Chapter 272: The Death of Mortem Part 5 (1/2)
Vitae watched her people from the Garden's bell tower. Whenever she felt remotely nervous or paranoid, she would always find herself up here watching the children playing. Their carefree persona was something she was far envious of. She yearned for the times she, too, used to be like that a long time ago. Sitting on the edge, Bargaining stepped out from the tower, eyeing her down. ”It's typical you'd be up here, Mortem.” Vitae turned startled, going to stand only for Bargaining to hold her down. ”Don't bother.”
Bargaining sat next to her, twirling his blade around, taunting the vessel. ”Did the Gardeners send you?”
”No, they didn't. No one knows where you are, apart from me, of course. Vitae would come up here often with the plan of ending her own life. She could never go through with it no matter how many times she planned it. I honestly felt sorry for the pitiful girl.”
Vitae looked away, cupping her hands. ”Are you here to kill me?”
Bargaining raised his eyebrow, shrugging his shoulders. ”That depends.”
”Depends on what?”
”The answer you give me. You come up here every day and just watch the world pass you by.” Bargaining states watching his own sister playing with the others. ”So, my question is, why?”
Taking some time to think over its Vitae sighed. ”I always look to beyond our sanctuary, towards the horizon that is always dark. The sun never sets or rises here; we're stuck with that blood moon forever. I sit here and wonder what if things could be different? I want to be free like everyone else. I want to preserve and keep hold of this life as it's all I have. I come up here with hope, hope that everything could change for the better.”
”That makes sense, I suppose.” He admits scratching his rough beard. ”You're the third vessel for Mortem; the entity is as old as the Gardeners themselves, yet you never had a body to call your own. It's not surprising you get too attached.”
”Vitae gave up control of her body very early on. Her will to live was hanging on by a thread she didn't even think twice about giving it to me. She has served the Gardeners well, but I know my time is almost up; soon, I will be looking for a new vessel, one younger and more powerful. That all these vessels are to the Gardeners. But they are so much more than that to me; they are a part of me. We are two in the same. When I leave one vessel behind, it feels like dying. A new me takes over and continues; all those memories of the past me are gone like they never happened.”
”How does that make you feel?”
”Frustrated.”
”I see. You know…” Bargaining whispered, leaning towards Vitae with a blank stare. ”If I were to tell the Gardeners about what you just told me, they'd have you purged at once. Questioning the beliefs of the Gardeners is questioning everyone. High treason, that is.”
Vitae panicked, throwing her arms around. ”No, no, that's not what I meant! I would never go against the will of the Garden. I am far too weak for that!”
”So, you're saying if you were stronger, you would?” Bargaining questioned, staring daggers at her before he dryly laughed, patting her back. ”Relax, I was joking. I have no intention of turning you in. Like they'd believe one of the Ten's Judgement anyway. No one here trusts me and with good reason.”
”Do you still look to destroy the Garden?”
”I did say that at one point, didn't I? Forget all of that.” Bargaining pushed away, yawning. ”We're both the same, you and I. Neither truly fits in here; we both yearn for more. I wish to cut ties with my own heritage and save my sister while you look free. Neither one of us can have what we want unless we fight for it.”
”What are you trying to say?”
”Mortem, I want you to fight against the Garden.”
”You what?!”
”Don't act so surprised; I'm sure even the Gardeners know I plot against them. We both look to be free. We have a common goal. Alone we wouldn't stand a chance, but together my plan can work without a hitch.”
Vitae was taken back as she muttered. ”What do you want from me?”
”It's quite simple. Your next scouting mission will commence soon. You'll be tasked with learning just how far the people of this world have evolved since our last attempt. New York is your location. I want you to take over the city. Gather as many powerful fighters as possible. Make an army and prepare. Soon enough, the Gardeners will realise you are not coming back, and they'll send someone else to kill you. That person will be me. If the seeds of my plan are to work, I need to be up there before the war breaks loose. The Garden's influence is weak up there, so we will be able to move freely without any interventions.”
Vitae was obviously taken back by this as she cupped her hands together. ”You know, I could turn you for this. They'd believe me a lot more than you.”
”You could, but I know you won't.”
”Why?”
”Because you listened to my whole plan without stopping me once.” He stated, standing up. ”Your only hopes in defeating the Garden and being free Mortem is power. Without power, you cannot win.”
Bargaining went to leave only for Vitae to yell out. ”Hang on, your plan? Everything you're working towards, what is it? What are you planning, Adam Berry?”
Bargaining turned back around with a smug look as he placed a finger to his mouth, hushing her. ”Shh, it's a secret. Worry not though Mortem, everything is about to change soon enough.”
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