Chapter 19: Chapter 19: Welcome Home

David lied on the floor for what seemed to be hours but was only one. No longer feeling his heart. Not sleeping, his eyes were wide open. A vibration in his pocket. Letting it go to voicemail. It rang again. Reaching into his back pocket, it was Virgil. Answering it, David said nothing.

“David, where are you guys!” He yelled, trying to beat the sound of the wind entering the cabin. David didn’t say anything. “I see some skyscrapers; can you guys get high enough for me to land without getting caught by the norms?”

David contemplated hanging up and running away. Life in solitude and exile seems easier than facing the contempt of his family. He had to be strong, he promised Eve he would be. “Land on the tracker.”

“It says you’re at an intersection are you sure?” Virgil asked before David hung up the phone. Virgil sighed, turning on the red light to signal Kevin and Stephen to prepare for a fight. They stood up drawing their swords as Virgil made his approach to David’s position.

David stood to his feet; his knees weak. Shaking, David walked over to the van. Tearing the sliding door open to retrieve both David’s and Eve’s valuables and personal possessions. Grabbing a device from under the driver’s seat that was now upside down. Everything was a mess. Tossing the duffle bags outside onto the pavement. He set up the device with a countdown of a minute. Looking to his right, Eve’s string doll hanging from the rearview mirror. David grabbed it, rubbing his thumb on the top of its head. Focusing whatever of Eve’s energy David had left inside of it.

Stepping out of the destroyed van, David grabbed the bags. Moving them far away from the van before it exploded into a fiery monument. Smoke rising into the sky.

“I see smoke!” Virgil yelled, “That has to be them.” The Silver Arrow dived down from the sky. David watched as they approached from below. Virgil landed the osprey down in front of the van. Where is everyone? All he could see was David on his camera, bags at his feet. His armor was almost destroyed covered in crimson. His sword sheathed. Eve’s sword is in his hands. Gripping the base of the blade.

Kevin and Stephen ran out onto the street, up to David. Kevin looked at David, “Where is everyone?” He paused, looking at Eve’s sword in his hand. Speechless. David picked up the bags and walked towards the Silver Arrow. Stephen looked at the wreckage, the burning van.

“Gone,” David said aloud.

“I don’t understand,” Stephen muttered.

“What happened to Eve?” Kevin wondered. There wasn’t a soul in sight. The two followed David back inside.

David dropped his bags on the deck, taking a seat. Placing Eve’s sword on his lap before buckling himself in. Laying his head back, eyes closed. All he could see was her face and all the pain that came with it.

“Virgil,” Kevin called out.

“Yeah,” Virgil closed the ramp. Taking off back into the air. The skyline leaving behind themselves.

Kevin threw a penny at David’s chest plate. David opened his eyes. Looking at his friend, Kevin waved at him and signaled his finger towards his ear. David took in a deep breath, reaching above himself. Removing the headset from its spot. Sliding it over his head, turning up the volume. “What?” David asked. Hearing his voice from Virgil’s headset, filled him with aggravated sadness.

“You want to tell us what happened?” Kevin asked.

“No,” David said, “But I guess you’re going to keep asking until you do.”

“I think we all deserve to know,” Kevin watched David lean his head back on the seat. Closing his eyes.

“Eve did what we had all feared. She went supernova to save me. In return, she sacrificed the city,” David said.

“Where is she now?” Kevin asked.

David raised her sword, covered in her blood. “What else do you want to know?”

“You killed her?”

“Like I should’ve done a year ago,” David said.

“I’m sorry, brother,” Kevin’s heart sunk. Virgil held a disdain for the both of them, however, he understood. The pain woven in David’s voice; Virgil had never heard him speak like it. Even though he hated Eve for what she had done; he still recognized her as a friend.

David took off the headset and put it back on the stowage. Stephen looked down at his own hands, rubbing his fingers. Eve was always nice to him, he stayed quiet. Not understanding how to process this. An hour passed, Virgil was cruising. No rush to get home, allowing time for the group to think about everything before dealing with Gabriel.

Virgil closed his eyes, a weight on his mind. He couldn’t wait to confront David any longer. Regardless of whether David had time for it or not. “Kevin,” Virgil said over the headset.

“Yeah?” Kevin opened his eyes.

“Come take the controls real fast,” Virgil said.

Kevin raised an eyebrow, Virgil never let anyone fly the Silver Arrow if it wasn’t an emergency. “You sure?”

