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Arthur -> RE: The Reaper's Associate (3/8/2013 3:50:04)
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Chapter 2
Questions and Answers
Heavy leather boots fell on the polished marble floor as four figures, all garbed in black cloaks and wearing hoods walked into the Entrance Hall and stood side by side behind Armand looking at the confused and angry recruits.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Armand started as he stepped aside to give the crowd a clear view of the newcomers that had just stepped in. “Allow me to introduce you to the Reapers.”
Silence reigned as the crowd carefully examined the four hooded figures standing across from them.
After a while, Armand reached into his coat pocket and drew forth two sheets of paper wherein were scribbled names. He then cleared his throat and spoke.
“Associates, on behalf of our gracious Host…”
“…Who is now here.”
A familiar voice interrupted Armand’s speech as Sir Raymond stepped into the Entrance Hall and walking past the Reapers, stood in front of the still confused crowd of young men and women.
“I believe there is some explaining that needs to be done before we can get on with The Forming.” Sir Raymond smiled warmly as he scanned the crowd. “However, I believe we are missing someone here, Armand?”
“Ah. Yes, sir. We are indeed missing one but I cannot tell which one since I haven’t done a roll call yet. I believe he should be arriving here any moment now.”
“Hmm… The weather can be quite a hindrance sometimes...” Sir Raymond looked up at the glass roof where raindrops continued to patter down incessantly. “especially so on a day such as this.”
“Excuse me, sir?” A boy spoke up from the crowd. “I really must be going now. My parents must be really worried.”
“Hmm..? Oh, yes, of course. If either of you feel that coming here was nothing but a severe waste of time, then please be my guests. But remember, you will have missed out on a great opportunity should you step out.”
“I…I am sure I wouldn’t miss anything noteworthy. Thank you, sir.” So saying, the boy turned and headed for the double doors.
“What might your name be, son?” Sir Raymond called out to the leaving boy.
“It’s Arthur.” The boy halted to a stop. “Arthur Finn.”
He opened the door and left.
There was silence for a moment, then another girl announced her name, turned around and left followed by another, and another and in this manner, eight of the Associates left, leaving just six.
“Would anyone else like to leave?” Sir Raymond’s face was still calm and cool.
No one budged.
“Good then, allow me to explain to you why it is that we’ve called you here.”
Sir Raymond cleared his throat and started.
“The House of Reapers is centuries old. We have been around since the medieval times, when Kings and Knights still ruled the lands of Europe. Back then, we used to pass as common mongrels, bounty hunters, assassins, wanderers and other such despicable criminals. What they did back then was not crime, but the work they were meant to do as Reapers.”
“And what was that?” A girl spoke up.
“Reaping. Our job requires us to reap lost souls so that they are not left in eternal torment.”
“What a load of rubbish…!” A boy blurted out. “Reaping souls? That’s the worst thing I’ve heard all day.”
“But surely it is very easy to reap lost souls, isn’t it?” A boy wearing glasses spoke calmly.
“You are mistaken.” Sir Raymond held up his finger. “Not all souls are docile. Some need to be put down before they can be caught.”
“What are souls, exactly?” A girl asked. “Do you mean ghosts or wisps?”
“You are partly right, Miss.” Sir Raymond smiled. “You see, ghosts, spirits and wisps are but mere apparitions, projections born of a dead body. To be a bit more specific, there is no difference in ghosts and spirits. Ghost is a word we give to spirits. To answer your question, a Soul is one’s inner being that is shaped by one’s feelings, experiences and deeds. A person can either have a good soul, or a bad one depending upon how he has lived his life. There is no telling how one’s soul might change the next moment. A bad soul might very well become a good one. So there.”
“And the Reapers hunt the bad Souls?”
“No, there are Souls that are worse than bad, we call them the Tormented. These souls are very powerful and only a few of these exist. It usually requires more than one Reaper to bring them down but most of the time, if you are careful, one would do. Any questions?”
There was no question now. As Sir Raymond was about to continue, a boy raised his hand.
“Yes?”
“I have a question. What do we have to do?”
“Associates, as you’ll see in the coming days play a major role in this battle. You see, an Associate is born with a curious defect in their DNA that alters their body in many ways. We call this defect, the Reaper Strain. Those that have this defect possess certain talents. You possess those talents. And now that you are here, we will teach you to use them.”
There was a bit of murmuring among the six as they discussed.
“Anyways,” Sir Raymond clapped his hands. “Shortly, we shall be assigning you to your Reapers who will be your teachers, your guides and your allies…”
“Wait a minute…!” Another boy interrupted. “What of our parents? Do they know?”
“They have been informed. Rest assured.” Sir Raymond smiled. “Armand, if you would kindly initiate the Forming.”
“At once, sir.”
***
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