The Mercy in Punishment: Chapter 3 – Desperation Taken Advantage Of

Chapter 3 – Desperation Taken Advantage Of

Back at the Dominion office, I take off my damaged armor and wear my casual officer uniform. After taking a moment to collect my thoughts, I enter the questioning room with Raziel to ask Zahara more questions. The room is casual with no divider and looks no different than a typical break room with a couch, chairs, a table, and carpet floors, but it does have guards outside the room.

“Where’s everyone else you converted?” Zahara asks as she takes a seat.

Taking a seat, I say, “In a waiting room of their own, where they aren’t restrained and being talked to, one by one, to see if they’re true to their repentance, before they’ll be interviewed for a possible job here or simply given what they were owed. I’m sure you understand that we can’t just slap people on the wrist who tried to kill us.”

“I get it. I’m just glad we weren’t brought here in cuffs and put in cold and dirty cells.”

“We wouldn’t want to do that for the people already kicked on the ground. Instead, that treatment was given to those who resisted. They won’t get a second chance and will be put in a jail cell for however long the courts decide. Anyway, the woman who contacted you. Can you tell us more about her?”

“As I said, the woman who suggested that I act on my thoughts was hiding her appearance. She was hiding under a hoodie because I thought she was hiding the blemishes that I saw peaking out from her skin and whatever was jutting out from her body, limbs, and head.”

“How did she convince you to act? Did she have a similar impact on your mind in the same way that Polina did with her powers?” Raziel asks.

“Yeah, she did, now that I think back on it.”

“It looks like we might be dealing with an ex-member of the sixth family,” Raziel says to me.

“Sixth family?”

“The sixth family is one of the unknown founding families of Meridian,” I explain. “They influenced the people of the city through their demonic rituals and powers in the undercity, where past structures of the city exist. Its members are being rehabilitated by the Dominion and Coronamento Corporation. What makes you think it’s one of them, Raziel?”

“What kind of person would otherwise be capable of this with objects jutting out of almost every part of their deformed body?”

“Hmm. You’re right. It would also make sense since some of the people helped by us are turning on us, and members of the sixth family would have the most trouble turning from their past lives. What else did the woman talk to you about?”

“Roping in others that I knew who needed help so we could be bolder in our planning and help even more people in the process. With her simple suggestion, I thought that we could be inspirational through force so that the debts to the poor and needy could be paid in full with interest.”

“Was there anyone else who is leading the Neglected, or is it just the one woman?” Raziel asks.

“There was one with a swirling spiral for a left eye and a purple left eye, who the woman who influenced me also gave marching orders to, but since I was so preoccupied with my own planning, I don’t know much about her other than her name being Penelope and general appearance, such as her light blonde hair, spiral on her right hand, and love of purple dresses. She looks like someone from the suburban and rural areas of Meridian.”

“We’ll look her up and bring her in as well.”

“I think we learned everything we need to know,” I say.

“Really?” Zahara says.

“I don’t have anything else I need to ask. Raziel?”

“Nope.”

As we walk out, Zahara gets up and asks, “Is that really it? What’s the catch?”

“There is no catch,” I say. “I’m going to find Penelope, and hopefully she’ll be the last person I need to bring in to take down the mastermind behind this whole mess. As for you, some people will come in and have you sign for a prosthetic replacement for the arm I cut off, give you what’s owed to you, and offer a job here at the Dominion, if you want it, and if you don’t, you can walk away, and put this all behind you.”

“Are you serious? It’s just as simple as that?”

“It is.”

Zahara looks at me as if she’s waiting for me to say that I was joking or lying, but when no punchline comes, she seems relieved and surprised, and starts thinking. Raziel and I walk out of the room and search the database for Penelope. Her name and the details about her make it easy for her to find, and what we do find lines up with the stories of the rest of the Neglected, giving an interesting story.

Reading aloud the file on her, I summarize, “Penelope is a simple farmer and artist who lives in the rural area of Meridian. Since that part of Meridian isn’t given as much attention as the city and the wealthy suburbs, the people out there struggle to get by, so she took a job as a superhuman for the government. The Coronamento Corporation experimented on her to give her the psychological powers she would use to interrogate people the government considered enemies, both outside and inside the country.

“She could’ve been who you were hearing at the festival, instead of our primary target from the sixth family,” Raziel points out.

“It would make sense that she was. Given the planning for this all, I doubt the mastermind would put themselves anywhere near the danger of being discovered, especially since she used so many others in her plan.”

Not seeing anything else worth noting on the record on her, Raziel and I drive down to Penelope’s address. It takes us a good hour and a half to drive down to the deep rural area of Meridian. The farms and houses are far from the shops and odd restaurants, dinners, and gas stations, making this place feel very isolated and different from the city, which is claustrophobic in comparison. When we arrive at Penelope’s farm, I see a series of buildings around the area with dozens of cars parked around them, but not a single soul in sight. Expecting trouble, Raziel and I draw our weapons.

“Already resorting to violence, are you?” I hear a familiar feminine voice say. “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised after what happened with Zahara.”

Time seemingly slows, and everything gets muted, just like at the festival. It seems to only affect me as Raziel looks at me, concerned, and I try to talk about what’s happening to me, but can’t. Catching on anyway, Raziel nods and runs ahead into the series of buildings.

“Penelope? Is that you?” I ask.

“I’m surprised you know my name, Polina.”

“Zahara told us.”

“I’m even more surprised about that. We didn’t really talk to one another.”

“You both had roles to play in another woman’s plan. If you tell us what you know, we won’t bother you here or prosecute you for your crimes. We’ll also right any wrongs done to you, like we did with Zahara and the others who surrendered and helped us.”

“Do you think I would believe someone like you who uses violence to get her way, not to mention Raziel, who burned the city with his fire?”

“That was supernatural fire that did no real damage to anyone who didn’t deserve it.”

“So says you. On the other hand, I’ve done nothing but build up this retreat from the world for the poor, my neighbors, and the sick. Did you pay attention to the houses and businesses you passed by? Many of them are rebuilt because the people here lost them due to the lack of being able to make it out of here. I used all the money I made being a torturer for the government to help others first.”

