Chapter Text
These feelings that calmed significantly after his last meeting with the Commandant. He felt more at peace, at least he wasn’t hunting him like prey, but he wasn’t safe, especially outside the city. He knew he would take him if he got the chance, but it seemed like he almost wanted this experience to be "nice." Over the past two days a few people had come up to him. Asking him if he knew a massive man claiming to work for Lucien. If he knew that man was looking for him. He would smile awkwardly, tense, as he mumbled, “Oh, he’s a stalker.” The reactions he got varied. Pure red faced embarrassment or eyes of confusion and doubt. Thankfully, he hadn’t gotten anywhere near his family. That made him mostly relax, waiting for the day that Giles told him that the farm was sold and that they were leaving.
“Boo-” Helix jumped into the air like a frightened cat as Jory, a larger guard from Bowerstone, grasped the entire top of his head with his hand. “Wiggly finger attack.” Helix shifted his head, munching on one of his fingers as Jory yanked back, yelping like a kicked dog. “AUGH! Why?” He whined.
“Bastard.” Helix huffed at him, grinning slightly.
“Jory.” Giles hissed at him as he walked into the bar. “Maybe scaring my son out of his mind while he’s actively being stalked is a terrible idea?”
“Ah, sorry, boss.” The massive nordic man mumbled, retracting his hand and smiling at Helix with his neck tightening harshly. “Sorry. I just, gonna miss ya’, you know? We all are.” Helix blinked, as Giles sighed harshly.
“I haven’t told him yet, you bumbling bee.” Jory’s face fell further, his eyebrows turning up hard.
“‘M just tired, having a new kid and all, alright? Not in peak form right now, boss.” Giles just sighed, not really giving him anything other than turning to them both.
“S-so… That’s it?” Helix mumbled.
“That’s it.” Giles replied, nodding. “We leave tomorrow, we have to. I’ve heard he’s coming this way. Doesn’t seem to care that were trying to keep him out. They can’t hold him back without a fight, and a fight is that last thing we want right now. We leave via Oakfield tomorrow. Early.”
“Are you sure?” Helix found himself asking. “If you wanted to stay-” He caught nothing but a hellfire fueled look from his father. “I… Just being sure, sir.”
“Sir?” He huffed.
“Just being sure, Dad.” Giles finally smiled.
“I know, kiddo. But I won’t abandon you for nothing, not my life, not a farm. Nothing. You understand?”
“Y-yessir!” Helix chirped.
“You should spend some time with the boys, they will be sad to see you go. And if you see her, give little Stevie a hug for me.” Helix nodded rapidly as Jory smirked at the sound of his daughter’s name. Jory spun, wandering out as Helix skittered after him.
“Jory!” Helix looked up sharply at the guard that sprinted up to them. “We got a problem, c’mon.” Jory glanced back at Helix, a moment of raw fear sitting on his scarred face.
“Listen, just get inside somewhere. I don’t like this. Something already feels off.”
“Yessir.” Helix spun, skittering into the library. He had thought about getting Jory a book for his little girl. He could remember the times that Arlo would read to him. Those were the nights that made him end up sleeping through, no nightmares. Just his brother’s voice echoing through his mind as he fell asleep, safe. Loved. His eyes flicked over, looking out of the door. He watched the Commandant march up the bridge, a swiftness in his step as Derek tried to trail him as close as possible. His stride was only matched by the man in the beret who looked just as determined. He tucked down slightly, his eyes wide. Did they hurt Jory? They weren’t supposed to be able to get in that easily. It felt too fast, they had to have hurt him, right? He went to step out but something held him there. Fear? The unknown? He wasn’t sure, he couldn’t dissect the emotions in the moment. He just took the smallest of glances, nearly meeting eyes with Derek as he looked over. Helix jolted back, completely tense and flat against the wall. His eyes snapped up to the book clerk, the look on his face clearly making her uncomfortable.
“D-Do you have a door out back?”
“N-No. Just a window.” She motioned to the window next to her, but it would leave Helix right in the alley near the side of the Cow and Corset with nowhere to go. The buildings were all to close to each other on this side to try and get back over the bridge.
“Hey, kid.” Helix nearly leaped out of his skin as Derek leaned onto the door, smirking down at him. He winced, his face desperate and timid.
“Pl-please be as cool as I think you are?” Helix tried. Derek snorted, smirk only growing as he nodded.
“I am pretty chill, huh?” He hummed. “And since you’re trapped this time, why don’t you talk to me this time?” Helix sighed softly, nodding a little. Derek stood up off the door frame and stepped inside once.
