DUNE-A False Haderach (OC X Shishakli) (OC x Alia)

Part33

Chapter 33

PAUL ATREIDES

Paul's decision has been made for him. Despite his sparring with Chani and all the other preparation he had undertaken, it was becoming evident to him that he truly had no choice but to undergo the ritual and embrace his destiny.

It was a risk, one that he felt that he had no choice but to take. And so, after asking Chani for the details, he picked up his bag discreetly, hoping that his movements would escape the notice of their new monarch, and Chani.

It was a betrayal to Inzal, to Chani, and to his own mother. He knew, in some ways, that he was being forced into this choice, that he was dancing to the tunes of that old hag. Yet what was he to do, let his and the Atreides honor be besmirched like that?

No.

And so, he would do it. And pray that he was stronger than both his enemies and allies believed him to be.

And yet as he stepped out of the city, using the secret passages Chani had shown him earlier, he found few guards there and found it rather easy to sneak out of the city with a single ruck-sac.

And as soon as he was out, he still as he heard a familiar voice.

"If you make that journey on foot, you will never make it back in time for the congregation," and his snapped to the side, and he found them there, standing in the shadow of the great wall.

Inzal and his mother, both of them looking straight at him.

Perhaps it was wrong of him to imagine that he could escape the eyes of one who could look beyond the confines of this galaxy.

"And even if you do make it to the ritual site. The Sayyadina's there would hardly accommodate your request," Inzal added as he walked upto him, mother beside him.

"Paul, what were you thinking," she began, and his fists balled up as he looked into her eyes.

"You do not have to do this. You are the ducal heir. You have men under you who would wield your blade for you. Duncan, Gurney, Hwatt, and even Inzal would. You need not put yourself through this," she chastised him, and he shook his head.

"NO!" he answered louder than he had wished to.

"This is my fight. My destiny," and Inzal scoffed.

"You have no destiny but the one you make yourself through blood, sweat, and tears," Inzal cut in.

"Then let me do this." He replied, looking at the white-haired boy.

"Let me do as I please. Let me make the journey and embrace my true self," he pleaded and saw Inzal's blue eyes focus on him.

"This is idiocy, Paul. Listen to me, I will not have you ris...." and yet the boy cut off his mother as he raised a hand.

"Why do you think I stop you, Paul Atreides?" he asked, and Paul shook his head.

"Do you think I fear what you would become? Fear the power that you would gain?" he continued as he began to loosen the flying unit attached to his belt.

"No, I stop you because I know of the burden that it will bring, of the regret it will bring. I know that you will regret your choice. I know it as I know that the Sun rises in the East and sets in the West," he finished, and Paul's lips thinned.

"The Kwisatz Haderach. It is less of a blessing and more of a burden. One that would see you lose your sense of self, sense of your own family, your own love. If you falter for a second, a mere second, it will eat you away, make you but a husk of the man you are, and turn you into a twisted creature, a weapon to be wielded at the behest of the very sisterhood that sought to end you and your family," Inzal finished.