Chapter 21: Praising Apostle, Salt Pillar

A faint pressure settled into the massive hall.

The initiates shivered, they were familiar with such a pressure… They had once bowed their heads swearing fealty toward it.

It was deeply engraved within their minds.

The sound of heavy thuds immediately drew the gaze of the seven warriors drinking together atop an elevated platform.

Before Malachi could inquire on the noise he flinched as the world went alight with thundering calls.

“We greet Lord Second!”

Immediately their voices filled the hall, they bowed while Agi took steady steps, walking slowly through the center of the hall.

They bowed again… A total of five times.

And as the others prepared to bow for a sixth, Agi stood before a younger initiate, he stared at Agi with wide eyes.

He was not bowing.

He would not bow a sixth time?

Agis snake like pupils constricted as he stared him down, and within the boys eyes, Agi had become a giant.

A titanic serpent who seeks to devour him whole.

Agi’s hand move slowly, a faint speckling of scales running along the back of his hand.

Barely enough to be noticed by the eye.

Agis hand slash forward!

Swah!

Silence.

Those who had finished their sixth bow looked over in shock, some shivered, some whispered.

But Agi only slowly tilted his head, staring with an unfliching cold gaze at the golden haired man who held his wrist firmly.

“Explain yourself.”

Agi said with an icy tone.

But Rowen was also unflinching, “It would be a meaningless death.”

Agi jerked his wrist back, “Rowen.” Agi said staring at him, finally remembering the name of this man he had once met within the fourth fold.

He looked deep into his red eyes, he slowly recalled that time.

“I will not bow.”

The resolute voice called.

He did not receive an answer, only a viscous attack.

The two fought for a long time, and only after a pool of gold speckled blood drained down the cracks in the floor did the child relent.

He stared at the man for a while.

“Too close.”

The boy lamented inwardly, before finally saying slowly, “What are you called?”

“Rowen.” The man responded, his wounds healing slowly.

the boy turned and left without another word. The cowering warriors looking at the golden haired man in a new light.

His gaze trailed off Rowen’s eyes as he came back to the present—

“Then will you take his place?”

Rowen shook his head, “Unfortunately, I cannot.”

Agi let out a snort, “Then what?”

Rowen settled his hand on his hilt, “I will not stand for the slaughter of our own.”

The snake eyed boy scoffed, “Do you think you’re capable enough?”

Rowen nodded, “We have fought once before. I may not be capable of defeating you… But I can at least ensure a single life.”

Agi slowly closed his eyes.

For some reason, after he settled his heart from his interaction with Asketill, he felt his reactions growing slightly dull.

He didn’t care as furiously as he had for the bowed heads on a mere initiate.

Agi wasn’t sure what was going on, but it didn’t matter.

He knew from experience, the golden blooded man before him was a potent ally.

Asketill watched from the side, his eyes staring with a pure curiosity at the blonde haired warrior.

“Standing up to elder brother,” Asketill walked by with a small laugh, “Brave!” He decided, trailing after Agi.

Rowen only glanced at him, “Elder brother…? This must be Lord Eleventh.” He determined.

Agi said nothing more, only walking to the raised table amongst an army of bowing Initiates and warriors.

“Second Lord, you seem distraught.”

Samuel said with a slight frown.

He looked with curiosity into Agis eyes, seeing the serpentine visage reflected.

He became slightly worried, but further inquiry would be pointless, he could tell.

Agi looked down for a moment with a frown before responding, “There was a small situation. Alas, it doesn’t matter.”

Samuel nodded slightly, pulling a seat for Agi at the front.

Asketill walked over, “Uncle Samuel, no chair for me?” The boy pouted.

Samuel was slightly frightened at the appearance of Asketill, but quickly regained his calm, only glancing at Agi.

“Second Lord… Are you—”

Agi leaned into his chair, “It will be good for him. Pull a seat.”

Samuel nearly sighed but held back, pulling a seat for him.

Asketill hopped into the seat with a content smile.

Around them the Initiates and warriors slowly began to settle back into their seats, many looking at Rowen in a new light.

Especially the boy who he had saved, he was thanking him profusely.

Agi rested his chin on his fist, sitting leisurely with Samuel standing behind him

“Well?” He said staring at the five individuals in front of him.

“Who are they, and why do they deserve a seat at my table?”

Rowen eventually joined them, taking a seat at the table.

Samuel began after clearing his throat, “They are the strongest of those assembled.”

Agi eyed them up, “I’m not impressed.” He said plainly.

