Селеста / Сelesta: Глава 3

Chapter 3

Camrad_RIP 02.01.22 в 16:14

The ghouls were frightened of the sun, it burned them. At first, the skin turned red, then dark spots-burns appeared on it that gradually covered the entire surface of the body. After the outer covers died off, the meat and sinews burst into a bright blue flame, and the bones were the last to burn. It took less than ten minutes after the first touch of the rays for the risen to turn to ash. The knowledge of the threat from the sky ran so deep so need to take shelter in the darkness became the instinctive urge of any novice. Bloodlust and love of twilight were the first two qualities acquired by the risen upon awakening.

Camrad_RIP 02.01.22 в 18:56

Another awakening brought no peace - Andrew could not stop remembering yesterday's events. The mood was disgusting. It had been four nights since he had come to the temple. Or was it more accurate to say "she appeared"? Salvian didn't know the distinction between feminine and masculine, but if he continued to think of himself as a man, he would sooner or later speak out. Those around her already considered Celesta strange - it could be seen in the occasional glance they caught. They're like wild beasts: they can tell immediately who's a different breed. They live by instinct. If you make a mistake, they'll tear you to pieces, no care that you, too, are a risen.

Camrad_RIP 02.01.22 в 18:57

You can only communicate with Alarika. The woman is intimidated, afraid of everything, trying not to get in Carlon's face and never to contradict him, but remains the only one who is skeptical about his theory of the end of the world. Out loud she dares not doubt it, just slips something like this into her speech. However, as soon as Andrew brought up the subject, Alarika became withdrawn and turned into a model of obedience to her senior brother's will. She didn't argue, but she wasn't supportive either. In a sense, she was a pariah in the local community of the damned, and if it hadn't been for Artak, there was no telling what would have become with her.

Camrad_RIP 02.01.22 в 19:00

Artak... He is probably the only ghoul who consciously seeks to bring his Lord closer. He destroys people who fall into his hands without question, and brutally. He left the monastery the day he met Celesta, too, not just because he was hungry. He likes to kill, he likes to feel his power. At the same time, he is an unquestionably driven person by temperament, under the influence of the head of the community completely and utterly. Why he continues to defend Alarika against Carlon's wishes is a mystery. Maybe to satisfy his ego?

Camrad_RIP 02.01.22 в 19:07

Gunn is next most important. He could have been second in the group, or even the leader if he hadn't been so desperate. I can feel a trace of his former strength in him. What's missing is a will to live, and what's left of his pride to spit on everything and go out in the sun. Artak said that in a recent clash with one of the big gangs of men, Gunn, pierced by a spear, fought with a completely indifferent face, and then coolly pulled a meter and a half of wood out of him without even a flinch. He seemed to feel no pain or other emotion at all.

Camrad_RIP 02.01.22 в 19:14

But he's no match for Tick in this aspect. Tick lives in a world of his own, paying little attention to those around him. In general, there is logic in his actions - Andrew is still not sure of the reality of what is happening: too similar to the delusion of the ruined city and its inhabitants. The temptation to declare everything crazy and sink into sweet dreams is great, hindered by the habit of a rational perception of the world and some psychological stability, instilled by television and the old way of life. The man of the twentieth century is deaf to the technological wonders supplied by science - he who watched Predator is ready for anything.

Camrad_RIP 02.01.22 в 19:15

Well, there's nothing to say about Paltin. He's a horny jackal, and you have to kick him hard if you get the chance, so he won't try to grope you. You won't have to wait long for the chance.

Camrad_RIP 02.01.22 в 19:20

The last and most dangerous member of the community is Carlon. Not just a fanatic, but reasoning, thinking fanatic. A personality is capable of overwhelming, of leading. Give him time, he'll snap Gunn out of his black melancholy and grind Alarika to dust, turning her into a wordless executor of his will. He already has. He's well educated, and his priestly past has endowed him with great oratorical skills and a broad mind. It is not customary here to talk about his life before the plague, but, judging by the manner of his conduct, Carlon was a priest not of the rank and file. He was not at all afraid of magic, but regarded it as a simple trade, without any piety. Conclusion: Most likely, he belonged to the nobility.

