latelenovela Chapter 387: Zach
Chapter 387: Zach
Chapter 387: Zach
Warning
Zach reflected on how he reached this point. Barely an hour ago, he had passed through the wooden gates that surrounded the small town, that was the new home of the Great House Ishtal. He was being escorted by two of their patrol members that had found him walking at the border of this territory. The initial meeting had been tense. Zach had wondered what wouldve happened if he wasnt as strong as he was. If someone else had stumbled on them. If he was being honest with himself, he didnt need to wonder, not really. He had seen what was in the cave behind the stone, where these peoples scouts had tortured two of Ryuns people. Nothing he saw now made him think that the patrol wouldve acted any way different if they were able.
His strength bought him time, enough to introduce himself. They recognized the name, most people in the world knew it. He was yet to get accustomed to that, but it did have its uses. His name gained him access.
The town was it had clearly started as a camp; the signs were there. And their headquarters was a sturdy and blocky building raised by the power over the Earth and Stone. Inside was sparsely decorated, unlike what he had experienced in the sects. It was clear that other things were on the minds of people living here. They were refugees, trying to survive in the world. He had sympathy for them, which was why he felt so disappointed by what he was hearing.
It hadnt taken them long to take him to their leaders, for them to offer false respect and to question his presence. They knew of him, but they didnt really know him. All that these people knew was that he was part of the team sent to kill Hastur. A team, that in their eyes at least, failed. They had killed Hastur too late to save their way of life. The Empire had lost.
Zach felt sympathetic, he understood. He felt as he always did when he saw people that were struggling. He wanted to help. And yet, there was no way for him to do that, not when the world they lived in had such harsh realities.Folloow current novÊls on nov/3lb((in).(co/m)
And not when they lied to his face.
We assure you, their leader, Lord Farrey of Great House Ishtal, spoke and Zach pulled his wandering mind to reality. Focused his attention on him and the other people in the room staring at him. He did not miss the fact that most of the people in the room were armed, that they watched his every move with attentiveness. They were in equal measure scared and resolute. We had no knowledge of any acts such as you accuse us of. I can give you a promise that we will get to the bottom of it as soon as you return our people to us.
Zach sighed and shook his head. Your people are dead, executed for their crimes.
The Lord of the Great House paused, Zach felt the air change inside the room. You executed my people without allowing us a chance to ascertain their guilt?
Their guilt was not in question, Zach said slowly.
That was not for you to decide, Lord Farrey said.
He was strong, that much Zach could tell, he had a high tier, definitely tier nine Class. The people in the room were too. Even the ones that pretended to be servants. He saw the flaws in the way that the air moved through the room, the gaps where they had carefully concealed killholes, and other traps. They had escorted him beneath the ground, beneath their headquarters. Zach had to wonder what kind of people built something like this when they didnt even have a proper city. Why was such a thing a priority? Perhaps he just wasnt as acquainted with subterfuge as they were.
He felt the Aspect of Space and even some time in the walls, active arrays. He sensed the flaws in the proper harmony of the world, as the vibrations shook the space from the footsteps above.
The sky split open, a round hole appearing above them letting the light shine down on them. Then the clouds started to fall, twisting around in a circle, like a massive tornado. A black shape fell through the center, hitting the ground where the headquarters were just a few moments before the clouds touched the ground and separated the inner part of the town from the rest, obscuring everything from the view.
It was both to keep the guilty in, and to keep the rest of the people out. Most of them were guilty only of following unworthy leaders. Though it had taken a bit for Zach to convince Ryun of that. In his eyes, it was their fault as well, for deciding to follow them.
Zach sighed but didnt turn his gaze away. Naha stepped out of his shadow.
What are you thinking about? She asked.
You know what Im thinking about, Zach answered.
Their failures are not on you, none of this is, Naha said.
Of course, he knew that. Ryun had spent a better part of a month listening in on these people, gathering enough to know if he could pass a sentence. He had decided that they should die after the third day. The rest was Zach trying to convince him to give it more time and allow most of the people to live. They were people put in difficult circumstances, no matter the crimes of their leaders. Even though under some laws many of them wouldve been guilty.
This shouldnt have happened; it is all so pointless.
They dont know any better, Naha said.
Zach nodded. Sadly, he closed his eyes. But they should. Yet they dont even have the opportunity to learn. It seems like every person in this world strives only for power, so much so that they never learn anything else. And I see now how the river has shaped the path through time to arrive here. They never know any real peace, dont they? Even those who are somewhat safe are exposed to the horrors and the constant need to get better. It makes them all like that, he waved his hand at the cyclone of air and clouds.
It is the way of the world, Naha added. There will always be evil in the world.
Zach glanced at his hand, he opened his fist, and looked at his palm. Ive been trying to think of a way to change the world. To help people grow, to keep them safe and give them a chance. But even with my power I cant change the world, not enough for it to matter, not now. So, Ill do it. Ill make a small place, that I know I can keep safe. A place where anyone can come and learn and be confident that nothing and no one is going to threaten them. A place where they will have the time to grow. I cant change the world on my own, but I can shape people, influence enough generations, raise enough exceptional people, and they will shape the world in my stead. And Ill gather those who think as I do, like the Wardens, those who want to act and protect. A group that I can send out to fight that evil while we nurture those that can shape the world. It might take a hundred, or even a thousand years, but the world will change from this eat or be eaten hellscape.
He had been trying to put the pieces together for a long time. Now, it finally felt like he had a true purpose to work towards.
And Ill be there with you, your shadow, as always, Naha said.
The cyclone stilled and the clouds broke and rose, revealing what was behind. The Headquarters and the surrounding buildings were gone, only ruins remained.