Legends of Amacia The Caverias Rebellion

“Here he is,” Bruce stated as they stopped just in front of Hanna and Muriel, holding Gulez firmly with their knives ready. Muriel stood at Hanna’s right, Morpheus at her left, with Hunter and Harry beside them. Gulez recoiled in surprise when he saw Muriel. But when he saw Hanna, Gulez literally gasped in astonished horror at her ghoulish appearance. “Release him,” Hanna ordered and the guards let go of Gulez, but kept their weapons ready, just in case. Hanna winked at Muriel as she said, “What’s the matter, General. Am I a gazing stock now? If so, see the mutated woman you cursed in the Arena, who has been alive to the pits of hell and lived to tell about it.”

Gulez’s eyes were round as saucers as he immediately dropped to his knees, saying, “Forgive me, Beowulf. I was so wrong to have done what I did to you. There’s no excuse for such despicable behavior.” He looked down at the floor, refusing to look Hanna in the eye.

“Hmm; this surely is a change in attitude,” Hanna mused coolly. “What say you, Muriel? You are a telepath extraordinaire. What shall I do with him? Is he telling the truth? Is he really changed or is he trying to deceive us?” Muriel hesitated to answer, so Hanna urged, “Go on, we can see it together.”

Hanna effortlessly probed Gulez’s mind with Muriel and they saw the change immediately. “He’s telling the truth,” Muriel declared. “He is not the mad dog killer he once was. If anything, he has more fear of the Emperor than anything. I sense true remorse for his actions.”

“And rightly so,” Hanna returned coldly. “Didn’t I warn you not to follow us to this cursed place, General?”

Gulez nodded, saying, “Yes, you did. Everything you warned me about has happened.” He looked up into Hanna’s face and said, “I’m so sorry. I had no right to persecute you the way I did. I am presently trying to undo the harm that I’ve done to you. At the order of your wife, I found out what the Emperor’s plans were.”

Hanna’s hand shot out, grabbing Gulez by the cuff of his coat and dragging him to his feet. “Where is she?” Hanna demanded viciously.

“In the Tower,” Gulez replied immediately without hesitation. “She was taken there shortly after Nemesis took me to meet her. By what means she was taken, I don’t know. But she gave me some severe penance to do to make up for my terrible behavior.”

Hanna pulled Gulez close and snarled, “And she was so right to do so. You have much to make amends for.”

Gulez began to fear that Hanna would not accept his repentance. His face became downcast and with a grieving tone, he replied, “Must everyone remind me of it? I’m trying; I swear. I really want to make right what I did.”

Hanna pushed him back roughly, saying, “Well, if Selina forgave you and was willing to give you a second chance, then so will I. But be warned, none of us will tolerate any tricks. She told you to find out what the Emperor was up to?”

A flicker of hope began to shine in Gulez’s face as he said, “Yes. It was a bitter pill to swallow too.”

“All right then…spill it,” Hanna ordered coldly, testing Gulez’s sincerity.

At that, Gulez stated, “Your escape was a coup. No one seems to know how you performed this feat except that the feline Xenian prototype called Magnus was involved with it. The Emperor was livid. Then shortly after your escape, word came from the front at Arionath that there was a catastrophic failure of their attack. They overran the fortress only to be destroyed in the explosion set off by the rebels. It took out the city and half of the army in the process. It was when the Emperor heard that news that I found out the hard way how much trouble I was really in.” Gulez then went on to tell all, giving his account of everything that happened since Hanna’s escape: from the killing of Kronos to his run in with Nemesis and Selina to his rise to the position of vizier at the Emperor’s right hand and the subsequent orders he was given. He told them about the army and its weaponry, and then he reported to them about the encounter in the throne room with Ahriaman and the shebat. “To be perfectly honest, I am very surprised to see you alive after seeing and hearing what the shebat could do,” Gulez admitted. “I am very pleased it didn’t kill you. No one should die like that.” Hanna listened intently to Gulez, not giving any indication that she believed a word of it. “With my last run in with Nemesis after they took your wife in the night to the Tower,” Gulez reported, “he told me that when the opportunity arose to escape, to do so and come here to warn you that the shebat was tracked and the Emperor was pulling all stops out to eliminate you. For some strange reason he is afraid you will find something in this ruined city, very afraid.”