“That’s why it was surprising to me that you’d help people who killed and endangered the lives of so many innocent and good people.”

“No one was innocent over there. Not the people who ran the charities or those who supported them.”

“How can you say that?”

“Because if there’s one thing I can thank the government for, it’s showing me that no one is innocent through my powers and what they had me do to people. Even you aren’t innocent and must be dealt with.” People start coming out of the building, and out of nowhere, from a distance, with guns in their hands. “Unlike you, I can take control of others with my powers and use them as go-betweens to influence the minds of others. You’re not going to get a read on me, and your friend won’t find me in the maze below you.”

I feel exhausted from making simple movements with my body. Even lifting my pistol and sword feels like lifting a car. Thinking on my feet, I try to read the minds of the people coming after me.

“I might not be able to read your mind through these people, but I can see that they all have their doubts about helping you, some of whom don’t want to help you at all.”

“Please, I know them better than you. There’s nothing you can see with your powers that I don’t.”

“You’re willfully blind. They know what you’ve done for them and are trying to accomplish, and are disgusted.”

“They understand that I have no choice! To get by, I had to torture and kill people. If I didn’t, we’d lose everything we hold dear.”

“There’s more to life than getting by, and the ends never justify the means. Your loved ones know it, and you know it.”

“Shut up!”

The people around me slowly raise their guns and look like they’re about to fire at me, until I notice flames rising from newly formed cracks in the ground. Looking back up, I see that the people’s hands are shaking, and some are struggling to speak. Eventually, an explosion of flame rises from the ground, the people fall to the ground, and I see Raziel flying up from the explosion with Penelope in his hands.

Raziel flies to me with Penelope, explaining that, “I found her because friends and my angel. Hold her here while I get everyone else out of the tunnels.”

I cuff Penelope and use my psychological powers to suppress hers. The people around here gather around us as they see that the flames aren’t harming them, even as they burn down all the buildings, from the playgrounds to the many statues, gardens, and walls.

“No! You’re destroying everything! How could you do this?!” Penelope says as she begins to cry and flails her legs and cuffed arms at me.

“Penelope,” one of her loved ones says, “It’s okay. It was all built on dirty, blood money anyway. We’ve rebuilt our lives before. We can do it again, as long as we’re with one another.”

These simple words make Penelope stop and drop the act of pretending to be righteous despite her deeds. She profusely apologizes to them as they all embrace her, and they tell her it’s okay and they still love her. Once Raziel gets everyone out, the ground starts to crack more, so we get everyone out before it all collapses in on itself. We call people from the Dominion to help get Penelope’s people to a temporary home, and after they come, Raziel and I personally bring Penelope back to the Dominion’s office. Along the way, we see that the many buildings out here are also burning to the ground or have already turned to ash.

“I’m sorry this had to happen, Penelope,” Raziel says.

“It’s…okay,” she forces herself to say. “As they said, it was all built on blood money, and we can rebuild if we have each other. If anything, in a strange way, I have to thank you…so thank you for bringing me to my senses.”

“We’ll help your friends and family rebuild their homes and businesses, Penelope. It’ll be free of charge.”

“Hmm. The woman who talked to me was wrong about you. I’m sure you want to know more about her. I talked to her more than Zahara did.”

“We’ll talk about more when we get back to our office. Afterward, we’ll let you go.”

“Just like that? No strings attached?”

“None at all.”

“Huh. That woman was really wrong about you then if you’re going to do that.”

“We will, since you’re cooperating with us. There’s no reason to kick you while you’re down, despite what you’ve done.”

“…thank you.”

The Mercy in Punishment: Chapter 2 – Fighting Against the Downtrodden

Chapter 2 – Fighting Against the Downtrodden

I get all of the Dominion and police I know to look into the attackers and get to work myself when I enter the Dominion’s office with Raziel, aiding me in my research. Hours and hours of research tell me a lot of what I know. The members of the Neglected are all people who are noted as being poor, handicapped in some way, and received help from charities, rehabilitation centers, and welfare. They all had jobs serving others in health, charities, law enforcement, military, hero associations, and some were ex-criminals and villains who turned a new leaf, only to be seemingly let down. I can’t help but feel guilty for what happened to them since the Dominion tries to help all these kinds of people, and we’ve clearly not done as good a job as we like to advertise.

Keeping my mind on the task at hand, I scour the records for a sniper and someone who uses psychological powers. In my search, the most likely suspect for a sniper I have is who’s associated with the Neglected is a woman named Zahara. She’s an ex-cop, ex-military, who gave life and literal limbs in service for the country she protected, but when she got tired of the life and tried to get back to normality, she was found wanting for service for veterans, and the bills maintaining her new body were too much to handle. Looking at the time, I see that it’s late afternoon and the sun is starting to set in the sky. There’s no time to rest, so I’m about to get up to tell Raziel who we’re going after, but he comes to me first and brings my attention to the news.

I turn to it on my computer and watch the local media outlets talk positively about the Neglected. That they’re just suffering souls lashing out against a system that kicked them while they were down. I also see that they’ve taken over an area of the city, known for its poor residents, and declared it independent from the rest of the country, which they say failed it.

Zahara is then featured, says the same as the others have, and then says, “We take what is ours and what we built up. What we fought and worked for day and night to maintain and protect. Do we not have the right to it? If you disagree with us, such as the members of the Dominion, then you can come and try to rob us again.”

Turning off the video, I get up and say to Raziel, “If she wants us to be the villains, then let’s do it.”

“Agreed,” Raziel says as he follows me out of the building.

We drive a Dominion-affiliated police car down to the area Zahara and the Neglected have taken over and get ready for a fight by putting on our helmets and unsheathing our weapons. The area around the neighborhood is surrounded by police, a crowd of people with picket signs calling for the Neglected to get what they want, picket signs for those opposing them, and media personalities of all kinds covering the situation. Raziel and I push our way through all the groups and approach the Neglected, who are holding guns and wielding their powers like a threat towards us.

“You two are the only ones who are going to take us on? Do you have a death wish?” one of the Neglected asks.

