Role

Chapter 5

Greatness.
Added Fri May 15 10:13:07 2020 at level 29:

Vlalkon had had many terrible dreams since the beginning of his studies.
Memories of that night. Of the days since. Dreams that would rouse him in a
sweat that burned with cold against his skin.

But waking to Gaspare Gnazzo's burning eyes staring down at him had been
perhaps the most startling of them all. For a single, terrible moment,
Vlalkon had expected death; and had felt a brief surge of shameful relief
at the prospect.

Yet he had not died. Discussion of the length of his intestines aside,
Vlalkon had learned something that had shook him. Empire's Emperor turned
god had divined his lack of true belief in the Empire in a single glance;
and if not sympathised, drawn a parallel with his own experience. With each
statement Vlalkon had been shaken more than he had thought he could be. But
the cold truth of his benefactors final words before his promotion was what
had stunned him into silence.

"The Empire won't elevate you to greatness."

"What you love will."

They were simple words, but struck Vlalkon far harder than a physical blow.
What would he do for her?

Anything.

Could one be great and yet loathe every breath drawn?

Could one be great and hate what they had become, and would yet become?

For her, he would.

He must learn more. He must find this Collegio.

Just as soon as the alcohol induced hammers stopped their drumming on the
inside of his skull.