Free Web NovelChapter 30: Chapter 30 : Meeren
HELIOS (POV) :
The dawn of the global conquest was here.I was going to unite the great slave citites into one free empire. No man shall have to wear chains by the time I am done and no man has to kneel to anyone ever again. Except me.
The army preparations were settled. The host was split into two one led by me to Meeren and the other by Greyworm.
The other slaver cities had alrady been preparing for an a conflict. Yunkai had already bought a few sellsword companies. Not a proper army but dangerous either way.
Greyworm was given command of 15,000 men with Oberyn as an advisor. His experience would be crucial.
I could have flown down from the skies to reign fire onto the slavers but that would render the standing army useless. Every kingdom must have a good army, even the one led by gods.
It was time to show myself to the common folk a second time.
At the incomplete temple of the Sun all the inhabitants of the city had shown up to witness their god-emperor one more time.
I stood on the massive podium, tall and mighty. The armor shining under the sunlight. Even unfinished the temple had good insulation. The builders of this world were good if not for anything else.
"People of Athens" I began silencing the nervous crowd. My voice enhanced by the super scream. That had stiffened everyman present. I had made them wait some time to here me speak.
"Today is history....And you are part of it. For as long as this continent has existed it has been plagued by sinners, sinners who, choose to enslave others, look down on others as sub humans. That was law.
But I have changed that. The sky itself had torn open the day I entered this world to deliver justice. I swear to you, MY PEOPLE, that no longer will you suffer under the yoke of tyranny.
I will take this land in the name of the all father. I will rule as far as the light touches. I will bring peace and I will bring justice.
Not long ago you had worn rags, you children slept starved. No longer will you ever know that pain again and soon the rest of the world to will learn the beauty of peace.
The world under one great banner, one that will destroy the wicked and cast holy light upon those who pray. And I will give you that empire." I began floating in the air, watching the men below weep and reach out to me.
"I shall cast that light, the purpose I was here for. Choosen for. I will give you everything. And together we will work to build a land of milk and honey.
The evils of this world will no longer haunt my people. That is my decree. That is the mandate of heaven.
A million, million eyes watch from above, cheering at this very moment. I will fly down and cast the unrighteous down. SOL ETERNAL!"
I float right above the crowd as they get possessed by a magical fervour. The thousands of souls below reach out to grab my feet in worshipp.
I feel devine. I feel eternal. I feel like a GOD.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Travel to Meeren had taken a week, the rocky and sandy path was repulsive to Helios. He chose to be infront of the army, hoovering above the air.
It was a terribly long journey but that was the cost of taking men with you.
The unsullied uniform had been remodeled. To look the part of the greatest single army in the world.
Their bronze and iron armor which represented slavery, the plain spears ans shields were all replaced.
Their breastplates were polished steel overlaid with deep royal orange enamel, edged in brilliant gold. Sunlight danced across the armor, making the entire formation look like a line of moving fire.
Their pauldrons and vambraces were gilded with stylized Dharma Chakra wheel and eagle wings, symbol of the monarch they served.
Instead of dull helmets, they wore magnificient golden helms with sculpted eagle crests sweeping backward. Flowing horsehair plumes- Crimson for every veteran and white for Commanders.
Their shields were master pieces : Deep crimson red with broad golden borders, displaying a radiant golden eagle at the center.
The spear shafts were lacquered crimson, tipped with bright spear heads.
This had the appearance of a Royal Army.
he walls of Meeren were thick and tall. The Great Masters had been waiting. Helios did not let them see him fly yet.
The Great Masters had expected another siege. Catapults, battering rams and months of starvation.
Instead they were facing him, completely unaware of the nightmare that would follow.
Helios stepped forward, too forward. Leaving his army behind. Nobody looked concerned.
He took one glance above, there were thousands of slaves who stood watching, still wearing chains and collars. The Great Maters watched from marble balconies high above, dresses in the finest of silks.
Helios made his way to the gates, within the arrow range.
The entire crowd fell silent. Except for the Masters who cheered and laughed and hurled insults at the foolish king.
Hundreds of archers stepped forward. Taking aim before releasing the arrows.
The slaves above gasped.
The arrows struck Helios everywhere....And shattered.
Some snapped against his chest. Others bent aainst his face. One struck the eyes and broke into splincters before falling harmlessly to the stones.
He did not stop walking, he did not stop looking up.
The pin drop silence which had followed was far more terrifying than any scream.
Helios found himself similing.
In an instant, he shot upward. The air cracked like thunder.
A violent gust f wind swept over the pyramid as he stopped mere meters away from the Great Masters balcony. Above a few meters. Looking down at them.
The Masters stumbled backward in panic. One dropped his jeweled goblet. Another tried to draw a dagger with trembling hands.
"You have spent your lives believing these walls made you untouchable.
I could throw every one of you into the sky before you even blink your panicked eyes."
He turned to look at the slaves watching in equal terror. Muttering prayers.
"People of Meeren!" They looked up at him. After a few moments.
"You were beaten, you were bought and you were sold.
You were told your lives belonged to the people hiding in their balconies, shaking and praying.
They called themselves your betters.They are not.
They bleed and they fear and today....."
He looked at the terrified nobles.
"...they finally understand what it feels. To be so helpless."
Helios spread his arms.
"Look at them." The slaves did.
For the first time in living memory, the rulers of Meeren looked afraid.
"There power was never gold. It was your obedience.
If ten thousand slaves had refused to kneel....
They would have no kingdom.
If a hundred thousand refused to build they have no wealth.
They are not gods. They have nothing, are nothing.
I am Helios the God of Light, Sun and Justice.And I have come for your liberation.
I have come to free you from your chains and your collars.
So let me" the crowd looked awed.
Helios’s eyes glew a murderous red.
Within an instant a bright red light erupted from his eyes. And the Great Masters were dust.
Nobody did anything but watch.
The city was his.