“We could say the same thing about you,” Raziel shoots back. “Where are your borders?”

“Huh?”

“An independent neighborhood needs borders. Here, let me make them for you.”

Raziel uses his flames to create a barrier of fire that surrounds the Neglected’s territory, starting the fight. Using my psychological powers, I question each person’s motives and use the last vestiges of their God given conscience against them.

“I know you’re all hurting and sacrificed so much for the sake of others, but getting little to nothing in return,” I say in their minds. “If you give yourselves up and turn on those who are manipulating you, I promise that you’ll get your due reward with no punishment at all.”

Some listen to me, remembering their families and friends, their religion, and that they’re simply acting on emotion. Then some are selfish and choose to want more than what they are due, and those who are desperate, who think they are too far gone and have to go through with their plan, or else suffer death or a worse fate in prison. I continue to use my power on them to convince them to change their minds, all the while knocking out some and killing others. At the same time, Raziel is using his hand scythe to cut off cybernetic and prosthetic limbs to pacify our attackers. The supernatural flames surrounding the neighborhood begin to rain down on people, burning some to ash and somehow leaving others alive and unconscious.

“Come out, Zahara! You wanted this fight, and you got it!” I yell out.

The converted Neglected on my side throw themselves into the battle in front of me, taking shots meant for me as penance for their actions, and sometimes dying in the process. After this, I’ll have to find a way to memorialize their sacrifice eternally. For now, I focus on the fight in front of me, going where the converted say Zahara should be. With others fighting by my side to even the odds, I concentrate on using my psychological powers to throw off the aim, change the hearts of, or incapacitate the Neglected who are still fighting against us. Eventually, the numbers and the fight swing in my favor, and I now have over twenty converts on my side. This brief respite is taken away as sniper fire begins picking off the converted.

“Cover me! I need to get to Zahara!” I say.

Doing as I say, the converted Neglected shoots back at Zahara, while I go from building to building and car to car with the shields on my arms extended, trying to locate exactly where Zahara is. From what I see, she’s firing from cover, probably knowing that I need to see her so my powers can affect her. Seeing the source of the shots, which are coming from a three-story apartment building, I keep moving forward in a clear direction and rush into the building, with my armor and arm shields taking shot after shot that nearly hit my head and body.

“Come out, Zahara!” I say. “There’s nowhere you can run or hide!”

A shot originating from the upper floors that goes through the floors, hits my helmet, and breaks the part it hits, leaving my face bloodied. I run up the stairs, my arm shields covering my face and body as I take more sniper fire through the walls, until I reach the top floor, bust down the doors, and tackle Zahara through the windows just as my arm shields break, sending us through the window, and plummeting down the street. My armor saves me again as I’m only mildly hurt from the fall, which I shrug off, get back up, and hold my sword and pistol ready to fight. Meanwhile, Zahara’s cybernetics have saved her from suffering any major damage as she quickly rolls away from me and starts firing at me with her pistol and sniper.

With my eyes on her now, I see that she’s a bit different than the picture I saw in her file. She still has a mechanical sniper for a left arm, but her hair is now black and pink, her eyes are pink crosshairs, three pink lines around her eyes, and she’s dressed in a black and pink bodysuit with a utility belt around her waist where she holds her ammo. I fire my pistol back at her while running for cover and not taking my eyes off her as I use my psychological powers on her.

“It’s over, Zahara! Lay down your weapons!” I say.

“It’s not over until I die or get what I deserve!” she responds.

“I know you think what you’re doing is right, but you’re wrong! You’re doing more harm than good.”

“So what? Do you know what I’ve been through? Use those powers of yours to find out.”

I rush Zahara and use my sword to cut off her sniper arm. She tries not to let this stop her as she tries shooting me with her pistol, so I knock it out of her hand and put the blade of my sword to her throat.

“I see what you’ve been through and share in your pain. I see how you threw yourself into danger without a second thought as a cop and soldier for the sake of your country and loved ones, and struggled to pay your bills, but I also see the evil influence that’s forcing you to do what you otherwise wouldn’t. Why would an honorable cop and soldier shoot the mayor of the city she risked her life to protect?”

“You don’t know half of what I feel and have been through!”

“Do I? I’m doing the same thing you otherwise would if you were in your right mind.”

Zahara takes a knife out of her belt and sticks it into my armor. Thankfully, it doesn’t pierce all the way through, allowing me to further take her down and restrain her on the floor without trouble.

“Some cop and hero you are, letting your guard down when your enemy isn’t down for the count,” Zahara says. “It figures that you’d use force against the forgotten who are fighting a system that abandoned us, rather than try to help us. I thought you were supposed to be the merciful, good cop?”

I say, “This is mercy. I’m focusing on changing your heart and getting sloppy because of it. I know that the true you is still within your heart. That the woman who wanted to protect others and step up when no one else would is still in there.”

“This is stepping up! I’m still putting my life on the line for others!”

“You’re doing it for yourself first, and using the excuse of doing for others to justify the tragedy you’ve caused, and you know it! All you care about now is getting even without a care for the people you hurt along the way.”

“Shut up!” Zahara says as she struggles in my grasp. “I lost so much for the sake of others, friends, limbs, and a normal life. All my superiors cared for was that I acted as a weapon for them. They couldn't care less about what happened to me after I did what they wanted.”

“I care about what happens to people like you, Zahara. I’m willing to give you a second chance if you help me.” I release Zahara, put away my sword and pistol, and hold out my hand. “Help me find out who influenced you to do this, and I promise that you will get what you deserve.”

Zahara looks at my hand and then at my eyes.

“What I deserve is to die or be put in prison for what I did.”

“If you help me, I’ll make sure that won’t happen. Your efforts in helping me and what has been done to your neighborhood today will act as payment for your crimes.”

“Even if I can help you, I don’t know much. The woman who convinced me to act on my thoughts hid her appearance, and her voice was…distorted.”

“Anything you can do will help me. So, do we have a deal?”

Zahara looks away for a second at her neighbors, who are sitting in their homes, scared for their lives, and of her, and then shakes my hand.

“Sure, but if you go back on your deal, then I’ll go back to what I was doing. I don’t know what you were doing with your powers, but it looks like they worked.”

