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Issue Number 15
by Mercer Black
Christ had Judas.
For our lady Corina, I was destined to play that role. It was not a role I took by choice, but still I am responsible.
You all knew her well, and know me only of late. It has been my place to serve in the shadows. To serve my masters in the seats of planetary and Imperial power from the darkest places. That is their way, just as her way was of the light. She was pure and good and loved us all. She saw us as people, alive with hopes and dreams. They saw us as tools, pawns, creatures, and even vermin. Thus she had to be destroyed.
I was their tool. I who have given long service to the ancient powers was called upon to destroy our Lady. I, with my loyalty to my masters and my heart of stone, and my soul twisted with their poisoned whispers of "for the greater good" and "the status quo".
And so I set myself against her. And I, who never fail, failed. Against an enemy who's only armor was love for the people.
And I saw her strength, felt her courage and commitment and love and was vanquished. But the Masters were not to be denied. They would destroy her utterly. Not a glorious martyrdom, but an ignominious griding down. A destuction of her soul as well as her body.
And so we met on that field on that day on that hour. A meeting that she arranged. A fair fight, a duel to the death. A duel she knew that she could not win. I did not understand it then, but now I know that it was an ultimate act of love that she offered. She knew that she must be destroyed and chose the hand of one who loved her. She forced my hand, though I tried not to fight, knowing that they would do far worse, and that in dying at my hand, she would preserve me from my Dark Masters.
And so it came to pass that I was left alive, and she...
I pray that she and you can forgive me. I can never forgive myself even though she with her last breaths smiled and gave me her love and forgiveness and bade me to tend to her people.
And this I shall do. I shall work to bring about her vision. But more than that, I shall bring to light the dark vermin who are her true assassins. Creatures who though robed in bright silk or brocaded uniform, are things of darkness. I shall be their bane, for I know the dark very well.
I shall not wear her color now, for I am not as worthy as the least one of you, who were always faithful. But I love her as you do and pray you will forgive me at least long enough to crush the jewelled spiders who paved the way to her oblivion.
Goodbye Corina. We shall not see your like again.