by Matt Moss
“My dear, Sarie. I have enemies.” He grinned at her and drained his glass. “But you already know that.”
“We have enemies. They will all fall at your hand, Your Grace.”
“Hmm. Will they? Or will the snakes strike me in my bed when I least expect it?” He met her gaze, turned, and poured himself another drink. “Wine?”
“Sure,” she replied.
He spoke as he poured. “What’s wrong? You’re different.” He handed her the glass.
She took the drink, then replied. “What are you talking about?” she asked with a slight grin. “I’m the same woman I’ve always been. The same Oracle that has stood by your side through thick and thin.”
I see through your mask, Sarie. “Are you?” he asked and took a long, slow drink, staring deep into her eyes. She drank in time with him. He emptied his glass. “I have something to show you, Sarie. Please, follow me.”
Down the steps of the church they went, Sarie close behind as Victor led the way. At the bottom, they walked the main hall where the priests prayed. They found themselves alone in the early hour, the devout not saying their daily prayers for some time yet. He stopped in front of the alter of stones and looked up into the stained glass on the wall behind it, gazing into the eye of the Religion. He always found comfort in the eye, thinking it was the Almighty watching over him at all times. He turned to Sarie. “Almost there.”
He walked behind the alter and down the hall of the priests. At the end of the hall, Victor stopped at a pedestal that held a lock box. With key in hand, he unlocked the chest and pulled a book from within. He turned to Sarie, showing her The Path of Man. “This book has been the ruin of many as they have sought and fought over the power that it contains. Now it belongs to me. Have you heard of the prophecy—the end of days?”
“When I was a child, yes. And Paul mentioned it once, but I never paid much attention to the prophet,” she replied. “I never took the prophecy serious. I’m sure most people feel this way about prophecies.”
Victor smiled at her commonness. “Most of the world sees things the way that you do, forsaking the possibility of such a truth and trading it for ignorance.” He opened to a certain page. “I suppose it’s easier that way. If the world truly knew what turnings went on behind the veil of society, it would go mad. Here,” he said, showing her the prophecy and the massive soul stone that was drawn to miniature scale on the page. He turned the page. “Of course, the power of this stone is unimaginable, and many deny that anyone could harness such a power.” He pulled a soul stone from his pocket, illuminating the hidden text in the book. “But I have unlocked a new level of the soul, becoming even more powerful than my former master, Moses. The fool, all his searching for naught; all the answers lying inside this book. And it was in his kin’s possession the entire time. Ironic.”
Her eyes looked up to find his. “I’ve never seen a stone of the size that is mentioned in the book. Never heard of the like. How do you even know it exists?”
Victor grinned, placed the book securely in the chest, and continued down the hall. At the end of the hall, the room of devotion. He turned the key and opened the door. “Do you know what this place was when John was appointed as the high priest?” he asked Sarie. She looked around the room and found it to be a large, empty space, save for the soul stone that gently glowed in the back. Her eyes were fixed on the enormous stone as she drew near, and Victor searched her face, wondering what she thought. The size of a horse cart, the stone pulsed with energy the closer Victor came to it, flashing green with black veins of ore that ran throughout. “It was a place where the priests would bring new believers and consecrate their faith through trials of pain. In the early days of the Religion, this was how faith was made whole. Or cast aside, depending on the belief. Thousands of people died in this room, screaming in agony during their last moments of life if they wouldn’t deny the Faith.” He stood in front of the stone, his eyes flashing in the green light. “Isn’t it wondrous, Sarie? Plucked from the legendary Garden of Stones.” He turned to Sarie. “Am I such a monster? Am I not a generous ruler? I have given the people favor, choice, and freedom. And still, I fear it may not be enough.”
“What are you talking about? The Religion is spreading faster than we could have imagined. Soon, the whole world will know of it.” Her eyes left his and she couldn’t help but stare at the stone.
“And yet, there will still be those who choose death over life,” Victor replied. “No matter what, I cannot make the entire world believe as I do. As we do.”
