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Cadian-1

Hetur looked at Cadian and saw a fire not many mortals possess when entering Purgatory. He stood out among the other soldiers entering his realm. He saw the soldiers eyes when confirming that Cadian was bathed in holy water before his cremation, as was necessary to remove the taint of the mortal realm and enter the land of the dead. Hetur was curious, the other soldiers entering were either ready for death or accepting the fact that they had died. Cadian, however, looked as though he was angry he died. He had seen this before and his brother Disiratus usually judged them unworthy of paradise or punishment. Instead, he sent them back to Hetur so he could reincarnate them with memories erased or send them to their father (overseer of travel between worlds) for reincarnation in other worlds. 

Hetur was curious because he wondered what could be so important that not even death would stop this man's ambition. Cadian silently walked to the gate and passed through easily, no taint of the land of the living remained. Hetur silently watched Cadian's approach and departure, showing none of his curiosity.

Cadian stood before Disiratus thinking only of his "loyal" soldiers who betrayed him in the middle battle, leaving him to fight the enemy alone simply they were outnumbered 3/1. How could his soldiers run from such and easy fight? Disiratus looked at this man who stood before him, all this anger reminded him of his own. Disiratus normally only spoke to give judgement but this opportunity might not present itself again for a millennium.

"Human, what troubles you? The dead don't usually harbor such hate for the living." Disiratus asked with an indifferent look.

 Cadian was surprised to be addressed directly. "My men left me for dead. They retreated before the battle because they were afraid to die." 

" Why did you not retreat as well?" The indifferent look remained

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"Why do you not leave the dead to judge themselves? Fighting was my duty, not running." Cadian's surprise was beginning to turn curiosity. He had never been questioned by a god, but he had a suspicion it happened not very often.

"Why not forsake your duty to keep your life? It's been done before, and it was done by your men." His indifference lightened slightly, his suspicions being confirmed.

"Forsaking my duty would mean abandoning my pride. I died in a duel with the enemy commander not because I lost the duel but because his men abandoned their pride and killed me for winning. I could never show my face anywhere if I ran, I could never live like that."

His demeanor changed greatly anger becoming apparent. " So you decided to die like this? Mortals of the living world have stories of the seven deadly sins, no? Pride is one of the deadliest, along side lust and wrath, which often coincide. You have not the wisdom your ancestors, but the arrogance of your generation. The arrogance to destroy the temples of the one who oversees their afterlife. The arrogance to forsake your future. The arrogance that turned a once virtuous god vengeful." His voice had gradually grown to a shout. His face had contorted into rage, which softened as he calmed himself to continue.

" I have a proposal that might sooth both of our rage. Human nature is to betray and be betrayed. You were betrayed by your men, I was betrayed by all men. If the living care not of existence beyond death then the dead shall not have a place in my realm. Your spirit was removed of the taint of the land of the living, but I have the power to provide you with a new body and soldiers that fear nothing. I can give you the authority to command the undead. You can get your revenge and punish the foolish mortals who no longer revere me. You shall receive paradise if I deem your punishment fitting for the mortals. What say you?"

"I can punish those that forsook me?" Cadian asked, thinking only of revenge. He was considering this enticing offer well.

"Yes. You will punish everyone who dares to live when you died in such disgrace." Disiratus fueled the anger of Cadian with his own.

"I will do this," Cadian answered after more thought, " I will kill my enemies and bring punishment to those who abandoned their faith in you. I am yours to command, my lord."

Disiratus smiled showing not happiness but malice. " Good," he repeated, " good."

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