“Great!” Drake replied hotly, flinging his hands in the air. Soul remained unmoved at Drake’s display of anger. “Let’s go then, I’ll leave right now! Show me to the gate! This city can burn in hell for all I care. Stay here, cooped up behind your walls, safe and secure under the protection of Kami!”

“You can’t you idiot,” Gatal growled from the corner. He stepped forward into view. “With the frontline cut off. Entering and exiting the city is impossible. Portal’s cannot be created inside the city, Kami placed that restriction ages ago. The frontline was our only access point to the outside. With that gone, you are stuck here inside this city with us.”

Drake felt punctured. His eyes opened up in shock and he snapped out, “What?”

“I am afraid it is true,” Soul said, turning around and sitting in a chair to his side. He looked up at Drake calmly and said, “We have lost much in the recent battle, thousands of soldiers, magicians and resources have been destroyed, but most importantly, Kami-sama’s connection with the outside world. Lord Vessel, you say you no longer care about this city, but I can tell that that is not true. You are human enough to care for your fellow men. The time you spent in the army is designed to reinforce feelings of comradeship with each other, and whether you like it or not, you have strong feelings of duty towards your friends. Hasn’t that already been proven true when you were in the frontline? And lastly, you may not be able to forgive Kami for what he has done to you, but at least now you can understand him. You now know the hardships and pressures he faces in the war. You have the power to help, and I am sure you will.”

Drake could only stare back at the man, mouth slack and eyes wide. He suddenly didn’t like this man. Soul continued, “You tell me that you want to escape from this place, and I believe you. But with the Frontline lost, that has become impossible for you. The way forward is clear! I have been given orders from the divine council only this morning. Taking back the frontline is now the city’s top priority and I have been given command of the operation. Realistic understanding of the situation tells me that we do not have the strength to commit ourselves to such a feat. We have lost much of the highland order of priests and all three of kami’s vessels have been killed as well. Kmai will select several more candidates to become vessels, but their maturity will be take a while and, as such, it will be many years before I can mount a feasible attempt at retaking the frontline.”

“That is unacceptable,” Drake replied with a snarl. Soul’s words were shaking him up, the truth that he himself had been feeling already. He wanted the man to shut up, if so he could remain ignorant. Drake felt sick and cold.

Soul continued, unperturbed by Drake’s outburst. “I didn’t think you’d want to, and quite frankly, for us, the sooner you leave the better.” Soul leaned forward and looked at Drake earnestly. “In this case, we can work together for mutual benefit. With your powers, Lord Vessel, I believe we can make a serious attempt at retaking the Frontline much sooner.”

Drake eyed Soul warily and asked, “In your own words, I must say that i am not a matured vessel, either. My recent experience gave me access to my god’s divine energy. But can tell that I am far from being able to control it.”

“This is where Gatal’s expertise will come into play,” Soul replied easily. “I trust him when he says he can train you in using the vessel’s power. He is confident you will be ready much sooner than Kami’s new vessel’s could be. Still, the training will take not an insignificant amount of time.” Soul sighed and leaned back, keeping his eyes on Drake. He continued slowly, “I will not lie, Lord Vessel. The enemy is strong, stronger than ever before and the enemy’s new vessel is unprecedented. And furthermore, the city is weaker than ever before. Even the force I had twenty years ago is all but a memory. It will take some time anyway to gather up the city’s resources again. If you have people waiting for you, I am afraid they will have to wait long.”

Soul looked back at Drake expectantly, and Drake gritted his teeth. “So,” he thought, “Him, like everybody else is trying to use me for their own gain?” He clenched his fists in rage.

Ashton spoke out behind him, “Drake, I understand your anger. Do not I have the same anger inside of me? But these are good people Drake, working to save their home. You cannot fault them for their zeal. What the commander says makes sense, it’s the best chance we have at leaving here. I also wish to return home soon, how I wish I could see Carothers again! And the village and my people! But this is our home at the moment and I at least feel that I owe it my best effort. I want to help this city too, for my own sake. It is our only way to leave here as well, please, calm your spirit.”

Drake, glanced back at Ashton, annoyed, but calmed nonetheless. He responded back to Soul, “Do you know what Gatal wants from me, correct? He seems to have different feelings towards this city than you.”

Soul smiled back and said, “Gatal is extremely proficient at what he does, and his opinions are always valuable to me. But he lacks certain points of reason.”

