Chapter 5 -- The Truth
Three months have passed since Lexington first discovered that Shadohinus had put his own establishment of Shadowmen on what was formally Shantei. Though Lexington doubted that Shadohinus had any idea that Lexington had grown to love the city, the fact still pained Lexington to the core. He vowed that he would restore the village that he had once called home.
Every night since Lexington discovered Shadohinus' new territory on earth, Lexington expected an attack on Shahemein. He was anxious to hear the giant alarm bells ring and the booming of the war horn, but every night nothing happened.
Aside from Lexington's fears, he experienced equally joyful times. After their second month of living in Shahemein, Albeus had arranged for Lexington and Enama to wed. Over the course of the months, Lexington and Enama had watched Enama's belly grow larger with the growth of their baby. Lexington could not even begin to wrap his mind around the ramifications of the offspring of a Celestial and a human.
Lexington had also noticed that with each passing day, his powers were almost completely restored. The powers of far sight, increased strength, increased physical resistance, and recallable armor were at his dispense. Flight was the only ability that Lexington could not summon. Though his increased strength allowed him to jump higher than any living man, it was not close to what he was able to do with flight.
Albeus and his son, Edalo, were granted the position of Keepers of Coin of Shahemein. Though Edalo was merely his father's assistant, he was every bit as much involved in the finances of the great city as Albeus. Because of the new position, Albeus had Lexington replace him as the new Chairmen of Shantei. Lexington also continued to meet with the elderly Gaous, the Chiefman of the First Quarter of Shahemein.
Because of their friendship, Lexington was able to discuss with Gaous and his military advisor, Cresus, on how to best defend themselves against Shadohinus and his Shadowmen army. Lexington knew that the Shadowmen were a threat that mankind had never before seen and defense was their only option.
War against the realm of Avariceal, Lexington thought, was the last thing he would want the people of Shahemein, let alone the world, to experience. Shadohinus and his legions would have to go through him first.
---
As his powers returned, the Lexington had noticed that his need for sleep had diminished almost entirely. He found it strange that though he could still be aroused and have sex with Enama his Celestial abilities were almost returned completely. He didn't understand any of it. Every question brought him back to the same exact question -- how could a Celestial fall and become human?
Every sleepless from then on, Lexington would wait for Enama to fall asleep and quietly make his way out of the house. He would trek up the surrounding walls of Shahemein and circle the walls. Occasionally, he would peer over to what used to be Shantei at the army of Shadohinus. Every night was the same in Shantei. Members of the Shadowmen army would fuck in what appeared to be a ritualistic orgy. Every time Lexington used his far sight, he would try to see past Shantei and follow the blackened trail that he had initial discovered. The blackened trail led so deeply into the Badlands that Lexington wondered if he would ever be able to see that far.
As he continued his patrol atop the walls of Shahemein, he noticed something moving in the distance to the north. He used his far sight to get a closer look. There were five people all cloaked in black and they were moving inhumanly fast. He refocused his sight on the guards atop the wall and realized they hadn't noticed.
Shadowmen, Lexington thought. He knew he had to deal with them himself to avoid causing a panic. He took one of the grappling ropes, attached the end to a pillar, and repelled himself to the ground outside the walls. He landed quietly and quickly. He felt that Celestial warmth fill his chest and then his body as his armor wrapped itself around him. He made his way towards the unknown assailants.
As he moved closer, he noticed that the assailants didn't notice him. Finally within charging distance, Lexington let his eyes blaze with blue. The flashing of his eyes had startled the assailants in their tracks. Lexington charged at them with his right hand stretched out and summoned his blade Aequitas. He gripped the hilt with both hands and prepared to slash at closest one. As he got closer, he noticed the five were in a spread formation -- a W shaped positioning of soldiers used for defense. It suddenly dawned on him that these weren't Shadowmen, they were Celestials.
"Halt!" cried the voice of the Celestial Soldier in the middle. He was the only one unarmed while the other four were standing with blades in hand in a defensive stance.
Lexington paused. A trick, he thought. He stayed in his offensive stance with Aequitas in hand. "Who are you?" Lexington demanded.
The Celestial pulled back his hood and replied, "You know me, sir."
It was true. Lexington immediately recognized the man as Ishmael, a soldier of the Celestial army.
"How did you get here?" Lexington asked earnestly.
"We can talk, but first we must get inside the city."
Lexington shook his head.
"Tell me now."
Ishmael nodded his head in compliance. "Sir, there's much you do not know."
"Now," Lexington demanded.
Ishmael nodded again while standing firm as a lower ranking soldier would. "Lexington, sir, we don't have much time. But I will do as commanded. Like you, we have also fallen from the realm of the Omnipotent. But unlike you, we remember what happened."
"How do you know I don't remember how I fell?"
"If you did, you wouldn't have remained in Shahemein for so long."
"How is this possible? How can Celestials become human?"
At this point, the other four unknown Celestials had sheathed their swords and were standing just as upright as Ishmael. Ishmael raised his hand and motioned one of them forward. The one on the far right of Ishmael stepped to Ishmael's side.
"My name is Daniel," the Celestial said. "I'm the one who informed Ishmael of your falling."
Lexington slowly shook his head in disbelief. "Well, out with it!" he impatiently proclaimed.
Daniel took a step towards Lexington and began by saying, "Sir, the Omnipotent is no longer the great lord and commander you remember. As a soldier, we were created never to question and so we did what ever the Omnipotent commanded."
"What does this have to do with anything?" Lexington asked in anger.
"We have been losing the war against Shadohinus. Before you fell, you led the fight against the lord of Avariceal at the Ethereal Gate. It was the closest any non-Celestial has ever been to the realm of the Omnipotent and if weren't for you, the realm would have been overtaken."
"I... I don't remember..."
Daniel nodded, "that's not where it ended. Though you were able to stall Shadohinus, you did not defeat them. Demetriux, the Valkyrie Lord, took you and a few other Celestials they left alive. They stood outside the Ethereal Gate as Shadohinus slowly amassed the legions of his Shadowmen army. The Omnipotent himself came to the gate."
Lexington felt as though he could no longer stand. He almost fell until Ishmael grabbed him then set him against nearby boulder.
Daniel continued by saying, "the Omnipotent made a deal with Shadohinus. Instead of Shadohinus having the realm of the Omnipotent, the Omnipotent offered him earth instead."
"Why did Shadohinus take that offer? He could've just as easily stormed the Ethereal Gate."