“Mays.” Helix tucked hard against the wall, then dropped to his knees and skittered under the window, getting to a small corner. It had the biggest bookcase he had ever seen in his life making a nook. He tucked into the small reading corner, still exposed by the slats in between the books, but it was the best he had.
“Yah?” He replied, turning to face the bigger man. His shadow loomed over him, cast across the floor like some type of ritualistic omen.
“I have not seen you read in eight years. Must you?” He clearly wasn’t in the mood, definitely not in the same mood Helix had met him in.
“Just lookin’ for him, besides.” He turned, smirking at the lady behind the counter. “I wanted to talk to the pretty lady.” She covered her mouth with her hand, turning a gentle pink. He heard heavy steps begin to clatter over the loose wooden floorboards. Please, don’t come- Helix tensed as he looked up, eyes wide and panicked as the Commandant stepped inside, standing with his back to him as he stared down at the women behind the desk. Her face dropped the pretty pink and became pale at the sight of how he towered like the bookshelves, and the unfriendly, militaristic way he stood.
“I am searching for a younger man with blonde hair. His right eye is split in half green, half blue. Have you seen him recently?” She looked up at him, eyes wide and nervous. Her eyes flicked to Derek, as if asking him what to do. “Look at me.” He hissed. Helix could understand why he might dislike Derek now. Every time he tried to speak with someone, they sought comfort and reassurance from Derek. Maybe if he tried being nicer, and less of a up tight-
“Commandant, c’mon, man. I had it handled.” Derek sighed deeply, moving inside slowly to stop behind him, covering the spot Helix was tucked away in with his bigger body. Helix crouched like a little goblin, worrying his lip. This was far from good. She was involved now, and if he threatened her, he had no idea if she would just turn him in. No less, Derek was actively protecting him. If she did, she would not only throw Helix at his feet, but Derek too.
“You were here to flirt, not get the answers I seek.”
“Both.” Derek urged. “Why don’t you-”
“I desire answers.” He grunted, looking back to the women now. “You, speak.”
“He… Is a blacksmith.” She muttered, motioning. “He frequents the smith. I would ask Yager, the smith boss.”
“So he does have a lying streak.” The Commandant replied, sighing. “He told me he does not work on guns.”
“He doesn’t do just guns!” She hummed, nodding. “Why, just the other day, he fixed the guard’s gate-”
“The other day? How recent?”
“Uh…” She hummed, smirking. “A few days.” She tried. Yeah, try yesterday. Sweat was pooling on his cheeks, running down and making him itchy. His hole body was crawling with this energy, his skin felt like he had scarabs rummaging around under it.
“His name.”
“Uh… Well.” She thought. “I… Don’t know.”
“What?” The Commandant hissed, stepping closer. Helix couldn’t see his face, but he knew the glare that was resting on his face was something electric on its own. “I will scorch your books, woman.”
“Commandant, reign in it. Look at her face. She ain’t lyin’.” Derek hissed, glaring at him. “Look at her.” The Commandant now turned to him as Helix tried to become as still as possible, refusing to move and draw attention.
“Remember who you speak to.” He threatened, his voice low and hollow. He was completely different, totally unfriendly. No where near the man he had met the other day that was willing to tell a tiny joke or back up when requested. He knew that he wasn’t a nice man, he knew it, but for some reason, the change was bothering Helix greatly. He wanted to pop out and smack him. He wondered if he did show himself, if the Commandant would instantly change back to uphold his previous personality.
“Ya’ ain’t gotta be mean to her and I just cause you’re missin’ him.” Derek prodded, smirking at him. It wasn’t friendly though, it was a clear challenge to his authority. Derek was trying to pull him off her. Helix could see him gear to duck and cover if a hand swung for him.
“Toy with me enough today, Mays, and you shall realize that the collar is nothing compared to genuine Will.” He warned, his voice low enough that even Helix had a hard time hearing the threat. He glanced up enough, looking through a space to see Derek’s face twist into a snarled frown.
“You threatenin’ me? Your right hand? The man that has been here with your sorry ass for eight years?” The Commandant didn’t seem particularly moved, a chuff leaving him as if to say ‘That matters to you? Not to me.’ “I’m tryin’ to help you, you know that. It’s all I’ve ever done. So keep your threats to yourself, to me and the civies. Ya’ damn brat.” Derek hissed. “Thrownin’ a hissy fit for no damn reason.”
