Chapter 6 - Those Alike

“Of The God-Forsaken Beings To Roam This Earth Be Especially Aware of Thou Bearing The Title of Sovereign” - “Recordings Of The Clergy” (Ch:1 Verse 3)

“Welcome guests, to the Domain of The Sovereign” Were the first words to greet me as I entered the leader of Rose’s Lair.

Like thunder bellowing in my mind, I caught myself unfocused for a moment after the resounding announcement.

Large steel doors with roses scattered all around parted ways to allow my guide and I inside.

A red carpet with what looked like ancient glyphs glowed on and off like an echo as we strutted along. Unbeknownst as to why, I noticed my guide slowly getting closer and closer as we walked forward.

I took notice and lifted my eyes up to behold the scene in front of me. Bodies hung from all over like decorations too blatant to be looked over. Diamonds and sapphires lodged into the surrounding livery. Along with a large staircase at the head of the room, capturing the attention of the entire enclosure.

Atop sat a Gentleman. Not a ruffian, not a thug, not a killer, but something more. Not quite royalty, as the Gentlemans temperament was in no way haughty or sophisticated. More scholarly, as if to say that he knew what would happen, along with when. It was just a matter of time.

The scholarly Gentleman also kept a humble wardrobe. Cotton trousers, Leather boots. Both black, of course. As if revealing anything of himself would be too much, making him seem unreal.

What little color he showed was on his skin - the rose vine tattoos similar to the piece of shit that tortured me for days but so much more at the same time. Where Eli’s would animate slowly and go back to being still. The gentlemans never stopped moving.

With his legs crossed, napkin over his crotch area, he held a tea cup and a plate. Slowly taking measured sips without missing so much as a beat. As if to show his attention was held. The gentlemans face was undecipherable, not allowing any of his thoughts to show.

After what seemed like forever, we finally got close enough to the beginning of the stairway, where the gentleman overlooked us in all his glory.

Our eyes locked and I came to understand.

I reached over and grabbed Cassandra’s scabbard. In one fell swoop I unsheathed the weapon and slit my throat like it was the most natural thing I’d ever done.

“Carter!” Cassandra screamed.

As I took my last breath, I took one last look at where the Gentleman was supposed to be. Suffice to say I didn’t find what I was searching for.

The Gentleman I laid eyes on as we walked in was nowhere to be found. In his place sat a demon, devil, and terror incarnate. My eyes closed a second after my body hit the floor.

The being continued to sip and look nonetheless.

Until a sentence was spoken, and as if it were law, reality bent to acquiesce for fear of retaliation.

“Do It Over.” said Lord Kylian, Owner of Rose.

✧

I opened my eyes to find myself whole again, along with a surprised and relieved Cassandra.

As we stood in front of the steel rose splattered doors I’d come to see for the second time since I’ve arrived, the thought struck me like a missile going through a doorway.

“Am I going to die again?” I wondered.

Cause’ if that was the case, then fuck this. Fuck all of it. I wasn’t going out without a fight. I’d cause as much hell and mayhem as I could before I’d myself be taken out in such a disgusting-

“I’m not sure.” she replied as quiet as a mouse.

Cassandra herself was not weak by any means from my time spent with her, so why is it that this once loud and belligerent warrior-lady stood meekly without a clue as to what was happening?

Shortly after, the steel doors parted ways and for the first time since arriving in this god-forsaken place. I was ready.

We glanced at each other one last time letting the unspoken truth that we were pawns at this moment in time go through the air.

This time we walked side by side, with heads held high. Focused on what lay ahead.

“Welcome guests, to the Domain of The Sovereign”

I heard a distorted voice bellow out. The words rang out in no way more familiar than the last time we entered.

Step by step the eyes of the hanging bodies followed us as we walked, this time I didn’t let them bother me.

We got to my final resting place much quicker than before when it finally struck me. I didn’t hear any sipping, or feel a gaze or presence as powerful as before. Something was missing.

Someone was missing.

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Cassandra began and I was one step behind, our eyes and attention desperately searched around the room looking for any sort of information.

“Looking for me?” I heard a voice coming from my left.

Suddenly the presence I believed to be gone appeared in full force three feet to my left.

Cassandra and I dropped as we were crushed by the weight his presence placed upon us and were forced to kneel.

Eyes set in stone studied us.

“It’s not often I’m greeted by those of royal blood.” Lord Kylian said.

Frozen as I was, I made it an absolute point to keep my thoughts from showing on my face.

My efforts paid off it seemed, as the being began trekking up the staircase back to his manmade throne.

Upon reaching his seat, a noise from the entryway rang out, and in came a face I was quite familiar with.

“Lord!” Cassandra exclaimed.

Ah but of course. Why wouldn’t it be him?

“Cassandra, Carter.” The prick who organized my kidnapping and torture greeted us.

