Swaying back, fourth a wooden cage jolted with every bump. Thick its wooden beams obstructed those inside. Atop its frame, an uncouth display of numerous tears and scars painted the surface. Within its crevices pools of red accumulated, with its dried brethren filling much of its appearance...

"Chaos lords, beings unholy born from deaths of innocence, gained immeasurable power as hell incarnate. Devious, unruly and treacherous were the creeds they sought bringing dark skies under their rule, humanity was the lesser forgotten used as mere playthings in games. Fragile existences they were, these so called bugs they deemed to use as fodder went nearly extinct, yet this is what drove them further is it not? These small creatures the lords glanced over didn't succumb to the darkness, not giving up; they held themselves strong striking down the lords with a unified power under the church..."

Mindless prattle Richnell thought in a distant gaze, open to all his figure slumped over. The horizon had barely changed, only but two moons had seen his state, still towering peaks surrounded them that had since been obstructing the path days prior. Richnell's body ached, his skin had lost its warmth, showing now only a pale complexion. With the sun rising, the second had turned into a third trial. Growing ragged passages kept repeating, dwelling in his mind words endlessly flowed... At his sides Richnell's hands were pierced, each nailed to these crevices brimming them with his departing warmth, a lack of sensation came along his limbs, looking at them without inquiry knew he had lost the ability to move. To ones not far the passage of time seemingly passed thoughtlessly, effortlessly yet inside Richnell felt an unending eternity.

Fewer than a hundred carriages, men on horseback filled the surroundings carrying golden crosses joined with a crescent moon. Not having to look at their faces it was evident a proud air carried with them. Seemingly confident as if the symbol held any meaning besides an oath of death merely slaying men, families on baseless accusations. "Those smug bastards..." Richnell thought as numerous men passed his speed with some looking at him in sneering glances. Those in a supposed higher position, looking around themselves in jeering grins thinking all to be inferior. The type Richnell hated the most, he would've knocked the fuckers teeth out if able. Turning Richnell's cage followed an embankment becoming rougher jolting up and down, quite painfully the spikes dug deeper. Tearing already scarred hands a small grimace slipped on Richnell's face. A soft chuckle came from the knight pulling his cage, hearing the plight he couldn't help but laugh.

"I hope you're enjoying the ride back there." Not caring to look up at the man's ridicule, be it not the first nor last Richnell felt nothing but disdain, even so that itself seemed to placid. The knight's brutish smile had jeered one to many, perhaps something will come of it Richnell thought as he resisted the urge to retort. Without the ability, or the freedom to do anything, what was the point.

Slowing the cart wheels ceased, with sounds of galloping quieting a stallion rested. Grunting the horse lowered its back allowing the armored knight to dismount. Looking forward the knight kept a composed figure, in front a black carriage took his view it was elegantly crafted with four Selnars pulling it. Creatures much sturdier than any horse, in appearance the two were similar but boasted four additional legs and thicker hide. Yet its most defining feature was the curved tusks said to be stronger than steel, fearsome the Selnars held imposing auras. However peculiar still was only but one man, full draped in a brown ranger's cloak pulling the tenacious beasts. Putting reins to the side, the strangers cloak parted showing his chain armor underneath fitting the body snugly.

The man jumped from his seating, causing a shallow thump. Fully on the ground he adjusted his collar and grasped the sheath at his waist while walking to the carriages door. Besides the single thump he walked with no sound, his steps didn't mutter, only casting a disciplined posture. Once at the doors side he lightly knocked, "We've arrived at the designated campsite captain." "Come in" A deep voice came answering, not deterred he pulled the door handle. While opening to the interior Hannigan pulled back his cowl not wishing to disrespect the captain, Hannigan's face no longer hid in the shadows. Normally none were allowed to see under his cowl, usually those that did died an agonizing death. Not because he was ashamed, afraid of those speaking what they saw. But because of a witches hex, surging as a etched cross running along his forehead, causing anyone weaker than himself to wither and die. Numerous times Hannigan had seen many he cared for turning like wilted grapes with lifeless eyes...

