Exile Chronicles (Volume 3)
Chapter 11: What's One More Sin?
"So...how bad is it?"
"Pretty fucking bad, Truth."
We find ourselves at Lincoln Park in Chicago, Illinois, days before Christmas and FWA's Crossfire Reunion Show. The park is fairly empty at the moment as a light snowfall has begun to dust the area white. Our focus is on one solitary soul, walking through the stark landscape wearing a long woolen overcoat, a knitted cap that covers his ears, and a scarf around his neck to keep the chill away.
We zoom in to see the familiar face of Cyrus Truth, who is talking into his cell phone with a look of concern and consternation. The events of Fight Night are still rattling in his mind...the betrayal he suffered at the hands of Eli Black, the shift in his attitude, and whatever the hell this Church of 9 is...
On the other end of the call, as we can hear clearly, is the voice of the old, cantankerous woman known to Cyrus only as the Book Keeper, who Cyrus had called upon to settle things before the judgment of the Observers falls upon his head due to his transgression in showing Eli an Observer vault back when the two were teaming. And based on the tone of the Book Keeper's voice, things were about to get more complicated.
"On the surface, the Church of 9 looks fairly harmless. Philanthropy, charity, community outreach...basically, the Church has a very positive public face, even if it wasn't always so prevalent in the public eye. Hell, they've been more out there as of late in no small part to that young pup becoming their newest spokesperson."
"I'm guessing there's a huge 'but' coming."
"Mhmm. I did a big of digging and came to learn that a lot of prominent public figures have ties to this Church. And wouldn't you know it? Those figures' rises to power coincided with the development of their ties to the Church."
"Which in and of itself isn't that terrifying. Powerful people have always congregated in separate sects to consolidate their power and strengthen their influence. It's a tradition as old as the world itself."
"Yeah, sure...but they don't typically associate themselves with organizations that have had multiple incidents with regards to their members. Their past looks clean on the surface, but scratch away at it long enough and you start to see the bloodstains. Multiple rumors of members mysteriously being found dead after their rise, several ending up suffering mental breakdowns after trying to distance themselves from the Church...and yet, the Church of 9 has been able to keep themselves looking squeaky clean enough to avoid people in the world of dawn from investigating. Everything I just told you? Observations and rumors by folks who've operated in the world of shadows for years."
Cyrus grits his teeth, pondering what all of this means...and more concerningly, how did Eli get tangled in with these people? What's the connection? What exactly is the Church of 9?
"Well, that's more than I knew last Fight Night, at the very least. Still, it's not a whole lot to go on. All we know is that this Church puts on a good front, has some ties to some powerful people, and there's likely a lot of darkness in the heart of the organization. But to what end? And what's the connection to Eli?"
"Afraid I don't know that myself. The Church of 9 tends to keep its controlling members' identities a secret. They say it's because they don't want any celebrity as a result of their charity work...but it seems to me it's so they can't be harassed by the paparazzi or any other journalists who might want to dig a little deeper than the Church feels comfortable with. Truth...you want my honest opinion?"
"I wouldn't have asked you to look into this for me if I didn't."
"These cocksuckers are not to be fucked with lightly. Cults are a dime a dozen, cabals even more so. This Church of 9 is far more organized and secretive than both. The fact that I can't get any more information than what I have means that, whoever these assholes are, they're VERY good about keeping a lid on things. You don't go through this much trouble and effort to keep secrets if you have nothing to hide. And based on what little I've been able to gather? Whatever they're hiding isn't pleasant."
There's a long pause as Cyrus processes everything the Book Keeper has told him. Cyrus is no stranger to such things. As a former Observer, he knows that secret groups have always existed for one purpose or another. Cabals have formed time and again to accomplish goals for the benefit of the few at the expense of the many. This Church of 9 was starting to sound more and more like one of those...
...but even still, how was it that this particular group escaped his notice? And how was it that the Book Keeper, one of the finest information brokers in the world, could only learn so much? Who WERE these people? And why Eli?
"Truth? You still there, boy?"
