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I could not help but groan as Gabriel wrenched my head back. I let my tears flow freely: for what sort of King was I if I did not cry for my People? The crown of wires – an oddly poetic choice, if the tales I have heard of the ‘Christ’ so beloved by Gabriel are to be believed, wrenched into my head as Gabriel pulled on my leash again, as if I was a disobedient dog.
“King Minos of Lust.” I tried my hardest not to waver as Gabriel pulled my head further back. “By the will of the Father and decree of the Heavenly Council, you have been declared unrepentant and guilty of the Sins of Lust, Greed, Envy, Pride, Heresy, and Treachery. You have also been declared unrepentant and guilty of rebellion against the Authority of God and the Kingdom of Heaven, insubordination to angelkind, desertion from penance from your sins in life, and claiming titles of Authority held only by God.”
I failed. A shaky rasp left what little of my body it could as Gabriel began listing off my ‘crimes’, one by one. ‘Betraying Hell’s purpose.’ ‘Clemency towards sinners.’ I heard the slow, methodical, intentionally damaging shing of one of Gabriel’s swords being loosed from its sheath.
“You have been declared an unrepentant sinner and a confidant of Lucifer, and your punishment is death.” He held his sword to my neck. It was tiny and insignificant compared to my form, yet I knew that there was no other way to kill me. I closed my eyes. “Do you have any last words, Minos?”
“Forgive me, my children.”
With a single motion, Gabriel ended my second life. With a single motion, I would later burst from my holding cell. With a single motion, I now recoil against the Creature of Steel’s weaponry and fall short. I cannot stop pride from filling my chest. I was a peaceful king. I did not believe in violence. But this Child of Man, with its hands stained in the blood of Gabriel and others: perhaps he could accomplish what I failed and bring down the Council’s tyranny. He could serve justice, however pyrrhic. If I had a mouth, I would smile.
“...For I have failed to bring you salvation from this cold, dark world.”