Camrad_RIP 02.01.22 в 19:25

Although Celesta remembered nothing of the past, she could easily get the answers she needed from Alarika, so she had an idea of the social structure of the dead society. The words "mage" and "noble" could be equated. True, most were limited to the most primitive tricks, and the descendants of the gods often lived poorer than their merchant neighbors. Wizards made up about a quarter of the population, while the rest benefited from their labors. How many of those who had the gift had survived the catastrophe, I wonder? One percent? One-tenth of one percent? Less?

Camrad_RIP 02.01.22 в 19:30

Sometimes I got the impression that the senior brother hated people, the uncompromising manner in which he spoke of the coming end of the human race. Just now he was showing on a primitive blueprint, a dirty piece of paper, the location of the main gangs and the places where the dangerous monsters lived, how, almost without transition, he began to plan the next sortie, in which the chances of the living were reduced to zero. Carlon never even considered who or what he would become when his god came into the world: the process of service was far more important to him than the result. In fact, he even loved people - the love of a craftsman who loved his instrument. After all, by their deaths, the doomed helped him to bring what he wanted closer...

Camrad_RIP 02.01.22 в 19:34

Carlon would be a dangerous enemy, cruel and unpredictable. Andrew thought about it again and regretfully decided that it would not be possible to avoid conflict. It was a shame: he would have liked so much to get used to the new world first, to learn as much as he could about the new world, to just rest. The shock of the transfer still manifested itself in sudden bouts of panic or falling into a trance. What to do now? Fight or flee? The girl grinned. Fight the priest...

Camrad_RIP 02.01.22 в 19:37

Yesterday's hunt not only drove the first wedge in the relationship between them but also provided much food for thought. Every three days the uprisings would raid their holdings around the monastery, killing all the people they encountered. It was not so much for practical reasons - you could get blood at any time, in principle: at the sight of a couple of ghouls, the ragamuffins scattered and were easily caught one at a time - as for psychological, or ritual reasons. The human race is steeped in sin, Carlon proclaimed, and so the time has come for him to retire into oblivion and purge the world of his vicious presence. Morvan's reign would continue until the last of the stained race had passed, and then mankind would be replaced by other, more perfect beings. But it is the destiny of the ghouls to carry out the plans of their dark master in every way possible.

Camrad_RIP 02.01.22 в 19:39

There weren't too many deaths this time: bitter experience had convinced the marauders to stay out of the danger zone. Celesta, under the pretext of weakness, tried to stay in the back row and out of sight of Carlon, so her participation in the massacre was reduced to a symbolic fight with some ragamuffin. She let him get away with it and stepped into the small square where the others were already gathered. Everyone was staring at the sword-wielding man, presumably the leader of the marauders, who had so far successfully flung Artak away. The wall made it difficult to get to the warrior from behind. The ghouls hadn't bothered to come to the aid of his kin before Carlon had arrived, and even Alarika had stayed out of sight.

Camrad_RIP 02.01.22 в 19:41

"Why do you resist the inevitable?" The priest stopped a few paces away from the sweat-covered, scratched man. Artak stepped aside at the leader's appearance. "Are you blind? Look, now is the time of the Great Night! The strict but infinitely fair judge has spoken his verdict, and the verdict is harsh! Leave your resistance and go to the next world to answer for the deeds of your kind!"

Camrad_RIP 02.01.22 в 19:47

In response, the hoarsely breathing warrior only spat:

Camrad_RIP 02.01.22 в 19:49

"Get back in your grave, ghoul. Or I'll spill your guts, wrap them around a piece of wood, and hang them on that ledge over there. So you can roast better in the morning, bitch!"

Camrad_RIP 02.01.22 в 19:49

"You've chosen your way," Carlon pursed his lips, a fanatical expression on his face. "In the name of Morvan the Destroyer, curse you forever!"

Camrad_RIP 02.01.22 в 19:52

The priest's head was tilted back, his mouth opens in holy ecstasy. The hand, pointing at the victim who had dared to resist, was enveloped in a bloody blaze, the hand seemingly surrounded by a thick, dark flame. A small lump of flame separated from the main mass and flicked lightly, like a feather, toward the man, striking him in the heart area. The senior brother lowered his arm, his figure hunched over. After a brief, viscidly silent moment, the mortal's eyes rolled back, and he collapsed to the ground.