Gatal scoffed loudly and Drake challenged Soul saying, “He believes that this city will not last much longer. So much so, that he has staked his life on his belief and has tried desperately to rope me into his plans. What do you have to say on his beliefs?”

Soul frowned and looked back at Gatal. He said to Drake, “Gatal and I have had extensive discussions on the matter and his beliefs do have some merit to them and have often helped me.” He turned back to Drake. “But ultimately, he is wrong. He does not understand Kami-sama. To try to escape here alone is unthinkable and a betrayal to my god. And what sense would it make, to leave the city, leave the protection of Kami-sama?”

Gatal stared back at Soul with such intensity that Drake wondered how Soul could remain so calm. Drake swallowed and then asked Soul, “So, you do not believe that Kami will lose? That with the encirclement of the city complete, that this city’s end is near?”

Soul’s face lifted up in amusement at Drake and he answered, “Of course not, Lord Vessel. Have some faith, Kami-sama is the life of this city, the city cannot fall while is still here. Really now, have some faith.” Soul chuckled softly at Drake, but Drake could only stare back in disbelief. How could he have such confidence in Kami, even after the sudden loss on the frontline? Drake shifted uncomfortably, the man made him nervous.

Silence stretched and nobody spoke. Soul crossed his legs and leaned back in his chair, never taking his eyes off of Drake. Drake swallowed, his throat feeling dry. He turned and looked around the room. “Can I have something to drink, maybe?” he asked feeling suddenly insecure. The splendor of the room itself made him feel unwelcome.

“Yes,” Ashton started, moving away. “You have missed Kami’s meal already, but I can get you some water. I’ll be back shortly.” He left the room, clearly used to the layout of the building and the exact location of water. Drake wondered how the Ashton felt about his new position. He fidgeted slightly and leaned on the wall.

Soul spoke up again, “It would be beneficial for me to have your cooperation, Lord Vessel, but not necessary. And if you choose to help, I will need to have you submit yourself to my authority, as part of my military.”

“What do you mean?” Drake asked automatically.

“I can’t have a vessel like you running loose, in my military there must be order and efficiency. My offensive to retake the Frontline will be highly coordinated and I would need to have you follow my orders and you will have to have my trust, before I use you on the battlefield. Do you understand? Wild units are not acceptable.”

Drake pondered Soul’s words for a minute and asked sarcastically, “What will this control look like? Will you have me revived as a soldier in your light infantry again?”

“Hardly,” Soul responded coldly. “Much like the magicians under me, I will set up a special team to assist you. People whom I trust.”

“People who can keep tabs on me and report back to you, you mean.” Drake countered.

Soul nodded, “But also people who will be able to assist you. Your unit will be like every other unit under me, each playing out the role assigned to them. As a light infantryman, your role was primarily scouting and skirmishing. In this new unit, your role will be a little bit different.”

“And if I refuse?” Drake demanded. “What will happen to me?”

Soul looked up at Drake and his eyes glared fiercely at him. After a moment, he said, “If you are not with me on this, you will be considered a dangerous foreign entity that must be captured and if you resist, to be killed before you learn to control your power. There is no middle ground here, and no reason to refuse other than your pride! So, what will it be, Lord Vessel? Will you serve under me?”

Drake scowled back at the man. He said flatly, “I may not have complete control, but could still kill you right here.”

Gatal gasped audibly from the corner, but Soul looked back with ice in his eyes. “Nothing will have changed for you, if you do.”

Tension rose in the room like an oven and Gatal stepped forward, frightened and unsure while the two men stared each other down. “Drake!” he gasped. “Stop this madness!”

Suddenly, Ashton returned carrying a pitcher of water and several glassed. His forehead was sweaty as if he had run on his errand. He stepped in and asked brightly, “I’ve secured the goods! Have a drink my friend. I don’t believe you have drunken anything in a week!” He laughed cheerfully.

Without another word, Ashton poured Drake a glass and forcibly handed it to him with a smile. The glass was small and richly decorated with swirls and intricate patterns on the side. Drake looked at it a second, and gulped it down in one stroke, enjoying the cool clear taste it had. Ashton asked if anybody else was thirsty. Soul declined casually, but Gatal accepted it in a strained voice. Silence fell over the room again.