Cyrus snaps back out of his own thoughts and back to reality.
"Yeah, I'm here. Is that all?"
"Afraid so. I'll keep doing a bit of digging, but I doubt I'm going to find out anything more than what I already have. Listen, I gotta go. There's some people meandering outside of my shop that look like they wanna come in. I'll be in touch if I need anything else."
"Right. Thanks, Keeper."
"Don't mention it, boy."
The Book Keeper hangs up, leaving Cyrus alone out in the middle of the park as snow gently falls. The chill in the air nips at Cyrus's nose, but the cold is the furthest thing from Cyrus's more immediate thoughts.
Eli Black screwed him over, taking away his opportunity to definitively beat Gerald Grayson. And for what? Because Cyrus didn't want to join his little cult?
Eli HAD to answer for that.
And yet...
Cyrus seems lost in his own thoughts and feelings as he silently walks out of the park onto Webster Avenue. The area around the park seems to be fairly busy as folks are rushing to finish their errands before the holiday. Cyrus sees a food cart manned by a heavyset Cuban man, offering up Chicago-style hot dogs. The Exile approaches the cart and makes an order, wanting something to eat while he ponders the situation he's in.
However, when it comes time to pay...
"It's all right. Allow me..."
Cyrus turns right to see a man standing nearly shoulder-to-shoulder to him. He's got darker skin, almond shaped eyes, and an immaculately-trimmed goatee. He, too, wears a heavy woolen overcoat as he reaches for a wallet and hands the food cart owner several bills. Cyrus is handed his hot dog as Cyrus looks this stranger over, leerily.
"Um...thanks."
The man doesn't respond to that as Cyrus takes a bite of his hot dog. After swallowing it and realizing that this stranger hasn't left, Cyrus cocks an untrusting eyebrow and asks:
"Do I know you?"
The stranger cracks a small grin as he says in reply:
"Has it truly been that long, Truth? Don't you recognize your old friends?"
The way the stranger says that makes Cyrus's face scrunch in recollection...and The Exile's eyes go wide as recognition dawns on him.
"Seeker?!"
"You do remember."
Cyrus IMMEDIATELY tenses up. It's clear from his face that there's a fight-or-flight instinct kicking in...and for Cyrus, fleeing was never an option.
"What are you doing here? No, wait...let me guess. It's judgment, isn't it? You're here to drag me back to hear what my sentence is."
The stranger, Seeker, shakes his head solemnly.
"No. That's not why I'm here. The elders are still debating amongst themselves regarding your punishment. But you're not entirely wrong either. The Observers did send me to treat with you."
Cyrus, hearing that he wasn't about to be dragged off, relaxes a bit. Even if it came to violence? Cyrus knew that the Observers weren't fighters.
Well, at least most of them. Justice, on the other hand...
"Well, forget it. I have nothing more to say to the Observers. So if they expect me to come crawling back on my hands and knees like some kind of..."
"You wish to know more about the Church of 9, do you not?"
Cyrus pauses mid-rant, stunned by what Seeker just asked him.
"...Come again?"
"You want to know more about the Church of 9, and what the connection is between them and Eli Black. Am I wrong?"
"What the hell is this? Is this supposed to be some kind of trick?"
"You already know it's not. Do you want to know what I have to share, or not?"
Cyrus doesn't respond. It's clear from his body language that something doesn't add up. An Observer wanting to help him? Especially now?
And yet, something about this particular Observer doesn't give Cyrus the same level of trepidation as, say, Justice. There's a certain degree of familiarity between Truth and Seeker...
Seeker, although no reply was given, simply nods and says:
"Follow me. We should get out of the cold."
Seeker turns and walks off. He never looks behind him to see if Cyrus follows him. It's as if it's a foregone conclusion.
Cyrus stands there next to the food cart...confused, irritated, and curious all the same. He scarfs down his hot dog and tosses the refuse in a nearby trash can, following Seeker...
