Pet - Chapter 21 (Patreon)

Hours turn to days, and days to weeks. The idea of Remus being dead has finally settled in. The nightmares have stopped, and so have the random aches and pains. Even my strange conversation with Ezra seems like nothing more than a dream.

I've settled into my new role in the resistance. Training. I fight, and fight, and fight every day. Waiting for the day we're going to actually make a move to take back this planet. Each day I ask Mark, but he gives me vague answers and avoids me. I don't understand it. We should be talking strategy at this point in the war, but all we've done is sit around.

"Iris, you're up!" I look up from my thoughts as Andrew calls out to me with a smile on his face. We're once again training, with a lot of recruits that are ready to lay their lives down for our freedom, but everyone they put me up against is weak. In the past few weeks, my body has become much more durable and stronger. I can go for longer without getting tired as easily. It's like I'm a whole new person.

I stand, taking the wooden spear they have us sparring with, waiting for my next opponent. A woman that is bigger than me, and taller steps up. She has a smug smile on her face as she takes in my form.

"Ready!" We both crouch in an attack stance.

"Fight!" She swings and almost hits me, but I dodge. It's as if I'm looking at her movements in slow motion. Her swings are wild and all over the place, and I easily ward them off. I can see what she's doing, and what she's about to do.

I feel my blood beginning to boil, as a wave of random anger washes over me at the fact that I'm fighting a human instead of one of the beasts that took my homeworld from me. I go on the offense, swinging hard and hitting her sparring sword, the loud crack resonating throughout the field. I see her look of shock, but that doesn't stop me. I keep swinging, even when I see her stumble.

"Iris!" I hear my name, but I don't stop. I hate her. I hate her so much. Everything about her I hate. I want to kill her. I want her to die at my hands an-

"Ah!" I cry out as my body is tackled to the ground, catching me completely off guard.

"Iris, what the hell!" I'm staring into a pair of green eyes. Andrew. He's looking at me as if he doesn't know me.

"I.." I look around, and the others are staring at me in fear. I look at the woman, and her sparring sword is cracked in half right down the middle where I swung. Slowly, I come to my senses. I blink in confusion, all the anger I was feeling disappearing in an instant. I immediately stand, looking at the woman.

"I'm sorry," I say. I turn to get away from them. I can't be around them right now. Something is wrong with me. Something is horribly wrong with me.

Andrew doesn't follow me. I walk the streets, looking at the people around me as they live their lives without fear. Are they unaware that we have the means to defeat them? Can they not see that this is nothing more than an illusion? This is not freedom. They're confined to this city within the mountain, unable to do anything more than thrive behind these walls. Don't they miss the real sunlight? Don't they miss the night sky?

A group of children run by me, laughing and playing. I can't help but wonder how long they've been here. How many of them were born into this resistance, never seeing the light of day? The real light. This isn't freedom. And these rebels aren't even fighting for it. Something within me tells me that they aren't as noble as they claim to be. They're corrupt. Just like the rest of the human race was. Maybe Remus was right.

I don't even realize that I've made my way into the building that I met all the leaders in until I push open the doors. They're in the middle of a meeting, and all look at me in shock. Mark stands.

"What do you thi-"

"How long, are you going to hide behind these walls?" I say. I look up into each and every one of their eyes.

"You have the news. You have the knowledge. You have the weapons. When are you going to fight for those who are unable?" I shout. No one speaks. I open my mouth to speak, but my eye catches something. On the meeting wall. Plans. Not a war plan though.

My eyes widen as I read. And realization finally dawns on me. I look at Mark.

"She's coming. She's coming to this planet, and you want to let her kill everyone?" I whisper. I turn and see the 'serum' that's been developed. They're going to let her attack what's left of the human race, and use Ezra against her with a mind-control serum they've developed. They're going to use Ezra, to take over the world.

"What the hell is wrong with you people? Why can't you ever just do good!"

"There is no saving us! There is no helping the human race! It's a lost cause. We're all as good as dead. You of all people should know this. You said so yourself, they are god-like beings. Do you really think that something as simple as a few untrained soldiers is going to help?" he shouts. I see it. I see it all now. It's not the human race that's the problem, it's the men that end up leading it. Power-hungry, crazed bastards. I narrow my eyes at him when a flash of pain rips through me starting at my neck.

My knees feel weak, and I immediately collapse onto the ground unable to stand from the pain. I wrap my fingers around my throat, trying to ease the pain, but nothing happens. So I open my mouth, and I scream. My body is convulsing in pain.

