Motive

Serenity found the city of the Eerden easily. In an empty world, even the faintest light was easy to track. She was amazed at the infrastructure of the city. It was clearly advanced. It sat before a massive floodplain, nestled into a crook between two mountain ranges. Not only that, but the city began a good distance above this plain on a giant terrace from which three waterfalls poured into the valley below.

At the edge of this massive drop, Serenity could see three powerplants. Beyond this were farms, then a wall, city, another wall, then more city. At the top of the terraced city was a lake from which three rivers flowed.

With the advanced cameras in her eyes, she zoomed in to observe the biggest wall, the one from which the waterfalls poured. Guards were posted there, much to her disappointment. She didn’t want to be seen, she worried what the people would think if they saw someone like her approach.

Therefore, she decided to round the left mountain range and work her way into the city from there. She looked back at the swarm of drones with her. Her current plan was to send them throughout the city and gather information about the humans. Then, depending on what she saw, she would decide their fate.

And so, she journeyed through the western mountains until she emerged at the edge of a river, a cut between the forests of the wilderness and farmland of the city. Here, she found something that upset her. There, lying on the edge of the river, stuck between a boulder and the edge of the shrubbery growing at the water’s edge was a small body in a torn dress, similar to her own.

She stepped to the river’s edge, looking around. Across the river, she could see a man and a woman being pushed along by a group of soldiers. Curious, she left the drones with the body and approached, careful not to be spotted.

“What were we supposed to do?” the woman was shouting. “Let her starve? Starve ourselves? It’s thanks to people like you that we do!”

“So you murder her? Your own daughter?” one of the soldiers said, kicking the woman in the back of the knee. She stumbled to the ground.

Serenity crept closer, obscuring her presence through her connection with the Worldheart. Two guards passed her, on their way towards the river. Sure enough, they didn’t notice her. She passed them and approached the main group unseen.

“Aren’t you going to help me?” the female prisoner said to the male prisoner. “Defend me.”

The man looked away from her, towards the edge of the hill tumbling down towards the river. “We brought this on ourselves he said. This is our punishment. God will do with us as she sees fit.”

The woman frowned, hopping to her feet. “You bastard,” she said, stalking towards the male. “

The man turned as she approached, eyes gaunt, hallowed by guilt. “Honey,” he said. “Just shut up.”

“No,” she said, diving at him, clawing at him. “This was your idea,” she shouted. “You’re the one who said we needed to kill her.”

“And you went along with it,” he shouted back, punching at her.

“Just shut up,” one of the guards shouted, pulling the couple apart. “I don’t give a damn whose fault this,” he said. “You’re both guilty and you’re both going to prison for the rest of your pitiful lives.”

Behind Serenity, the two guards from the river approached. The taller one held the body of the girl held carefully. Serenity frowned. Where were her drones?

We entered the body; they spoke in her mind. They were coming. We weren’t sure what to do.

Interesting, Serenity replied, musing on the event to herself. An idea came to mind. Can you restore it? She asked the drones. Of course, they said.

Can you bring back her mind? Serenity asked.

The drones paused, computing. Mind, yes. Soul, no.

What does that mean? Serenity asked. Of course, she already knew the answer. But she was enjoying the conversation. It made her feel more alive… more human.

We can revive her, but if we don’t pilot her, then she will remain in a comatose state.

Then go ahead and revive her now, Serenity commanded, but don’t take control until the body is out of sight of the populace. They shouldn’t know of our existence yet. Not until I’ve decided what we should do with them. For now, a few of you need to sneak away. Observe those two, she said, gesturing to the couple. And observe the girl. If the body is to be in danger, move it. Half of you, come with me. Just be careful not to be seen.

Of course, the drones replied in harmonic unison.

Good, Serenity thought to herself as she watched the procession grow more distant. After a few minutes of waiting, she was joined by a small clustering of her drones once more. I have enough for one more revival, she thought. What should I do?

The idea she’d come up with was simple. Instead of observing the whole city, she’d observe a select few from a more ground-like level. Theoretically, this should allow her to make the choice whether or not to initiate Burning Dawn. By looking at things from the views of the humans and her own, she would choose.

