abstract
| - The rebel gestured, pointing at History's Final Hero with a long claw of matte, dark grey metal, glowing with an unlikely black radiance. The shaking interpreter looked to his motionless God for a moment and then down to the assembled traitors. "Our King, our All-God congratulates you and acknowledges your valor. He will confer upon you great honors and the full measure of His forgiveness if you were all to slit open your throats without delay." The rebels looked unsteady for a moment, and then their captain slashed the air before him with such divisiveness and incredulity as he could muster. "He is no god of ours, and soon none will bow to him ever again." The interpreter looked pleadingly at the rebel, but it was too late. Ashur-El opened his eyes, which immediately began to run red with tears of bright red blood, staining the webs as they ran first down and then up, dripping towards the ceiling. With a crack of breaking stone, His lips parted and his shallow exhalation billowed white in the chilled air. The rebels found themselves unable to look away, unable to step away and one by one they fell prone. Their faces frozen in the terror of waking nightmare, their screams stuck in their throats. Only their leader remained, the leader of the Arbor Gate, who had rallied the other factions to his plot and destroyed those who had remained loyal. He too was unable to move, but he yet stood tall, watching as the interpreter descended the steps and stood among the throne of rebels. "Sweet Master, for whom each moment I am able to serve is as generous and delightful as ever I could hope for. With these acts, Iteration X is complete. This is the third time Coreish of Arbor Gate has organized such a revolt, as you surely recall. At your pleasure, I shall have the Cabalists restore them to a prior state to resume their responsibilities. Yes Lord, I understand and shall commence with your instructions at once. Coreish, our Magnificent and Unconquered Master tires of you and bids you dispose of yourself before we begin Iteration XI." Coreish the rebel's mind worked furiously, this was his third attempt to overthrow Ashur-El? Surely he should recall such momentous acts. He pondered and pondered, but he tore himself apart with his newly acquired claws before answers came.
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