Standing aside his armored constructs, and watching dozens of his kids flocking about them. Dailin cherished the moment; excitement abound, pulses of sweet auras washing over him, as his children inspected the instruments of their freedom.
“Give them a try,” he had said. “They’re made to be easily used.” Blisses guided them, telling what to do and how to sit. There had been a small delay as children discussed with one another on who was to go first. He hadn’t made enough for everyone yet, there was only a dozen, but he’d been so excited to show off his achievement, that he’d sent word out early. Also, he wanted his kids to know he hadn’t been lying about his work.
Naturally, Vollow was among the group first to arrive, but not long after his three dutiful daughters showed themselves as well. Somehow finding the chance to pull themselves from the endless work of running an enlarging House. All of them had gazed at the stone constructs, each three times larger than any Vail, and glowing with godly power.
Due to their place in the House, and the others natural obedience to them, those four were among the first to operate a suit.
They were careful with their movements at first, afraid they would topple over, but in a minute or two that fear gave way. They walked about with smooth strides, twisted, and stretched the suits; testing their limits. Blisses hovered around them, giving helpful hints, and listing off the uses. Namely how the operators could chant through the armor.
Some—wisely—had been hesitant to try that out. But constant assurances from Bliss, and himself, had children trying that feature. Small gusts of wind came from stone hands, the power of which slowly growing as the operators saw no ill affect. Barriers formed after as they tested the limits the suits would allow, and found there were none.
Waves of awe and joy dazzled his eyes, tickled his skin. Even though they were adults, all of them looked like kids to him. They were full of smiles, with ears flexed and furs raised.
So great was their joy, and the thoughts linked with it; that he was able to hear their thinking’s. ‘We get to go outside,’ was the one he heard most; no longer would they be caged for their own protection.
He’d known how stifling that existence had been for them, yet seeing their overflowing joy, he got the full picture of it. Still, there was nothing he would have changed; the realm was a maze of dangers waiting patiently to take more from him. But the worst was passed now, the work done, their captivity almost over. Soon they could run free, under guards, and their names added to a list showing those not within the estate.
Was that a little clingy of him? Yes. But he’d lost enough children because of negligence, and he wasn’t about to start that again; not when he had the means to prevent it. Thankfully his children held no resentment, the worst were casts of frustration, now forgotten as they swam within excitement.
His kids were so enthused about the suits, they remained focused on them upward to two hours. Each of them allowed to try the invention and gain a handle on its basic operation. It was only then, most of their curiosity sated, that his three-helping daughters, and protective son, approached his sitting area.
Pulses of joy still radiated from them as they congregated around him. “May blessings never cease to wash over you,” Tealhun stated with a bow.
“Yeah,” Uoth added helpfully, her aura deep yellow with joy, for even she had been able to operate a suit safely; her stomach unbothered by the experience. Naturally Vollow was behind her now, helping the heavily pregnant Vail stand.
Dailin’s ears twitched pleasantly at their praise, then he motioned with his eyes and hands for Uoth to sit in a chair he levitated over. Vollow didn’t let her decline the offer, with gentle— yet firm—guidance he lowered his lover into the seat, and kept her there by placing his hands on her shoulders. “These are blessed wonders you have made father,” his son said afterward.
“I’m held by Gladness to hear,” he responded. “I will have enough made for all soon enough. But excitement took me, so I didn’t wait till then,” he added. “You’ve all done so much work, that I felt it needed to be rewarded.” It was easy to admit that without his children, the settlement would have been an unorganized mess spiraling into chaos.
“Your blessing of Kindness was reward enough,” Sounness replied, her eyes still closed. “But you have us taken by Joy to see such gifts.”
“Worthy then,” Dailin commented. “And this won’t be the end, I’ll come up with more constructs to help you all thrive; I know how much you all want to flourish.” Every child had a deep seeded need to add to the House, to spread its influence. Even with them normal, and uncorrupted by the realms wicked nature; that desire was strong. They wanted to make their mark on the realm. In the room filled with his adult looking kids, that impulse had become deeply potent as they played with the constructs; their thoughts ringing in the air. He picked up on them the same way a person heard random conversation.