He quickly stepped past us and kneeled before the man at the top.

“Kylian. This is the boy I mentioned.”

I couldn’t help but notice the lack of “Lord” being used meaning they knew each other enough that there was no need for an honorific in front. This could either go good or fucking disastrous for me, I thought.

“You say that as if it wasn’t evident by your sudden arrival, Julian. Please do keep in mind I’m not a simpleton, that assumption would demerit the honorary Sage rank those withering old men of Illysia so generously granted me.”

Hearing the talking, It’d hit me there was much more to the world I’d been completely ignorant to.

Anyways, Huh. So he knew how to banter. He was already one step ahead of me in that regard, as socializing had never been a strength of mine. Moreover, the name Julian was a gem that the Owner of Rose had dropped for me. If I ever made it out of here alive I’d make it a point to learn more of he who bore the name.

I watched as Julian nervously scratched his head, smiling as if he’d just been caught in the act of something morally ambiguous.

So, not that close.

Turning his head towards me, the Gentleman spoke. “Nevertheless, your bearing the same blood as the old man makes you qualified to speak.”

“What is your name, young man?” the Sovereign said.

My mouth began moving before my brain had a chance to think.

“Baron.” I blurted out. “Carter Baron.”

‘Oh well, Fuck it.’ I thought

I’m in this deep, I might as well play it smart.

Steadying my breathing, I took a step forward and cleared my voice.

“I come to you, Lord Kylian. Upon Julians’ request. I am to be introduced to the Organization you’ve built to become Rose.”

My leaving out the ‘Lord’ did not go unnoticed it seemed but Julian could only scrunch his face at the barb. Serves the asshole right - I still haven’t forgotten the torture session the bastard initiated.

Pale eyes began to slowly scan around, until the answer it’d been looking for was found. What felt like ages, must’ve only been a millisecond as the being spoke up immediately after.

“As a token of goodwill from one Royal to another, I will allow you to enter our organization's ranks after you exhibit your skill to me personally.” He spoke measuredly.

One Royal to another?

I’d never been one to count myself as royalty- though it seemed like it was time to start shoving that down people’s throats now though.

“Alas, in remembrance of your grandfather and the priceless memories I shared with him, I will also grant you one request to be made.” The Owner of Rose finished, this had the eyes of Julian & Cassandra wandering me with a look I’d yet to know the breadth of.

While it did amaze me that a seemingly young man in his mid 20’s would have spent enough time with my Grandfather to call their time together “priceless”. It was nothing to balk at, I grasped as I straightened my back at the sound of that. Receiving such an offer from one known as Sovereign was a prize In and of itself. The cogs in my head immediately began turning at the mention. There were avenues that I could play this, but only one I’d truly take.

Upon the mention of my grandfather, the actual importance and necessity of reputation was reinforced into my head. Not doing so well for someone flagged as wanted all over the country though was I? It didn’t matter, I’d learn and if I couldn’t, I’d force myself to learn.

I might be new to the game but I’d take what I’d need to survive.

“I will allow you some time to deliberate as to the nature of your reques-”

“No need!” I yelled out with a grin, cutting off the most powerful being in the room.

That had the monster cracking a smile as he motioned for me to continue.

“Make me your disciple.” I spoke. “Since you knew Gramps, in a sense you already understand how his end came to be, along with the shape my journey must take in order to undertake the crucible he’s set out for me.” I finished with that same toothy grin.

My grandfathers’ end was one of sorrow, bitterness, and regret. After accomplishing his life's work he was overtaken by one of the 3 Unholy Blights - Adika’s illness and just like that a legend and kind hearted soul’s story was brought to an end. Though, upon his death. I was granted authorization to his resting place. It was there I discovered the breadth of his work and began to work towards my purpose.

“I’m familiar with the missive the old man left you.” The Sovereign said smirkingly.

Something about the cadence of his speech had me holding my breath as I awaited a response. I wasn’t one to ask for handouts or favors, but in this case, I’d take all I could get. Things were looking bleak from an outside point of view considering I was executed upon my first meeting with the man. Honestly though, from where I stood this would kill plenty of sheep with one shear.

“Very well, Carter. I hereby pronounce you, disciple of the Sovereign, first of its kind.”

The “it’s” brought me to understand just how great a being the man was.

My teacher spoke and so it was.

Instantly, the eyes of all inside the domain drew to me, with looks of envy, awe, jealousy, and some looks I couldn’t decipher the meaning of but majority of those belonged to the hanging bodies. Although, the organizer of my torture gave a look that I could indeed place in that indecipherable category.

“Well? What are we all dallying around for?” My teacher spoke.

“Out” he spoke, and so it was.

Before I was able to even register the confirmation of my new position, we were back in the lobby looking towards the closed steel rose doors. How we got there?; Hell if I’d ever know.

END