"This we must constantly do, for appeasement and temporary distraction. Especially every time, there arises another worthy candidate. We must then go ahead and lavish our chosen representative, with unending praise and attention." Beelzebub
Operation: Copy, Claim, Convince and Conquer:
Heinus quivered slightly, but not from an atmospheric cold. He would not feel a thing. Even if the arctic region, burst its way right into the crypt. Nor would he tremble, if blocks of ice were to cascade on him. Nonetheless, this particular situation, discomfited him. As much in that moment, as it always did. Just like a frigid blast, could not quench the internal burning of rage and condemnation in him. No amount of familiarity and practice, ever prepared him for the ominous entrance of his lord and master.
The ‘fly-lord’s quick and confident stride, immediately placed him in front of the great mirror. Considering the distance, between the only doorway and the mirror. The baleful leader’s sudden appearance, was like the shot of a bullet. With him being the bullet of course. He glided between territorial realms, without stepping. Swiftly moving, with the surety that his dark and cunning nature accorded. The flame on the candle, at the doorway. Sputtered silently, as it swayed dangerously low. Subsequently shimming its way, back up to a dim glow. The air in the fiery coven, got denser and blacker. Just as if darkness, had been introduced for the first time.
“What seems to be the problem? Why should you a monitor, manipulator and destroyer, be in a state of panic?” The ‘fly-lord’ bombarded the head monitor, impatiently. The monitor had signaled a distress call earlier. And now his master expected nothing less, than a consuming calamity.
“It is the girl again,” started Heinus. Feeling cornered and uncomfortably subdued, as he spoke.
“What is it now? What could that wench, be possibly up to now? For what purpose, must my anger be wasted?”
“Well my lord,” began Heinus still unnerved. “It is not all in the present, as it is a blimp sighted in a future plot. As you had asked us, to have fiendish human agents and implants, accosting and impeding her along the way.” The first monitor turned his frame, slightly towards the great mirror. The ‘fly-lord’s draining glare, was causing him to lose track of his report. An environmental and occupation hazard, that was meshed with his hopeless fate as a monitor. However, he continued, with the accounts of his findings.
“We have succeeded in noting her ascribed light, or at least a version of it. With careful and tedious observation. We have also labelled it, for our easy recognition and reference in the days ahead. This has been a great achievement for the coven, because….”
“Enough of the self-accolades!” Bellowed the ‘fly-lord’. "All the admiration and glory, goes to me alone. Do I have to remind you again?!”
“No my lord, I just meant to say that….”
“Get on with the part, that has the reason for which I am here.”
“Certainly my lord.” Heinus struggled to speak, after the egoistic deflation, he had just experienced.
Indeed he was expecting, some form of acknowledgement and/or encouragement, from his master. He knew that his lord's hatred for the girl, was perfect. But since that secret craving of praise, was to come to no avail. And his master’s gaze was now transfixed, on the great mirror in anticipation. The head monitor continued with his narrative.
“In a very important scenario, that we tapped into. Though we are still unable to decipher its full meaning. She and a few like her, break out of our motive-concealed confinement. And that very action, proceeds to lighten up the whole territory involved. Sought of making a way, for many more to break away also.”
“So, the wench has been used by my Enemy. To spear-head a rebellion.” The ‘fly-lord’ seemed bored, as he expressed his anger. “Is that still news to you? Why do you think, we are running against time here? You already have all the information you need to harass, hinder and then hole her up. Except of course, for the boundaries set by the Enemy. We really cannot break or side-step that, as we carry out our mission. You are also aware, that she is surrounded and guarded. So what exactly seems to have tripped you? What has triggered this grand display of incompetency and why must I waste my time watching it?”
“My lord,” began the monitor tentatively. "We did try to harass and hinder. But the light unflinchingly, drowned our agents and some of us. Then we tried to hole her up. But the shine still broke through, undaunted. Pulling with it even more subjects. A huge crowd so to speak.” Heinus checked to see, how close he was to the exit and waited. He had to be prepared to evacuate himself, should the need arise at the moment.
“A huge crowd you say?” The ‘fly-lord’ seemed suddenly awakened and alert. Gearing up it appeared, for an unforeseen involvement. One child was straddling the nerve, that he never had. But to tolerate an emerging crowd?
“Yes my lord, they were a multitude. Rising free and advancing bold. And there she was, lit up like a bulb of sunlight. Shining like an insurmountable beam.” Heinus snorted in disgust.
“If the hoodlums had advanced boldly. Then somehow, we had and will still lose control.” The dark lord countered. His tone defiant in unacceptability. “We cannot let that happen. We are the control that we have and the bondage that we must exert. That is the only way, that we can function and thrive. And that is the only way, that we can attempt to be relevant.”
The dark lord paused and lowered his head. As if he was processing his thoughts and next utterance. Heinus waited patiently and in anticipation.
“We must prepare to subtly reject and block her progress. And where necessary, feign ignorance at her input and impact. Even though we must borrow from such ingenuity.”
“How so my lord?” Ventured Heinus seriously. Careful not to sound doubtful or cynical.
The plan that his master revealed to him, was as devilish, as it was detailed......
“Very well my lord.” Submitted a very driven and determined Heinus. As he took in the instructions. Then he bowed his head and walked out of the crypt.
Excerpt culled from 'The MONITORS' by Chioma Onwudiwe/2015
NB: Used with permission