Virgil turned on the autopilot, dust fell onto his finger as he released it. Having never used the button before. Hoping it worked. Unbuckling his harness and stepping out of the cockpit. Kevin watched Virgil stand up and walking out into the bay. Kevin swiftly stood up and jumped into Virgil’s seat. Knowing not to make any adjustments to the seat. He would just have to suffer as the autopilot took control of the ship.

Virgil stood up in front of David. The first sight of his blood-covered face. “David,” Virgil said quickly. David opened his eyes, surprised to see Virgil standing in the bay. “Who was Eve?”

David looked down and back to Virgil’s eyes, “Every thousand years comes three people destined to start what we call the revelation. The end of the world, an end to suffering. One is the king, another being the dragon, and the last being the oracle of man. Eve was that Oracle.”

“The end of the world?” Virgil asked.

“Sounds bad at first,” David was going to explain, “It doesn’t matter anymore, she’s dead.”

Virgil closed his eyes and took in a deep breath, “Did she kill my father?”

David lowered his eyes, “You were in the forbidden section weren’t you?”

“Tell me the truth,” Virgil said.

“You know the truth,” David countered. His voice rising slightly, angered that he broke the rule of it. The forbidden room was filled with answers that could lead to the Order’s destruction.

“I want to hear you say it and I want to know why you never told me,” Virgil yelled at David for the first time.

Surprised by Virgil’s display of emotion, “She was attacked by sin as a little girl, causing her to fall into a fit. Every member of the Watchers was trained and was ready for the day she lost control. Instead, they failed. Your father did his duty knowing how important it was. The magic they performed on her wasn’t meant to control her. But it was meant to sacrifice and contain the blast from engulfing the world.” David said.

“You told me he died fighting for the Order!”

“He did,” David looked him in the eyes. “What was I supposed to tell you? I can’t assassinate someone who didn’t know any better. She’s a Watcher now, I hope you two can be friends and accept her. Oh yeah, by the way, she killed my mom and your dad!”

Virgil swung his fist, connecting to David’s cheek. David took the punch. Knowing he deserved it, “Why did you lie!”

David stood up, still holding Eve’s sword. “There was going to be no way that Eve was going to become an accepted member. If you all knew the truth! Look at Gabriel, he knows the truth. She saved him more times than I can count on my hand. And still, he treated her like dog shit!”

“If I knew the truth I would’ve still tried! For you!” Virgil swung his fist again. Hitting David in the same spot. Virgil didn’t understand why he didn’t flinch.

“You feel better now?” David asked. Virgil said nothing. “Hit me again until you have nothing left.” David felt the punch again. Standing his ground. “How about now?” Virgil couldn’t keep hitting David. Knowing David had been hurting. “C’mon!”

Virgil’s raw emotions were clear for David to see. Virgil got into David’s face screaming, unsure if it was anger or pain. David pressed his forehead against Virgil’s. Both trading screams into one another’s faces. “Why!” Virgil shoved David away.

“Because I failed you as a captain, as a friend, and as a brother,” David said.

“You’re not captain, nor my friend, or my brother,” Virgil turned away heading back to the cockpit. David left standing there. A sharp pain in his chest. Maybe he should’ve left.

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It was night on the mountain, the Sanctuary’s black flags hanging at half-mast. James was sure to respect Jasmine’s passing immediately. He stepped down from the flag placement. Looking up at the sky. Hoping for a safe return for the rest of the Watchers. “Mr. Locklear,” a woman’s voice behind. Turning around to see Janice standing behind him.

Stolen novel; please report.

“Oh, Sir Janice,” James said startled, “You scared me. Are you here to pay your respects?”

“No, but yes,” Janice’s face was covered in sorrow. Raising a pair of handcuffs. “I need to escort, Sir David and Eve, to the council.”

James looked confused, “I’m sure he would go willingly. Why the handcuffs?”

“You don’t watch the news do you, Mr. Locklear?”

“No,” James’ mind wandered. Trying to figure out what it was that David would have done to be brought an offer for such aggression from the council. He attempted to laugh it off, “That’s funny. Even if you tried, you’re going to need a few more people to help you out with that.”

“Turn around,” Janice said. James turned around slowly; one eyebrow raised. Looking down into the courtyard stood countless men and women dressed head to toe in armor. James’ smile fell from his face. He now understood how serious the situation had become. “The entirety of the round table is downstairs. With orders to arrest the two, along with orders to eliminate The Watchers if they wish to battle the council’s orders.”

“What happened?” James asked.

“The population of Seattle is gone,” Janice said. “The council needs to know why.”

James’ heart began to race, images of the old Watchers sprinted through his mind. Eve. He had no further words. It was only a matter of time before his worries would come to life.

