When he heard Val had survived the massacre in the mines. Filled by a phantom lead his stomach dropped then readied to vomit. Heart stilled by the memory's of facing her that now could repeat in the future. She can't be alive. Refusing to believe it, Blake furrowed his brows. "How do you know?"

"He came hours after Knoths death to mock us all. Laughing beyond Templegates edge." Marta sneered while repeating Val's words. " "Our God didn't fuck the earth, but your Father fucked you all!"."

Blake considered what to ask after Marta turned angrier around the topic. Choking down his ill stomach for the next question. "Why hasn't she tried to take over?"

"Knoths gone, but I'm still here. He knows not to test me."

"Ah ... Yeah." relieved at hearing Val wouldn't be coming to visit. Yet, how long would that last? Marta kept her back for now, but was it because Val didn't know of her injury yet? "... So, how'd they escape? Broke themselves free?"

"No, someone let them free when the fires broke. I don't know who, but I do know it must be someone around here. I didn't see anyone who wasn't suppose' to be in Temple Gate that night. Only those free after the deed was done and I was too occupied by the fires to hunt them."

"Great." He breathed. So Val might know of Marta's injuries by now. Maybe she's injured too and only biding her time to take a crack at Temple Gate. He looked around at the ramshackle town. Already brought down so low when Knoth was around. Would it stand a chance if Val swarmed over it with a group of heretics? I guess it's not my problem. Tossing the thought aside. If only it didn't return shortly to nag him. Silenced fully when his stomach painfully growled. Remembering what he even came down for. Walking onward toward the great hall he first challenged Knoth at. Hoping that some scrap of food was inside when he arrived. Following behind him was Marta with a group lagging slightly behind to give her space.

Passing by the burnt church along the way. The group stopped to look down at the rotten body of Knoth. Shooting glares while one boldly spat on the corpse before they caught up to Blake. Regretting their choice when faced by Marta's ire. "What ungrateful-"

"Marta!" Blake's voice warned her back. She shot him an agitated look with clenching fists. Untensing on a few bible verses spoken. Others gave her a wide birth the entire time she chained out verses. Blake entered the grand hall through the front doors this time. Tall windows off to the left with an open ceiling showing large rafters. Passing by the long rows of dining tables with the higher stage at the back. A pair of double doors off to the right side grabbed Blake's attention. Walking around a large L shaped bar top he Opened them and found the large community kitchen. Noticing its age based on some appliances he was sure of being from the 70s or 80s. The fridges being more "modern" than the black iron stoves. Made to hold wood for cooking with similar black metal vents going into the ceiling. Whole place having not been used for a while based on the dust over everything. He assumed people didn't eat together, but in the privacy of their homes. Would be weird eating together with people who tried to kill you earlier. Turning back to the people still following. "Stay here. Sit down." Lightly gesturing to the room. He didn't want them all trying to crowd in after him. The kitchen cramped enough with only a small walkway around the place.

He opened a few cabinets that only contained dishes. Moving to others full of various kitchen supplies like dish soap. Checking a small door he found what he was looking for, a pantry filled with canned foods. Grabbing a can of spam he winced a little at its best by date 15 years past. Reading similar expiration dates on every other can in there. Guess I'll be able to tell when I open it? Concerned that it would be rotten and tainted by a metallic flavor. Using a butter knife he popped open the lid. Inspecting the meat that had stayed fresh from what he could see. No strange smell or slime, although the flavor was lost to time. Tasting of nothing as he ate it plainly gripped in hand like a bread loaf. Working his way through the meal he took in the room to pass the time. Locking onto one of Knoths paintings of himself with a golden disk mimicking other holy prophet paintings. Losing his appetite in the room, Blake removed himself to head outside. Not wanting to even be in a building with one of Knoths depictions, he rather stand out by Marta. She stood outside staring off toward the burnt church with growing annoyance. Murmuring more bible verses or strips of Knoths gospel. He looked and saw a group gathered by the building causing his curiosity to grow. Heading over there he finished the bland spam to investigate the commotion.