Camrad_RIP 02.01.22 в 19:58

Dead one.

Camrad_RIP 02.01.22 в 20:00

"Behold the power of the Lord!" The priest pathetically exclaimed, spreading his arms in a cross. "Thus he punishes those who dare oppose his servants! And he bestows his blessing on faithful servants!"

Camrad_RIP 02.01.22 в 20:00

A blessing is a blessing, but he looked terrible. His eyes were sunken, his skin was unhealthy gray and dull, and his fangs were protruding from his mouth as if he had been starving for days and was now in the final stages of exhaustion. He could not stand upright, he staggered. But all the rebels, without exception, stared at Carlon with wild delight - their awe more than compensated for the energy expended. Even the perpetually detached Tick was distracted from his reverie, staring at the leader with eyes glistening with tears.

Camrad_RIP 02.01.22 в 20:03

It was as if the stranger's consciousness in the ghoul's body was divided. "I-Andrew," with the detached delight of an outside observer, saw the manifestation of the real magic, the same magic that he had long sought in his homeworld, but did not have time to catch in this one. The descriptions of former power, sparingly and painfully recounted in the intervening nights, were no substitute for a single demonstration. Though there was not much to see or understand, there was hope that something remained, that not all knowledge and power had perished in the flames of the disaster that had ravaged the wizards. At the same time, he thought about the reaction of his kin. Why had they reacted so sharply? Living in a magical society, they must have seen far more impressive displays of wizarding skill. Perhaps it was the sheer ecstasy of the magic that shook them: while other wizards were powerless at best, more likely dead, Carlon was able to perform miracles. How could I not think that the Chieftain's Chosen One?

Camrad_RIP 02.01.22 в 20:09

"I-Celesta" had no thoughts at all. The second part was perplexed, looking at the dead body with no outward signs of damage, squinting warily at its frozen brethren, greedily inhaling the scent of blood. The scent of life, giving fluid permeated the air, the five dead men generously watering the dry ground. Hunger and mild bewilderment - the ghoul felt no other emotion.

Camrad_RIP 02.01.22 в 20:11

"Celesta." The senior brother's voice shattered the strange stupor. The shattered mind trembled, the separate parts pulled together and merged into a coherent whole. He shook his head, coming to his senses, and the brief interval of splitting turned into a sudden shock. "Celesta, are you ready to serve our Lord, sister?"

Camrad_RIP 02.01.22 в 20:17

No matter how badly Andrew was feeling, he understood how a negative answer would turn out in this situation. Therefore, despite his bad feeling, he nodded accordingly.

Camrad_RIP 02.01.22 в 20:18

"Come closer, sister."

Camrad_RIP 02.01.22 в 20:20

Inwardly cringing, the newcomer moved closer to the leader. Up close, it was clear why the warrior had defended himself so fiercely and not tried to escape: In a narrow hole, against the wall, a young girl of about sixteen was crouching. She was hard to see, so deeply buried and so tightly pressed against the rubble of the ruined house. She did not expect anything good from the sudden attention of the night killers, judging by her eyes wide open in horror, fixed on the body of her fallen protector, her face whiter than white, and her hands clenched tightly protecting her body.

Camrad_RIP 02.01.22 в 20:23

Carlon spoke in a muffled, sonorous voice:

Camrad_RIP 02.01.22 в 20:23

"The day came and the hour came when the living envied the fate of the dead. But the Lord's mercy is infinite. He welcomes everyone in his kingdom, whether born on a silk bed or a child of unknown parents, the righteous and the sinner alike will bow before his throne to accept their fate with resignation. We, who have been brought back from the Darkness by his will, are in all things subject to the will of our Lord and Father. Become an instrument in the lord's thoughts and bring the creation of the new world nearer. Make a sacrifice, fill the demon's chamber with the blood of this wretched woman!"

Camrad_RIP 02.01.22 в 20:27

Andrew-Celesta stiffened. He had killed in this world before, though he rarely even fought in his own. How many had he killed? Three, more? He was not going to feel any remorse. The men themselves were ready to fight, to rape, to do other evil. But the priest was offering to kill a defenseless, almost childish person. That is, to break the stereotypes created by education, to spit on conventional morality, to trample on conscience and become a real predator of the night, to cease to be a man in the spiritual sense of the word.

