Butler Die Co.

**Chapter 17: The Journey Back**

Luther, severely wounded and blind in one eye, struggled to bring Thaddeus back to Butler Die Co. Thaddeus, still bound and thrashing, was consumed by his rage and grief. In his arms, Luther carried Tanya's lifeless body, her weight a constant reminder of the tragedy that had befallen them.

As they made their way through the darkened paths, Luther spoke to Thaddeus, hoping to reach through the fog of his anger. "Thaddeus, you need to calm down," Luther said, his voice strained with pain. "You can't let this rage consume you."

Thaddeus's thrashing continued, but Luther pressed on. "I haven't always been on this side, you know," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I used to lead the Signs of Elegance once upon a time. I was the sign Cancer."

Thaddeus's struggles momentarily lessened, his curiosity piqued despite his fury. Luther continued, "When I led the Signs, it was a different time. The organization had a purpose, a code. We were protectors, not the monsters they have become."

Luther's steps were heavy, each one a battle against the pain and fatigue. "I resigned from the lead position and became a regular zodiac because I couldn't bear the responsibility of others' lives on my shoulders. I couldn't make those decisions, deciding who lived and who died. I hated it."

As they continued their journey, Luther's voice grew weaker, but his resolve remained strong. "The Signs of Elegance have fallen so far from what they once were. They were supposed to be a force for good, but now... now they are just a shadow of their former selves."

Thaddeus's rage slowly began to subside, replaced by a deep, aching sorrow. Luther's words resonated with him, the weight of Tanya's death pressing down on him like a suffocating blanket. "I never wanted this, Thaddeus," Luther said, his voice filled with empathy. "I understand your pain, more than you know."

Thaddeus remained silent, but his thrashing lessened. The combination of physical exhaustion and Luther's words began to chip away at the thick wall of anger that surrounded him.

The journey back was long and arduous, each step a test of Luther's endurance. The rough terrain made it difficult to keep his balance, and the added weight of Tanya's body only compounded his struggle. Despite the pain and fatigue, Luther pressed on, his determination unyielding.

"I remember a time," Luther began, his voice faltering but resolute, "when the Signs were respected and feared for the right reasons. We were guardians, Thaddeus. We protected the innocent and upheld justice. But somewhere along the way, we lost our way."

Thaddeus listened, his breaths heavy and labored. The mention of the Signs' past and their once-noble mission stirred something within him. Luther's voice was filled with regret, the weight of his past decisions evident in every word.

"I left because I couldn't bear the corruption that had seeped into the organization," Luther continued. "I became a regular zodiac, hoping to make a difference from within. But it wasn't enough. The darkness had taken hold, and I was powerless to stop it."

As the first light of dawn began to break, they finally approached the headquarters of Butler Die Co. Luther's body screamed with pain, his vision blurred from the blood seeping from his blinded eye. Yet, he pressed on, determined to give Tanya the farewell she deserved.

Luther gently sat Thaddeus down, ensuring he was secure despite his exhaustion. He then carefully laid Tanya's lifeless body on the ground, her peaceful face a stark contrast to the turmoil within Thaddeus's heart.

Luther, battered and bruised, began to dig a grave for Tanya. Each shovelful of dirt was a testament to his strength and determination, the physical pain a mere echo of the emotional agony he carried. Thaddeus watched in silence, the weight of his loss nearly unbearable.

As Luther continued to dig, he spoke softly, "Tanya deserves to rest in peace. We'll honor her memory, Thaddeus. We'll make sure her death wasn't in vain."

Thaddeus, still bound and thrashing, managed to utter a few words through his rage. "He's taken everything," he growled, his voice filled with venom. "I'll kill him."

Luther paused, his heart heavy with sorrow. "I know, Thaddeus. I know," he said quietly. "But we need to be smarter, stronger. We can't let our emotions blind us."

With the grave finally prepared, Luther gently placed Tanya's body inside, his movements tender and reverent. He covered her with the freshly turned earth, the finality of the act a harsh reminder of the fragility of life.

As Luther stood at the edge of the grave, he felt a profound sense of loss. Tanya had been a beacon of hope, a symbol of their fight for justice. Her death was a blow to their cause, but it also served as a stark reminder of the dangers they faced.

Luther turned to Thaddeus, his expression filled with sympathy and understanding. "I'll leave you with her," he said quietly. "Take all the time you need."

Luther, exhausted and in desperate need of care, made his way to a nearby basin to clean himself up. As he washed the blood and dirt from his face, he couldn't help but reflect on the events that had led them here. The pain of his injuries was nothing compared to the weight of the loss they all felt.

Thaddeus remained by Tanya's grave, the reality of her death settling in like a leaden shroud. He was alone with his grief, his heart shattered by the cruelty of fate. But in that moment of sorrow, there was also a flicker of resolve. He would honor Tanya's memory, and he would continue the fight she had believed in.

As the sun rose higher in the sky, casting its warm light over the headquarters of Butler Die Co., Thaddeus knew that their battle was far from over. They would regroup, they would heal, and they would continue to stand against the darkness that sought to engulf them. Tanya's death would not be in vain, and her legacy would live on in their hearts and actions.

Luther, having cleaned himself up as best as he could, returned to the gravesite. He found Thaddeus still bound but calmer, though the fire of vengeance still burned in his eyes. "We will avenge her, Thaddeus," Luther said quietly. "But we need to be smart about it. We can't let our anger lead us into traps."

Thaddeus's eyes met Luther's, and for a moment, a silent understanding passed between them. "I'll kill him," Thaddeus repeated, his voice cold and determined.

Luther nodded. "And I will help you. But first, we need to recover, to gather our strength and our allies. We can't do this alone."

Together, they would rise from the ashes of their loss, stronger and more determined than ever. The battle against the Signs of Elegance was far from over, and they would fight with all their might to bring justice to those who had fallen.