Black Eyes had summoned Michael, Griffin, Helena, and all the people who had aided in the conflict. A hundred people, dressed like neither Bargemen nor Exiles, accompanied the main three in the throne room, gawking up at Black Eyes as he sat on the Archon’s throne. Viktor stood beside him, wearing his enhancing armor, looming over the audience like an obelisk.
“Is that everyone?” Black Eyes asked, his voice booming out to the crowd.
Michael stepped up and cleared his throat. “Everyone that survived the conflict. We, uh, we lost eleven people.”
“Then you’ve done better than Hivemind… Tell me, Michael, do you know the total death toll?
“No…”
“I counted the dead bodies… A quarter of the city died. There were over 200,000 people here…”
“War is… truly awful,” said Michael.
“Indeed, it is. Now, you all have concerns?” Black Eyes inquired, peering out at the crowd.
Griffin aggressively stepped forward. “Yeah. Concerns…”
“Speak,” said Black Eyes.
“Why the fuck are you sitting on that throne?” Griffin upbraided.
“That upsets you…” Black Eyes said, chuckling.
“No shit. We wanted to depose the Archon, but we didn’t want someone worse in his place!”
“And you think I’m worse?” Black Eyes asked.
Griffin ground his teeth, appearing incredibly agitated. Helena stepped in front of him, looking up at Black Eyes with a far less-confrontational expression.
“What this overly zealous man is trying to say, is we just want to know what your intentions are…” said Helena.
“Why should you get to know my intentions?” Black Eyes fired back.
Seeing the hesitation of the crowd, Viktor stepped forward to address them. “What my overly zealous friend is trying to say is he doesn’t know who you are, exactly, or what your intentions are… Fair enough?”
“Fair enough…” said Helena.
“Okay. So, you three were councilors, but who is everybody else here?” Viktor asked.
“They’re former Exiles. We clandestinely recruited them over the years,” answered Helena.
“Before the Archon, back when you had control, the Bargemen were still trafficking Exiles to the city. What role did you play in it?” Black Eyes interrogated.
“I had nothing to do with that,” said Helena.
“I had no part,” said Michael.
Griffin offered no response. Instead, he twisted his face angrily, refusing to make eye contact with anyone who peered his way.
“Silence is your response?” Black Eyes taunted smugly.
“I—” Griffin stammered.
When Griffin failed to produce a reply, Michael and Helena glanced at him uncertainly.
“Griffin?” Helena asked sheepishly.
“What!?” Griffin lashed out.
Helena flinched, backing away a step. “Griffin… Don’t tell me…”
Black Eyes glanced at Viktor and gestured down the stairs. Viktor took the cue and descended the steps, walking up to a fearful Griffin. He glanced at Helena and Michael, who appeared as confused as ever.
“When you were still on the council, how clued in to the true nature of the Bargeman-Exile dynamic were you?” Viktor questioned, glaring down at Helena and Michael.
“Gr—Griffin told us they were new arrivals, who had moved here to get away from war…” Helena said, horrified.
Viktor shook his head, glaring at Griffin with contempt. “When you were in charge, you didn’t tell her shit, did ya? You kept your subordinates in the dark, as all shitty rulers do, and carried on with your crimes!”
Griffin appeared terrified and hopeless, backing away while gaping at Viktor. “N—n—no! You don’t understand! Th—th—the Bargemen! They—"
“SHUT UP!” Black Eyes roared.
The throne room fell silent, and only Black Eyes’ footsteps could be heard. His steps were slow and deliberate, and the tension cut through the air like Abomination teeth.
“No… More… Excuses…” Black Eyes seethed. He stepped right up to Griffin, staring him down miserably. “You were a despotic slaver, just like the man you so valiantly fought to overthrow. All you wanted was your power, and slaves, back.”
“No! That’s a lie! The Bargemen… They were independent! You can’t—”
Black Eyes seized Griffin’s throat, getting face-to-face. “You are not getting what you want, slaver. You’re done…” He threw Griffin to the floor and glanced at the others. “If Griffin is still in Hivemind by dawn, he’ll be executed.”
“How will you guarantee that, huh? You freak!” Griffin protested.