The freed gathered around Knoths corpse to prod at it. Confirming to themselves personally that Knoth was indeed dead. Blake grimaced at the corpse laying out in the open. Hating to see his face even more now than when he was alive. Couldn't this town be rid of him already? Even In death he still lingers to torment people with his presence. Blake decided to do something about him. Shooing away some to clear the body he took the pick in his hands. Slamming it under the body to lean back in hooking it on. Wincing at the smell releasing from the bloated corpse. Others stepped back with a cover of their noses. A disgusting thick old blood mixed slime stretched from it to the dirt. Leaving a slick trail behind as Blake dragged him away from everything toward a ditch in the distance. Tossing him in finishing the first step he had lined up. Walking back to the grand hall he searched the cabinets for a small box full of matches. With that in hand he grabbed the painting of Knoth. Gathering similar depictions off the hall walls or framed on desks. Gospel papers crumpled in his grip to join the collected kindling. A pile forming over Knoth of all his monuments across Temple Gate. Many joined in, not only slaves, to toss their saved gospels. paintings, photos, personal letters to written down commands. It grew further as everyone hunted down the false idols to add. Marta showed her clear displeasure for what Blake was doing. Her mumbling of verses turned louder toward a normal speaking tone. Words traveling down the halls out the grand buildings doors she had hid inside. Blake, having heard her, followed the trailing verses back to her praying under a large chandelier in the middle of an empty meeting room.

He approached her side with still many items held under an arm. "You okay?" His voice calm when asking.

She stopped her uttering of verses to coldly look down upon him. "You took him from our holy town and now you wish to kill his memory. How much more will you take, Angel? When our faith is dead will you be satisfied? Or when our souls are reaped like his? They know not what they're doing. Betraying our Lord by turning away our prophets teachings. His gospel should be treasured for what it gave us. Are you happy about the ruin you bring us?"

"You're one to talk." He huffed. "How many did Knoth have you kill? You blame me, but I didn't kill Knoth either really. What's going to make you happy? If Knoth returned right now and demanded you to kill, other than me, would you be happy then? Could you look down on those families who just reunited and say they deserve to die?" Marta's piercing stare faltered against his words. "You want to save Knoths teachings so bad? Then take it." Holding out the dreaded pick to her. "Kill for him again."

She flinched away from its form held toward her. Face losing what little color it had. Side eyeing the weapon she once wield as a righteous deliverer of justice. Now treated as a cursed object to be rejected at all cost. Shrinking back under its damning shadow falling over her.

"Knoths last command was to kill me. Will you? He knows you didn't like killing. Why couldn't he have done it himself? Because of his religious restrictions that he forced you to break? For everyone to break all these years. What did his gospel do for you, Marta? … Will you save it?" Arm tiring from the pick he set its end on the ground. Its weighted thud into the floor boards echoed around them. Sounding close to a gavel sending its judgment down on the guilty.

She hesitated to face him and the blade, her breath stolen in the moment. When it was regained she answered a shaken. "No." Stepping back to leave deeper into the darkened half of the building. Acting as if being offered such a chance had directly struck down her soul. Requiring urgent healing care as far as possible from the black picks toxic presence.

He sighed at her retreat into the dark. I'll check on her later. Returning to the ditch now completely filled by all sorts of junk that merely mentioned Knoths name. Tossing in his arm full, he waited for any more stragglers to toss the last. Head facing one side down to the other of those gathered behind him. "Got all that we could?" The crowd agreed along with head nodding. "Alright." Blake spoke with the strike of a match. Urged to say something while scowling down at all the imagery burying the one they depicted. "For what you've done. … An eternity in hell isn't enough."

