The Boy With Honor

TW // death, manipulation, and violence

Today marks the 10th Passing Ceremony in the Great City of Sion, where everyone celebrates the graces bestowed by Moloch, the God of Grace. In the past century, the Great City has been free of disasters, providing abundant opportunities for those seeking to make a living. With Sion's strong, magical barrier, illegal businesses were never a problem, marking the city the safest place on land. Culture was beautifully preserved within the protective spaces, century-old intricate buildings coexisting with majestic skyscrapers. It was like living in the center of utopia, between the past and the present.

And Sion will remain the greatest city on land because I am the Emorior for this decade's Passing Ceremony! The one chosen by Lord Moloch!

Even before my birth, the Head Priest of Lord Moloch's Holy Church told me that Lord Moloch has blessed me with this role, as sensed by the magical energy coursing through my veins. Because of this privilege, I trained for five years in order to become the perfect Emorior, with the honorable task of upholding Sion City’s barrier.

As Sion's Mayor held my hand, I stood in front of everyone with pride. The crowd below the stage cheered loudly, their hands reaching out as they sang praises. As soon as the cheers died down, the Mayor began his speech, his voice echoing through the loudspeakers.

From a distance, I noticed the tight expressions on my parent’s faces. Their bodies twitched in an attempt to reach out to me, but they were stopped by the guards. I could only sigh in pity for their concern. Ever since the Mayor came to us five years ago, my parents have been opposed to my role as the next Emorior. Despite being faithful devotees, they were so vocal in their opposition that the Head Priest had to intervene.

The next thing I knew, I was taken in by the Mayor as he began preparations for my role. I haven't seen my parents since then but the Mayor assured me I shouldn't worry about them. They’re safe under the care of the Head Priest.

I smiled and waved as my parents looked at me from below with depressing faces. From this day forward, I'll be able to show them how their concerns were baseless.

For today is the day I finally get to prove my honor!

After his speech, the Mayor led me down a flight of stairs from the stage. As the cheering crowd was drowned out by the dense walls, I recognized the area we were heading to. The Emorior Chamber, where I will do my role.

We were joined by others, one of whom I recognized as the Head Priest. I noticed him glancing at the Mayor before his gaze met mine. I bowed my head in respect as he hummed in return. I looked to my left and saw two men carrying a rectangular box painted in burnt umber. Before I could figure out what it was for, the Head Priest walked in front of us, his loud footsteps echoing around the chamber entrance.

He clicked the chamber open, revealing a dark room. As soon as I entered, I was surprised to see another person inside. It was a pale young man in a human-sized glass tank surrounded by tubes. My stomach dropped as I recognized the man's silky brown robes that closely resembled what I was wearing.

He was the Emorior from a decade ago.

"An Emorior is a role one can't back out of." the Mayor quietly spoke. “Those five years of preparation brought you to this holy day, and I will make certain, by Lord Moloch's grace, that your sacrifice will not be in vain."

I was grabbed from behind and pushed forward, belatedly realizing it was the doing of the Head Priest. The two men yanked the former Emorior from the tank and, in the blink of an eye, replaced him with me. My body floated from the strong current found as I watched them place the man inside the box. As if a switch had been flipped, the tubes surrounding the tank came to life, along with the multiple beeps and clicks of various machines.

The Head Priest smiled maniacally.

"There is no God," he began with a dark chuckle. "We're just desperate people looking for desperate solutions. It was simply us keeping Sion safe and secure." The darkness of the chamber illuminated, revealing the entirety of the Emorior Chamber.

What used to be a dark, spacious room was actually an underground facility, with only the clicks and clacks of computers rattling all around the rough walls. I felt the tubes slowly float toward my mouth, and I could only whimper in pain as they forcefully shoved inside my throat.

"My boy, your mage bloodline holds ancient magic. We didn’t lie when we said that you were blessed, for it is truly because of that reason why we need you. Extracting energy like yours keeps Sion's barrier as powerful as it is! That’s what your distant relative, the former Emorior, also did!" the Mayor said as he walked towards a large monitor, showing the entirety of Sion.

"That is what it means to be an Emorior. To slowly die for Sion like a hero."

The tank started shaking as the energy within my body was being drawn out of me. Both the Head Priest and the Mayor stared up at me, smiles becoming eerily creepy.

"Dear Emorior, you have the honor of doing just that. You may leave the rest to us."

As slumber overtook me, the word 'hero' echoed inside my head.

… Have I really become a boy with honor?

—

written by Tirzah-Diamond Cuizon

illustrated by Ariella Osmeña

layout by Lydeth Roque