Malachi held his tongue, but inside felt deeply ashamed.

Ashamed he couldn’t speak back.

Halit coughed awkwardly, looking away.

Suhail in fact seemed the most relaxed, his legs kicked up and his posture relaxed.

It was Ananda who couldn’t hold her tongue.

“Lord Agi–” She stopped as an icy glare enveloped her.

“Address him properly.” Samuel interrupted, finding her address rude.

Ananda reserved her indignant glare, “Lord Second,” she rephrased, “I believe our worth should not be questioned.”

Agi eyed her down, “You’re the worst kind.” He said retaining his relaxed posture.

Ananda opened her mouth to retort, “Excuse me?”

Agi shook his head, “A weakling who doesn’t even know they’re weak. It’s a bit funny…”

He looked at Samuel and the two of them shared a small laugh, “Isn’t it?”

Asketill noticed and let out a small snicker as well.

Ananda was caught off guard, stammering for a moment, eyeing Samuel, “That…”

Rowen shook his head, “Give it a rest, Ananda. In front of him we are really nothing.”

Ananda scowled, “You’re saying that?”

Soma scoffed, “Are you two seriously arguing? As soon as the lord arrives?”

Suhail chuckles to himself, throwing some grape like fruits into his mouth.

Malachi is strangely enough, the most reserved.

Agi adresses Samuel, “What’s their purpose?”

Samuel puts a hand out, “They are the captains. They will lead your forces.”

Agi nodded slowly, “Will they be enough?”

Samuel had a slightly unsure expression, “Perhaps. I’ve tried to look into Adams forces, but as you already know, he is a very hard man to see through.”

Malachi finally spoke up, “If I may,” He says glancing hesitantly at Samuel, then Agi, “Within the fourth fold, five of us help a considerable reputation. We each led at least something of a group within the fifth fold.”

He glanced at Halit, “Though I’ve never heard of him.”

Halit doesn’t respond, looking stoic as ever, but Suhail snickers.

“Makes sense, I mean, how often do you get down to the seventh fold?”

Halit gave Suahil a pointed glance, “Careful.”

He shrugged, saying nothing else.

But Rowen began to scowl, “You’re one of them?”

Halit took a swig of his mug, “Hardly. Those small time bandits are nothing like me.”

Rowen let out a huff, “Oh really? Then please, tell me.”

Halit let out a gruff sigh, “So be it. The difference is quite simple, I can stay down there as long as I want.”

Malachi scoffs loudly, “No wonder I don’t know you.”

Soma stares at him with furrowed brows and a long frown lining her lips.

“How distasteful.”

Ananda picked her food with her fork, “Much like you.” she muttered, earning a hate filled glance from the woman.

Rowen pinched the bridge of his nose, “Alright! Did any of us expect to be making friends? Just keep quiet.”

Agi actually held a faint amusement in his gaze.

“They’ll lead my troops?”

Samuel nods with a sigh.

Agi drank the juice in front of him, “I hope the competition isn’t too fierce.”

In another location sat a group similar to their own.

It was a mere four men, they were seated around a small round table.

They seemed to know each other quite well, being very comfortable in their arrangement.

“So? Care to explain, Eliah?” The man asked with a yawn. He seemed lazy and uninterested.

Eliah gave the man a cold stare, his black hair slicked back neatly.

He never liked Jude, but he had a begrudging respect for his effectiveness.

“It’s simple really, Annika is overstepping her bounds.”

Kael laughed loudly, he had long black hair, wild and untamed.

“Finally! I was getting tired of that woman.”

Marius heaved a sigh, pressing a palm to his head, “Alright, we kill her.” He says, slightly surprising the other three.

He wasn’t a dull looking man, rather, he had quite good features.

His eyebrows were flat, but his eyes were expressive.

But before Eliah can open his mouth Marius speaks again, “Then what?”

Jude actually began to laugh, it was a muffled suppressed laugh.

But Kael furrowed his brow, “Seriously? Is this the time for that?”

Eliah slammed his hand down on the table.

He shot a glare toward Marius, “Marius, your word means little right now.”

Marius shook his head with a sigh, his longer robes fluttering slightly under the weight.

“You’re blinded by your own loyalty.”

Kael scoffed, “And you’re a traitor. How’s that?”

Marius grit his teeth, “There were circumstances.”

Jude gave him a lazy look, “Always making excuses, you’ve become quite good at it, I wonder why you’re so bad at it now.”

Marius stood abruptly, “Fine! You damn idiots will ruin our lord.”

