Eclipse - Act 4 - Cycle's End

Chapter 10 - Twisted By Madness

Wints... I hope you can forgive me for this...

... hell who am I kidding?

I doubt I'll ever forgive myself...

The Airship descended to the landing pad on top of the skyscraper which watched over Vale, landing on it. They both exited and walked down the steps to the Deacon's Office, which was near to where President Amara Zure had her office placed, on the same floor, in fact. Eryka followed him across the pristine landing pad, and entered his office, seeing the perfectly clean room. Windows did not have a stain on them, and not a speck of dust anywhere.

Eryka couldn't help but whistle. "Dayum. I'd hate to live in a place like this... I'd be scared of making a mess." She joked.

"You know I don't live here, right?" The Deacon laughed.

"Oh? A man as busy as you? I'd thought you'd be buried in work up here." Eryka chuckled.

"Well... some nights are like that." He admitted. "Honestly, it's a bit much for me, too. I requested a more modest working space, but... they gave it to me as a gift." He said, shrugging his shoulders. "Definitely more of a president's thing."

"Ugh, you have to see her too?" She asked.

"Gods don't get me started." He groaned.

As they walked further in, Eryka saw Cardin looking out the window, his arm pressed against the panel. "Crazy how much smaller everything looks from up here... think I understand why politicians and C.E.Os get such big egos when they're cooped away up here." Cardin said, turning to see Eryka behind him, greeting her with a welcoming smile.

She smiled back as she approached him. "Hey, Cardin." She greeted him, giving him a warm hug.

"Been a while, Vasillias. How've you been?" He asked her.

"Hanging in there... until this one came along." Eryka said as she looked at the Deacon, who was leaning against one of the pillars with his arms crossed.

"He tell you?" He asked.

"Mhm... honestly, I don't like this. I only agreed because he said he knows what happened to my brother... I wish he'd just say it, but I guess he needs a bargaining chip, right?" Eryka assumed.

Both of them stared at the Deacon, making the masked man lower his head shamefully. "It's not like that."

"Isn't it? Because it definitely feels like it." Eryka said, crossing her arms, pressing her back against the window.

"Sorry dude, but I get what she means." Cardin sighed.

"Would either of you really help me with this if I told you?" He asked, both fell silent. Cardin sighed and shrugged.

"Yeah... I would. I was there, remember? I know what he did." Cardin reminded, but Eryka sighed as she paced back and forth.

"No... I'm sorry. They're still our friends." Eryka said.

"Your friends." Cardin reminded, getting her attention. "Not one of them cared enough to see how I was doing. Never called... not one. I may not wanna start something, but I'm not gonna pretend like I'm buddies with them. None of them really ever forgave me for my past mistakes all those years ago." Cardin stated.

"C'mon you don't know that." Eryka said, looking at him.

The Deacon stepped away from the pillar as he approached something he had in the corner of the room. "Look... I know you have your doubts, Eryka. And I understand... but I can't stand by and let him get away with this any longer. But nobody is forcing you to stay here. If you feel this is too much for you, you can go. I won't stop you, and I won't judge you for it. I know what I'm asking of all of you." The Deacon explained.