Hanna looked at Muriel and Morpheus with a telltale smile saying, “Good. The Emperor is moving out of fear…very good. Fear can be a powerful ally. I know its power well,” Hanna said with a hard look. “Do you know what my wife’s present condition is?”

Gulez shook his head, replying, “No. When she was taken, no one but the Emperor and the Cadre were allowed in the tower. I do know four of those vile Cadre wizards and forty guards guard her: one of the Cadre wizard and ten guards in four different layers of security. It was right after my last meeting with Nemesis that I had to leave the fortress to facilitate the gathering of the army.”

“How many are there?” Hunter asked pointedly.

“Over five hundred thousand with over two thirds of them being Zarukar and Xenian warriors and a quarter more being robots like I’ve never seen before,” Gulez reported, “As I said a few minutes ago, the Emperor ordered the snake to triple production of the Zarukar, Xenians, and the robots. Let me see if I remember what he said. ‘I want an army to end all armies,’ he said. He’s taking no prisoners this time. There’s no middle ground. You’re with him or you’re dead and pulverized to dust. This is beyond a simple genocide. He’s coming to wipe out all life in this part of the caverns. Oh, and before I forget, I did uncover something that I believe that I wasn’t supposed to see.” Gasps of astonished horror erupted from the group at the news of the size of the army.

“And what would that be?” Hanna asked.

“I saw plans for a warship the likes of which I cannot fathom,” Gulez replied. “It’s to be his ultimate weapon to insure his conquest of the planet. I happened to see the plans but was unable to make a copy of them. I didn’t have the time. When I was discovered looking at the plans, I was chased away by the elite guard. They claimed I had no right to see what I did. It was only because I bore the Emperor’s ring that I wasn’t killed outright. He has apparently set a special detachment apart to get the warship operational.”

Hanna looked at him suspiciously, saying, “That is some tale. Do you have any proof of what you are telling us; anything that can show us that you really had the Emperor’s confidence?” Hanna, of course, knew that Gulez was being truthful and up front with everything he was saying. But she was going through with the charade for the others as well as Gulez’s benefit.

“Look on my right hand,” Gulez stated. “The Emperor gave me his ring to insure all would cooperate with me. It’s the sign of his authority. It came off the hand of Kronos after he killed him.”

“Bruce, get the ring,” Hanna ordered and Bruce immediately went to Gulez’s right hand, finding the ring and pulling it off. He gingerly handed it to Hanna, saying softly, “Fate be merciful; it’s the Emperor’s signet.”

Hannibal took the ring and gazed at it, and then showed it first to Muriel and Morpheus. She then let Harry and Hunter see it. “Is this the Emperor’s seal?” she asked them and both Muriel and Morpheus indicated that it was. Satisfied with the answer, she looked at Gulez coldly, asking, “Can you give me one good reason why we shouldn’t put you down?”

Gulez’s face fell with concern and he fell to his knees, begging, “Please, don’t kill me! I did everything your wife asked of me. I got the information and brought it to you. Please!”

Hanna stared at Gulez icily as he begged. Hanna closed her fist around the ring, and then a smile slowly crossed her face as her countenance warmed toward the general. “That’s good enough for me,” she said with a pleasant tone that she had not used since Gulez was first brought to him. “Please understand General, I had to be sure. Bruce, set him loose. He has become one of us.” Bruce and the guards pulled Gulez to his feet and unchained him.

Gulez was flabbergasted and puzzled as he was set free. Hanna reached out with a smile on her face and touched Gulez on the shoulder. “You are forgiven, General,” she declared. “Since my mutation, I have come to understand the power of forgiveness much more than I have ever done before. I have forgiven you and so has my wife, but you must prove yourself to everyone. What you need to do now is go before Thomas, Jonathan, Ned, Sam, John, Arabella, and Cracko and beg their forgiveness. It’s not going to be easy but it needs to be done. You are going to have to prove yourself to them.”

