by Laura R Cole
*
Jonathan shivered involuntarily as a cold breeze blew over his naked body. He was conscious of the many eyes upon him, their whites stood out in stark contrast to the dark shadows cast by the hooded black cloaks that served to veil their identities. He held his arms awkwardly in an attempt to cover himself. If they were disgusted by his form, however, none made any outward sign and he drew a deep breath to steady himself.
A cloaked figure led him in a solemn procession, past the lines of eyes, towards the altar at the front of the secret temple. His own eyes widened as the figure in front of him stopped at the base, and stepped aside to lay bare the scene before them. A towering sculpture of Nuko, the Sleeping God, stood staring down at him both hands outstretched. One cupped towards him as if expecting something and the other was held palm outwards with fingers spread. Chained to the latter was a beautiful young girl as naked as he, shackled at both wrists and ankles, with a spiked collar encircling her delicate neck. Her head lolled about on the chain attached to her collar, and she watched him through confused, unfocused eyes.
He felt himself responding to her sexuality, and a blush crept up his face as he remembered his exposed state. He fought hard to control himself, and tried to put the embarrassment out of his mind. He knew what was expected of him; he had spent years working towards this advancement. After glancing at his escort who gave him an almost imperceptible nod, he started towards the girl. Even through her drug-induced haze, Jonathan could see the terror behind her eyes, but his advance never slowed. Soon, her eyes rolled back in her head. A single tear squeezed out to trace a glittering path down her cheek and eventually fall upon the floor.
When his task was completed, Jonathan stood back and his escort brought forward a cloak, draping it around Jonathan's shoulders. Jonathan took it gratefully and awaited his next instructions. The man in front of him raised his hands and the rows of people started to chant, louder and louder, until the walls of the underground temple seemed to reverberate with their sound. Then he brought his arms down again abruptly, and silence filled the air.
“You now join us on the path to knowledge, my brother, and I will be the one to show you the way.” The man’s voice echoed eerily in the sudden quiet. “As such, you may call me 'Master'.”
