Bonfire (Part I)

Chapter 1

A gentle breeze blew across the streets of Puria. Puria was one of the biggest cities and produced a number of senators for the province of Secfenia. Occasionally, one of these senators would actually go into Centralia, the heart and core of the Animal Empire. Being such an important political city of the Empire, Puria also had a small segment of the population that were opposed to the Empire. Over time, that portion would grow.

One such family who opposed the views on opinion of the Empire were the de Joies. They were denied a chance to be on the Secfenian Provincial Council, but Tue, the father of two sons and two daughters held tightly a position on the Purian City Council. No matter how hard the Animal Empire tried to remove him by legal means, they could not. Year by year, his opposition led Puria further and further away from the principles of the Animal Empire.

Tue de Joie was popular among the people and that made him a force to be wreken with. His hatred of Purian dependance and union with the Animal Empire was well known. Some thought that he was one of the strongest oppositions that could not be quieted. His anger and his passion were one of his greatest assets and one of the best weapons his enemies had. Sometimes his anger would rage on muting his best points. However, no one ever questioned his love for the city and the hope and best wishes for it people. He refused to distinguish between citizens and non-citizens. He believed there was no difference nor should there be. That was one of the main reasons why he would never have the shot of going to Centralia on his own free will.

There were a few times when Imperial Guards were sent from both the city itself and from Fenia, capital of the Secfenian Province. They would enter into the Council Chamgers to watch the meetings. Numerous times, Tue de Joie would speak passionately about Secfenia independance. He would speak out against putting down the Secfenia way of life. The guards were moved to tears and could never arrest him. Inside even them there was the desire to part of a separate Secfenia nation. They knew that at some time the rest of Secfenia would splinter against the Animal Empire like the area of Bravia was doing. The time would come where the Animal Empire would be a chapter in the past. Little did anyone know how quickly that was coming.

Tue de Joie was safe for the moment. He knew he may not always be. It just made him speak with more passion. On one occasion, he was speaking with the council about the ideas of the Governor Robert Russ III. He told them about how the Governor gave up most of his family's land to the people. He spoke of the reforms for the people. Tue proclaimed that the Governor himself card for the people and worked within the system to help them.

"When the System allows, one must use it to aid the people. When the system does not allow, one must change the system. When one can no change the system, one must work outside the system. This is and always will be the last option. I implore us to work within the system to assist our people. If we don't help them, who will," Tue told the council. An applause erupted from the audience in the council floor. he was about to add more when a messenger whispered something into his ear. Tue's face began to turn solid red and it appeared as if his temper would blow. The messenger ran away and out of sight.

"People of Puria, I bring forth horrible news. The Animal Empire...," Tue said and then paused. A gentle hush came over as the string of profanities flew out his mouth. Tue threw his chair. "Those... bastards! They have imprisoned our Governor. They have hurt the people. They are going to try him for treason. They are going to try him and cease his assistance to the people," he informed them. "I will not stand for this. I call for the city to cry out against this. Not only that, but we must do something," Tue told the council.

"Tue, what can we do," one senator asked. "We must take up arms and protect our city. If they will imprison him, what protects us? Who would be next? It could be you... or me," he said. "Tue, calm down, let the system work for the people. There is no way that they could find him guilty of treason. What has be done wrong? Absolutely nothing. It is just their duty to try him according to the constitution," the senator told him. "It is our duty to protect the people. When we forget our duty, we forget who we are," Tue fired back. "I know who we are and we'll protect our people. But we must wait to see if everything will work out. After all, the system is still working for us," the Senator commented back. "There's no use. you have yet to realize what is happening here. You will and when you do, you'll remember my words," Tue said as he left the room. A quiet murmur started through the room. "Alright, I think we'll adjorn for the day. We'll be back in session tomorrow," the senator told everyone. The room slowly empties out.

Tue went home and told his wife to help him pack. His wife looked at him questioning. "The Empire is going to fall. They arrested Governor Russ today," he told her. She looked at him with alarm. "I will be one of their next targets. I want you and the kids to move into a hiding place far from here. We need to hurry," he told her as he started packing up whatever he could grab. In a few minutes, they were almost ready to go.

Their hearts were beating fast. A knock came on the door. "Go," Tue commanded her. "But I can't find Fue," she said. "I'll find him, just go...," he insisted. She ran out the back door with her children as the front door was broken down. Tue took out his sword. The Imperial Guards laughed and took out their swords. "Your death with stabilize the province. By the order of the Almighty Emperor, you are to die," the Chief Gaurd told him. There was no chance for him. Even the best swordsman couldn't take on these odds. He was overpowered and his blood spilled. Little did they know, little Fue de Joie heard it all.

They did notice the back door open. The guards ran out the door and quickly caught up with Tue's wife and the brothers and sisters of Fue. They killed the children first by cutting their heads off. They then laid the heads on the ground. Next, they stripped their mother and carved a giant "I" in her chest before they tied her to the ground. Her death was slow and tortorous. She hated every last minute that she survived and prayed to die before they had finished the evil deeds in their hearts and minds.

When she was dead, the guards laughed and sung songs about the greatness of the Empire. All these songs were heard by one boy. A boy that would years later cause fear in the hearts of many. This would be the first of the events that would make the people of Puria no longer able to stomach the Empire ever again.

[ Hope For the Future, Chapter 4 ] [ Chapter 2 ]