“But they will kill me,” Gulez returned fearfully.

“No, they won’t. If you come before them the same way you came before me, they will not kill you,” Hanna stated. She saw the great fear on his face and touched him on the arm, saying, “But if it will make you feel better, I will accompany you.”

“Thank you,” Gulez replied gratefully. “I don’t believe that they would leave me be if I went by myself.”

Hanna opened her hand and offered the ring back to Gulez. “This belongs to you,” she said. “Let it be for a sign to all, especially you, of where you came from. Remember where you came from and don’t go back. You have been given this one chance by the Father to turn from your wicked ways. Please do not disappoint Him.”

Gulez took the ring and put it back on his finger, saying, “Surely, I will not forget. As for your God, I know Him not but believe that He exists because of you. I’ll try not to betray this chance.”

Hanna smiled wryly, saying, “That is a start, a good start. You have just confessed that He is real and exists. That is the first step…believing that God exists. From there, we can go together. You can know our God too. Whether you believe it or not, the Lord has had His hand on you throughout all of this. He has brought you to us to make a decision: the most important decision you will ever make.”

Gulez remained puzzled by Hanna’s comments as he asked, “What decision would that be?”

Hanna smiled warmly, saying, “Why it is a very simple decision that you have really already made. Our God goes to extraordinary lengths to save His people. You, Ramone Garcia Gulez, are one of them and you proved it by coming to us. The decision to believe in our God was made the moment you came to your senses in the throne room after the slaying of Kronos. You are a prodigal son, returning to his father. There is still more that you must do, but you have started down the road to redemption with the rest of us.”

Just then, Nathanael returned with Kida, Electra, Andrew, and Emma. When they saw Hanna’s ghoulish state, they gasped in horror. Gulez was stunned that there were more giant cats. Even more astounding to him was that he found they were very beautiful, like wildflowers. It was something he never stopped to appreciate: the beauty of a flower or a woman. He stood there with his mouth hanging open as Kida rushed forward with Electra and Emma. They surrounded Hanna and Kida asked, “What in the name of the Ancient of Days happened? Are you all right?”

Hanna held her hand up, saying, “Be at peace, sisters. I’m much better than I should be considering.”

“Are you sure? Is there anything we can do for you?” Emma asked.

Hanna smiled, saying, “No sister. Wait, yes there is. You can bear witness to what has happened here. Kida, Electra, Emma, Andrew…do you remember me telling you about the madman that tried to kill us on the surface who followed us here?” They nodded yes.

“Something marvelous has happened to our great benefit. Do you see this man here?” Hanna asked, pointing to Gulez. All eyes fastened on Gulez as she declared, “This is he and he has turned away from his vengeful ways. The Emperor literally scared him straight. He has brought us great intelligence on the Emperor’s army and war plans.”

The women looked at him menacingly and Gulez cowered before them as Kida hissed, “Are you sure that this isn’t a trick?”

“Absolutely,” Hanna replied. “He has held nothing back from me. The madness and the demon that drove him to pursue us are gone. He also knows where Selina is in the Black Fortress.”

Simultaneously, Kida and Electra cried out, “Where is she?”

“She is prisoner in the Tower,” Gulez said humbly.

“Oh, no,” Kida cried out, “The Tower. Momma, did you hear?”

Electra’s face was fallen with great concern as she said, “Yes, Kida. I did.”

Gulez carefully spoke up, saying, “She is alive, but heavily guarded. The Emperor has apparently fallen madly in love with her.”

Electra and Kida turned on Gulez with anger and Hanna got between them, saying, “He is not to blame for Selina’s current predicament. He has come here with valuable intelligence concerning her. We will use that information to free her.”

Kida continued to look hatefully at Gulez as she asked, “Do you trust him?”

Hanna looked at Gulez, admitting, “To be perfectly honest, no. But I know he did not lie to me. He has to prove himself to many people, including you. Watch him closely. I am willing to let him prove himself and so should you. But if he is caught in treachery, his life is instantly forfeit. Do you understand what I’m saying, General?”