“Do you desire to know what has me so annoyed?” He asked, leaning closer to Derek, dwarfing even him. “You and the other men were all ready. You were excited. War.” He purred, smirking down at Derek. “Your chance for glory, for your piece of the pie that Lord Lucien is so graciously making. And you were ready, to capture a man. Someone with a life. Someone that I told you would struggle, deny us. The moment it is a boy with a panicked expression and a few explosives, you fold like towels. Suddenly, the glory is not worth it, and failing me is acceptable.” He hissed, glaring down at him. “You have all slowed me down significantly. Without you lot I would have been here days ago. I know you are all doing it on purpose. And if you desire to give me grief, then perhaps I shall send you back to the SPire and finish this mission on my own. It is not like I can trust you fools, anyway.” Derek recoiled, actually hitting the bookcase with his back as he snarled up at him.
“Seriously?” He spit. “You’ve got nothing good to say about me after eight damn years?!” He snapped. “I survived you!” He spit. “You-”
“Cease your blabbering, you are giving me a headache.” He hissed. “Stop dragging yourself around like a petulant child behind me. The only grace I have been given is that you have not gotten to him first. I know you would allow him to flee.” Derek sneered at him, chuckling a bit.
“You know what? Yeah. I would.” The Commandant glared down at him, those flecks of cyan flickering in the air.
“Uh… Excuse me?” She tried softly, drawing them both to look at her again. “He… Often works with someone, he goes to the bar a lot. Ask there.” She muttered. “Now, can you leave?” She asked, motioning toward the door. The Commandant said nothing, turning and marching out of the door swiftly. Helix tensed. Earl. He had told Earl exactly what he looked like. Who he was. He knew everything. If the Commandant walked into that bar, it was going to be a brawl.
“My uncle runs that bar.” Helix muttered, looking up at Derek. He really was as cool as he thought, because Derek whipped around and jogged out. Helix slinked closer to the edge of the door, peeking out. He watched as Eastie was kicked unceremoniously from the bar, a drink still lingering in his hand. He looked like a kicked dog. The Commandant stepped up toward Earl. His shoulders were forward now, his fingers racing back and forth against each other as he shook his shoulders out and stood tall again.
“You and your men ain’t welcome here.” Earl hissed. Helix tried shaking his head, trying to catch his attention, looking out into the crowd to see if he could see Jory coming to help him. He loved Earl, but he wasn’t going to win one on one with the Commandant.
“And why is this?”
“You killed a pacifist leader of a religion, why do ya’ think? Do ya’ think?” The Commandant inhaled deeply, sighing just as hard. He seemed to be looking over Earl’s head and into the bar. Biding his time, wanting a drink? Helix would never guess what he was thinking.
“I did not order that. I am no fool. I realize that an action like that would be me more negative attention than I already receive. Why would I ever wish this upon myself or my men? Perhaps it is simply that I have nothing but fools under me.” He spit, his head turning as Helix tucked away again, nervous. He glanced out again after a moment, watching his men look like kicked dogs, uncomfortable and thrashed.
“You’re the leader. Maybe take some accountability, bub.” Earl hissed, crossing his arms and settling into a wide stance. “Cause you ain’t gettin’ in here.”
“I simply desire a drink.”
“Find it somewhere else.”
“I could fund this bar for months-”
“And your money is worth a dry handjob to me, son. Let me put this in simple, easy to understand terms. No.” The Commandant's arms crossed behind his back and his claws went tight into his own jacket. He was clearly trying to remain professional, but he was on the edge.
“I do not suffer the word no very well.”
“Let me make it even easier then, boy. Fuck you.” Earl spit, landing on his boot toe. The Commandant uncurled his arms, his entire body sparking in rage.
“Who the Hell do you think you are?!” The sergeant with the beret seethed at Earl, finally speaking up. Earl just cocked a brow at him, smirking. Watching him seemingly pace at a distance, waiting for his owner to sick him on Earl.
“Like a good dog, bark, bark, bark. That all you do?.” Earl taunted, grinning at the sick snarl that left the gray haired man. “Some men ya’ got here, mouthy and annoying. Like flies.” Earl mumbled. The Commandant just seemed to agree, because he said nothing in their defense and simply stared at Earl like he would change his mind if he just… Waited and looked at him long enough. “Stay away from my bar.” Earl muttered, grinning and turning to head back inside.
“I wonder if the boy I am searching for is hiding inside your establishment.”
“If you weren’t a murderer, maybe more people would just be jumpin’ to be your buddy.” Earl hissed, glaring at him.
