"I welcome you to our base. I am Dark, master of this organization. It is my utmost hope that you all choose to remain here and assist our cause."

Dark scanned his audience; dozens of upturned faces, many skeptical, but just as many watching him with eager eyes, eating up his every word. Soon, every face would be as excited; he just had to convince them, and they would be saved from evil.

Straightening his posture, setting his shoulders, he boomed out in his most authoritative voice. "Angels. The bane of this earth. The root of all evil. They are our common enemy. We are gathered here for one sole purpose--to end their reign of terror over us humans!

"I imagine all of you here have been hurt by the angels in some way--why, it is impossible to live and not be affected by their cruelty. I, too, have been subject to their terror; they murdered my parents in cold blood when I was just a young child. It is the memory of that incident that motivates me to continue this campaign. Not just for revenge, but for justice--justice for all humans that have been wronged!

"Though nobody is safe from the angels' tyranny, many tragically relinquish their hopes of justice early on. The angels, after all, are untouchable, right? Heavenly beings, out of reach, manipulating our lives without any feeling or consequence. Surely, it is impossible to punish them for their wrongdoings, as distant as they are. Are we resigned, then, to suffer in silence, justice never achieved?

"No, we are not!"

The crowd murmured in confusion, glancing at one another before turning expectant gazes back on Dark.

He almost smiled; this was his favorite part of initiation speeches. To see their expressions, confused and skeptical, morph into ones of shock and hope; to see that joy on their faces as they realized their aimless longing for justice was no longer an impossible dream, but something real and tangible, an achievable goal; to see their anger and hurt and pain be transformed into determination to right the angels' countless wrongs.

Unable to contain his excitement, Dark continued. "The angels are not some impossibly distant entity. They are real, very real, beings, just as real as the humans standing next to you. I have been among them! I have infiltrated their society and learned of their inner workings--they too have cities and kingdoms and rulers and citizens. They, I assure you, are far from perfect.

"For those still skeptical," he said, noting those in the crowd who frowned at him in disbelief, "I understand. To suddenly be expected to accept that something you have hailed as holy and untouchable your entire life is something real and tangible--it's unreasonable, I know. It is for that very reason that I have proof for you."

The audience murmured in confusion, eyes glued to the stage to see what would happen next. Barely suppressing a grin, he gestured to the side of the stage, where Shiya was waiting. Her eyes shone at the signal and she turned around, gesturing to more servants behind her, who were struggling to hold down a writhing person.

The crowd gasped as the servants dragged a man, chained, gagged, and desperately fighting against the servants, onto the stage.

"I have here an angel," announced Dark. "I know he appears frightened, helpless, weak--human, even, but do not feel pity for him. It's all an act, a devious ploy to trick you into lowering your defenses. Angels are just cruel, evil beings that live off the suffering of human, devoid of sympathy and kindness."

The servants tossed the man at Dark's feet. Shiya strolled onto stage and removed the gag and the chains around the man's feet. He immediately jumped up and attempted to escape, but Shiya yanked onto the long chain wound around his wrists and stopped him in his tracks. He shouted angrily, struggling vainly against Shiya's grip, but she held strong, not moving an inch.

Dark drew his sword with a flourish, letting the crowd see it gleam in the light. He pointed the sword at the angel, the tip inches from the man's throat. The angel eyed the sword nervously, then turned pleading eyes, alight with terror, up at Dark. Long since numb to the angels' cheap tricks, Dark, unfazed, glared back.

"Show us your wings, scum," demanded Dark.

The angel stared back at him with wide eyes, beginning to tremble.

"SHOW US YOUR WINGS!"

Smirking, Shiya dropped the chain.

Instantly the angel was off. Great white wings spread from the angel's back and he took to the air, soaring over the crowd. Gasps of amazement and disbelief rose from the crowd as they beheld the angel. He darted straight for the window, and, for a wild second, it seemed he could make it.

Then Shiya pulled a knife from her belt and, in a single seamless movement, threw it at the speeding angel. In a perfect silver line it shot across the hall, embedding into the soft flesh of the angel's throat.

The angel let out a strangled choke then plummeted to the ground, slamming onto the wooden floor of the hall. The crowd formed a circle around the body as the angel's blood pooled around his head and he gasped out his dying breaths.

