Light At The End

The blue robed man knelt in front of the strange alter, alternating between simply bowing his bald head and touching his forehead to the stone floor. Brother Oord was a devout man in his own way. His faith an amalgam of cults and like minded groups that gravitated together over the millennia, especially after Christianity reached dominance in the middle ages. Like many high priests before him, he was forced to join the ranks of the burgeoning Fourth Reich.
That was many years ago. Since, he had done his best to keep his group together and as removed from the rest of the Reich as he could. As his closest advisors had told him, it was the smartest decision he could have made.
The Fourth Reich had surged to the fore to fill the void left by the fall of the Third Reich after World War II, and done its level best to crush what remained of their predecessors. Like the cockroaches that many compared them to, the Third Reich never quite went away. Their tactics were subtle, but they’ve managed to whittle away at the power base of their would-be replacements.
Some groups began to splinter off, their own dreams of world domination coming to the forefront. Others, like Brother Oord’s, did their part and kept their heads down. Then something happened.
Oord reflected, a bit ruefully, that this small group of adventures that seemed to stumble on their plots almost by accident and foil them. A glimmer of hope spawned in Oord and his advisors. They might be free again to pursue their quiet goals. Unlike the various Reichs and their splinters, Oord and his people didn’t want the world. They just wanted to live comfortably. Of course, when Oord was younger, which was much longer ago than his appearance would indicate, he sought grander objectives. Over the years though.
Oord sighed and rose to his feet. He and his advisors agreed that if they could ever free themselves from the Reich, they would find a small town, build there, and make sure the town benefited as much as they themselves would. An odd thought for them, to be sure. They knew it was the only way for them to survive without being absorbed by the next growing terrorist organization determined to rule the world.
“Brother?”
Oord turned, “Yes, what is it brother?”
The robed acolyte looked frightened. He knew it was not of him, “The Jackal man is calling you in the audience room.”
Oord looked down for a moment, “Very well. Thank you brother.”
The acolyte bowed deeply at the waist and backed away. Oord set his shoulders and walked to the audience room. Unfortunately, his flesh and blood brother was there as well. The “other” Brother Oord was quite a bit more blood thirsty than he was. Which meant he bought into the Fourth Reich’s philosophy completely. If they were to make a clean break once the Fourth Reich finally falls, he would be a problem.
“Welcome, Brother.” The fiery image on the alter was the now familiar jackal-headed being. Looking at the image always made Oord slightly ill. “The human adventurers have found the tomb.”
“We have heard, my lord.” Oord’s brother’s eyes were shining, “I have seen the video.”
“They are a problem. Great Anubis wants them eliminated. To that end, Brother Oord, you are called into Anubis’ august presence. You will coordinate from here.”
There was no doubt which brother was being addressed. “I hear and obey. With great pleasure, my lord.”
“Good.” They head ‘looked’ at Oord, the queasy feeling increased. “I trust we can leave the operation there in your hands?”
Oord cleared his throat, “Of course, my lord.”
“Good. Make your way here as soon as you are able brother. We have little time to waste.” The image flamed out, and Oord felt a great wave of relief.
He turned to his brother and bowed, “It seems your chance is upon you. I wish you luck and success, my brother.”
His brother returned the bow and smiled beatifically, “Indeed. Once I have succeeded, I will make sure you are rewarded. This operation shall be elevated, and you will have your due.”
“As you say, brother.”
“Now, I must make preparations. I will try and keep you appraised. Good bye, brother. Be well.”
“Be well, brother.” He watched his flesh and blood walk quickly away with mixed emotion. He did love his brother, even if he did scare him more often than not. Lately, he terrified him. He prayed almost exclusively to Anubis now, and in those prayers…
Well, best not to dwell. His brother was going to be with Anubis, and plot the destruction of these adventurers. He motioned to the shadows, and Brother Shaw joined him. “You were following?”
“Of course. I feel if they directly challenge these people, it will mean the fall of the Fourth Reich.”
Oord nodded. “I feel the same. As soon as my brother is off, begin preparations. I think our time is here.”
Shaw nodded and clapped a hand on Oord’s shoulder, “We have waited a long time for this.”
“We have, my friend. I just wish it would need to cost me my brother.”
“I know. If there was any other way.”
Oord waved that away. “I know. At least I probably won’t need to do it. Likely the Jackal will do it once the end gets closer.”
“I am sorry for that. He was a good man once.”
“Yes. Once. No matter. Go, get things in motion. I will make the final selection of where we will settle.”
“Very well.” Shaw turned and disappeared back into the shadows.
Oord afforded a glance into them, hoping the only things hiding there were his allies.