‘I can spread the House,’ some were thinking loudly. ‘Finally, I can do more, spread father’s lineage to others,’ was another common one. ‘We can finally track if our orders are being followed.’ That thought mostly came from the women. And out of the bunch, were the most enthused about the suits. It seemed not being able to supervise subordinates had been more of a nuisance than he’d originally suspected; given Tealhun was having similar thoughts.
“I’m not sure what else you could do?” Uoth spoke plainly to him as Vollow groomed her ears. “I mean,” she motioned to suits. “It’ll have to be pretty big to top that.”
He chuckled. “I could just make bigger ones,” he playfully said, but at the same time not joking in the slightest. He had the suit making process figured out, and even if new complications arrived, he was confident the Mana would solve the problems with some guidance.
“You can?” Uoth said shocked, and thrilled as she leaned forward in her seat, pawed feet twitching. Vollow kept her in place, worry gray blossoming in him as he pushed more of his weight on her shoulders.
“Of course,” he said proudly, puffing up his chest and ears. “And I plan to, if the situation outside calls for it.” With his three Blessings curing the Vail, it appeared he could safely allow them the use of suits to combat the Nightmare. Under supervision of course, just in case, given each had the destructive ability of a Host or small Flock. It wasn’t something to be given to anyone, especially not to the Chilltouched. Before the armors saw wide use, the Vails residing in the Outer-tier had to be completely cured.
“Let us offer that doesn’t have to happen.” Tealhun said, he looked at her, his girl troubled. “I have seen some of the visions outside,” she gazed at the new constructions. “If you really have to rely on larger versions of those, then Bae will be in for cursed times.”
In truth, they already were, the realm seemingly taken by the Nightmare, but he understood what she meant. None wanted to envision the situation outside worsening. Most of his children believed the tide of Curses would wain, as it had done many times before; if their history lessons were accurate.
“I offer as well,” he said. “But its best we have the needed tools in place just in case.” Unlike them, he knew the Nightmare wasn’t going to stop, Instinct was still pressing on him. The danger was growing, the Curses were feeding on something, and until that source of growth was used up, or removed. The horde wasn’t going to fade away; even with Patrols killing them in the thousands.
“Will we be taking part in the removal of Nightmares?” Vollow asked, his stance weakening as he finally got Uoth to settle comfortably into her seat.
The question had his ears flick down: “No, of course not.” Dailin answered swiftly, eager to remove any such nonsense from their minds. “The armors are to keep you safe while inspecting the settlement. They’re not there to allow you to battle Nightmares.”
Vollow lowered his head, ears flattening, but neither were out of fear, it was appeasement. Dailin had let his open concern show too much. “My apologies for troubling you father,” his dutiful son said. “I will make sure everyone knows,” he glanced at the suits. “Since most will have the same idea, the armors are quite imposing.”
Dailin breathed out, and unruffled tensed up fur: “That would be blessed. The armors aren’t fully tested, none of us know how well they will fare against the Nightmare.” But the assumption was obvious, the stores of Mana in the stones, combined with the ability to chant spells, meant each was a symbol of might. The constructs would easily hold back the swarm outside, but it was best to be sure, and an excuse to keep his children in check for a time.
“They’re going to be pretty taken by Disappointment to hear that,” Uoth commented, her feet swaying playfully in the air. “Lots of us want to help lessen the burden, get rid of the Nightmares preventing your settlement from prospering.”
He weakly smiled, not at all pleased to hear his children wanted to put themselves in harm’s way again. They had done enough of that during the House wars, facing threatening challenges for his sake, while he’d been ignorant and living a life of luxury. “The most help will come from you watching over the Lowly, keeping order, not,” he said strongly. “Putting yourselves in danger again.”
