Shadows Reborn (2nd Book)

Chapter 4: Rebirth and Revelation

It did not take long for Althalos to locate his acquaintances, and once he did, he asked,"Are we to go now?"

Fendrel, Katelyn and Miasmador were talking about something, and it seemed to be of utmost importance, while Justin was calming an irate Katelyn down. Alianor was beside Fendrel, and the moment she heard Althalos, her eyes were already fixated on him. The Nightwalkers had their hands poised on their weapons and they were looking around should any one attack them once more, but even that cannot hide the pure astonishment painting their demonic faces.

They were already packed up and ready to go, but something was holding them all back and the Champion of Merec thought it was him, but oh no, was he wrong.

Once his voice reached the others' ears, they all stopped their actions, be it talking or guarding, and looked at him.

The past Althalos would have asked why everyone gave him a very confused glare, but the Shadow Master did not even say anything, merely reiterating his earlier inquiry. "Are we to go?"

He was met with silence. Looking around, he noted the two Nightwalker's stunned face, especially Astarte's, Katelyn and Fendrel's furious face, Justin and Alianor's still confused face, and Miasmador's look told the story, in this case, he told them his.

The silence was deafening and any moment now, Althalos would have thought that they would say how dangerous it still was to hang around here, what with replacement guards probably searching for them already, but still, the silence was all the others gave to him.

"Hold on a moment." Fendrel's words cut through the tension like a knife to butter, and his words seemingly brought about the senses of the others, bringing the Nightwalkers back to their vigilance, and they continued their guarding of the camp, but every now and then, Astarte would look back at Althalos, who exhibited naught but apathy.

"Is it true what he, Miasmador, had told us?" Fendrel asked, painfully drawing out every single word as the others looked on, waiting for his response.

"What has the dragon told you?" Was Althalos's reply, making the other Champion of the dark Lord blink her eyes in astonishment.

"Isn't it obvious?" Katelyn drawled, waving a hand in the other, appearing nonchalant all of a sudden. "Something about... an emotion.. displacement?"

A raised eyebrow later, and Althalos responded,"Is he perhaps pertaining to my lord's final gift to me?"

"Gift?" Astarte suddenly butted in. "What are you talking about a gift?"

She too knew the wicked manipulative ways of the macabre lord, and one look at Fendrel's horror-stricken face, and it was obvious he also knew of it. The lord of shadowy death might give benevolent gifts, if it could be called that, at first, but it would lead to those so called gifts leading to the beholder's downfall.

"Talk, boy," Fendrel snarled, drawing his sword. "What is this gift you are speaking about?"

"Is this the right time to discuss this?" Justin interrupted. "I mean, Kollsekr's guards might still be searching for us!" He quickly quipped when he saw the majority of their group gave him very acidic glares.

"Any who dare approach us will die," Seere and Astarte promised to them in unison, but still, Astarte's main focus was directed at their current topic. Meanwhile, Seere was more interested in their surroundings, rather than what is transpiring right now.

"Talk." This time, it was Katelyn who spoke. "We all want answers."

Althalos shrugged, and in a dull emotionless voice, he said, "The lord merely gave me the gift of not being able to feel."