A Circuit of Time: Book Two of Spark (A MPHFPC Fanfiction)

Chapter Eleven

Bodhi looked around, the foreigners remained quiet, but they didn't seem convinced either.

"You are going to steal a peculiar soul for this war." Bodhi said, "How is that any different from what Caul did?"

"We are using it for good." Olive replied.

Bodhi ignored her, "And there's also that fake prophecy you came up with to gain support for the rebellion. You created an image to manipulate people to fight for you, just like Caul did with his worshippers. Let's face it, we are all hypocrites. We are all using the same tools our enemies have always been using to try defeat them, and there's nothing wrong with that. Because if we don't win this war, we will subject the world to Caul's eternal reign."

"Wait, what fake prophecy?" Olive asked.

"She meant..." Miss Bittern started nervously.

"She didn't tell you?" Bodhi interrupted, "The one about Miss Peregrine's kids saving the world from Caul, of course. It was so influential that even some of my people believe it."

"What?" Olive turned to Miss Bittern.

"It was in the Apocryphon, translated by Miss Avocet herself." Miss Bittern said defensively.

"I have been studying the Apocryphon of Robert LeBourge, Revelator of Avignon for over a century before the wights took over. I can confirm to you no such prophecy exist." Bodhi replied dismissively.

"But if that was all made up..." Emma said, "What does that mean for all the people who died helping us?"

"They died for a lie." Olive said darkly.

"Yes, they did," Bodhi said, "But they also died for the rebellion. If you want to honor their sacrifice, find the soul of the Mother of Birds and use it to win this war."

*

"I believe Lieutenant Wang told you my concern about Caul sending the Soulbender here. Some particular individuals may weaken his control over the librarian." Valeria started.

Sitting opposite her was Isabelle Llywelyn, the senior agent of Peculiar Security Bereau sent here by Caul.

"Emperor Caul argees with you." The agent said, "Soulbender won't come. So, I'm here to see through the operation and make sure Caul gets his Suul."

"Don't worry, Caul will get what he wants, as he always will." Valeria assured her.

Their meeting continued for about thirty minutes. When it was finally over, Valeria immediately summoned Lieutenant Wang to her office.

"Ma'am?" Lieutenant Wang started.

"Send your people to follow Llywelyn." Valeria said, "Figure out how many people she brought here."

The lieutenant nodded, "Caul sent her to spy on us, didn't he?"

"I afraid so." Valeria replied, "We need to find the Suul first."

"Another thing, the mayor of Nanjing just told me there will be an unauthorized gathering in Nanjing this Saturday, they estimated one thousand people."

"Good, tell General Bugrov I want Peculiar Liberation Army to send a battalion to monitor the situation on the street." Valeria said, "Plant some of our people in there. I want them to attack the soldiers monitoring the situation, that will give us a reason to retaliate."

The lieutenant nodded again.

"Also I want another battalion under my direct command, sent here tomorrow." Valeria added, "The rebels are very likely going to use the gathering as a distraction. After we are done dealing with the protestors, they would have gotten the Suul already. Keep monitoring rebel activity in Nanjing, especially the Yangs and the ymbryne. Soon Francesca will lead us to the big prize, and we need to be ready to seize it."