No True Hero: Chapter 3 – Unification of Brothers

“Though there is one God mankind can ascend to godhood as was intended through the Holy Fruit, the artifact that gives a person a single god-like ability. Many can bite of this fruit, however, the number of gods is regulated by Lucian and his entrusted allies to ensure that the person who obtains godhood is of good moral character and trustworthy enough to use the power they are given. Those who betray the pantheon typically receive a death sentence or harsh exile if they repent.”

-          According to the New Testament of the god-saints

Chapter 3 – Unification of Brothers

Since no one suspects Valerius of wrongdoing, no one stops him as he goes through the Crown in search of his uncle though some call out to him to ask for answers and protection. He goes to the first place that he can think to find him and is right in his guess that he assumes was given to him by God. Valerius finds his uncle ordering guards around to calm the public who has yet to rest from yesterday’s events.

“Uncle,” Valerius says as he approaches him.

“Valerius. I’m glad to see you safe after what happened. Did you find the origin of the fruit?” his uncle asks.

“How did you know that I was searching for that?”

“You should know by now that I hear everything that should concern me.”

“Yes, I found it and you wouldn’t believe what I have to tell you.”

“The entire Crown was destroyed then put back together in a matter of minutes. There isn’t anything that I won’t believe now especially since it’s coming from you. Why wouldn’t I believe you?”

This is the moment Valerius feared as he has no idea what to say to his uncle, so he does what God said and puts his trust in Him to inspire him to say the right words.

“Everything here is a lie and the men and women who become gods have a power they were never meant to have. The one true God has sent me to get you and my father so we can fight against them.”

Valerius is surprised at what he says as he didn’t expect himself to say any of it. His uncle looks at him strangely before smiling.

“Ha, I knew all along that we were serving false idols. You were truly sent by God then though I don’t know why you want to get your father either than the fact that he knows the truth and the only reason why he isn’t arrested is because of his ties to us and for us to appear open minded to other ideologies. He has his own little cabal of followers, but nothing too substantial.”

“Maybe it’s because of his faithfulness and the gods will use him to get to me.”

“There is that because he doesn’t matter to me.”

“But he should. He’s your brother.”

“He’s a coward.”

“That doesn’t change anything.”

“It must be true that God inspired you because you’ve never talked to me like this before about your father or anything.”

“I mean no disrespect, uncle.”

“I know you don’t. Let me gather my guards, and then we’ll get your father, my brother.”

“Will they so easily turn on the pantheon and their gods?”

“They think in the same way I do otherwise they wouldn’t be under my command. Of course, they will.” Valerius’ uncle goes to his guards and tells them a secret code that gets them to go out and gather the other guards back to the headquarters. His uncle then says, “My men are at your disposal. Let’s bring an end to this farce.”

“Wait, we can’t do that yet.”

“Oh, yes. Your father…”

“Your brother.”

“Right…”

The two along with their legion of guards marches to the small Church of the One God where Valerius’ father is and interrupt him while he is giving a speech and is speechless to see Valerius, Valerius’ uncle, and all the guards of the Crown behind them.

“Valerius!” he says as he steps down from the pedestal, “…Gregory.”

“Basil,” Valerius’ uncle responds.

“What are you two doing here with all these guards? Have the so-called gods finally had enough of me preaching the truth?”

Valerius is about to respond but is stopped by Gregory.

“It wouldn’t fit your cowardly character, Basil.”

“How can I be a coward when so many people who follow me mysteriously disappear and the gods plot against me?”

“Because you always do things that take no risks. It’s why you were always our parent’s favorite. You did things always with safety in mind.”

“It’s better than being blind to danger.”

“Danger is the price to pay for walking the righteous path. Do you think that I’m so blind to the consequences of going against those gods that I didn’t prepare for it?”

“I don’t think you know the consequences of your own ideology.”

“Give me an example of my ignorance then.”

“Your wife and children would still be alive if you didn’t fill their minds with your radical ideology.”

“Don’t you dare bring them up! They did the right thing when stood up for the truth and died the deaths of holy martyrs. It’s better to die on your feet than your knees. Your wife knows the consequences of your cowardice since she didn’t defend herself even to save her son’s life!”

“There you go crossing the line again!”

“Stop it! Both of you! Put your differences aside for now and submit your wills to God who is calling us all for the same goal.”

The brothers are silenced without a word to say against Valerius.

“He’s right, Gregory.”

