Greth's eyes moved in a straight line, looking at everyone in front of him. No one spoke, or even whispered, but the glances they exchanged were much noisier than the heavy steps of the guards.
Lish had his arms crossed, eyes fixed on his 'Guiding Light' as if no one else existed.
Roi turned to the countless people waiting for the Leader to continue. Derlom met the eyes of the woman next to him, then placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and got closer. The toddler waved a hand to him.
Calees and Jest were staring at their Leader. Calees seemed uneasy; her fingers were digging holes in the handrail.
Jest seemed a copy of Lish, a stone face without emotions.
Master Dolor sat on the temple's stairs with his head down on his thumbs. He was rubbing them, paying no attention to anything else.
In that moment, Roi noticed that he was also in front of so many people. He suddenly felt very uncomfortable there; he would have walked away, or at least merged with the crowd. He turned to Lish to ask him to leave that spot, but the expressionless face of Lish made him change his mind.
"Maybe I would only attract more attention. Play dead, play dead."
Roi forced his body to stay completely still. Maybe, that way, he would have become invisible to them.
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He took three steps forward. The people were divided in half; some were doubtful and against it, whilst others supported it. The muffled whispers grew louder. Some started to accuse others of being cowards, Insults were shouted from both sides, and a few of them were trying to shut those people up.
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Roi felt the warmth of his voice, the warmth of a parent who was talking to his child.
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This time, his speech inspired many more people. Yet, among them, the doubtful one didn't remain silent. Soon, the same accusations and insults as before erupted even more loudly.
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Silence fell on the Settlement. Many people glanced at each other, astonished. Roi glanced at Derlom, who was whispering to the woman next to him. To his mother. His icy eyes stared at him.
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<> His words were harsh and grave.
Roi questioned himself whether that man was the same one he had talked to. Throughout his posture and tone, he radiated an authority far greater than Greth's.
The entire line of people exploded into thousands of little chats between them. Many who were unsure of that mission, or afraid to be chosen, gained strength through that ideology. Leaving not only for their children, but also for their beloved ones, whether they were friends or parents, a better world.
Roi was amazed at how many people he moved with that simple phrase. He saw Calees arguing heavily with an ugly guy next to her.
Jest and Saphine remained composed, taking no part in any of the conversations taking place around them.
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Master Dolor sat on the temple's steps, listening to the people arguing near him. He seemed disappointed.
Greth smiled, pleased.
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In that moment, the Leader raised his hand, and the little chat vanished almost instantly.
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They quickly ran through the Settlement and stood next to Roi.
He then proceeded to say a bunch of names that Roi forgot almost immediately. At each name, the line of people moved, making space for that person to walk forward.
At each name, Roi glanced at his friend, hoping not to hear his name.
At each name, Roi trembled with fear, hoping not to hear his own name. Chilling sweat drops encircled his face.
A random name was said, and a random man stepped forward. Another name was said, and a young girl hugged her family and stood next to the man. Another name and a man with a bandaged hand stepped forward.
Roi recognised him. It seemed he'd slept well.
The line was getting longer and longer. People of all ages, from fathers to sons to orphans. Some wore only their green underwear, and others were fully dressed in armour or in simply green clothes.
Mansin was mentioned, and Roi could only catch a glimpse of his black hair moving among the crowd. He walked face down and slowly. So slowly that Greth had the time to say another name, apparently of a middle-aged woman, and she arrived at the same time as Mansin.
Another few names. At this point, the line counted twelve people.
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A round of loud whispers flew among the people of the Regulursteum.
The Savior's eyes moved towards the sky, meeting those of Derlom.
"No one is in a rush, right?" He thought, staring at his brown eyes.
His hands trembled.
"Why me?"
No one in the beginning wanted to go beyond the walls, in the land of the Cursed. Everybody was stronger than him, even the kids. He was in that place for... far too short a time.
Someone pushed his shoulder. He turned around instantly and saw a guard who gestured to him with a move of his head to move.
Roi clenched his teeth and walked towards the line. He could see the hundreds of eyes follow every step.
"Where should I place myself? next to the first man called or next to the last man?"
Although he would have preferred to stand next to the first man, the most logical option was to continue the tradition of standing to the left of the last person called. This meant that his walk, watched by hundreds of people, would have been particularly long.
"FUCK YOU, GRETH. WHY ME? Why me and not Derlom? He's much stronger. Or Lish, Jest, Calees, or even Saphine. Everybody is much stronger than I am."
His eyes caught a sudden movement. Two thumbs up from Derlom and a nervous smile. He was brought back to reality with that view. Rage rose in him.
"I DON'T NEED THAT."
<<...ill him if he turns out to be an enemy.>> Greth's words were cold and distant. Far different from the parental warmth he remembered. Far more painful than others.
The Savior looked at the ground and quickly walked through the infinite field that separated Greth and the line of people doomed to die.
He thought to find relief to give his back to all those people, but before him, another ocean of people were watching that scene. The guards on the watchtower, Lish, and a few other guards, Greth, the Commanders, and all the people of the Iron District.
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<> Her voice was determined, without a shadow of doubt.
The Leader smiled. He opened his arm to the wagon and said.
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It took them a while to stand next to Roi. In the meantime, Lish spoke.
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The two men in black armour nodded respectfully. Omes widened his chest even more.
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"Please swap him with me. I can remain here forever."
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Lish's arm fell to the ground. Greth placed a hand on his shoulder.
The next leader had his mouth wide open, his eyes fixed on the Leader.
The mouth closed, his jaw clenched, and its muscles were visible to all. His veins on his neck became thicker, and his face turned red. But, before he could do or say anything, Greth spoke calmly.
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