Both looked to the sky, as the Silver Arrow broke through the clouds overhead. The moon’s beaming light reflected off the VTOL’s cockpit as it descended towards the Sanctuary. Janice whistled down to the knights. Making their way up the stairs to the landing pad.

All standing in formation, hands-on their hilts. James along with Janice stood behind the Silver Arrow, awaiting for the ramp to open and lower to the ground. James’ heart raced, desperate to speak with David and Eve. Janice took in a deep breath, never expecting for the day she would need to arrest one of her close friends.

The ramp descended to the floor. Kevin and Stephen standing at David’s side. The two were surprised by the welcome. Feeling the hostile aura surrounding the knights. Kevin prepared to draw his sword with Stephen ready for a fight. Though David stood calm, his back straight. “Put your swords down,” David said to his comrades. Gripping Eve’s blade tightly as if it were her own hand. David stepped down from the ramp.

“Son!” James screamed over the engines. Realizing that Eve wasn’t inside the Silver Arrow. David walked up to the two. The knights all turned their heads towards David, prepared to strike at any moment. Virgil shut off the engines. “What happened?”

“I failed,” was all David spoke. James assessed his son’s body. Armor broke in many places, blood-stained hands.

“Where is Evelyn?” Janice asked.

“Dead,” never getting easier to say. David presented Eve’s sword.

“You need to speak the truth,” James pleaded, “If she is still alive and, on the run, you need to tell us. You could be executed.”

“I killed her myself,” David’s words became choppy as he attempted to remain confident. James was unsure what to say, stepping closer to embrace David. “Don’t.” David remained cold to his father. Wishing that James had killed Eve when she was a child. So he wouldn’t have to bear this pain alone.

“Sir David, the council-“

“Wants to speak with me. What are we waiting for?”

“I need to relinquish you of all weapons,” Janice asked respectfully. “I have all the respect in the world for you as my friend and all you accomplished. I don’t want to have to take them by force.” Asking a knight to relinquish his sword was a dire violation of the code. They all knew this, knowing it could lead to bloodshed. David took a long pause, sighing in anger. Reaching down to his hilt. Pulling it from its sheath. Handing the broadsword to Janice, as she handed it off to another knight. The same with his sidearm. “And Eve’s weapon?” She asked.

“You would have to execute me before I let go of this sword. Evelyn was my duty, so will her sword until she is buried with it,” David said. “Do not force me to uphold the oath of my house.”

Janice looked to the other knights, they nodded to her respectfully. “Okay, Sir David. I just ask you come willingly.”

“Keep the handcuffs. I will face my trial on my feet,” David said.

Kevin walked up to the interaction, “Do you want me to go with you?” He asked.

“No,” David said, “the three of you violated your oaths of this house. Father,” David looked at James. “I charge you with the stead of the Watchers until Gabriel returns. You pass duties onto him.” Kevin lowered his head in shame.

“Son, I can’t. You know I cut myself off from the spirits, I can’t protect the Sanctuary.”

“You can and you will,” David commanded of him. Narrowing his eyes at his friends. “After you, Sir Janice.”

Janice nodded as she led the way back to the cavern. The knights followed in formation, standing side by side. “I don’t appreciate the hostility. I planned to go willingly.” David told the group in the elevator.

“That’s what we told the council,” Sir Jonathan said. “We didn’t want to be here.”

“Do you want to clean up before you confront them?” Sir Janice asked.

“No,” David said.

There was a silence in the elevator as it made its way to the cavern. David exited as more knights appeared awaiting for them. Dressed in black. David looked around, “You brought the entirety of the round table to fight me?”

“The council’s orders. Just in case you decided to go light-bringer on us again,” Janice looked around. David began to walk towards the exit. “Sir David, before you go any further.” David stopped in his tracks. Turning around to look at all the knights. “Before Evelyn passed. Did she accept the faith of our Order?” David swallowed, a tear forced out of his eye and down to his chin.

The members of the round table drew their swords. Getting down to one knee, presenting their respective swords before him. All in silence. Janice walked up to David, “We may not approve of what happened. But she was still one of us. Displaying all the qualities that a guardian should. Evelyn would’ve made an honorable knight. We will be sure to write into the Round Tables’ history as such.”

David was speechless, people who never met her. For the exception of a few displayed more honor than the ones she served with. The ones she laid down her life for countless times. His eyes welled with tears. They all spoke in unison, “Casitias, Moderatio, Caritas, Industria, Patientia, Gratia, and Humilitas.” The caverns echoed.

