CHAPTER THIRTY

The Author Knows Nothing

Bobby was sweating. Though he could never brag that he had the highest of intelligence, he was still smart enough to see a lost cause when he sees one.

Some people...not naming names, just did not have the aptitude to learn. Some people should just accept their mediocrity and move on with their lives. That way, everyone could move on with their lives, and maybe find a little happiness.

Normally, a member of the Soul Society would learn how to project a soul pulse within ten minutes. On the other hand, Roari was already in her fourth day of training. Many bricks were thrown, and Bobby was quickly running out.

"Soul Cannon!"

A tiny fist crashed into the small of Bobby's gut. The resulting vibrations coursed through the multiple layers of flesh before striking against Bobby's very soul.

*Hic*

That's right. A hiccup. Four days. They trained for five days and Roari just barely managed to give Bobby the hiccups. Joy.

No, Bobby wasn't mad. Definitely not. Just disappointed.

"Who are you narrating to?"

Bobby is not narrating. Also, Bobby would appreciate it if a certain someone got back to practice.

...

"Enough. Roari has done an excellent job. You should be commending her." Ketus finished chastising Bobby after hearing Roari's evaluation review.

So what if her soul attack was more of a soul tickle. She was doing fine.

"We are almost done here anyways. Once we finish converting the latest batch, we will be leaving this place. Whether this city burns or rises to greater heights after our departure is no concern of ours."

"What about the girl. Will we be taking her with us?" Bobby asked inquisitively.

"No."

"Oh thank god."

"Although I'm sure she would be welcome amongst the society in the future, her current strength is too weak and her personality too erratic. Our men are here to change the world, Bobby, not babysit." Ketus said coldly. His eyes were tired and weary. Despite his normal eloquent attitude, he was currently very drained after the continuous battles with Road's soul.

It was quite a strange phenomenon. Time and time again, he was sure that Road was on the verge of breaking, but he always seemed to miss that one final push. Not to mention, the Temple knights that were currently patrolling around were also a cause for stress. Thus, he was feeling a little worst for the weather.

"I'm standing right here you know." Roari, who had been privy to all of their private conversations blurted out. After several days here, she had yet to fully grasp their purpose for being here, but she was getting close. Also, between ordering the men to obey her every whim and her training with Bobby, she hadn't given much thought to the matter anyways.

"It was a compliment," Ketus assured her.

As Ketus was consoling the distressed Roari, yet another dark robed man barged into their little evaluation meeting.

"Master Jenkins. There is a man from the church here to see you."

"Send him away. I'm busy." Ketus snorted in derision. After dealing with the men of the Church, he found himself to be in a sour mood whenever one of them passes by.

"I'm afraid he really insists. He's..."

A sudden breeze blew into the room as the door opened. From it stepped out a balding bearded old priest. Upon seeing him, Ketus's face twitched with a marked annoyance.

"He's not one of your subordinates." Pastor Maximillian said. Even after the assault at the White Chapel, the old priest had never been in any danger. Casually retreating from the numerous players and from prying eyes, he had remained in hiding all this time, biding his time until the final moment. That was, until now.

"Maxi." Ketus greeted.

"Maximillian. Pastor Maximillian." The ornery old man corrected.

"Pastor? I was under the impression that you no longer believed in Road."

"No, but I am still a godly man." The old man puffed up his chest. He was clearly proud of... something.

Ketus pursed his lips before pulling a rickety stool from the corner of the room. Plopping it down in the center, he eased onto the seat and crossed his legs. "Very well Pastor. Why are you here?"

"Your time is up. Somehow the elseworlders have caught wind of your little operation and even the higher-ups are starting to take notice."

His voice was disgruntled, and it was clear from their stances that the two men could not hide their distaste for one another.

"We trusted you to keep a tight operation, yet not only was I somehow discovered, but now there will be a second assault at this very facility?"

Ketus momentarily glanced at Roari who was smiling sheepishly at the Pastor's ire. It did not require a fool's intellect to know where the leak originated from. That said, they were currently in the presence of Pastor Maxi, and Ketus would rather die than reprimand her in front of him.

