GATES FAMILY EXECUTION GROUNDS

What the hell am I doing?

That was the thought running through Tony's mind while removing blood from his face. For a little over a month now, Wallace had brought Tony to this facility to help him come to terms with killing by having Tony mimic fatals blows to living corpses. Tony had freaked out a first, until Wallace explain that the corpses were just a humanoid body that's been force to function on instinct by magic since their minds were permanently erase. Had he been on Earth, Tony would have looked like he was on the set of a horror movie. He was standing in the middle of a room that reminded him of a morgue, and scattered around him were countless bodies that Wallace had force him to mutilate or dismember. His clothes and the walls had been stain with blood, gore, and other fluids he'd rather not think about. At this moment, Tony truly felt he embodied 'Felix the Butcher'.

"You alright over there?" Wallace ask.

"I'm good. I would feel even better if you would do something about the smell in here." There's no way this is sanitary. Tony thought making a mental note to see the healer after this was over.

"I'm sorry but you need to get used to these types of situations. Soon you'll be venturing outside on assignments and we can't have you displaying a weak front or vomiting everywhere."

"I haven't vomit in weeks."

"That's true but you still have a pallid complexion. We need to eliminate that completely. Your namesake would never let a scene like this get to him."

That's because he was clearly a pyschopath, or maybe a sociopath. He definitely wasn't normal. Tony thought nodding at Wallace. "Let's just get this over with." So I can try to maintain what's left of my sanity. Tony turned away from Wallace, taking a deep breath while steadying his sword. A second later he heard the tell-tale sign of the corpse appearing somewhere behind him before Wallace gave him the go ahead to attack. Using his senses, Tony pivoted on his heels lunging to the left corner of the room striking the corpse.

Good, he's become so aware of his surroundings that he's no longer obstructed by the corpses and blood in his path. The adjustment of his sword to easily penetrate the body and reduce the chances of it getting stuck was excellent. He even remembered to use his senses to lookout for traps and ambushes...(sighing)...It's time we move on to the next step. Let's pray this doesn't break him. I wish we had more time but all the houses have started preparing for the Season of Realms, I cannot delay this anymore.

Wallace had tried several times to ease Tony into killing but he'd only achieve minimum success. Tony had become capable of dispatching wild beasts and monsters with only a few issues, however he continued to procrastinate when confronted with humans and other sapient beings. Despite knowing they were scum and that most of them would be better off dead, their crying and pleading would eventually break Tony's resolve causing Wallace to scold him repeatedly. Wallace couldn't understand how the boy or anyone from his realm could feel protected leaving their lives in the hands of others when they had the option to train themselves. It was one of the stupidest thing he had ever heard. Shaking himself from his thoughts, Wallace instructed Tony to continue and when he was certain Tony was attacking automatically, he implemented his plan.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh."

SHIT...WHAT.....OH GOD!!!!

Tony took out his sword from the stranger chest, dropping it to the ground while grabbing onto the person staggering before him.

"WALLACE.....HELP.....CALL THE HEALER!!!!" Tony shouted desperately while carefully placing the man on the ground. He spent a few minutes looking around for anything that was partically clean to be use to help stop the bleeding.

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING WALLACE?!!! STOP FUCKING AROUND YOU SON OF A BITCH AND GET THE HEALER ASAP!!!!!!" Tony demanded hystercially. "Hang on man, the healer will be here soon. I'm sorry, I didn't mean for this! They told me you guys were dead, YOU LYING MOTHERFUCKERS TOLD ME THEY WERE DEAD!!!!!!!!!"

"They are dead, from the moment they chose to oppose us, thier death was imminent." Wallace stated approaching Tony and the dying man.

Tony ignored Wallace, instead he tried to sense the location of the healer cursing once he realize they were intentionally blocking his senses. Dread and guilt filled Tony as he sat there powerless watching the man take his last breath.

"You have nothing to feel bad about. No matter what, that man was going to die tonight." Wallace consoled.

