Chapter 129: Marcus Arrive in Nakhla

Marcus arrived within Nakhla at the head of a hundred-strong force. The gates opened for him and the atmosphere in the entire city seemed to change with his first step in. Rumors of his arrival had been spreading throughout the city and the people had been stocking up on supplies, worried at how their lives would change. The city had no officially been placed completely under the military’s control.

"You have your orders. Spread across the city." Marcus shouted down the line of men, who slammed a fist on their chests before running off to carry out the mission. Marcus took ten men with him and went for the Mayor’s office. Those with him were to always be by his side. He wasn’t dumb or confident enough to walk around alone in a city like this.

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"Mother." Gregor walked into the back room of the Temple. He gave a religious bow. "The army has arrived." With his soft voice, he put on a half smile.

"Okay." Mother got up, closing the book she had finished writing. "Send word, I will be holding a speech today."

"Are you sure?" Worried, he asked. Mother tapped his shoulder and flashed her motherly smile.

"If I fear the first hurdle how can the Utopia be brought about?" She could tell her words fell on deaf ears and it made her feel warm inside. How many people truly worried for her like Gregor? Reaching in she gave the man a hug. "This world is wrong right now. I will die if it means I can shape it to his will. So do not worry about me, my friend. If I die, I will be have completed my mission on this world." Pulling out of the high she looked the bald man in his eyes. "Go and prepare."

Gregor could only nod. Although he didn’t want her to give the speech today, he wouldn’t halt it, especially after hearing her words.

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"Tell me, Mayor. What is the situation." Marcus’ commanding aura made the mayor shrink. Despite being the master of the city, he couldn’t help but feel completely subservient in front of this man. It just reinforced the reason why he submitted originally to the Empire.

"Of course. The riots have all calmed down by now, but Mother has gone into hiding. We assume she is recovering from her injuries but we can’t be too sure. A mercenary company, The Avenging Sons, arrived a couple of weeks back and still hasn’t left which is strange for mercenaries. It would be wise to look into them." He laid out everything but as if remembering something important he reached into his desk and pulled out a list of names.

"Also someone delivered this." Handing it over Marcus looked at it confused by who it was referencing. "Those are names of some of the nobles who use Nakhla as their main base of operation. It arrived a week and a bit ago and I had people look into the nobles but nothing too drastic. Of the ones don’t he list, one managed to leave before we regulated entry and exit from the city."

Marcus scratched his chin looking at the names. It was strange that a convenient list appeared on his doorstep, but if it was true and he ignored it; the situation would worsen. It was times like this when he wished he had someone like Esmond under his direct command.’That may not be a bad idea.’He silently thought to himself, seeing the benefits the military would have with a division like that.

He shook his head getting rid of unnecessary thoughts. "Okay. I will look into the noble. Have a list of what you have found about them delivered to my residence tomorrow. In the mean time, slowly have the City Guard replaced with my men. Whilst I can trust them for crime, to enforce Martial Law, it must be my men. Also, call off all hunts for the assassin. It is a pointless endeavor."

"At once." The mayor gave a salute to Marcus. Marcus got up looking at the list in his hand. He needed to know how to proceed with this and there was only one person he could message for help with this. he was lucky they were on their way to the city.

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"Commander." One of his soldiers ran into the barracks and saluted Marcus. "Mothe ris being to hold a speech." Marcus was surprised but not shocked. He knew the woman was abold, having the audacity to stand against the Empire, and so was prepared for this.

"Have two guards come with me out of uniform. We won’t make a move yet." He got up smiling." If we wish to deal with her we have to understand her first." The soldier bowed, running off to quickly carry out his orders.

Ten minutes passed and Marcus arrived in the hidden warehouse. A large stage was at its end and on it, he saw the woman. Her purple hair seemed to absorb light whilst her robes loosely clung to her body. Marcus however quickly looked to her left. A man in full armor with his face covered stood, watching the crowd like a hawk. He clung to the weapon on his waist ready to strike at any moment.

’He’s dangerous.’Marcus got a cold shiver looking in his direction. He had only ever felt it four times. Once from Esmond, once from William, once from Alfred, and the other from Snowid. All for different reasons, but he knew wit was his sixth sense warning him of a great threat.

