Last Rites

Ch. 5 - Anointing of the Sick (Part II)

I was pissed! I couldn't believe that bitch wanted me to snitch on my boy. On second thought, I take that back. Of course it would think of me like some kiss ass piece of shit. I wasn't thinkin' about what that bitch wanted, which I caught a lot of hell for in the end. I was more worried about Helios. If I had to guess when things started to go downhill... it would be this moment.

In a small crystallized, dome shaped cathedral, with rows of marble pews and columns, golden chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, with a pool in the center sits Helios and Rodin gazing into the human realm. Finally, Rodin has a glimpse into Helios' world; he's slightly jealous. To be constantly in the light and not shoved into a dark, cobblestoned workshop surrounded by flames and metal, he understands Helios' desire for more. The bells sweetly chime from all around. Helios barely allows his fingertips to make ripples in the water. There's a comfortable silence between them until Rodin decides to break it.

"I must admit, this is very calming."

Helios nods with a small smile as he stares deeper in the pool.

"I could spend... all of eternity doing this very thing," Helios says in a trance.

Rodin's eyes slowly roll up; he studies Helios closely. Rodin stands to leave as Helios softly sighs longingly.

"I know there's something wrong with me, Rodin."

"Helios, stop it."

"I am hopelessly obsessed with the human realm," Helios head slowly lifts as he says in a weak voice. "I cannot control it."

"It's not your fault, Helios. It's the nature of our work. I can easily understand how and why you feel the way you do. It... happened to me too at one point."

"Really?" Helios asks innocently.

Rodin struggles to continue the lie, "Yes, of course. But I was able to control it. Humans with their... freewill. They have no idea of what to do with themselves. Causing death and destruction while inadvertently aiding Inferno. It's maddening to witness these atrocities for as long as we both have."

"They are helpless."

Helios is slightly comforted by his words, but it isn't enough. Helios shakes his head as he loses sight of what Rodin is trying to tell him.

"And that's the problem! I just cannot see pass what they really are! These creatures, their world... everything about them is... is!"

Rodin steps forward, "Well, that's why I'm here. I'll do what I can to make sure you don't go through... this feeling alone."

Helios grunts, "Rodin you really don't understand!"

"Then help me understand, Helios! All we have is each other."

"...Do you really believe that?"

Rodin's taken aback.

Helios stands and walks up to Rodin very close as if he is trying to speak directly in his ear. Rodin doesn't budge.

"More. They want to make more," he whispers.

"Of what?" Rodin questions with rising concern.

"Us."

Rodin steps back, clearly upset, "That is lunacy!"

"Is it?! They'll call them Lumen Sages, only this time they'll make them out of Man. Then you and I will be given the task to govern alongside them. Can you imagine being put on the same level as a human?!"

Rodin grabs Helios firmly by the shoulders.

"How do you know this?!"

"My research; the silly little tasks they ask of me! They... fear us, Rodin," Helios says like a sociopath. "I know you've noticed."

Rodin tries to fight the urge of knowing Helios might be right, but Jubileus' behavior and having him spy on Helios is flooding his thought process. There must be some truth in what Helios is telling him! Not all of it can be the lies of a madman.

Helios points to a spot in the middle of his forehead and does the same to Rodin, "I've seen it all."

Helios' arms drop to his sides in defeat. Rodin looks deep into Helios' eyes and takes a big swallow.

Rodin says cautiously, "The Great One had me watch you."

"What?!" Helios roars as he jumps away from Rodin.

"But I said nothing," he says sternly.

Helios calms down only a little while breathing heavily, "You lie."

"I've never lied to you before, so why should I start now? Jubileus feared what you have... what we've both become like you said," Rodin takes a deep breath. "I am Jubileus' knight; it expects of me to report everything I've heard. But I won't."

"Why?"

Rodin shrugs nonchalantly. Helios immediately hugs Rodin tightly. Rodin lifts only one arm to hug him back. Rodin's lost in thought.

"What should we do now?" Helios asks while still holding Rodin.

"Continue on as if nothing happened."

Helios pulls away a tad confused.

"I, uh, need to clear my head if you don't mind."

Rodin walks away, leaving him alone.