Vengeance is the Motivation: Inhuman Actions Make Human Monsters
By Boomerang
rangflash@excite.com

*PANG*

Genkaku threw the sword to the ground, reaffirming to all present his refusal to fight. Hesitantly and unwillingly, Han drew his sword, and placed it on the neck of his old friend. In a booming voice, he declared, "I am victorious!" The soldiers and representatives of the City-State were silent with shock. Mayor Darell, ferociously angry, yelled to Han, "Kill him now, you coward! You are almost as much of a dog as he is!" Turning, Han released his own anger. "You started this war, fool! Scum like you cannot measure up to a man like Genkaku." Sword still unsheathed, Han strode angrily from the arena.

The Highlanders cheered, fate had dealt them an unconditional victory. King Agares Blight laughed with pleasure and shock. His young son could not understand. "Father, why did he not fight? It cost his country greatly." Agares turned and looked at his son. Though still a boy, the child was unquestionably brave. Even at his age, he was compared to a young Han Cunningham, the chief Highland commander.

"My son, I wish I knew. However, at least peace will reign again." He turned toward his queen. "Right, Sara?" The beautiful lady turned, saying, "A most ironic outcome. With all the lives lost in this war, it strikes me as strange that the outcome would be decided without a swordstrike." The boy next to Agares, Luca, looked at her with great affection. He always loved his mother best, thought Agares. They seemed to share a bond even greater than he and Sara did.

An attendant approached. Rising with royal dignity, Agares said, "Inform Darell to remove his army from this area. It is once again under Highland rule. Furthermore, prepare my carriage for departure. Sara, Luca, and my entourage will leave for L'Renouille this evening." The attendant bowed and left.

In the main Highland tent, Luca sat on his mother's lap. "Mother, what will peace be like?" he asked. Sara laughed quietly. Luca had never known a time of peace. "Well, you will get to stay at home with myself, your father, and your new sister....you will have lots of friends, and....life will be more relaxing." The child seemed so sheltered. He had grown without a care in the world, but she worried that he had no idea of the horrors that could happen in the world.

A member of the royal guard strode in and kneeled. Never raising his eyes, he spoke. "My lady, the king summons you." Sara, followed by Luca, left the tent. Immediately, soldiers began to pack it up.

Agares smiled as mother and son approached. "Our carriage is ready, my love," he called to his wife. Sara smiled as she got in. Luca turned toward him, asking, "Are you coming, father?" "I must find Han to make sure he does not move our army for another day," was the reply. "I'll come in a moment."

By the time Agares made it back to the carriage, the sun was setting. As they started for L'Renouille, Sara asked, "How was Han, my lord?" Agares brushed at his hair. Slowly, he replied. "He...was very upset. I do not know what went on between Han and Genkaku, but something upset him deeply." "Darling, is the war really over?" "Yes, my love. We can finally go home and raise our family." Agares turned toward Luca. "You should get some sleep, young man. We have much to do." Luca did as commanded, slowly drifting into sleep.....

.....And was awakened as the carriage stopped violently. Shouts could heard outside. Suddenly, two arrows whistled into the carriage, both striking Luca. He cried out, but was drowned out amid shouts of "Protect the king!!!" In his pain, Luca realized that they had brought no more than 20 guards on this trip, the main army was on the border with the City-State.

Several arms reached into the carriage, dragging the royal family out. It was now quite dark, and Luca could not see his captors. He was forced to kneel, as was his father and mother next to him.

A torch was lit. Luca was surprised to see several State troopers surrounding them. Agares frowned with rage, shouting, "What are State troops doing here?! Leave, you are in Highland lands!" The leader of the force, a large man with a wicked looking sword, laughed.

"Old man, this is rightfully our land, as our mayor knows. As you may guess, I don't have much time. However, you robbed us of our dignity with the unconditional treaty. We demand retribution, and blood must flow!"

With that, he swung the sword. It seemed as if time ceased to flow. Luca looked on, his awestruck expression frozen in horror. Sara didn't even have time to scream.

As her head hit the ground, the lifeless countenance seemed to stare at Agares and Luca. It bore a puzzled expression, frozen for an instant in time. The dead body was slumped next to the head. It took seconds for Luca to comprehend. By the time he understood, Agares was already slumped over his wife's body, sobbing. Luca screamed into the night.