Not long after she turned back to her wanderings, a small group under a small cherry tree caught her eye. As she approached, she realized it was an execution. In front of a firing squad stood a man, holding his head proudly. Criminals deserve this fate, she thought to herself as a priest read about Ramah’s commandments.

“Let’s go,” she said to the swarm.

But just as she began to turn away, the man began to speak. “If I am to die,” he said, “then that is fine. I will accept my punishment, for I know my actions, under this law, are wrong. But it is not to you who I must ultimately answer, but to God.”

Serenity paused, intrigued.

“My actions were to build a better world,” he continued. “Never once did I purposely harm someone innocent. My actions, my life’s purpose, has been to protect the week and change this world. To throw off this dead society and build a world where all can live in peace! Where all can enjoy happy lives.”

“Enough!” A soldier shouted. “That is enough! Prepare to fire.”

Serenity frowned. “Protect him,” she said to the drones. “Heal his wounds immediately. Don’t let him die.”

The swarm zipped away as a moment later, the sound of gunshots tore through the air. The man fell to the ground.

What’s going on? The voice of the prisoner echoed in Serenity’s mind.

She sighed, relieved her drones had made it in time. Just hold on, she replied. Let them think you’re dead.

“Toss him in the river,” the head soldier said.

A few bodies moved to carry out the command as Serenity moved to the bottom of the cliffs. She quickly spied a spot hidden from the eyes above and waited for the body to pass.

As it began to do so, she reached out and pulled it ashore. The man instantly began coughing up water. He was covered in blood, but his wounds themselves had already begun to vanish, fading from existence as if he’d never been harmed in the first place.

Serenity dismissed her illusion, revealing herself to the man. He blinked away the water from his eyes and looked up in awe at her as he sat up. “Who are you?” he asked then shook his head. “What are you?”

“Names first,” Serenity said curtly. “My name is Serenity. What’s yours?”

The man wiped away more water from his face and pushed his soggy hair away from his eyes. “Tez,” he said, looking down at his wounds, pulling his soggy shirt away to look at the dissipating wounds in his chest. “Did you do this?”

Serenity nodded, staring down at him. “I’ve got questions,” she said. “And I want answers.”

Tez peered at her. “You have no idea who I am, do you?”

Serenity brushed back her hair and sat down, crossing her legs, and leaned back against the cliffs behind her. “Doesn’t matter to me. Just accept that I saved you and leave it at that. As for what I want, I wish to know why you were being executed.”

“Fair enough,” Tez sighed. “But what are you? I’m a little in shock, as you can imagine.”

“I can’t, actually,” Serenity said. “I am incapable of being killed, unlike you, and as to what I am; it doesn’t matter. Like I said, just accept this and let’s move forward.”

“You aren’t human, are you?” Tez asked, spreading his shirt out on the rocky shore to dry.

When Serenity didn’t reply, Tez continued. “Right then, you want answers.”

“Yes,” Serenity replied curtly. “And you’re not exactly giving me them.”

Tez nodded, pursing his lips. “Sorry,” he muttered. “Just thinking.”

Serenity folded her arms. “I can wait.”

Tez wrung his hands together, looking away, down the river. “I’m a criminal,” he started.

“I know,” Serenity said.

Tez frowned. “I thought you said you didn’t-”

“I could gather that much from looking at you,” Serenity interrupted. “Continue.”

Tez sighed. “I’m a revolutionary. This society is broken. Those who would do what is right have no power to do so as those in power oppress them and prevent them from doing so. Because of this, as well as the rising disparity between the Named and Unnamed, I took it upon myself to change things.”

“So, you became a criminal?”

“Will you let me finish?” Tez shot back.

Serenity frowned. “You know I could always just kill you and ask someone else,” she said.

“No!” Tez shouted, jumping to his feet. Serenity tilted her head inquisitively at him.

“Um, please don’t,” he continued, sitting down. “Sorry.”

Serenity sighed. “Just get on with it,” she said.