"You....you told me they were dead."

"Usually they are dead. I'm guessing this one must have piss off one of the preparers or kill someone they knew. Things like this tends to happen every so often."

"..........So you're saying....some of the others were still alive?"

"It's a distinct possibility." Wallace shurgged.

That means....oh god how many of them have I kill? Tony thought fighting off the bile he felt wanting to erupt from his throat.

"Why didn't you call for the healer?"

"No one calls a healer for a dead man."

"He wasn't dead yet, there was still tim-

"Time for what?! Time to save him? Have you forgotten our purpose for being here? You do remember that you have been mark for death right? Where's the man who said he'd do anything to survive? Wake up! You're not on Earth anymore, this is Varios-Reinos! Here you either fight to survive or pray for a quick death. I'm sorry, but I saw it necessary to rid you of your delusions."

Rid me of my-!!!! "You scheming motherfucker....you....you planned this!" Tony accused. Picking up two severed limbs, he flung them towards Wallace using them as a distraction to get behind the warrior slashing at his spine.

"Barrier sphere." Wallace chanted stopping Tony attacks. Tony quickly put some distance between the two of them frowning at this new development. He had assume that Wallace was just a high tier fighter, it never cross his mind that the warrior was also a magician.

"Why Wallace, why would you do this?"

"Because it's not just your life on the line and only a fool would entrust men under someone who's too incompetent to kill."

"No one told you guys to put anyone under my command. I didn't ask for any of this!"

"Do you think those villagers you came across when you first arrive here asked to be slaughtered? Do you think the majority of the people living here chose to come to here knowing they would be pitting their lives against unspeakable odds? Having Felix memories should have taught you that those who are weak here survives at the mercy of the strong. You need to understand that if this house had a way to move Felix magic mark they would have done it and cast you aside, and someone like you would be dead, enslaved, or someone plaything before half a season pass by."

.....He's right. Tony thought spending some time remembering how he fared when he first arrive here.

"So to ensure my safety, you're saying I need to become a killer."

"Nobody is telling you to kill people. We just want assurance that if the situation arise you will handle it accordingly, otherwise this whole facade of you being Felix will be for nothing."

"................If it isn't one thing it's another. Why is it so hard for me to get a break?" Tony complained sighing. After taking some more time thinking things over, the anger he'd had was slowly fading away, however he was piss at how everything had played out.

"Wallace, I'm done with this shit."

"..........I understand, we'll retire for today..........Perhaps you'd like to postpone these engagements for a few days so you can sort things out."

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

"I would appreciate that." Tony replied motioning for the healer. Nice of you to join us. Tony thought sarcastically.

"Then we will recommence in a few days, just know that when we do you will be undergoing fatal combat." Wallace annouce, his statement caused Tony to paused momentarily before he nodded and exited the room.

Prior to returning to his room, Tony took what he knew to be the longest shower of his life. Doing that time Tony fought to justify his actions by constantly reminding himself that his victims wasn't innocent but criminals who had commited heinous acts (at least he prayed that was true). He spent the next few days mulling over everything, his nights were plague with insomnia. Eventually, he decided to consult with Mrs. Fleurette about the previous event.

"So, you wish to have Wallace replace." Fleurette deduced.

"How can I trust him, all that time.....I was being tricked into......butchering them......I don't like the feeling of being manipulated."

"Then I assume you want people to be blunt with you. So listen up! Wallace was following my orders! That statement about us removing Felix magic from you if it was possible is true. Leaving all of that power Felix accumulated in your hands would be preposterous when we could transfer it to someone who is certified, so consider yourself lucky we don't have that option. Yet here you are weeping about killing some brigands. If the situation was reverse do you think they would weep for you? Our enemies are gathering their forces and growing more powerful everyday. This family do not have the time to slowly nurture you! If we are unable to repel or defeat them when they come for us, then none of us will be spared. I can tell you from experience that the battlefield is the last place you want to be when testing your resolve because failure won't just result in your death. This condition of mine is proof of that! You can curse or hate us if you want, but I can guarantee that you will be thanking us eventually. Now after all of this, if you still believe you're being treated unfairly then you're better off commiting suicide. Your prospects are only going to get grimmer from this point onwards!"

