Komsor reigned in his horse, his armor clinking at the sudden breaking of the speed and his knights followed.
"Tch," he clicked his tongue as he looked at the damaged roads and buildings, then at the sky.
"So where's the sky monster you spoke about?"
His soldiers murmured, "it was just here sir, we swear—"
"Forget it. It's my own fault for staying back and lazing around, waiting for reinforcements that were never gonna come."
His attention turned to the widest alley to his left where an entire group had gathered. Angry. Distrusting looks on their eyes.
He sighed and marched his horse to them, his men following.
"How badly did my men affect your life?"
His words were met with silence. Then a figure emerged from their midst, hooded, cloaked in red and black, only his eyes visible through his face covering.
Komsor grinned as he eyed the boy who had stepped up, though he had a maturity in his eyes, like he was holding himself back purposefully.
"Does the mask speak?"
He stayed quiet before tilting his head and what seemed to be a smile reflecting through his eyes, "it certainly does. You people owe an apology."
☆
The crowd gasped and the soldiers tensed up at the sheer audacity but Kronas merely rubbed his chin, "it's true. I did give the order to pull back so I sincerely apologise for the actions of my men. But,"
There's always a friggin but, Arken mused.
"I merely am the hand that deals, the decision is all above me and my station. We can only work for our benefactors much like you people do for...whoever this masked boy is to you."
"He's our leader!" A voice from the roof yelled and the soldiers immediately got alarmed.
"Roof! Rooftop!"
Komsor calmed his men down while staring above, "is that so?"
He turned back to Arken, "look all I want to know is about that flying monster that came from the sky and apparently went nowhere. Anyone would like to volunteer?"
Total silence.
"Hey commander, did you really think these people whom you treat like dirt would willingly help you after what was done to them?"
"Where were the mages?! Where were the adventurers?"
The crowd became a bit unruly and only calmed down on Arken's insistence with a flick of his wrist.
Both he and the commander trained their eyes on the other, gauging their strengths and weaknesses without a word.
Komsor could feel his men's nervousness and alertness rising as more and more heads popped from the roofs of the above buildings and the crowd beginning to swell. They were armed knights, with swords, shields and arrows but a crowd was a crowd. And in this tight squeeze of an alley it was a death trap for any enemy.
"Fine if that is what it is, I'll leave you to it. But let it be known," Komsor yelled loud enough to be heard at the very back, "anyone who volunteers information will be paid a hundred gold."
Seeing the retreating pack, the crowds cheered and raised Arken atop someone's shoulders and began to celebrate.
Outside of the alley Komsor spoke to his second in command, Nathan, "who's the mask?"
"He's new. A potential challenger to the mayor's authority in the slums I've heard after his loyalists kept complaining to our offices and the guilds about 'unchecked' authority."
Komsor smiled, "someone's challenging the mayor huh? Never liked that tubby bastard myself but knowing he has the temple's backing itself should worry any sane individual."
He turned his head back to look longingly at the slums, "let's see what he cooks up."
☆
"Hh-hhh-ahem," Arken cleared his throat.
He was standing atop the roof of the house he was living in with Kalni, the priest brothers gazing at the slum dwellers.
The populace was beaten, battered, bruised but their eyes had this immense hope painted on them.
"I wasn't here for you at the most crucial times so let me begin by asking your forgiveness for that."
"But beyond that I want you to look at what you've accomplished. By standing together as one against a common enemy, you all prevailed."
-Cult persuasion is active-
"Then you see the world outside of this merry place. No justice, no consideration. The nobles left, ran away while instructions were followed despite their departure to use you as cannon fodder."
Arken shook his head. "This has to change. This has to stop."
"We need to be more organized than before and so I've decided on certain things. Some of which might be bitter but in the long run, it will bear fruit."
He pulled out a paper, "this is the binding oath. Whoever reads this verbatim will become a loyalist of the cult. A real cultist. Who can not refuse me or the cult's interests, and on whose betrayal will die."
-Cult's binding oath has been issued!-
"Then, I have an idea to make use of the vast sewer networks underground for the cult's needs. But that will further depend upon your cooperation. I intend to work with the mayor on this."
"The Western gate is devastated as is the little markets present there. Now though they treat us like garbage we will work on renovations. This will give us excuses for our projects while also letting some of you to get employment."
"Wait Arken," Kalni interjected with concern in her eyes, "are you telling them to help the very people who spit on them?"
Arken nodded slowly and looked at them. Their eyes held a silent protest, fatigued and weary but strangely hopeful.
"You can all release your angst and commit violence to appease your collective egos. Or, and hear me out on this," he crouched and touched the podium, dirt caking his fingers when his eyes snapped up suddenly making them stiffen, "you can all swallow your nonexistensial pride and work as one unit for the betterment of this slum."
He stood up clapping the dust away from his hands, "we are worthless now, we have no standing, nothing to fall back on when things go to shit. Yes, you have an incredible amount of rage and rightfully so but for now it is just misplaced emotions. Work with me, and we'll build something self sustaining and trust me, no one will dare touch us like we're flies born to be swatted away."
Their leader's apathy was not lost on them but they also felt helpless. Choosing the lesser of two evils was their only refuge.
Huma, the head monk was the first to step forward and turned to the people, "you heard him. Please all of you sit down in columns of four. We'll recite the binding oath as a show of faith in the Lord's direction."
His monks and other youngsters began to gather the people and set them in straight lines.
Amidst the hustle, Arken walked to Huma, "I'm surprised it's you who's going first. I thought the monks were going to be their own thing."
Huma smiled, "I'm not blind. I see power when I know it. I may not agree with your methods entirely but," he stared vacantly forward hands pressed together, "I saw how you dealt with both monsters and the commander. I will not repeat the mistakes of my predecessors by denying the monks under me a bastion to seek shelter under. I just hope you don't see them as mere canon fodder for your cause...whatever that may be."
Arken grinned and stood tall to pat the hunched man's back, "no promises there wise man, but my cause is sure to ruffle a few feathers so yeah, there will be some juicy choices to be made where I'll require the strength of everyone around me. One thing I can promise is of the shelter you seek."
"That's all I need then," he said. "Although this binding oath," he watched one of the young monks stand in front of all the seated people unfurl the paper, "does it really work?"
Arken stayed silent as it was read out slowly and the people gathered repeated the lines.
{Excellent! Your cult has expanded!
84/84 Lv. 5 –> 163/250 Lv. 10.
Binding oath is in effect!
New cult positions are available!
You have unlocked both hearts and avenues of the slum dwellers to build and expand your territory. Choose wisely, O Lord!
Cult has upgraded to Lv. 10!
Narrative Grasp: 18%
Monastic sect's blessings are still unused!
Please make use of it to form ideological imperative!}
A sudden glow of yellow and red emanated from all of their surfaces, shocking some and entertaining many.
"Whoa?! What's this?"
"Wow are you seeing this?"
They fell silent and turned to the speaker, their leader who assumed central stage again and chanted aloud.
"Long reign the cult!"
"Long reign the cult!"
"Long reign the cult!"
The grin didn't wear off Arken's face for a long time that moment, as he thought to himself.
Remarkable, more sheep to condemn!