"They seem busy," Aaradhya whispered to himself as he was led out of the crystal peak by a small procession of servants. He was aware that they all knew that it was his birthday today months prior to the day. Everyone was wearing ceremonial clothing of red and black with golden accents. Masih Sr was directly behind his son the entire time in a half robe that matched his son's current golden and silver threaded regalia. Mrs. Lagrange, Vivaan, and Neela followed the two out of the crystal peak. They were all privy to the servants that piled into box trucks that had been lined up outside of the building.
"What are they doing and don't hide anything from me, bad surprises are my second least favorite thing," Aaradhya asked Mrs. Lagrange about the staff's movements. As far as he was aware, they were going to an outside venue that had been arranged between the hotels that were on the beachfront. At least, that's what his father said after he told him that he wanted a fresh and quick start to the day.
"We have arranged it so that the cooking staff has been and will continue to coordinate with kitchens across the island in making food for the flock for the festival that has been planned for today. Today is your birthday so we have to pull out all the stops," Mrs. Lagrange said. She was about to continue when a servant tripped over a rock and dropped the tray that they were transporting.
She wasn't going to do anything until it became apparent that others simply didn't know what to do as the steady flow of bodies and food came to a grinding halt as a few people bumped into one another and dropped some more precious food. She motioned toward her aides to continue as she walked over and delegated. Vivaan and Neela played a single round of rock, paper, scissors to decide who would talk first.
"W-w-we also have staff at the port that are moving some decorations in from the mainland but that is not something that you need to concern yourself with my Lord," Vivaan bowed deeply as he controlled his excited stutter. He made sure not to knock the box in his hands as he spoke.
"Vivaan, I believe I said not to leave anything out. The first thing on my list of least favorite things is incompetence," Aaradhya shook his head at the young man who thought he was sparing his lord the gritty details.
"The decorations are some flowers, fireworks, and gilded lanterns. We would have gotten them in earlier but it was decided to wait until the very last moment so it would be more of a surprise for the flock," Neela clarified as she placed a box in her hands off to the side of her body.
"And what about guests? Are there going to be any like on the day of the Conclave," Aaradhya asked.
"I do not believe so," Neela chewed on the inside of her cheek and frowned as she gave it some thought before she spoke.
"There are not going to be guests today. They are coming tomorrow or some other time during this week to pay their respects or make good on some old promises. Today is just for the flock," Masih Sr cut in and saved her from an embarrassing silence.
"Great, let us be on our way once Mrs. Lagrange comes back from putting out that fire," Aaradhya nodded a few times and let himself be picked up by his father to be put into his seat within the golden rimmed extended hummer.
It took a while for the group to actually head out due to the souls that slowly filed in behind Aaradhya. Then there was the focus that he needed to thicken the Verdant below the limo so that the souls would not just fall through the vehicle when they accidentally made themselves more incorporeal than normal.
In addition to all that, there was the problem of the undead that he had created. The short term problem was that the souls would eject from their bodies if they were out of his sanctuary's reach. The long term problem was that the bodies, if he left them while taking his souls, would start to dry out and decay. An issue that made it difficult to place his souls back into their forms. As a result, Aaradhya carried his favorite undead, a warbler, and had Neela and Vivaan carry boxes with all of his insects, bugs, and mice.
Crossing though a village at the base of the peak, there were blood red and golden banners and decorated skulls everywhere. The people were in the streets with instruments and goblets shaped like horns. No one approached the white extended hummer with golden rims. It was a day to celebrate to be sure but it was also a day of sincere respect since it was the day that their lord descended into the mortal realm.
It was a good thing as well since Aaradhya spent his precious time petting the warbler as he looked out of the window. He noticed that people were already drinking and partying out on the beach near a massive stage that had been built at the highest point on the sand where greenery and dirt mingled together with the sand. Children were playing in the sand, building castles, digging holes, or building mounds onto their parents or siblings while the sun was still high in the sky. Everywhere one looked there was a soldier or militia member in full military gear with a gun but the crowd didn't seem to notice them. In fact, the presence of the guard was welcome after what happened on the second day of the conclave.
'So this is where I will stay until I am called to the stage for the main event,' Aaradhya found himself in the staging area of the ceremony. The rest area that was set aside just for him was past the beach goers and toward the back of the stage that was cut off by giant walls of metal scaffolding and curtains. He examined the surroundings as per normal and noted that there were tents full of food with burners underneath them, unconnected speakers and lighting equipment littered the grounds, long folding tables, and people all over the place that were setting up generators with long cables.
