Renegade Reborn by J. C. Fiske Read Free Book Online Page A

going to keep fighting, and the first thing we need to do, is to get out of here. We’ve hidden ourselves long enough, sulked long enough. I know what my job is. I bring people together, and keep them together. That’s my duty, my mission, and I’ll keep doing it, so that when he’s ready, to come back, to lead us, he’ll have something to lead. Come on, we’re going to wake everybody up. It’s time to go where we should have gone in the first place.” Rolce said, getting up.
    “Where’s that?” Glinda asked.
    “A place filled with people who never back down, a place filled with people who punch in the faces of anyone who tell them how to live, a place filled with people who know Drakearon’s sadistic ways more than anyone. We’re going to Cledwyn City, Glinda. We’re joining up with the Flarians,” Rolce said.
    “ROLCE!” yelled a voice not inclined to yelling.
    “Jack?” Rolce asked, watching as he bounded down the stairs and thrust out a hand.
    “Rolce, take my hand. NOW!” Jackobi ordered.
    “What, what is it?” Rolce asked.
    “It’s him, Rolce, it’s Gisbo . . . I felt him, for the briefest moment. He’s alive, but I don’t know for how much longer,” Jackobi said. Rolce looked at Glinda, then back at Jackobi, said nothing, and grabbed his hand.
    A moment later, the two were gone in a burst of Drakeness, leaving a bewildered Glinda behind.

 
    Chapter Two: Extreme Love
     
    Gisbo kneeled upon broken glass, staring into the searing orange blade, when suddenly, his gaze shifted to his Phoenix medallion, hanging from his neck, but it wasn’t the medallion that caught his gaze, but rather, it was a silver ring with red tint tied to the same chain. Along the inner band, glistening at him from the biting flames around him, were carved the words, “I will love you forever.” in childish, scrawled writing.
    He hadn’t looked at that ring for a very long time, let alone worn it. He wasn’t even sure if he could even use Elekai’ anymore. It had been so, so long ago. He knew Roarie would be displeased, but the memories the ring conjured, it hurt him terribly. However, at the same time, he also couldn’t bear to be rid of it.
    “It’s said that at the end of one’s rope, at the bottom of one’s preverbal barrel, one either turns to IAM, or the edge of the knife . . . but that’s only, when you don’t have friends, Gisbo.” Jackobi said, suddenly appearing before him along with a big, lingering shadow.
    Gisbo ignored him, took him for a hallucination and gripped the dagger tighter, entranced by the glow it gave off. All it would take was one thrust, just one, and the voices, the madness, the guilt, the anger, the pain, the deaths; it would all come to end . . . and then, there it was again, the ring . . . he couldn’t take his eyes off it . . .
    “Everyone has pondered suicide at least once in their life. If one doesn’t, then they aren’t taking life very seriously. But listen to me, Gisbo, you don’t need to do this, not when you have us, not when you have friends, not when you have people who still believe in you,” Jack said. Then, the big shadow moved, and bent before him, placing his big hand on the dagger and Gisbo looked up into the eyes of Rolce Moordin.
    “Just let go, Gisbo, please . . . is this how you want to die? You said it yourself, what do you want your ending to be? Is this how you want to be remembered?” Rolce asked. Gisbo found himself looking from the dagger to the ring, from the ring, to the dagger. They were inanimate objects. They couldn’t speak, but yet, there they were, whispering, offering him choices.
    Life or death? Pain or peace?
    “I . . .” Gisbo started, when suddenly, the dagger fell to the ground with a clatter. Gisbo would have followed it if Rolce hadn’t caught him.
    “He’s lost too much blood,” Jackobi said, kneeling over him, and allowing himself to take in a deep breath. “We made it just in time. That was, too close for comfort.