“Then they will die,” she said with as much courage as she could muster.
He grinned at that and stood close by her side. They stared at the massive stone as it commanded their attention, bounding with limitless energy, basking the room in its light. Victor could feel it’s pull on him, wanting to be unleashed. “My enemies will rise against me once more.”
“And you will destroy them once more,” she stated, turning to him.
“Perhaps.” His eyes met hers. “But in the chance that I fail, this will be the sword that strikes the final blow,” he said, his hand extending towards the stone.
Her eyes twitched as she stared into his. “What do you mean?”
“This is the end game, Sarie. Worldkiller. The harbinger to the end of days.” As he spoke the words, the stone grew brighter, washing their faces in green light. “The ultimate victory. The fulfillment of the prophecy.”
“The end of days,” she said in a whisper. Her gaze once again turned to the stone and she couldn’t speak.
Now you know, Sarie. Will you still stand by me in knowing this truth?
He searched her and found her mask melting away. She blinked rapidly, her eyes filled with fear and sorrow, her mouth agape and searching for words that wouldn’t come. “And… and you have the power to wield this?”
“Yes.”
She turned to him. “And if your army fails. If your enemies rise up and defeat you. You’ll destroy everything before you let them? Even me?”
He gazed into her eyes, conveying truth like never before. “This world was never made to last, my dear.”
Shaking, she turned to the stone. They stood in front of the weapon that would end all things. He could see her fear, and could almost hear her thoughts. She would betray him. It made sense. Nobody really wants to die. Especially when it’s the apocalypse.
“Fear not, Sarie. We—everyone in this world—we’re all in this together.”
He stood beside her and held her hand as they watched the stone pulse faster.
It was the most beautiful thing Victor had ever seen.
NINETEEN
“Deny the Religion; accept death. Judgement is now in the hands of the Almighty. May he have mercy on your souls.”
The floor gave way and ten heretics swung by the noose, choking and kicking in their last moments. Men, women, and children showed up for the executions and watched—those who had taken the mark and were free from persecution. No one dare be in attendance who didn’t take the mark.
After the last stopped moving, the guards removed the bodies and marched another group of ten onto the gallows. Cain turned to Rico. “I don’t know how much longer I can do this. Let’s just leave. They don’t need our help anyway.” He looked at Karn. The giant oversaw the executions and stood menacing in front of the crowd. “Big and ugly has this under control.”
“This is our duty. In all your time spent in the Order, one would think that you would have at least learned that lesson if nothing else.” Rico said, his eyes on the crowd. “Quit complaining and do what you were told.”
“Whatever.” Cain watched as the guards tightened the noose around each person’s neck.
Rico turned to him. “You’re up.”
“This is stupid.” Cain shook his head, then stepped to the front to address the sinners. “Deny the Religion, accept death. Judgement is now in the hands of the Almighty. May he have mercy on your souls.” With a signal from Karn’s
hand, the floor gave way and the ropes snapped tight. Cain walked back to Rico.
“Should we at least take a break? We’ve been at this all day now.” He looked up to the manor. “Maximus is not even here. It’s like he doesn’t care anyway. Victor’s not here, so let’s just go.”
“We’re here to act as judge, jury, and executioner, Cain. Don’t take that responsibility so lightly.”
Cain spat to the side and waited for the guards to remove the bodies. They piled the ten on a cart and wheeled them to the burning grounds. He scanned the crowd, finding every emotion but sorrow in all the faces. “Look at them. They’re actually enjoying this.”
“Because it’s not their necks,” Rico stated.
Cain shook his head in disgust. “I’m really starting to hate people, Rico.”
“It’s not their fault.”
“How is it not their fault. They choose to indulge and find enjoyment in this. Everyone has a choice.”
Rico looked at Cain. “Sometimes making a choice is the hardest choice. They’re here to show their support in the Religion.”