Well.......damn! Tony thought staring at the woman unable to formulate any words on his behalf. "Thanks for being so blunt with me." Tony mumbled.

"Do you know about the Season of Realms?" Fleurette continued.

"Yeah. I learned about it from Felix memories."

Unlike Earth, Varios-Reinos have five seasons with each one lasting between 90 to 100 days. The seasons are: the Season of Sowing, the Season of Life, the Season of Realms, the Season of Falling, and finally the Season of Death. The Season of Realms was when the barriers of each realms violently collided with one another weakening them and creating rifts that was sometimes large enough to move whole continents to another realm. The only exception was said to be the Outer Realm because this place was almost impossible to leave. On the other hand the Outer Realm recieve twice as many transporters as other realms which made this time so terrifying becasue no one knew what to expect. So far, every book Tony read about traveling between realms invovled two groups of multiple Master tier Magicians. The first group would open a portal from their realm and use it to connect to the second group from the designated realm. The incantation would have to happen simultaneously, however those in the outer realm could only expect mixed results.

"Your arrival was at the end of the Season of Sowing, and you have stayed throughout the Season of Life. We both agree that you won't be returning home anytime soon right? (Tony nodded reluctantly) Are you aware of the family protocol doing the Season of Realms?"

"Newly awaken members are brought here for protection with half of our fighting force. This group will be place under your command. The rest are split up and stationed at one of the three main stronghold in our terrority under the command of Elder Francois, Family Head Foley, and Feli-myself. The council members will follow a similar procedure and will serve under us in the chain of command."

"That's correct. You see, Felix wasn't just a deterrent for our enemies outside the family but inside as well. You've been so preoccupied with Wallace and locating a way home that you haven't notice others are questioning your authority. I know you don't care about these matters but this needs to be rectified. Francois and I will think of something but if someone challenge you, make sure you emplace them."

This.....this is a lot to take in. I'm pretty sure I'm undergoing stockholm syndrome right now because everything she said made sense. Tony thought nodding his head in agreement to Fleurette demands.

"One last thing, you shouldn't question Wallace loyalty. All of his arrangements are for the survival of both of you."

"If that's true then why was he following your orders?"

"I gave Wallace a deadline on your development and you have yet to pass that assessment. If you cannot overcome this hurdle then I can only consider you a liability. At that time I will have to choose between eliminating you or subjugation."

".........................I thought this House had a ban on enslavement."

"That only applies for strays. You see, as long as we give strays food, shelter, and provide basic care for their families they will willingly lay down their lives for us. Enslaving them is just a waste of magic, however, we wouldn't hesitate to enslave someone of your caliber. If you're wondering why that hasn't happen it's because enslaving you will put a cap on your overall potential limiting your battle prowess and thinking capabilities."

There's no way you want me for my fighting abilities. You just want access to the knowledge I possess. I need to do everything I can to keep you fascinated with me and when I see Wallace again I owe him an apology. Tony thought.

"Why are you telling me all of this?"

"To free you of your misconceptions."

".........Thank you for this informative conversation, my eyes have truly been open. You can be sure I will cherish your advice."

"I'm glad you feel that way, however I don't believe your eyes have been open wide enough. Next week the family recruiters will embark to the encampments nearby to enlist any capable fighters to replenish our forces before the season end. I will inform Wallace to prepare for the two of you to travel with my aides. This way you can experience with your own eyes just how brutal the Outer Realm can be. You should also use this time to replace your men."

"I guess I should be thanking you for this opportunity."

"You don't sound thankful or grateful for that matter. But I'll ignore your little statement as long as I see some results from this little expedition."

