Time passed quickly. The army of the Polykenas spread out before the city of Gloris, and Ramor was trying to figure out how to bypass the symbols.
Meanwhile, the tortures continued. Every piece of information, no matter how seemingly insignificant, was written down, passed on, and preserved.
They discovered some crucial things. For example, it turned out that Gloris possessed a fighting force of around seventy thousand trained soldiers. Unfortunately, this number no longer mattered, since every single person would take up arms, not only trained soldiers.
With each passing day, Nero grew more impatient until finally the first army arrived. It had taken nearly two months, but then everything moved quickly. Just a week later, Fril appeared as well. Lastly, two weeks after that came word that Shire was finally on his way to them and would be arriving within the next few days.
The losses had been significant, though they were not beyond Nero's expectations. Only Shire's losses had surpassed all estimation, though they would learn more once the general arrived.
Massive tunnel systems were slowly and steadily being dug beneath the entire camp. At the far end, these tunnels were used as temporary cells and torture chambers for the human prisoners.
Nero was just now stepping into one of them. "I must admit," he said, "I am impressed."
Opposite him sat Sophie, her clothes completely soaked in blood. Yet astonishingly, not a single wound marked her body. This was thanks to the Polykenas kneeling beside her, healing her slowly and steadily.
This was already the thirtieth round of torture Sophie had endured, and to Nero's frustration and astonishment, she had not given up a single piece of information.
"As expected from the daughter of the great Gerald…" he said, "Tell me, are you not growing tired of this? This endless silence, this pitiful pretense of strength? Believe me, we will get the information we need. With you or without you. From your lips or from someone else's. Your silence only prolongs your suffering and makes your sacrifice meaningless."
Sophie slowly raised her head. Her eyes, red from pain, still burned with defiance.
Nero stepped closer. He looked into her eyes, as though he could pierce her soul. Then he smiled, "I understand," he murmured, half turning away.
"I have met many like you. Fanatics. People who believe every pain, every torture is merely a trial from their god. You imagine that your silence, your blood, your suffering has some higher meaning." He snorted in contempt. "And all because you cling to a ghost in the sky."
He stopped, staring into the darkness of the chamber before continuing, his voice sharp: "Your god is a lie. A construct invented by weak minds who could not endure the abyss. Centuries of madness, of myths and false promises. You build cathedrals to a phantom, you pray to a corpse in the heavens that never existed. You're wasting your life, your talent, and your freedom on an illusion. Chasing something for which you have no proof, no witnesses. Something you were taught to believe, but you were never given the choice or the opportunity to think about it."
Nero drew in a deep breath, "It fascinates me, truly. This unshakable blindness. You would starve, you would burn, only to convince yourselves that some god is watching your suffering, that he blesses it! But the truth is cruel, Sophie: He will not come. He never existed. No miracle will happen. No angel will break your chains. No paradise awaits you in the end. You will die like animals. Flesh that rots. Bones that crumble to dust. And then nothing. No salvation. No reward. Only emptiness."
He stepped close to Sophie again, his voice now softer, almost a whisper, "You give a phantom power over your life, while you throw away every spark of meaning you could create for yourself. You kneel before a lie instead of standing on your own. You cling to a hallucination, to a fairytale figure. You may call that faith, but I call it madness. Insanity. Stupidity. "
He shook his head, then finally knelt before her, locking his eyes onto hers. His gaze burned. "A god gives you no meaning, Sophie. No god will ever give you meaning. Even if he is real, even if a god is watching, how can you give him power over yourself? How can you place your life in the hands of another being whom you have never met? You listen to what the people around you tell you, but how can you not think about for yourself? It's your life, it belongs only to you. Your existence is empty unless you give it meaning yourself. So rise. Stop being the slave of a ghost in the heavens. Become your own master. Only then will you be free. Tell me what you know and help me destroy Gloris. I will release you. You may even join my army, seize the power that should be yours."
"You understand nothing," Sophie whispered. "I do not know what happened to you that made you lose your faith, but there is still hope. Release me, call back those… things, and perhaps the great God of the Sun, in his endless mercy, will forgive you. Many say you are a monster, but I can see you are human like me. And in your eyes, I see pain behind your words. Deep pain, still unhealed. Surrender to the faith, let the glorious light of the Sun close your wounds."