None of them commented, but they’d wanted to, since emotional worries blossom from them. He sighed, and spoke: “Speak your thoughts, I’m your father first, you don’t need to hold your tongues.” He didn’t want anything else to fester within them, their agitation at their own confinement had been enough. No, he needed them to speak their minds, air out their grievances. At the very least it would make them feel better, even if nothing could be done.
“Your House will be made up of the strongest Chanters in all of Bae,” Tealhun stated, a very true fact. Every litter from him was grander than those before. “To prevent them from offering aid against the Nightmare is wasteful, and limiting to our cause.”
It was funny, in a sick way, if the settlement had been normal, Vails cruel and self-centered. His offspring would never have thought of helping those below them, and especially not entertained the thought of fighting Nightmares. But his children were thoughtful, they wanted to help, to save those under them; yet he wanted them safe in turn.
“Once my work is done, they can travel to the Outer-tier,” he said. “Watch over the Patrols as they leave, serve as a defensive force,” Dailin thought up on a whim. “That way their skills will be in place to be used, if needed.” Though he voiced it, he didn’t like the idea, but his children needed something, and that was the furthest he was willing to go.
“My brothers will be content with that.” Vollow said not long after as he groomed Uoth’s mane. “We just want to make sure the Lowly don’t fail you,” he voiced a Breath later. Which made Uoth laugh, and angle her head upward to gaze at her brother. “It wouldn’t be their fault even if that happened, you’ve seen what they face.”
Vollow sighed, worry pulsing from him again. “You’re not supposed to be witnessing those visions, what about our pups?”
Uoth huffed: “They’re fine, strong like their father,” she added reaching up to caress Vollow. Dailin did his best to avoid appearing uncomfortable, while he was happy to see family getting along, such fondness wasn’t something he was used to. Hooking together with a distant cousin was fine in his mind, but a direct link made him wary.
He pushed the discomfort down, it was a normal practice to the Vail, and from the records had no ill consequences. It was how Houses kept their Channel quality high, and avoided descension.
Sounness coughed, regaining the attention of the lovers, and Dailin. “As Uoth mentioned father, Worry haunts us, the visions outside make us question whether the Lowly can be trusted with such an important task.”
“Probably not,” he voiced honestly, getting the four crowded near him to lower their ears in shock. “But I’ve known this,” he gestured to the suits. “These will help them, but the cure will be the true fix.” It didn’t matter how well equipped a group of sociopaths were, the moment things got tough, they would turn on each other. But moral people? They’ll cling to one another.
“My blessings will have them united as one, they will strive to keep each other safe, be compelled to.” The three Blessings weren’t something to be easily ignored on their own, let alone together. “The Curses made Vails weak, but with them cured, you’ll see children, they are stronger than you think.”
And if they still couldn’t handle the horrors outside, then he would continue to provide. It wasn’t like any of them had a choice, either they succeeded in keeping the Nightmare back, or they died.
Tealhun gazed at the suits, concern radiating from her. “Are you sure it’s wise to allow them to operate these constructs of yours.” She asked, her opinion on the matter clearly registering in her voice.
Dailin nodded. “They’ll get a few at a time, a test to see how they react to such power. The whole Hosts aren’t going to be contained within them.” But if things went well, they certainly were going to be. “They will also be watched; Blessings will be operating their own, and make up the majority.” Bliss’s flesh forms were just as capable as any person. “Also it will only be those who have been cured. I’m not allowing Chilltouched the ability to use these.”
“Your cure,” Tealhun voiced; breathing out slowly. “Is blessedly effective, we’ve all seen how it changes even the most repulsive of our number.”
She meant their mothers, those that had survived the House wars, which wasn’t that many. Of the group, only Uoth’s mother, Sothsea, still lived. He turned his gaze to the small plump Vail: “How is your mother doing?” Uoth gave a forced smile, uncomfortable with the question.