“The Bargemen will.”
The throne room doors opened. A contingent of multiple dozen Bargemen entered the room, focused only on Griffin. The crowd parted, allowing the Bargemen to come in and seize him.
“NO! YOU CAN’T!” Griffin screamed as the Bargemen seized and dragged him away. “YOU WON’T GET AWAY WITH THIS!” The doors shut behind them all.
Helena and Michael appeared stunned, questioning everything they had thought they knew. I saw that face on Alexey… Viktor thought. “Hey… You two gonna be okay? I know he was one of yours, and this must be tough to hear…”
“You don’t say,” said Michael.
“Are we gonna have any problems?” Black Eyes inquired.
“N—no…” said Helena.
“None from me,” said Michael.
“Glad to hear. Now I’ve got some questions about this place. Those strange buzzing lights at the dock, that strange armor you gave me, not to mention that conduit or whatever. I’ve never seen such advanced technology. What the hell is it? Where’d it come from?” Black Eyes questioned.
“Hivemind came long before the Stars ever birthed the first men,” Michael answered.
“Long before? Whoever it was that made those Artifacts?” Black Eyes asked.
“Yes.”
“How do you know that?” Black Eyes prodded.
Michael rubbed the back of his neck. “Uh, just a hunch.”
“Ah.” Black Eyes looked at the rest of the crowd, the supposed former Exiles who had aided in the uprising. They silently gaped at him, their fear apparent. “You’re all from the Dawnlands, originally?”
The crowd nodded, saying nothing.
“Good,” said Black Eyes. He walked past Viktor and began up the steps to the throne.
“Hey!” Helena called out, taking a couple steps towards Black Eyes, who continued towards the throne. “So, what happens now?”
“What do you want to happen?” Black Eyes asked as he sat on the throne.
“Well… I can tell you what I don’t want to happen,” said Helena.
“What don’t you want to happen?” Black Eyes asked.
“I don’t want to be the subject of another power-hungry asshole,” Helena explained.
Black Eyes chuckled. “I know power-hungry assholes when I see them. My adoptive brother is one of ‘em.”
“You aren’t power-hungry?” Helena questioned.
“I’m not… Not as you think I am.”
“Would you care to clarify?” Helena asked.
Black Eyes looked to the side and sighed, appearing reflective. “Harvey Miller was one of the best men I ever knew. He made mistakes just like anyone else, and they got him killed in the end, but he was so effective at ruling because he didn’t want to,” he explained, a sad shimmer in his eyes.
“How does that add up?” Michael asked.
“People that want to rule will almost certainly abuse their power, even if they don’t in the beginning. If you don’t want the job, but it’s thrust on you and you’ve got no choice, you won’t enjoy it, and you shouldn’t. If you have fun making massive decisions that can displace the lives of countless innocent people, then you shouldn’t be in that position, period,” said Black Eyes.
“What exactly are you suggesting?” Michael asked.
“I’l
l be the ruler. And I don’t care if you don’t want me to do it. I don’t want to do it either, but I need to. I’ll promise you… I won’t be a power-hungry asshole.”
Black Eyes settled into the throne, looking down at his new subjects. Viktor walked up to stand by his side. “Are you certain you don’t want this?” he asked.
“I’m certain.”
“You aren’t lying, right?”
“I’ve spent the better part of my life lying. I’m tired of it,” said Black Eyes.
“I’m betting you see things differently. Ever since, well—”
“The Archon carved out my cock and balls? Yeah. He did me a favor in a way.”
“In what way?” Viktor questioned, chuckling.
“I no longer risk thinking with my dick.”
Viktor laughed. “I hope you’re right…” I hope I’m right…
CH 62 – Asher XVII
Asher and Vai were able to look upon most of the city from the royal bedchamber. Habwaken was firmly under their control, but neither of them felt satisfied with the result of the battle, as Howell was still unaccounted for. Until he was in their custody, the war was not won. Gorman, Archard, and Schafer had joined them in Howell’s room to discuss the outcome of the battle.
“The battle was truly one of the most decisive victories I have ever heard of, your Majesties! Over 25,000 Midlanders were killed, and over 80,000 were captured. Out of our 130,000 men, we only lost around 7,000,” Archard explained excitedly.
