Fiction:Tenet/History/5

= Tasks =

THE FIRST TASK

Here's a knife for you. Take it and cut your palm. Its blade is holy. It opens the barrier between this world and that of the gods.

Now! Press your bloody palm against this tablet, upon which we have carved the mark of the gods. Repeat my words.

I am Makann of the Assurhab. In supplication I offer my blood as a bridge so that you may indwell my flesh.

Well done. Can you feel the power flowing into your body? Of course not. There's no power yet. But now you stand with one foot upon the threshold, and that power is open to you. The next step is taking it.

THE SECOND TASK

We have watched your journey with interest. You are old, and slower than you were, but you still know how to hunt and trap. We are pleased with your resilience.

Your next task is simple. Bait your traps once more. Your prey is a viper. Catch it and butcher it as you have done before, but this time prepare its flesh as we decree. Anoint yourself with its blood like so.

You are familiar with this practice, with the ritual of slaughter? Good. Our old teachings have been passed on. Now go.

THE THIRD TASK

Did you feel that? Did you feel that spark?

Flex your knees. Move your hips and elbows. Don't they feel better now? Don't you feel faster now? A little? Yes.

This is the power we've given you. What are the principles of ritual slaughter?

The transfer of power from one place to another. By eating an animal you gain the qualities of that animal. Dynamiphagia. Exocannibalism. You've always taken this ritual for granted, but now you see the truth. You've got a foot on the threshold now. This power is /real/.

There's a bull aurochs to the south, not far from here. It's old and tired, like you, but it's strong, which you aren't.

You know what to do.

THE FOURTH TASK

It is time for you to return to your people. You will return greater than you left.

There is more to the precepts of slaughter than you have been taught. The worship of Azzak and Nurgath is built on truths derived from those precepts. Long have you worshiped the foundation of those truths: duality, competition, will to power. Now you will build a temple upon those foundations and embrace the higher secrets.

Gather your belongings and prepare for the journey home. We will teach you as you walk. But first, feel behind your skull.

Can you feel them? Can you feel them growing? Your second pair of horns. Do you understand?

This is honor. This is eschatology. The rest of the changes will come.

Here is your fourth and final task. Bring about the next age, O uniter of the world.