04-22-2015, 08:04 PM
The scrutiny of his gaze was obscured by twin pools of glassy darkness, yet Nikolai understood eyes were the telescope into the soul. Indeed, his was clouded by a long life of distrust and fortified by an anger so deep his revenge was to claim the world for himself, but as he pulled the sunglasses from his face, he meant to impress the enormity of his humanity upon these three Atharim, whom were so interested in discovering it they journeyed to the edge of the known world.
The boy, Nox, pined after every web of power that the Ascendancy crafted on sheer will. The power that surged within dominated both their presences, but Nikolai was aware the danger of proximity to another of his kind, boy god or otherwise. He did not intend to unleash the ferocity that drove the universe upon the boy, as he was confident such was unnecessary; however, neither had he the opportunity to press his skills against an Atharim who could wield the powers of a god. He would need to practice to hone such a craft, despite his confidence. For one day, he may need to face a titan of strength. When that time came, he would be ready.
The second of the two young men he judged next. Aria claimed he was a simple citizen and not borne of the Atharim's dogma. Yet Nikolai doubted. Whether he bore the tattoo or not, whether he'd donned the black robes of the rites, he shared the company and lives of two of the devout. Lucas was the same as Nox and Aria, and he would share in their fate.
Aria answered swiftly, her tongue sharp as a knife. Her initial analysis of the symbol he judged accurate. The hourglass measured time in the ancient world by the drip of a thousand grains of sand. Her insight lacked depth, however. The hourglass measured time, and by the hourglass, time came to its end. The oroborous was infinite, with no beginning nor end. Both referenced time, yet with dichotomous interpretations. She offered something, however, that made Nikolai dissect the acuity of her sincerity.
He returned the sunglasses to his face. Their moment of insight into the Ascendancy had come to its end. His orders followed. "You whom named yourself 'Aria', you will stand and walk ten steps ahead of me."
He lifted the ropes that bound her to her place. "Your arms will remain restrained behind you,"
he added.
"Your companions will return the direction you came. Gods living among the Atharim is an inevitable outcome I can consider. I believe Aria's claim to leadership among you three. Therefore, you both will return from whence you came and thus go free. However, if you step a foot inside the city of Moscow again, you will go under automatic surveillance, and a single act against me will be interpreted as a threat and you'll be arrested for conspiracy as assassins and charged with grand treason."
He did not elaborate on the fates of such individuals confronted with similar charges. They knew.
Order proclaimed, the ropes dissolved about their persons. From this vantage, Nikolai and Simon, with Aria as their custody, waited for their departure before returning to their own way. Aria would walk ahead of Nikolai, whom would otherwise provide directions back to the helicopter, however the fire-blanketed path of snow melt marked a clear path. Simon would follow behind, guarding against attacks from the departed men.
The boy, Nox, pined after every web of power that the Ascendancy crafted on sheer will. The power that surged within dominated both their presences, but Nikolai was aware the danger of proximity to another of his kind, boy god or otherwise. He did not intend to unleash the ferocity that drove the universe upon the boy, as he was confident such was unnecessary; however, neither had he the opportunity to press his skills against an Atharim who could wield the powers of a god. He would need to practice to hone such a craft, despite his confidence. For one day, he may need to face a titan of strength. When that time came, he would be ready.
The second of the two young men he judged next. Aria claimed he was a simple citizen and not borne of the Atharim's dogma. Yet Nikolai doubted. Whether he bore the tattoo or not, whether he'd donned the black robes of the rites, he shared the company and lives of two of the devout. Lucas was the same as Nox and Aria, and he would share in their fate.
Aria answered swiftly, her tongue sharp as a knife. Her initial analysis of the symbol he judged accurate. The hourglass measured time in the ancient world by the drip of a thousand grains of sand. Her insight lacked depth, however. The hourglass measured time, and by the hourglass, time came to its end. The oroborous was infinite, with no beginning nor end. Both referenced time, yet with dichotomous interpretations. She offered something, however, that made Nikolai dissect the acuity of her sincerity.
He returned the sunglasses to his face. Their moment of insight into the Ascendancy had come to its end. His orders followed. "You whom named yourself 'Aria', you will stand and walk ten steps ahead of me."
He lifted the ropes that bound her to her place. "Your arms will remain restrained behind you,"
he added.
"Your companions will return the direction you came. Gods living among the Atharim is an inevitable outcome I can consider. I believe Aria's claim to leadership among you three. Therefore, you both will return from whence you came and thus go free. However, if you step a foot inside the city of Moscow again, you will go under automatic surveillance, and a single act against me will be interpreted as a threat and you'll be arrested for conspiracy as assassins and charged with grand treason."
He did not elaborate on the fates of such individuals confronted with similar charges. They knew.
Order proclaimed, the ropes dissolved about their persons. From this vantage, Nikolai and Simon, with Aria as their custody, waited for their departure before returning to their own way. Aria would walk ahead of Nikolai, whom would otherwise provide directions back to the helicopter, however the fire-blanketed path of snow melt marked a clear path. Simon would follow behind, guarding against attacks from the departed men.