Chapter 163

Chapter 163

Howling into the night sky, the Firebrands broke ranks and ran towards the quiet little village, still more than a kilometre away. His customary grin slipping from his face, Xiao HuoLongs jaw dropped as he watched the chaos unfold. No plan, no coordination, only a disjointed crowd of feral idiots screaming murder as they charged. These unrestrained madmen were his Firebrands?

No, his Firebrands were disciplined professionals, unlike these amateurs and incompetents unable to keep the darkness in check. No one moved to surround the village as its occupants, alerted by the idiotic howling, fled into the forest, abandoning everything without hesitation to save their lives. They would likely escape too, his people leaving chase to indulge their base desires using the villagers too scared, slow, or stupid to run. Like a pack of starving animals, his people tore into the tiny village and carried out wanton destruction and carnage, literally frothing at the mouth as they satisfied their murderous urges.

The terrified screams he normally savoured did little to improve his mood as he wandered into the village, fighting to keep himself under control. Gorging themselves like convicts at a feast before their appointment with a noose, his comrades acted no different from rabid dogs. Were it any other time or place, hed put them down without hesitation. These werent the Firebrands hed brought into the fold, his hand-picked warriors and kindred spirits, comrades who walked with both eyes open in a world of the blind and obstinate.

No, his comrades were gone now, replaced by a gibbering pack of deranged buffoons.

Stolen from him by Gen and his bewitching Demon.

At the thought of the obscene pair, his eyes instinctively sought them out in the crowd. Hands clasped behind his back, Gen strode leisurely through the anarchy with a satisfied smile, making his way inside the largest, central shack. As for the Demon, it flitted about the village in bursts of speed, disappearing from sight and reappearing at another location in the blink of an eye. Stopping to grab random villagers, it deposited them inside the shack for Gen to play with. After capturing maybe a half-dozen prisoners, it settled down outside the shack, ready to guard Gen as he entered.

How sweet, the wife preparing a meal for the husband.

The Demon sat with grace and poise, treating the shabby bench like a royal throne as it surveyed the festivities. Its posture perfect and hands folded in its lap, it exuded an unearthly beauty and the scent of seduction, a single smile enough to charm his Firebrands and mold them into these biddable idiots. How else to explain their sudden transformation, so eager to follow Gen into certain death? The Purge was coming, and anyone caught inside the Armys perimeter would be killed, including the Demon.

It was the height of madness to believe otherwise.

As if sensing his gaze, the Demon turned and smiled at him, licking its full, feminine lips. Quickly averting his eyes, he cursed beneath his breath and struggled to keep himself in check. A pox on the glassy Demon whore, what good is it if it doesnt have a cunt to fuck? Worthless defective monster, bringing Gen to them, listening to his every word. A snot-nosed, wet behind the ears brat, he had no shame. Bleeding from every orifice after flopping around on the ground, and still he had the gall to demand Laughing Dragons obedience?

In all his years, hed never been an overly proud man. Retreat was nothing shameful, only a tactic to be used in the right situation. Soft gold bends where rigid iron breaks, and he had no intention of breaking, but to be forced into service by a madman and his damaged pet vexed him beyond belief. Claiming to hear the Demons voice and ranting about gathering an army, if not mad, then at the very least incompetent. In this land of failed treasure hunters and resigned dirt farmers, where did Gen think to find warriors for his army? And how convenient he was the only one who could hear the Demon speak.

Disgusted by his predicament and the lack of discretion from his cohorts, HuoLong turned his back to the slaughter and slipped out into the forest, sensing the Demons gaze locked firmly upon him. He had no choice but to obey, the Demon was too fast and strong, but there was no need to do so blindly. Familiarizing himself with the surroundings, he set out on patrol, keeping watch for soldiers and other threats, all the while grumbling to himself about the injustice of it all.