*****
We cut to inside of a humble-looking mosque. There's certainly decoration, but nothing ostentatious or overwhelming. It's quaint, cozy...and here, we find Seeker on a prayer rug, deep in meditation. Behind him stands Cyrus, arms crossed, waiting. And while Cyrus is being patient, his expression does betray a bit of irritation.
Seeker, apparently sensing this, says without looking at Cyrus:
"You think it's strange...an Observer praying."
"I didn't say anything."
"You didn't have to. You've always been easy to read. Tell me, Truth...do you have faith in anything? Or anyone?"
"Myself. And the Road."
"As do we all. But is that enough? At the end of the Journey, if all we have is ourselves and the Road, does that mean we have forsaken all other avenues? The world is vast, Truth. And there's still a great many things that even we Observers don't fully understand. That is why I pray...why I have faith."
At this, Seeker stands up and rolls up the prayer mat, taking it to a series of shelves that apparently are there to hold loaner mats for supplicants. Putting it away, Seeker turns to face Cyrus, the Observer eye-to-eye with The Exile.
"Do you know what I've learned, Truth? Faith is a curious thing. Good faith...humble faith can strengthen a man's heart. Allow him to press forward even when the weight of the world presses down on him. Faith that something or someone loves you, wishes to see you find peace? For me, at least, it has been rewarding.
"But even faith has its darker side. Blind faith, bad faith can weaken the soul, tear away what made you uniquely strong. Faith in the wrong things or faith for all the wrong reasons can turn you, twist you into a mockery of everything that made you human, made you strong. And in that, you become a slave, a puppet to the power that you worship."
Seeker walks up to Cyrus, standing barely a foot away from him.
"Do you understand what I'm saying, Truth?"
Cyrus doesn't respond, but it's evident he knows exactly what Seeker is trying to tell him.
"You brought me here to talk. So...talk. Tell me about the Church of 9."
Seeker sighs as he takes a few steps back, but starts explaining.
"I won't waste our time going over things you likely already know or suspect. Even now, you likely still have resources to get at least some information on the Church and its activities and purposes."
"You're not wrong."
"I'll get straight to the point, then. The Church of 9 is an affront to everything the Observers have stood for. They seek knowledge, but not to learn. They seek wisdom, but not to share. The Church of 9 exists solely for the Church's sake, to seize power and control regardless of the lives ruined or sacrificed. They are DANGEROUS, Truth. As dangerous as any of the other shadow cabals that our order has worked to stymie over the millenia. And you, in your foolishness, showed a vault to one of their members."
Cyrus seethes at Seeker's blunt, accusatory tone as he snaps back.
"I see you've taken to the robes of an Observer as well as the others, Seeker! Sure, go ahead and remind me of my transgression as if to beat me over the head with it. And don't give me any of that crap. Eli was NOT a member of the Church of 9 when I took him to that vault. There's no way he was!"
"How can you be so sure?!"
"Because! Because...the Eli that ambushed me on Fight Night is NOT the same person that I took into that vault. I don't know what's changed or what this Church has done to him...but the Eli I knew was not that cretin that beat the hell out of me with a steel chair. He was a noble young man. He had passion and drive. This new Eli...there's nothing left of what he was. Or if there is? It's buried so deep underneath that husk of arrogance and ambition that I can't see it anymore..."
Cyrus's tone changes from angry and combative to remorseful, something Seeker picks up on. Exhaling, Seeker softens his tone.
"...Be that as it may. That doesn't change the fact that you, an Exile, showed a vault to an outsider. The sin is yours, Truth. Yours alone. Had you not shown Eli that vault, we wouldn't be in as much peril as we are."
Cyrus looks up to meet Seeker's gaze. The Exile looks perplexed by what Seeker just implied.
"'Peril?' What the hell are you talking about, Seeker?"
"You wanted to know the connection between Eli Black and the Church of 9, right? The ties run far deeper than you realized. Eli Black isn't just the Church of 9's spokesperson. He's not just some new recruit. The Church of 9 is his very blood."
You can see the color drain from Cyrus's face as he pieces together what Seeker just said.