“I think, I preferred her uncured,” Uoth answered, surprising him. “It made matters simple,” she informed. The raising of his brows had her add: “Every Rotation, when there’s a moment we can meet, she begs that I punish her; even brings torture tools she asks me to use.” Uoth breathed out, her normal child charm, accompanied with a constant smile, gone.
Dailin squinted his eyes; made sure the aura he was seeing was right. Uoth began giving off the impression of shame. “I,” Uoth started hesitantly. “Indulged the first time,” Vollow began to rub her shoulders. “And said things that allowed Remorse to influence me. I thought it would dispel the other Curses, Hate for one.” Uoth shook her head, and wasn’t looking at him anymore. “It only made matters worse, not that mother seemed to see it that way; she begged for more even as I,” Uoth stopped. A long moment of silence fell over the group.
He hummed out his song of affection, it curbed some of the emotions coming from Uoth, but it didn’t remove them. A few affectionate kisses from Vollow on her scalp had Uoth raise her head, and weakly smile. “We’re working through our differences father, sorry for bringing forth Disappointment.”
Shaking his head: “I never expected any of you to forgive the things your mothers did. They were tools to test out the cure, and a means for them to earn some redemption for all they’d done.” He had been sure a few of his children were going to be overjoyed seeing their once tormenters, weeping and begging for forgiveness. And maybe they did for a short moment or two, but seeing Uoth’s face, he wondered how many would have preferred their mothers staying as symbols of contempt.
In a half joking manner Uoth said: “Can you uncure them then, it would make life easier.” Her statement earned a unapproving hiss from Vollow, one quickly silenced, then replaced with the airs of shame and embarrassment.
Still, it made Uoth flinch, and lower her head. “It was just a joke,” she mumbled as Vollow held her tight. He looked up, ears down in submission. “Don’t mind her father, your cure is deeply appreciated, we just need time to get use to the swift changes in their personalities.”
“Take your time,” he replied. “As I said, I never expected anyone of you to accept them.”
It would have been ludicrous to believe that, most of his children weren’t even one year’s old. A span of months was their collective memory, and in that time, their mothers had always been known as their tormentors. A swift change of a week wasn’t going to erase that. Not that he even wanted it either, the regrets would help the Cured commit to their new life. To look back in disgust and be motivated—all the more—to never return to how they had been.
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Vollow wasn’t wrong about their change in personalities, with his three Blessings guiding them, they were very different people. Something that had him worried, seeing how a person wasn’t fixed.
Change how they feel, or could feel, and one could change how a person behaved. As Uoth had asked, just as he had cured them, they could also be uncured, if someone else came along and undid his work; or added something new. A frightening prospect, thinking that a being could come along and turn him into something vile.
The concept might have plagued his mind, seeing as there were Curses that functioned in such a manner. But the fact they needed—himself included—the consent of a target first to inflict lasting changes, it diminished the fearful thoughts. As long as he refused to be altered, the influence would be short lived, seeing how Sothsea had bested him and the Mana with her own refusal.
“Speaking of the Cured,” Tealhun voiced. “Are they going to remain afflicted with rare Curses? Or are they going to be free from them soon?”
‘Free?’ he thought. ‘Maybe if they could forget all they’d done.’ The question showed how little his daughter understood what they were going through. In a realm of sociopaths, mourning lost ones, especially those not even related by blood, was foreign to them. Many of the emotions the Cured were experiencing, and showing, had to be new.
“That is entirely dependent on them,” he answered. “If they cannot forgive themselves, move passed the many Curses they committed in the past, then said Curses will remain to haunt them.”
Tealhun frowned. “There’s nothing we can do to aid them along with this forgiveness?”
“We could try,” he said. “Give them community orientated tasks, anything that would have them helping others.”
That was the only way he saw them improving, their minds filled with happy memories, and close connections with others, both serving to block out, or distract them of their past deeds.
“We have plenty of those,” Tealhun commented, then added. “This goes for the Maidens as well?”
He nodded his head, looking to Vollow who was still comforting Uoth. “Having them play with the Newborns showed blessed results for everyone involved.”