Aseel feeling like a pair of eyes were staring at him looked toward Marcus who froze.’I wasn’t wrong.’Marcus looked away quickly back towards Mother who looked down at the crowd with warmth.

"My fellow in faith. Today I commend you for your bravery. Once more the crossroads were in front of you with a choice. And once more you have chosen correctly. Since the beginning, I have warned you all, that the Emporer and his puppets wish to suppress you, and today it has been proven. The army arrival I warn you signals the start of the oppression. Slowly our liberties and freedom will be taken, as they try to mold us into one of them. A puppet of their evil god."

"And you all." She paused and looked at them with pride. "You all chose the hard but correct path. Because make no mistake, any other way is the same as placing your head on the wooden block. It may be easier to turn your head and ignore the impending doom. It may be easier to bend the knee. But in doing so you sacrifice something important. Yourself. Your faith. Your dignity. And so I will say it once more. Thank you. Thank you for choosing the hard path with me once more."

Marcus looked at the crowd that was enamored with Mother and clung to her every word. He could see the faint worship clouded in the hope they all had, wishing her words and reality to come true. It was dangerous and with every speech she made her following would grow along with the people’s devotion. He didn’t dare have a murderous thought with Aseel around but he knew that going forward he knew the problem had to be dealt with.

Mother raised her hand to the sky, pointing towards the moons covered by the roof. "I have a gift for you all." As if on cue Gregor walked out holding a book in his hands. Mother grabbed it thanking him. "The lord’s vision and will is something we mortals can not dare to hope to understand. But in my desperation to see it come to fruition I have toiled tirelessly, seeking his wisdom to create his state. And finally, I can present to you all it. Finally, I can offer to you more than my words to ease your soul."

With the initiative we the Followers have taken to teach the people, I will begin the mass production of the text for you all. Every place of learning will have access to the doctrine. And finally, our mission will start in earnest." Marcus watched as she practically declared war on the Empire. For her to create her manifesto and begin mass production was to give the people a new system. To turn them against the current order.

"All of you. Men, women, children the elderly, the faithful, the fearful. Those who can fight and those who are disabled. All of you must remember. You are the Children of Khors. His beautiful and free children. You are free from the will of Sol and have the power to save those who can’t save themselves. Don’t damn yourself and make the wrong choice. Believe in the beauty and potential of humanity. Help your brothers and sisters trapped under Sol’s strings and bring them to his gentle light. Believe in your own power and help create a safe and fair world for us all."

Mother yelled with all the charm and tenderness she could muster, her words falling like a spell on the people. Marcus saw it effect. She gave them purpose and freedom that they had never felt before. She made them feel special in a way no other priest could. She made them value the human lives next to them that in other cases the people would brush aside due to their own problems.

She was trying to create an army and using her followers to build it. The danger in his heart rose drastically. Nothing she said screamed of a violent uprising, in fact, she seemed to wish to create it as peacefully as possible, but he knew better. He could hear the sinister thoughts behind every word she spoke.

"Everyone." Mother grabbed the clothing on her shoulder and pulled it down revealing a scar. Her voice became noticeably softer and caring. "I heard what happened after my near death. The world understood your fury that day. And know this. I will bleed for his Kingdom. I will give my very life if I must. You do not stand alone." Her next words came out in a sympathetic voice, "But please don’t punish your Brothers and sisters in faith. Only the Emporer. He is the supposed Bless One. Sol’s Champion. Direct that fury for equality towards him. Force him to see the freedom you crave. I will stand beside you the whole way. Always remember. We are not alone. We carry him with us."

Clasping her hands together, she said a silent prayer. The rest of the crowd followed along seeing this, and Marcus did so as well to blend in.

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Within the temple Mother sat, watching Aseel write on a paper with a shard of Charcoal. Truning the paper towards Mother he looked at her with expecting eyes. ’Danger.’Mother looked up at him confused. "In the crowd earlier." Her words got a strong nod and she smiled. Patting her knee, Aseel fell to the ground placing his head on her legs closing his eyes, and enjoying the warmth,

"Thankfully I have you by my side, my brave son." Mother stoked his hair and looked down. "I have a job for you. Can you do it for me?" Aseel with his closed eyes gave a strong nod, leaning his head into her hand. Mother smiled rewarding him with a light kiss on his forehead. "Good."