My insides feel as though they're on fire. I can't take the pain. I squeeze my eyes shut, and I see him. Remus. He's watching me. There's a look of amusement on his face, a small turn up in the corner of his mouth.

When I open my eyes again, I'm still in the room, but there are people holding me, rushing me somewhere. The sudden urge to kill overwhelms me. I ignore it. I think of something, anything, to make it stop.

Remus. I feel tears spring into my vision as I gaze at him. What have I done? What did I do? He's looking at me with anger. And disappointment. His gaze narrows. Tears are falling heavy down my face, as I take a step forward. Remus' eyes follow the motion, his mouth pursing in a straight line.

He begins walking towards me, until he's standing directly over me, our bodies flush with each other. His gaze roams over my face. He finally leans over, and I think he's going to kiss me. But he presses his lips against my throat. The same spot that's been bothering me. I feel a cooling sensation over my body.

Remus puts his finger under my chin, forcing my gaze up to meet his. His eyes are so cold, so angry. But his face gives me no indication of what he is feeling. Then he steps away from me. His eyes fall to my neck and he lightly traces his finger over the spot. I shudder in pleasure at his touch. A ghost of a smile cracks his lips, then he's gone.

My eyes fly open, and I'm staring at the ceiling. I immediately look around and notice Andrew in the corner. There's a light sheen of sweat over my body, and I feel exhausted. I sit up, my muscles aching as if I'd been running a marathon.

"Wait, Iris, try not to move." Andrew rushes over to me.

"What happened..." I manage. He looks uncomfortable.

"You were screaming in pain... and then you passed out. The doctors don't know what's wrong," he says. My neck is throbbing. And Andrew is avoiding eye contact. I look over to the mirror and slowly get out of the bed.

"Wait, Iris," he says, but I ignore him. I feel his hand on me, but I yank it away.

"Don't touch me," I hiss. I finally make my way to the mirror, holding on to the counter for support. My heart is beginning to race from the nervousness that I feel. I slowly raise my gaze. My face looks tired. There is sweat causing my hair to stick to my face, my eyes have bags under them, and my lips are chapped. But that's not what has me hyperventilating.

The symbol. The symbol that Remus has on his chest is now on my throat. It's wrapping around my collar bone and disappears into my clothes. It's clear as day. It's bright and silver just like his, and it's slowly pulsing. I look at Andrew in terror.

"What the hell is this?!" I scream. He looks at me in fear. Tears well up in my eyes.

"Andrew," I say in confusion.

"Iris, I don't know. It just appeared..." he says. I look back in the mirror and try and calm myself. What the fuck is this? I look back to Andrew.

"Take me to Ezra," I say. He has to know what this is. Andrew looks uncomfortable again.

"Iris, I can't," he says.

"Why the hell not?" I half shout. I'm having a really hard time keeping myself calm.

"They don't want you leaving this room," he says. My eyes nearly bug out of my head.

"What?" I scream. I move past him, pulling open the door and sure enough, there are guards. I slam the door in anger.

"Andrew, you need to get out of here. Get away from the resistance," I say quickly. He raises a brow at me.

"What the hell are you talking about?" he says. I try and clear my mind, thinking back to the meeting room.

"They have no interest in freeing us, Andrew. They want to control us. Control the world using Ezra."

"Iris, you're talking nonsense," he says. I run my fingers through my hair in frustration.

"Andrew, please. Please listen to me. They are not who they say they a-" Just as I'm about to finish, the door slams open, and in come a slew of guards. I think they are going to come for me, but they don't. They go for Andrew.

"Hey!" I scream moving towards him, but two guards grab my arms holding me back.

"What's going on!" Andrew screams.

"Andrew!" I shout in a panic. They drag him out of the room, and I'm too weak to do anything about it. In comes a man I've never seen before. He's an older man with graying hair and cold eyes. He looks down at me in disgust.

"I am Chris. The leader of the resistance. Your services though appreciated, will no longer be required around here. You have caused a stir in the order we aim to maintain. He pulls out a gun, aiming it right between my eyes.

"Sacrifice one for the many?" he says.

"You bastard!" I scream. I feel angry. So angry. I can do nothing but watch as he places his finger over the trigger.