“I only used them to bring you to your senses. Afterward, I simply used words and what I knew to convince you.”

“Heh. I guess we’re not so different after all, then.”

“No, we aren’t,” I say with relief and a smile.

The fires surrounding the neighborhood instantly die down. Raziel finds Zahara and me, relieved that I didn’t have to resort to killing or knocking her out to get her to cooperate. Paramedics take away the injured and the dead, police arrest the Neglected who resisted, and the Dominion takes the converted Neglected to our office for questioning and to make arrangements to give them what they deserve, including Zahara. Honestly, I expected things to turn out much worse. Thank God it didn’t.

The Mercy in Punishment: Chapter 1 – Super Charity Worker

Chapter 1 – Super Charity Worker

I put on my mask, a face covering that includes my old mask that’s half white and black with angel wings at the end, make sure my armor is operating correctly again, and take a deep breath as I stand on the edge of a building. Stepping off, I let myself free-fall for a few seconds, then activate my wings and jetpacks. I glide past a cheering crowd, fly up, put on a show by performing tricks in the sky, and then safely land on a stage with Mayor Jeph and Deputy Mayor Tim.

Mayor Jeph on the mic says, “Everyone! Give Polina Yelizaveta a round of applause!”

The crowd cheers, and I humbly bow.

“Would you like to say a few words?”

“No, thank you. I wouldn’t want to keep everyone here from the festivities any longer,” I say.

“Come on. You’re one of our city’s greatest protectors. You deserve some time in the spotlight.”

The crowd cheers, agrees, and chants my name.

With no choice but to take the mic, I simply say, “I’ll only say a few things. I’m not that good of a public speaker. When L’Obscurité and Timeo Severe left Meridian in my hands and allies, I knew I couldn’t be like either of them. So, instead, I chose to be the me that God made me to be, that being a merciful protector, preferring to help the poor and downtrodden, including efforts to reform criminals and villains, many of whom are simply forcing their pain on others. Today, I humbly ask that you help me accomplish this goal of helping everyone by giving generously with time, talent, or donation, and together, we can bring our city to even greater heights. Thank you.”

I bow, and the crowd cheers and claps. Handing the mic back over to Jeph, I step off the staff and head to the private back area, where some of the security is. Looking at my reflection on the back side of my helmet, I make sure my red hair isn’t messed up from the flight, and nothing is on my face. My red eyes stare back at me, and I make sure that I keep a soft and welcoming smile on it, so that no one is afraid of approaching me. Raziel Emundato, my fellow apprentice of Timeo, walks in, taking off his hood and helmet with orange, red, and yellow eyes on it.

“That was some show, Polina,” Raziel says.

With his helmet off, he has a young, kind appearance, despite his orange, yellow, and red eyes. His blonde hair is light, and his orange, yellow, and crimson armor is like that of a modern medieval knight, with an accompanying cape and pauldrons, one that has his cross symbol on it and the other with the inscription, “Ego Te Absolvo”. On his back is his crimson scythe, which can light up with fire at a moment’s notice.

“It was nothing special from the usual that I do every time,” I say. “Why don’t you join in for once?”

“My guardian angel says not to use my power for show, and I’m hardly able to activate them on my own, so I’m not going to attempt it.”

“Right, right. How is it out there?”

“Lively and filled with joy. People are generously giving, and those in need of jobs are given on-the-spot interviews and work.”

“What about the Castigators?”

“You mean mainly Kane, Idelle, and Zandro? They sent their regards to me and said they can’t make it because they’re causing trouble somewhere in the country.”

“Pfft. I believe it. What I can’t believe is that he has multiple groups of Castigators across the country now.”

“God blesses the faithful with abundance.”

“Yeah, but Kane? I’m not trying to say he doesn’t deserve it, but still. What we’re doing here hasn’t given us the right to be a subsidiary of the Dominion like the Castigators, yet.”

“Yet, is the keyword. Even if we don’t grow as big as them, we still do good work here in Meridian. I wouldn’t mind keeping the peace here for the rest of my life, do you?”

“No, I wouldn’t mind it either.”

“Let’s go see the people. The mood out there will get even better with you around.”

I agree and walk around with Raziel, meeting fans, talking to people, and signing autographs. As apprentices of the dark hero, L’Obscurité, or Timeo Severe, as his closest friends and family know him, we have received a lot of attention from the people of Meridian for years of hard work, turning this city from one of the most dangerous in the world to one of the safest. Because of the overwhelming attention we get, we go to different groups along the street to draw their attention to their services, depending on the people I can see. My powers allow me to see why a person deserves mercy, no matter how far gone their soul may be from God. As such, I guide those in need of a specific service to the right provider.

For example, those who need to relax and are pushing themselves to be here are directed to the games, food, and drinks of the festival, and sometimes to the priests or psychiatrists for spiritual or worldly advice. I also bring their attention to the many jobs on offer, specifically bringing their attention to the Dominion of Mercy and Justice, the hero association Raziel and I work for, and our closest ally, the Coronamento Corporation. The line for the on-the-spot interview is so long that the people in the crowd ask if the job is worth it and if they should prefer getting the job that also provides them with powers or the one that doesn’t require them.

The questions are difficult to individually answer, so I instead tell them my story and how I chose my job. “I became a cop because I was inspired by Chief Raymond Ellory and his family’s history of bringing order to this city and taking care of it. Afterward, I was touched by L’Obscurité’s powers while on the job and got the powers I have now unintentionally through him. Because of that, I worked as both a cop and a hero at the same time. My family always said to pray before making any decision, even if that means praying in a split second, so ask God and yourself if you’re supposed to take this job or not. If not, I won’t be offended, but if you feel a call to protect others, then I suggest either joining the Dominion, becoming a cop, or whatever hero association you feel called to.”

Some people take a second to decide before either walking to other places or getting in line for the job at either the Coronamento Corporation or Dominion. Those remaining in the crowd seem to be more interested in talking to us and asking Raziel about his story. He isn’t sure about it, so I have to push him to do it.

“It’ll be fine. I have your back,” I say to him.

