LEGEND OF DEATH'S ASSASSINS

CHAPTER 13

For the first time since he ascended the throne of high lord, the court was in a pin drop silence. His footfalls were also echoing through the smooth wall and smoldering the peace that hung in the air, but he could barely hear them. It was difficult to hear his footfall. He could only hear the admonishment of his guilt as they tried to eat everything that was inside of him. But why? Was he not the great lord of destruction?

The answer to the question lingered blankly as he walked up the podium. He wasn’t so sure now, not with the way things had gone. For the past twenty-two days—which was twenty-three human years—he had been trying to fix the puzzle. Everything had been working perfectly. The control and the power had been in his grip. But now…now he was going to face the wrath of the elders. He was going to face the panel of the Departed. The elder gods are going to blame him for his carelessness, and foolishness.

“That’s enough,”

Lord Ruin lifted his gaze to the smoky eyes of the Grand Garrison. The creature held his hands upwards, bringing his ascent to a close. These garrisons, unlike the high Lord, were among the Lowliest and serves neither the Departed nor the Faithful. Their master was the True Judge himself, even though they looked a little lower than the angels, they commanded a power so great that no creature in the entire multiverse could challenge them. Except for the humans of course.

Lord Ruin folded his hands behind his back and resisted the urge to spit. The sound of humans was beginning to give him a bad breath. He hated them. Everything about them was just silly and barbaric. Sometimes, Lord Ruin wonders why the True Judge would even bother to concern himself with their affairs. Common sense should have told the True Judge how weak and useless the human race is.

Stroking his windy head, the high lord tried to bring back his thoughts. It was too late now. It was too late to go back, even if he wanted to. Besides, the purple robe that hung on the Garrison’s shoulders, was all the proof he needed. His punishment was certain unless there was divine intervention.

“Lord Ruin.”

The voice of the Firstborn bounced on the wall, resonating on the chandeliers and oscillating the lights that hover on the air. He was on the glowing throne of course, with dark robes holding his body, from his shoulders to his feet. His white face was the only thing that contrasted the darkness of his body.

“Yes my lord,” Lord Ruin said without looking at the podium.

“You betrayed us.”

Betrayed? Lord Ruin’s lips parted without control. He was going to choke with laughter, but he did well to conceal them by coughing. Of all the things the First Born could have accused him of, betrayer was the least he had expected. He had expected something intense; like conspiracy to take the place of the firstborn, or plans to become the best in the Departed. But betrayer? No, he wouldn’t stoop too low for such. Only creatures that are still learning the ways of the Departed would condescend to such balderdash.

“My Lord and First Born,” Lord Ruin bowed, “On what stand is the accusation.”

“Are you calling me a liar?” the First Born bellowed.

Funny. Lord Ruin wanted to say but bit his lips instead. They were all departed, and that means lies were almost true to them. Especially since they all served the Father of Lies.

“Just evidence, My Lord and First Born. What is the Evidence?”

“Evidence,” The First Born stood from the glowing throne. “You conspired with the Faithful and betrayed the Departed, and now you are asking for evidence?”

Lord Ruin took a step back when he saw the fire burning in the firstborn's eyes. It was not an ordinary flame. Those flames can consume anything that stands in its way.

“I mean no disrespect, My Lord and First Born.” Lord Ruin bowed, “Just trying to lay down the fact. For the accusation to hold water, there must be evidence that shows that I worked with the faithful.”

That was it. The murmur in the courtroom was the distraction Lord Ruin was waiting for, r had hoped for. He would hold the crowd with the argument he had memorized, and since there was no evidence, it would be hard for the First Born to convict him.

“And my Lord and Firstborn I will also like to—” Lord Ruin paused.

There was a mighty shock wave that traveled throughout the floor, to the roof and back again. It was so great that everyone in the courtroom had to hold something to keep their balance. The disturbance did not last long. As soon as it had come, it was gone and followed by a subtle silence which spread through the walls. Confusion etched on the faces of the creatures that were in the courtroom as they all shared the surprise looks, wondering what had caused the sudden tremor.

Lord Ruin could not explain it, but there was something about the atmosphere that suddenly made him hug himself. He didn’t have skin like humans, but he was surprised to feel the chill which spreads from his body to the wall, and to every creature that was in the courtroom. Silence had returned to the room too as the confusion among the departed continued to grow.

The perturbation continued till eternity before the door at the entrance burst open, sending more reverberation through the room. Every head turned towards the direction, trying to no avail to see through the fog that came veering in. It was the first time something like this has happened, and even though nobody said it out rightly, Lord Ruin could see the fear that held them. Fear among humans was perceived as weakness. But among the departed…

“What tricks are you trying to pull, Lord Ruin,” The First born’s said. He was trying to pull up his courage, but his wavering voice had betrayed him this time. He too, like the others, was afraid of the unknown.

“Kneel” A voice from the fog that was swerving in from the entrance said.

It was a compelling voice and the strength in them was like nothing Lord Ruin has ever seen. The struggle to disobey was imminent and could be seen in the faces of the departed. But there was something about the voice. Something strong and demanding.

Lord Ruin struggled as his body began to bring him closer to the floor. From his right hand, everyone in the courtroom was falling gently on their knee or forcefully. The force in the fog was just too strong to fray with.

He was on his knees when the compelling force on his shoulders suddenly ebbed away. The fog was no longer on the doorway but has made its stance some paces away from the podium, just beside the First Born.

“Where is my book?”

The crispy voice made Lord Ruin swallow and the uneasiness that settled on his shoulders this time was more demanding than the force that had brought him to his knees. He was not familiar with the voice, but it was obvious, at least the question made it so. This fog, if he was not mistaken, belongs to the grandmaster himself. It belongs to the fear of every creature, and that was death himself.

“She…” Lord Ruin swallowed hard when he realized that the question had been directed towards him, “It…took it.”

“TOOK IT?” The voice bellowed. This time, there was an invincible wave that poured out, shaking the roof and the floor.

“I am sorry, my Lord and Fear. But I trusted the wrong person. I am deeply sorry. The queen I had chosen for myself had been an insider all these while. It was an angel from the court of the faithful. It took the book” Lord Ruin pleaded.

He was not afraid of being punished this time. No, punishment would be an icing on the cake. The offense was a grave one, and if he was not careful enough, Death would take him away from this world, and that would be the end he had feared for the last decade.

“Gather your forces,” The voice of death from the fog said, “You will find that book and kill everyone whose name is written on it. I don’t care how you want to do it. But failure to execute my commands”

It was a half statement and the high Lord was glad to have them hanging. Even as the fog began to fade away, he could see the torment that was destined for all the departed. They were destined for destruction, but now…if they didn’t act fast, they would end up early enough.

“You heard the master,” The First Born stood, “Gather the forces. We are heading to earth. We would bring the will of the master. We shall rain hell on earth.”