...Continued...



After the events that transpired earlier this morning, I had Jacob gather all of the men in assembly inside the chapel. Asmodeus had been brutally attacked and my Queen, Alexandra Callaway freed from my Compound. It had been discovered that the wretched little fool that dared break into my Compound and release my Queen was none other than my best-friend and co-holder of my tag team titles, Griffin MacAlister.


He and I certainly had a rocky relationship over the course of the last year. Beginning almost immediately after my arrival. Of course, the history between us is already written. It will live in infamy among some of the greatest friendships and rivalries in the entire decade plus history of the Xtreme Wrestling Federation. The end of this relationship has yet to be written.


So, here I stand. Just outside the chapel. Pacing back and forth as I debate this terrible choice I'm forced to make. Pacing back and forth as I prepare myself to face my Illuminatus Brotherhood in its entirety for what seems like the first time in ages.


I can hesitate no longer as I open the doors and enter the chapel.



THE MESSENGER: “All rise in the presence of your King!”



My men jump to their feet in unison. From the outside looking in, you'd think it was well rehearsed and choreographed. Though this is not the case. My Brothers within the Illuminatus have been through hundreds, if not thousands, of these meetings. With the exception of the obvious absence of Asmodeus, nothing about this is any different.


I walk the long aisle toward my throne at the altar. As I walk, I feel hundreds of eyes staring at me. Most, I'm sure are unaware of what happened. Of course, with the alarms, they know something did.


I stop at the altar just in front of my throne.



THE MESSENGER: “Be seated, gentlemen.”



The men do as instructed. The vast majority of them unable to allow their eyes to leave mine.



THE MESSENGER: “My King, you have their attention.”



I take my seat on my throne and look around at the hundreds before me. Knowing full well one of them is a traitor. The question is, who?



SEBASTIAN DUKE: “I'm sure most you already know that some very unsettling events went down here this morning. It is my unfortunate duty to inform all of you that Father Asmodeus has been brutally attacked by an unknown assailant.”



The men give out a collective gasp and the whispering begins.



THE MESSENGER: “SILENCE! Your King is not yet finished!”



The men fall silent.



SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Thank you, Jacob.

“Now, Father Asmodeus is expected to make a full recovery and is resting comfortably in his cottage.

“It is quite apparent, gentlemen, that we've had a break in. I don't recall every telling you the truth, but I'm sure you all remember Silas. Silas, as you know, was really Griffin MacAlister. He had a knack for breaking through our security and entering our Compound without our knowledge.

“It seems, he's done it again.

“This time, gentlemen, he attacked the Father of the Illuminatus and freed my Queen!”



Gasping. Whispering.



SEBASTIAN DUKE: “That's only the beginning. We all know it is impossible to get into Father Asmodeus's cottage without the proper key. That means that someone in this room has knowledge as to how Griffin god damned MacAlister got his hands on the key.

“In other words, a traitor against the crown!”



Whispering. Gasping.



SEBASTIAN DUKE: “In the past, I have not been particularly kind to traitors. I've buried many of them over the years.

“But, in an effort to expedite this process, and resolve things quickly, I'm willing to grant immunity to anyone with knowledge of who gave MacAlister that key. Furthermore, I'm prepared to grant a full pardon if, and only if, the guilty party comes forward now and admits his crimes in front of his brethren.”



Having said what I prepared to, I look around the chapel. Hundreds of eyes are darting around the room. Looking for anyone who may come forward.



?????: “It was me... your Highness.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Who said that!? Come forward please.”



It takes a few seconds before the man who spoke up to actually come forward.



FELIPE: “It was me, your Highness.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Felipe! Come forward.”



It is then that the large double doors at the main entrance of the chapel open up. A surprise appearance from Asmodeus. He walks with the aid of his cane today. A bandage on top of his bald head covers the mark left from the attack.


The men watch as their fearless priest walks slowly up the aisle toward the altar.



ASMODEUS: “Did you all get a good look?”



Asmodeus peels off the bandage and throws it at Felipe. He tilts his head so the others can see the wound.



ASMODEUS: “What you see on my head is the act of a traitor. A man that gave Griffin MacAlister a way into my private cottage! A man that ensured that I would be attacked from behind by an unknown assailant!”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Dad, maybe now isn't a good time.”



I never call him by his proper title in front of the men. So, I whispered it. Many of them aren't aware that I'm the biological son of their priest.



ASMODEUS: “If not now, then when, Sebastian!? No, now is a great time. You've already snuffed out the traitor.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “I've granted...”

ASMODEUS: “I'm fully aware of what you granted, Sebastian! I will not stand for it! Traitors throughout the history of the world are eliminated! That will happen whether you approve or not!”



I may be the leader, the King, whatever. At the end of the day, the Iluminatus belongs to Asmodeus. At the end of the day, if he chooses to make a ruling, any ruling, it is my duty to oblige.



SEBASTIAN DUKE: “If that is your wish, Father, then I will make it happen.”

FELIPE: “I can not tell you how sorry I am, Father. I never meant for this to happen.”

ASMODEUS: “SILENCE!

“Your actions prove untrustworthy. It is because of you that Griffin MacAlister was able to enter my home and free the girl!

“You will now be forced to pay for those actions!”

FELIPE: “Please! Father! I beg you to reconsider!”

ASMODEUS: “You want me to reconsider!? Then you kneel at my feet! You holds your hands in prayer, and you look up at me when you tell your story!”



Felipe does as instructed. Tears flow from the mans eyes as he drops to his knees in front of Asmodeus. He holds his hands in prayer and looks up into the eyes of the man that controls his very fate.



FELIPE: “Father Asmodeus! All I wanted, all I ever wanted was to gain the Kings respect, sir. To gain his attention. I'm a black man that sticks out like a sore thumb around here and every time he looks at me, he looks away and totally forgets who I am, sir!

“I know its no excuse, Father, but I knew no other way.”

ASMODEUS: “Felipe, my son...”



I watch as Asmodeus places his hand gently on Felipe's left shoulder. HOLY SHIT! I did not see that coming! Asmodeus had somehow got his hands on my spring loaded dagger launched it into the throat of Felipe.


Felipe falls to the hard wooden floor, his blood gushing from the gaping hole in his throat and seeping into the grain of the wood. Felipe's eyes soon glaze over and he falls limp as he expels his final breaths.



ASMODEUS: “Let this be a lesson to all of you. If you betray the Illuminatus...”



Using his cane, he points down at Felipe's body.



ASMODEUS: “What happened to that sorry excuse for a human being, will happen to you. Mark my very words, gentlemen!”



Asmodeus takes the opportunity to exit the chapel. No doubt feeling the effects of the attack from earlier.



SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Matthew, take the body to the incinerator.

“The rest of you are dismissed.”



The men begin to make their way out. Matthew struggles to rid the chapel of Felipe. Jacob moves to the altar and kneels beside me.



THE MESSENGER: “We need to talk.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “About what?”

THE MESSENGER: “Griffin MacAlister.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “That son of a bitch will regret the day he crossed me.”



It most certainly will be talked about. Just not now. Right now, I need to do anything but that. I stand to make my exit and begin walking toward the doors.


...Fade to Darkness