II

[arianmods]

For all the promises of cures, the support, the hope that they had given the people it was quickly discovered thatthe potion had been tampered with to draw out the Archlights, to turn them to spectres, even if briefly. It was enough. Soon there were reports of innocent people becoming monsters, those monsters attacking others, in the very capital

Comments

[primecatalyst]

The fear of his own patients as those who had drunk the "tonic" before them slowly went mad, or became ill all over again, was enough to cause David to take swift action. He gave them the medicines he should have given in the beginning, in preparation. He brought orphaned children into his home, if only for a short time. They needed shelter from the chaos on the streets.

He had seen terror in the eyes of those whom he had cared for, and anger and sadness. One of the children had asked why the Emperor would give them something that would only make them sick again.

It was a very good question.

As he approached the chapel, angry over such recklessness and the fact that his patients were going to become ill again or die, or...even worse, become a monster...he could barely contain himself from just barging in the front door.

Instead he pounded on it. "Tristus! It's David--Open the door!"

[arianmods]

From inside chanting could be heard, shuffling feet moving towards the door, instead of the priest a young boy answered looking up at David with soft frightened eyes.

"He is praying, sir, please return another time." he said softly, "He is deeply saddened by this turn of events, sir, please excuse me. I must go pray for those in the Repentance...that they see the light as well..."

He moved then to close the door, though likely, he wouldn't get the chance to do that.

[primecatalyst]

Fat chance.

David put his foot in the door to keep it from being closed. "You think...that these people somehow chose for this to happen?! They're good, honest, hardworking people! Would you say the same thing if it were your own parents out there?

"Now let me talk to Tristus! We have to stop this!"

[arianmods]

"I-I have no say...I-I'm only a tool for the Goddess..." he stuttered, stepping quickly away from the door, almost fearful that he would be hurt, he didn't quite understand what was going on. He was young and only trained specifically by the church to serve it. Nothing more than that.

The priest, Tristus, was pacing the marble floor heavily. The thick scent of incense wafted out from within as he murmured and chanted, mumbled and cried out, waiting for the response he wished for.

They had no idea that this was precisely what had been intended. Not even Tristus. To them it was as though someone had poisoned the supply of potion and no one had realized until it was far too late.