"As you can see, not only are angels real," bellowed Dark, "but they can be killed, and their blood is just as red as yours or mine!"

The crowd erupted into cheers, wildly applauding as their dream for justice became possible. Dark scanned the crowd, fighting back a grin as he saw the expressions of joy, of hope, of determination on the people's faces. This was what kept him going on his quest for justice--seeing lost souls like these find a purpose again. He could save them, save them all from the angel's cruelty.

A few, eyes wide with horror at the murder that occured in front of their eyes, staggered to the door, leaving the hall. Dark paid them little mind; some didn't have the fortitude to go down such a path. They were just more of the weaker people he needed to save.

"We will attack the angel's city, topple their society, and put an end to their reign of terror once and for all!" declared Dark, standing tall as the crowd cheered once again. "Of, course, it will not be easy, but that's why we've gathered here, united for a common cause. Together we will train, together we will struggle, together we will fight, and together we will bring justice to the angels!"

Dark waited for the cheers to die down, then continued. "Unfortunately, I won't be with you for every step of our journey. Our organization is large, you see, and there are four more bases I must attend to as the master. Four more bases, full of people all working for the same goal. While I am at the other bases, your leader will be Shiya, an elite of the organization."

Shiya smirked and bowed to the crowd, then stepped back to let Dark talk.

"Here you will train to fight the angels, learn of their society, and prepare for the attack to bring them down. We can make justice possible; we can save the masses of people suffering under the angels.

"The angels are the light, and us, the humans, the victims, are their shadow. To them, we are an ugly blot on the land, deserving of nothing more than suffering. To them, we will forever be below them, a dark spot cast by their ugly light. But we, the shadow, shall rise up and knock them off their rotten throne. We shall finally emerge from their shadow and be able to feel the benevolent light of day once again!"

Applause filled the hall as the eager new recruits cheered for Dark, ready to step forward and fulfill their cause. Anyone who disagreed with Dark had long since left, leaving only the ready and the loyal. Seeing all of them dedicated to his cause sparked a warm feeling inside Dark; yes, this was possible. Getting revenge--justice for all--was within his reach, and they would finally cast down the angels.

"Thank you, thank you," Dark bowed. "I look forward to working with you all. For now, though, you may leave."

The audience began filtering out of the hall, chatting excitedly to each other as more experienced members directed them to the next location. Soon the hall was empty, save for Dark and Shiya on stage, and the angel's body splayed on the floor.

"Wonderful, isn't it?" drawled Shiya, sidling up to Dark. "So many new recruits."

"It is," agreed Dark. "It's hard to believe that three years ago, it was just me. It's amazing that we've managed to help give so many people purpose. Truly, this wouldn't be possible without them."

"We will train them to be excellent soldiers," said Shiya.

"You must treat them well, Shiya," warned Dark. "I don't want to hear of another whipping when I return. They are all vital parts of the organization. I won't stand for you needlessly punishing them."

"...whatever you say, Master Dark," muttered Shiya.

"I trust you to take care of this base, Shiya," said Dark. "That's why you're an elite of this organization."

"Of course Master," agreed Shiya, bowing. Even with her face lowered, Dark could spot her usual smirk sneaking across her face.

"There will be severe repercussions if something like that happens again," warned Dark. "I have no time for your insincerity."

"Yes, yes, I understand." drawled Shiya. "But do you really have to leave early, Master Dark? There's still three days left in the week."

"I'm worried about how Malias is holding up," said Dark, frowning as he thought of it. "I know you can manage a base by yourself, but he's..."

Shiya scowled at the name.

Dark sighed. "I'm aware you dislike him, Shiya. But--"

"With all due respect, Master, I don't think he's fit to be an elite," interrupted Shiya. "He's been doing this for almost a year and a half and he still can't handle it alone."

"He's a valuable asset to the organization."

"I'm not saying kick him out," said Shiya, "but just don't keep him as an elite."

"You know what he's been through. His fragility isn't his fault."

"Even so--"

"He has great potential. With enough guidance, I'm sure he'll become an excellent leader."

Shiya scowled and crossed her arms. "Very well. I have business to attend to, so I must be going. Safe journeys, Master." She spun around and disappeared into the darkness behind stage.

Dark watched her go, then descended from the stage. I must be going as well.

He strode out of the room, kicking the angel's body out of the way as he went.

The organization was growing, but they still had far more work to do.