Empire Of Souls 151 Submission 2

It was a normal day, like any other. Every day was a repeat of the one before. The man who was the architect of the Tower of Babel hardly did anything other than work on the tower. He had shut himself away, except for the times when he needed a break or when his thoughts were in disarray. This was not common though, and he could go days without leaving his work s.p.a.ce. What exactly was he doing in there? People could only guess.

An-Namrud looked at Ishmael like he was crazy, "I will just ignore that you said that."

"I'm serious. Is it really necessary to finish it? If something were to happen… if the tower just couldn't be finished.." 

Ishmael shrugged and gave his brother a weak smile. It was clear what he was implying.

"Enough, I don't want to hear anymore. We are so close to finishing our work, why are you saying this now? No, just stop."

An-Namrud shook his head nervously and pushed his brother away gently. He wasn't emotionally stable right now and couldn't deal with this situation at that moment. It was the anniversary of his parent's death and it was one of the rare moments where he didn't pour himself into his work. 

Instead, he would grieve in silence and wanted nothing more than to be alone. Or at least, that was what he wished to do if it were not for Ishmael who would always show up on this particular day. If not for Ishmael, he would probably have died many times over. His grief was too great whenever this time of year came around.

"How long have we known each other? I… I just don't want to see you hurt any more."

An-Namrud didn't want to look at Ishmael and he walked away from him. They were not in his lab, but back in his living s.p.a.ce. It was a large apartment with spa.r.s.e decorations. All kinds of gadgets and technological inventions were littered all over or haphazardly placed. Things he worked on or things he had taken an interest in. The room was especially messy at that time and he had even smashed some things leaving broken pieces across the floor. This was the usual sight that Ishmael would see on this day.

"Just go Ishmael, I don't want to see you. Especially not now. Do you think I am a fool? I know what you have done and what all the others have done. Now you want to convince me to stop building the tower after so long of pushing me to build it? Wasn't it your responsibility to ensure I continued my work and remained sane? Isn't always you checking up on me, making sure I take my meds and pretending to care? Aren't you my brother… my friend?"

An-Namrud's words were bitter as he lashed out. Ishmael winced, the words clearly hurting him. He couldn't refute, because it was all true. But at the same time, it wasn't as if he were given a choice either. He had been given this responsibility from the very beginning and he truly didn't want to do it. At first, it wasn't such a big deal because he didn't see any harm in it. They were all victims in this situation and he didn't know anything about An-Namrud initially. Over time though, he truly thought of this man as his brother and his friend.

"Nothing to say? Then get out."

Ishmael sighed, "I won't go. I don't care if you hate me, but I will stay." Find authorized novels in Webnovel，faster updates, better experience，Please click for visiting.

"Because it's your job? Don't worry, I will take the meds after I am done venting my anger and my hatred."

"No, that isn't what I mean. You shouldn't be alone right now, not in this state. If something were to happen to you, I couldn't live with myself."

An-Namrud scoffed and laughed, "If I die, then you will be held responsible right?"

"It is because you are my brother An-Namrud. Not for any other reason, you know that. I have already said everything that needs to be said and I have already risked my life in saying it. Isn't that enough?"

There was silence, and then Aleks woke up from his dream. This was why he didn't like to sleep, the dreams. Or better yet, the nightmares. Aleks reached towards a nightstand near where he slept. It was one of the few furnishings within his tent. His hands touched the smooth and cold surface of the golden mask.

"Not again. I'm sorry Ishmael, it was all my fault." Aleks muttered still half asleep.

"I killed you with my own blood stained hands. Even at the end, I couldn't forgive you. I couldn't sate that anger in my heart. Do you blame me?"

Aleks rose from the bed which had been carefully prepared for him by his servants. He wasn't sure how long he had been asleep. Normally, he didn't really require sleep, but his mind had grown weary and needed rest. He had too much on his shoulders and there were too many concerns he had to deal with. This was not just the issues of his subordinates and his army. It was also his a.n.a.lysis of a variety of laws, understanding the Origin within his soul, planning his next steps, dealing with the curse that afflicted Lariel and a variety of other things. This required his constant vigilance and attention.

Without his mask, he probably wouldn't be able to accomplish all of these things. At least not all at the same time. Even when he was dead, his brother was still aiding him.

Lifting the mask, Aleks only stared at its beautiful contours.

"This is your face, isn't it? But it's not the face I remember. This expressionless mask. No, I only remember that look of relief, forgiveness, and compa.s.sion. Why? Why did you look at me so? Where was the rage, the pain of betrayal, and the suffering that comes with death!? d.a.m.n you Ishmael!"

Aleks threw the mask on his bed and walked away from it, but he turned back before he had gone far and grabbed the mask. Aleks took a deep breath and placed the mask on his face once more.

"Even now, I can't do without your help my brother."

Aleks left the quiet s.p.a.ce in his tent where he slept. This was a large command tent which had several rooms within it. This was a luxury only fit for a ruler, most tents were extremely small and uncomfortable. For Aleks's command tent, much care and meticulous planning was put into it to ensure he would be comfortable. Aleks didn't really care about these things, but he had many servants and his subordinates who always cared for these small matters. 

Waiting for him when he exited his room were several female servants who quickly cleaned him and dressed him. His mind was elsewhere and he didn't even look at them. It was as if they might as well have not existed. Even though they meticulously took care of him, dressed, cleaned and ma.s.saged him, he didn't notice any of it.

His mind was ever in some distant place, seeing things they could never imagine. 

"Master, there are many waiting to see you. They have been waiting for days, but no one wished to disturb your sleep."

A fearful voice of one of the maids finally caused him to come back to the present. He nodded, "I will see them now, I have slept long enough."

The maids carefully put on Aleks's robes and placed a small and delicate crown on his brow. This was something that Lariel had asked them to place on him and was only an accessory to increase his grandeur. Aleks didn't really care for it, but he didn't say anything and allowed them to dress him as they willed. 

After preparations were complete, Aleks headed towards the main room of the tent. There were many matters that needed to be handled after the battle that shook the Steppes. There were reports he needed to hear, and the many losers who needed to bend their knees in submission to his rule.