//------------------------------// // Chapter 4 - Griffin Fiefdoms // Story: Rage Unbound // by Bazing //------------------------------// The three of us waited for Trevor to return back with his ‘reinforcements’. Alex and I made small talk with Dave, but he seemed reluctant to talk about his family. Maybe something happened to them? Regardless, we learnt a few things about the country we were currently in.   Turns out, the Feudal Lord who rules the area we were in is the rank of Baron, a renowned warrior among the Griffins, even in the country's capital. Alex and I were surprised, neither of us had heard of any nobles being able to do something, but Trevor assured us that he was and is very skilled. Regardless, we were soon escorted to the nearest village – I've forgotten its name – to be held while we await questioning.  The trip was long and uneventful. I had found time to slip parts of what I had planned to Alex when the ‘guards’ weren’t paying attention, courtesy of Trevor. So far, I managed to get to Alex the part where we politely explain the situation. Alex only looked at me in disbelief of such a thing happening, as if saying “Yeah right, like that'll happen” , but I didn’t get to mention how if that fails then we just kill our way out. I made sure to rectify this error when we were in prison.    The next morning, we both awoke to the sound of metal banging against metal. The guard stationed outside our cell was trying to get our attention, but like usual, I take a bit to wake up. I looked around the cell and took in my surroundings; it was dark, the walls were grey, the air was damp with moisture, and moss grew all along the floor and walls.  Apparently, the Baron was coming to visit. Yay to us…  It turns out, Trevor and Dave were given the honour of guarding us, since they were the ones who found us in the first place. We made small talk about the Baron while we waited for him to show up, and soon enough he arrived. The loud cheering we could hear outside signified his arrival.  “He sure is hated.” Alex said sarcastically, truly impressed that a noble could be loved by anyone and not just himself.  “That Griffin saved this town several years back; he’s a hero here. It was only right that he would be named a Baron and continue looking after our town.” Dave said enthusiastically, like he was talking about his idol.  “Saved it from what exactly?” Alex responded, curious about the reason for the Baron's fame.  “The Baron saved it from a pride of Manticores, there were over two dozen of them, at least. It was incredible, I’ve never seen anyone fight like that before in my life! The way he evaded their strikes while countering was brilliant! It’s what made me join the militia, so that I’d never lose anyone close to me again.” Dave looked down sadly, “Not everyone survived the attack of course… my family was one of the many who didn't make it…” He trailed off as he thought of his family.  “I’m sorry, I didn't know. But if it’s any consolation, we know what that feels like.”  “It’s alright, it was a long time ago, I was just a kid then. I’m over it now.” Dave said.  “Well alright.” Alex left it at that, not sure what else to say.  I sat silently throughout the exchange, barely nodding my head to confirm what Alex said previously. A few moments in silence passed before the door was opened rather aggressively, and six Griffins followed through the doorway.  The one in the centre was the one we assumed was the Baron; he wore clothes only a noble would, he carried himself the way only a noble would, and he looked down on others the way only a noble would.  “I am Baron George, I rule this land. Tell me creature, what exactly are you and why have you come here?” He said egotistically.  “Call me ‘creature’ again mate, I fucking dare you.” I said darkly as I ran to the cell bars and rattled them almost enough to break off the hinges. My tone and my action made the noble and a few of his guards flinch back in surprise and fear.  George – because fuck titles and honourifics – swallowed nervously, “Th-then I-I ask again, w-what are you?” He managed to find his voice and stutter out his question in fear.  “We are beings called Nephalem, a race as old as time itself.” Alex replied. I glanced in his direction and he met my gaze with a grin.  “And we’re here to help you and your country; demons have invaded the planet.” I stated. Everyone present – minus Alex who slapped his palm into his forehead – looked at me stunned, then burst out laughing. There was one exception aside from Alex, a guard that trailed the Baron simply looked dead into my eyes, as if gauging the validity of my statement.  “Such nonsense! Things such as demons do not exist!” The nobleman laughed with the rest of his cronies. “I care not what or who you are; you are both clearly insane. So, what do you think guard? Execution under premise of spying?” He asked one of his guards.  “I agree milord, death is the only cure for insanity.” The guard responded.  “Wait! You can’t just kill them! They’re trying to help us!” Trevor yelled in protest.  “Idiot, you’re going to get us in trouble!” Dave said loudly to his partner.  