Raziel reluctantly accepts and breathes in and out before sharing his story. “I lost my family in a fire. After, I found a new family in a Catholic orphanage, but lost that to a group of criminals. I tried becoming a cop and then a zealous vigilante to get justice for them, but I only ended up hurting others and being touched by L’Obscurité’s dark powers. From there, my guardian angel spoke clearly to me of God’s purpose for me and the flames and scythe I now wield. I have nothing more to add to Polina’s advice, other than what I’ve learned in life: appreciate everything you have and everyone around you. It is all a gift from God that can be taken away at a moment’s notice, and even when that happens, remember that there’s more to this life than the here and now, and that God always loves you.”

The crowd and those who heard Raziel’s story, who stopped to hear it, are silent for a moment. They then clap and disperse.

“See? I’m not that good at telling stories.”

“They clapped for you, and I think you told your story well. I’m hardly much of a storyteller, too, and since I’m usually put on the spot to tell my story, I can sometimes get things mixed up, unintentionally wrong, and forget important details. Speaking of telling stories, the mayor will be hosting a spotlight for the business owners and charities here to tell theirs. Let’s listen to them. Maybe we’ll get some pointers, so we can tell our stories better next time.”

“Sure.”

Raziel and I go back to the stage and stand around it as security. While looking out for trouble, I listen to the stories of the people behind me. I hear stories of people from those who are rich and poor, their inspirations for starting their business, why they continue to help others, and their pitch to ask others to help them. Among the many speakers are ex-criminals and redeemed villains that I, along with others in the Dominion, helped rehabilitate. They speak of our help and how they wish to make amends and be better people, either through the same programs they went through or the businesses and charities that they’ve started.

It's rejuvenating to hear the stories of the redeemed, as it acts as a reminder that I’m helping to make a difference in the world, that no effort has been in vain, and that I’m saving souls from sin and damnation. A gunshot then rings out, ending the fun and festivities in an instant. Mayor Jeph is shot in the head, as well as Deputy Mayor Tim, as he just registers what’s happening. Everything seems muted and in slow motion now. The police and members of the Dominion yell at the panicking crowds and try to find the shooter. I try to help them, but I feel like I’m wading through sand and that my voice can’t escape my throat.

Raziel looks at me, his eyes wide, as if he's saying something in a panic, his words muted by the chaos around us and whatever is affecting me. The only thing I can clearly hear is the sound of more shots hitting people, ranging from the speakers from the charities and businesses to heroes and police, and random civilians. Seeing where the shots are coming from, I point to Raziel the direction, and he sprouts wings of fire and flies off to stop the shooter. It’s then that things go from bad to worse as cybernetic men start appearing from out of the crowd, under the ground, out of the buildings, and the top of rooftops to fight the heroes and police without a care for injuring and killing civilians in the process. Meanwhile, I still feel like I’m moving in slow motion and struggling to say anything as I seemingly lag behind everyone.

“You feeling helpless, don’t you?” I hear a young girl’s voice say in my head.

“Who are you and why are you doing this?” I ask.

“Who I am, you’ll learn soon enough. As for why, I know you can find the answer for yourself. Just look at the people attacking you.”

“I see…I see that they’ve all been wronged by the people who were meant to help them. Many of them are ex-soldiers, cops, heroes, vigilantes, redeemed villains, reformed criminals, and social workers. I’m sorry that they never got paid what they were owed, were taken advantage of, and were forgotten, but that doesn’t excuse their actions.”

“We’re not asking for sympathy. We want justice, not in the same way the Castigators obtain justice, but the way we want it by taking it for ourselves and punishing everyone involved from top to bottom.” I try looking in the crowd for the source of the voice while using my psychological power to calm down our attackers. “I know what you’re thinking. It’s no use looking for me because I’m watching you from afar. We don’t want to kill you. Not yet, at least. This is simply a message, and we want you to hear us. The Neglected will be ignored no longer.”

The flow of time returns to normal, and nothing is muted anymore. Using my psychological power, I ask our attackers if this is really what they want to do—if hurting innocent people and taking justice into their own hands is the right choice. Many struggle against me, others are slowed down, and some are unbothered by my words. Their responses force me to further exert my mental powers to either make the attackers unconscious or cause them to bleed internally, compromise their heart or brain. I also use my sword, which emerges from my armor, and a pistol by my side to injure or kill, depending on who I’m facing.

The chaos ends shortly after, but it feels like it went on for hours because of what happened when time slowed in my mind. Using my earpiece, I call Raziel to see if he’s fine and got the sniper.

He soon flies over to me and says, “The sniper got away. Instead of them, I found dozens of cybernetic people and robots with the pictures of people on them.”

I explain to Raziel what happened to me, and add that, “We’re dealing with people who are jaded and possibly being manipulated by others to do horrible things they wouldn’t otherwise do.”

“We’d best take care of them now so that no one else gets roped into their cause and events like this don’t happen again.”

“You’re right. Let’s get to it.”

Before heading out, Raziel and I go to the bodies of Jeph and Tim, who are both being taken care of by paramedics, say sorry, and offer a short prayer for them and everyone else who was hurt or killed in this tragedy. With our goodbyes said, we nod towards one another and get to work finding out everything we can about the Neglected and everyone associated with them.

The entire story of the Castigators is now collected in one book!

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Kane Mundr and Idelle Elio, anti-heroes known for their ferocity and unapologetic brutality, establish a subsidiary of the Dominion called the Castigators. They later embrace Zandro, a rebel from Nexum, with whom they team up to enforce true justice and challenge it when it is flawed and broken. These anti-heroes cross lines and take any actions they believe necessary to punish evil wherever it exists, from the lowest criminals and villains to traitors within legitimate institutions.
This book collects: Mercy and Justice in Both Hands, A Romance Between Serpents, My Worst Enemy, Myself and I, Keeping the Flock in Line, and Chastisement of the Castigators, with Behind the Story trivia for each story.

My 330th book is done and out today!

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Extremists inspired by the Castigators pop up one after the other to cause chaos and do what they think is right. Following each member of the Castigators, they each have their own thoughts and concerns, but they still work together as one, using the violence that defines them to safeguard the innocent and enact true justice, even if that means going against the law itself.