Drake spoke up, cutting through the tension. “As the only way out for me is through you, I will accept your proposal, for now. If I find any deception from you going forward, not even hiding in Kami’s temple will protect you.”

Soul took the threat with a laugh, but did not comment on it. Soul stood up instead and smiled, lifting his arms wide and gesturing out the window. “Lord Vessel, If you let it, this city could find a place for you, too. For who can resist the calling of Kami-sama, and the love and faithfulness that he provides? In the world of darkness and ruin, was there ever a city as magnificent as ours?”

Fallow was in Central Library again. After his return from the frontline, the city was in an uproar. The citizens inside were not aware of the events that occurred on the frontline, nor did they care too much about it. They only cared at see the proud and high officers and men of the greyhoods run away from the fight with their heads bowed and shoulders sagged.

“Disgrace!” the peopled yelled. “Where is your faith in Kami-sama? How could you retreat from the lines when Kami is at your back?”

But they were not there. They didn’t see the forces of evil. They did not see the armies and the men and the war machines arrayed against them, seeking to snuff out the lives of every man on the line. And most of all, they didn’t see the terror and strength of the enemy Vessel, the nightmare in personification, single handedly wiping out central and the command hill that stood at the center of it. No mortal could stand up against such madness!

The military brass was more understanding and the Council of the Divine more forgiving. Lieutenant Fallow did not take credit for orchestrating the retreat of central, nor did he let his name be known he was involved. The priest Vorash was given the honors and his noble sacrifice was commended throughout the ranks. Fallow wished to be left alone, and the month of leave given to all officers of the frontline Fallow accepted gratefully. He had had his fill of war for now.

Now Fallow stayed at the library, taking up temporary residence there. His own home was empty and bare. All his comrades in his mounted legion were either killed or missing. Fallow doubted he would ever see them again, and staying there was much too painful for him. He often wondered what destiny his captain had faced, probably the point of a spear.

The quiet ancient library that stood resolutely in the city was his only solace. Inside its secure walls and calm atmosphere, he could almost forget what he had witnessed at the frontline.

Now he stood at the highest floor, facing directly the sculpture of the god who ruled the city. No longer did it seem to him to hold the answers to the universe nor the power to hold the enemy at bay. It was a simple statue, beautifully and skillfully crafted, but still a stone nonetheless. And in his restless wondering, Fallow wondered too, was the real Kami anything more than a symbol either?

Fallow felt movements behind him and sure enough, he heard his old teacher speak to him. “You have been spending much time up here lately, Fallow. Do you feel you will have your questions answered by him?”

Fallow sighed and turned around, facing the old hooded man with bright golden eyes. “I haven’t spoken to him at all, actually, questions or otherwise.”

Havign smiled back benignly, “But you are looking for answers still.” He paused and the two looked at each other. Havign continued, his voice soft with concern, “Talk to me, Fallow. You have not talked much since you came here a week ago, and you have not spoken at all about your recent experience on the frontline. This is not like you, where did the young inquisitive boy go that couldn’t stop talking for a moment?”

“I am afraid that boy has grown up,” Fallow said bitterly. “And now understands the world better.”

“Oooh,” Havign replied, feigning surprise. “And what is this new truth you have uncovered?”

Fallow scowled at Havign’s response. But his face softened quickly and he said, “I am sorry Havign. I am sorry. I do not know that I believe in Kami anymore, nor do I believe in his salvation. I can only have sadness now, sad at my realization and despair that I am no longer like everybody else.”

Havign didn’t respond immediately and looked at Fallow in pity. He turned and pulled up a chair and said, “There are many things that can shake us from our faith, Fallow, words, experiences, and knowledge. These things can blind you; distract you from the truth in front of you. I see that you feel lost, let me be a guide for you in your troubled times! Kami has not abandoned you, and I will not either. Tell me, Fallow. What happened out there that troubles you so?”

Fallow looked back, and pain was etched upon his face. After a moment he said softly, “I believe that Kami has failed in his duties to protect this city and his people.” As if finally breaking a seal, after saying those words, Fallow felt bolder and angry and he straighten up. “Kami is supposed to be the god of this city, the supporter of its people. He is supposed to deliver us from the evil one and bring peace to the city. Are we not the instruments of Kami, delivering his will throughout the land and slaying his foes?”

