Talin ran through the deep forest in the dark, fearing for whatever it was that attacked the temple. He did not care who it was. All he cared for now was his own life. After running for hours, Talin was finally confident that he was safe. He sat down under a tree and tried to catch his breath.
"I'm really glad that I decided to bail. If I didn't, I would've been dead by now." He monologued to himself.
The forest around him was silent, save for the occasional rustle of leaves in the wind. Talin's mind raced, replaying the chaos that had unfolded at the temple. The the screams, the sudden and brutal actions of the attacker—it had all been too much for him to even imagine. He was just beginning to calm his breathing when he heard a faint rustling nearby. His body tensed, heart pounding in his chest. He quickly got up and looked around, but saw nothing. The forest was dark, and the shadows seemed to shift and move on their own. His own mind was playing tricks on him.
Just as he began to convince himself it was just his imagination, a figure emerged from the darkness. Tall and imposing, the stranger moved with an unsettling silence. Talin's eyes widened in fear as he saw the figure. He did not need to guess. From the intimidating aura alone, he quickly realized that this man was the temple's attacker. He was even covered in dry blood.
Talin froze in place. He ran for hours and hours, and this person managed to catch up to him?!
"Has he been following me all this time? He could've killed me whenever he wanted!"
Azrael stepped forward, his face obscured by the shadows. Talin stumbled back, his breath quickening.
"P-please, don't kill me," Talin stammered, holding up his hands in a gesture of surrender. "I-I'm not like the others. I don't believe in what they're doing." Azrael paused, his cold eyes assessing the trembling man before him.
"You were with them," he stated, his voice devoid of emotion
"I was, but not by choice," Talin pleaded. "I've wanted to leave for a long time. I never believed in their cause. Please, you have to believe me."
Azrael regarded him silently for a moment, weighing his words. "Why should I spare you?" he finally asked, his tone icy and measured.
Talin swallowed hard, desperation creeping into his voice. "I can help you. I know things—about the cult, about their plans. I can be useful to you. Just... don't kill me."
Azrael chuckled. "No need. I already have them. You would be of no use to me then. There are two more temples that I know of. I just need to go there and kill them all."
Talin shook his head, swallowing his fear. "The cult... the other temples. They believe in completely different things. Our temple separated from the original branch not long ago because the leaders didn't have the same understanding. Our High Priestess Seraphina, she's the one who orchestrates everything. Some of us who were brainwashed by her followed her teachings and made a temple here. The other temple has no business in this."
Azrael listened intently, his expression unreadable. "Go on."
"Wh-what? That's it?! The main temples believe in coexistence. Our temple does not. Seraphina believed that the other people in this planet needed to be purged, including Steelroot!"
"So these temples, they serve no threat to Steelroot, is that what you mean?"
"Correct."
Azrael thought for a while. Talin was right. If the main temples weren't a threat to the colonists, then there was no need for him to go there and remove them. It would be a waste of time. "Fine then." He said.
"But you're still have no use to me, so I'm contemplating whether I should or shouldn't kill you."
Talin did not say anything and just accepted that this was the end for him.
"Although the colony always needs another hand.." Azrael muttered.
Talin's ears perked up, and a spark of hope flickered in his eyes. "Wait! I can help you! I have many skills! Please, spare me. I would do anything!" he pleaded, his voice filled with desperation.
Azrael studied Talin for a moment longer, then made a decision. "Alright," he said, his voice firm. "Here's what you're going to do. I'll tell you where the colony is, but you're going to wait for a day before making your way there after I leave you. When you arrive, you'll pretend like you have amnesia. You won't know anything about your origins or what happened. You do not know me. Understood?"
Talin nodded eagerly, relief flooding his face. "Yes, I understand. Thank you. Thank you so much."
Azrael gave him a curt nod. "Good. Remember, if you slip up and reveal anything about me or what I've done, I will find out, and I will make sure you regret it."
"I won't slip up. I promise," Talin assured him, his voice trembling but determined.
Azrael gave him one last, hard look before turning away. He then disappeared into the darkness. Talin who had been frozen in place, fainted.
...…
It had been five long days since he had left Talin behind, giving him ample time to distance himself from the temple massacre and return to Steelroot. The first signs of dawn were beginning to break as he approached the gates of the colony. Zara was there, overseeing the early morning activities. When she spotted Azrael, she broke into a relieved smile and hurried over to greet him.
"Azrael! You're back," she exclaimed, her voice filled with genuine warmth. "How did the scouting go?"
