Zachary

Chapter 9 – Zachary

Zachary

A group of twenty of us went through the portal.

It was a white vortex that cackled with black lightning.

After walking through we found ourselves in a somewhat hilly area. Off in the distance, about a mile away, was a dense forest. A river came from the east and cut through the forest not far from where we were.

'There's an odd vibe in the air. It also feels like we're being watched.' I thought.

In my left hand I held my staff, and my right rested on my sword.

I noticed that a few had tightened their grips on their weapon.

'It's unlikely that anything will ambush us until we reach the forest, however, nothing is certain.' I thought as I glanced around.

"Guys the portal's sealed!" A voice cried.

I turned my head and gave a look.

Sure enough.

A grey semi-transparent barrier had formed over it.

'So, we can't leave whenever we want. Is this what was meant by "your lives are no longer your own". If so, then this could end up pretty damn effective in some situations.' I thought as I began to glance around once more.

People began to yell and argue with each other quickly.

"Everyone! We must remain calm!" The man from before said. Leon, I think his name was?

"Panicking will do us no good right now. So all of you, calm down." Leon said as everyone else gradually focused on him.

"That's better. The portal may be closed, but there should be a way to open it. As for what this method is, your guess is as good as mine. But standing here doing nothing but arguing will get us nowhere." Leon said.

"Now then, we have a few options before us. We could wait here in the hopes that the portal opens on its own, or that someone comes by who knows how to open it. Or we could start looking around and see if we can find a way to open to the portal on our own. What say you all?" Leon said.

After debating for a few minutes, the general consensus was to wait.

"Then for now we'll wait." Leon said.

Shaking my head, I began walking forward.

"And where are you going?" Someone asked.

"The forest. I feel the answer lies there." I said.

"Were you not paying attention, we just agreed that we would all wait here." The boy said.

I stared at him.

"I don't recall agreeing with anything the 15 of you said." I said before I began walking again.

"Excuse me? Just who do you think you are?" He said.

I turned and saw both Asseylum and Leon stiffen.

"That's enough. Let him go if he wants to." Leon said.

"But Leon, if we let him go then-" The man began.

"Enough. If he wants to go, let him, it's his life, not yours." Leon interrupted.

A drop of cold sweat fell from Asseylum's forehead.

He opened his mouth to speak to again.

My eyes narrowed.

"Listen Leon if we let him go then..." His voice trailed off as he heard a sword beginning to scrape against a scabbard.

"If you want to stop me, then draw that sword of yours and stop me. But the price of failure is death." I said.

There was a momentary pause before he said, "Arrogant bastard! If that's what you want, I'll fight you then!"

"Stop!" Leon yelled.

He drew his sword and ran forward.

My sword flew from it's sheath and collided with his as a fireball flew out and hit him directly in the face.

A cry of pain escaped him.

It didn't last long as his sword was knocked from his hand and he was decapitated.

"Is there anyone else who wants to stop me?" I said.

"No? Then I'm going now." I said as I sheathed my sword and turned.

As I began to walk Asseylum said, "Wait, I'm going too."