"What do you think they're conversing about right now?"
"Don't know. Don't care."
Wal'os blows several rings of smoke from the long pipe, dissipating slowly into the atmosphere. The night sky is lit dimly by stars in galaxies far away, their beauty muted by the raging ion storm. Azuei sits next to her companion on the steep hill, in private. The remaining overseers had gone to their respective ships for the sleep they so desperately required. The youngest of the platoon were restless however, sleep evaded them like a phantom. Smoking on the peace pipe seemed like a good idea to pass the evening, idle time was never their strong suit. So they sat, minds clouded by the hallucinogenic drug that took them back to the past.
"You should care, she slurs her words uncharacteristically, hawk's nose right in his face. I bet they're talking about something we're not cognitive of. Rather fortunate of that Walter to be privy to such details."
"I wouldn't call him "fortunate." Poor bastard is getting his ass grilled by those two right now. Could very well die if he's not careful with what he says."
A skeptical look is thrown his way, passing the pipe to her as she takes in earnest. More smoke clouds their vision, the city in their view fainter than before.
"Evor really was beautiful. I remember visiting here as a child. Such a sight to behold."
"Was. That David fucker destroyed it. There's a reason why sentinels like him give his kind a bad rep."
"You speak of Vahla."
Uncomfortable silence takes hold, Wal'os tightly twisting the ring on his left hand. The band shows as dimly as the city, the words engraved there nearly faded away.
"…Love until the end of time. It didn't end well for us."
"It didn't end well for any of us. You know better."
"She deserved better."
A heavy rush of air leaves her lips, sputtering spit. The back of hands wipe at tears threatening to pour down. Anxiously, she plays at the chain hanging from her neck, rubbing the pendant like a talisman.
"This was hers, you know? I miss her dearly, she wasn't just a nursemaid to me. She was my sister."
"And my wife. Look where it got us. Two sentinel sympathizers generally ousted by our comrades."
"What about Oknor?"
He seethes at the mention of his name, head shaking vigorously.
"That man wants his answers. Sometimes I think his kindness is a mask. To get what he wants, he'll play the part perfectly until all goes accordingly. Then he throws them away like garbage.
Azuei is perplexed by what he says, eyeing him in confusion. The chain pulls at her neck roughly, leaving skid marks in ivory skin. Heart beating fast, she speaks, words laced with trepidation.
"Why do you speak ill of him? I don't-
-you don't have to understand. Know this, he's someone not to be crossed. I'm retiring for the night. Enjoy the rest of the tinask."
Standing up, he wobbles from the drug induced haze, mind elsewhere. Clumsy steps are taken down the hill to where the juggernauts lay stationed far beneath. She too tries to stand but finds herself hesitating. Head turning, Wal'os gives her a warning look, the faintest bit of fear evident on his face.
"Don't be so kind to that sentinel. I'm aware he reminds you of Vahla. You'll draw attention, you don't need that right now. Watch yourself."
Without another word, he continues his descent down the steep incline. The night resumes its silence.
Walter is not sure what to say. What they told him leaves him…astonished. He reiterates carefully, face down, intently studying the floor sifted in swamp water.
"You're telling me this was a game to you all?"
"Yes."
Oknor looks away, ashamed of what he admits. The makeshift chair he sits on squeaks sharply, the helmet in his lap shaking. Mother Uytqyo tries to look anywhere but at the sentinel directly, her cane echoing with each erratic splash.
"You say the parameters of this game revolved around what you call "prophets." Nine individuals total, human proxies chosen to test the limits of man. Their faith in a higher power. God. You."
"Yes, that's right."
The elderly overseer strokes his wispy white beard in long, even strokes, several hair follicles falling to the ground. Attempts to see the past once more, eyes sealed in concentration. Images of long ago come to him abruptly, their clarity startling.
"It was a foolish game, artificial man. Creators vs. Destroyers. See if man was worthy enough of us. My kind, the creators, hoped that they would survive the tests we brought upon them. If they didn't...well it was a score for the destroyers who thought man was an abomination to begin with."
A game. Millions of human lives 2,000 years past held in the balance at the whimsy of their creators. Walter stares into the far distance, failing to see the point.
"Humanity was in its infancy at that time, yet you sought to judge them without merit."
"We did", Mother interrupts, bitter.
Water move violently as she makes her way to him, cane pushing forward. Meets his stare red-eyed, embarrassed. Proceeds to grab his one shoulder roughly, gnarled fingers pressing against the wounds David inflicted, face to face.
"Killed time for us. We've been around for millions of years. Humanity was our latest game, kept boredom at bay. So, we played as we always have, just like with our other creations. Then it happened. He died."
"Jesus, the last proxy."
"Yes."
Her hand then goes to her throat, the pressure immense. Hated that the guilt still gnawed away at her conscious, the physical pain a reminder of unforgivable sins.
"We choked on our own hubris, it was our downfall. The game was at a tie before his death, four wins on either side. How he died determine the fate of humanity."
"So the destroyers won. You stopped them. Why?"
Oknor intercepts, posture steely.
"Thought it was wrong to wipe out all of our children based on the fate of one man, despite how highly regarded he was on both sides. At this point, the fun of the game was lost. Lives were at stake."
