Dark Age Read Online Free PDF

to see. In the Guard you will live like an old man, watching your friends die off like flies, hoping and praying every night that you won’t be the next.”
    “Why do you serve the Inquisitor then?” I asked.
    “I was one of many children in the Industrial District. There was no future for me there. I hoped to find answers to all my questions in the Inquisitor’s mansion, but I am no step closer,” he responded with a forlorn face. “I have to go. He will be expecting my return. Take care, Adam.”
    Anthony vanished inside, leaving me alone in the cold night air with the only light coming from the two torches at my side. As I trailed back, the square had emptied out. Only a few drunks were still there, but most had passed out on the ground.
    I went to check on Katrina. Peacefully she lay on top of her sheets, still wearing the white dress. There was an innocence to her that could not be disturbed. My fingers brushed over her hair, like a fragile piece of art. I would not let him take me away from her. Not until I knew why we were not allowed to leave the valley. I needed to find the truth.

Chapter 4
    A t eight o’clock the next morning, I walked with Katrina to the Temple District for morning mass. We cut through the Works and across the square, which had yet to be cleaned from the prior day’s festivities. With light steps we approached the big cathedral – whose all too familiar roof was the Mount. The northern end of the colossal church was surrounded by marble stairs, leading up to the great wooden door marking its entrance. On the archway above the threshold the words ‘ Pax Dei et Lux Dei Vobiscum ’ were carved— ‘the peace of God and the light of God be with you’. This was the first line they taught any seven-year old in his first class.
    Entering through the great door, all sounds were absorbed into a vacuum. Despite the loud echo inside the church’s thick stone walls, the assembling masses were quieted by the pressing silence that lay in the air. Colorful light beams brightened up the grey church as the rising sun hit the stained glass windows. Yesterday’s fame was short lived. Rudely a man pushed me aside snatching the empty seats I just spotted. Few recognized that I was the boy on the wooden throne, the one for whom they were meant to celebrate.
    By the time we found a seat on the overcrowded wooden benches, the preacher, Father Riordan, was amidst his introduction, informing us of the news beyond the wall, “The battle against the demons outside the gates is growing graver by the day. The guards are valiant, but they need your support to fulfill God’s quest.” On cue, the aides handed out baskets that made their way around.
    It humored me to see people reach for their pouches. As if a dime went a feet further than the Inquisitor’s dining table.
    “The Lord sees us,” Father Riordan shouted. His eyes were turned towards me. “And he sees our struggle to survive. How long, oh children of the city, will your wickedness cause our future to die? The Voice of God tells us that our sin draws the demons to us. You know this to be true. How many days has your sin outweighed the love you ought to feel for another? How many times have you done wrong, and justified it, thinking to yourself that ‘No one sees me’? Your sin is paid for in the blood of those holy warriors sent out to keep the city safe. And yet, you continue in your ways. Why? What can be gained that is more valuable than life? These men turn night into day; In the face of darkness they say, ‘Light is near.’ This siege will be broken, but who will be victorious: those in the light, or those in the darkness that surrounds us? Do not abet the darkness, children. Do not join the side of the destroyers. Flee from sin and save your life.”
    “Save me!” A woman shouted a few seats down, cowering with her head bowed. The masses clamored in pain.
    “Only you can save yourselves, my children,” Father Riordan insisted, “The