My Nihilism Got Me Laid?!

I didn't see a single cow farm on the way here; so my "Steak" that's filled with hair and fire ants, I assume is... bear? (˘-_-)

With how many parasites bear meat has, I think I would rather eat... this.

Asher seems to have come back to her senses, as I hear her hastened breathing in the seat beside me.

I would imagine this might be quite terrifying if you weren't immortal; like a bad ending route.

A dead end.

I do wonder what would happen if someone ate my flesh... would the limb still grow back?

OMG! I could solve world hunger! Cannibalism for the win!

I'm kidding; but I am somewhat curious as to what human tastes like....

Well the opportunity has literally been served on a plater before me.

Eh, I'll just do it at home, using my own flesh.

My weird bucket list idea is interrupted as Asher turns to me.

The chair she sits on trembles as her wide baby blue eyes water, her lip violently trembling. "Gr- Graves- I'm... scared." The words plummet from her soft lips in a timid whisper. "I don't want to die."

My goofing off is canceled out as I turn to her.

I have always masked my uncertainty in laughs and jokes; it seems to be going around. so I am not entirely sure how to comfort someone. I have never been empathetic, and in this moment of invincibility, I couldn't possibly fathom what's running through her head.

So, I give my attempt at a warm expression, our eyes meeting. Placing my hand on her head, I smile. "Nothing will happen to you, I promise."

Her shaking slows as her lip stops quivering.

Straining a confident smile, she nods. "Hmm."

The rest of dinner is filled with religious filibuster and people violently chewing their food.

Diner finishes, as I decided not to eat that random dude; instead I worked around it, eating the lettuce, or whatever that green thing was.

The herd was led to the next location by our sheep dog named Reverend Plate.

Asher tightly holds my hand as we walk towards another wooden platform. Her expression has a trembling confidence to it as she attempts to remain strong. Even so, she looks like a child walking through a haunted house.

Two people stand before us on the platform, as it has two wooden poles implanted into either side.

"While we just enjoyed a pleasant meal, it is also our duty to show our thanks for that which we have been given..."

As the Reverend stands on the stage with his arms outstretched, another man with a red cloak looms behind him, but his is not the same as mine its... the figure begins to turn, their cloak isn't dyed red...

It's naturally yellow...

That's blood.

The figure has a leather belt lined with holstered rusty knives.

The slits in their tri-coned cloth mask narrows. While I can't see their mouth, I know they are smiling under there.

They sit us down in rows of chairs

While this would be the opportune time to try to escape, the yellow executioner guy has a Sig P3651 around his waist; I would be fine, but I couldn't guarantee Asher's safety.

As she sits beside me, she is trying so hard not to cry, but her body langues is unable to stay as strong. The wind rips through the grassy plain as the grass contrasts this bloody event with its peaceful flow.

Leaning down, I whisper with a smile. "There's no need to be worried; they are only killing us with the red cloaks, your just another one of the herd."

"Wha- but, Graves, you have a red cloak. They are going to sacrifice you."

"That seems to be the case."

"How can you be so calm? They WILL kill you!"

Her loud whispering is interrupted by the reverend pulling our attention away.

"We shall now begin the ceremony!"

The Reverend throws his hands out. "Now, if our most honorable and noble member would come up to stage..."

With a deep sigh, I get up. I already know what's coming next. Just cause I'm immortal doesn't mean getting killed won't hurt...

"Asher, if you would come up to the stage."

My eyes widen... "Asher...?"

Whipping my head towards her, she sits there, just as surprised.

Her glistening baby blue eyes dart around the scene as her breathing hastens. Her body trembles as she begins whimpering. "No, no... please."

Due to our separation from the city, the night sky is populated by countless shining stars. And in this moment, I swear, it feels as though the universe itself was glistening off her panicked eyes.

The breeze picks up, causing her golden cross earrings to sway. The golden

Two large men go up beside her, and pick her up from the wooden chair.

She turns to both of them as tears of fear flood her eyes. "PLEASE! Wait! Wait! I promise I won't tell anyone!" She squirms in a futile attempt to free herself from the stone faced cultists.

"Asher? Is something wrong?" The Reverend questions, holding back a grin.

Stepping forward, I throw my hand out. "Wait! let me take her place!"

As though only acting surprised, the Reverend gasps. "Oh? But you aren't the noble member. Only those of pure faith are allowed to take part in this ceremony."

I need to do something.

She is really going to die.

Our eyes meet for a moment. it seems she has worked her way through the seven stages of grief as she stops resiting and looks at me with... defeat, as though knowing this was inevitable. Her eyes have gone dead, the azure blue now looks shallow.

The wind pulls the tears that dribble down her pink cheeks, throwing them into the night air.

I have never failed to save one of the targets, but what can I do?

Like fox in a den of wolves.

Defenseless...

Helpless...

But I have discovered that a dead end is not the end, it is simply an unventured path, something we labeled as dead out of fear and uncertainty. So I will venture this path.

"I MUST CONFESS A SIN!" I shout.

The crowd of cloaked figures turns to me with a gasp.

If I'm going to go this route, I'll really have to sell the act.

Attempting to make my eyes water, I bite my cheek to the point of bleeding. "I have killed two people! I... am... a... sinner! Thus, I came to this retreat to prove myself to the lord!"

My voice weakness as I crumble to my knees. "I know I don't deserve to ask for his forgiveness... So this-" Clenching my fist, I grit my teeth. "this is the only way I could think to prove myself to our lord and savior!"

The Reverend awkwardly chuckles as he attempts to wave away my heroics. "Well, while it is imp-"

But his gluttonous voice is washed out, as the crowd of psycho cultists that I pleaded to seemed to now be on my side while they began cheering me on.

With watery eyes, I put my hand out. Emphasizing my pleading, I clasp my hands together. "Please! Revesand, let me... a selfish sinner, take that angel, Asher's place."

Asher squirms against the two men leading her up to the stage as she looks at me. "Graves! Don't!" Her words are hoarse, yet a genuine plea.

She was right, and I was wrong, she is not evil. Because, in this moment, she would rather put her own life before a stranger, a weirdo who has been following her around for reasons unbeknownst to her. Despite having just met me today, her words of self sacrifice were absolute and assured.

The reverend throws his hand out as his confusion returns to his evil smirk. "Dont stop him! If this is how he wishes to repent, who are we to interfere with fate?"

The crowd cheers as the two gruff men release Asher.

She runs over to me with watery eyes. "Graves, they are going to kill you! I- why are you doing this?!"

I can't help but grin as I watch her trembling body shiver. My voice is calm, almost playful. "Hey Asher... wanna see a magic trick?"

"Ma- magic?"

The two men arm lock their arms around mine as they guide me to the stage.

With a smug smirk, make an explosion gesture with my hands. "I will make this problem... disappear!"

"GRAVES!"

Asher's pleas are drowned out by the crowd of clapping people who chant religious blabber.

The two men begin to tie a thick scratchy rope around each of my arms. They string the other ends up to the top of the posts as I hang suspended.

So what? I'm getting crucified? Wasn't that on a cross? Also, what's the point of the executioner, dude?

"Now, let us give thanks to Graves, he shall spread his wings, so we can fly to heaven!"

Wait... wings?

My eyes widen

no...

NO!

That's not even a Christian thing!

Great pistol by the way.