Chastisement of the Castigators: Chapter 3 – Alone, but Never Truly Alone

Chapter 3 – Alone, but Never Truly Alone

I look at the death around me and the blood on my hands and see myself reflected in my actions.

This is who I am. This is what I enjoy, causing chaos and death for my own purposes and enacting my will on others.

This is a part of myself that still lingers and curses my soul with its sins. Where was I? What was I doing? Oh, I was in a town with Idelle and Kane, because everyone was fighting one another for an unknown reason. I don’t know where either of them is, and all I see around me are corpses, some of which I recognize as being the dead bodies of my pregnant wife and child, and the many others I remember killing. This must be the trick of some superhuman who has psychological or supernatural powers.

I should thank whoever they are. Being with Kane and Idelle suppressed my inner desire and true self. Perhaps I can find them and ally myself with them so I can find Kane and Idelle to kill them.

I need to find Kane and Idelle so they can help me fight against my sinful self. Wading my way through the corpses around me, I try searching the area to see if I can find a way out. As I keep walking, I see the other version of myself, who is clothed in black, rise from the bodies of corpses.

He grabs my neck and says, “You think you’ve killed the self that you created, but I will always be a part of you. You will always want to kill and create chaos, and betray your so-called new family. You don’t deserve them. You don’t deserve anything other than to die in the dirt like the rabid dog you are.”

I transform my arm into a white shield with three inner-connected circles on it and push away the false version of me.

“I die to myself daily and rise again after every sin. The past may haunt me, but it’s not my master. God alone is,” I say.

“You mean the new God that you’ve embraced, the same one who allowed you to fall to such sins and kill your family? Is He the same God who forces you to endure challenges with little to no rest and has put you in the situation you find yourself in now?”

“Your questions are dishonest. I have no room to judge the judge of all when I am a flawed, idiotic, and impulsive man. Begone.”

My right arm turns black with tendrils and sharp fingers reaching out. Using it, I cut through my false version and continue forward. Still, it appears and bothers me with its words.

“It won’t be that easy or simple. God has abandoned you to suffer with me for the rest of your life, and at a moment’s notice, my sin can forever damn me. How is that fair?”

I cut through myself and say, “I will abandon myself to His mercy.”

Again, he appears and says, “You abandoned yourself and get let down anyway. The last time you sinned wasn’t too long ago, and yet, you trust someone who lets you down?”

Cutting through myself, I say, “Yes. I won’t always know the reason behind everything God puts me through, but I pray that I will.”

Appearing again, the false version of myself says, “You’ll never attain perfection in this life. The catechists and your friends said so themselves.”

“I don’t need to be perfect to be loved or receive mercy. In fact, my imperfection is the reason why I receive mercy, and a blessed curse that always reminds me of my need for God.”

After cutting myself again, I find a tear in the fabric of reality. I go through it and see that I’m in a black and white void with floating pieces of cities and towns I’ve been in around the area. At the other end of the voice is a towering, dark figure.

The being’s voice says, “I am the god you’ve abandoned, the god of Nexum. Give yourself to me, and you’ll be free and happy forever.”

Refusing the false god’s offer with my action, I leap from floating structure to structure with my black arm and white shield out. The god sends corpses at me and projectiles of light, which I either block or cut through.

“The world is against you, and so is your new master. You need me,” the god says.

“Like hell I do,” I respond.

I jump from the ruins of Meridian and Solis to those of Poca Bellezza and Nexum.

“You’re nothing but a traitor to all you pledge allegiance to. What makes you think you won’t get over the honeymoon phase you’re in, get bored, and embrace some other god or ideology?”

“I am committed more than ever to the road I’ve chosen, and I know that it’s the only true one.”

Leaping to the next set of floating structures, they move away, and I hardly manage to grab onto the edge.

“No one knows how much you suffer. No one will help you.”

“My struggles internally are mine alone, but I suffer them with the help of others.”

As I’m about to fall, Idelle and Kane grab my hands and pull me up.

“Zandro, you alright, brother? I’m glad to see you alive and right state of mind,” Kane says.

“I told you he would be. He’s our friend, a member of our family,” Idelle adds.

I have no words for the kindness shown to me, so I instead remind them of our objective and the enemy in front of us. “We need to take down that false god. Doing so will free us from this spell,” I say.

“Let’s get it done, Castigators,” Kane says.

Together, Kane, Idelle, and I leap towards the false god, Kane shooting at the thing with his ebony pistols, and Idelle and I blocking the incoming projectiles and helping him through the crumbling structures. When we get closer, Idelle leaps at the false god, taking it down, but it separates in half. Going after the other half, I see my face in it; however, that doesn’t stop me from decapitating it. With his head off, the spell lifts in an instant. Idelle, Kane, and I find ourselves in the middle of the town we were in, and a decapitated woman at our feet, cloaked in black, who is presumably the one who put the spell on us. Around us, we see the townspeople waking up as well and coming to their senses.

Investigating the woman’s identity, we find that she was a big fan of ours and, according to her diary that we find in her apartment, she researched our history before putting the town under her spell, using them to get us to come to her, so we could be under her spell as well and make her change the world in the way she wanted.

“What she failed to learn about us is that we’re a team, not a solo act,” Kane points out while reading the diary. “We rely on each other, rather than ourselves, to get things done, and together, we’ll change the world.”

Idelle and I agree, report to the Dominion that the job is done, and head back to Idelle’s parents' house for dinner. During dinner, Kane receives a call from the Dominion office. He’s told that the people we’ve helped over the past few days want to work under us in the places they’re in, and he accepts.

“Castigators are expanding their ranks,” Kane further says. “If we keep this up, we’ll be more than a subsidiary of the Dominion.”

“We could have Castigator groups across all the places that the Dominion are in, accepting ex-criminals and repentant troublemakers, just like us, and turning their chaos into help,” Idelle says.

“I wouldn’t think that far ahead, but it is an alluring idea,” I say.

“That’s what’ll happen,” Kane decides. “The Castigators will embrace reformed criminals and villains and turn them into heroes for the greater good.”