Hannigan only knew a few with enough power to resist the curse, one being captain Jabaloth...

The carriages interior was exquisitely crafted, looking hand carved by a master and still had pieces of metal plates for defense, not obstructing its beauty. Its walls were nearly all coated black with a grey undertone. Gold seams ran along each side and slightly glowed as if not just paint. Hannigan only stopped for a moment paying the decor no more thought as he sat inside parallel to the other party. Jabaloth remained stern watching Hannigan enter, eyeing him get comfortable and give a bow which he greeted with a slight nod. "Excellent work getting us to our destination, you displayed quite the proficiency in handling those beasts outside. I'm kind of impressed." Jabaloth said, cracking a smile. "Surely you jest my ability pales in the presence of you captain." "You are too modest Hannigan, you've managed to get us here a day earlier than expected. Your predecessor would have taken much longer." Hannigan nodded, "Thank you."

"What do you know about our current mission?" Jabaloth said in a lower tone. "Not much at all I was only given the location, confirmation that there was an unusual energy that faded rapidly."... "Being sent straight from the capital as a replacement I thought you'd at least heard something." Jabaloth sighed, looked out the carriages window. Hannigan stiffened watching his imposing figure, the air turned more tense with every breath. "Well I heard something though it wasn't very creditable." "Tell me what did you find." Hannigan scratched the back of his head pausing momentarily, "That those energy signatures were only but an excuse to get us out here, that the real reason was mysterious disappearances of students at an academy. And that officially before we didn't have the authorization to go, some think it's just a cover and that there was no unusual readings."

"I myself have little to no information, those upstairs haven't shared anything it's been unusually quiet." Jabaloth folded his hands, and pulled a strained look. "We don't have the full picture yet rising doubt about our plans isn't wise. Those who do find themselves in an early grave." Chills ran down Hannigan's back, feeling the piercing gaze of his superior. "Don't lose your faith." Jabaloth spoke while reaching inside his breastplate, pulling out a long cord embellished with etched metal wire, and the same crescent moon cross from outside. Grasping it intently to the point his plate gloves could be heard warping. Hannigan agreed saluting across his chest, "I don't question our faith."

"The energy source likely isn't a lie." Jabaloth said as adjusting his armor, placing the cross back inside his breastplate. "Still It is unusual sending our troops just on a passing energy with no information... Normally they would've contacted the local churches to investigate this issue but we were instead." Jabaloth continued, "Something is definitely not what it seems." Motioning to the carriages door."Let's leave these issues for later we still have time." Silently Hannigan pulled out the carriages door holding it open. Rays of sunlight gushed from the doorway brightening the dim insides, in quick movements Hannigan tucked up his hood, appeared outside awaiting at the side. The surroundings stood in open fields departed from local roads fit for isolation. Along the scenery various knights shuffled about disorderly unloading carriages. With others walking about, some seemingly patrolling near taking the camp's edge in groups of three.

The bustling atmosphere was shattered, in the blink of an eye was replaced with devotion. Those all outside stood watching in reverent gazes upon seeing the leading carriage open. It moved bending under Jabaloth's weight, with stoic expressions the knights waited. Nothing was uttered, only shuffling and muffled squeaks emanating from the carriage. Those standing by stood motionless, not even the wind caught breath or lingering whispers. Soon leaving the doorway's confines Jabaloth's silver armor gleamed, under the sunlight its appearance was pristine. Jabaloth's brown eyes drew to the distance glaring around in scrutiny, before resting on the still pillars awaiting confirmation.

Affirming the display Jabaloth saluted across his chest with a slight nod. Seeing his stance the tense faces relaxed and took on one knee kneeling, knowing the devout before him Jabaloth flashed a wicked smile. Puffing up his chest Jabaloth lightly clapped twice, yet those over a hundred meters could hear. Hannigan leaned back momentarily witnessing streams of air burst from the claps, "Impressive." Hannigan uttered softly. As if the loud bang awoke them- The knights sprung up in an instant. The sun had just risen there was much to be done, with such thoughts embedded in the knights they resumed their assigned duties.