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The council sat around David, with no audience except the Round Table. The confidentiality of this meeting was high. The Order wasn’t to know of the preceding’s until all the information was considered. David stood tall, dried blood still covering his hands and face. Grandmaster Hawkins looked upon his former apprentice’s prodigy. Disappointed but empathetic to the boy. Leonora sat to Hawkin’s left. Unsure how to feel.

Grandmaster Hawkins began to speak, “Sir David Locklear of house Watchers, Seattle’s population of more than half a million diminished. An outpost of the Order wiped off the face of the Earth. You failed to uphold your end of the bargain of protectionism of Evelyn Taylor.”

“Guardian Evelyn Taylor,” David corrected.

“Excuse me?” Master Victor questioned David’s correction. “You do not speak like that to a Grandmaster.”

Hawkins raised his hand for silence, “I apologize, David, I meant no disrespect.”

“Neither did I,” David replied. “I apologize for speaking out of line, master.”

“Guardian Evelyn Taylor. You were ordered to assassinate her out of fear that she would not be controlled. Though you and Master Eleazar swore a blood oath that you would be responsible for anything that would happen while you trained her. The council respected and accepted the blood oath. However, that blood oath wasn’t fulfilled, you know what this calls for?”

“I made the blood oath knowing I was risking execution. I have accepted that fate a year ago.”

“Though with much debate from Master Leonora. She has convinced me not to uphold the bargain,” Hawkins said. David wasn’t sure if he were too relieved or not. Death would be a better alternative than living with the trauma he now bore on his mind. “Only, if what you said was true. That you killed her.”

David displayed Eve’s sword. “Your sight of artifact will allow you to find the truth which you seek.”

Hawkins stepped down from his seat, walking around the round table to confront David face to face. Knowing of the Watchers’ code to wield the sword of a fallen companion until they are put to rest. Hawkins placed his hands on the blade. Closing his eyes. Every person that Eve had killed in defense of the Order flashed before his eyes. Not a single innocent was killed with the blade. It still carried its innocence. Even a sin, Hawkins’ mind filled with desire to read David’s report on everything that happened over the past couple of weeks. And finally, the act of David using the blade to kill Eve. Hawkins quickly retracted his hands. “I am so sorry, Dyami.”

“I am too,” David said, “Since her death is true. Does that mean the prophecy cannot be fulfilled?”

“We have heard whispers that the dragon has been confirmed to be alive,” Hawkins informed David. Bad news stacked on top of each other. “You expect me to still face the dragon without the Oracle?”

Hawkins confirmed the question with his eyes. “Sir David did kill Guardian Evelyn Taylor.”

“So, what now?” David asked.

“Master Leonora, if you will,” Hawkins made his way back to his chair.

Leonora straightened her posture, “Sir David. First, I want to tell you how sorry I am for the way I have treated her. I can tell by the look in your eyes that over the past couple of weeks that you violated your oath, did you not?”

“We did not commit adultery. Still, I did fall in love with her that much is true, master.” David did not lower his head in shame. Knowing what he did was wrong, but that did not matter to him. “I don’t wish to be rude, but I just want to know what bargain you struck with Master Hawkins.”

“I understand since your request for new guardians was approved. The council would like to see these members trained properly under your guidance. You were able to turn Guardian Evelyn into one of your best fighters in a matter of a couple months. You will be put on probation for three months. You will not leave the Sanctuary under any circumstance unless dealing with a class one threat that was approved by the council. Along with the passing of Jasmine, who was to go serve with the CIA. And the only other candidate for Knighthood is Kevin.”

“Kevin’s knighthood will be denied,” David said. “I will be suspending his candidacy for violation of the code of our house. Along with possible demotions for him, and two other of my members.”

“Then our only option will be to send you. Who will take charge as the ward of your house?”

Janice stepped forward, “I will, master.”

“Sir Janice, that will cause you to give up your candidacy for head of the Round Table.” Master Hawkins said to her.

“I’m not one for politics anyways,” Sir Janice smirked slightly.

“Then it is settled,” Master Hawkins said, “Do you accept this agreement, David?”

“I would cut my hand open to honor the deal, but frankly I don’t know how much blood I have left in my body,” David said.

“Your word is good enough for me,” Hawkins told him. “Is there anything you would like to say Sir David before I end this meeting?”

“I want the investigation records from the Order outpost in Seattle,” David demanded.

“For what reason?” Hawkins asked.

“I turned on my distress beacon. No one showed up from that outpost. My pilot made it to Seattle before any showed up. I want to know why.”

“Granted,” Hawkins said, “Anything else?”

“I want any writings of Eve’s history approved by me before being published in the libraries.”

Hawkins hesitated, “Granted.”

“I have no other requests, master.” David bowed.