Jerry stared at the reddening rock. “What the hell!” he muttered. The stone seemed to be liquefying, melting like wax under an invisible flame. Shocked expressions crossed the men’s faces as they witnessed the mountain itself begin to groan.Jerry took several steps back. “Move back, everyone!” he ordered with a scream.They scrambled away just in time. The cave front shattered completely, sending jagged shards of rock flying through the air like shrapnel. The men dove for cover; some hit the dirt on their bellies, while others rolled away to avoid being crushed. Through the settling dust, they eyed the site with caution. Only one question burned in their minds: What has the Rebel Master done to himself?“Who is the kitty now?” the Rebel Master asked, letting out a chilling laugh.His voice had transformed; it was thicker, resonant, and carried the cold vibration of steel. He rose from the depths of the shattered cave, his legs still crossed in a meditative pose. The sheer volume of p

Jerry's eyes lit up. "I am not dreaming, am I? Someone pinch me." A soldier standing near Jerry immediately pinched him, and he yelped, "Ouch!"The soldier tried to defend himself. "You said I should..."Jerry cut him off. "I know!"The Rebel Master's face drained of color. He lost control, and suddenly, Charles began descending with terrifying speed. Jerry and the soldier beside him noticed at once. Rushing over, they hurried to catch him. Jerry supported his head while the soldier caught his legs. Charles was having difficulty breathing, but he managed a weak smirk. "Seems I will not be dying today," he gasped.Jerry and the soldier placed him gently on the floor. "Your insides may be fried. I hope they can heal you," Jerry said, a small, relieved smile reaching his eyes."I thought you hated me?" Charles asked pressing his lips together."Not now," Jerry responded simply. "You are my partner, Charles. If you survive this, you will be my partner."Noel had moved back a safe distance

Noel turned to Heali. “You served him until you decided to change camps. And if I had to guess, that was only yesterday. You would know if the Rebel Master is telling the truth or not.”Heali replied solemnly, “The Rebel Master hides many things even from those who are closest and most loyal to him. But, indeed, he does have connections within the palace.”Noel sheathed his sword. The Rebel Master exhaled in visible relief.Noel faced Darian. “I think we have to hold a meeting to deliberate on this.”Darian nodded his head, as did the other men.Like a flash of lightning, Noel turned back to the Rebel Master. Lifting his already sheathed sword, he delivered a crushing blow to the Master's head. A scream of pain escaped the man's lips before he fell on his face.Noel screamed over him, “Do not think your life will get better! I will make sure bitterness is your daily drink until the day you die!”The Rebel Master tried to lift his head without raising the rest of his body. As he did so

Darian knew very well that the words the Rebel Master had spoken were intended to sow discord among friends. Still, he wondered if they had done more than a small amount of damage to Noel. They would have to talk about it soon.Darian could remember the Golden Eagle revealing Noel's true identity to him and telling him to share his powers with Noel. But Darian had resisted then, and right now, he was not changing his mind. The power that looked so awesome to all who saw it—and that now troubled his friend—was the same power that had robbed Darian of many things in life, including a normal childhood. Darian was never truly a child except when he was with his mother, and Noel had no idea what he was actually jealous of. To Darian, Noel was better off without his powers and without knowing his true identity. He could live a normal, ordinary life without the worry that a whole country was trying to hunt him and his family down, just as Darian had experienced his entire life.A hand tapped

Darian continued, “This ring was emerald then.”Noel frowned. “Darian, I think you are taking this too seriously. I am talking about the fun part of your job. You know, giving speeches and kicking the butt of bad guys?”Darian gave a dry chuckle. “There is nothing fun about my job, Noel. And you are going to listen to me until I finish my tale.”Noel was taken aback, but he maintained his calm.“My mother had to die in my place to keep me safe,” Darian said. “She hid me away while she was captured. My father has been in the custody of Her Holiness for a long time now. I have lost almost everyone I love because of this power, and sometimes I hope nothing bad will happen to you too, because you are close to me.” When Darian reached this point, he fell silent.Noel considered his friend. “I have been jealous of you. Not for long, but when I saw you appear in all that power… I mean, I have known your identity for a while now, but you were awesome that day. And the Rebel Master called me a