“Yes,” Tealhun said in agreement. “They’re calmer afterwards, and don’t begin to cry again till Rounds later.” Though cruel, that was the truest sign of his blessings at work, Vail—from his experience—never cried unless physical pain was involved. For the Maidens to be emotionally distraught, well, his Cure was being very effective.
“We can make a rotating schedule for them,” Sounness added in. “Maybe even move their chambers nearer to the Nursery.” She looked at him—eyes closed—for permission.
“Do what you think is best for the Newborns.” Which meant the Maidens were going to be free of their sequestered area of the tower.
“Since we’re here,” Tealhun spoke. “The Inner Houses have begun sending requests.”
“Oh?” He voiced surprised, and only then thought about how much time he’d spent working on the suits. That was the problem with not having to sleep or eat, time slipped by, and began to merge together. He voiced his thought, given he’d become curious.
“You were holed up in your chamber for almost two Rotations,” Sounness answered. “We planned to see how you were doing, once important enough matters came up, but you sent word to us first.”
Two days, gone just like that. It made sense why there was requests then, that would have been enough time for the Cured to get over the worst parts of their regrets, and focus on helping others, or some means to dull the pain.
He hummed thoughtfully at the news and asked: “What did they request?”
Tealhun gave an amused smile: “That we increase much of what we have already been doing, allow more Outer-tier Houses in, use up the empty spaces in the Inner-tier, and questions about tasks we need help with.”
“So, they’re offering aid?” He asked, thrilled by the news; his cure working.
Tealhun nodded, more pleased than him; they must have grown some sense, and tired of listening to Houses constantly sending complains. “Some have even begun to send records of their holdings; the supplies they can provide to better the settlement. Also, I think some have begun delving into visions pertaining to the realm outside. They spoke about the Nightmare, and the steps we’re taking to fight it.”
His brows and ears rose, that was a major development. Vails normally surrounded themselves in vices and self-centered indulgences, for them to look at things that would cause fear, and to question their safety? Dailin smiled wide, his ears flaring, same with his mane. “Blessed news,” he said. “Did any volunteer to aid the Outer-tier?”
“Some,” she answered. “And maybe all eventually, those that haven’t sent records, mention they would, once a tally was ready.”
The settlement was readying, the concept making his chest warm. “Bliss,” he called out, gaining all their attention, but only one swiftly moved over to his side; eager to hear his words, and deliver service. “Have you found all those yet to be cured within the Inner-tier.” He couldn’t have any Chilltouched remain, they would slow, or worse, hamper the great change that was taking place.
“Yes Maker,” she answered warmly. “There’s only a few dozen, most held captive by their Houses, and made to endure a new form of punishment.”
Worry touched him, and a bit of anger. “Have they felt my warmth, do they suffer chills?”
She nodded and he grimaced: “Are they sane?” If they had been forced to go a long time without the warmth, well, he didn’t know what was going to happen. Perhaps that is what the Hierarchs and Matriarchs wanted to find out.
Bliss smile, which was always present, lessened. “They are damaged, the lack of your blessed warmth as eaten at them. Many might have tried to end themselves; but they are restrained and gagged.”
“Go collect them,” he said, wanting to fix the problem as soon as possible. “And place them where I normally conduct the song.” He couldn’t leave those tortured Souls as they were, after their confinement, and assured release. Cured would be compelled to undo the suffering they’d committed, and the Chilltouched would try anything to reach him and regain the warmth denied them.
“As you desire Maker.” Bliss said, closing her eyes for a moment. “I’m heading to them now.”
He rose from his seat. “I’ll be out for a time,” he told the four, who made room for him. “When I return, I’ll finish with the suits and we can discuss plans for the Outer-tier.”
They bowed, with Tealhun speaking: “We will ready summaries for you, pertaining to the strength of Houses,” she paused. “From their requests, it would please them to aid with curing the Outer-tier.”
He nodded: “They’ll play their part.” Leaning down his giant frame, he hugged each child, and then left in a hurry, curious what Vails had rot with their tests of torment.
