought he had managed to fill the dark auras into Chase’s mind. But he just scoffed.

“It’s still too early to tell and I don’t give up that easily. Sorry,” said Chase.

He wasn’t intimidated at all.

“But hear to my offer first. Five days from now, when the moon can’t be seen in the sky, you can join us! I’ll turn you into one of us!”

Lord Coltis said it like it was a wonderful thing becoming a vampire. Sucking blood, chasing humans for food, living in the dark? Chase didn’t want any of that.

“But the Vampiress said not anyone can become a vampire.”

Coltis looked disappointed as if Chase had just insulted his taste of fashion.

“Fool! Those vampires do not have the power such as one that I possess! I was once the Great King! Only I have what it takes to create a new bloodline to the vampire’s family! It is a wise decision to never grow old, owning an empire with humans as slaves and do the impossible!”

Again, the offer only made Chase yawn.

“By impossible, I mean things that are beyond this world, more absurd that man’s theory of science! You could bring dead people alive!”

Only now the deal seemed intriguing. The images of his parents being tortured to death flashed in his eyes. It made the Lord very satisfied.

“Yes, your parents. Your friend’s parents too! And you will never have to lose!”

He was referring to Theresa’s family who was burnt down in the house and the thought of the bullies at his school. Chase took a deep breath before speaking.

“Lord Colvit, with all due respect, I must decline your offer,” Chase spoke calmly.

“Then, you are not wise as you look! But, may I ask for the reasons?”

“Just like your son who believes in you, my parents believed in me. I know it’s weird but deep down you know it’s true. You don’t want any of this more than I do. So I’m going to put a stop to this nonsense! Why? Because I believe in myself!”

The Lord’s face was hard to read. He barely had any facial expressions, just like his son. But he was quiet for a while as he stared into the door of Chase’s soul; his blue eyes.

“Wise choice of words. But my offer stands still. And when you come to me, as I know you would, the world will be ours! Your friends might just be pardoned. Farewell I bid to you. I look forward to meeting you!”

When Chase blinked his eyes, the Lord Colvit was already gone. It was like he was never there. Chase looked around but he was alone in the room; his eyes magnifying the portraits of all the Verdicts hung on the wall. But his heart wasn’t at ease. There was a betrayer among them. And he’d better find him soon!

***

“He lied. There is no tradition or rule that indicates he must pay his enemy a visit few days before the battle,” said Mr. Rousseau.

He was as confused as the others when Chase had told them what had happened.

“Are you alright? He didn’t hurt you?” asked Gina.

“I’m okay,” replied Chase.

“Maybe he’s here to conquer Chase. Maybe his visit was with the intention to the boy off,” the Vampiress guessed.

“Perhaps but we will not take any chances! Tara, please inform the guards to be more attentive and cover every ground. It was a mistake he passed us by. And we shall not repeat it again!” ordered Mr. Rousseau.

“Jocelyn, you need to teach me that killing move you showed me! It’s time! I gotta be prepared!” whined Oliver.

They haven’t been seeing eye-to-eye but if you were fighting and want some assurance of your own safety, choose them to be your partner. Their skills were slick, fast and unpredictable. One wrong move and you’re a dead man.

“I will. But let me hear the magic word first,” Jocelyn demanded.

Oliver rolled his eyes and cursed at himself but he had no choice.

“Fine! You’re pretty! Now can we practice already?”

Jocelyn wouldn’t admit it but having Oliver around was fun for her because she got to boss him around and had Oliver to praise her beauty at all times. They rushed to the garden.

“We’d better get off too Theresa. You need to master the four elements!” urged Emilia.

Off they were gone too.

“I’m off to gather information on our enemies. You should come along Gina,” Tara suggested.

“Okay.”

And then there was the Vampiress, the Council and Chase.

“Mr. Rousseau?”

“Yes, Mr. Verdict?”

It felt weird for Chase to have anyone calling him by his last name. You’d think he had gotten used to it by now but he felt like he was in classroom and was about to get detention. It wasn’t such a good reminder.

“Just call me Chase, please. I think he wants me to come to him. He was hiding it but I knew through the deal, he had wanted no more of innocent lives being sacrificed in the fight. I think he’s changed. Think about it, he could have killed me but he didn’t. There must be a reason.”

Mr. Rousseau’s eyes were shining with rays of hope. But then it died.

“One can never be too sure yet one could always be hopeful,” Mr. Rousseau encouraged.

“I do not mean to meddle but I believe the boy has trainings to go through and so far his results are devastating,” the Vampiress interrupted.

“Yeah, good way to show your confidence,” replied Chase.

“No, this time, the Council will take him under our care. You would be there too to supervise, of course. I think this one needs something out of the usual,” said Mr. Rousseau.

The Vampiress had tried to teach him at sword fighting but he didn’t have a good grip on the sword. They even tried archery, martial arts, shooting and everything but he kept on failing. They’ve tried other means like tactics but his reflexes were no good in planning. He did things intuitionally. He tried observing and scouting. But he was far too clumsy to be a spy. Unlike Oliver, he wasn’t good at fighting bare fists or with a weapon, or Theresa who was excellent in planning and tactics, or Gina who was observant and very detailed person, Chase wasn’t just good at anything. It felt like high school again. He felt like a loser but he was determined to not give up.

“It is best if we bring him to his nature,” suggested Mr. Rousseau.

“But that’s dangerous!” the Vampiress disagreed.

“That’s why we’re all going.”

“What do you mean by ‘we’?” asked Mr. Bloody who was enjoying his drink of rum of blood.

***