"You mean..."
"Yes. His father's side, apparently. Eli's ancestors helped create the Church in the first place. So yes...perhaps he wasn't a member when you committed your sin. But the Church of 9 was always going to reach out to him. And because of your actions, we find ourselves in a precarious position.
"The Church has suspected the existence of our order for many years, but has never had anything solid to confront us. Like a kraken, their grasp is long...but never was it long enough to reach us. But now that one of their own has seen an Observer vault with his very eyes? They now know we exist. And more dangerously, they know that the vaults exist. Their lust for power and control will undoubtedly bring them into conflict with us, unless we stymie their aggression by sending a message."
Cyrus, as he's listening to everything Seeker has said regarding Eli and the ties of blood he has with the Church, looks shocked and betrayed...and more than any of that? Angry.
"You knew about this, didn't you? You knew who Eli was and who his family was well before I showed him that vault. You had to. How couldn't you? If the Church is as treacherous as you claim, you would've known!"
"What if we had?"
"THEN YOU SHOULD'VE TOLD ME!"
"You're an Exile, Truth. We're not permitted..."
"DON'T GIVE ME THAT CRAP! If this Church posed ANY threat to the Observers, even a minor one, the rules regarding Exiles shouldn't matter! I don't care if it's a thousand year-old precedent or something Guide came up with earlier this year. It's BULLSHIT and you know it!
"This is the real reason I'm being judged, isn't it? It's not that I showed a minor vault to some young kid to give him some guidance. It's because I showed any vault to that particular boy just because of who his father is! And you want to blame me for that when you or any other Observer could've prevented it by TELLING ME. You're as much to blame for this as I am!"
Seeker looks indignant at Cyrus's outburst. Clearly, despite whatever familiarity may be between Seeker and Truth, Cyrus's pointed condemnation on the Observers' inaction struck like a personal insult.
"So, if you had known, are you saying you wouldn't have shown him?"
Cyrus immediately responds...but before any words come out, he stopped. That anger and indignation from earlier is still there...but it's simmering instead of boiling over.
"I...I don't know! Okay? I'm not about to lie and say 'definitely not.' I'm Truth, in case you've forgotten. But at the very least, I would've at least given it a second thought."
Both men stare at one another in silence for a minute before Seeker sighs.
"Regardless, what is done is done. And now, something must be done about it."
"So why involve me? Actually, better question: why tell me any of this? You said it yourself. The Observers aren't supposed to communicate with Exiles, not supposed to share information. And yet, here you are."
"The circumstances are dire. The choice to put Eli Black in the position as the figurehead of the Church was not just for hereditary reasons. It was done to claim a foothold in professional wrestling. However, it's a risky gambit. Winning boosts Eli's profile, and by proxy the profile and outreach of the Church of 9. But defeat...crushing, overwhelming defeat, could derail their plans. Stop their influence from spreading like wildfire.
"Observers do not fight. But you do. You're facing Eli Black at the next FWA show. You will fight him. You WILL defeat him. And the world of shadow will know that you do so with the blessings of the Observers."
Cyrus, listening to this, seems almost flabbergasted by what Seeker has just declared...and starts laughing.
"That's your plan?! Telling the world of shadow that I'm beating up Eli on behalf of the Observers?!"
"It's the simplest solution. You're fighting Eli anyway. And it's not as if you've ever been opposed to a bit of ultraviolence, especially against those who have wronged you as Eli has. What does it matter if you have the blessings of the Observers in this? Besides...I would have thought you'd be more...amenable to serving some form of penance, especially in lieu of whatever judgment is rendered."
"So that's it, then? The Observers are willing to forsake their claims of peace and mediation to back an Exile of theirs in a massacre?"
"We are forsaking NOTHING. An answer must be given. This is simply the most efficient method. The Observers have named champions in the past when the order has been threatened, even if the world never remembers them. An Exile is an obvious choice, especially one who got us into this predicament in the first place. Do you have a problem with it?"
