Chapter 250: Judgement of the Ten (2/2)
Alton pushed past Alice staring onwards, watching the children evacuating. ”You're all weak; only I can do this… Sorry, say I wanted to ask. I've been having these visions; they scare the living hell out of me, but I'm always somewhere evil, and there's this man… An angel, perhaps? He's imprisoned, chained to the wall bloody and beaten. He's always asking me to free him. Have any of you?”
”No. Not at all.” Alice shuts down without much thought.
Iris gives it a little thought looking slightly troubled. ”It's hard to say, but when Salvation took over back home… I remember for the short time I was gone I came across someone who might have matched that description. I never mentioned it because it's stupid.”
”You both? What does that mean?”
”The Judgement of the ten… That's what I said, right? Bargaining had an idea that we Children of the Garden weren't connected to the Garden whatsoever. We were offspring of the race who caused all this shit Fairy-Tale. When we joined forces, Alice, something in us awakened. The symbols on our hand they reacted. They reacted against my fight with Vanguard. When I lost control, I was still able to watch; it was like watching a movie. Everything that happened judgement of the ten. Is that what we are?”
”What is the judgement of the ten?” Iris questioned, staring down at a faded birthmark on her hand, which slightly resembled the Fairy-Tale symbol.
”I don't know. My best guess is they are similar to the Stages of Grief—Fairy-Tale's elite warriors chosen to destroy the Garden. Ever since Mortem revealed itself, I've been feeling a pull, faint at first, but now it's gripped on tight and won't ever stop. The pull to war.”
”I have felt something similar for a little while,” Alice admitted. ”If we are these judgements of the ten, should we be concerned? They are after the same goal as us. They want the Garden to be destroyed as well.”
”But weren't they the very reason we're in this situation?” Iris questioned. ”I don't like any of this; we cannot trust either party. Don't let them control you.”
Alton lowered his arm, sighing. ”I'm not sure we have many choices. That's who we were before all of this, yeah? Ten… I'm ten; as a survivor, we use whatever we've got to win no matter what. Regardless of this so-called Fairy-Tale has ill intent or even started this damn war. I intend to finish it with their power.” The tunnel began to rumble as Alton stared on, nodding. ”It broke through the barrier. I'm going, Alice.”
”I really can't stop you, can I?”
”You can force me. But that won't help anyone.” Alton taunted. ”If you wish to help me, so be it.”
”The effects of Vanguard are still working against you, sis. Let me take over.”
Alice grunted, stepping away. ”I'll help everyone escape best I can. Don't you dare die on me, you two… Please, save Percy.”
Alton kept his gaze on Alice as she ran off; turning back, he dropped his hand, staring onwards. ”Let's go, Iris.”
****
Percy stepped into Sanctuary with a cocky smile. He took in a deep breath. ”Ahh, that smell. The smell of despair and fear.”
Vanguard stepped forward, holding the line. ”Percy. You will not get past me. No one else but me deserves your judgement. Leave the innocent out of this.”
”Hypocrite. You stand there talking down on me. The only way for you to pay for your sins is to tear it all down.” Vanguard gripped his fist tightly, rushing forward, punching Percy directly in the stomach with all his power. However, Percy stood there with a bold look as Vanguard stared on weak, falling to his knees, taking the full force instead. ”Your pain and guilt will define how you live forever. May it also burrow into your mind and take you slowly.”
”I can't give up… Percy needs me.”
Percy picked up Vanguard, pulling his hair. ”We need you to die. Die Vanguard, free us both and die for your sins.”
A pillar rippled from the ground blocking off the two as Percy glanced on at Alton and Iris. ”Right on time. And I see you brought the other Hawthorne girl with you.”
”Holy shit… It really is Percy.”
”Don't let his appearance deceive you. That monster is just using the dead body of Percy Misharp as a vessel. We're dealing with the stage of grief pain.”
Percy held his hands together, nodding. ”Everything he says is true. I'm ever so glad Alton has come out to play this time around. This shall make your death all the more satisfying.” Clapping his hand together, hundreds of copies began to appear all around them, completely overwhelming the small group of streamers. Holding his hand out, he let out a sing-song tone mocking them. ”Behold my almighty power! Horde of the dead. Tell me, how long will you last against all of us, Alton Brantley?!”
Alton sighed, holding his hand up as a small sun rippled into existence. With a piercing yellow stare, Alton spoke softly, taunting him. ”This battle is already as good as won.”