***
Standing among Blisses, a dozen of which sang the note of affection, Dailin stared down at the Chilltouched. They all had superb Channels, for Vails residing within a settlement anyways. Each had to have been part of the higher order of their House, maybe even rulers, before suffering a coup. The tortured Souls rested on slightly cushioned marble, each succumbing instantly to the spell the moment Bliss began to sing. As such, they looked peaceful and happy, rather than the wide-eyed and crazed Vail, who’d been clawing at themselves the moment they’d been freed from their confinement.
Looking into their minds, as Bliss had done, showed him what she meant by damaged. The long exposure to the chill, and the inability to appease it, left them with little choice but to find other means to fill the void. They had turned to thoughts and fantasies of vengeance. Dilutions of torture they would inflict upon their enemies the moment they got their chance.
They also indulged in self pain, or dreams of pleasure. The emotions helping to cloud the chill, which explained the Vail’s culture in general.
Looking at them, he knew if these dozens were left to their own vices, they would become the most wicked, and hedonist Vails to ever be; at least in Bae. It disgusted him, gazing into those warped minds, seeing the beasts that laid within. But also insightful, a harrowing picture of what awaited all those who’d ever felt the song and stayed empty.
It would make them worse, and he shivered at the possibility of what could have happened, if he’d been selfish with his allowance of warmth. Had forced the masses to go days without the song, or played favorites.
He would have birthed a settlement of deranged folk, and showed that once the song was given to a people, he had to make sure they kept receiving it.
‘Gods be praised for the cure.’
The song was only a temporary measure, he knew, but looking at the tortured, he saw just how tenable its use was.
“Lessen the song Bliss, I need them awake for the Cure to take hold.” She did as instructed, and the warmth around him decreased. The Chilltouched noticed it more than him, they woke, eyes opening wide in terror as they wrapped arms around themselves. The Houses they belonged to had clothed them in thick robes of silk, yet the Vails acted as if they wore nothing at all. They shivered in fright, their minds so addled they forgot all customs and stared openly at his face, eyes meeting.
“You went through a cursed ordeal,” he began, warmth woven into the words. “That will continue for the rest of your life if nothing is done.” Little of what he was saying was being heard, all they cared about was the warmth, the void in themselves filled. So he gave them exactly that.
“I can cure you, remove the chill within your chests.” Their minds went still, for a few Breaths his words rung in their heads. Cure, cure, that was all there was, it became a mantra, an all-encompassing desire as they began to crawl towards him, tears flowing down their cheeks.
“Cure!” They screamed, they begged. Blisses moved forward, kept the Chilltouched from getting too close. They cried and pleaded in her collective grips, hands reaching out towards him.
It was all he needed, so he whispered to the Mana, called upon his three Blessings to fill the void.
Tendrils of light surged from him and punctured the chests of the tormented. Unlike those before, who felt compelled to fight the change, these poor Souls welcomed it with open arms. Nothing restrained the Mana as it filled them and birthed blessings; the act releasing colorful hues of emotions only he and Bliss could see.
They gasped, first holding their chests, then their heads as the Blessings went to work. All the vile, and corrupting thoughts the void brought forth were snuff out, replaced with pure thinkings. They wept again, but this time they weren’t of sorrow, liquid joy flowed from their eyes. Their torment was over, salvation had been delivered. Some began to laugh, the act contagious, for it spread through the group.
A gesture and a thought from him, and Blisses increased the dose of warmth, up it went back to the level used to induce sleep. The tortured were unaffected now, sleep didn’t come, only more merriment as the Cured clung to each other, and Bliss.
Dailin sighed peacefully, his worry over the situation dead at last. The tortured could be cured like anyone else. For a few minutes he watched as Cured celebrated, holding themselves, as if they were a group of well-known acquaintances. Bliss however, put an end to his watching as one of them neared.
