Chapter 4: Ghaul
They cheered as we stormed the city, and praised me as we ripped the light out of the guardians. They were so sure that victory was ours that we had won. What fools. Victory was far from ours, and I refused to relax until the light was mine. I sat upon my throne and looked at my captive as he was bound and helpless. Yet he was so defiant, that would soon have to change. It had been two weeks since we dismantled the vanguard and I planned to break the speaker next. His words held the key to my goals, for he was wise and the voice of the traveler. My councilors walked in and began talking about our next move, our strategy to capture the light and achieve total dominance.
I dismissed them and sat wrapped in my thoughts, mind racing faster than I could fire my gun. I wanted more than just to capture the light for myself. I needed more, craved more. I wanted acceptance, to be chosen by the traveler. This was all meaningless if we weren't the chosen ones, for I refuse to accept the title of barbarian. I was no barbarian, I was a warrior, I was honorable and I should have been chosen. I spent decades building myself up to greatness. I was the runt in the eyes of my people and always looked down on. I was beaten, starved and treated lower than dirt for being so insignificant, so weak! I learned at an early age to defend myself, to fight and to show dominance. Then the traveler shined his light down from the heavens unto those it deemed worthy. But it didn't shine upon the red legion, upon me, and I would have to rectify that.
"Speaker, tell me. Your tower has fallen and your guardians are slain, how do you still hope?" I asked my captive. He remained silent; another act of defiance. We were more alike than I first thought. "Fine stay silent, you miserable cur. You will eventually answer my questions whether you want to or not." I snarled rising from my throne and moving swiftly to the door. The doors opened in front of me and I heard the speaker's voice barely above a whisper say "You. Shall. Fail." I turned my head to him and responded "Others may fail, I persevere" then left the room.
I walked down the hall to our war room; I had to inform my superiors of our progress and also to execute the next stage of my plan. I entered the room and had one of my men connect me to the red legion superiors via holosphere. The holosphere connected and only one of my superiors appeared. "Ah, Admiral Ghaul. We hear word of your triumphant conquest over the guardian corps. We are most pleased." Said the brigadier general. I bowed my head in respect "Your words humble a lowly soldier, general" I replied.
"Raise your head Ghaul, we have much to discuss. You must forgive us, the war counsel is busy attending other matters." He said "Your efforts against the guardians were much appreciated, and your tactical strategies were flawless. You have come a long way over the years from the soldier who could barely stand after the recoil of his weapon knocked him off his feet." He chuckled. "I'm glad to see that my trust in you was not misplaced. The other council members thought your plan was a fool's errand; that you were leading our forces to destruction at the hands of the vanguard. But I saw the genius of your plan, the potential that it held. I always felt that you had promise as a soldier and leader, that's why I chose to personally train you." I looked up at him "Thank you sir" I said. He cleared his throat and continued "Now I have read your report thoroughly and aside from the vanguard leaders surviving, am pleased with what I have read. Since that day two weeks ago our influence has been spreading throughout this galaxy, and once your plan for the light comes to fruition. Well, the red legion shall then rightfully rule over all." His voice boomed with pride. The door opened behind me and my most trusted advisor walked in. He gave a small bow of respect to the admiral and whispered to me "It is time" then quickly exited. A small smile crossed my lips though no one could tell from beneath my head piece.
"Admiral, you are correct we will rule over all. Our power will be felt throughout this universe. At least my power will be." I said. " As of this moment, the Cabal, the Red Legion are mine to command." I nodded to one of my men and he pulled pictures up on the holosphere. They showed the bodies of the six slain councilmen each killed in a different way. Gunshot wound to the head, decapitation, burned alive, suffocated, strangled and drowned. "These men defied me to the bitter end, the challenged my might and the loyalty of the soldiers that respect me. I am power incarnate, I am death, I am destruction! I AM GHAUL" my men gave a cheer. "Admiral do you bend to my will or do you fall like the others?" He stared at me but there was no expression, at least none that I could read. Then he burst into laughter. "So, you finally made your move boy? I must say I'm impressed that you were able to facilitate this behind the scenes. Well done. Though I must say you still have a lot to learn. I've known about this little coup for ages." I chuckled "I shouldn't be surprised, you did teach me everything I know about war strategies and commanding troops."
"Have your men stand down Ghaul, I know you have them converging on my location." He said, and I nodded to my men and they alerted the others to stand down. "I will not follow you, for I bend to neither man nor gods. I will however observe you and guide you as I have for many years. I will act as your personal consult and as of this moment retire from the cabal army. You will lead our people to a new age of prosperity and glory. Do not disappoint me." He said. I nodded "I accept your resignation Counselman and may the glory of the Red Legion flourish!" I said. He bowed to me. "Good luck my son" he said. "Goodbye father" I said and left the room, I had a universe to conquer.