“Your son is typically right. The middle ground of both extremes is typically the right answer. Now, let us move against the gods.”

“No, uncle. We are not going to face them in the way that either of them you do. We are neither going to use force and espionage or preaching and prayers but asking and waiting. They have already seen the very ground they stand on disappear and take thousands of souls with it. Now, they need to be told of their one last chance to repent. What do you think?”

“I think that sounds fair enough. Gregory?”

“It sounds more than fair.”

With the brothers in agreement, Valerius leads them and their followers to the castle where the pantheon of gods resides, and since this sight is causing a disturbance among the people of the Crown, the gods gather at a balcony to see what is going on.

Before they can say anything, Valerius speaks in a boisterous voice, “Listen to my warning and take it seriously you men and women who call yourselves gods and god-saints. There is no one righteous or divine on this earth except for those in Heaven. Repent now to the one true God and leave your godhood aside or face His wrath as you have yesterday!”

Valerius then turns and hand waves the people following him to follow him. Everyone in the Crown heard Valerius’ speech and a few of them follow behind them. The gods themselves are unable to speak or do anything other than watch the small army leave the city as if a supernatural presence is preventing them.

When they are able to speak, Vere says, “You are going to take responsibility for this, Lucian, and you won’t be doing this alone. Take your gods and slaughter his followers with him.”

“You don’t think I shouldn’t try to convert them? It could make for a grand story to tell-”

“No, I don’t.”

“What do the rest of you think?”

“They’re in agreement. We’ve been waiting for the opportunity to do this since this proves your intentions that don’t line up with the will of the pantheon.”

“What are you talking about? I built this entire pantheon so why wouldn’t I have the best intentions for the pantheon?”

“I’m not saying that you don’t have the best intentions for the pantheon. I’m saying that you have different ones. You have your own pantheon of gods that does work separate from our servants. Also, do you expect me to believe that your most trusted friend would just turn on you after he went to go after the origin of the fruit? How do we know that his army is another army of your gods or if he’s serving a new god? Go out and take care of him or else.”

“Or else what? I gave you all a way to become gods and this is how you treat-”

Vere stabs Lucian in the head with a dagger, but Lucian doesn’t die though he still feels the intense pain of the stab and almost falls off the balcony.

“You have your secrets and we have ours. One of us has the ability over life and death, but I’m not going to tell you which. Since we can control whether you die or not, we can cause you as much pain as we want with no end to it. Do as we say or else.”

“…I will.”

Lucian gathers his pantheon of gods and enacts his secret plan as he takes the artifact that makes men into gods without anyone knowing and goes after Valerius. Meanwhile, Valerius goes to where God instructs him to go and sets up camp.

“What is this place?” Basil asks him.

“It’s a place that I heard was part of the old city of light. From what God told me, He wants men set up in the buildings and the shadows to ambush the enemy when they come for us.”

“Oh, so they won’t repent! That’s fine with me,” Gregory says.

“But we’re up against gods with abilities that no mere human can match.”

“But we have the true God supporting us. What else do we need?”

“A rousing speech to bring the spirits up of our troops. You made the gods speechless so do the same for those sacrificing themselves for real truth and righteousness,” Gregory says.

Valerius looks at Basil and he nods his head. Valerius then goes to the top of a building and begins his speech. Everyone looks at him like children wanting encouragement and guidance.

“The men and women who have made themselves gods have no power over us. They have no power that we do not have in spades because the one true God will be the one who will obtain victory for us, so lift your spirits up to Him and give yourself over as I have and let Him guide your swords. Be the weapons of His divine wrath and His saving judgment because no one will be saving them.”

His supporters clap and cheer as they become invigorated by Valerius’ spirit that is the conduit by which God is pouring out His graces and strength through.

Gregory, his uncle, goes to him and says, “I never really understood why you have that crow mask.”

“It’s because crows are typically associated with death.”

“Is it really befitting of you to wear it now?”

“It is. The crow is one of God’s magnificent creations and He can bring life through death. Hopefully, through their deaths, those gods will repent.”

“Then how about we get more people outfitted with it? Your father is already making people make them from the trees around this decrepit town.”

Gregory takes out his crow mask and wears it. This brings a smile to Valerius as he sees more people wear the mask he does and is especially happy to see his father and uncle side by side.

He then says, “Ready yourselves and let every action be a prayer that will not only save your souls but the souls of our enemies. Bring glory to God with every breath and with every swing of your weapon. Today, we bring salvation through death!”

“Amen!” the crowd says.