King's Fall

[Shinros]

Chapter 20

 

Luther

 

I held the batch of papers under my arm, I was nervous for war was coming I could somehow feel it. The creature I’ve bound myself to wishes me to delve deeper. To drink from the well, but not yet. There might be other ways I could survive. I used the cogitator, strangely I was still using its power but I know whatever my patron wanted was something different compared to how I’m using its gifts now. Through the arcane machine I was able to get a far more detailed map of Lythia, along with reports of the army size garrisoned on the world. 

     I didn’t want to share this information with Adam, instead I’m heading to Angus’ personal chamber, the place where he kept his chained captives. But as I arrived I saw someone, a person I didn’t expect to see. The Fallen Angel’s armour was different, but it was him. Angus was handing a spiked chain to the monster. The creature has begun wrapping it around his wrist. As I stepped into the room they both turned to me. 

     The Fallen Angel’s eyes locked upon me right away, I could see something was different, he was calmer his presence was no longer suffocating to be around. Yet, in those eyes I could see a certain darkness was growing, I didn’t know what to make of it. The creature smiled at me. ‘Look at you, you’re not dead.’ It-He sounded joyful, the greeting seemed like he met an old friend. I wondered where was his arrogance? His bravado? His self-assured superiority? Last time I saw him he was a broken mess in a trash-captor, a shell without any organs. 

     But considering the entities surrounding us on this ship why should I be surprised that he still walks as if nothing happened? I had to return to my role, act normal. ‘I am well my lord, I can see you have recovered.’ 

     ‘Victoria said you’re the one who found me after my brothers devoured my organs.’ I think…’ The Fallen Angel tapped his chin for a moment. He then smiled. ‘An apology would do.’ 

     ‘What!?’ I was shocked, Angus was shaking his head. My captor proceeded to chuckle before speaking again. 

     ‘What’s so surprising about that? After all you were right. You were right about so many things.’

     ‘Andreas, Pl-’ The Fallen Angel raised his hand to stop the witch from speaking further, the smile that held his face was far from cruel, I could see that now. He was being genuine. 

     ‘Slave-no Luther, what if I told you that I never actually met the Emperor?’ He knew my name, I never gave it. Should I be surprised after all I have been through? But what he said afterwards floored me. He was sitting upon a mountain of lies, did he truly believe all the lies? It seemed that way during the time when he branded me. 

      ‘Is this a joke?’ I asked. 

      ‘No it isn’t.’ the creature replied. ‘You missed it, but Angus here was angry with me one time, absolutely livid. Do you know what he said one time? “You're not even a legionnaire even if you call yourself such.” “you were born after Horus’ war.” But I didn’t care, I was far too angry, too absorbed with my position and how my comfortable life was being ruined.’ He shifted his attention to witch, Angus looked away slightly. ‘I never saw him from a distance have I?’

     ‘My lord, I wa-’ The Fallen Angel placed his hand on Angus' shoulder, the action cut the witch’s words short. The creature then pushed downwards making the witch drop to one knee.. 

    ‘My apology is not done, even though I am quite thankful for what you did to my chain.’ He was speaking calmly, but he seemed in absolute control of the situation. Whatever was happening was terrifying. Where was this apology leading to? What did this monster want? ‘This war can be far more interesting, I want it to be long and drawn out. But we need to set a few things straight before we arrive. Luther, don’t you find everything so strange? How I took you in so readily? How everything began falling apart soon as you set foot onto this ship?’

     ‘I-I don’t understand…’

     ‘But I do, at least a little. The witch who made me what I am put me in this position. She gave me a castle, a ruined castle that drifts through the stars. But this castle is filled with betrayers. She gave me a golden throne to sit upon, which was owned by a powerful king who was addicted to narcotics. She gave me the means to slay him. Now the harlot’s? She kept her promise there, but this one seems to like to torture me. She gave me all of this, as long as I took ruination under my wing.’ He removed his hand from Angus’ shoulder, the Fallen Angel sighed. He then glanced at me. ‘She wanted something, her kind always does. I learned that much in the last two weeks.’ 