This time, Nero was truly surprised. He glanced at the Polykenas. "Out," he commanded. The creature bowed instantly and vanished. Sophie watched the demon disappear, then looked back at Nero with a faint smile. "Did I strike a nerve?"
Darkness coiled around Nero's fingers, his magic winding like a small serpent. He studied it, "You are right," he said, looking at her. "I am a lost soul, plagued by a dark past in need of the salvation of a glorious and merciful god."
"You may joke," Sophie said, "but you know I am right, and it frightens you. You refuse to accept that you, too, have weaknesses. But how could a human be perfect? Only God is perfect!"
Nero looked up. He fixed her with his gaze. "Look into my eyes," Nero said. "And tell me if you see fear!"
Sophie stared into his two pitch-black eyes, and the longer she looked, the more she felt herself drawn into them. Like two black holes, pulling her in. Sweat broke on her brow, and she lowered her gaze.
Nero laughed. "And yet, I must agree again. Every human has weaknesses, even me. Only a god has none. That is exactly why I have chosen to become a god myself!"
Sophie stared at him in shock. "You...you are insane. No mortal can become a god. That is blasphemy and delusions of grandeur! You cannot be for real!"
Nero shrugged. "Perhaps. Perhaps not. But enough distractions. I admit your will is stronger than expected. Pain will not make you speak, that much is clear. Come, follow me."
He snapped his fingers, and Sophie's shackles fell from her wrists. Nero did not restrain her again but simply turned his back and walked toward the entrance.
Sophie stood up, her legs feeling weak. She watched Nero walk towards the door with his back turned to her. She thought briefly about whether she should really follow him, but then decided to do so. But not without taking one of the knives lying on a small wooden table. Her own blood was still stuck to the blade.
Nero led her through the tunnels. They passed chamber after chamber of torture. Sophie saw men and women, bleeding, unconscious, or even dead. They were her people, her kin, hundreds of them captured and tormented. It infuriated her. She gripped the knife even tighter. She looked at Nero's back. He was the reason for all this suffering. If she could get her hands on him...
She clutched the handle, rushed towards Nero, and stabbed. Dozens of symbols glowed on his cloak, and the knife bounced off. Sophie's hand hurt as she pulled it back.
Nero glanced back. "Stop playing games and just follow me!" he said, without commenting on her attempted attack or even taking the knife from her.
Sophie sat up again, angrily. She felt like an annoying child, even though she was not much younger than this person. When she looked up, she saw Nero waiting for her. She calmed down and caught up with him. His dark eyes seemed emotionless.
Every Polykenas they passed bowed deeply before Nero, yet all of them looked at Sophie hungrily. Her discomfort grew. "What are you planning for me?" she asked, unable to keep the fear from her voice. The young man only laughed as they climbed a stairway and emerged into the bright sunlight. Sophie immediately felt better. She stopped and lifted her face upward, bathing in the light of her god. Her expression hardened as her faith strengthened. She felt the fear vanish. "No matter what you are planning, it will not change my mind! Even if you want to kill me, I won't tell you anything."
Nero just looked at her. They approached a heavily guarded building. It was massive, built entirely of wood, a palace in its own right. The Polykenas guarding it bowed to Nero. He nodded to them and stepped inside, Sophie close behind.
They entered a vast hall where a dozen or more humans sat. They occupied long benches and tables, speaking quietly while servers brought food and drink. It was a truly bizarre sight, not fitting in the camp of the Polykenas.
All of the humans rose the instant they saw Nero. They drew back from him and the doorway, watching him warily. Nero turned to Sophie. "These are all humans who chose to join me instead of fighting for your faith. I spared their lives on the promise that they would fight for me and recognise me as their new master. They all agreed. Some even offered before I could suggest it. And this will be your new home for the coming weeks, so make yourself comfy."
He waved, and a small, old man quickly came to him, bowing several times. "My Duce, how can I, your humble slave, serve you?"
"Give her her own room. Make sure she gets everything she needs."
"Of course, my leash."
Nero addressed the others. "This is Sophie. Some of you will know her, but more likely you know her father, the great Gerald."
Angry murmurs rippled through them, and they glared at Sophie with hatred. "She will be staying with you for a time. Treat her well. She is a respected guest, and none of you may touch her."
"What are you planning?" Sophie asked warily.
Nero smiled. "Nothing," he said, "You can do whatever you want, lock yourself in your room, or get to know the people here. Try to start a revolt, or kill yourself if you like."