A burning match tossed down into the papers. It spread a fire from the inside out of the pile. When Blake walked off right after, so did everyone else. No one wanted to mourn that monster burning deep down in a pit. Along the way he saw so many other dead rotting out under the baking sun. Their smell caused Blake's eyes to water after almost gagging on it. "Fuck." Lightly cursing his tugging heart to do something. He thought to burn them, it was the quickest way. Yet he didn't want to get rid of them the same way he did to Knoth. With how many there were, he would need a lot of help. Turning to the people he asked them to. "Fetch some shovels. We're making graves." Thankful that they did what was asked. Many hours later a long mass grave had been made. Far too many body's to space out for proper single graves. Buried and covered by various stones that many scratched names into. Blake placed three of his own. One for Lynn and the other two for Ethan and his daughter. A depressing number of people killed over many years by Knoth now put to rest. Trees free of strung up bodies. Suicide victims taken out of homes. Freed of cages they weren't freed from in life. Untangled from barbed wire stringing them up on poles for scarecrows. The streets were far more empty, now that so much death was cleared.

Blake feared the next, and most deserving, to be put to rest. Entering the building whose floor was made up of burnt children. He quietly apologized to the small room. Knowing he walked across them to reach Lynn. This would require ginger care to move them all. Their body's burned together were carefully separated to be wrapped in white cloth. Bodies of others were already in wooden boxes lined up inside. Ready to be buried, but never were until now. Walked to a grave set under a large lone oak tree in an open field. Placed with them were flowers or toys the townspeople gathered. When it was done and filled in, it too was covered by various rocks with carved names. This funeral lasted longer than the others. Blake stood by respectfully until the last person left at sundown.

Passing by the people in town he saw in their eyes a presence of awe toward him, but also fear. After his interaction with Marta he studied the pick axe in his hands. He wasn't superstitious and was sure it wasn't cursed. He did see however, that it had a burden tied to it. Weighing down on Marta with each new kill under its blade. Its burden now tying itself to him in intimidating those around him. Same as all those gospel papers, he knew, this too had to go. Could he really say anyone was free while they were terrified of being killed? Either by him or if by chance Marta took it back. It would put him at risk to not have a weapon, but then what was the point? He keeps it and people stay obedient because they're scared of him, exactly as Knoth kept things. Sickened by that he almost abandoned it right then and there. Holding off on that, it needed a grander send off then being dropped in the dirt. If it were only so easy for everyone else. Take their burdens and toss it far away to make themselves free. Marinating on the thought he figured out a way they could. Returning to the patio of the grand hall he took a deep breath.

Shouting toward the first stars appearing, hoping all would hear him. "Tomorrow, grab an object. One that has meaning to you, but one you will not miss. Meet me here tomorrow." Stepping inside to pass the few freed without homes.

He was stopped by one. "What if we have nothing?"

"A rock will do." Picking something common that anyone could take. He headed through the back doors dead tired and beyond sore from digging those deep graves. Opening doors one by one to check their insides. Some offices, a cleaning closet then he found a storage space in the middle. Having a line up of basic cots, surrounded by storage shelving, he was thrilled to see the bedding unused by anyone. Judging off them being covered in a thick layer of dust that poofed off in a choking cloud. Before laying in bed he went to the door to lock it shut. Fearful at the thought someone would sneak in to strangle him to death. Soon as he laid down he was out until the following afternoon.

Slow to wake, but knowing he had something important planned he stretched. Popping multiple places along his spine when he hissed after his shoulder locked up. Still feeling that bruise marking his first day here, at least it was lighter than before. Sliding from the bed he looked down at the pick left on the floor. Tired again at the mere thought of picking it up again. I'll be glad when I'm rid of you. Hoisting it up into his hands. Unlocking the door he passed down the hall steps echoing along the whole way. Worrying that nobody heard him last night. That he'd need to go awkwardly knock on doors. Hope Templegates full of morning people. I don't want to get a knife to the head. But when he passed through the end door a smile twitched onto his face. The huge room full of people sitting at the tables talking to one another. Quieting down soon as they saw him enter. Blake stepped over to the small podium set at mid stage.