Cyrus stops his incredulous laughter as a medley of emotions swim in his mind. It's clear he's not sure what to think, what to say, whether to be happy or sad or enraged. Cyrus starts laughing again...but it's a sad, bitter chuckle.
"...Sure, why not? After all, you said it yourself. I'm the man who breaks bones and shatters skulls, especially against the wicked and the arrogant. And Eli deserves it, doesn't he? Joining this cult, striking me with that chair, betraying me?! What the Observers want or don't want isn't relevant, right? I was going to crush Eli anyway. Because that's what I do. What I always do..."
Cyrus's voice trails off, changing from manic to somber.
"..The only thing I do..."
"Truth?"
Cyrus looks down, not meeting Seeker's gaze. There's a long, uncomfortable silence until Cyrus finally speaks up.
"I'm tired of this..."
"Tired? Tired of what?"
"I'm tired of this, Seeker! Is this all I am anymore? Just a fighter? An executioner? Am I always destined to have to strike down the vain and arrogant? For once, I thought I could have helped a fellow wrestler. For once, I thought I had done a young wrestler a service! But no...my words didn't land. My actions meant NOTHING! Another young, promising warrior led astray. My words fell on deaf ears. My lessons cast aside for the more seductive path to power. Maybe all those wrestlers in FWA were right. Maybe everything I touch is ruined, poisoned, and left to rot. I thought Eli could've been so much more! But it seems that I was delusional to think so."
"Truth...I..."
"And now, I have to crush him. Destroy him. Beat down the kid that helped me find my footing as I spiraled into despair and ignominy. Sure, I'm not where I was or want to be again, but I'm far better than I was at the beginning of the year, right? And that's thanks to my team with Eli. It was in the tag tournament that I found victory again. I owed him, Seeker! Maybe I still owe him! But I have to fight him, and beat him down so badly to cripple this Church. And not just for myself, but for you and the Observers, right? What kind of friend am I, that I'm even considering this? What the hell am I going to tell his mother after I break his jaw, his arm, his leg?"
Cyrus gets right in Seeker's face, grabbing the lapels of his jacket and very forcefully says:
"What the hell am I supposed to say to his mother if I leave her son a crippled, mangled wreck in the middle of the ring? Do you know the answer to that, Seeker? Does your god? Any of the Observers?!"
Cyrus, having let his emotions boil over, lets go of Seeker as he turns away from him, his hand on his head trying to come to grips with the conflict within him. Seeker, seeing the turmoil in The Exile, softens his tone as he replies.
"I don't know, Truth. But I know that you have to do this. If you don't fight Eli...if you fail to beat him, the Church will get stronger. The Observers will continue to be threatened by the Church's hunger for knowledge and control. All of us will suffer if you do not fight and beat Eli Black decisively. And whatever else you may be, whatever feelings you have for the order? I know you well enough to know that you still care. Not for the order as a whole...but for those of us who you grew up with, learned to call your friends. You need to do this, Truth. For your sake, and for all of ours."
Cyrus stands there with his back to Seeker as he tries to get through to The Exile. Eventually, Cyrus looks over his shoulder and asks, almost mournfully:
"You said before that showing Eli the vault was a sin. What the hell would you call the dissection of a young, talented wrestler who you failed to keep on the right path?"
"Truth...you're an Exile. Your very existence is a sin in the eyes of the Observers. What's one more sin, if it will help keep the forces of darkness from rising again?"
Cyrus's shoulders slump, as if Seeker's words had taken any hope from him for a different solution. Seeing this, Seeker walks up to Cyrus and puts a hand on his shoulder.
"Truth, I'm sorry, but..."
"No...no. You're right. You're right, of course. I made a mistake. Several mistakes. Costly mistakes. If I were wiser, if I was stronger...maybe, maybe Eli wouldn't have fallen into the grasp of the Church of 9. But, here we are. No other path in front of us save for the one that must be taken, right? I guess this is just who and what I am. Not a builder, not a mentor...just a destroyer. Just destined to clean up the messes I leave in my wake due to my own hubris and ill-considered actions.