Azrael gave a nod, his face betraying nothing. "It went well," he said simply, keeping his tone neutral. He had no intention of sharing the details of his assault on the temple or his encounter with Talin. "I found some useful information."
Zara's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Really? That's great news. We could use any advantage we can get."
Azrael reached into his pack and produced the map he had prepared. It was filled with fake information and misleading routes, designed to misdirect anyone who tried to follow it. He handed it to Zara, who accepted it with a grateful smile.
"Thank you, Azrael. This will be a huge help," she said, studying the map with interest. "You're always looking out for us."
Azrael only nodded, his expression blank.
Zara suddenly stepped forward and, to Azrael's surprise, kissed him on the cheek. The gesture was quick but sincere, a rare show of affection. Azrael stood still, his expression unreadable.
The other settlers, including Elena, who had been nearby, stopped in their tracks and stared in surprise. Murmurs spread through the small crowd, and Elena's eyes widened in shock.
"There's no way she did that?!!" Elena shouted in her mind.
"Welcome back, Azrael," Zara said softly, stepping back. "We're glad to have you home."
Azrael gave a slight nod, still processing the unexpected show of emotion. "Thank you," he said simply. "It's good to be back."
As Zara turned to address the settlers, Azrael glanced around, noting their expressions. But before either could say anything, Zara began to speak, drawing everyone's attention.
As Zara turned to address the settlers, Azrael glanced around, noting their expressions. He caught Elena's eye, and for a moment, there was a flicker of something unspoken between them. But before either could say anything, Zara began to speak, drawing everyone's attention.
"Alright, everyone," Zara called out, holding up the map. "Azrael has brought us some valuable information. Let's get to work."
The settlers dispersed, their initial surprise fading as they returned to their duties. Elena approached Azrael, her expression curious.
"Zara, huh?" she asked, her tone light but with an edge of annoyance. "You're a real piece of work."
He turned to Elena and was confused with the unexpected question.
Azrael who was oblivious did not realize that Elena was mad at him, but even she herself did not know why she was angry. "Forget about it. Hmph." She pouted and immediately went back to working.
As he moved to join the others, he couldn't help but think about Talin. The man would be arriving soon, and Azrael hoped his plan would work without a hitch.
*****
About half a day later, Talin was spotted at the outskirts of the colony. When he finally reached the gates of Steelroot, he collapsed to the ground, faking exhaustion. The guards spotted him almost immediately and rushed over.
"Hey, are you alright?" one of them asked, helping him to his feet.
One of the other guards stopped the first guard.
"Be careful. We don't know who he is." He said.
The first guard brushed him off. "You idiot! He's unable to do a single thing to us anyway! Look at the state of his body. You think he can threaten us?!"
Talin blinked up at them, his expression dazed and confused. "Where am I?"
"That doesn't matter right now," the guard replied, his brow furrowing with concern. "What happened to you?"
"I don't remember," Talin said, his voice weak. "I just… I woke up in the forest, and I couldn't remember anything. I wandered around until I saw the lights." The guards exchanged worried glances.
"We need to get you to Zara. She'll know what to do."
They helped Talin to his feet and guided him into the colony. As they walked, Talin couldn't help but feel a sense of dread. He knew he was safe for now, but he also knew that one misstep could mean the end for him. After all, this was where that monster of a man was living. He could even be watching him right now, and Talin wouldn't even notice.
When they reached Zara's quarters, she looked up in surprise. "What's going on?" she asked, her eyes scanning Talin's disheveled appearance.
"We found him outside the gates," one of the guards explained. "He says he doesn't remember anything."
Zara's expression softened, and she stepped forward, gently placing a hand on Talin's shoulder. "Don't worry, you're safe now. We'll take care of you. Can you tell us anything about what happened?"
Talin shook his head, doing his best to look bewildered. "I'm sorry, I wish I could." Actually, he could. Although telling them would cause him to die.
Zara gave him a reassuring smile. "It's alright. We'll help you figure things out. For now, let's get you some food and a place to rest. Bring him to the barracks please. And get him some food too."
As they led him away, Talin couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope. He had managed to convince them, at least for now. All he had to do was keep up the act and make himself useful. They brought him into a two-story building and led him inside to where the beds were. One of the beds was occupied, so Talin just picked the one nearest to the door. The guards left him there with a bowl of stew.
He sat down at the edge of the bed and started slurping on the stew, then he heard footsteps behind him. He turned around to look at the person, but what he saw made him almost pissed his pants.
"Y-you?!" He yelped.
Azrael towered over him, eyes staring down on the helpless man.
"What's up, Talin?"