CHAPTER 2
The shadowy mountains of the gateway flicker; you walk upon the road and the light is schizophrenic with shadow; the mounted guns, you see, are broken lidless, with their clashing chants of steel and leather drums.
But all is quiet soon. Your eyes meet and it is like the world has finally made sense, reached a sense of inner peace; the striking claws of the raptor echo through the visions, and the thin line is formed and envelops the entire world. Not a word is spoken, but you both understand: Death, death is the only solution here. The grim death, no, but a glorious death; deadly combat!
He raises his hand. The chanting ceases. You do as well, the guns lift.
"In another time I would've considered you a brother."
"Perhaps. I too see the resemblance. But we do not think alike, however. Eons separate us, and the ages have spoken. Whatever ties we have in Life here, your ties specially, must be broken. That is the way that is. "
"Then we shall see. Perhaps in the Halls of the Mistress we shall dine as friends, drink merrilly."
"Perhaps, in that place. But here we do what must be done in Life, in service of Death! Lay out the bare steel!"
"The wind shall carry us both."
You raise your body; the hammer's weight leans your muscles left. The red-blade is up high! The steel cuts the air, and then, it crashes down! The ringing echoes throughout.
Do not falter now! A voice echoes inside of you; crush him, his ribs first! it says. But you couldn't notice it, the blade sears through your flesh, a deep burning score across from gut to shoulder!
He laughs "See! Even your guts revile you!".
He slashes wildly downwards, but you dodge. His sides are exposed!
Gong-hammer! The flesh ripples. The crowd gasps. Now! it says Crush the life out of him, now! For the clansmen!
Gong-hammer! The bones crackle and break. The life seemingly erupts from the body with that sound; victory! A reeling wail of pain.
Destiny, the sun, looks at you with pride. The crowd erupts. The man's body lay broken upon his side.
He is upon his back; his eyes transfixed upon you. He smirks.