Chapter 155: The People’s Fury

Esmond walked quickly to Marcus’s office. Throwing the door open the commander looked at him confused and annoyed by the suddenness of the situation. "It’s time." The two words were all Marcus needed for him to throw himself off his chair and follow behind the old man, forgetting his previous annoyance.

"How many?" Marcus asked as the two walked at a pace. He flicked his hands at a couple of soldiers he walked past, them forming a group behind him as they marched out.

"A lot, my men couldn’t get an accurate count. But it seems she is finally making her move." Despite the threat of an armed insurgency, there was no panic in his voice when talking about it.

"When did this come in?"

"Ten minutes ago. She has a head start. So whatever you have to do to get your men ready, do it." Esmond gave him a nod, turning away into a separate room whilst Marcus led his soldiers to the barracks. He had a smile on his face happy to finally be done with the rebellion. The thought of defeat didn’t even enter his mind.

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Mother stood at the head of her people. She looked down at them, understanding it wasn’t everyone. There were too many to all be in one location and she had to delegate the command to some of Saladin’s men. Despite this she was confident. "Today is a monumental day. Today we show the world the fury of the Followers and why we are the one true way."

She looked at the fire that burned in their faces. The fury that she would soon unleash. "That is why I ask you to follow me. We will show the puppets of Sol what they have always known." Mother spread her arms. "Do not hesitate. Do not waver. Your faith is true. When we win, we will finally have his Kingdom." Mother descended the platform, and the crowd opened for her like a sea parting. "Follow me. It is time."

A loud cry followed her words as the people all followed behind her, armed and ready. She smiled, hearing it as she walked to her first target. The chief of the Puppets. The accursed Arch-Bishop.

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Raven stood at the head of the temple. His face didn’t hold the usual indifference he had when speaking to people; instead, it was passionate as he preached the word of Sol. His eyes burned with religious fervour. "Sol, in his kindness, saw it fit to spare even sinners like us. He saw it fit to spare his one beloved son despite the previous betrayal. He saw it fit to punish himself for his faults. If this is not a just and true God, then there exists no such concept. A world without his light is doomed."

Raven took a couple of breaths as he rested on the stand. He looked down at his fellow faithful, who looked up with reverence and smiled. "That is why...." The sound of fighting interrupted his speech, and his eyes went cold as he looked towards the source of the noise. The Inquisitions readied their weapons and took place near Raven, yet he brushed them aside. He listened closely and, hearing it get closer, sighed. "My fellow faithful. Forgive me, but we must end here. Please exit through the back to ensure your safety."

They all looked at one another and gave nods, standing up quickly. Raven kept a calm smile as some nodded to him, thanking him for his time before quickly escaping. Along with his guard, he frowned. Walking into a side room, he opened a cupboard and saw a set of armour. "Help me." Calling one of his men over, he quickly put the armour on. The sound of fighting kept getting closer, and he knew that the soldiers Marcus had left with him were going to lose. Despite this, he thanked them silently for buying him time.

With the final strap done, he picked up his sword and walked back out into the temple. His white armour contrasted with his black hair and eyes, creating an ethereal appearance. With the symbol of Sol engraved into its chest piece, he looked like a warrior sent by the lord himself. The Inquisition only numbered seven, but they all had hardened looks. Raven waited. He heard the sounds outside slowly die down.

The bagging on the door soon began, and the flimsy locks didn’t hold for long before it burst open. Raven watched as tens of men stormed into the temple. They watched him with hate and looked ready to pounce. Raising his sword,d his eyes went cold. "Who are you to enter the lord’s house with such disrespect?" His voice sent chills down the backs of the attackers but they pushed it aside and slowly approached. He smirked seeing that and readied himself.

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Isra sat in her room and looked outside. She saw the hundreds gathered outside armed. She saw her soldiers forming a wall around her residence, all ready to give their lives for her safety. It was a sad sight to see. She could see it was a final, desperate attempt by Mother to finally secure her future, but it was just that, an attempt.

Marcus had already arrived at the barracks and the soldiers in the city had already begun to move. Adrian’s reinforcements were less than a day away, and her supply had been officially cut off. That being said, Isra knew it would take a while for both Adrian’s soldiers to arrive and Marcus’s soldiers had many places to defend. Whilst on paper she was the most important person in the city, people like Raven were around and she was sure Mother wouldn’t miss the opportunity to target him.

"I guess it’s time." Isra got up. "Chris, can you get me my things?" He gave a deep bow and left leaving Isra alone. Looking out the window, she saw the continued standoff, wondering when someone was going to make a move.

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Raven was tired as he swung his sword once more with a deep fury. None of his men had died yet but it felt like an endless horde coming after them and made him wonder how Mother had recruited this many people. The bodies were pulled up high, and blood flooded the floor of the temple. He could only ask Sol for forgiveness at the sight. Another charged at him, and Raven kicked out to stagger him. The man tripped over a body behind, and an inquisition member stabbed down into his heart, whilst Raven blocked the attack coming for his guard’s head.

’These aren’t soldiers.’It was a thought he had had the entire time, but after so long of combat, he was sure. Some of them were trained, and he knew Mother had mercenaries under her, but most of them were too unskilled to be soldiers. No strategy or planning in their attacks, just power. He knew that, despite this, a sword could kill him.

"Arch-Bishop." One of his guards spoke as they cut down another Follower. "We must leave. We risk being overwhelmed." Raven knew this without being told. Even though they were civilians, there was still a lot of them. Gregor hadn’t had enough time to stop it. It was only thanks to the skill and equipment of his guard that they could live for so long, but he knew they weren’t invincible. Nodding he slowly backed up with his men following behind, their backs never turning away from the enemy.

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Mother clicked her tongue, seeing that they still hadn’t breached through the temple. She thought Raven would die by now, but was being proven wrong. "THEY’RE RETREATING!" Someone called ou,t and Mother squinted her eyes. "Aseel." Mother spoke to her son, who refused to leave her side. "Go around back and block him." Despite her order, Aseel didn’t budge, not wishing to leave Mother alone in a dangerous place. She sighed at his behaviour but knew she couldn’t punish him here.

Turning towards him, she coldly spoke again. "Go and block him." She looked deep into his eyes with an emptiness that lacked all the warmth he wanted. Fiddling with his hands, he eventually hesitantly nodded. "Good." Smiling, she sent a few men with him, turning back to the siege of the temple. It was pointless and she wanted to leave, but knowing Aseel was gone, didn’t trust being on her own.

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The city had erupted, and Esmond knew it. Mother was making her move, and his people scrambled to start damage control. That being said, there wasn’t enough of him to be everywhere at once. Still, Esmond has to make sure everything ends tonight. Opening a drawer in his office, numerous vials of various poisons and antidotes lined it. Dragging his fingers over the top of the sealed vial, he smiled. He had one chance.

Picking one up, it was a green powder. He gently placed it inside a bag on his waist before closing the drawer and locking it again. Now he had to get to Mother’s hideout. She had multiple but after so long of watching her, he knew there was one that she liked to return to more than the others. Pulling his hood up he smiled and left.