Hours passed in relative calm as he kept vigil, accompanied only by the constant tortured screams of the villagers. The spirits raged and rambled inside him, demanding he take part and surrender to the hunger, but he was accustomed to ignoring them when it suited him. It wasnt until the sun rose when he returned to the village, scowling as he surveyed the scenes of beautiful carnage. Jealousy bubbled up from within, warring against caution as he took in the ambience, each view exciting him more than the last. How he yearned to be a part of the bloodletting, to throw off all inhibitions and submerge himself in the pleasures of flesh and blood, but after a long struggle, caution won out. So long as he kept a cool head, he might eventually find a chance to escape from Gen and his Demon.

Brother Dragon. Gens greeting took him off guard, and he turned to face the little upstart, covered in viscera and gore. Who the fuck is your brother, you little shit? You missed all the festivities. Eyes wide and smile strained, Gen appeared high-strung and restless, barely able to keep still as he paced about. Did none these sheep catch your eye? Three new comrades ringed the whelp, the flayed skin of their faces doing little to dim the fervour in their eyes.

Seventeen recruits brought into the light by Gen in less than a week. How did this little shit Awaken so many? Somebody had to keep watch and none of these idiots volunteered. No need to hide his disdain. Let the whelp try to take Laughing Dragons head, hed find the cost higher than expected. Its been almost a week since Baledagh or rather Falling Rain, discovered us, so the Army will be on its way. Theres no escaping once they settle in, theyve mystical means of tracking runaways.

Oh no need to keep watch, my beautiful wife is ever alert. Stop worrying and indulge yourself, let loose and satisfy your every desire. Sidling up beside him like a bosom buddy, Gen threw an arm around HuoLongs shoulder, the mangled, deformed hand clamping lightly around his neck. You play the part of calm and carefree rogue, but who would have thought you were so uptight? You need learn to surrender to desire, let the power guide you.

I havent survived this long by surrendering. Yell see soon enough.

Rolling his eyes, Gen let loose a long, suffering sigh. A shame youve yet to realize: theres no need to hide your true self anymore. No more hiding, those were His words. How long since youve let yourself be free? You starve your lust for weeks at a time, feeding it scraps and leavings whenever you can. I offer you a feast fit for kings and you scorn me, running off to sulk in the woods. Is it because you wish to lead? I did not ask for this, but He spoke to me.

Already on the knifes edge, HuoLongs rage got the better of him as he threw the whelps arm off. Offer me a feast? If I want something, Ill fucking take it meself. Yer nothing more than a pup whose teeth have just come in, biting whatever ye can. Yeve no inkling of whats to come, no sense at all, wasting time which should be spent getting the fuck gone.

Youre right. The admission threw him off guard as Gen nodded sagely while guiding him to a table where his new recruits laid out a meal. Ive no inkling of whats to come. We are all His children, so we must work together through these trying times. Come dine with me.

Confounded by Gens attitude, HuoLong narrowed his eyes and reached for a leg, never one to turn down food. Biting into the delicious meat, he eschewed all subtleties and asked, Whats yer game now?

I take no satisfaction in it... Well, a little but they tried to eat me, so fuck them.

Convinced they cant escape and thanking my lucky stars for their silence, I raise my head to study the surroundings. With no point of reference, it's impossible to tell how long I spent staring at the cage. I dont breathe, I dont get hungry or tired, my muscles dont cramp or ache. The void surrounds me, envelopes me, yet at the same time, I have all the room in the world, though theres nothing to mark the distance travelled. Forward back, up, down, no matter where I go, its exactly the same. Screaming just to hear noise, Im not sure if Im actually screaming, or just think I am.

I hate it here. Nothing to do but get lost in my own thoughts.

But are they my thoughts, or is an echo of thoughts Ive had before? How do I think without a mind? Am I using part of Baledaghs brain, even while dormant? Or do spirits have their own... physiology or whatever?

Holy shit, is this what it was like for Baledagh before I built him the Manor? No wonder he slept for years, this shit is unbearable. Forcing myself to take a breath, the air rushes through my nostrils, filling my chest and lungs. Ugh, fuck me. Focus dude. Concentrate. Out of the Void and into the World.