The State commander bore a grim expression. "This is for the pain you have caused us, old man. Remember this." Luca was possessed by a rage, something he had never felt before. It felt terrible to him, but.....it also made him feel strong, mighty, unstoppable. In a flash, he seized the sword of his mother's murderer, and brought the blade down. He had never killed before, and it horrified him, the way the body slumped over. Shouting to his father, Luca asked, "Father, draw your...."

Luca was cut off by another noise, the sound of horses. Highland troops had arrived! Han was leading a force of cavalry to rescue his lord.

The State soldiers, at the unexpected sight of the great commander, tried to flee. However, Han deployed his force, cutting off all avenues of retreat. After a period of slaughter, Han took several prisoners, and approached the royal family. Seeing Luca holding the bloody sword, a sad expression settled on his face. "I was hoping, my Prince, that you would never have to raise sword. Beware, everytime you take a life, it gets easier. Always have a purpose."

The King looked up at Han. "Old friend," he said, "I am glad to see you, but I am also surprised. What do you here?" Han replied, "I noticed that one of the enemy divisions was missing, and I quickly understood. That Darell is truly a bastard!" He paused, then spoke quietly. "It is good to see you in good health, Your Majesty. But the queen..." Agares cut him off. "Hopefully, she will be the last casualty of this war. We must get home now."

Luca, completely exhausted, passed out from the strain of the ordeal. He had lost his mother, his blissful life, and a large supply of his own blood. The carriage drove onward toward L'Renouille, and the doctors it housed.

When Luca woke up, he was wracked with pain. He fidgeted and struggled, but strong arms held him down. A steady voice said sternly, "My lord, remain calm. We will be done soon." The face of a Highland doctor peered at him. Luca was still woozy, his vision blurred. "Prince, I am afraid this will hurt quite a bit. We removed the arrow, but the actual arrowhead is still in your body. If it is not removed it will cause more damage. Try to hold still." Luca dimly saw the doctor slowly move a wicked looking knife towards his shoulder, and then....

It was a full two hours before Luca could stop screaming. Many men would have died from the shock that his body took. It was during those two hours that Luca realized something: He had to be strong. Not just powerful, but the strongest man alive. Otherwise, he couldn't protect the ones he loved. Without power, you couldn't do anything. There are two types of men in this world: The strong and the weak. The strong conquer and the weak die.

Two days later, Luca was allowed to move around. Fortunately, the first arrow had only grazed him, and the second struck his shoulder, missing his vitals. Making his way toward the throne room, he moved slowly, attended by two doctors. His father met them where the Beast Rune sat on the floor.

At the sight of his father, tears came to his eyes, and his voice broke as he spoke. "F...Fuh..Fath...." Agares moved toward the boy, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Do not strain yourself, my son. The war is over, and we can recuperate." Puzzled, Luca asked his father, "But what of mother....is she...."

"Yes my son, I am afraid so. It strikes us all deeply."

"When will we get revenge on the enemy?"

"Son, you finished your mother's murderer with your own hands."

The boy persisted. "Father, the man mentioned that they were sent by the Mayor Darell. We must kill him for mother or else she...."

"Enough!" Shouted the father. "Your mother wanted this war to end, and end it shall! The State troops have all withdrawn. As a further peace offering, I released the prisoners." Rage again struck Luca.

"You would let them get away with this!!!!!! They killed her and you refuse to go and take their heads!!!!!!!"

In the fury, Luca's wound reopened. The blood spilled across the Beast Rune, and it shone brightly. The image of a wolf appeared in his head, and it spoke to him.

"You are of the Blight family, and by that lineage a servant of mine. I will add my power to yours, and you will be stronger than any man who walks the earth. You will hunt down the murderers of your mother, and release me from my seal.....Luca.....remember what they did to your mother......"

Years Later

Agares Blight slumped over, vomiting. "Uggh....Luca, you....you would do this to your own father..." Luca shouted at the dying old man. "You dare call yourself father!!!!!! You let my mother die!!!!!!"

Agares was fading from consciousness. "Sa....Sara..." he mumbled. Infuriated by this, Luca continued his tirade. "Don't say that name old man!!!!!! You betrayed her!!!!!!" Now, I can destroy all the City-State without him to stop me!!!! Thought Luca.

Vengeance is the motivation. Inhuman actions make human monsters.