At the center of the mess was a relatively clear tent with a mini air conditioner blowing cool air into it.
"This is certainly an atmosphere," Aaradhya shook his head as he was led to a seat within the main tent. There were snacks and drinks all over the place. There was even a tv that had been set up next to the table that contained the snacks.
"I have to make sure that the Grand Elders are on their way and have appropriate gifts so that I can report to you what they are. I will also have the conversations that you have said need to happen now that you have discovered some patterns in their banking statements," Masih Sr left after bowing to his son. None of the elders showed up to breakfast so it went without saying that they were probably all up to something.
"I have to make sure that everyone will be ready in time for the start of the main event," Mrs. Lagrange immediately got into work mode and left the tent after fixing her Lord's robes that he had loosened because of the heat. Vivaan and Neela moved to follow the old woman but she shook her head and tutted.
"Stay with the young lord and attend to his wishes," She left to take control of the workforce. Vivaan and Neela placed the boxes down next to their lord and looked lost as they shared a glance.
"Neela, Vivaan. Take a break for an hour, the celebration will not start until much later," Aaradhya read his people like they were books and sat down on the high backed and downy cushioned armchair that had been prepared for him.
"What should we do though," Vivaan blanched at the thought of being free of duty.
"What do you do for fun," Aaradhya asked.
"Well, we usually work the entire day…", Vivaan trailed off as he tried to think of something.
"I guess a board game would be fun," Neela placed a finger on her chin as she cut in.
"Then go look for one, I will even play a few rounds if you can find sorry," Aaradhya waved his hand to dismiss his servants as he flipped through the channels to pass the time.
The festival was a rather simple affair. The moment it started two hours late, Aaradhya was brought to a raised platform that was built to rise above the sand. A dozen armed guards stood at the base of this platform as flowers were brought up to decorate the a small throne that had been brought to this place. Neela and VIvaan brought the boxes up to the throne so they were within their lord's Sanctuary. Aaradhya only began to pay attention when the crowd became unbearably boisterous at his long awaited arrival. They were all chanting and singing along to a woman that sang and danced on stage the moment he appeared. The crowd only quieted down when the eleventh elder, Andie Rosas, took to the stage.
"Happy birthday my lord. We have gathered here today to bask in your opulence," after he said so, lights flashed on the stage as the sun came down.Gilded lanterns pulsed with life as fireworks thundered.
"We are happy to report that as of this moment, it has been exactly one year since our lord has decided to join us. As such, we have something special planned for today," Andie pointed to the side of the stage where something tall was covered by a curtain. As he spoke, the curtain was drawn back to reveal a guillotine.
'What is that going to be used for, don't tell me that they are not going to have my father kill the sacrifice this time,' Aaradhya shifted in his seat uncomfortably.
"Today, we have a special means of proceeding with this month's ritual," the Eleventh smiled as he pulled a remote out of the folds of his robes.
"Our lord will be doing the honors today. So we have built this contraption out of consideration of our Lord's young body," the elder lifted the remote so that those closest to the stage could see. Some servants came onto the stage with a velvet pillow and placed the remote on it like it was a priceless gemstone. The dozen or so guards then opened up a path from the stage to the platform that Aaradhya was atop.
'Why did no one tell me that this was going to happen,' he looked toward his father who was standing beside his throne and then at Mrs. Lagrange who was standing at the bottom of the platform with Neela and Vivaan. He then gazed toward the Grand Elders that had set themselves up all around his platform. He felt betrayed. That was until his father's emotions were transmitted to him, surprise, annoyance, and slight confusion.
"Did you not know that this would happen," Aaradhya asked.
"No, I did not. The Grand Elders are responsible for choosing the sacrifice and when I will have to reap the life of them. I have never expected them to do something like this," Masih Sr put a finger up to his lip and bit on his nail in frustration.
"My lord, will you be able to do it? Press the button that is," Masih Sr was aware of his son's inability to keep his eyes open during the death of any of the previous sacrifices. He always felt his son's emotions during those times and realized that his lord of Death was anything but. Aaradhya was scared of death and couldn't stand the sight of blood, which was the complete opposite of what he had expected when he first saw his son awaken.
"I have no choice, I'll just close my eyes as per usual, it's not like...", Aaradhya shut his mouth as the screens that had been up to record and play the scenes of the dancers and singers that went up on stage, changed to footage of himself.