“So, he is here.”
“Don’t know who you’re talkin’ about, but even if he is here, you ain’t getting in.” The Commandant’s head twitched sideways, and he stepped closer to Earl with a hiss of,
“And who is going to stop me, you?” Earl smirked up at him.
“Try me.” Earl offered, but didn’t wait. He jammed his fist up under the Commandant’s jaw and must have knocked some screws loose. His head snapped back so harshly Helix swore he heard a snap. The seven foot giant of a man crashed back against the stone loudly, still as the night.
“We all learn new things everyday, huh?” Earl hissed, shaking out his hand.
“C-Commandant?!” His sergeant dropped, grasping his shoulder. The bigger man suddenly sat up like waking from the dead, without his hands. He inhaled deeply, exhaling like a furious bull. The air was suddenly thick with the stench of acidic citrus. The glitters of Will surrounded his hand and he tossed it up causally, smacking magic into his uncle and sending him flying back through the pretty stained glass window of the Cow and Corset. Colorful glass sung across the ground as Earl hit a table. It slid loudly, grinding over the stone tile floor. He stood without a sound, brushing off his jacket.
“Does anyone else desire to duel me?” The Commandant barked at the growing crowd.
“Stand down, orders from the Royal Head Guard himself, Giles Roberts.” The Commandant snapped his head to look up at Giles. He seemed to take a different tone with him, surprising Helix.
“Your civilian attacked me. Though I highly doubt that is any type of civilian.” Giles ignored him, just narrowing his eyes.
“You have no respect for the town that Lucien used to so dearly love? No respect for its civilians who are rightfully weary of you and your army?”
“I am not inciting violence, I simply wanted a drink.” The Commandant returned, glaring at him now.
“We gotta restock. We can’t fight a whole town. We gotta take the loss on this one, boss.” Derek muttered, glaring up at him from his side now. “We just gotta take it. We won’t make it to Oakfield. We’d need to call the shard, return to the Spire.”
“You would.” The Commandant hissed, glaring at him for a moment, before looking back up at Giles. “You do not think that I know what my Lord wants? I am his sword.”
“His sword, not his heart. You are nothing like my old friend.”
“Yes. He will hear of your betrayal, Giles. I am sure he will be greatly displeased at his guard turning his back on him.”
“He left me first. I owe him nothing. I served him until he vanished. Now spend your money on a shop that will help you, and get out of my town. I’ll have you jailed or sent back in a box if you make any more trouble.”
“Mh?” The Commandant intoned. “Interesting. The boy I am looking for told me the same." Unlike how Helix would have reacted, his father kept a calm, straight face.
“That doesn’t surprise me, seeing as you aren’t very good at speaking to people in a normal sense.” The Commandant huffed, clearly annoyed at this point, his shoulders drooping forward again for half a second.
“Perhaps not, but I will find him regardless of your feeble attempts to hide him.”
“Last warning, boy. Get out of my town.” Giles seethed.
“Move out.” The Commandant motioned toward Old Town. “Lucien will hear of your betrayal, Giles Roberts, you can be sure of that.” Giles just smirked slightly.
“I await his word, until then, stay out of my city or be shot on sight.” He hissed. “Now git.”
“Here.” Earl limped out of the doorway of the bar, hurling a low quality beer at the back of his head. The Commandant yanked around, catching it from the air with a loud clink of his claws on the darkened glass. “Take this for the road, so you don’t have to come back. You enjoy that now.” Earl hissed, turning and marching back into his bar to begin cleaning up the glass on the floor.
“You will all regret taunting me like this.” It didn’t seem like anyone but Helix took this threat seriously. And it made him feel sick. He was terrified of this man, and it seemed like everyone else was just staring at him like he was a zoo animal, waiting for him to do his next party trick. But Helix had a feeling that if he kept being pushed, his party trick would be mass murder.
“I don’t think so, son. But you keep telling yourself that.” Giles hisses, turning and walking away from him as his guards led him and the rest of the army toward Old Town. Helix and Giles watched them get herded like cattle in the way that they would have to go tomorrow to get to the boat that would take them away from Albion. Forlorn, Helix sat back down on the shop floor as the lady behind the desk took a giant breath, and sat down on a wooden chair. The creak of it was loud and weathered. Helix glanced up, watching the sun stream into the window, wondering just how far he was going to have to run in order for this to just… Stop. That’s all he wanted, just some peace, just his family being safe. He was starting to think that his earlier feelings of being semi-okay were very, very misguided.