The Two Brothers (1)

Night fell upon the tower. Every member had long since fallen asleep. The Chosen child was safe in the holy room. 

I still wonder sometimes if this is the correct path. A child who was not only born today, but also witnessed the death of their mother. Is it truly correct to pass the burden of our hope and wish onto such a small child? 

My comrade Ergo does not care. He follows whatever the Messiah tells him, and I do not blame him for doing so. For decades, the Messiah has led our cause through the darkest times, making choices that any normal person, such as I, would crumble against—the man who challenged the God of Monsters and the God of Beasts to ensure we survived.

Just from that sight alone, I would have also followed him to the bitter end. And I still would. Yet, for the first time in a long time, I am starting to doubt his words.

"Brother Ergo," I said as I turned and looked down at him. His gray robes covered his body, and his slouch disturbed his actual appearance. Even though I have fought alongside him since our cause was formed, I do not honestly know what he looks like under that gray robe and plain mask that I, too, wear.

Ergo turned his body and shifted his head as he stared at me from the corner of his mask. His gaze still sends a shiver of fear down my spine. He coughed a bit before speaking in a rough, chalk-filled tone, "What is it, Brother Morn?"

"What are your thoughts on the Chosen child?" I spoke as I stared at his dark brown eyes. Even under the darkness of the mask, I can still see the burn marks that litter his face. Only if they were small and faint, they were still there.

"The child? Why do you ask that question? Are you doubting the Messiah by chance?" He said, his body slowly rising as he probed me. He was ready to strike me immediately if I spoke out of line. 

"I do not. I am merely curious about your thoughts on this child. For he is the one who will guide us to the end of our cause and so wish to see someone's second input," I said as I slowly raised my left arm. Though it didn't leave my gray robes, it was high enough to allow me to strike, or at least let me block his attack if he decides to hit me with one attack.

"… I have some doubts if we are to be honest, Brother Morn," He said as he shrank back. The glare in his eyes slowly receded into the darkest parts of his mask. 

"In what aspects, Brother Ergo?" I asked as I lowered my arm down.

"Although the Messiah has spoken and his will has been enacted. I doubt that this child is our Chosen child and that the Messiah is the Chosen spoken in our teachings," Ergo said as he shook his head and breathed out.

"Why the Messiah? He has grown old with time and is getting weaker by the day. So why do you believe that?" I asked, curious as to his answer.

"You have fought alongside the Messiah far longer than I or anyone in our cause. And so you are the one who knows the strength of the Messiah far better than I or anyone. So do you believe that his power is weakening or that he is playing an act to make the Gods look away from him?" Ergo spoke, his voice holding hope and strong belief in every breath. Yes, even when Messiah was still young, his strength alone could change the tides in our favor. I also must admit that I genuinely do not believe that he is growing weak, but is also playing an act.

I truly believe that. Yet, each moment I see him. I could only notice his flaws, shaking hands, stumbling, and the moments he held his head. He acts strong, but we all know he is getting weak. Everyone believes that it is just an act like us, but there are moments when I truly believe the worst.

"… it's best if we end the conversation here," Ergo said as he walked forward and stared into the dark hallway. I didn't even need words to be spoken as I moved in front of the large wooden door that is the only entrance to the Chosen child.

"Show yourself, you rats scurrying in our sacred halls," Ergo said as he glared at the darkness.

Moments later, five people wearing our gray robes and blank masks stood before us. I recognized them as the new ones who volunteered for our cause. I had hoped that these five were people who truly believed in our beliefs, but reality is cruel.