“Yeah,” he said, clearing his throat. “Anyway— I happened to be part of a certain organization, and through certain events, became the leader thereof. Because of this, as well as the several connections I was able to establish over the past dozen or so years, I found myself in the perfect position to change this world.”

“I know that,” Serenity said, raising her hand as Tez began to interrupt. “I know everything you’ve ever thought, every action you’ve ever made, everything you’ve ever done. What I don’t know is the reasoning behind it. I cannot determine the thoughts of your soul.”

“That’s kind of terrifying,” Tez said. “You know that, right?”

Serenity stared at him. “I was not aware, but I am now.”

Tez squirmed his feet, shaking his head. “Whatever, if you want to know my reasoning, it’s this: The pillars of society have failed their people, and as such, ought to be removed. The titles Named and Unnamed need to be removed. The disparity in wealth and opportunity should be equalized. The purpose for which would be to bring equality to the world. To give everyone an equal chance for happiness. To build a world in which children aren’t abandoned, a world in which everyone can eat, have shelter, family. I want to build a world in which those in power protect the people that gave them that power and serve them, not rule over and use them.”

“So that’s the heart of your logic?” Serenity mused, leaning forward. “I will admit that I’m intrigued. This is why you’ve killed? Why you’ve hurt and made the people fear you?”

“Yes.”

Serenity rose to her feet, brushing dirt from her dress. “So, what is it that drives you then? Love? Hate? Perhaps a bit of both?”

“A bit of both,” Tez admitted, looking up at her. “But it is the love I’ve had that gives way to my hatred.”

“Interesting,” Serenity muttered, looking out of the river. “And if I were to let you continue to live, what would you do?”

“I’d do as I’ve done,” Tez said, checking his now-damp shirt and flipping it over. “I need to free these people,” he continued. “I have the power to do so. I can’t let things continue as they’ve been.”

Serenity turned back to him, considering his words. “You’ve been helpful Tez, but for now, I’m unsure of how to proceed. I think I need to observe for myself.”

“And what do you intend to do after?”

Tez questioned, rising to his feet.

“Well,” Serenity said, stretching, “If I determine you’re right, I’ll destroy them. If you’re wrong, I’ll save them.”

“Then may I propose an idea?”

“What would that be?”

“If, after observing, you still find yourself unsure of what to do, let me continue. Help me, but furthermore, prove to me that this country should continue in its ways.”

Serenity stared coldly at him. “Prove to you? I control you, I won you. I have nothing to prove to you.”

“Then do it to yourself,” Tez said, crossing his arms across his chest. “I’ll work to end the world. You work to stop me. If I win, it will mean I’m correct- this society is meant to die. If you win, then that will mean you’ve found some good in this society and that it should continue.”

“A game then?” Serenity asked. “I don’t see the point in this, Tez. What exactly are you trying to convince me of?”

“Before my capture, I only ever harmed the Named, the corrupt,” Tez replied. “If you let me now, I will only do the same. If this society is as evil as I say, then it will collapse by itself. The people will destroy each other. On the other hand, if there is any good left, then they will stop me. They will realize their awfulness, their crimes, and change. If they change, you win. If not, destroy them.”

“You’re rather calm about this.”

Tez smiled. “Up ‘til a few minutes ago, I was a dead man. I see this as a second chance.”

“Then let me think about it,” Serenity said. “I will determine this thing for myself, and if I cannot, then perhaps I’ll take you up on your little game.”

“One last thought,” Tez said. “It is only in times of great calamity that good rises against evil. Even if you go searching for it now, you aren’t going to find it. Without any stakes, without conflict, without decision, you will never be able to tell the difference between good and evil.”

“Thank you, Tez,” Serenity said coolly, “But like I said, I would like to discover these things for myself. For now, sleep.”

Tez furrowed his brow in confusion before his body seized up and he fell to the ground as if lifeless. In a moment, it rose again, this time speaking with the voice of Serenity’s drones. His soul is bound, they said.

Good, Serenity replied, He’s very interesting. I’ll leave him in your care for now. Find a place in the forest to hide. Keep him alive.

Of course. But what will you do?

I’m going into the city. As I said, I wish to observe.