Mother Uytqyo breathes shakily, staff vibrating. Takes a quick look at the men, gaze lingering on her companion in particular before continuing the sordid tale.
"There were other reasons. My husband, Jocorop, the head of the creators, grew attached to our latest batch of children. Too attached. Him breaking the rules of the game led to the great war."
Jesus stands bolted to the cross, rusty nails digging into raw flesh. Days old blood drips down to the crowd below, many weeping. Some cheering. Three tall hooded figures observe on a hill in the distance, watching the tragedy unfold. Koywo of the destroyers looks smugly on in the middle of the group, arms folded victoriously.
"Well, it was a good game while it lasted. Took thousands of years, but it was certainly worth it. Nice try Jocorop."
The man on his left keeps to himself, weeping at the sight of the poor man dying. Rules were rules though, if a prophet was killed by his fellow man, they were deemed to have failed to change humanity for the better. Meaning that the destroyers had won, having correctly judged their latest creation as failures. Regardless, his attachment does not wane for these feeble creatures, only feeling immense pity.
"I know this was in good sport….do you think we took it too far this time? We never punished our previous creations with complete eradication."
The terror of what was about to befall their children churns his stomach, paralyzed in terror. Guilt eats at him like the beast, never-ending. Tries to change his comrade's mind.
"Maybe we should punish those directly involved in this prophet's death. That would be bett-
-are you going back on your word!? I will not stand for it Creator Jocorop! You were the one who made this bet in the first place, it would be in poor taste if you changed you mind now. Don't be a sore loser, take it like a man."
Koywo puffs his chest outward, pounding his heart several times indignantly. Anger consumes him, pride not letting go. On his right, his daughter peers thoughtfully at them, unsure of what to say. Bites at her lip, fresh blood dripping to the dry grass beneath.
"Father, the Creator has a point. This test has been taken too far. Not all hum-
"ENOUGH! Azuei is backhanded across the face, the sound ringing in her ears. Listen to me, you are the child of destroyers, it is part of your essence. Don't you dare take his side!"
Tears wishing to spring out, she wills her face to stone, used to the assaults. Flippantly shrugs her shoulders in turn, eyes rolling.
"Merely a suggestion, no need to get physical Father. The humans are pathetic creatures, I simply feel sorry for them. Death does seem a bit harsh."
"The child agrees. Do you see my point?"
The lead Destroyer stays silent, slowly looking from his own flesh and blood to the friend he considered a brother. In the distance, he sees rocks are thrown at Jesus, the dirty crowd gather round, heckling him. Spits on the ground in disgust, mind made up.
"Those insects mock the human we considered our greatest prophet yet! You want to keep them alive!? No, I won't allow it. I'm leaving, meet me at the ship."
The two stand one companion less, analyzing what was left of the crowd. Worshipers of the proxy fling themselves at those who dare desecrate him, fighting back. Chaos breaks out, the Roman soldiers failing to contain the brawl. Azuei appears dull, chest constricting painfully.
"I'm-I'm not my Father's daughter. All my life I've hoped to make him proud…it is for naught. I'm weak for loving humanity."
Jocorop embraces the child tightly, tears drying on sun hot wrinkled skin.
"Don't you ever say that. You are a strong, young Ma'kala. Be proud of who you are. You were chosen by the head seer to be my apprentice. Destroyer blood runs through you but you have the soul of a creator. Have no fear, we'll find a way to stop him."
"…that was the beginning of the end. From then on, our civilization fell to betrayal. The war commenced, eradicating our race to near extinction. We are an empty shell of our former selves."
Walter fails to compute how this relates to the present, questionably looking from one engineer to the next. Oknor senses his confusion, adding to what Mother says.
"Sentinels were enslaved at this time. Destroyers promised them freedom if they aided in the eradication of humans. Then...
He stops right there, trying to abridge the information to the best of his abilities. Gestures vaguely to the sentinel, trailing off.
"…let's just say they turned on their allies. Almost killed us all. History is repeating itself. David hates his creators, correct?"
The artificial man nods slightly, confirming his fears.
"Wants to start a massacre. How poetic."
Snorting humorlessly, Mother Uytqyo's fatigue is evident, deliriously induced. Yawning, she proceeds to head to the exit of Elizabeth's quarters, signaling for them to follow.
"Enough tales for one night. We must sleep, sentinel. Come, I have more questions for you, regarding this Elizabeth, how she found us. Meet me at dawn, I want to converse with you then."
The three proceed to leave, the gold cross left forgotten on the decimated bed. Walter turns back, processors in his head tell him what he is about to commit is irrational, a human fallacy. Her cross goes around his neck, Elizabeth's presence felt. If it weren't for the advancement of science, technology, he wouldn't exist. Despite this, he feels for the first time the need for faith, to believe in a higher power. It settles snuggly against his chest as he follows.
Author's note: Well, there you have it. Some questions are answered, some remain. See you guys next chapter! ;D Thanks again to those of you who have reviewed. :)
Pronunciation of names: Vahla: Vah-la
Tinask:Tin-ahsk
Jocorop: Jo-co-rope
Koywo: Co-e-woah