"Thank you for coming." Gazing across the crowd of faces he saw one in particular was absent. "Stay here, I'll be right back. When I do, we'll head out." He left the podium to search around the grand hall first. Unable to find her he went around the empty town. How do I lose someone who's seven fucking feet tall? Running into a few stragglers along the way. "Have you seen Marta?"

"In her chapel?" They pointed off toward a certain direction.

"Thank you." Rushing off toward the tall building he was certain was the one. Arriving he came to a stop at the large front door. Knocking on it to announce his presence he received no answer. Opening the door it creaked loudly to announce his presence all the more. Right away he saw the tall woman sitting in a chair. The sunlight pooling in from behind him providing the only bit of light inside. She was sitting completely in the dark, slumped forward, exhausted, wearing a long face after crying not too long ago. "Marta?" He spoke softly. "I need you to come to the lake. Just for a little while, please."

She glanced over to him, wincing at the sight of the pick in his hands. "I can't let the sun touch me. The Lord would not like it to shine on me."

His head tilted down, knowing he wasn't always the best at cheering others. "I think he would." giving it a try at least. "Especially today, it's very important you're there. I can help clear you of your sins." He stood between the doorway, waiting. Unable to do this without her he'd stand there all day if he had to. Maybe the ceremony will happen at night then. Joking, but hoping that wouldn't be the case.

"Can you do that?"

"If I'm an angel, I can." doing his best to give a reassuring smile. Judging from Marta's poker face he wasn't sure if it worked at first. Until, without a word, she stood to do what he asked of her. He saw the pain inside written all over her face and in how she acted. Keeping away from the object in his hands if it was motioned toward her. Lagging behind as he led the way back to the hall. Gathering the others onward to the lake in a large assembly.

"Gather along." Gesturing down along the rocky shore. Questioning himself on if this was the best place or maybe a cliff. Least a cliff wouldn't smell like rotten fish, but too late now. Patiently he waited for the others to shuffle into place. Many fidgeted with small objects in their hands. Most appearing out of the chosen objects he saw were crosses. Golden sun beamed down on them from the clear blue sky. Lake looking far nicer than it was the last time he saw it. Not a dead fish in sight despite the lingering smell of them. Birds tweeting from far off tree lines on the other shore.
"Marta." He called forward from the crowd. Tapping a spot in front of him for her to stand. She didn't have an object, but she also didn't need one since Blake brought one for her. He stretched out the weapon in front of him, laid across his opened palms. "Take it." Set out in offering it to Marta, who again flinched away from it. By the looks on peoples faces he could tell his request scared the crowd. Speaking softly to break their moment of nerves he repeated. "Take it. When you do, toss it as far as you can into the lake. When you toss it, it will take all your sins with it."

Marta looked between him and the pick. Nervous about bringing her hands under it she twitched away at first like tapping hot iron. As he lowered it fully into her grasp she wasn't prepared for its weight, shifting herself to keep it hoisted up. He smiled at her then stood back to give her room. She looked down sorrowfully at it, then closed her eyes for a deep breath. Opening them again she leaned the offending weapon back till it tapped the shore to launch it swirling over the water. Appearance like a black disk before it slammed into the surface creating a huge splash. Sinking deeply into the lake's darkness never to be found again.

