126 The Soul Traveler’s Blood

AUTHOR'S POV

Ottis was never really a misanthropic loner. In fact long ago, he had friends whom he called family. From the youthful tomfoolery to being involved in heinous crimes, Ottis and his friends were known to be the toughest, most savage and slippery to catch amongst the Valcan rebels. Through the several years that they have teamed up, they have always been in sync in their decisions and strategies… like they were always as one.

One day, one of Ottis' friends, Rory, caused a rumpus with his constant flair for troublemaking with Valdemar, the leader of Valcan revolt. He became out of control, that he stopped following rules and refused to live the Valcan way. With the support of his friends, Rory planned to steal gold from Valdemar and decided to break their team away from the Valcan revolt. Ottis, who respects Valdemar, was hesitant at first. However, for the sake of brotherhood, Ottis granted his friend's extremely heavy request.

On the night of the plan's execution, Rory made an additional personal request to Ottis. He asked for the life of Valdemar as he hand over a dagger. Ottis thought it was too much, but Rory threatened Ottis that he'll be cut off from the gang. Afraid of being alone and become left out by his friends, Ottis accepted the challenge and made a difficult decision that he never knew would change his life forever.

As planned, Ottis with his friends break in Valdemar's quarters where he and his wife was sleeping soundly. They managed to swipe most of the jewels and gold hidden in the chambers. While everyone was busy, Ottis approached Valdemar on the bed to fulfill his mission. As he check the bed, it was then that he found out that it was actually only a pile of hay that was under the covers. Then, a loud sound alerted the entire Valcan territory. When he turned, his friends have already escaped leaving all the jewels and gold with him in the quarters. Just when he tried to break out, Valdemar have already blocked the exits. With the only one left behind, Ottis tried to explain, but all he got was banishment and a scar on his face. Sadly, Rory and his friends abandoned him, as if the plan was Ottis' alone.

From then on, Ottis has been a lone wolf. He never liked being in a team, or simply being in a collaborative works with others. With a promise to spare himself from the distress of other people's betrayal, Ottis highly preferred to live a solitary life… away from people not worthy of his trust.

For the first time after several years, Ottis is making a different choice - a choice that he hoped he won't regret again.

Hastily, Ottis searched for Jacomus, Atrius and Umbriel in the woods that's consumed by darkness. The difficulty to find them was made even more heightened because of the disturbing sounds of the night that misleads him. The fireflies were his guide, and the starlight showed the way. By and by, he started breathing easy when he finally found them. In slow strides, Ottis decided to help his friends hanging on the tree branches by their bound hands.

Ottis climbed up the tree and untied the ropes one at a time. Jac, Atrius and Umbriel, who's sight have adjusted well in the dark, were surprised to see Ottis, yet no words of cheer expelled their mouths. Just when Ottis set Atrius free, and lose the thin cloth covering his mouth, Ottis received something he knew was coming.

"Ottis you dumb fuck! I'm going to kill you!!", Atrius, who was infuriating in anger, jumped on Ottis as he throw several jabs. Ottis laid on the ground with his arms up, letting Atrius blow off his steam.

"I just did it to save our asses!!", Ottis tried to explain.

"Atrius, calm down!", Jacomus tried to pull him away, but Atrius was so worked up until his knuckles bleed.

"Sir Atrius, get a hold of yourself", Umbriel held Atrius's arm drawing him back.

Together, Jac and Umbriel were able to separate Atrius from Ottis. However, he still didn't stopped from speaking his enraged mind. "You miserable prick! If anything happen to Haelan, you're good as dead!", Atrius continued to send more flying punches and kicks.

With an open burst on his right brow from Atrius' blows, Ottis stood wobbly on his feet as he face Atrius. "I may be miserable, but guess what? You are all still alive, thanks to this dumb ass fuck", Ottis said as he spit some blood pooling in his mouth.

Jacomus had enough of Atrius going wild, so he held him by his shoulders and meet him eye to eye. "Atrius save your energy, we have some other enemies out there that we need to deal with first", Jacomus said.

Atrius took a grip of himself and simmered down. As he breathe heavily, he shook his bleeding knuckles while he cool himself off little by little. "We're done", Atrius gritted his teeth in pure indignation. "We're done Ottis! You're not one of us anymore", Atrius said as he walk off. Umbriel followed him to make sure he won't do anything rash.

Broken with a contrite heart, Jac held the back of his bald head as he walk back and forth. He treated Ottis family ever since they stepped in Brandenburg. And now, it breaks his heart that he have to make a choice. Then, he faced Ottis who's at a standstill on his spot. "You're so wrong on this one, man.", he said as he walk out.

Ottis accepted the cost of his actions, regardless they were unintentional. He thought, he just did what he had to do to save them all. He knew that his friends have no match in the combat skills the Valcan rebels are trained for. They are dirty fighters who'd even literally stab you on the back. Thus, he neither resisted Atrius' punches nor his mortifying words that struck his chest. With his head held down, Ottis chose to walk away with the preference of staying silent than to explain the purpose of his deed. "If history has to repeat itself, so be it", Ottis thought that he once lost his friends, he wouldn't mind if he would lose some again. Then, he disappeared in the shadows of the night as he walk away.

BACK IN THE CAVE

Omar dragged Haelan and tossed her near the campfire. Grunting with resistance, Haelan fell on the ground hitting her side. She continued to struggle trying to loosen her binds, kicking the men surrounding her by the bonfire. Timely, Andrew returned to the cave at the sight of his men plaguing Haelan.

"May I?", Omar who's eyes were full of eagerness asked permission to the Earl.

"As you please", Andrew gave a cue as he light another cigar. The rebels got too excited as they yap and howl like hungry wolves.

"Don't try to run", Omar said as he pull up his knife. Nico and Marco untied Haelan, and removed the gag from her mouth. Whimpering, Haelan tried to remain calm as she watch these men sit with her with a blade on their hands.

"If you're going to kill me, do it fast", Haelan said as her lips tremble like a leaf. With the peril at hand, she couldn't take off Stellan in her mind whom she wished is by her side. The rebels laughed out loud as if what Haelan said was the funniest they ever heard.

"We won't kill ya. Believe it or not, we adore your kind", Omar said as he let the tip of his blade travel on Haelan's face down to her neck. Haelan sat on the ground steadily as she clench her jaw tightly, while big drops of sweat run down her cheeks.

"That's right. We cherish travelers, in fact we worship you all. Soul travelers are wonderful vessels of great power. Just imagine, someone who can heal, and switch souls..", Andrew continued to puff his cigarette.

"I heard from the legends, soul travelers can move the earth too!", Nico said with so much joy.

"And our personal favorite?", Andrew asked his men.

"The soul sraveler's blood", Matteo answered as the rebels grab hold of Haelan's arms and limbs.