Fallow stepped forward and clenched his fists. “Then why, why were we beaten to badly? Why did we lose so many men? Even after all the effort we had put into the operation, all the men and energies and hope, we failed. The defensive mandate was a colossal failure! How many men had died for Kami’s cause? I had already lost my faith that Kami cared about me personally, but now I doubt he has any strength left to care for his city. He did nothing while his men were butchered on the frontline!”

Havign was pale and unsettled from Fallow’s outburst. Still, when he spoke it was calm. “We have lost battles before. Is it not recorded so in the histories? I do not have faith in Kami’s will in the present; I have faith in in his will in the future. In this, Kami will stand victorious. This city will never fall and it stands as a testament to his great power. The salvation of Kami-sama is secure.”

Fallow’s eyes bored down into Havign and he spoke angrily, “The salvation of Kami is fiction!”

Havign’s eyed widened in shock and he said quickly, “Fallow!”

“I’ve seen it!” Fallow said, trying to keep his voice under control. “I have seen the strength of Kami! His vessels had come out into the battlefield to fight, all three of them. They are the arms of Kami, right? Direct forces of his power? But when they confronted the power of the enemy, the enemy vessel, they were slain. All of them, by one man. If the vessels of Kami fail, what makes you so sure Kami will not fail as well?”

Havign was visibly shaken, and he asked, his voice cracking, “Vessels?” his hands shook as they gripped his chair.

But Fallow continued relentlessly, “Yes. Have you not heard? Just when we thought we had won the battle and that the enemy had retreated, a vessel had appeared. It was only a man it seemed, but it was filled with power. He alone had wiped out Central and all its fortifications and all its men. Where was Kami’s protection then? It was late, and even when it did come, it failed. All three of kami’s Vessels were slew by the enemy; I have seen their dead bodies.”

Havign bent his head down and Fallow felt guilty, wondering if he had said too much. He turned around and faced the statue again, Kami looking down on them majestically. After a moment, Fallow continued, his voice low, “I am only alive thanks to a certain man, a vessel, from another land, a servant of another god. He rose forth and fought with the foe on equal ground. It makes me wonder. What other lands lay out there? What other gods exist? Is Kami so different from others that he is invincible? I do not know, I do not know. So, I stand here, perplexed and full of doubt. And shaken.” He turned back and saw Havign still bent low, his hands to his head in some burden. Fallow cried out, “It would have been better if I had remained ignorant! I should have never come here!”

“No, no.” came the soft smooth reply from Havign. Even from his hardened form, Havign still spoke clearly. “As a holder of knowledge, I can never agree that ignorance is better and that knowledge should be shunned.” He suddenly straightened up and looked Fallow in the eyes. He cried out in turn, “Knowledge and truth leads people to Kami-sama, not away. Fallow, Fallow, I am sorry for your loss, and what you have been through. I take all the blame on myself. You have grasped only small pictures, details here and there and it has confused you and hurt you. If you could only see the big picture, Fallow! Then you would understand what Kami has done for you. Do not forget, Fallow, who Kami is. He is god, the creator and sustainer of this land who cared more deeply for it and its inhabitants, more than you can imagine. You already owe everything to him; how could you leave him now?” Havign looked at Fallow in pity. “You are welcome to stay here. Stay and learn! I hope that someday you will be shown the power and grace that lies in Kami. Even if you leave him, he will never leave you. Have faith, Fallow.”

Fallow looked down, unable to meet Havign’s eyes. “Thank you,” he said softly. “And I am sorry.”

“Do not say sorry to me,” Havign wisely countered. “The only hurt here is in yourself.”

“I will stay here a little longer than,” Fallow said, smiling slightly. “There is much reading I would like to get done before I go again. There is so much I need to know.”

“Oh?” Havign replied lightly getting up and moving to him. “What kind of reading?” Fallow didn’t respond, and Havign continued hastily, “But of course, all the books are open to you.” He looked at Fallow sideways and asked, “It doesn’t have something to do with that object you brought with you, does it?”

Fallow chuckled softly, “Why, does that object bother you? It should, do you know what it is?”

Havign shook his head and Fallow smiled devilishly, “It’s the divine weapon that one of Kami’s Vessels carried. Gatal had asked me to look after it.”

Havign froze and then asked, “You brought a divine weapon here?”

Fallow smiled and Havign shock and dismay, “Why, nobody would look for the halberd here!”