Chapter 5

Stellara was the glamour capital of the kingdom, located in the northeast of Euphoria. It was the center for entertainment, art, and pop culture. Any man, woman, or child longing for stardom packed their belongings and cut their teeth for any company willing to hire them. In truth, the companies merely exploited desperate minds, assigning menial tasks for low wages. It was a hard life, though not one many seemed to mind. This was, of course, the surface-level reality. Beneath it lay an infrastructure influenced by humanity's tendency to suppress resentment for professional shortcomings. Internally, however, many were frustrated, longing for change.

This yearning for change was why the "Change of Command" rallies had most of the region in attendance. Yet, exactly two days before any such event came the cleansing. The Shepherds understood that societal order required more than just laws. True command stemmed from de-influencing behavior. In the heart of Stellara, a group of criminals stood lined up, publicly sentenced to death.

Mai sat behind a curtain with an air of lush confidence, brushing her vibrant red hair before a mirror.

"I'm going to miss this body," she sighed.

"So will all the men you've exposed it to," Sion replied with a smirk.

"Haha, oh baby, you've been dying to take me for a spin. Are you jealous you haven't had me?" Mai asked, gazing into Sion's piercing blue eyes.

"If I wanted to, I could have you tied to my bed, begging for me right now," Sion whispered in her ear.

Mai laughed heartily. "Not in a million years, Sion."

He pulled out a chair and sat beside her, now at eye level. Resting his cheek on his hand, he returned her intense gaze.

"Well, we're already a few hundred years down. It seems like you're starting to crack," he said with a wink and an elated grin.

"I think I overheard Athos wanting to talk to you. Maybe to scold you for another disappointment?" Mai said innocently.

"I'll leave you to it, princess," Sion said. With that, he departed the dressing room, closing the door behind him. He maneuvered past stagehands, volunteers, and Stellarian aristocrats, greeting each one courteously. He stopped to speak with a visibly nervous rally volunteer.

"Good morning!" Sion greeted him enthusiastically.

"I, erm—well, I—ugh," the volunteer stammered.

"Normally, people say 'good morning' in response," Sion laughed, placing a hand on the young man's shoulder. "Is this your first time helping at a rally?"

"Yes, my shepherd."

"That's exciting!" Sion smiled warmly. "I'm sure you're doing a fine job. Just relax a little, okay? The Shepherds are here for you and the people of Euphoria. Have you seen Shepherd Athos by any chance?"

"Yes, my shepherd." The volunteer glanced down the hallway and pointed to the third door on the right.

"Thank you. And please, tell me your name."

"Micah, my shepherd."

Sion extended his hand for a handshake. "It's great to meet you, Micah. At the next rally, I'm sure you'll be the one leading it." He smiled and began walking in the direction Micah had indicated. Upon entering the room, he greeted Athos confidently.

"Ah, Mr. Athos, I heard you needed to see me."

"I just spoke with the Palaris family. They were devastated to hear their youngest was killed yesterday. You remember Martin Palaris, right?" Athos asked rhetorically, his tone unreadable.

"It rings a bell," Sion jested.

"This is no laughing matter!" Athos boomed, his voice commanding authority. Sion felt the weight of it. Athos began pacing slowly, his presence filling the room. "Do you understand the structure of this world we've created?" Another rhetorical question. "We cannot weave a web this complex on our own. And what happens when that web catches fire from within? It spreads outward. Everything crumbles to ash and dust. Our society—the society we have spent 362 years building—will descend into anarchy and madness!"

Athos rubbed his face with his large hands. "Is that what you want, Sion?" He turned away, letting out a deep sigh. "I know you lost your sanity long ago, but it's your public perception and silver tongue that make you useful. This erratic behavior is unacceptable. If you continue down this path, I will have no choice but to put you in a casket myself!"

Sion felt two feet tall. Athos's scoldings were infamous among the Shepherds, a rite of passage every one of them endured. Yet Sion had received far more than his fair share. Something clicked in his mind: this might very well be his last.

"Do we understand each other?" Athos asked.

"I'm sorry, Athos. After such a long life, I feel like I lose sight of the value of living." Sion paused briefly. "Sometimes I lose sight of who I am. Or who I was when we started this."

