Butler Die Co.

**Chapter 18: The Awakening**

Thaddeus sat in silence by Tanya's grave for a week straight, his body unmoving and his eyes burning with unquenchable rage. He had not spoken a word, and his mind was consumed by thoughts of vengeance. Luther checked on him daily, his heart heavy with concern for his friend. He knew Thaddeus was in a dark place, and the path to recovery would be arduous.

On the seventh day, Luther approached Thaddeus, who was still bound and unyielding. The tension in the air was palpable, a silent testament to the storm brewing within Thaddeus. Luther knelt beside him, his own injuries still healing, and looked into Thaddeus's eyes.

"Thaddeus," Luther began, his voice firm yet gentle. "You've been here long enough. It's time to move forward."

Thaddeus's eyes, filled with a menacing fire, met Luther's gaze. "Release me," he growled, his voice rugged and dangerous. "I need to finish what needs to be done."

Luther shook his head, his expression resolute. "No, Thaddeus. Not like this." With surprising strength, Luther lifted Thaddeus to his feet and began walking towards the training site. Thaddeus struggled against the bindings, but Luther's grip was unyielding.

As they walked, Luther spoke of divine intervention and the flow of things. "Thaddeus, I was where I needed to be at the right time to stop you from ending your entire legacy. It wasn't by chance; it was meant to be."

Thaddeus's anger flared, but Luther continued, "You cannot allow someone else to determine your fate and sully your name. You are more than this rage. You are more than this grief. But you have fallen deep into the enemy's pace and allowed them to dictate your actions."

They reached the training room, and Luther unceremoniously threw Thaddeus to the floor. Thaddeus sat up, still bound and seething with rage. Luther then sat beside him, his voice calm but stern. "Listen to me, Thaddeus. There are rules we must follow, principles that guide us."

Luther recited the rules with unwavering conviction:

"Maintain elegance and decorum at all times.

Anticipate before the party is aware even themselves.

Always be aware of your surroundings.

You should always be precise and deliberate.

Grace under pressure.

Serve with poise no matter the circumstances.

And remember, you set the pace."

Thaddeus, still boiling with rage, listened to Luther's words. The principles were a stark contrast to the chaos within him, but there was a part of him that recognized their importance.

Luther's voice softened, yet remained firm. "Your past shapes you, but it does not define your future. You have not lost everything, Thaddeus. You still have a family."

Thaddeus's eyes flickered with a mix of emotions—anger, sorrow, and a glimmer of hope. The rage that had consumed him began to waver, replaced by a deep, aching sorrow.

Luther placed a hand on Thaddeus's shoulder, a gesture of solidarity and support. "We will rebuild, Thaddeus. We will honor Tanya's memory by continuing the fight she believed in. But we must do it with purpose, with precision, and with grace."

Thaddeus's resolve began to solidify. The path ahead was uncertain, but he knew that he could not let his rage consume him. He had to be stronger, smarter, and more deliberate. The fight was far from over, and he would need every ounce of strength and determination to see it through.

Luther, sensing the need for sternness, continued. "Thaddeus, you must control yourself. If you can't, then I will be the one to sheath your anger. I will remind you of who you are and what you stand for. I will always do the right thing, despite the outcome. But do remember, if the option presents itself, I will always do the right thing."

Thaddeus's rage flared again, but Luther's presence was grounding. "Your anger can be a weapon, but it can also be your downfall. We need to channel it, control it. Only then can we truly honor Tanya's memory and continue the fight."

Thaddeus, still bound and seething, listened to Luther's words with a mix of defiance and understanding. Luther's unwavering conviction was a stark contrast to Thaddeus's turmoil, but there was a part of him that began to recognize the wisdom in Luther's words.

Luther's voice grew firmer. "You cannot let your anger make decisions for you. If you let it control you, you lose sight of what is truly important. We must be strategic, deliberate, and precise. We owe that to Tanya and to ourselves."

Thaddeus's thrashing lessened slightly, the weight of Luther's words pressing upon him. "He's taken everything," Thaddeus muttered, his voice strained with pain. "I'll kill him."

Luther's gaze softened, yet his voice remained steady. "And we will bring him to justice, Thaddeus. But not through blind rage. We will do it through calculated actions, through wisdom and strength."

The room was silent for a moment, the only sound the steady breathing of the two men. Thaddeus's eyes, still burning with anger, also showed a flicker of understanding and resolve. He knew Luther was right. He had allowed his anger to control him, to dictate his actions, and in doing so, he had played into the enemy's hands.

"You've allowed the enemy to set the pace, Thaddeus," Luther said softly. "It's time for you to regain the initiative. It's time for you to lead the way, not follow in the shadow of your anger."

As the sun set on the horizon, casting a warm glow over the training room, Thaddeus knew that the journey ahead would be long and difficult. But he was no longer alone in his grief. He had a family, a purpose, and a renewed sense of resolve. 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.

The next morning, Thaddeus remained seated in the training room, his mind a storm of emotions. Luther approached him, his expression weary but determined. "We start now," Luther said firmly. "We train, we plan, and we strike back. But we do it on our terms, not theirs."

Thaddeus nodded, his eyes still burning with the desire for vengeance but tempered by a newfound clarity. "I won't let them dictate my actions," he said, his voice steady. "I will be precise, deliberate, and I will bring them down."

Luther smiled, a flicker of hope in his eyes. "That's the spirit, Thaddeus. We'll do this together."

Luther rolled up his sleeves and cut the ropes. "About my eye..."