Descension

CHAPTER 32

There's a cold gust of wind that sweeps above the spires of Genesis, the smoke from Onyango's cigarette pulled away with it. Like the wake before a funeral, this night is unusually tranquil; the streets are devoid of hovercars, lights are off, and a light smattering of rain dots the balcony garden of Capitol Hall. The city seems to mourn itself and the world around it in respectful silence.

"You're up late," Tiberius' voice calls from behind Onyango.

Onyango doesn't turn around as he replies, "...Maybe by your standards."

Tiberius clasps his hands behind his back and slowly strides up to Onyango's side, bringing his arms up to lean on the railing, "May I?"

Onyango nods and places his cigarette between his lips as he pulls the pack from his pocket, holding it out to Tiberius. Tiberius mouths silently, 'thank you', as he takes one, cupping his hand against the wind as Onyango lifts a lighter to the cigarette. Tiberius takes in a deep breath, his exhale shaky as he lowers his gaze to the street below.

"We both know what's coming," Onyango states.

Tiberius stays silent.

Onyango continues, "Do you regret-"

"No."

Onyango's brows raise as his eyes slide over to Tiberius.

Tiberius takes a long breath through his cigarette before tilting his head. "I stood here once with Liam not that long ago. I asked him what he saw when he looked down onto those streets, and I now ask the same of you."

Onyango takes a measured pause before replying, "I see calm before the storm."

Tiberius nods. "The Ordership will survive."

Onyango's eyes narrow as he listens to Tiberius, skepticism shining through his ever-permanent mask of deceit.

"We will take shelter and emerge once it is safe. Once the world is rid of traitors to our cause, we can rebuild from there," Tiberius says, his voice ringing with solemnity, "This upheaval was inevitable; this is our opportunity to finally wrought the utopia set forth by the Ordership's founders!"

Inside, Onyango's heart races; outside, his stoicism remains as he takes another puff from his cigarette.

"Think of it..." Tiberius whispers as he gazes at the clusters of skyscrapers in front of them, "...we'll be rid of the infectious traitors that threaten our society... and finally have true equality." His eyes shift to Onyango.

"Yes..." Onyango smirks. "I completely agree."

Tiberius huffs, flicking his cigarette off the edge of the balcony. "...if only that were true," he murmurs as he walks away.

Onyango's cheeks burn with heat as Tiberius walks away, spines of panic sinking into the back of his neck as he begins to shake. He takes a hard puff from his cigarette with a violently trembling hand. As embers fall from the tip of the tobacco roll, he looks up from the concrete railing, and his eyes fixate on a burning orange flickering in the distance. He watches as it creeps closer, the details slowly unfurling before him. In the corner of his eye, another one. Then another, and another, like fireflies slowly appearing at twilight, little golden suns fill the streets. He squints as he leans forward, and a whisper begins to resonate from all around him, becoming chanting as it draws nearer, then into roaring. The glimmers fill the streets like molten steel within a cast, the chanting growing louder and louder. The breath is stolen from Onyango's lungs as he realizes what this is: nearly a dozen mobs armed with fire from all directions line the streets, and they're all headed for Capitol Hall. Onyango scrambles away from the railing and sprints inside the building, his shoes squeaking against the waxed floors as he skids to make his turn, slamming his fist down on the security alert button in the main office.

"Every unit, post outside of Capitol Hall and form a barricade! We're under attack!" Onyango shouts, a strand of sweat-drenched hair falling loose and landing between his eyes.

Two guards immediately burst into the office to huddle around Onyango, a few moments later, another two marching in with Tiberius in tow.

Outside, the chants begin to ring clear: "Freedom from the Ordership! Break free of their grip!"

Onyango's wide eyes meet Tiberius' own, watching as Tiberius' hazel-blue eyes tainted by insanity now fill with panic. He rushes over to his seat at the crescent table and boots up his holopad, tapping rapidly at the screen before standing up and throwing it across the room, the glass shattering against the wall.

Tiberius screams into the palms of his hands, "God fucking damn it!" He slams himself back against the wall and slides down with a sob, gasping for breath as he clutches at his chest. "I did it, I did... they'll all be gone by morning, they'll all be gone..."

Onyango's brows knit as he stares horrified at Tiberius. "What have you done?"

Tiberius laughs through his hyperventilation, grasping at his throat as he kicks his legs out in front of him. "The Omnium weapons..." he hisses his breaths through his teeth, his laughter resonating more as a growl now, "...They'll rain hellfire on every city who ever dared to oppose us."