He turns to leave with a dramatic pull of his loose robes.

“Stop.”

Eliah called—

“I never said you could leave.”

Marius turned with a wild intent, “Who do you think you are?”

Kael crosses his arms, “Don’t make any more mistakes, Marius. I can’t guarantee I can stop him this time.”

He stared for a long time at Kael before finally relenting. Sitting back down with a glare.

“Okay, so we kill her, perfect. Now Lord Adam will fall even deeper into the abyss he finds himself in.”

“So really, What then?”

Eliah actually goes into thought, saying slowly, “We have no choice. She will be the ruin of our Lord, of the stable life we’ve secured.”

Jude also nodded, “I’m willing.”

Marius pinched the bridge of his nose, “Fine, since you’re so intent on destroying the equilibrium, lets say we do manage to kill her—” He pauses for a second, enunciating his words, “IF, that’s a big IF… we manage to kill her.”

The others acknowledge his point, it was true that Annika was wildly powerful, she had opened her gift and had long since become the strongest within her generation.

“We must first make Adam understand not only why we did it, but why it was his life, or hers.”

Jude crosses his arms, leaning back, “Well, theres your problem. That stubborn fool doesn’t listen to reason when it comes to her.”

He scoffs, “I mean, he watched Nerva get pushed around in some mock relationship and actually believed they were in love!”

Eliah cringed slightly, “That was…”

Kael had an ugly look on his face.

But Marius gave them all a huff, “And the four of us let it happen, didn’t we?”

Jude shrugged, “I couldn’t care less.”

While Eliah opened his mouth to find an excuse but looked down at the table.

Eliah had felt that Nerva’s death was his own fault. That he could have prevented it.

He felt an irreconsiable hatred toward the Second Lord, even though he knew he was just a kid.

Not only that, Nerva had attacked first.

But Eliah knew Annika, it was likely she sent him to challenge the child.

She just wouldn’t have expected Agi to be so strong.

“Enough…” Eliah says in a measured voice, “I understand your point. It’s true, Adam will not listen to reason when it comes to that woman. But we, as his reatiners, must take it upon ourselves to upheave the challenges presented to our lord.”

Marius put his hands out saying in an exasperated voice, “Our duty is to the droves of initiates and warriors serving our lord. Not to slaying his close friends. You are overstepping your bounds, Eliah.”

Kael tilts an eyebrow, “You’ve always been a coward, Marius, but this is pushing it.”

Jude was practically asleep, determing that they had already reached a conclusion.

“I… You bastards are insufferable.” He growls.

“You want to destroy the foundation we’ve built our lives on? So be it. Then pray tell, where will we slay her?”

Eliah could tell that Marius was unconvinced, but he didn’t care.

He spread a map of the temple out, the top titled, Fold Two.

He pointed to a corner of the second fold.

“She is currently residing here. And it seems that the Second Fold is undergoing some turmoil right now.”

Marius frowned, “Like?”

The supposed leader made a grand gesture, “The Inquisitor, and the Cardinal in charge of the Second Fold have both vanished.”

Jude shot up, “What? Don’t joke about something like that.” He said in a hushed tone.

Even Kael had wide open eyes.

“It’s true. I don’t know why or how, but I’ve witnessed the chaos. There isn’t a small number of clergy that have been slaughtered already, yet no action has been taken.”

Marius sucked in a cold breath of air.

The inquisitors treated offenses against the clergy as the highest degree of crime.

They mercilessly slaughtered anyone who even spoke poorly of them.

How the situation was not yet resolved was an intriguing mystery.

Marius clasped his hands in front of him, “The situation is more serious than I thought.”

The shock of the recently learned truth had rattled him, “Alright, there won’t be a better chance… But you had better have a good plan.”

Eliah nodded, “We cannot fail.”

Strangely, a very similar conversation was taking place in a living hall across the temple.

“What?!”

Rowen was practically leaping from his seat, “How is that possible?!”

He asked incrediously.

Agi had little reaction, he had never pondered into, nor cared about Cardinals. Though he had inquired into Rudra, he had not looked into another Inquisitor since.

They were a non-issue.

Soma was staring at the ground, her eyes flickering around, she seemed extremely nervous.

But Ananda laughed mockingly, “Think they’re coming to find Soma? Since she broke her vow and all.”

“Vow? Whats that?” Asketill asked curiously, looking toward Samuel, who whispered into his ear.

Soma flinched at Ananda’s comment, and Rowen coughed, “There’s no need to strike fear into our companions.”