Idelle and I agree with Idelle’s parents. Together, we toast to a brighter future. Even Idelle and Kane’s son wants to toast with his little bottle and gets loud and excited like his parents are. I didn’t expect to ever have a family again, and part of me still feels like I don’t deserve one, but being here with my friends and their family is nothing more than being with my new family. Who would expect that an extremist like me would find togetherness with people like me, and we would be the ones to convert like-minded people to have an organization for our own? Never did I expect that things would turn out this well.

“Praise be to God forever,” I say out loud, to which my new family around me repeats and toasts again.

 

The End

Chastisement of the Castigators: Chapter 2 – More than a Rebel

Chapter 2 – More than a Rebel

Waking up in the morning and seeing my family around me, I see myself reflected in my son and the self I want to be in my parents, even though they’re not blood-related. Every day, I get up and pray that I can be the person I need to be for them and that I can appreciate every day as much as my younger brother does. I’ve also tried to cook and learn my family’s recipes so I can cook for my family on my own. Of course, it’s still a bit hard for me to let go of Kane in bed, so I can get up early to cook, but I’m getting better at it. Zandro is still getting adjusted to staying here and my family’s hospitality. I guess they don’t have nice people like this in Nexum, where he’s from.

Zandro prays our morning prayers with us, and as we simply be with one another on the house’s porch, talk, and enjoy each other’s company, it feels like my job as a hero could’ve been just a dream. If this is all I did for the rest of my life, I wouldn’t mind it, but reality comes calling. Kane gets a call from one of the newer Dominion offices in Intermediario about new extremists inspired by us that are causing trouble for law enforcement. Because of what we did yesterday, they think we’re the best people to take care of them. My parents understand that we need to get going, and they tell us that they’ll be praying for us, as always. We thank them for their kindness and head out to Intermediario, which is a two-hour trip from Poca Bellezza.

When we reach the part of the city that’s under the control of the extremists, we are immediately met with guns on us and superhumans standing in front of everyone, ready to fight. Since they haven’t started a fight and Kane hasn’t fired a shot or even manifested his guns, I don’t do anything either, despite having the feeling I should. Kane parks his motorcycle on the side of the street and looks at everyone around him as if evaluating each one to see if they’re worth fighting or not. Noticing that Zandro’s hand is shaking, since he must be tempted like I am, I grab his hand.

“Thank you, Idelle,” he says to me.

I let go of Zandro’s hand, and he seems to be under control of his good side.

Going over to Kane, I whisper, “What do you think?”

“Hmm. It’s interesting. I get the same feeling I get from these people as normal civilians, in that I shouldn’t bring any to justice despite what I’m seeing and they’re doing,” Kane whispers back. He then says out loud, “Bring me to your leaders, if you have any. I want to talk to them.”

The superhumans and civilians look at one another and whisper before a few of the superhumans agree to Kane’s request and take us to a city hall where the extremists’ leaders are. Just like the others, the leaders look like normal civilians and superhumans, and they also have cops by their side.

“Castigators, please take a seat,” one of the civilians says.

As we sit down in the conference room, Kane says, “I wonder if I took the wrong turn from where I was told to go to search for the extremists inspired by me. This setup you have here on your side of the city looks legit, and from what I can tell from your soul, you are all legit.”

“We are all legit, as you say, but we’ve acted outside the law. This side of this city has been taken care of by neighboring families for generations, while the other side has been taken care of by its own.”

“I guess that explains why the city is so large, and highways separate the two sides of it, where no one lives underneath.”

“But because the other side is larger and has more people in it, the law favors them, and they get to institute laws and regulations that both sides have to follow. The people on this side have to suffer their heavy taxes that enrich the government, while forcing the common man to pay their tab for little to no benefit, such as taking care of foreigners and tourists who take what they want from the city and leave or send it to their own country or homes.”

“So, a lot of politics is involved in this?”

“If you can call it that. Our side of the city isn’t seen as important as theirs because of all the funding they receive from superhuman fights that happen there, and the population density. Each of us here who has real power tried to influence the decisions being made as we were elected to do, but we failed nearly every time. We let our people down, and although some understand that we couldn’t do much, others have accused us of breaking promises or lying. I can’t blame those quick to judge and refuse to see the messy reality of politics. In fact, I feel like a liar because I can’t keep the promises I make to the people I love.”

“Don’t say that,” I interject. “If you tried your best, you have nothing to be ashamed of. You aren’t a liar or bad person for failing.”

“What have you done that makes you extremists and has made the law get called down on you?” Zandro asks.

“We’ve forcefully declared independence from the other side of the city. After years of trying to separate from it through the law and getting turned down time and time again, we’ve just decided to set our own borders and focus on ourselves.”

“It sounds like a purely Columbian Union thing to do. It’s what the colonies did at their founding, so I don’t see an issue with it,” Kane says.

“The other side of the city and country will. It’s still illegal,” I say.

“Okay. We’ll represent you then and legitimize it. Be back in a second.”

“You’ll have the entire city against you!”

“So what? You do as well, and should already know that doing the right thing matters more than anything. You are inspired by us, right?”

“We are, but we don’t want you putting yourselves in harm's way for us.”

“What inspirations would we be if we didn’t lead by example? Sit tight here and let us handle this.”

Kane, Zandro, and I head to the borders between both sides of the city, and Kane announces that we support the other side of the city’s decision to be independent from the other. This receives pushback from the opposing city’s protectors, who say we should be upholding the law.

Finally, manifesting his guns, he puts them in the face of law enforcement and then says, “We uphold true justice, not man’s flawed laws. The Castigators follow the law where it’s just and break it where it’s flawed, so we can fix it. Give the people behind us the right to define the borders of their home, and we won’t have a problem. Refuse, and I won’t hesitate to use force to get what’s due to them.”

The law enforcers in front of us hardly get a chance to argue as Kane shoots them midway through their talking and tells Zandro and me to fight them and make a way to the city hall on this side of the city. Since Kane hasn’t held back using his ebony pistol to kill, neither Zandro nor I hold back in our fight, killing where necessary, when knocking them out prevents us from fighting properly. I break the bones and snap necks with my snakes and use my superhuman strength and speed to beat down the law enforcers that oppose us. By the time we reach the city hall, we find a group of law enforcers, superhumans, and cops waiting for us. Without a second thought to how outnumbered we are, we head into the fight.

