Although the day had been mostly clear, as the sun fell below the horizon, clouds that would swallow the sky began to pass over the valley below, cloaking the night sky from view. The path to the Old Slate Pile was flanked by fields of wheat to the east and forest to the west, as Zelotes trod along a rural road. It was pretty apparent where the slate pile was as he approached. It was on a hill topped by six black pillars. As he approached the hill, he could feel as though something about the place was rejecting his presence, as though he was not supposed to be there. It felt as though some cold presence was trying to push him out, as he felt numbing chills throughout his body. As he pressed forward he felt this feeling of chilled unwelcoming intensify, as though he were stepping on grounds that were forbidden to him. He didn’t care, the only thing that processed through his mind was a question: “Is this really him?”
As he paced towards the hill, memories came flooding back as he pondered the question.
“Need some help with that, Z?” A younger Lucias said, standing beside Zelotes as he was attempting to mount a horse. It was midday in the Letharin summer sun, as Zelotes prepared for his first time bringing the cattle home. His mane hadn’t even grown yet.
“I can do it, Luci, just watch!” Zelotes attempted to mount the horse by jumping on it, only to slip off as he was still growing. The act mildly spooked the horse as it stepped away to the side.
Lucias laughed, “If you keep doing it like that, number four, she’s not gonna let you ride her at all. Here, let me lift you up there…” Lucias picked up the young Zelotes, gently placing him in the saddle on the horse’s back. “There you go.”
Zelotes’ memory then flashed to another point. He, Lucias, his father, and his second oldest brother, Kaunas, rode on horseback through the fields, approaching their herd of cattle.
“Now remember, boys, the key in herding cows is to make them feel safe.” Their father explained as the group maneuvered their horses behind the herd and began driving them forward. Or at least most of them, as a straggler lagged behind the group, catching Kaunas’ attention as he tried to get the cow to move with the rest of the herd. “For the last freaking time, Kaunas, ignore the stragglers.”
In turn however, Kaunas just seemed to ignore him, as let out a roar to get the cow moving, only for a look of realization to hit him a split second later as he spooked the herd.
“Gods dammit, Kaunas!” The father swore as the cattle began to stampede.
Zelotes tried maneuvering to the front of the herd to stop them, only for his horse to rear up, and causing Zelotes to fall out of the saddle onto the ground, right in the path of the stampede’s charge. Zelotes desperately fought his way to his feet, only to be picked up by Lucias as the cattle herd nearly ran over the leothien boy.
“Ride alongside! Not in front!” The father yelled as he rode past Lucias’ horse.
After a difficult chase and attempting to calm the herd, they managed to steer the cattle back to the barn where they dismounted their horses and sat for a time.
“Kaunas! How many times have I had to tell you to make the cattle feel safe, AND to ignore the stragglers?!?!” The Father yelled at the second born son, causing him to recoil and look away.
“Well, dad, you keep telling us to get EVERY single cow when we’re out!” Lucias interjected, stepping between the two.
Shaking his leonine head, the father mumbled to himself as he left, slamming the barn door behind him.
“You guys okay?” Lucias asked, turning to the two of his brothers.
Zelotes had reached the foot of the hill. A set of black steps led to the top of the hill, a black platform that supported the pillars. Zelotes first looked at the footsteps, then to pillars. Clearly it wasn’t devoted to his god, but from the general layout of this area, to the feeling of a presence warding him off, he could guess it was a holy site. As he continued looking up and down the hill he couldn’t help but ponder another question: “If this is Lucias, what could’ve made him join with such a faith?” He began to ascend the steps, taken by surprise as he heard a metallic “clank!” as his metal footwear made contact with the material that Zelotes had previously assumed was stone. As he ascended the stairway, he heard the familiar voice of Lucias, his eldest brother, his father’s favorite, and the one he had held in highest regard of his siblings engaged in a strange prayer.
“To thy throne everlasting, from the depths of my heart, oh great Eternal Darkness, to thee I pray.
I understand that as part of thy Great Work, my purity brings my power, in humility, I seek thy blessing.
For what I now must do, may thy blessing keep the purity of my soul true.