Ananda scoffed but said nothing else.

Halit had a wry smile, “As you all know, I spend most of my time in the seventh fold…”

Rowen cut him off with a dull look, “We’re aware, bandit.”

His curled lips twitched slightly but he kept speaking, “The Second Fold, what kind of place is it?”

Ananda laughed under her breath but held her tongue.

This was even more shameful for Halit.

However, to his glee, Suhail began to explain.

“The Second Fold is where the center of the Clergy lay. As you know, the Bishop is a rarely seen individual. Many believe he is nestled deep within the Second Fold.”

Halit nodded but frowned slightly, “Then what of the Arch bishop? Doesn’t he lead the Clergy?”

Suhail shrugged, “I don’t know. Nobody talks about him.”

Rowen cleared his throat, interrupting, “The Arch Bishop resides in the Tenth Fold. He is in the Reverse City.”

Even Agi was slightly shocked by this, “Is that true?”

He had already been briefed by Samuel on the content of the fights, explaining to Agi about Rowen’s origins.

Rowen nodded with gritted teeth, “There is no truth which I am more familiar with.”

Samuel felt the subtle shift in his tone, eyeing him curiously, but he didn’t push.

“Well, then this is perfect. The Bishop may be an issue, but he has never revealed himself. We are taking a risk as is, if we’d like to deal with the Sixth Lord, now is the time.”

Agi nodded while deep in thought, “The Second Fold… This is a rare oppurtunity. We have to take it.”

He turns to Samuel, “Bring the traps.”

Samuel nods, carrying a bag with him, he set it onto the table, letting Agi open it.

“Within this sack is a plethora of tools used by the Hunters of the Human Order.”

Malachi furrowed his brow, “What use is tools used to slay monsters? We’re hunting humans.”

Agi nodded, “Exactly, we’re hunting a human.”

Malachi held a slightly ugly expression, but that was to say nothing of the contorting features of Rowen.

“You want to use traps against a human? You’re going to far.”

Agi slammed his palm on the table, “I am doing what I must. I will hear nothing else about this. Do you think you’re capable of killing someone with an open gift who is actively hiding their capabilities?”

Rowen sighs, shrinking back, he was right.

They had no other option.

“Not to mention Annika may be there.” Samuel added.

Ananda raised an eyebrow, “Isn’t that one of the new warriors? She took so long to become a warrior, what’s special about her?”

Samuel shot her a glare, “She is stronger than myself and our lord, and her gift is opened.”

Halit stared in awe, “Her gift is opened? Damn it… They have two opened gifts…”

Samuel shakes his head, “It is irrelevant. We control the battle field, and it’s unlikely they will be prepared for such a sneak attack.”

Halit nods slowly, as much as he hates to admit it, he did know something about tactics, after all he did lead something of a bandit group.

Agi showed them each trap, explaining their uses in detail.

“Come, we shall survey the Second Fold.”

The Seven retainers of Agi follow closely behind, “Samuel, I imagine you have someone to keep these initiates in check while I’m gone?”

“I’m ashamed that I do not.”

A tyranical pressure emerged from Agi.

It mist emerged from his body, slowly coalescing.

As it slowly merged into something different, something more matieral.

It’s teeth were vivid, easily distinguashable.

It’s scales were heavy, thick and layered.

But its head was slightly blurred, as was it’s long body.

It curled around the room, its body weighing down and striking fear into the hearts of all present.

Every movement of its claws caused the air to ripple.

And immediately almost everyone in the room dropped to their knees unconscious.

Only a few, including those following Agi, were left.

The Six captains breathed heavily, and eventually only a single warrior was standing.

He had sunken eyes, his hair frayed at the edges, curling slightly.

He was a young man.

But in Agis eyes, he was a good candidate.

“You will keep these initiates under control. If a Warrior acts up, kill him!”

The man shook, immediately prostrating and bowing six times, “I understand!”

Agi nodded, promplty taking his entourage from the living hall.

Suddenly he fell against the wall!

A stream of blood splurged from his ears, his eyes running a fountain of crimson like a waterfall, while his nose became a stream.

The taste of iron was heavy on his tongue.

Samuel couched over, “Lord Second!”

Asketill followed shortly after, calling, “Brother!”

Agi breathed heavily, “It seems… That’s more draining… than I thought.”

The other six were looking down in shock, but their hearts grew slightly more at ease.

A power like that… If a power like that could be used easily, wouldn’t they just be lamb to the slaughter?

