The Epidemic

Prologue

The Epidemic

Prologue

"The ancient tale states that once the aura is destroyed, the disease will be released."

"Quod antiqui fabula semel affirmat destrui sphaera est, non potest morbo dimisit."

"The disease will at first be small and minor, then evolve to cause the maximum amount of suffering."

"In morbo autem prima sit ac minor minima, quantum doloris inde evolve ut faciam maximam."

"Let there be fear!"

"Sit timor!"

"Let there be strife!"

"Jurgia fiant!"

The cloaked leader held up his leather bound edition of "The Dynasty's Proclamations and Creations."

"And let there be death!"

"Et erit mors!"

"And let Adalyn Maybelle James feel the wrath of the suffering and may she contract the disease herself!"

"Et Adalyn Maybelle sentire iram James hominibus dolore affectis morbo et Maria sic se!"

The leader smiled under his mask and thrust a vial into the air.

"Brothers and sisters, we must release the force fields now. The disease will be released very soon and we must protect ourselves from the death. They shall call this Magna moriendi, or "The Great Dying." Brothers, sisters, throw your vials in the air! They will not come down unless you are unworthy of survival!"

"Ita!" The crowd shouted as they threw small purple glass vials that were strung around their necks with brown cord in the air.

Then, one fell down while the rest floated.

All eyes went to that vial, the one that fell. The owner of the vial stood and took off his mask.

"Am I the one who must watch Adalyn?" He asked.

The leader nodded. "Yes. You are unworthy, so you must contract the disease and give it to Adalyn Maybelle James. She will be forced to give up the mission. Then, once her co-conspirators contract it, they will give up as well. Their excuse for a mission will be over!