Gulez shivered at the words saying, “Yes ma’am. I know I have much to make amends for. I hope that my allegiance to you will be a start. I will do whatever you ask of me.”

“We shall see,” Hanna returned coolly. “So try and treat this man civilly. You do not have to like him, but for my sake, treat him civilly and maybe in time, we can call him friend.”

Electra glared at Gulez, making him dreadfully uncomfortable, and then turned to Hanna, saying, “All right. For your sake because you asked us we will treat him civilly.”

Hanna looked at Kida and she said, “Oh, all right; if his information proves to be useful, maybe then.”

“That’s all I can ask. Now there are two others I’d like you to meet,” Hanna chimed. “Muriel, Morpheus…I’d like you to meet Kida, my wife’s twin sister, and their mother, Electra.”

Kida and Electra looked at Morpheus and Muriel first with surprise, and then with curiosity and fascination. Kida stepped forward, offering her hand to Muriel, saying, “Hello. I’m Kida.”

Electra offered her hand too, saying, “I’m Electra, her mother.”

Nathanael moved in behind them, surrounding Muriel to a point. She first looked at them with awe, saying as she finally grasped Kida’s hand, “Wow; a whole family of Lynxians. I never thought I’d see the likes of that. And may I say, you are very beautiful, both of you. I haven’t seen beauty in one place like this in a very long time.”

“Thank you,” Electra replied as Muriel shook her hand. “And may I say that you are beautiful too, in your own way.”

Muriel tucked her head, saying humbly, “You don’t need to coat your words with honey. I know that I’m ugly…a grotesque aberration. I have accepted who I am in that regard, but still, thank you for the compliment. It is pleasant to not have people recoil in disgust and horror at my appearance.”

Hanna stepped forward, saying, “Why do you talk like that, Muriel? They told the truth. You do not seem to know what true beauty is. Do you know what makes these women so beautiful?”

Muriel shook her head, saying, “I would say their appearance.”

Hanna smiled as she motioned for all three women to stand before them. All were stunning beautiful, like goddesses. “You have indeed been captive for far too long,” Hanna said sympathetically. “Look at them and see their beauty. Now listen to what I say and let it sink down into your heart. It is not their looks that make for beauty like you see here. It’s the beauty of the spirit that enhances their appearance…a submission to the living God that makes them so gorgeous. It is their willingness to stay in the place that the Lord put them in that makes them beautiful. Their beauty of the mind and spirit makes them this way, though their physical appearance does add much to it. Now, look at you, Muriel. You are beautiful in that way too.” Hanna held Muriel’s hands, saying, “I can see it in your eyes. This fleshly container is nothing. Your mind and spirit makes you beautiful. In fact, it enhances your physical appearance, making you not as ugly as you think. Look at you. You are an exotic flower, one of the rarest and most beautiful that I’ve seen in a very long time. You are unique and precious. Do not let anyone tell you otherwise. You are beautiful and if you ask those I know, they’ll say I am excellent judge of beauty. I love beautiful things and you, Muriel, are as about as beautiful as they come.”

“But look at me,” Muriel retorted, holding her hands and arms out to show all. “Look at what they did to me. They made me ugly. I’m part machine, part lizard, part cat, and who knows what else! I am an aberration; a hideous monster!”

Hanna looked at her with the love of not just a sister, but also a mother. She held Muriel’s hands in hers and insisted, “No, you aren’t. You are beautiful. Trust me. These arms and hands are nothing, just flesh. Even a lizard has a beauty to it, as do machines craftily constructed. It doesn’t matter what you look like.” Hanna touched Muriel’s heart with her finger and declared, “It’s who you are here that counts. That’s all that matters. If you are ugly here, you will be ugly on the outside. Believe me, I know because on the surface I’ve seen many women who are stunningly beautiful on the outside, but the ugliness and evil of their heart destroys that beauty, making them uglier than sin.”

“You’re just saying that,” Muriel answered glumly.