My whole being shifts. I feel something. Something strong. I feel it before they do. Then, the ground shakes. The glass shatters, and everyone ducks, screaming out. The electricity cracks above my head, and the lights flicker out. The guards drop me, everyone running out of the room. I take off with them, and notice everyone in the hallways scattering for their lives.

I make my way outside, and fear hits me like a truck. Pure, unfiltered fear. I look at the rock, flying in the air, the buildings coming apart, and the constant shift of gravity. I can feel the symbol on my neck throbbing. People are screaming everywhere, running for their lives. And for good reason too.

I slowly turn when I feel a familiar presence. I see him, in the distance. Remus. The world around him quakes and gives way with each step that he takes. The force of his power causing his hair to float around him like a silhouette of death. I stare in shock.

I killed him. He was dead. His body was lifeless, I stabbed him and shot him with weapons specifically designed for his death. Why is he here? He's wearing all white, but it's armor of some sort. His indigo irises are shining bright with excitement. And I know he's about to ruthlessly murder everyone here.

I'm frozen to the spot. I'm frozen in fear. And shock. This can't be. He looks just as flawless as he did the day we met. He takes another step and the ground beneath him rumbles, the rocks flying as if trying to get away from him.

I then take note of a woman next to him with similar armor on. There are weapons in her hand designed to kill. Weapons I've never seen before. I know exactly who she is. She shares the same features as Remus, and there is a glint of pure evil in her eyes. Purple eyes. The same symbol that Remus sports on his chest is on her face, wrapping around her eye. Her hair is longer than Remus', falling past her waist. With each step she takes, the ground does the same thing. Her weapon glowing brighter with each progression.

My heart stops as I take in someone else that should not be here. Zaya. She's walking behind Remus along with other Leviathan who are all dressed for battle. What the hell is going on? I watch in horror as the troops all surround them, aiming their weapons. They fire at them, and Xion disappears. Her body literally flashes, and she's gone. All of the bullets freeze midair as Remus stops them, and then the blood bath begins.

Xion is slicing people to ribbons, and none of them can see her. I can't even see her. I can see the damage she leaves behind. I slowly back away, and take off in the opposite direction. I'm in complete and utter shock. This can't be happening. I thought the weapons were designed to actually kill them. Why is Remus alive? Why the hell is he alive? My mind then shifts to Ezra.

I'm sprinting, to the only place that I can think Andrew might be held. I head into the building, and to my horror, there is blood painted on the walls. I have to cover my mouth to prevent vomit from escaping me. Bodies are torn apart, some even have huge chunks bit out of them. Then, I remember Remus' words.

"I feed off anything that is your life force. Your essence, blood, even flesh."

Shit. I take off to where Ezra was being held. As I'm running, I slip on a puddle of blood and move to steady myself on the wall, then I look and see her. Sky. She's laying in the middle of the bloodied puddles.

"No," I whisper. I move to her and cry out in relief. She's alive. Her breathing is steady. But there are dried tear streaks on her face. I look down the hall to where Ezra was being held and slowly make my way into the chamber. It's empty. The chains that once held him are broken as if he just ripped them off.

I don't know what to do. I don't know how to feel. What could possibly be going on? I slowly back away from the room as another tremble quakes the world around me. I have no idea where Andrew is. I have no idea what to do anymore. Nothing is making any sense. I take off out of the building, looking at the damage around me. And strange enough, I raise my gaze. I can see the sky. I can see the moonlight as it streams in. I can see the entire crack in the mountain where Remus and his sister entered.

We never stood a chance. And for the first time since his arrival, I think of the consequence. I ran a sword through him. I shot him until the gun couldn't shoot anymore. And I left him for dead. I look to see a little girl crying in front of me. And one of Remus' soldiers coming for her. She doesn't know the fate that's about to happen to her.

I take off towards her, willing my legs to move as fast as they can, to get to her. To do whatever I can to save her. The being raises his sword, about to slice the child in half. I crash into her, and we're sent rolling just in time to miss the deadly blow. I cradle her body, protecting her from the brunt of the impact.

I sit up just in time to see him coming at us full force. He's about to murder me and this child. I shield her body with mine and wait for the blow that never comes. When I open my eyes, I look up and wish that that Leviathan had murdered me.

Remus is standing over me. Not a dream. Not a vision. Remus. The real Remus. Here, and alive in the flesh. He just stares. He doesn't speak. Just stares. It's as if the world around me has disappeared. Nothing else matters. Nothing else exists. Just me and him, and my fate. A small smirk appears on his lips.

"Pet."