For what I now must do, may thy blessing keep the purity of my heart untainted by the filth of emotion that I now must purge.
For what I now must do, may thee forgive the misplacement of my actions and intent, for they are not with your great purpose.
To thy throne everlasting, from the depths of my heart, oh great Eternal Darkness, to thee I have prayed.
Peace and Purity be Eternal.”
As Zelotes reached the top of the stairs, he got a better look of the platform: it was a round floor of black and white checker, each of the black pillars were hexagonal in shape and were evenly spaced between each other to form a hexagon. The overall structure however, was in a state of ruin. Parts of the floor were cracked, allowing vegetation to grow through, and the pillars bore marks that they held up either a roof or a ceiling at one point, a few piles of black rubble could be found at their bases. A giant slab of slate carved with a strange script stood at the center, emerging from a pile of smaller slate tablets with strange writing engraved on them as well. It bore a symbol at its top: A white crown over a pair of black, angelic wings encircling a black hole. Before it, a warrior clad in black armor knelt, bearing a slate tablet in hand, engraved with writing in the same script as the larger center tablet, a bladed shield was mounted to his back, the same one Zelotes had seen used in the artificial vault. This was indeed the same paladin Zelotes had encountered. The black paladin carefully placed the tablet before the slate slab. He then stood up.
“You’re here.” He said without turning to face Zelotes.
“Lucias.” Zelotes uttered.
“Yes.” the black paladin answered, turning around to view his yellow-clad counterpart.
Lightning flashed from above, and in that brief flash, in that moment, Zelotes could see his brother’s face the exact way it was the last time he saw him before the fire, instead of the black hel that concealed whatever was beneath. Maybe it was just the intensity of the moment imprinting on what he saw before him.
Holding back a sob, Zelotes stepped forward. “Lucias, you have not idea how happy I am-”
“Happiness is impure and disorderly. It is a light that shows only illusion. It shows things for their so-called beauty by blinding those afflicted with euphoria, and leading them astray from their purpose.” Lucias interrupted, his tone was calm and icy.
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“No, happiness brings others out of darkness, so they can stand for themselves.” Zelotes said, speaking with reassurance and warmth.
“Darkness is the only truth. It is the only purpose. It is how all began, and how all will end. Light only serves to blind and weave tempting illusions.” Lucias rebutted with the same unfeeling, cold tone.
Zelotes sighed and took a step forward. “We can work out our religious differences later. I am just relieved to know you are alive!”
“And I am relieved to finally be in the presence of the traitorous coward who left me to burn!” Lucias said, his voice rising from a cool and level tone to that of a boiling venom that had been suppressed for years. Lucias felt a harsh chill go down his spine as the years of suppressed feelings released in that instant. He paused for a moment, breathing in and out, attempting to calm himself. “Relieved to finally be able to eradicate the one who is responsible for the pull that leads me astray from the Great Work. Now draw your sword.”
Zelotes took another step forward. “Lucias, I wanted to save more-”
“You’re LYING!!!” Lucias exploded again.
“Lucias…” Zelotes paused. “I don’t want to fight you.”
“I’m not giving you of all people that choice, Zelotes…” Lucias said, attempting to suppress the years of fiery anger under his shaking voice. He pulled out his shield, as though preparing to make an attack.
“Please, big brother… I want to help you.” Zelotes said, extending his hand. “I know you’ve been involved with some strange religion-”
“Oh, so you heard I joined the faith of the Eternal Darkness.” Lucias interjected. “Well I’m going to ask you this: are you somehow coping by believing a cult turned me rabid, or are you just scared that I see you for who you really are underneath that gilded metal? A coward who was too scared to go back for his own brother.”
Zelotes turned his face away, his eyes closed. Lucias’ words sent him back. He remembered that night again. The flames, the smoke, his father hopelessly pinned under a fallen beam, and the sight of the house collapsing into a burning pile of wood. “Lucias…” Zelotes paused, trying to calm himself. “We were cubs when that happened.”
Lucias had no response, he stood in his place unwavering. A flash against the gathering clouds and thunder sounded from above. There was only silence between the two brothers.