"Nice throw." Complimenting her with a wave of the next person to come forward. Repeating the line he said before to them. "Throw it and let your sins go with it." A line of people forming to toss all their selected items. People weighed down by their guilt uplifted when they committed their toss. Smiling between one another on the enlarging side throughout the ceremony. Watching the event go on, Blake dipped back into his thoughts. What will you do now? Nagging him that he had to keep this whole thing rolling. Everything's clean. People are happy for the most part. Stomach growling to nag him next about neglecting to eat since yesterday morning. Open another spam when I get back. Mm, can't live on that forever around here. First the spam then the rest will go. Does this place have any farms? There were corn fields, but I don't remember much on them. The livestock rotting won't be any good by now. Fuck, what do we have to work with? Maybe farming shouldn't be first. Turning his head toward the forest surrounding them. Some deer have to be out there or berry bushes. Make some traps for rabbits. Could we fish? Scanning the water. No chance. I don't know what happened to the water before with all the dead fish. Metal poisoning or a toxic algae bloom could be happening. Thinking back on the time him and Lynn reported a case of that on an ocean coast line. Warning people not to eat anything they caught for the next few weeks. Dead things from birds to big seals were washing up dead. He didn't know if it'd wash away in a lake like it would in open ocean. If I start to see fish that would be the first sign it's getting better at least. Still I wont take a sip until it's tested for metal. … Were people drinking from this? Were they using the water for farms? Crap, didn't think about that. Cant farm without a major water source for it all. Okay, let's keep all this simple. Hunting and gathering. Figure out the rest later. … Wait, does this make me the mayor now? Can I run a town? Can I run this town? Thoughts running off on their own throughout the ceremony.

Sun lowering from its tall noon stature by the time the ceremony was complete. People smiling while they talked to one another. Marta kept a blank face while she leaned against a leafless tree under the sun. Her changes a lot more subtle than everyone else's. Breathing easier under the sun she hid from earlier. Blake didn't want to interrupt the truly happy moment these people had, but he needed to find out more. Specifically if there were any farmers left to work.

Approaching the group he cleared his throat to catch their attention. "Any of you farmers?" The townspeople looked between all of them. Shaking their heads when he looked to a few. His heart sank the longer there was no positive answer. Giving up he turned to teaching how to farm himself as the go to. Saved from that when one older man stepped forward through the parting crowd.

"I am." He was mid 60s, partly balding with darker hair. A big scar crossed diagonally over his face to split a part of his lip and one eyebrow. "Most of us who worked the fields ain't around no more. It's just me now."

"Can you teach others how?"

"Sure."

"Good, what's your name?"

"James, sir."

"Do you know the fields around here?"

"Yeah, but ain't much. About all our fields are dirt. Knoth told us not to bother replanting since … Well." shifting his shoulders. "Only corn stalks that have been picked clean by now. The bad ones were left behind."

"Can you start planting again?"

"Naw, not a speck of seeds or grain in our barn. I can grab what's left of those inedible cobs for corn seeds. But that next harvest can't be planted 'till April at the soonest."

Damn, that's months away. Octobers only halfway now. "Okay, start collecting as much as you can along with whatever else you can find. Take as many people as you need to help you out." Worried about the water supply he added. "Don't plant anything yet though." Sending the farmer off who took along five people with him. Blake faced back to the crowd. "Any of you hunters?" Happy to get a faster response.

A slightly younger man around 40s with dark hair. Face covered in many small scars that parted what short dark stubble was on his face. "My names John, sir. I used to go out on regular hunting trips."

"Perfect. I think we're going to need you a lot right now. Any more work with you? Can you train others?"

"A few of us. My son and a couple men. I can train more starting on basic traps."

"Great, know how to forage too?"

"Yes sir, now's the best time for berry's before they go away."

"Okay, same as I told James. Collect as much as you can and take as many people as you need. I want to save canned food as much as possible. Come back with what you've gotten at the end of the day." Announcing to the crowd. "Only eat canned if there's not enough fresh food to go around."

"Umm." John nervously said before quieting.

"Yes?" He asked carefully to not scare John quiet. Knoth I'm guessing didn't like to hear any "but's." Have to make sure nothing slips by because of that.

"I don't have any equipment to hunt bigger things. I can set traps for rabbits and forage, but that's 'bout it."

"That's fine. Catch or gather whatever you can. We're all starting from the bottom."

"Yes sir." John dipped his head before heading off collecting his mentioned three and twelve others.

Blake took in a deep breath of air. Foods being worked on. Time to start rebuilding.