Athos's demeanor softened slightly. "Victor and I are finishing plans to hopefully solve all of this," he said.

"You really think Dreamworld will work?" Sion asked. This was not his area of expertise. Dreamworld was a grand plan for the brightest minds of Euphoria—and Victor and Athos were two of them.

"This goes far beyond anything anyone has ever conceptualized. If it all goes perfectly, this will achieve true euphoria."

Sion observed Athos closely. The strain of countless lifetimes was beginning to show. His forehead bore worry lines, his eyes darkened from lack of sleep. Even his hair, once dark brown, was now streaked with gray. For a moment, Sion saw a man cracking under pressure.

"Where is Victor, anyway?" Sion asked.

"He's handling matters with the Phantom Order. He won't be at the rally today."

"The Phantom Order? Why wasn't I informed? We usually handle that business together!" Sion demanded.

"Because we need you here to dazzle the crowd with your charm. Victor isn't nearly as beloved as you, so I kept you here."

"Fine, but if I miss any murders, I'll be deeply upset with you, Mr. Athos," Sion quipped, returning to his usual elated mood.

Athos gave his usual low chuckle and glanced at his pocket watch. "Showtime."

The stage was set. Seven hundred and thirteen thousand people gathered to witness Euphoria's deadliest criminals sentenced to death. Thirteen criminals knelt in a line, a symbol of the justice system's might.

From behind the black curtain, Athos emerged first, followed by Sion, who extended a charismatic wave to the crowd, and Mai. The crowd erupted into cheers. Seeing the Shepherds was a rare occasion, and the excitement was palpable. Athos waited tactfully for the applause to subside before speaking.

"Thank you all for being here today. As you know, Euphoria is what it is because of the great citizens of this world," Athos began. "You create peace and abundance. So why should you be punished for a few bad apples trying to ruin our society? Is this fair to you?"

The crowd roared angrily, their cries directed at the prisoners.

"The Shepherds are citizens of Euphoria, for the citizens of Euphoria! We serve you! Do you want deranged, filthy criminals running around raping your family? Murdering your family? Destroying the businesses you worked so hard to create?"

The eruption from the crowd was deafening. Athos glanced at Sion.

"My brothers and sisters of Euphoria," Sion began, taking a moment to address each part of the crowd. "Today, we gather as citizens of a nation unlike any other—a beacon of hope and unity amidst the chaos of the world. Yet, even in a society as advanced as ours, there are those who threaten to undo everything we have built. These individuals before you chose to defy our laws, our principles, and the very essence of what it means to be Euphorian."

He stepped closer to the edge of the stage, his piercing gaze sweeping over the audience. "These are not mere mistakes or lapses in judgment. No, these are calculated acts of treachery, driven by greed, malice, and an utter disregard for the lives of others. They sought to undermine the peace we have fought so hard to achieve, to sow discord where there should be harmony."

Sion's voice grew colder, his words sharp and deliberate. "We cannot and will not tolerate such behavior. To allow these individuals to walk free would be to invite chaos into our homes, our streets, and our hearts. And so, we must act decisively, not out of hatred, but out of love for our people and our way of life."

He turned to the prisoners, his expression one of controlled disdain. "You stand here today not as victims, but as the architects of your own demise. You have chosen this path, and now you must face the consequences of your actions."

The crowd erupted into chants of approval, their fervor echoing through the square. Sion let the noise wash over him before raising a hand to signal for silence.

"Euphoria thrives because we hold ourselves to a higher standard," he continued. "We are a nation of order, of discipline, and of unwavering commitment to the greater good. Let this serve as a reminder to all: the laws of this land are not suggestions; they are the foundation of our existence. To defy them is to defy Euphoria itself."

With a final, piercing look at the audience, Sion concluded, "Justice will be served. For Euphoria. For its people. For our future."

The crowd's cheers reached a fever pitch as the executioners took their places. Sion stepped back, allowing Athos to give the final signal. The curtain of justice fell, and the crowd roared in approval, their faith in the Shepherds reaffirmed as the heads of the sentenced scattered and rolled across the stage.