Slowly, Zelotes reached for the handle of his blade. As his hand wrapped around it, he thought to himself, combined with the feeling that he could’ve saved more, he asked himself “Is he right?” He then slowly drew his blade, the metal singing as it left the scabbard. With both hands, Zelotes held the blade in front of him. “I guess this is how our reunion goes.”
“You’ve got that right.” Lucias said with an unfeeling tone as the blades that made his shield opened like the pincer of a crab. With that, Lucias lunged forward to strike, but was stopped as his shield was met by the blade of Zelotes greatsword in a loud “CLANG!!!” Lucias then pulled back and struck Zelotes again, charging his shield with the blessed dark energies of his god, that released in a burst of night-black flame as it made contact with Zelotes’ chestplate, blasting the yellow warrior back into one of the columns and onto his knees as the shield made a slash through the chestpiece. Lucias attempted to teleport to Zelotes, drawing the rune for the spell, only for it to fizzle out as he cast it. He growled in frustration and charged over to Zelotes again.
Zelotes panted, as he felt the new wound on his chest, before looking up to see his brother running in for the kill, the blades of his pincer-shield were open as he held it above his head. He rolled right out of the way just as Lucias closed the gap between them, and the blades of his pincer down on where Zelotes’ head would’ve been. Zelotes then sprang to his feet, striking his brother once, then twice, only for the attacks to be deflected. “Please, brother! I don’t want to do this!” Zelotes pleaded.
“You lost the right to call me brother!” Lucias let out, before landing an attack. Zelotes felt pain as he felt the two blades of Lucias’ shield close under his left knee. He felt the sensation of the cold metal splitting through his flesh and bone, before falling onto his back and feeling something separated from him. Zelotes roared out in pain. His eyes widened as beheld his injury. Blood spewed from his severed calf.
Shaking from the pain, Zelotes summoned healing energies into his hands as began to close the wound. Flesh began stitching itself back together over Zelotes’ stump. “Please, brother…” Zelotes winced from the pain.
Lucias placed the shield back onto his back, and pulled out a cloth. “You're not going to die yet. I have plans for you.” He then held it over Zelotes’ muzzle.
Zelotes struggled against the hold of his brother, trying to force Lucias' hand off his face using both of his hands, only for his consciousness to fade as he breathed fumes from the cloth. Gradually, Zelotes felt his consciousness return to him. He felt something around his wrists, ankle and mouth. He tried moving, only to find he was bound. “Mmmph!” He tried speaking only to find that he was also gagged. “Mmmmmph!!!” He attempted again, it was still night. Zelotes looked to either side of himself. There were rails.
“Good. You’re finally up.” Lucias said, looking down at his bound brother.
“Mmmmph! Mmmmmph!!!” Zelotes mumbled, hoping to get Lucias’ mercy.
Lucias sighed. “Now, the night our home burned, I went upstairs to save the adults and our siblings, but you? You probably ran outside and abandoned us, abandoned me! Do you realize what I felt when the house collapsed? When I thought my life was over? If our places were reversed, I would’ve never abandoned my brother, and I would’ve met my end with pride. Now look at me!” Lucias pulled off his helm, revealing burn scars on the left of his leonine face. Burn scars that contorted the side of his maw into a permanent snarl. ”Well, I think this should be enough to give you an idea of what I felt.”
From a distance, a whistle blew. A train whistle. Zelotes looked to his side, light shone upon him that train. “MMMMMPH!!!!”
“Finally, the train’s coming…” Lucias said, grinning. “I’m pretty sure what you feel now is the same feeling I felt that night. Fear, desperation, trying to escape when you're cornered with no way out, sheer terror!” Lucias then laughed sadistically before putting his helmet back on. “If you do manage to escape, tell your little band of adventurers that the Black King’s Fraternity isn’t scared of you punks. In the meantime, you’ve got a train to catch.” Lucias then mounted a horse and galloped away.
Zelotes struggled at first, attempting to break the bindings, but then a thought occurred to him. “He wants this, Zelotes. As long as he’s like this, we will not give him what he wants.” So he relaxed himself, and laid in wait for the train.