Agi eventually stabilized himself.

His regenerative capabilities were growing more potent over time, and as those strange scales formed on his hand, he had reached a state similar to the gift prior to opening.

He slowly recovered, his internals were damaged, but it wouldn’t be enough to slow him down for long.

The willow tree flashed a red light as they took their first steps within the Second Fold.

They looked around curiously—

“The Seventh Fold?”

Halit said with a hint of surpise, “Why are we here?”

Agi shook his head, “No, This is the Second.”

Halit looked around, his mouth slightly agape, “How…”

Above them was a massive lining of leaves across the sky.

A canopy of gargantuan proportion overhead.

Technically speaking, they were still in doors, prompting a strange query from Malachi–

“Why is there a canopy?”

Agi only shrugged, he couldn’t care for the details, but Samuel responded, “Some suggest that the Seventh, and Eigth folds are actually outside. I imagine that a similar situation is happening here.”

There was a slight draft, a bit chilly.

It was the cool breeze of the outside world, the kind that carried the smell of rain

“It doesn’t matter.” Agi huffs, “We have a job to do.”

Asketill would yawn, finding his way onto Samuel’s shoulders.

Ananda sent a small lingering gaze their way, but eventually looked off.

The six dropped their curiosity for the time being.

Instead settling on following Agi.

They would only walk for a short while, seeing monasteries and small temples line the hills like houses.

Little shacks are abundant, and many men in clergy outfits can be seen tilling fields.

It seemed strange, but the clergy was always odd.

However there was another strange event, an actual group of bandits was taxing the clergy!

A group of four warrios and six initiates, who knows how they managed to get here, were taxing a group of farm tilling clergy.

It was a frightening sight to behold, as it was a destruction of the order they had known so intimately.

But Agi only shook his head, “The fools will die before long.”

The other six tilted their heads, Rowen saying, “The Inquisitor is not here.”

Agi only sighed, “That’s right, but when he returns, or is replaced, what then?”

The six understood, keeping any further inquires hidden as they eventually reached a large clearing.

There was a distinct lack of temples.

Perfect for their purposes.

The eight individuals got to work.

Each taking traps from the bag and setting them up in the area, Agi taking a particular likeing to a strange string like trap.

He strung it around, determined to not miss a single oppurtunity to catch him off guard.

After a while, they had placed all the traps.

“Someone must stay and watch.”

The six were looking at each other.

It was obvious none of them wanted the task.

Ananda spoke up, “Lord Second, Actually Soma is very familiar with the Clergy. She used to be apart of it.”

Soma opened her mouth then grit her teeth, “Ananda you insufferable… Shut your mouth.”

Agi looked at Soma curiously, “You’ll do.”

She immediately became downturn, “Y-You can’t be serious, My lord!” She exclaimed.

“It can’t be me.”

Rowen sighed, stepping forward he began, “I–”

But someone cut him off, “I’ll do it.” He said with a resigned voice.

Rowen looked at Malachi curiously. It was a surpise to see someone offer themself up for another, and he gave a slight nod.

He gained a bit of respect for him.

Agi snorted, “I don’t care who.”

He turned to Samuel, “Send down his people. Do it in small groups, don’t let anyone get suspicious.”

Samuel nodded, “The Second Fold is alreayd deep in turmoil, it shouldn’t be difficult.”

Soma stared at Malachi before looking at the floor in shame, “It’s my fault.”

Malachi shakes his head, “What trouble could I possibly run into here? It’s good being the strongest in your area.”

But Soma doesn’t believe his reasoning.

Ananda pats Somas shoulder, “Good for you, you’re a good manipulator.”

Soma turns to argue but Agis cold gaze makes the two stop in their tracks.

“We are in a dangerous territory. Soon, we will meet the enemy, and you still continue to play around?”

He takes a small step, vanishing before appearing behind the two.

“Don’t make me revaluate your worth.”

The two nod, quickly turning from each other.

“Good, Then we’re going. Malachi, was it?” Agi asks, getting a curt nod.

“Don’t disappoint me.”

Over the next few days Malachi would be reinforced by the initiates and warriors under his command.

While Malachi was steadily reinforced, a second force made their way into the conclifcting environment of the Second Fold.

Eliah led the other three as droves of initiates and warriors swarmed out.

They took steady steps, determined to put an end to the danger known as Annika.

And it wouldn’t take long before Samuel began to lead small groups into the Second Fold.

But this was background noise.

It was of little consequence to the Second Lord who had just arrived before the door of his elder brother.