chapter 15-punishment

"I cannot allow you to continue this path, to return to that place where they treated you no better than mere litter," I pleaded.

"It is my right. I have the right to go back," he insisted.

"We were going to go back, to reclaim our society, our lands, and build a future for all, regardless of their status," I argued.

"You have proven and achieved nothing substantial. You are a liar, deceiving others all for your own greed," 

I stared into my friend's eyes, searching for a glimmer of the person he once was. But he had been tainted by his own hands, consumed by self-deception. Self-destruction was prevalent in this age, where hope had all but vanished, yet I would not flatter him or anyone else with false promises.

"Then you leave me with no choice. I shall serve justice, I shall carry out the deed, and you will regret your actions," I said, closing my eyes, taking in a deep breath, to focus.

"Do your worst. I am done listening to you, a man willing to slaughter half the population for his own greed," he retorted.

I stood up and placed my flintlock pistol on the table, alongside the tools of torture. But I didn't need those. I unsheathed my saber from my belt. It was no ordinary weapon; it had been forged and transformed into something fitting for the new age, a symbol of light in the darkness.

"Gorberg, my friend, you have stood by my side, witnessed my struggles. But you have also seen me work miracles, overcome unbeatable odds, and save the lives of our fellow brothers. You know that only I can achieve the impossible and make it possible. That is why I will banish you. You are no longer welcome. I have no doubt that you will try to convince the king to aid you in your banishment. That is why I will sever your tongue, and you shall never speak, write, or draw again. You will be a cripple within the mist, an outcast from the sanctums and the stronghold of Yorktale. I will make it painful, and I will show no mercy," I said, he knew the laws, and rules, thinking he was above them.

I wished I could make this painless, show mercy, and let my friend live. But he had been tainted, not by lies, but by the truth. It was my right, my duty to pass judgement.

I opened the bottom of the hilt of my saber, revealing a socket for an ignition ammunition. I dipped the blade into a barrel of oil, turning it black. I stood before my friend, his eyes filled with hatred for me. I knew I should blame him, but I blamed myself as well. He had betrayed my trust, broken the laws, and justice had to be served.

I pulled the trigger on my saber hilt, igniting the blade with fire. It illuminated the dark room, becoming the core of light. Its orange hue was beautiful, but this was not a performance or art. This was an act of justice being served.

I struck at my friend's hands, which was connected to a restraining device made of brittle water wood, resistant to fire. Instead, his forearms caught fire as I sliced his hands. I heard the screams and agony, but there were no pleas for mercy, only curses from his foul mouth. It pained me to hear his words, but I silenced them, knowing that he was in far more pain than I could ever comprehend.

I released my finger from the trigger, extinguishing the fire on my saber. All that remained was the smell of burnt flesh and the echoes of screams. But I wasn't finished. Oh, how I wished this could end, but I couldn't stop. I had an image to uphold as a commander. If I lost that image, if my people saw me as weak, it would all be over. All hope would be lost.

So, I grabbed a short blade from the table for his tongue. I took deep breaths, knowing that I had done this many times before, but only once to my friend. And I prayed that it would only be once.