“The rulers responsible for this seek audience Maker.” She said into his ear, and indicated with her hand, a cropping of Vails in the distance talking to another version of her. From them were auras of worry, at first, he thought it pertained to them thinking they were to be punished, instead, looking into their minds. They thought of the tortured, and wondered if his cure had saved them.
“Bring them forward,” he said to Bliss, who in turn conveyed her understanding. The handful of Vails were guided to him, walking hurriedly as they looked at the Cured. The lot were still laughing with joy, the sight causing the auras of the rulers to shine with relief.
Heading towards him were the Hierarchs and Matriarchs of Houses, technically part of his own, since all were under his sway. The group should have been clothed in skimpy outfits of silks and jewels; that way they could flaunt their wealth, and the worth of their Channels. Not today, they had dressed much like himself when in private. Clothed in full-body robes that concealed most of their Channels, and none wore a speck of jewelry.
As they neared and prostrated themselves, their minds shouted thoughts. A single glimpse within them was enough to know all they wanted.
“You desire punishment,” he voiced to the mute crowd of rulers; all guilt stricken. “Blessed, for you committed a grand curse upon your fellows.” The laughter from the Cured stopped the moment he began to speak, their attention pulled to the kneeling Vails. From them came a whirlwind of changing colors. Disbelief, anger, sadness, worry, and of course, understanding. The Cured knew why their rulers had done such an act, in the past, the roles reversed, they would have done the same without blinking. But the Blessings were with them now, and all they could do was wonder, why?
If the rulers had been their past selves—uncured— he would have banned them from hearing his song for a time, make them experience what the tormented had. But that wasn’t possible anymore, nor was punishment really needed. The rulers were already doing enough of that on their own, riddled with guilt as they were. But they still wanted an official decree.
Even if it was unnecessary, everyone cured, and that none would ever commit, or even conceive of inflicting such pain upon another. Those before him needed to be disciplined, else they would never move on from remorse.
Thus, he considered a fitting trial, and used the thoughts of those kneeled before him as a framework. Most wanted a spectacle, the eyes of many on them to judge and see retribution given. Others saw fit that they be switched, while the rest wanted some toll to be forced on them. A sacrifice they had to endure as atonement for their wrong doings.
All of it was pointless, but if it would help the rulers get over their guilt, which would eat at them if left unresolved, Dailin gave his decree.
“A crowd of thousands shall be gathered here,” he said, quieting the minds around him. “Who will serve as witness to your punishment. You will be lashed ten times, by those you harmed; afterward you will be stripped of your title.” Vails of the past would have protested, or began scheming to wiggle their way out of the decree.
Not now though, the rulers took it gladly, only a few fearful of the pain that was to come, but overall, at peace. The Cured had mixed feelings, of course they felt vindicated, the wrongdoers getting their punishment. But the Blessings had them worry and care for those who’d harmed them. None of the Tortured were happy however with being the ones who would inflict the lash. Even though out of everyone, they alone deserved the right to do so.
“If the Cured,” he began, looking at them. “Can’t find it in themselves to harm you, then I will be the one to inflict punishment instead.” That resolved the unease in them, and he knew that in the end, he would be the one lashing all the rulers. “Bliss,” he called. “Can you gather the necessary crowd; I desire to have this resolved quickly.”
She bowed, entities of herself flying off towards estates. “It shall be done as swiftly as possible.” He nodded before addressing the small group of Vails. “All of you will stay here till this task is settled,” he told them, and received words of understanding.
He didn’t know how long he was to wait, but found himself not minding. He needed the break, and the play to be performed would do well for all. The Vail were quickly embracing justice, the real kind; seeing rulers be reprimanded should bring peace to the masses. So, while he waited, he turned from the Vails, called to his Mana and materialized a simple stage of stone. He increased its height after a moment’s thought, and added stairs. At the edge of the front, he formed a place where the Vail would be cuffed. There, no matter the pain they would endure, they would remain upright.
After he was done, and left staring at his work, he got a feeling of familiarity. Focusing on it, the feeling slowly morphed into a vision, then at last a memory.
