“How many?”
“One sir!”
“One intruder? He must be dense.
Tell the men to hold their positions.
That's a priority mission.
I'm on my way!”
He looks back to me
“Enjoy your stay.”
I watch him leave
I can't help but think
Great another complication
Damn it! I'll never be able to face him
Leo's in danger and I can't help
My promise broken
I've failed...
Now trapped in this cell
Trial25: Countdown
Falling deeper into despair
The smell of ash on the air
Before I can even react
My vision suddenly fades to black
Out of focus a scene appears
It's Leo crying - Consumed by fear
Bound to the floor by ropes made ofmana
Beneath him, etched a mage's circle
Written in the old language
It glows purple
Jameson pacing left and right
“Sorry if the ropes are tootight.”
The room the same white as the others
The Organization's emblem peeks outfrom it's cover
Out a small window
I see the tip of the tower
France's pride: The strength ofEiffle's power
“It's nothing personal.”Jameson says low
“It's just how it has to go.
It's simply your fate,
Nothing more.
If it helps, I can relate.
Sometimes fate is just too great.
To realize it's futile,
Given no choice...”
The pain and sorrow in his voice...
“Just know,” He continues
“Your life has not been in vain.
Your sacrifice will cure others pain.”
“Where's Nate?” Leo sobs
“Sadly, Nate,” Jameson'seyes throb
The sound of hatred off his tongue
“Is the very reason your life isbeing robbed.
Nate can't help you.
So save your strength.
In ten minutes he'll seal yourfate.”
Jameson sheds a tear
As the scene goes blank
Once again I'm back where I stood
Her tone concerned “You don'tlook so good.”
“Leigh.” I say
“Step back.” She responds
“And try not to get burned.”
Heeding her advice, I step away with aturn
As the iron bars are looking almostlike clay
From orange to red, they smolder andsmoke
Melting like this very cell's a joke
“It only works from the oppositeside
So don't even bother to try.” Hertone light
As I step out
Seeing the look on my face she shouts“BOO!!!”
I don't even flinch
Simply dropping to my knees
Pounding the ground
“Just leave me please.”
My tone so heavy I don't even recognizeit
“I didn't take you for the typeto quit.” Her tone bites, drawing proverbial blood
“You just gonna keep wallowing inthe mud?”
“It's over.” I sob
The tears falling fast
“I couldn't keep my promise.
In twenty minutes, Leo breathes hislast.
I've failed.
There's no way I can make it to O.D.H.Q.”
“Lucky for you,” She states“You don't have to.
We're already in H.Q.
Now, get up off the floor and pretendyou're a man.”
Getting to my feet she asks
“Now, what's the plan?”
I wipe my eyes and take a breath“Well...” I start
Suddenly, again the ground quakes hard
“What the heck?!” Leighcalls
Shaking and trembling I catch her asshe falls
“That's right, this place isunder siege.”
She gives me a look
“What the hell do you mean?
No one's stupid enough to attack thistower.
They'd risk putting themselves at themercy of the Organization's power.
The higher ups wouldn't let an attackslide.”
“Unless,” I say “Itwas someone they couldn't easily fight.
What do you know about the name LordDeath?”
“You mean thedivine force: Death?” Her tone tense
“Thespiritual entity, otherwise known as the Grim Reaper?
That Lord Death?”
“I guess.”I say
“He's boundby the natural laws.” She continues
“He's notphysically allowed on this plain of existence.
Only his spirit,and only to fulfill his duty
To ferry the soulsof the dead to heaven or hell.
Even his Underworldcan't be accessed by any earthly spell.
He's locked away.
Even if he used allhis power and force.
He's nothing tofear unless it's your time.”
“I think,”I say heavy “Things are about to get a whole lot worse.
We need to get toLeo. Now!”
“What aboutJack?” Leigh asks
“Whatabout Jack?” Anicy tone replies back
As suddenly sheappears leaning against the door
My tone harsh “Whythe hell did you leave me before?”
She gives a proudsmile
“You neededto pick yourself up on your own.
And thanks toLeigh, you weren't alone.
Thanks Firefly forhelping him out of his funk.”
“Don't callme that!” Leigh snaps back with spunk
“Nopromises.” Jack retorts
She gives amischievous grin
“Let's gosave Leo and kick down some doors.”
“Yeah.”I say in agreement, loud
Our mission clearand our convictions proud
Trial26: Lying eyes
Starting down the corridor
As the tower violently shakes
Jack grabs me hitting the brakes
She pulls out a pocket size mirror
And places it in my hand
“This is a gift.” She says
“For your graduation into a man.
It's very important.
Keep it close.
I am proud of you.
I need you to know
As tonight you make a stand.
Your beliefs have never wavered.
You've always followed your own path.
Now promise me the next time you feeldoubt, you'll laugh.”
I give her a look
“What the hell are you talkingabout?”
“Promise me.” Her tone moreserious than I've ever seen
“I-” Suddenly, my visionchanges clean
I see them both - Jack and Leigh
Both being lowered into a grave
As a laugh echoes sinister and cold
Death's voice from my brother begins tospeak
“Fate has long been written,truth be told.
You cannot save them.
Even with your sight bold.
Muahahahahahahahahahaha!”
Suddenly, it feels like my heart'sbeating out of my chest
As I'm engulfed by loneliness
Looking up, I see Jack
In what looks like a mirror, the glasscracks
Grabbing my chest I give a gasp
Am I having a heart attack?
“Nate. Nate!” Jack's voicecalls
Back in the corridor with the whitewalls
“Nate, speak to me.” Shelightly slaps my cheek
“Nate, come on. What did yousee?”
Leigh steps over “Is he ok?”
I struggle to even form the words
I don't want to believe as the imageburns
“Nate.” Jack calls urgently
“What exactly did you see?”
“Both your deaths.” I saybreathing hard
Jack sighs “He's trying to breakyour heart.
You can't let him
No matter how much the chances areslim.
You promise me, even in despair you'lllaugh and you'll win.
I need to hear it from you.”
I look at her and ask “What is ityou're not telling me?”
“Only,” She answers “thatno matter what you see
I'm never leaving you, guaranteed.
Now we need to get moving
But before we go there's something weneed to know.
I need you to peer into Leo'ssituation.”
“I can't. You know I have nocontrol over the subject of information.”
“That's why I'm gonna guide you.
Now target his location.” Shegrabs my hand
Slowly, she helps me stand.
“What're we...?” Leighbegins
“Shhhh.” Jack demands
“Focus only on Leo.” Jack'stone soft
Heeding her words I feel her touchbreak off
“Ok.” I say “He's inthe room.
They've got him bound to a magiccircle.
Jameson says it'll be over soon.”
I see the scene
It's clear, but no sound
Yet I still know what they're saying
Somehow...
“My brother just came in.”I continue
“He
