Chapter 911 910 - Judgement [2/2]
Silence fell in the hall, only broken by Kato's pained, frantic panting. The sight, smell, and sounds of his punishment were ingrained into their minds as they all took a moment to let it sink in. Expressions differed greatly, but it didn't look like there was much opposition to what happened.
Erik allowed his gaze to travel across the ground and first-floor balconies, carefully inspecting their reactions. Most of the submissive class on the second balcony looked sad, vindicated, or angry towards Kato, with some instead looking at Neema with compassion. But there was no fear. If anything, he could see some signs of comfort and safety on their faces. Knowing they had such powerful people standing up for their rights usually had that effect on people.
Of course, it was a little different on the ground floor. The dom class looked predominantly grim and sombre. Though most also looked at Kato with disdain—clearly judging him for his actions—they were also obviously aware that they could be next if they weren't careful, and that would always create discomfort. Fortunately for them, most had subs who'd help comfort them…
"W-What… what did you do to me…?" Kato finally wheezed, breaking the silence. His body still trembled, and he winced with every movement.
Nora looked down at him and scoffed. Not answering yet, she instead kicked him over onto his stomach—causing him to scream again when his sensitive chest hit the floor—then signalled towards Anne again.
Smirking, Anne bent down to grab the chains binding him. With a flash of light, they came loose, and she pulled them off to free his body. Standing back up, she then kicked his body as well, harder this time, so that he tumbled off the stage and to just in front of the standing doms a few steps below.
The doms gathered there quickly backed off a little, creating distance between them, as if he was diseased. Kato groaned and shivered from the pain as he tried and failed to get up, his body seemingly having very little strength. "W-What… What…"
"You now carry the Wolf-Sire's symbol of shame. Let all who witness it judge you!" Nora growled from up on the stage, looking down at him with staff planted on the floor. "But that is not where the punishment ends. From today forward, you will be unable to muster any of your strength if it's not in defence of the nation, or another person, and you cannot reach the peak of pleasure without permission from another!"
Gasps and muttering erupted among the doms as they all took another step away from the squirming Kato. Though there were those amongst them who would occasionally enjoy switching sides, all of them valued their choice to do or not do so. To be forced into a submissive life was a notion that horrified each and every one of them.
Kato finally realised that he wasn't just feeling weak from the pain… but that he'd largely regressed back to what he'd been before the awakening: a mere mortal shapeshifter. Though a Runebound's physical strength could only be somewhat diminished by the power of sigils, he had no access at all to his runic power or the runes inscribed on his skin.
Though perhaps it was the second part of Nora's judgment that horrified him the most.
He started breathing faster. Panicked whines escaped his throat as he struggled desperately to his feet under the gazes of everyone present. "You-You can't! You can't do-do this to me!"
"I already have," Nora answered mercilessly. "A choice now stands before you, Kato. Either move to the first balcony and enter the ranks of submissives within the church, to maybe one day, far from now, earn the right for your punishment to be ended. Or… leave, and be banished from our ranks forever, never to be free from the Wolf-Sire's judgement."
"C-Crazy bitch!" Kato cursed, finally having gotten to his feet, clenching his chest as he looked up at her with all-consuming hatred burning bright in his eyes. "Like-Like hell I'll join those weak sluts up there! I'll find… wheeze… find another way to get rid of this! And I'll tell the whole world about this insane cult while I'm at it!"
For a moment, oppressive silence fell, as everyone wondered if either Nora or Erik himself would ensure this man's silence… forever. Even Naeku half-expected this. Seeing their looks, Kato suddenly realised the danger he was in, and a trickle of cold sweat started down his back. He still had hopes of removing this thing and wasn't ready to die.
Yet, neither reacted. Erik smirked dismissively, and Nora even started laughing heartily. "Hahaha, oh please, you'll be doing us a great favour! The rumour mill is how we attract half of our members, and it's about time we move to another spot again, anyway! There are still hundreds of large empty buildings we haven't touched yet. Please, spread the most horrifying rumours you can, and I'll watch our numbers swell!"
It was true. While many members were invited by other members, most got here because they heard the rumours and decided to investigate them for any number of different reasons. Some were even hired by one or more of the powerful Enkarian families—after all, many of the city's more influential youths had already become WHet is weer even geleden dat wij voor het laatste gesproken hebben, enulfs.
These investigators were quickly tagged by Nora's network, and if they were deemed suitable, would get an invitation. Then, once invited, Nora's preaching and her powers would quickly convince them to come a few more times… until they inevitably became full-fledged members. Nora's powers only had a superficial effect on most people when utilised on groups, but it was perfect for capitalising on pre-existing curiosity.
As soon as her words fell, many members of the cult smirked wryly, knowing they were just the type of people she was talking about. Of course, none of them had any idea about Nora's powers and simply considered her extremely charismatic.
As for Kato, he snarled furiously, feeling helpless in his anger and desperation. Yet, he had no other plans. He continued glaring up at Nora for another moment, then looked around at the many expressions of disdain and dismissal around the hall… and then finally turned around to leave.
He stumbled forward, face twisted in hatred and fury. The doms parted, keeping a wide berth and leaving him a path to the exit.
Moments later, he was gone, and peace settled back in the hall.