49 Castor (2/2)

On the wall was a human bound and devoid of clothes. The roots of an ancient Zerden tree, renowned for it's hardness, wrapped around the human's wrist, ankles, and waist. While startling, that alone would not have provoked my reaction. What truly horrified me was the state of his body.

The pure and just image that I had of Castor, Corytheius, and by extension all G'eth leaders, was instantly shattered. I knew some G'eth could be heartless. I hadn't forgotten that the Grand Elder's were originally going to let me die and that some villagers had treated me with disdain. However, I understood their reasons for making those decisions. I didn't blame them, I understood the threat my existence posed. I still believed in their desire for justice, in their passion for life.

But this... this is too much... this is too... sadistic... too... cruel.

I looked at Castor, ”Why? How could doing something like this protect the village?”

Castor looked ashamed as he responded, ”Valerian, you are still young, you haven't seen the realities of life beyond this village. Did you honestly think peace could be preserved without bloodshed, without violence? I didn't want to do this, I had to. Sometimes sacrifice is necessary.”

”This isn't a sacrifice, this is... this is... heinous ,” I shakily pointed toward the human, inadvertently taking another look.

In-bedded in his flesh were Razarac vines. They were growing in and out of numerous areas of his body. His skin bulged in places roots were growing underneath. Areas all over his body leaked blood as the Razarac vines entered and exited his flesh. Parts of his face and body distorted as the plant slowly dissolved and ripped him apart. His ragged breathing the only sign of life.

The Razarac is a particularly vicious plant that is normally seen growing in battlefields after large battles. They dissolve and absorb the flesh of the corpses they grow on. They have razor sharp leaves that could easily slice into a brown steeled bear, much less human flesh.

Razarac vines grow in necrotic tissue. It could not naturally grow in a living human body. That coupled with their various stages of growth painted me a clear picture of what had happened. A G'eth had inserted Razarac seeds into his body and accelerated their growth at varying speeds.

Killing him I could understand. If he was a threat to the village I wouldn't hesitate to kill him myself. Anyone who harmed innocent lives deserved to die, just not like this, never like this. He was tortured. Tortured in the most terrifying, sadistic way possible.

I glared at Castor, on the verge of losing control, my anger at the cruelty of it all bubbling over.

”How could you do this? If he caused the explosion killing him was enough!”

I was near delirious with rage, I couldn't fathom it. Castor's lack of an answer broke my last attempt at control.

I screamed, ”WHAT PURPOSE COULD THIS SERVE? HOW DOES THIS BENEFIT ANYONE?”

My shouts seemed to echo around us.

Castor had a sympathetic look on his face, ”I understand how you are feeling. I know that you can't comprehend it now, but you have to,”

”AHHHHHHH!”

A horrific scream erupted without warning. The pain and terror expressed in that sound was so profound it could freeze souls.