Actually, he would rather die than own up to his mistake. For better or for worst, Roari was forgiven, for now.

"So? Everything is proceeding to plan. We are finishing up the last conversions. After Road, we can let them loose onto the city streets."

"That is not good enough. You have not paid the proper respects to our order. You keep dissembling and laze around while every day we are getting closer to disaster."

"That is not my problem."

"This is my office. In my city. Our city." Pastor Maxi gestured wildly. " And I know you care not a whit for us..."

"I really don't."

"You don't care. But there are people who will make you care. Should anything happen to us, the Six Wings will not let you off. Do you think your measly Court of Souls can take on the full might of a god?"

"We have before. Don't worry about it." Ketus said smoothly, although he only seemed calm on the exterior. Ketus was livid. While Pastor Maxi was far weaker than him, he was still an important liason with the White Temple Church.

Although he could kill him and hide the body, there was always a risk of being discovered, and such a mistake could end up disastrous. His blood churned as the black corrosion spread over his palms, just yearning to be used.

"Give us Road. Or you will lose her when the Elseworlders invade." The old priest said obstinately. Yes, it seemed that was his only reason for being here.

It became quickly apparent that the Church had lost faith in Ketus's abilities, and wanted to squeeze out any remaining benefits that were to be had.

Ketus's expression was languid as Bobby and Roari both sucked in a breath. They could feel a deep chill that seeped deep into their bones as the temperature of the room dropped by several degrees.

"I am still working on her. I still have full jurisdiction over this operation."

"And I am saying you have it no longer. We thank you for your services, but your services are needed no longer."

Ketus glowered. "We have a contract."

"And you have fulfilled the terms. You are not needed anymore. Give us Road." The old priest emphasized each point as if daring Ketus to talk back. Whether from the cold or rage, his skin had taken a purplish hue.

Perhaps the Pastor was trying to seem intimidating, but when Roari compared the flustering priest to the soulless gaze of Ketus, she had no doubts about who was the more dangerous of the two. She actually felt a twinge of pity. One won't die so long as they don't seek death after all.

Still, Roari would not be seeing the Pastor's face getting beaten in today. As for how she knew? Simple.

Because if Ketus was going to do something, he would've done it by now. Instead, he was just sitting and looking mean.

A burst of crude laughter slipped from Ketus's lips. It was an awry, lonesome sound that cringed the hearts of all who heard it. As if the countless souls destroyed at his hands were screaming in resentment.

"You want her? Fine. She is with the other captives, but do you even know the first thing about her?" Ketus mused. After torturing her for numerous days, Ketus felt he knew Road better than anyone. Yet the old pastor remained obstinate and refused to play along.

"I do not care. Have your man escort me to her. I'll be bringing her back with me."

"Now now. Its no fun if you aren't curious, but I digress. At least answer this for me. Why did you betray your goddess?"

What was once a cold atmosphere seemed have gotten a couple degrees colder, as Roari noticed her breath misting over.

Pastor Maxi, on the other hand, said nothing as he stomped out of the room, dragging one of Ketus's men in tow.

As the last flutter of the priest's white robes disappeared down the corridor, Roari looked at her pallid skinny armed mentor in confusion.

"Is there something special about Road?"

Ketus pursed his lips and looked down at the little traitor. His cold demeanor completely vanished and his mood brightened considerably.

"If I were you, instead of asking silly questions, I might be informing my friends that now would probably be the best time to attack."

"What? What?!! Wait...What? Oh--I'm so-- What? Oh." Roari stuttered before finally understanding. Journal in hand, she made a mad dash out of the room, leaving the two men all alone.

"Sir, should I silence her?" Bobby suggested. Although he had been in charge of training and mentoring Roari over the past few days, his loyalties were not shaken in the slightest. However, to his surprise, his master shook his head while grinning brightly.

"Bobby. Prepare the men. Soon, we'll be having the fight of a lifetime."