Camrad_RIP 02.01.22 в 20:31

Each tribe has its ritual of entry. The father shows the child to his relatives and the sun, the civil registry office registers the new member of society and issues a paper decorated with a seal, the new relatives present the young wife or husband to the ancestral altar - it is impossible to list everything. Ceremonies unite individuals into a collective, establish strong bonds between them, and divide the world into their own and those of others. Celesta hunted with the community, lived in the same building, wore similar clothes. But she was not yet her own. Now Carlon intended to acknowledge the newcomer, thereby gaining another neophyte, and at the same time tying her to himself. With blood. He didn't expect resistance.

Camrad_RIP 02.01.22 в 20:32

"I thank you for the honor, Senior Brother, but I feel no need to kill this child." Celesta shyly lowered her eyes as the experienced mind inside her frantically searched for a way out. The girl was pitiful - and she didn't want to die. And the fact that if he refused, he would not live long, Andrew was well aware. "The demon inside me is silent. Maybe he didn't like the sacrifice."

Camrad_RIP 02.01.22 в 20:37

"He like," the priest cut her off sharply. "He's only testing you, your loyalty."

Camrad_RIP 02.01.22 в 20:38

"And yet I'm not sure..."

Camrad_RIP 02.01.22 в 20:40

"Don't doubt my words!"

Camrad_RIP 02.01.22 в 20:40

With difficulty he straightened up, he stepped closer:

Camrad_RIP 02.01.22 в 20:41

"Don't doubt the path you've chosen." His voice sounded caring and mesmerizing. "You are tired and frightened, you are tormented by the loss of your memory. There is destruction and chaos all around you, and death has put its mark upon this land. But believe me, you are not alone. We will be your new family, we wish you well. Come to us, become one of us..."

Camrad_RIP 02.01.22 в 20:43

If it were not the occult experience, Andrew would not have felt the extraneous influence. He simply would not have been able to realize that he was being influenced. Carlon did not hypnotize the newcomer; he gently enveloped her with his words, overwhelming her will with his participation and kindness. A normal person simply would not have doubted that the priest wished only good, sincerely seeking to help the poor girl, who had lost her bearings and did not understand what was right and what was wrong.

Camrad_RIP 02.01.22 в 20:44

"Please, Senior Brother, give me more time."

Camrad_RIP 02.01.22 в 20:45

The chief straightened, his eyes filled with amazement and rage:

Camrad_RIP 02.01.22 в 20:46

"Was I wrong about you!?"

Camrad_RIP 02.01.22 в 20:46

Celesta felt the pack behind her move closer. The ghouls, still under the sway of Carlon's miracle, sensed the displeasure in their idol's voice and were ready to tear apart whoever had caused the displeasure. Out of the corner of his eye, Andrew noticed Alarika tentatively retreating into the shadows. No, the woman would not help him now; they knew each other too little, and the fear of the chief was too great. And - the other side: the crouched girl looked at her with fear and hope. She knew that for some reason the strange ghoul did not want to kill her.

Camrad_RIP 02.01.22 в 20:52

The pack behind me took another tiny step.

Camrad_RIP 02.01.22 в 20:54

There is no escape. There are many of them, and now their actions are guided by an instinct that screams: "He who is not with us is against us!"

Camrad_RIP 02.01.22 в 20:54

Andrew made a decision.

Camrad_RIP 02.01.22 в 20:55

The hope in the victim's eyes went out.

Camrad_RIP 02.01.22 в 20:55

She didn't have time to scream as Celesta's arms wrapped elusively and delicately around her head, twisting her neck. Death was instantaneous - the poor girl felt no pain. Behind, the rebels howled joyously, welcoming their new sister, a real sister now, not just in words. A tired Carlon straightened up, wanting to say something...

Camrad_RIP 02.01.22 в 20:56

He stuttered.

Camrad_RIP 02.01.22 в 20:56

Celesta stared straight ahead into the leader's face without looking away. And he knew that one day he would be challenged. Yes, today he had won, the power was on his side, he had achieved what he wanted. The sacrifice was made. But the newcomer could not be broken: sooner or later she would respond to today's coercion. Someday...

Camrad_RIP 02.01.22 в 20:59