And it came to pass, after the slaying of the great beast, that the company of Dondorian was divided in their hearts.

  For some were emboldened, and their eyes burned with new fire, saying, "Surely Dondorian is chosen of the gods, for who else could strike down such a monster and walk forth alive?"

  But others were broken, their spirits crushed beneath the weight of the jungle and the sight of their dead. And they whispered among themselves, saying, "Nay, they are no savior, but a destroyer who leads us into the mouth of death."

  As they camped in the shadow of the slain beast, there crept among them a darkness unseen, a presence soft as mist and cold as the grave.

  A demon came unto them, not in the form of terror, but clothed in beauty, with a voice like gentle rain, and eyes that held the sorrow of the ages.

  And the demon spake unto the broken men, saying, "O sons of sorrow, why follow ye this man who knows not mercy, nor turns to comfort thee? Behold, they drive thee as cattle, and counts thee not but as walking slaves bound for the dust."

  And the men listened, and their hearts were stirred, for the words fell upon their wounds as anodyne, and the demon’s voice was as gentle as a mother’s lullaby.

  And the demon promised them, saying, "If ye turn aside from this path, I shall lead thee unto rest, and ye shall see again the lands of thy fathers, and thy wives and children shall weep for joy at thy return."

  And Melian Enzo heard the voice also, and felt their soul become troubled within them. For the words were sweet to their ears, and yet heavy upon their heart.

  And Seraphine rose in the night and cried aloud, saying, "Behold, a deceiver has entered the camp, possessing a tongue that is forked and lies; turn away your ears, O men, else you will be led astray!"

  But they heeded the nun not, and some gave rebuke, saying, "You are jealous of the hope we have found, for your prayers have been as wind, and your warnings amount to nothing."

  And so the seed of mutiny was planted among them, and they looked upon Dondorian no longer with reverence, but with doubt and secret plotting.

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  And the demon withdrew into the darkness, and waited to reap the harvest that it had sown.

  And it came to pass that in the stillness of the night, the broken men gathered together and spake in whispers, saying, "Let us rise against Dondorian; for they care not for our lives, and this path we tread is long without end."

  And they conspired among themselves to murder Dondorian as the man slept, that they might flee from Forevermore and escape their destined doom.

  But Melian heard their counsel, and felt again their heart torn within them, for they loved Dondorian as a son loves their father.

  Then Melian went quietly unto Dondorian and warned them in secret, saying, "Master, the men plot your death; you must be ready."

  Dondorian answered not, nor reacted, and Melian grew afraid for them.

  And the night grew dark, and the knives were drawn, and the evil of treachery hovered over the camp.

  And the men entered into the tent of Dondorian, and approached the cot wherein. And they drew back the covering—and lo, the bed was empty.

  And as they turned to one another in confusion, Dondorian struck them from behind with a great cry, bursts of flame shot forth from their spear, and their whip was swift and terrible.

  And the men fell in fear and confusion, and Dondorian sought not to spare even a one; for Dondorian's wrath was kindled, and their fury was as a fire among dry thorns.

  And thus perished the mutineers by the captain's hand, and the blood of betrayal soaked the earth beneath the tent.

  Those that escaped from Dondorian's wrath fled into the jungle, and the beasts of Forevermore devoured them, and the quicksand swallowed them; and none that turned from Dondorian were seen again.

  Then Seraphine came unto Dondorian, and lifted up their voice against them, saying, "O Dondorian, how great is your cruelty! For you have slain your own men as though they were demons, and offered no mercy to their pleading."

  But Dondorian answered, saying,

  "A man who would betray their captain would betray their brother; and such a man must be slain, lest their treachery be as leaven in the whole loaf."

  And Seraphine spake again, saying, "Yet you have struck them from behind, and killed them as they turned and fled, unready and afraid; have you not therefore shown cowardice, O man of wrath?"

  And Dondorian replied once more, saying, "Is it cowardice for the hunter to ambush their prey? Be not ridiculous, woman. It is a fool who foregoes tactic for honor; the dead have no use of honor, and the living find no refuge in it."

  And the loyal among them gathered about Dondorian, and they lifted up their voices in praise, saying, "Behold, a man among men! Surely they are mighty, and none shall withstand them!"

  And they sang songs of glory, and spoke of their deeds with wonder, though they saw that Dondorian cared not for their praise.

  Yet the more Dondorian heeded them not, the more they admired, saying, "Surely their silence is the mark of strength, and their disdain for praise a proof of fortitude!"

  Thus they vowed before Elysium and Medeus to follow Dondorian into hell, and Dondorian did nothing to hinder them.