by Matt Turner
When she was done, a look of peace came over Cain’s face. His breathing slowed, and he became still.
“Let him sleep,” Vera gently said. “Until the Last Judgment.”
“Thank you,” Seth murmured.
They left him there and slowly began to trudge back to where the others waited. “Look around us,” John said quietly as they approached. He motioned toward the blackened skies and the great fires that still raged on the horizon. “What do we do after all this?”
Simon and Amaury stared at him blankly.
“We rebuild,” John insisted. He cast Vera a knowing look and took the two men by the shoulders, leading them away. “Now, I have some ideas, but I’m going to need your help…”
“Thank you,” Seth repeated. “He was the brother I remembered then, just for a moment. Not the monster he became. It…it gives me hope.”
They stood together under the burning sky for a long time, mulling over his words.
At last, Vera spoke. “I got your message,” she said.
Seth flushed. “I, uh,” he said nervously, “I didn’t know if you’d be able to see—I’m glad you did, it worked out in the end—”
“I couldn’t have done it without you,” she said quietly. “Any of it.”
“Ah, my pleasure,” he said. “It was nothing…really, it wasn’t…”
“Seth.” She pulled John’s mask away from her face and took his cheek in her hand. He shivered as her warm lips pressed against his. “I love you too.”
64
The Fourth Rebellion shattered the foundations of Hell, bringing down the ancient Kingdom of Heavenly Peace and the corrupt regime that had dominated for millennia. Ten thousand warlords arose in the chaos that followed, battling over the ruins in a series of wars that drowned entire Circles in blood. The worst horrors of the Kingdom were magnified a hundred times over.
But, in the years to come, a new legend spread through the ruins of Hell. Whispers spread of four new champions and the ruinous powers that they possessed. Armies could not stand against them, warlords could not beat them, and the mightiest warriors trembled before them. Most terrifying of all was the fifth member of the group, the heavenly hero who led them, wielding a blade of burning steel and the very image of the Master of old.
With them, they brought a promise of vengeance, and maybe—just maybe—the tiniest spark of hope.
From the First Circle to the ruins of the Ninth, men and women spoke in awe of the Horsemen. Warlords who had ruled and tortured for centuries trembled in their strongholds at the news of their approach. Day by day, thousands rushed to their banners.
A great change bloomed on the horizon. The Fifth Rebellion had come.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Matt Turner is the author of The Good Men, and would very much appreciate it if you buy it from Amazon. He currently lives in Charleston with his plant-vine thing, where he is currently training at the College of Medicine in the Medical University of South Carolina. In his free time, he enjoys candlelit dinners and long walks on the beach. He welcomes any and all feedback.
[email protected]
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Cover design by Miroslav Jolic.
You can see his portfolio and contact him at:
https://99designs.com/profiles/1009653