‘This is the fate that awaits rebels.’ Screamed a slave keeper, the crack of his whip painful to hear, same with the cries that followed. They only stopped when the victims went limp, their voices gone, and soon after, their lives.
Dailin shook his head, freed himself from the memory, and eyed the stage with distain. ‘Your existence will be temporary.’ Once the rulers received their beating, he would remove the thing, it had no place in the realm he was trying to build.
Till then, he began adding to it. Calling to Mana, he formed pillars and dazzling patterns to entertain the eye. A garnish to hide the ugliness the stage represented. It was bearable to look upon after, and Dailin waited with the Cured and Condemned for the masses to assemble.
***
The crack of a whip, and following scream filled the air. Over a thousand Souls watched men and women of high authority be dealt out punishment normally reserved for commoners and slaves.
As he expected, none of the recently cured wanted to be the deliverers of pain, and quickly abdicated it to him. It turned out better that way, the masses seeing him—a divine figure clad in silver armor—bringing forth justice.
With his mind eye open, he watched the tides of colors and thoughts. People were pleased that retribution was being done publicly, but at the same time, they felt sickened by the suffering. He couldn’t find a single Soul that found the display enjoyable; a far cry from what Vails had been not even a few weeks ago. The crowd should have been loving it, lapping up the torment and shouting for more.
Instead, the crowd was mute, watching wide eyed in horror, with many wanting to rush the stage and stop him. But given his status and what the rulers had done, it kept them still, even with the Blessings shining bright. He wanted to stop as well, the point made, even if it hadn’t been needed in the first place. But while the crowd was troubled with the show, the rulers themselves were pleased. So many eyes to watch them, so many to see the wickedness of their deeds, and the humiliation they’d brought upon themselves.
Those thoughts kept Dailin going till the last of the rulers had received their lashes. Then, unlike slaves from other realms, who would run the risk of infection. The rulers were healed instantly, and removed from the shackles.
“Their requested discipline is at an end.” He shouted, and added Mana to induce a heavy dose of warmth. “You all may disperse if you wish, and I bless you for your swift gathering.” The crowd gave off a collective sigh from his words, the torture was over; the screams of anguished that pained their ears gone.
With a thought, he dissolved the whip he’d manifested, glad to be free of it, and hoped he would never have to use one again. After, he walked over to the rulers, the lot fully clothed and ready to depart with the Cured. All accompanied by a dozen Blisses who would make sure the rest of the affairs dealing with punishment would be done.
“Most of your crimes have been settled,” he said to them. “The rest will as well, so find peace, and push away the curses that desire to cling to you.” Their minds were an open book to him, even punished, there was still the regret and guilt trying to fester. “You will find forgiveness if you seek it, I advise you do, the Curses will use the past to try and claim you.”
The rulers kept their heads and ears down as he talked to them, and remained mute, but their minds were quite talkative.
‘I don’t desire Forgiveness,’ most thought in different forms. ‘I should be punished more, maybe then Pain will wane.’
“I offer forgiveness,” he said startling them. “In the end it wasn’t your hands alone that enacted this curse. You were guided by the Curses, influenced by them to better control you later. Don’t let them do that, follow my Blessings, help those in need, do what you can for the benefit of Bae.”
They bowed to him as he motioned to Bliss. With gentle pushes and assuring words she guided them away. Their minds weren’t as troubled as they had been before, which made him smile. Though his cure had downsides, given Vails were becoming obsessed with atonement; the changes of their characters weren’t something to rebuke. His cure was a success beyond all others, he could fix even the hollowest of men.
He could fix the Vail.
Dailin broadened his vision, took in the sight of the crowd leaving. Thousands of Vail with colorful auras, the Inner-tier uplifted, and his work there mostly done. Soon Vails would be able to handle their own affairs; finally free from the vile that laid within them.
‘Now the Outer,’ he thought, mind thinking of the future and the battle they would soon be facing.