Cain scanned the crowd, searching for anyone that might hold some sense of decency to them. For someone who wasn’t looking for a show. For someone who… “Shit.” His eyes locked onto Torin, finding the big man staring back at him. “I don’t believe it.”
“What?”
“Torin.”
“Where? Don’t point.”
“Middle of the crowd, brown cloak, making his way towards us as we speak.”
“I see him. What are you doing, Torin?” Rico growled.
“Knowing him, something stupid,” Cain replied. He turned to find another group being forced onto the gallows. Four mens’ eyes went wide upon seeing Cain and Rico standing on the gallows. Their curses came muddled through the gags over their mouths, but their hatred was clear—the pained, confused look of betrayal set in their eyes.
Cain turned to Rico. “We can’t do this. Those men are our brothers. They served in the Order with us,” he pleaded.
Rico clenched his jaw. The guards tightened the ropes. Everyone stood and looked at Cain, waiting on him to give the decree. “You have to go, Cain.”
Cain looked at the crowd, then back to those who were to be executed. “No. Damn Victor’s orders. I’m not doing it.”
“You have to. It must be done.” Rico said, gripping him by the arm, trying not to cause a scene.
Cain shook his head and met Rico’s eye. “You do it, then, brother.”
Rico released his grip and rolled his shoulders. “Fine. Someone has to.” Rico walked to the front to commence judgement. “Deny the Religion; accept death.” His eyes met with Torin’s as the big man moved into position at the front of the crowd, his head held low in disguise. Rico stammered, then continued. “Judgement is now in the hands of the Almighty. May he have mercy…”
Torin jumped onto the platform of the gallows and cut Rico off. “Hello, Rico.” He threw off the cloak and pulled his sword.
“Now,” Karn instructed the men who controlled the gallows. The floors fell from underneath the accused and the ropes snapped taught. Torin shoved Rico out of the way and his blade cleaved through the ropes and the brothers of the Order fell to the ground. The big man spun, an axe appearing from his side, and he threw it at Karn. The weapon cleaved into the giant’s shoulder and sent him toppling backwards over the railing.
The crowd screamed.
Guards attacked Torin, driving the big man off the gallows and into the crowd.
Karn climbed back to his position, his shoulder painted red from where he pulled the axe free. He tossed it onto the platform with a thud. “Kill him,” he commanded. Torin charged through the crowd and fled to the streets.
Cain shook his head. “Well, that’s that. I’m done. Time for me to go back to Kingsport.”
“And what are you going to tell Victor?” Rico spat.
Cain shrugged. “The truth. We did as we were told, but Torin and the Order disrupted the executions.”
“He won’t be pleased.”
“Is he ever?” Cain noted, turned and left.
“Search the city. I want him found and I want him dead,” Karn instructed the influx of guards that came running to help. Hundreds of them addressed the command and flowed into the streets after Torin.
Rico joined them.
He ran fast to catch up with the lead guards. They came to a divide in the city. “You lot go that way. The rest, come with me,” the guard commanded. Into a busy street, Rico ran with the lead guards. “That way. He went that way,” a woman cried, pointing down an alleyway. At the far end, Rico saw Torin jump over a wall. “Split up and catch him on the other side. Go,” the lead guard said, and the ten men divided into two streets. Rico ran down the alley and jumped the wall.
Torin was waiting on the other side and punched him in the face upon landing.
“Ow! What the hell was that for?” Rico said, stumbling back and holding his nose. He pulled his hand away and angled his face for Torin to look at. “Is it broken?”
“Not yet,” Torin growled and came at him.
“Torin, stop,” Rico said and held his hands up. “I’m here to help you.”
Torin paused, his fists poised for punishment. “Could have fooled me. From the looks of it, you’re Victor’s servant boy, and loyal to the Religion.”
Rico looked down. “It’s not what you think.”
Torin pointed in the direction of the gallows. “What was that back there? You would have killed four of your brothers had I not stopped it. God save them if they didn’t get away, I did what I could. But you…” Torin clenched his fists and stepped towards Rico, his eyes flashing dangerously.