...

Under the cover of night they call their name, Twilight sect... And under the same moon never utter them again, only in departing sight, cowls of death. The thirteenth legion led by the church of Kesh, unknown to most folk be it the atrocities committed would be shunned in daylight gaze. A band of knights specialized in extermination, a tool to be used without restraint or “moral” code. Butchers for anyone who draws the churches Ire.

Two figures strode forward, unperturbed no soul obstructed them. Confidence weighed in each stride taken, however subtle the steps they spoke in varying tones telling numerous tales but these were distinct. Richnell had heard them before, one bearing to his former Captain and ultimately his judge, jury and executioner. The other spoke not to him but paces behind the familiar presumably his replacement. The wheels had stopped and rearing its ugly head came the fourth trial one of judgement.

The metallic mesh ever so slightly swayed, coupled with soft stretches of leather and an indiscernible hum masking all but the wearers gait. In comparison to Jabaloth's left who's undercoat armor beckoned those around, willing to creak and bang at a moments notice. Only briefly they shuffled tens of feet from the carriage, approaching the tailing cart. The guarding knight stepped forward and bowed, "You're dismissed." Jabaloth perched his back with authority, the knight departed not sparing a glance. A tense expression settled seeing the abysmal display before him, Jabaloth scoffed as he traced across the cage's rim. "Two days, sentenced as usual to those who questioned their faith." Hannigan spoke giving to any inquiry.

An unneeded formality Jabaloth thought, why else would he be standing here towering over rabble in a cage. "I Jabaloth F Moloch give judgement for the fallen. Those which decided not by themselves but were twisted by words of devils, utterly lost what was most dear. The faith that held them, that lead them and saved them." The cage showed no movement, motionless Jabaloth felt a stone in his chest seeing a pale corpse. Though quickly passing into anger, small veins along his forehead, "I said keep those awaiting judgement alive..." Jabaloth grunted, "Hmph dying before judgement, an utter failure even in the fallens death I'm disappointed." Grasping writing boards and ink Hannigan inched closer, "Shall I make the arrangements for the fallens family, the buds of discourse they may sow?"

"Yes it should be appropriate to finish them off quickly." Jabaloth replied, departed from the first coffin intruding upon the next. The filth that reside in these cages, like rats they infested the view as just wasted space, "Heretics they deserve worse, if not for the ritual I would've choked them out long ago." Jabaloth sneered as he stood overlooking the second... A sound came pat, pat it constantly fell accumulating in pools that too dripped pilling along the ground in lines of crimson. Unlike the prior the air was still fresh, no smells of a corpse only one of a to be, yet shallow breaths nonetheless wearily gave presence.

Occasional twitching, sporadic breathing the man was alive, or just living... On a thread, still was among the skies, not six depths below maybe that could've struck solace. None thought so, wind itself gave a terrifying force on threads easily snapped, "It hold's on... Though not for long." Jabaloth said carrying a display of disinterest vacantly gazing to the drenched soil at his feet. "I Jabaloth F Moloch give judgement- "Hold... Your tongu..e." Richnell snapped, in a coarse voice stumbling to escape his lips. "Save the preaching for the quire." Richnell's mind grew more troubled in every haggard gasp, his skin white. Clammy, drenched in a putrid smell, hair astray some now coated in blotches of dried blood. His bones protruded, pronounced themselves sharply around his sunken body as if Richnell dealt with an entire famine by himself.

"It speaks." Jabaloth jerked resting on his sword's hilt, "Enough of your insolence, you've been penanced I have no thought on what you care." ... "I-... Richnell spat covering his view in crimson. Jabaloth froze gazing at his armor and boots tainted now with not just a heretics presence. ". . .Defiled my attire. . ." Jabaloth said, meeting Richnell's weary grin. "Do. You not want judgement? Ready to meet the next life?" Choking the cage it's bars slightly warped under Jabaloth's grip, "Whenever you live. Or die repenting for what you've done is my decision. No one else, I reign here and you listen." Focused on Richnell, Jabaloth took in his pitiful state "I.. Had no choice, it was all planned from the beginning. I only follow his will." Richnell lowly snickered.