"Tell the Observers that I'll be their assassin if they want. Not for the sake of the elders or that bitch Justice. But because I haven't forsaken their teachings, even if they Exiled me for it. But Seeker? If I do this...if I end the ambitions and ruin this young man...this boy who showed me kindness when everyone else in FWA laughed and enjoyed watching my fall into ruin? I hope they remember that when they make their decision on my judgment."
"Truth, you know that's a separate..."
"YOU TELL THEM, Seeker. Because Eli's blood isn't just going to be on my hands."
Seeker, for the first time throughout this whole exchange with Cyrus, looks almost shaken by the ferocity of Cyrus's words. He composes himself as he backs away from Cyrus.
"I'll pass your message along. That's all I can promise. I assume this means we can count on you?"
"I won't hold back, if that's what you're really saying."
Seeker nods as Cyrus, glaring at Seeker angrily, puts his hat and gloves on as he turns to walk out...but is stopped by Seeker asking:
"You know that you still have friends back home, don't you?"
Cyrus chuckles sadly, as he looks over his shoulder at Seeker.
"Funny...I was told an Exile doesn't get to have friends."
"Not everything is so cut and dry, Truth. Best of luck to you...my old friend."
Cyrus doesn't respond, doesn't say "goodbye" or anything. He just sighs in resignation as he leaves Seeker alone in the quiet little mosque.
Outside, the snow has started to fall just a little bit heavier. Cyrus looks up to the sky, seeing nothing but gray skies and falling white flakes. A thousand and one thoughts race through his mind as he remembers.
Remembers the day he met Eli Black.
Remembers the victory over Michael Garcia and Kayden Knox to break the streak of losses.
Remembers the loss that ended his and Eli's run in the Tag Team Tournament.
Remembers the searing pain of Eli attacking him with a steel chair...which is matched only by the pain of betrayal.
However, Cyrus's thoughts are interrupted by the ringing of his cell phone. Pulling it from his pocket, he sees the caller ID and looks concerned. He connects to the call and answers:
"Keeper, what's going on?"
"He was HERE, Truth!"
"'He?' Who are you talking about?"
"That boy! That Eli Black! He was here, in my store!"
Cyrus's eyes go wide as he grips his phone tighter.
"Eli Black...are you sure?"
"'Am I sure?' Yes, I'm fucking sure! I spent the last three days looking into him and that fucking Church, so yes! It was him! And he talked to me...Truth, he knew things! Said things he shouldn't have said, talked about shit he shouldn't have known anything about!"
"Are you all right? Are you hurt?"
"No, I'm not. Truth...things have gotten out of hand. If he knows...if he even suspects that there's something to be gained from harassing me..."
The Book Keeper doesn't say the important part out loud, but it's clear as day.
"Truth, I know you're fond of the boy even in spite of the knife he drove into your back. But that shit doesn't matter anymore. He's become far too dangerous to just ignore anymore. You're fighting him on Christmas, right? You HAVE to put him down. You have to beat his ass."
Cyrus stands there, dumbfounded by what he's hearing, stupefied by what just happened. The emotions swirl against...rage, sorrow, guilt, regret, mixing into a cocktail of misery and forlorn hope.
Cyrus Truth does not want to fight Eli Black.
He does not want to punish him.
But deep down, hearing the harried voice of the old woman who stuck her neck out to help him when so many other have abandoned him...hearing from his old friend about the dangers that have arisen due to the choices Eli has made to sate a desire for power...
Cyrus finds his resolve.
Cyrus knows what has to be done.
Seeker was right, after all. Even if it scars his soul to do it...if it protects his world against those who would see it destroyed or brought under heel? What's one more sin at this point?
"Truth? Damn it, boy! Are you still there?!"
"Yeah, I'm here, Keeper."
"Did you hear what I said?"
"I did. Look, keep a low profile for a few days. I'll take care of this."
"You mean...?"
"Yeah. I'll crush him. Consider it done."
*Click*
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Originally Posted by Ed
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