“Only?” Vai asked, irritated.
“Well, yes… Considering the scale of the battle, it was an astounding victory,” said Archard.
“A victory with 7,000 losses,” Vai remarked solemnly, peering out at the city.
“No victory comes without losses, your Majesty. Lord Archard only meant that’s remarkable we only had 7,000 losses, and not nearly the number the enemy did,” said Gorman.
“Speaking about losses, what happened to Howell?” Asher inquired.
“I’m ashamed to say that we simply don’t know,” Schafer regretfully admitted.
“My armies pursued him all the way from the original front to the city, and we absolutely saw him enter the city. He could not have escaped at any point either, since the scouts would have spotted him,” Gorman informed.
“The men have been scouring every inch of the city and the palace for some hint as to how he managed to slip through our grasp, but we’ve come up empty-handed,” said Schafer.
“Bring me the daughter,” Asher commanded.
Schafer nodded, then turned towards the door. “Send her in!”
The door was instantly opened by an Emberland soldier. A few Rockmen proceeded to send in a young Midland woman.
“Khepri Howell,” said Asher, crossing his arms.
“Yamamoto. Khepri Yamamoto,” she replied sternly.
“You know… If my father had gotten what he wanted, you would’ve been Khepri Miller,” Asher said, chuckling.
“If your father had gotten what he wanted, he’d still be alive,” said Khepri.
“Careful.”
Khepri looked at Asher disdainfully. “What do you want?”
“Your father. You’re gonna tell us where he scurried off to,” said Asher.
Khepri looked down, appearing shameful. “I—”
“Don’t protect the man that abandoned his city. Abandoned you,” said Asher.
“He… He escaped through the underground network,” said Khepri.
Archard, Gorman, Schafer, and Vai perked up curiously. Asher continued to prod. “And what is that?”
Khepri sighed. “I don’t know, exactly. It’s beneath the palace.”
“Take her away,” Asher ordered. The soldiers came forward and took Khepri out of the room. “General Schafer. Find this network and where Howell escaped to.”
“General?” Schafer asked.
“You’ve done a good job filling Miles’ shoes ever since Sturgeon, and you’re gonna keep on doing it, officially,” said Asher.
“I’m… I’m honored, your Majesty,” said General Schafer.
Asher politely smiled and nodded. “Find Howell, General.”
“At once.” Schafer exited the room.
“Any other updates?” Asher inquired.
“Many of the Midland nobles in the city that surrendered are wishing to abandon their support of Howell in favor of you both,” said Gorman.
“I doubt that we can fully trust them,” said Asher.
“We should still consider it—if they aren’t genuine, they’ll prove it,” said Gorman.
“You’re right. It can’t hurt,” said Asher.
“The throne room would be the optimal place to receive them,” said Archard.
“Let’s take care of that this evening. I’d imagine we still have a lot to sort out in the city. For now, you two are dismissed,” said Vai.
Gorman and Archard nodded, then promptly left the room. Asher continued to stare off at nothing, visibly disappointed.
Vai approached him and gently caressed his shoulders. “You wanted to capture Howell, because that would be an end to the war, right?”
Asher opened his mouth slightly but came up with no response.
“Even if Howell were in our custody, we’d be in almost the exact same situation, dealing with the aftermath. Mourning the dead and dealing with conquered nobles will be the easiest part of what’s to come… Will the Rocklanders be prepared to pledge their allegiance to you, and will the Emberlanders be prepared to pledge allegiance to me? Even if they say the words, will they mean it?” Vai explained.
“On our wedding night, we talked about building a better world… We gotta figure out what that means…” Asher admitted.
“Exactly. War isn’t easy, but it’s much simpler than ruling, and neither of us has truly gotten to rule just yet. That’s what begins now,” said Vai.
Asher reached up to his shoulder and held Vai’s hand, looking into her eyes. “We’ll have a very difficult time figuring out who we can trust. So, we need to trust each other absolutely,” said Asher.
“I couldn’t agree more,” said Vai.
Asher bit his lip, looked down, then looked back up at Vai. “You’ve been somewhat silent about the traitor, Adrian.” Vai looked at him with worried surprise, then Asher continued. “Why did he really turn on us? Do you know something?”