Rico backed against the wall. “I had orders.”
“Damn the orders.”
“There he is!” a guard shouted. Within seconds, thirty guards poured into the narrow street and charged at Torin with sword and spear.
Torin looked up at the wall, then down at Rico. “Get out of my way.”
“Torin, you can’t go back that way, the guards are everywhere.” His eyes went to the top of the shop. “If you climb on top of this wall, you can use the balconies to reach the roof. Go to the rooftops and make your way out of town. Go in the opposite direction of the docks.”
Torin estimated that he could make the top, then cast his eyes back to Rico. He poked him in the chest. “I’m coming for the high priest, soon. Anyone who stands with him will be my enemy and will be shown no mercy. And I mean anyone.”
Rico nodded. “I understand. Now, hit me in the face.”
“Gladly.” Torin pulled his fist back.
“Wait. Not the nose. Okay, go.”
Rico hit the ground. He looked up, finding Torin jumping from balcony to balcony until he reached the top of the building. He shook his head, punch drunk, and held his jaw. “Damn, Torin. You hit hard.”
The guards ran to Rico and looked up. One of them helped Rico stand. “That son of a bitch just about knocked me out. I tried to stop him. He said something about having a boat to catch. I think he’s going for the docks. Go.”
The guards rallied and gathered together as they made their way to the docks in search of Torin.
Rico made his way back to the gallows, finding most of the crowd gone, only a few groups still remaining in the street. Maximus was there, screaming at Karn and the others to continue with the executions. He saw Rico, jumped off the gallows, and stomped towards him. “What happened here? These public executions were meant to strike fear into the hearts of heretics all over the world. Now, it’s turned into a shit-show. And you were supposed to be in charge.”
“Piss off,” Rico said, shoving past him.
Maximus turned in outrage. “You little worm of a man. Who do you think you are?”
Rico turned back, his anger flaring. “Who do you think you are? Don’t forget, I was there. I know who you really are. Shall I tell everyone the truth?” he threatened.
M
aximus seethed. “Wait until Victor hears of this. It’ll be the rope around your neck next.”
Rico threw his arms out. “Go tell him, then. I don’t care.”
“Where do you think you’re going? Stop right there.”
“I don’t take orders from you,” Rico said as he walked away. “I’m done here.”
“Karn. Stop him.”
Karn stepped in front of Rico, wielding the executioner’s axe. Rico looked up into the giant’s eyes. “You really want to do this right now?”
Karn growled. “I know you’ve been training under him. But you’re still weak.”
Rico stepped face-to-face. “Try me.” He saw anger in Karn’s eyes and, for a moment, a second thought that showed hesitation. He smiled at Karn. “I didn’t think so.”
Maximus was outraged. “You… you’re letting him go. Stop him!”
Karn leaned the axe against the wall and looked at Maximus. “You stop him. He’s not my problem.”
Maximus shook his head in wonder. “I’m surrounded by incompetent fools. Curse this world and everything in it,” he muttered as he left the square.
Another ten were marched onto the gallows and the executions continued.
Throughout the day and into the night, the bodies piled up. There was no rest, and the guards continued their orders of capturing all those who denied the Religion. Heretic blood was spilled on the streets of Greenehaven, delivering a message to the rest of the kingdom.
Deny the Religion; accept death.
TWENTY
“There he is,” Hoss said, locking his eyes on the target. “The little rat bastard. Today, he gets what’s coming to him.”
Arkin, Hoss, Uurs, and Neptune were perched high on top of a shop in the busier, more prestigious part of Kingsport. To the left was the market; the place where Vaylesh stopped by every morning at the same time to purchase his bread for the day, and to observe how trade was fairing in his city. Neptune spat to the side and placed a pinch of drudge in his mouth.
“What are you doing?” Arkin asked. “We need everyone to be level headed, Nep.”