The Gods' Decree 209 Fighting Inner Demons

"She was my daughter Victor. Do you think there is a moment she is not within my thoughts? How many nights have I stayed up talking in the darkness as if she was there? The years have been like seconds that flicker along with ever an eye. You knew the woman, while I nestled the infant."

For a moment Victor was awakened from his self-pity as Old Perth continued,

"The fact of the matter was we all saw the signs but were too late to act. It is something that can sometimes sneak upon us all. It is somewhat laughable we frown upon mortals, yet we too are similarly susceptible to such things."

After the mere mentioning of her daughter, Old Perth couldn't help but run her hands through Sara's hair. Every time she did this it an image played of a child eager for her mother's companions.h.i.+p, warmth, and a.s.surance.

"Forgive me I know you are also aggrieved. Though it has been a few years I should be more thoughtful with my words. It was truly careless of me." Victor hurriedly apologized.

He could only imagine the heartache a mother faced losing her only daughter the way she did. Not by the hands of an enemy's weapon, but a dagger into her own heart.

"It's a wound that will never be mended., this I have come to realize.

Now, Victor, this brings up a matter that needs to be discussed. The sect is also your family and you, its head. When I handed the reign over, I told you this outright.

 In such dark times, it is in need of a young invigorated leader who will motivate all to fight to the very end.

For now, I am standing in your stead. Yet I can't be this person. There is a need to see a vision of the sect's future, and all which I represent is its past."

The grand elder firmly took her stance. Though it pained her certain things were needed to be said.

"You want me to choose between the sect or my child?" Victor Wryly laughed.

'Hasn't this been what I have been doing all along? First the sect before Elizabeth, and then its interest before my only daughter.

Don't let me choose for you already know my answer. There are others capable of taking on the mantle who are even younger than I am. "

There was no hurried reply from the grand elder hearing her disciple's words. This was her role as the grand elder. Sometimes tough questions had to be asked for the overall benefit of the sect.

"I'll let you be. In your current stage, it is understandable that you can't be reason with." The grand elder leaned over kissing the forehead of Sara making her way to the door.

"How has the child adjusted ?" Seeing his master leaving Victor asked one final question.

"He is doing well. To keep him preoccupied I have given him a slight mission. Still, his growth is exceedingly fast. By my calculations, within a few years, neither of us will be his match."The grand elder replied,

"Yet master you worry about the future of the sect. When the heavens have already answered your prayers.

"That would be a blessing. Still, I opt to be more realistic, hoping his presence will mold the next generation."

THUD!

Victor looked seeing the door closed behind Old Perth as she made her exit. Before making his way over to his daughter's bedside.

????????

Having returned home, on a bench outside his manor sat Taf. This bench was shaded underneath an old oak tree Taf. Sitting beside him was May as they pried into the star-filled skies. This was their custom on nights such as this ever since that fateful night they first star gazed.

"You have softened up a bit with them haven't you?" May teased recalling the outing they just had.

Playing her comments down Taf responded, "I have no clue what you are talking about miss."

"Brute, I know you. The Taf of two months ago would have milked them for all they were worth. Yet you gave them a fighting chance. You should know there is nothing wrong with liking them." May uttered as she cozied up to Taf.

"I hope this isn't somehow getting in touch with my feminine side bull." Taf then suspiciously enquired which garnered a chuckle from May,

"No, I would never sir. It's just I like seeing you happy and this was the case today."

May smiled as Taf predictably rolled his eyes as he sighed. Truthfully he was not one for talks of emotions.

In fact, May didn't know where they would be if she hadn't confronted him a year and a half prior in that garden in Marvel City.

In a bid to change the topic Taf questioned, "Are you still having those nightmares?"

"I know what you are doing trying to avoid the topic sir, but i will oblige you. Sadly yes I have been seeing their corpses from time to time. I would think after two months had pa.s.sed it would lessen, but it hasn't."

As she spoke May reflected on her sleepless night seeing the corpses of those she killed back in Starlight City. Sarabia, her men and Lord realm Marco. In some ways, she felt guilty taking lives the way she did. 

"This is expected. I have told you many stories about my early years in Marvel City, yet there is one which i didn't mention."

Taf's words caught the intrigue of May as she wondered what this story could possibly entail. Why was it he didn't open up about this one tale.

" I was ten at the time and It was the first time I actually made a mess of thing in my fun.

So costly was this mistake, I endangered the life of Old Man Ming, Mrs Ming, and Little Sue."

Taf shook his head remembering his former self that night. He had forgotten his most basic rule, which was never heading home without a few detours in order to lose any trackers.

Seeing his expression May could tell there were still some regrets in his voice. 

'I was tailed by the boss of the Bing bang after a playfully constructed ruse which caused the demise of their gang.

It was this moment where Old Man Ming revealed his background. He killed all three men with knives and boiling oil."

After hearing this May could only imagine how ten years old Taf would process such a thing. Taf then continued,

"I threw up all night afterward, but that was the easy part.

I had nightmares for three years straight. Foolishly I thought they would cease after a while, but they just became worse."

"How did you end up stopping them?" May questioned having been intrigued by his tale.

"Who says I did?" Taf smiled as he replied which puzzled May.

"I firmed my resolve waking up every night afterward saying, I like things how they are. I rather they haunted me for the rest of my life than the other way around.

All this means is their death ensures my life and those I care for. Now I look forward to the nightmares as it's a reminder of how truly blessed I am."

May became silent for a moment as she digested what Taf had said before she gave a thought of her own,

" So you confronted your inner guilt by reaffirming you stance as to why you took the action you did.

"You can say that or maybe I am just a psychopath as the rumors state. Aren't you scared little miss." Taf smirk became skewed as he evilly laughed.

Pss.h.!.+

"When could you ever scare me? I'm the one you should be afraid up." May too wickedly smiled as her fingers made their way to Taf's side.

"You wouldn't?" Taf eased back from May's embrace after seeing her intend.

May then teased seeing his state, "Really wouldn't I?" Taf gulped as May pinned him down,

"...and they call me a psychopath."

Unedited version

To be continued....