Blood on the Temple floor

[Mike]

The electoral process had been infected by cloak and dagger politics. Eventually Kent Strider, a man recently allowed into the ranks, have emerged as the victor. A day after the announcement, Antonius and Vitellus made their way to the temple of Esuna. A shred of hope remained that they, as the two remaining members of the Senatorial class, could control Kent Strider. To limit the damage he could inflict. This was simple vanity. Accusations were cast back and forth between the three in the temple room. Vitellus pointed out that Strider had brought the dogs who followed his will into the Order to secure power, nullifying his earlier vows to not interfere in their government. Stider, in turn, boldly theorized that Vitellus had sabotaged the election by expelling members who had not visited the altar within the decided time.


"I have disbanded the Senate," Strider simply explained. Although the personal tension between their new leader and Antonius had been present since they entered the room, Vitellus had tried to remain neutral, speaking factually. Hearing the last statement, a strong nausea overcame him, his expression growing pale and lifeless. Strider had made himself a Tyrant. The sole authority in the Order of Imperial. He spoke of how religions worked, and how thoes of the Imperial Order would greet each other as brothers and sisters. Vitellus was not receptive to the persuation. Slowly, from the pit of black despair the announcement had cast him into, his will rose. Strider moved on to show them ancient scriptures that had been uncovered. Vitellus picked up the books one by one, his eyes quickly skimming through the content. It was all material from the dark ages, a time of feudalism and servitude. The tossed the old tomes aside, knowing that Esuna needed them as much as they needed her. Without the power of the Imperial Senate, the common drones who toiled beneath the marble towers and massive fortifications would not bend their knees and worship her.

"This is how things will be run from now on," Strider confidently stated, indicating the old books. Vitellus and Antonius exchanged a look, and drew their weapons. "Death to Tyrants," Vitellus muttered to himself before they charged. It seemed their Tyrannicide would succeed. Badly injured, Strider fled along a hallway. Vitellus pursued and struck him down, but at the same time, he felt a wave of intense heat on his back. Strider fell bloody and battered to the floor and Vitellus turned to face a new threat. Moments later, he was obliterated.

The battle raged on for a time, with the two Senators zealously trying to kill their newly elected leader who had risen to life again. Eventually, hope was lost. Esuna herself had intervened on behalf of Kent Strider. Vitellus left the city, storming out of the southern gate leaving confused soldiers in his wake.

Vitellus halted his flight at a road station, trying to clear his head. The words of the old tomes came back to him. He found them nothing short of appalling. There was no virtue in enthralling oneself to them. "If the whore chose to support an ursurper, a Tyrant, she does not deserve my services", he mumbled. As he spoke, his tome disintegrated into a fine dust. A free man, Vitellus resumed his travels.