My mind is overwhelmed by all the sensations. Sunlight bursts into view, children cry and adults shout, the acrid scent of sweat and fear, the coarse texture of my clothes, a thousand things coming into awareness in an instant. The Militiamen march through a tiny village while the unmistakable voice of Ravil screams obscenities. The villagers gather in an empty field, lining up in single file at his directions, men and woman, children and elderly, close to fifty in total, huddling together for comfort as they try to make sense of things.

After a few seconds, I can even feel Baledaghs emotions, a hollow, empty pain emanating throughout his body. Poor kid. Baledagh, whats going on here?

Tensing up at the sound of my voice, Baledagh checks to make sure no one is watching before closing his eyes. His voice booms from every direction, echoing into the void. Brother, its good to have you back. You slept for so many days, and when you woke, I found you staring at the Spectres, lost in thought, my voice unable to reach you. Are you well?

I'm fine, I think. I was exhausted, then I was checking the cage and... lost track of time. You didnt answer me though, whats happening here? Are we robbing these people? Wait... what? Ive been out for days? How many?

Yes brother, close to seven days, and were here searching for the Defiled. I can feel them here, but I cannot tell who. Ravil calls out to us and Baledagh steps forward, his face hidden by a hat and veil. I need to concentrate brother, but know that the Purge has been called. You couldnt have stopped it, but worry not. Well save those we can, including anyone here who has not been tainted.

Swallowing my protests and questions, I quiet down as Baledagh clasps his hands behind him and walks up to the first villager, an older gentleman with greying hair and clouding eyes brought forward by a Sentinel. After a few seconds, Baledagh nods and the Sentinel brings the old man out into the forest, while another Sentinel brings the next villager forward.

Im not thrilled that the purge is coming, but then again, he might be right. We couldnt have stopped the purge, but hes doing something about it at least. We'll figure something out. Little Baledagh, still in mourning, he toughed it out for days while I slept, even working to save villagers. Hes growing up and I couldnt be prouder.

The inspections continue without change until a meek young woman is brought forward, carrying a girl no older than Tali in her arms. An adorable child, her eyes are red and swollen, her tears staining her mothers shirt as she stares fearfully at us from her mothers embrace. Poor little thing, well make it up to her later. I can cook up something sweet, or let her play with the bears.

While lost in my thoughts of cheering her up, Baledagh nods once again, as his fingers flash behind him, signing Kill.

What are you doing? The words burst from my mind before I can stop it, frantic as I watch the Sentinel lead them both away. Wait, stop, call him back. You didnt tell them to spare the little girl.

Stopping in his tracks, Baledagh speaks carefully, his anger smouldering beneath the surface. Brother, they are both Defiled, woman and child alike. I can sense the taint in them, weak but unmistakable.

My innards twist at the sound of his words, our eyes watching the doomed pair walk away. Pleading with him, I try to take control, to make his mouth utter a single word, all to no avail. Baledagh, stop them, take the time to think this through. You said it was weak, shes just a kid. We can teach her, we can save her. You dont want to do this, I know you dont. We'll find a solution for this, together.

Youre right, I dont want to have her killed. His sorrow is palpable as he sighs, but quickly overshadowed by determination. I wish there were another way, but there isnt. They are Defiled, and will grow in power, given time. You are too weak... no not weak. Too kind, too empathetic perhaps, but I am not the same, so I will shoulder this burden for you. That child is not the first, nor will she be the last, and this will be a mercy compared to leaving her for the Empire. The void closes around me as he sends me away, his words heavy with regret. Go back to sleep brother. This is all I can do to help. Ill wake you when we reunite with the others.

The darkness consumes me, and all I can see is the little girls face flooding with relief as shes brought away, blissfully unaware of what fate has in store for her.

Baledagh... why are you doing this to yourself?

Chapter Meme