"Today we have a follower of the Lord that has put his name in the hat every month since our lord has been with us in the flesh. Corban Deffrey, come up to the stage and join us. You have been chosen as this month's sole acolyte," Andie sweetly as he called someone up for death. Unsurprisingly, the person called up was just like all of the other sacrifices. He was an old person, an old man, that was already banging on death's door. He was carried up to stage by two burly men while a third carried an oxygen tank. The old man was dressed in the same colors as everyone else, but he had a necklace that was a curled golden horn.
"Thank you for being with us for over 50 years Mr. Deffrey. I see you have the legacy horn that has only ever been given out less than one thousand times in the history of the faith. Thank you for your service in the honor guard. And thank you for offering your life to our lord," the elder lifted the old man's hand and cheered, which riled the crowd. Corban smiled a toothless grin and struggled to lift his other arm to bask in the ambiance. By now, the remote had been brought to the high priest, who held it for his son.
"Now, I know that all of you are expecting us to proceed as normal but the itinerary calls for one more thing before we continue," the man led the crowd by the nose as they screamed for the ritual to continue.
"Mr. Deffrey, you can ask anything of our lord today and it will be granted, what is it that you want to say," the Eleventh placed the microphone in front of the old man. Slowly, he went into his pocket and fetched a pair of teeth that he put in post haste.
"My Lord, will you look after my soul for all eternity," Corban looked up at Aaradhya as if he were everything in the world. The lord and master of the Shepherds of the Golden Horns frowned. In moments, a servant appeared with a golden plated microphone.
"All of my children are under my protection, are you not my child," Aaradhya paused for effect as he adjusted the Verdant around him to create a borealis of light in the dark. Not many people could see it thanks to not being awakened but there was a sudden majesty that naturally descended as the spiritual pressure increased.
"I am my lord," the old man gasped and shuddered as he teared up.
"You have another opportunity to ask a question," Aaradhya cleared his throat and leaned his head to the side to hide his exhaustion. Controlling the Verdant in the area was draining since he had to push beyond his normal limits to ensure that everyone heard him.
"Then my Lord. Will you allow me to serve you in death. My best years were spent as a member of your honor guard. I would like an opportunity to prove my worth to you beyond the limitations of my flesh," Corban Deffrey's eyes shone like the gilded lanterns that were hung up all over the place, brightly. He could see the shadows of souls that followed his lord even now and wanted to be a part of that retinue.
"Yes. I will allow you to serve me in death and when there is an opportunity, I will revive you to assist me in life," Aaradhya pressed his concentration to have the Verdant accompany his voice. At most, he had one more grand showing in him but he hoped that he didn't have to press himself again since he was already feeling faint. He did his best not to slump over in his seat since there were cameras on him.
"That is more than I could have ever asked for my Lord, thank you," Corban wept into the mic and caught himself barely breathing. The elder on stage noticed that Mr. Deffrey was struggling and waved a few people over. The burly men that remained on stage to carry the old man and his tank, moved him to the guillotine. They placed the old man on the bed and had him lay on his back.
The Eleventh raised his hand and clapped, which resulted in dozens of scantily dressed men and women coming onto stage and dancing while an off stage orchestra played chaotic music. After a few minutes, the woman who was on stage prior to the elders appearance, reappeared and began singing.
After a few more minutes, everyone began chanting the same thing in different languages, "in death, we are one." The Eleventh lifted his hand and everyone came to a halt as he pointed to Aaradhya.
"My lord, if you do the honors," the Eleventh looked bizarre. His eyes were bulging and his smile looked too long for his face. The Grand elders were all backstage looking at screens that all showed Aaradhya's face.
'I need to keep looking today. I have to keep looking today. It's just a button, and a moment of discomfort. I can do it,' Aaradhya frowned slightly as he felt the pressure that was suddenly on him. Masih Sr passed him the pillow with the clicker on it and said, "If you cannot do it, I will step in and do it for you my son." Aaradhya did not speak but through his connection with his father, he was able to express his conviction and reluctance.
'I have to do this myself. If I cannot, those that do not like my existence will cause issues. Death wrote to me as much,' Aaradhya picked up the clicker and cleared his mind. Then, with a flash of inspiration, he covered his own eyes in Verdant so that he did not have to see. In an instant, he pressed the button.
Instead of worry and fear, he was greeted by the sound of a soft chime.