Mad Gods - Predatory Ethics: Book I by Athanasios

said?”
    “No I said that true evil does not follow the
obvious. It is not so easily seen as the blatant parlor tricks and bold
impudence of LaVey’s pranksters.”
    “Are you telling me that evil is invisible? That we
cannot be aware of it?” The nameless initiate was still perplexed.
    “No, I’m saying that evil does not fit into our
— or anyone’s — perception. It is not the two-dimensional entity,
or force, about which we read in all these volumes. The writings here, through
which we go, are merely important clues. Much as a psychiatrist asks a
disturbed patient about his childhood, so we look to evil’s past to help us understand
it.”
    “Why do you say ‘might,’ master? Will we not see
evil’s intentions in the scriptures? In the holy volumes we have here?” The
question came out as uncertain and cautious as the lips that delivered it.
    “We may not. All we may find here is insight into
direction. These texts were written by flawed, imperfect men, such as us, they
but give us possibilities of action.” Quentin paused.
    “Whose?” The initiate was trying hard to follow what
the respected Seneschal was attempting to explain.
    “Evil doesn’t have a single mind.” He continued, “In
fact, I don’t think that Satan is plotting in hell. He’s reacting to what is
happening on earth. He follows plans that were set in motion by another, or
others — just as God, through the Church, is helping us do His work on
earth.”
    “You sound so convinced, master. How can Satan not be
plotting against God? Isn’t that his nature?” He seemed certain of that fact,
though his certainty was decreasing.
    “Satan or, rather, evil, isn’t some beast, following
its own biological, instinctive or preordained path, young man. It is
simplistic to think thus, as well as very dangerous.” Quentin hoped that the
initiate was following. “There are many on earth — normal human beings
— who are misguided enough to do the work of evil. In their own desire
for power, they strive to give evil prominence.”   Quentin stopped for a few moments, pondering if the initiate
was capable of internalizing everything he had to share. He finally decided to
share everything he understood; he hoped it would not unsettle the young man.
    “Currently, we are seeing things progress toward more
centralized governments. Those who work for this final one-world government
— the New World Order, as it is coming to be known — are, mostly at
any rate, working for noble ends. The true architects of this final end-plan
are not. They are the ones who manipulate history, finances, governments and
reality, itself, to fit their final goal of world dominance.” Quentin knew that
he had lost his audience when he saw the initiate’s face go blank. “I am sorry,
my lad. You were not able to accept that with which we work here. You will be
taken care of, as a good soldier always is.”
    Quentin got up and went to a waiting black telephone
receiver. Picking it up, without dialing, he spoke directly to another. “I
would like someone to come and take care of the initiate who has been helping
me.” He listened intently and finished. “Yes, a quick end would be best. I
don’t think he intended any harm; most likely, he was curious and read the wrong
things. Thank you.”
    Quentin replaced the receiver and went back to the
slack-jawed young man. He had not moved from where they spoke. He informed the
initiate there are certain things that cannot be viewed by everyone. Terrors
and evil reside everywhere. Sometimes they are in words, between breaths and
around thoughts. They remain that way until they are unlocked by a gesture or a
conversational turn. Usually their terrible power and destructive potential
remain dormant.

 
    - Idammah-Gan Codex - Depth of Correction I -

 
    TIME: AUGUST, 480 B.C. THERMOPYLAE, ELLATHA

 
    The sweat inside my helmet makes it smell like the
taste of blood — tinny, coppery and acrid. This same blood