However, Trevor refused to listen, “Why would you just go and sentence someone to death so casually like that! Neither of them have done anything wrong, not even by law!” He continued to protest, digging his grave deeper and deeper.  “Trevor, that’s enough.” I said to him.  “But-!” He tried to continue.  “I said that's enough.” I reassured him again, cutting him off.  “You are clearly in league with each other, traitor, throw him in another cell, and schedule him in for tomorrow’s execution as well.” Baron George ordered his guard.  “Hold the fucking phone! He has nothing to do with this; Trevor is innocent!” Alex shouted in response. They ignored him and continued to advance on Trevor and Dave, the two backed up against the bars of our cell.  “I’m not going down without a fight!” Trevor shouted and lunged forward with his spear, aiming to strike at the Baron. Dave meanwhile could not believe his eyes and ears. The two he had just met and was starting to warm up to were sentenced to death, his best friend and partner was labelled and traitor.  Trevor’s thrust cut but too shallow, barely drawing enough blood to spill out onto the floor. The Baron’s guards tackled him to the ground and started beating him. Dave regained his senses and jumped in to help his comrade.  “I'm not losing you as well Trevor!” Dave shouted as he tried to fight off the guards who were savagely beating his friend. Dave thrusted his spear towards the Baron, who reeled back in fear from the strike.  The edge just barely nicked the ruler's cheek, only drawing a single drop of blood before he was attacked from either side by the other two of the Baron's posse, knocked down to the ground, and savagely beaten like his friend. Alex looked at me in a mixture of desperation and anger, knowing I could intervene. I waited, and did nothing.  “I think they need a harsher punishment, don’t you?” The Baron asked his guards.  “Of course, milord.” The guard from before – the one who I caught staring at me – drew his sword and approached the beaten Trevor. He swung, and severed his left wing. Trevor screamed in agony as his wing was cut from his body, and Dave shouted in anger. He tried to rise; to fight back, but the guards only held him down harder, and severed his own wing in response. Their screams rang through the dungeons, causing Alex to grip the iron bars of our cell to the point they almost bled.  After the guards had enough of beating and mutilating their two former comrades, they threw them into our cell before making their way to leave. Seeing their battered and mutilated bodies, Alex stared daggers colder than the arctic into the Baron's. “You were called a hero, all we heard on the way here was how great you were.” With pinpoint accuracy, Alex primed himself and spat into the Baron's cheek. “No self-respecting man would call himself such in your position after this moment. You're no hero, you're a disgrace, and I will make sure that you pay for what you've done.” They ignored him and continued walking away. Alex turned to me and punched me in my face screaming his head off, “And how could you just stand there and let all that happen!?” Alex shouted at me in rage, livid that he had to witness such brutality towards the innocent.  “They got themselves into that mess Alex. I have nothing to do with it, nor did I have any reason to stop it.” I responded.  “That’s not the fucking point you twit! You help people because it’s the right thing to do, do you really need a reason to help in this situation? The man I called my brother ten years ago would never have let this happen. Has a demon consumed you too, brother!?” Alex retorted, absolutely furious.  As I looked into his eyes, all I saw was rage and disbelief. Disbelief from not ever thinking that I could stand aside from something like this, and rage from seeing that I actually did and that he felt he could only see a stranger. The latter alone, hurt me more than anything.  “…You’re right, I’m sorry.” I apologised to Alex before turning to the two nearly dead Griffins. I apologised to them as well as I knelt and healed their wounds. Their severed wings grew back, and their cuts and bruises healed. The two got up with renewed vigour and looked at me in amazement, like I was some sort of demigod.  “When you talked about your powers, neither of us would've ever guessed it could be this amazing!” Trevor said in glee.  “This healing, it’s like a miracle!” Dave agreed as he fluttered his newly grown wing.  “So, we're fighting our way out of here?” Alex asked darkly.  “You bet we are.” I responded in anger, cracking my neck in anticipation for what we do next. “He was a hero, my hero... How could he do something like this?” Dave said sadly, upset that the Griffin he thought to be a hero would be the same one to label him a traitor and sentence him to death over nothing but a trivial matter.  “Dave, I don’t believe that was the real George.” I reassured him.  “What do you mean?” Dave asked.  “You think so Jules?” Alex questioned, now on full alert.  “Look.” I pointed towards where the Baron’s blood had dropped. Though only a drop, the moss around it that had grown there was now twisted and decayed, it’s life corrupted by the dark forces of hell. “That is no longer the Baron you knew, that is a Demon...”