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CHAPTER 166
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Zenryth Hail

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Not yet was right.

Back in the cell I debriefed the others. Not on my past, but on what Rysk Sidian had revealed.

The dungeon became a beehive of conversation once more, until eventually we were thrown into stunned silence.

There he was, Sythar Sleet being led into his own cell. The dungeon was quiet for a long time, then, finally, Oryn Ryth spoke.

"So you were never one of them." His voice was quiet, like he wished he had known. Felt bad that he didn't.

Sythar Sleet passed a hand through his flattened hair. "That everyone I know has been holding secrets? Not entirely."

"What's he planning to do with you?" Thyra Thorne asked. "It isn't like the Head going missing won't cause suspicion."

Sythar Sleet sighed. "No... I suspect he plans to use me to his advantage somehow. Or perhaps he didn't have a choice -- once I began to suspect him it was only a matter of time."

But not much more information was shared before the dungeon was flooded with guards, each yelling orders. Within minutes we were cuffed at the hands and feet, being pulled down the halls by chains.

Not a single Reaper tried to stop it. No one asked where they were being taken, they just let it happen. Soon, we were on the roof of the base, the mountain rising high behind us.

Rysk Sidian was standing at the top, and Reapers and civilians gathered around the base. Most whispered to each other in confusion, some already knew what this was.

"People of Osthaven, I know you are concerned as to why I summoned you all. But more concerned as to when these ripper attacks will stop," Rysk Sidian spoke loudly over the rain and thunder.

He then turned to us. "I will have you know I have found the answer. There are traitors among us."

There were gasps among civilians and nods among Reapers, like this was matching their suspicions.

"Led by Head Sythar Sleet and Leutenants Vallen Lyth and En Skar."

No one dared to speak. No one had ever seen Reapers as enemies, let alone Heads.

"I promise you will see improvement when they are gone. No more intercepted reports. No more uncontrolled death. No -- we will put an end to this -- to avenge those who have died."

There were knowing nods. Everyone knew he was grieving. Now, he was just turning it into his version of justice.

"It all begins here. No more secrets."

Then he gestured for Sythar Sleet. The Head was pushed forward by five armed Reapers at once.

"This is ridiculous!" Lastri Aryth yelled out, pulling against his captors until some fell over. "Are you not going to ask evidence, for--"

A Reapers muzzled him and two more came to hold him down. Talking was no use. They would watch and not intervene because Rysk Sidian clearly had the power. They'd either obey him because they believed him, or because they feared him.

"Think about this Rysk Sidian!" Oryn Ryth called out. "This is not how you will convince your people!"

Rysk Sidian waved a hand. "Maybe not, but this is step one. When it is clear there is no room for rebellion, Reapers will begin to follow my lead, and our way to peace will begin from there."

Sythar Sleet spoke over the roar of nature as he was being pushed forward. "Is this the peace we want? Living in fear of each other instead of monsters?"

A Reaper approached him, scythe in hand. Then Oryn Ryth called out again. "Rysk Sidian... do what you want, you coward. But killing your friends will never bring your family back."

Rysk Sidian's head snapped to him. "Don't--"

"Many of us have lost loved one's to rippers. But we go on. We don't take our anger out on each other--"

Oryn Ryth's words were cut short as Rysk Sidian spoke over him. "Start with him."

Oryn Ryth was pushed forward, passed Sythar Sleet and to the edge of the rooftop. Then his was kicked to his knees, a scythe being placed at the back of his neck.

Civilians screamed below, but no one dared intervene. Blurry eyed and weak, I didn't say a word as I sent Murkai toward the executioner.

The man collapsed choking. Then Murkai moved to the next Reaper, shooting -- no, bouncing weakly between each person for a second.

Any time someone tried to get close they froze or collapsed, clutching their throats.

Then Rysk Sidian looked at me and realised, and the next thing I knew a chain was being thrown around my neck, strangling me.

Murkai stopped, flying back to my attackers and choking them instead. Each one that fell a new one took over.

My vision was going dark, but my mind was screaming.

"Murkai stop! You're taking the bait! Protect Oryn Ryth!"

But he didn't listen, because every time he left me for my old mentor I began to see dark as I was choked again.

"Some part of me was glad to know you lived, Oryn Ryth," Rysk Sidian said, just loud enough for us to hear. "It would have been easier for us both if you hadn't. But this is for the greater good, and you're too narrow minded to see it."

The scythe was raised above his head as I thrashed weakly in my chains. "Murkai! Just. Go!"

Murkai flew from the lungs of my attackers and toward the executioner as his blade flew downward.

I caught his eyes. Those lavender eyes that had become so familiar. That I had gotten a second chance too see.

"Find your swans and doves, kid."

Then they went dull as the blade slammed against his neck, parting flesh and bone. In the same moment, the executioner flew back from the force of Murkai.

But it was too late. The head of my old mentor lay there in a pool of blood. But just for one second, before a Reaper pushed it off the edge with his body.

People screamed below as the chained body splat in the mud. Lastri Aryth screamed muffled curses through his muscle. Ethrin Wood closed his eyes like he could wish for his old mentor back. And I stood there, like I once had, watching the death unfold, frozen.

Then Rysk Sidian waved up the next prisoner