Building an Army
For a third time, Osmud Saddler's robes are stained by his own blood.
"Weak . . . just like the others," he says with a scowl, and burrows his clawed hand further into the second Saddler's thoracic cavity. He searches for the plaga he knows is there, but his groping quest is interrupted.
There's the click of a safety as a the barrel of a gun is pressed to the back of his head. "...But clever, I suppose."
But the gun doesn't fire. The gunman hesitates as the two, identical cult leaders fight an invisible battle of wills -- he groans in pain and dismay as his plaga is bombarded by two conflicting orders. Eventually, the gunman takes a few, forced sidesteps until he's adjusted his aim at the second Saddler's head.
" . . . But being clever can only get you so far in this world. What you really need is power." Saddler's hand has found its way to the second Saddler's plaga, nestled among the lungs and heart. His hand clenches tightly, and the plaga squirms in his palm until it explodes in his fist. As it bursts, the gun fires.
And thus the second Saddler in the room -- and the third victim to a surreal form of suicide -- expires.
The surviving Saddler withdraws his fist, destroyed master plaga still grasped in his palm. He slings it aside and shakes the gore from his hand. The twin corpse falls at his feet, blood pooling and soaking into the hem of his assassin's robes.
"He did one thing right, though. Do you know what that is, Mr. Kennedy?" He pronounces the formal name crisply, all the while shooting an ironic smile at the blond holding the smoking gun.
"What's that, Lord Saddler?" His eyes shine a molten red in the low light as he regards his "new" master.
"He succeeded in giving you the light of Los Illuminados, my son." He extends his hand.
"Yes, Lord Saddler." Leon bows his head and kisses the offered ring on Saddler's finger. He doesn't seem to mind the blood there.
"Gather the ganados, Mr. Kennedy." Yes, this was so very satisfying.
"Yes, my lord."
(( Just in case it wasn't clear, this is an alternate Leon. I swear. ))