"They are afraid, father. This isn't necessary." Alexis pleaded, holding on to Arcadeus's arm. "They are afraid and they are acting upon fear, not reason. If we can just..."
"Enough," he said with a withering tone. "You truly have your mother's heart, my dear." He brushed her hair behind her ears and pet her cheek. His eyes were swollen and his entire face seemed chubbier despite the fact that he had not eaten a single thing for three days. "I have tried going the peaceful way... But it seems that this problem will not go away by just talking."
"Dad..."
"Shhhh. No more talking. Care for your mother. Pick her favourite dress. Make sure she is washed with care." Alexis left the room feeling cold, wrapping her arms around herself. Otho, one of Arcadeus's trusted advisors entered right after. He slowly closed the door behind him, holding the handle down until it shut. It was silent for a moment. Arcadeus was blankly staring at the wall while Otho looked past him out the window. It was painfully sunny outside, the rays of light illuminating the dust in the air floating about.
"General..." he said softly. "We... You... I'm so sorry." His eyes began to water and his face turned red. "I am so sorry." Arcadeus smiled at his old friend. Otho and Tasia were good friends. He had known him for years and regularly came to dinner. He cared for Tasia almost as much as he did. Tasia was an angel. She was like a sister to him.
"Otho, it is ok to mourn." Arcadeus hugged him and Otho broke down, unable to hold his tears. Arcadeus was taller than him and like a big brother he held him close and patted his head. "The best of us go first. And she was the best of all of us." Otho brushed away his tears and stood upright, retaining his position as a soldier as he saluted his general.
"What do you want us to do?" Arcadeus brushed his thick hair as he walked over to the window. He glared at the sun and the beautiful city it presented before him.
"I want them to die Otho. All of them. I want them to suffer. I want to wash the streets with their blood. I want them to know how hard it was for fifty men to take down just five of us."
"We can have a live broadcast within minutes."
"And the army?"
"A lot of them untrained but if we unleash them we unleash hell upon earth."
"Strange how the God Particles chose their hosts. My entire family and some of my most trusted friends and soldiers were chosen. Mysterious indeed."
"Shall I order preparations?"
"Preparations?"
"For the soldiers and conscripts."
"No need to prepare. Many of them know how to fight like mortals, only some of them newly grasping their powers and millions who haven't the slightest clue on what to do. There can be no strategy to this war. We don't have that luxury. We have to unleash them as you say. Let them go wild. And hope for the best."
"Is that wise?"
"I am one of the greatest generals of my time Otho but this kind of warfare is new to me. We no longer use weapons, we are the weapons." Arcadeus turned to face his friend. "Prepare a room for a live broadcast. It's time."
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