Vai’s hand turned limp and she looked away nervously. “I... I don’t know…”
“Really?” Asher questioned.
Vai hesitated, opening her mouth then quickly shutting it. She sighed and then looked back at him. “I’m sorry I—I don’t, know…”
“Okay… Well, let’s get the word out that he’s wanted alive. We can question him, then he can be executed. I won’t be satisfied until I know why Miles was killed,” said Asher.
“Neither will I. The traitor will be brought in alive, no matter what,” Vai said stiffly.
If you can’t answer why Miles was killed, then that traitor will, Asher thought resentfully. He kissed Vai then walked over to the balcony, peering out at the city.
When Vai joined him, he put his arm around her, continuing to stare out into the city. “So, all of the death and destruction. I don’t know if I can live with it.”
Asher grinned powerfully, looking out into the city. “To make the world better, you gotta make it worse first.”
CH 63 – Alexey XIV
When Alexey woke from the darkness, he found himself bound to a fixture within the wall, right beside Howell’s corpse. His head was throbbing with one of the worst headaches in his memory. Volkov stood nearby, sharpening his dagger. When he saw Alexey’s eyes peep open, he glared down at him with taunting malevolence, keeping the dagger firmly in his hand.
“Ah, he’s awakened,” Volkov chuckled.
“H—how did you—”
“Tsk, tsk, tsk, I’m sure you must have loads of questions, Alexey, but I’m not in the mood.”
Alexey gawked at Howel
l’s corpse. “You monster,” he muttered.
“You can say whatever you like, call me what you like, and think what you like. But it won’t change anything,” said Volkov.
“My…” Feeling light-headed, Alexey promptly sat his head back on the wall behind him and blinked conspicuously, exhaling roughly.
“I’ll admit, you sure are resilient. You managed to survive the Forest, a fight with multiple Guardsmen at Rhoska, and a journey all the way to Zhakagrad. If you weren’t a disloyal dog, you would’ve made a fine Winterguardsman, despite your lack of fighting prowess.”
“N—never…” Alexey mumbled.
“Well, you’re right about that. You’re not worthy of Her,” said Volkov. His taunting face instantly morphed into a sadistic and malevolent expression. “That tailor’s daughter is too good for you, she’ll be much better suited for work in Volkograd,” he finished, chuckling.
“What!? No! You bastard!” Adrenaline rushed through Alexey’s veins as he thrashed around, wringing his bound wrists furiously.
“Don’t worry. She’ll do a fine job keeping my officers pleased,” said Volkov.
“I’LL KILL YOU!” Alexey screamed, devolving into pitiful sobs.
Volkov glared at Alexey. “No. You won’t. You have that backwards, deserter.” He put the blade by Alexey’s wrists, cutting him loose.
Alexey collapsed, short of breath, his head throbbing in agonizing pain. Volkov quickly grabbed him by the scruff of his neck, lifted him up with one hand, and began walking him towards the far end of the chamber. He grunted in pain the entire way, his vision beginning to refocus as he was brought towards a concaved door.
“Open,” said Volkov.
The concaved door shot open, a strange sweeping sound quickly ripping through the air. A dark hallway appeared, and Volkov led Alexey into it. In the hallway, the air immediately became much colder, the fog of breath appearing with each exhalation. His skin tingled and goose bumps emerged on his skin.
Alexey felt his breath get weaker as he spoke. “What are—”
“Don’t talk, not to me. If you’re lucky, She will talk to you,” Volkov seethed.
“She?” Alexey muttered.
As they continued down the hallway, a strange hum began to fill the air; it was both satiating and grating. With each step, the hum grew more prominent—and the air grew colder than the Forest. Alexey began to shiver violently, his breaths weak and desperate, and he became numb all over. Volkov led him around the bend of the hallway to the end, revealing a massive circular chamber. At the center was a massive black obelisk. Strange light fixtures originated from the obelisk, forming strange images that appeared as floating tangible pieces to an array of shapes. Despite feeling himself slowly freeze, Alexey gaped at the light display with absolute horror and intrigue.
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