he should have run

but you know him by now

that one quality i both find repugnant and admirable within him

the courage to fight for someone other than yourself

he had returned home, some hours earlier today

to find it burning

i had been drawn by the flames, and upon seeing his return, attempted to stop him

but as you can imagine, he immediately ran in

the house was a large two story home, his parents wealthy sorts

dead now, of course

by His hands

He was waiting for him inside

two masked ones stood with Him

the dark shadow spread, and He showed his true form, preparing to claim His prize

but he would not have it

it was foolhardy, but rage and grief were what guided him now

one masked one stood in his way, and with a flash of the sword, lost a hand

he charged Him straight on, and cut into him with zero's blade

it did nothing

but perhaps, just maybe, the full force of his desperate fury gave Him pause for one moment

a gunshot rang out, the unwounded masked one fell dead

and the one that appeared in the forest, the brown cloaked one, arrived

his sword was ready, and he smote the other masked one through the chest

the man and the boy exchanged glances, an understanding was reached

together, they charged

useless, of course

they would have both perished there if i had not acted

he stumbled, and i dragged him, barely conscious, away

behind us, the man and He continued their confrontation

while the house burnt around us

i brought him to my home

he was not horribly injured, merely some burns and scratches

but when he awoke, there was nothing but a hollow look in his eyes

i feared he had lost himself

but a few minutes later, he spoke

"What a joke.  What an absolute joke I am."

and with that, he stood, sheathed the sword, and left

i did not follow

i had no right to

but i thought you would want to know

because he has no home to return to now

~rise