     He still wasn’t making any sense. My confusion was steadily drifting to annoyance. ‘Is there a point of all of this? This isn’t an apology, you want something else.’

    ‘True, as I said I want to make the war more interesting. But I don’t want to be an unwitting pawn, do you? True pleasure can only be found when eyes are clear and there are no distractions.’ His last statement sounded like something from a book, but I agreed on some level. My patron wanted me to do something terrible, maybe this was related to that? My eyes quickly became focused on the witch who was on his knee. He has done everything in his power to keep the both of us alive or on a path, the question was why? 

    ‘Angus, you know something don’t you?’ 

    ‘Yes dear brother, tell us, what is your true aim?’ We both asked the same question, the issue was did Angus have to answer? I’ve seen his power, he could destroy us if he wanted to. Logically his life would be easier if he simply worked with Basil. The witch looked up to the both of us, he began speaking. 

Edited June 16, 2020 by Shinros

[Shinros]

Epilogue

 

Angus  

 

Both of them were watching me, expecting answers. Was it too early? Should I pull back the curtain? The lunatic now wished for a joyful war, but he had no desire to be betrayed again. He has grown more intelligent. While the human was no longer fearful of the power who had interest in him. They have both vexed me in ways, but steps have been taken, small steps, but steps all the same. Yet, for once they were both of one mind, perhaps this was the time? 

     But guarantees  must be given first. ‘Know this the both of you, I will never betray either of you. You both have my eternal loyalty.’

     Andreas rolled his eyes. ‘Yes, yes… hurry up and get to the meat.’ The human was silent, he was the more thoughtful of the two, but rarely acts. It was why they were bought together. 

     ‘Alright, the true Gods of the galaxy are fighting one another in a long contest. I must ensure my God reigns supreme. We must win this round or we will all die.’

     ‘This has to do with Adrian? Correct? There is something on Lythia, he wants it.’ A small smile lined my lips, the human knew that much already. 

     ‘Yes, my vision is clouded. But there is something on that world that will help one of the gods win this specific round. We represent the snake.’ 

     ‘Snake?’ Andreas frowned as Luther said snake. Which was to be expected. 

     ‘My brother is trying to act smart again, he is referring to the god we all worship.’ 

     ‘I-I don-’ 

     ‘Please Luther, you’re starting to smell nice now, I can’t believe you haven’t noticed it.’ The human was still in denial, but that didn’t matter. I continued my explanation. 

     ‘Andreas is correct, the Snake is the god we all worship. Question is what god does Adrian follow? Would either of you like to take a guess?’ My question caused the lunatic to frown, his face darkened. Which shows he wasn’t a lost cause. While the human was still confused. ‘Secrets and desires are the domains of my God.’ I said calmly. ‘But the enemy we face is a master at trickery and deception. Adrian has grown tired of waiting, he doesn’t believe the broken mirror will mend itself.’ 

     Andreas tensed, his face became has now become a mixture of emotions. He turned away and left the chamber without a word, while Luther seemed absolutely lost. It seems I must be more blunt with this one. I got to my feet, the human was about to open his mouth to speak but I held up my hand to stop him. ‘I will answer your question.’ This was the perfect time to continue pushing this one further. ‘If Adrian succeeds, he will devour the souls across the entire sector.’ 

     The parlour of fear consumed Luther’s face, he scrambled out of the room leaving me alone. The fact he believed me without question showed his progress. But I was worried myself, it was hard to count on those who would be a liability in any other situation. But as my tutor taught me, sometimes I must have faith that things will work out. The Gods we worship move in mysterious ways.

Edited June 16, 2020 by Shinros

[Shinros]

That's the end of part one of the story, I hoped people liked this tale I put together. Was trying to do an experiment between writing with notes and without(This tale was without. With Greyfall everything was planned out). Part 2 won't come for awhile since I'm reading a book for inspiration and putting together some notes for the next part of the Greyfall Saga. 

Edited June 21, 2020 by Shinros