I focus on keeping Kane and Zandro safe, while they do the same to cover my blind spots and prevent me from taking as many attacks as possible. Still, we get shot and hit by the strength and powers of the superhumans. I’m not worried so much about myself or Zandro since we can take the hits without it affecting us that much, but Kane isn’t so blessed. An explosion sends him flying into the side of a building, and he struggles to get on his feet, while continuing to fight off the law enforcers who are focusing on him alone now. Zandro and I cover him, while not caring about the hits we are taking.

“I got this! Don’t worry about me!” Kane says.

“Clearly, you don’t,” Zandro says.

“What kind of wife would I be if I didn’t defend my husband?” I say.

The density of the people we are facing lessens as superhumans, cops, and civilians with guns that we saw on the other side of the city come to help us. Kane jumps up to his feet and immediately joins in on the fight to get the heat of the attack back on him and us, and Zandro and I follow his example, despite the pain we’re in.

“Didn’t I tell you people that we’ll handle this?” Kane says to the city leader we were previously talking to.

“Didn’t I tell you that you inspired us?”

“Heh. I guess we’re a bad influence then.”

“You’re our heroes!” the crowd of our supporters says, almost in unison.

Their words empower me to fight more and make sure that no one on our side is injured or killed. Inside the city hall, we break our way into where the leaders are, and Kane holds them at gunpoint.

“How could you side with these rebels?” one of the opposing city leaders says. “We’re on the same side, aren’t we?!”

“You’re false friends. You talk about loving tradition and religion, but you do so because it’s the fashion of the age, and it gives you riches and power. It’s written all over your rotten soul,” Kane says.

“Give up and let us run our city the way we know is right,” one of our allied city leaders says.

“You wouldn’t know the first thing about it. None of you know how the game of politics and business is played and meant to be used.”

Seeing that as a sign of refusing arrest, Kane shoots the opposing city leaders, and the fighting resumes as superhumans and other law enforcers come in. We’re surrounded, and seeing many of our allies getting hurt and killed sends me into overdrive. I no longer hold back and try to incapacitate anyone. Instead, I let the brutality that I’ve been holding back take control as I leap around the room, smashing heads in, punching through people’s hearts, and having my snakes tear them in two. I even break off a person’s arm and kill them by shoving it through their head.

My eyes dart around the room for my next target to kill until Zandro grabs my hand and says, “Idelle! It’s over here. We have to head outside so we don’t get boxed in!”

Looking at him and Kane, I calm myself down, thank Zandro, and head outside where the fighting continues, until it suddenly stops seconds after. It’s like something in the air changed that everyone can sense, and I don’t know what it is. What changed is made clear when I see everyone turn their attention to my little brother, John Elio, approaching us from a distance. He looks almost exactly as he always does, with bright blonde hair, light blue eyes, fair skin, and wearing his red deacon shirt, golden cape, blue jeans, and brown farmer boots. The one crucial difference is that his usual soft expression that fills people with hope and comfort is replaced by one that could kill by how terrifying he looks. He’s mad, and I’m not sure where his anger will be directed.

At first, one of the chief law enforcers tells him about what is happening. That the Castigators have turned on the law and are helping extremists, and that he should help them bring us into custody or be killed for the violence and death we’ve been causing. John looks at me, my allies, and the chief law enforcers.

He then punches the chief’s head off and says, “Do you think I’m such an idiot to fall for your deception?! That I would trust you, corrupt and hypocritical protectors of the law, over my own sister?! Your sin is obvious for all to see. I should kill you all where you stand!”

The force and terror behind John’s voice sends our opposition running and begging for their lives. Seeing that the situation is dealt with, John runs over to me and gives me one of his big hugs.

“Are you alright? I’m sorry I couldn’t get here sooner. I ran from the other side of the country to get here as soon as I heard what was happening,” John says.

“I’m fine, and it’s okay. We’re fine, at least, most of us are,” Idelle says.

Kane walks over and says, “Thanks for the assist, John. This would’ve been disastrous if you hadn’t-”

John brings Kane into our group hug, asking him the same questions and apologizing to him.

“John, you’re hurting him,” I say.

“I’m sorry!” John says.

Kane coughs and says, “I’m fine. Might need some minor medical treatment, though, for the beating I took today. How did you know we didn’t go rogue?”

“I just knew it, I trust in you all to make the right decision, and my gut feeling was confirmed when I saw the souls of the people you were fighting against, and seeing you all throw yourselves into danger to protect the people you were fighting for. No one who is sinful will throw themselves into life-threatening danger to save another person,” John explains.

“Thank you, John,” I say as I hug him.

“Thank you for always being the big sister that I look up to.”

With that settled, John helps us give our allies control over their own city and arranges for the remaining corrupt city leaders and law enforcement to face justice. Afterwards, we clean up at a hospital and head back home, where my parents are excited to see John after so long, and John is especially happy to see my son, whom he baptized. At the dinner table, we discuss having our families come together to spend some quality time with each other for about a week.

“Does that include having me around for it?” Zandro asks.

“Of course it does!” we say.

“We had you along for Idelle's and I’s honeymoon. Of course, you can be with us,” Kane says.

Time together with the family could be great, so I can practice being a normal mother.

Speaking of which, I whisper to Kane, “When can we have a second?”

He looks stunned at me and says, “We just had this one not too long ago, and you want a second already.”

“Yes.”

“Tch. I guess I don’t have a choice.”

John seems to have heard us, laughs, and says, “There’s no denying her another child.”

“There isn’t,” I confirm.

Everyone laughs, but I’m not. I may just want another child because being a mother proves that I’m more than a brutal killer and hero, but then again, being with everyone here and the things I’ve accomplished already prove it in spades. I’m also a loving wife and mother, a daughter who her parents are proud of, and an older sister who inspires her little brother. Still, I want that second child and may get Kane to give it to me sooner than he thinks.