Ava

16 - The Chamber of Marburgh

“Do you really think a mere human like you can really treat me like this? Someone like me?” The big man growled angrily. “I’m a dragon. And we are the only reason why you humans still exist.”

“Please. Me and my family didn’t do anything wrong. I dare not fight you. You’re a great mighty warrior and - ” The man said and begged but the big man just punched him to the ground even before he can finish his sentence.

“All talk but you still backstab me???” The big man angrily yelled.

“No. I was just getting a little extra for my pregnant wife.” The man answered as he tried to pull himself up and knelt down. “Please, she’s just craving for it. You know pregnant women really craves a lot. I’m not backstabbing you. And she’s already in the birthing home. After that, she’ll no longer crave for the harvested grapes. If you want I can pay -“

Another punch was given to the poor man who’s face is already bleeding.

“You still backstabbed me and took more than I allowed!” The big man yelled.

 He was about to punch the poor man again when a child who’s about 6 years of age came forward and stood in front of the man.

“Stop hitting my father!!!” The child yelled and glared at the big man who just laughed at him. He hated this dragon for always coming and hurting his family. He even slapped his mother before even when he knew that she’s pregnant. “You’re a bad dragon!!!” 

“There’s no such thing as good and bad, kid!” The big man suddenly said and looked at the child. Then he suddenly swelled in size and transformed himself into the gigantic creature that he is. Firing from his maw upwards, the people around shuddered in fear. “There is only the strong and the weak.” 

Then without any more words the dragon grabbed the child. 

“No, please. Take me instead. He’s just a child. Please.” The poor man begged and cried.

“Then so be it.” The dragon declared before dropping the child to the ground and grabbing the poor man instead. “Take this as a warning for all of you.” 

And so he swallowed the poor man whole making the people around gasped and scream in horror.

“Father!!!!” The child cried but the dragon just laughed. “No!!!!”

“Like I said. There’s only the strong and the weak. The strong survives and the weak dies.” The dragon said after his laughter died. “Now if anyone of you backstab me then you’ll all end up in my tummy.” 

With more laughter, he flipped his enormous wings and flew far away from the that town.

***

“Father!!!!!” Chase screamed and bolted up right in bed. He was sweaty all over and he just immediately poured a glass of water from the bedside table. 

Steadying himself, he took one final deep breath and sighed heavily.

“You always have nightmares.” The man who occupies the other bed commented as he too woke up from the noise.

“Sorry to disturb you.” Chase replied. 

“It’s fine. We’ll all end up not sleeping anyway. I must get used to it.” The man said, then he looked at Chase seriously. “You’re here because of your father?”

Chase nodded as his jaw clenched. Nothing will ever quench his anger for the dragons and these so called magical creatures as a whole. Ever since the second plague, they ruled over every human as if they were gods and took advantage of them since they don’t have magic like them. They were exploited and used.

“And you? Why do you want to become a Peace Keeper?” Chase asked.

“My wife was killed by harpies in the field. And when I reported it, these magical creatures didn’t do anything about. They said those blo*dy harpies are on the verge of extinction ever since the plague. So they can’t punish them no more.” The man answered and bitterly laughed. 

“Why wait 20 years before joining?” Chase asked curiously.

“I tried to accept it as my fate since my wife could never be returned. But those 20 years I spent made me a hallow shell with no direction. So I finally decided to be a Peace Keeper now and make sure that those magical creatures never return to power again. I don’t want anybody to experience what I’ve been through all these years.” He replied.

Chase nodded and sighed.

“And you? Are you sure you really want to do this? You’re still young and capable. You can still be a part of the master’s army instead of becoming a Peace Keeper.” The man commented. “I mean; don’t you want to build your own family? If you become a Peace Keeper, then that will surely never happen. But if you enlist the master’s army instead, you can still find a good woman and get married. 

“The only family I wanted was taken away from me at a very young age. After my father was killed by the dragon, my pregnant mother didn’t take the news well. She died with the unborn child in her before she can even give birth. I didn’t even get the chance to know my brother or sister.” Chase answered. “That’s the only family I wanted.” 

Three knocks at the door made them stop and look at each other. 

“That’s the cue.” The other man said. “By the way, I’m Ray.” 

“Chase.” He replied. 

“Right. Well, this is the last time we’ll ever get to mention our names.” Ray blurted out. “After we go in today, we’ll finally not be allowed to use our individual identities and become a full pledged Peace Keeper.”