"You call death Richnell." Hannigan barked. Once more another one in the fold Richnell pondered, only gauging by his replacement's feet and tone. Not wanting to meet directly, maybe he would be standing if under the cowl of sweet ignorance and a rhetoric filled mind. "This.. It's better than the alternative it needs be, instead being played, used by butchers. Only following what I choose and nothing else. The things I've done no judgement, no repentance can ever absolve me these hands, the past... Will never wash off."

"I don't just soak in my own muck, I lay drenched in the blood of undeserving innocence." Richnell jerked, sighting the disturbing visage at his front. "Just be done with it. Nothing said will sway the ordained judgement will it?" Jabaloth's gaze tightened, with a stern expression leaned back from the stench "So that's it. You speak as if you wish to die, you're not wrong Richnell. You should die but not as a martyr." Exchanging glances Hannigan smirked, "This fool wishing to protect utter savages, those heretics we righteously slaughtered had no god. They worshiped a damned tree." ...

"Wha? Savages, they.. were just people, families, women and children." Richnell said, lingering on the latter his voice faded growing rasp. "Death is considered a mercy here." Jabaloth continued, "Death may dwell in your mind as a thought, an escape from the torment. That won't happen Richnell. You'll be slaving for the rest of days." Huffing Jabaloth turned. "Hannigan make sure he doesn't choke on his own spit." Richnell fell, peering forward at a soon distant horizon, quickly delving deeper as if an inescapable chasm his heart lurched once more. "S-Stop... kill me- Dammit!"... Richnell screamed though only to a scorning scenery.

Fear struck, the atmosphere swelled, exhaling rapidly Richnell's mind raced with countless possibilities at his demise. "Was it right?..." Richnell drifted, his surroundings blurred such as his thoughts "This choice... has condemned me. Defying these tyrant's reign, for what? I saved no one but my conscience."

...

Erratic but methodical knights performed their designated duties, not caring for idle chatter or anything that might cause distraction from what needed be done. The clatter of metal carried as many worked encased in armor, not giving the slightest chance of weakness if an attack were to occur. The wind was cool having just been dawn the sun hadn't fully shown, refreshing yet to the laboring. Not long after, tents stood draping over large sections the field, nearly replacing it entirely in robes of cloth and fluttering banners barring the legions symbol.

A figure cast, perched upon a hilltop it's dark silhouette loomed over all below it, slight glances from the curious gave an immeasurable feeling more vast than anything they could fathom. Only a unyielding sense of inferiority and solemn fealty consumed them, proud of it satisfied looks echoed from deep within those daring to peek. Observing the trifling workers Jabaloth sighed, casting his view to the side "Tainted. The flock must seek repentance for unholy incompetence, idiotic they devout not to our all encompassing observer, instead they drink ill gospel from heretics and frauds as if from a mothers teat. Straying from the destined path, minds filled with corruption... Is it wise to allow them existence however fleeting it may be?

Stopping Jabaloth gave thought, glaring at his reflection or rather past. "There was a time I thought the same. What's the point of keeping those heretics alive... As if all the sin they committed warranted no immediate death." Hannigan bowed faintly, keen on each word Jabaloth gave. "Forcing them to serve us, like dogs under the banner they disowned, shamed or butchered is quite amusing. The last days they live in servitude to the ones they had betrayed is it not a fate worse than death? Their sin all it amounted to was just chains and shackles." A deep smirk rose on Hannigan,"Never thought of it as such, truly a fitting end." Hannigan snickered as he took in the numerous cages below.

"The insignificant roach who dared to stain your boots now follows the rest, soon the small detachment will reach the mines. The nearly unending trials much of them had loathed, thought was over was just the cusp." ... Jabaloth remained silent caring not for idle chatter, time like this needed not be wasted aimlessly he thought. "We have matters to attend to do we not? Let's not waste anymore daylight." Jabaloth said, giving Hannigan a stern expression, "Yes Captain."

…