“No, I’m not,” Hanna stated. “I never truly understood what beauty was and how it was generated until I met Selina. Now there’s a goddess who lets her light shine. Since she is not here, Kida and Electra will have to stand in for her. Look at them, Muriel. They are magnificent, and have a heart and mind that enhances their beauty. When I’m around them, I find that I’m completely at ease with them. You, Muriel, are the same way, but even more than Electra and Kida, you are unique, forged in the infernal fires of suffering as I have been. You have a rugged beauty that rivals both of them because your soul has not been corrupted by the Darkness; even after all these many hundreds of cycles of solitary confinement. It seems your mind refuses to accept that you are beautiful. Hundreds of cycles of isolation and mind bending by the Cadre have you believing a lie. Let it go. You are beautiful and these arms and your body show it. It is a marvel to see such an imposing creature as you. When you believe in your heart that you are beautiful, then you will not be swayed by the opinion of others. I find it rather refreshing to see such a beautiful mind and spirit locked in such a container. It shows the mercy and infinite grace of the Almighty Ancient of Days. He allowed you to be this way for a purpose just as He allowed me to go through what I went through to mold and craft me into the woman that you see before you.”

Nathanael moved around to Muriel’s side, saying as he touched her gently on the shoulder, “Hanna is right, Muriel. You have one of the most beautiful minds and spirit that I’ve ever seen. It literally counteracts your appearance, making you strange and exotically beautiful. Like Hanna, I have seen women who were just as beautiful as my wife and daughters, but with a hateful mind and spirit on them and it literally made them ugly as sin. Believe us when we say that you are beautiful. To be honest, when I first saw you, I admit I was surprised a bit at your appearance, but I was not frightened or horrified by your appearance. I didn’t see you as a monster. I was, in fact, intrigued and fascinated by it. How could something so bizarre in appearance be so strangely beautiful? Our God is truly a wonderful God. He made you and then allowed you to be changed into this form, just as he initially made Hanna as a man and then had the Emperor mutate that man into what you now see before you. Do you know what I believe?” Muriel shook her head no.

“I believe that you were made this way to act as a witness against the evil of the Cadre,” Nathanael stated softly. “You, dear Muriel, are a walking, talking epistle against the evil of the Cadre and the Emperor. It was no accident that Hanna was led into the darkness to find you and Morpheus. Hanna’s task is simple, very simple. She is to secure the remnant of the Lord’s people out of this land. Destroying the Emperor is a secondary concern. She was sent here to search out the people of God, whom you know as the Ancient of Days. She was sent to you, and you too Morpheus. Can you comprehend what that means?”

Muriel remained silent for a few moments as she pondered the ramifications of Nathanael and Hanna’s words. When it finally sank in what Nathanael was saying, she broke emotionally, crying softly, “The Ancient of Days really believes I am one of His people. I am a part of His people otherwise I would still be in that hole, buried for all time.” She sobbed joyously at the revelation and Morpheus nodded solemnly as he grasped the real significance of Hanna’s arrival in their midst. Muriel threw her arms around Hanna and wept.

Hanna returned the hug fondly, saying, “You understand now, don’t you?” She nodded and Hanna added, “This is just the beginning. I have much to share with you all. But first, we have work to do. We must first get these people to safety. I have to speak with Argus right away. He needs to know what has transpired. Muriel, Morpheus, and the General will accompany me. The rest of you go and help with the people. We will meet outside the city in two hours on the ridge.” Hanna clapped her hands as they stood there urging, “Come people. We have a purpose.” Everyone went out except for Hanna, Morpheus, Muriel, and Gulez. Hanna grabbed the sword and sheathed it, slinging it over her shoulder. She looked at those around her, saying, “Come on. Let’s see Argus.” They followed her out of the room in search of Argus. Muriel stayed close to Hanna as they moved through the city. The people whispered as they moved through the crowds. Some did not understand why the misshapen creature known only as Muriel walked with Hanna. A half hour later, they had passed beyond the gates and the crowds, heading up the East Ridge to meet with Argus.