“Yes, and so I’ve heard too. The day I’ve always looked forward to happen.” Chase answered and smirked. 

*** 

“AAAHHHHH!!!!!!”

Screams were heard from all corners of the chamber of Marburgh. Shrieks of terror and pain echoed through the whole place. The group of men in line started talking among themselves as soon as they heard all that. Some have already started to get second doubts in their minds and wanted to escape the hellish place if ever possible. They’ve been fed and made fit for months. And today, they were all stripped n***d and washed before they were brought to this place.

“Fear not, chosen ones.” A voice suddenly declared as it began surrounded the whole place. “You are all here because you chose not to stay hidden anymore. Instead, you chose to fight. To hunt. To take your vengeance against those bl*ody magical creatures who made you all suffer.” 

These group of men then became quiet as they listened. Their wavering hearts have started to calm down. 

“Today is the day that all of you will be made new. Today is the day that you can achieve the power that can surpass them. Today is the day for our anger to stay and sustain us.” The voice continued. “You may hear your brothers are now screaming in pain and terror but all these are just temporary.” 

Chase, who are there with these group of men nodded and looked at the chambers where the screams are coming from. He turned to Ray who seemed to be listening intently at the voice they’re hearing. They can feel the heat from the flames that’s burning inside each chamber. On top of each chamber, a word was clearly written: ‘CONVERSION’.

“Fear not, chosen ones. These flames will make you all anew and give you the power that is needed to keep the peace that we have achieved the moment we purge out all those bl*ody creatures.” The voice went on.

Chase jaws clenched as his soul was enlivened. Right. I’m here to keep the peace. Never again will humans succumb to the powers of those magical creatures.

“As Peace Keepers, you will all be responsible to continue the legacy that we have achieved during the purge.” The voice added. “Fear not the fires, chosen ones. For the right fires aren't burning but rebirthing. Once you go through these fires, then all the pain you will experience will be rewarded once you are all reborn to be Peace Keepers.”

“Yeah!” One of the men exclaimed continuously while raising his hand. 

“Yeah!” The others followed.

Each one of them was then led to occupy one chamber located at the far end corner of the cave they are in. Tucked in both arms and legs, the chambers were then covered and sealed.

“Begin the conversion.” The voice directed as fire started consuming each chamber.

Muffled screams and cries were heard the moment their flesh were touched by the fire. Chase tightened his fist and clenched his jaw as the conversion continued to eat all of his flesh. 

“AAAAHHHHH!!!” He finally yelled after not being able to control himself any longer. 

One by one, their memories are slowly being stripped off. Even happy memories with their loved ones were slowly being taken away. 

“No!!!! No!!!!! NOOOOOO!!!!!” Chase yelled as soon as he realized that he will soon forget about his father, his mother and his unborn sibling. He will forget his own family. 

What remained in their minds were the anger that they felt towards the magical creatures.

“Second stage.” The voice commanded as the servants nodded. 

A poison began to spread to every part of their body. These poison will soon make them numb and crave for the blood of magical creatures. As soon as the poison spread, life was stripped off their eyes making it all blank, without any expressions and emotions. 

“Begin the final stage.” The voice ordered once more and the servants poured another solution which will make these new creatures follow the orders of the Master and be loyal to the master.

“All done.” One of the servants said before leaving the place. 

*** 

“How many were they?” The master asked as soon as one of his loyal servants entered his chamber.

“A total of a hundred human souls were converted today, your Majesty.” The servant answered. 

“A hundred? Only a hundred?!!!” The master yelled angrily as he stood up from his throne which was made of gold, silver and precious stones. “Thousands. Thousands of them were killed the last time!!! Why are there only a hundred conversion?????” 

“Your Majesty, it’s too hard to find humans who had reasons to become Peace Keepers these days. It’s been 20 years ago since the purge happened and not many are aware of the magical creatures now.” The servant reasoned. 

“I don’t care about their reasons!!! Use the prisoners in those prison camps!!! Force them to become one if needed!!! Take all the men around the continent if needed to be!!! I wanted more men to become Peace Keepers, you understand?!” The master lashed out as he glared at the servant who kept his head bowed down. “Make sure I get thousands more. Thousands, you hear me?” 

“Yes, your Majesty.” The servant answered.

“Very well then. Leave.” The master replied before seating back on his throne with a smirk. 

I will make sure everything is ready on my end. I will be ready for you. I will put you to your end and make sure the mistake that happened before will never happen again. 

***