"I will do my best to meet your expectations."

"Forget about meeting my expectations. Just focus on returning alive."

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"Apology accepted my lord. It's good to see you being more decisive. I know this isn't the first time you wanted to dismiss me. Hahahahahahahahahaha."

"Shut up Wallace. That statement wasn't even that funny." Tony complained walking beside his steward to the end of the hall.

"Lets see if you'd feel that way when we return, ah I mean if-

"Just shut up!" Tony commanded reaching their destination and forcefully slamming his hand on the door injecting his magic into it. The door glowed brightly before morphing into an entrance. Inside was 'Felix' personal armory.

"Doesn't this place seems a bit empty to you." Tony question looking around the room. Clearly, several weapons had gone missing.

"Chances are they were taken by Elder Francois or Lady Fleurette to strengthen the family forces or maybe their own private forces." Wallace answered watching Tony sweep across the room examining the remaining weapons.

"You don't know?"

"No since I prefer to stay among the living."

"Point taken. Do you happen to know what happen to the rest of my men."

"Most were reassign within the family. The others just......................dissapeared."

"I see." Tony stated taking off his regular sword and equipping a master grade sword that was enchanted with elemental magic. The weapon had a purplish hue to it with some unknown symbols engrave halfway down the blade. The crossguard was pointed upwards like a sai while the pommel had three sharp edges at the end of it. He chose a curve dagger of similar design for backup. Having selected his weapon of choice for offense he moved on to defense.

"Do you have any ideas about this new squadron you're forming?" Wallace asked.

"I don't have an exact number yet, I just know that it will be as small and strong as possible. I want them to be adaptable to any situations and highly mobile. They should be able to strike quickly while leaving as little evidence as possible."

"Little evidence as possible?"

"Felix can be known for making a scene, but I'm going to do all I can to work from the shadows. The less people know I'm involve the better- OUCH!!" Tony yelped gripping his head.

"Are you alright? What happened?"

Wallace approach Tony checking him over in concern.

"Yeah. Just now this dispeller stone gave me a shock. I had a slight headache for a few seconds however I'm okay now."

"That's weird." Wallace pondered.

"You've thought of something?"

"Maybe..................we're going to have to wait and see if I'm right. Don't worry, dispeller stones are only able to erase magic nothing else."

Tony sighed in relief. That little espisode nearly gave him a heart attack. He didn't bother messing with anymore items on that table. Let's just get a shield and be done with this place. Tony thought.

"You should know I obtain permission from Lady Fleurette to head out with the scouts. She believe it's best to minimize your engagement with the rest of the family."

"Didn't she say the family were only sending out recruiters?"

"Certain council members will come along because it will be much safer than going on thier own. They will use this time to pick men privately for thier own uses. After they become aware our presence, there is no doubt we will be caught up in unforseen circumstances."

"And that is when I shoot first and ask questions later."

"............I have no idea what that means."

"Think of it as me reminding them why they shouldn't cross 'Felix'." Tony explained smirking as Wallace gave him nod of approval.

"But that's not the only reason you want us to leave early is it?"

"I did say that you will be undergoing fatal combat. If you make a fool of yourself in front of the scouts it won't take much to make sure they keep quiet."

"How can you be sure?"

"I have my ways." Wallace smiled.

And scheming Wallace has return. Tony thought ignoring the creepy smile covering the man face. Having examine all the shields present, Tony was dissapointed there was no enchantments on any of them. He chose a master grade kite shield that had the capability to be enchanted. He chuckled seeing Wallce frowning at him.

"I know what you want to say Wallace but six months of training is not enough to make me a badass. I'm keeping the shield." Tony confirmed watching Wallace shake his head.

"Don't forget that your new squadron will need to make a pact with you." Wallace reminded.

"We can't let the cat out of the bag huh." Tony laughed.

"........If that means keeping certain things about you a secret then yes."

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