Nihilistic Rage: New Persepectives

“I already told you, cowboy, I’m not a church-y, cathedral-y kind of guy.” Silas motions to his one deep red eye. “I am part demon now.” The pair of them walk through the spaceport, the fallen tree that holds the cathedral coming into sight. 

 

“It’s not like ‘m tryin’ to convert ya to God,” Vernon tells him. “We’re goin’ to look at the sights. You’re from a dump of a city, ya need to experience nature.” Coming up to the cathedral seems to be a big attraction to new visitors here. Small groups of people stand in awe to gawk at this attraction. A few people seem to be possible brides, scoping out what beauty the cathedral has to offer. A few seem to be worshipers coming to seek solace from the harsh realities of the world. Possible sinners to ask for forgiveness from a Lord more gentle. Religions of all kinds are all experiencing the same kind of relief and quiet from the fast paces of life here in this one tree. It could make a man tear up.

Not Silas though. Silas felt something kicking at the pit of his stomach trying to stir his rage. Maybe it was the demonic powers, maybe it was his deep hatred for institutions. Vernon on the other hand, was deeply admiring the beauty of the tree it was established in. Even going as far as to take off his hat to hold over his chest. 

 

“Oh, that’s rich!” Silas laughs at Vernon, who shoots him a mean look. “Did Daddy want you to be a preacher boy?” The mocking in his tone led to a warning smack on the back of Silas’s head. 

 

“My family made a mockery of religion. Wore it ‘round as a shield for their hatred.. A reason to be the horrible people that they were.” Vernon bites back venomously. “God wasn’t present in my house… let alone in my life once I left home.” Deciding that this moment was one to not be a complete jackass, Silas just listens to the man. “Do you like bounty huntin’ Silas?” 

 

“I mean, it passes the time. It gave me life again. I don’t know if I really have a choice to make on whether I like it or not. It keeps me alive.” He answers honestly. His hands worried with fixing his hoodie so it hides his sword. As much as he was a violent person he didn’t want to alarm any of these innocent, happy people around them. The pair approach the cathedral opening now, Vernon wanting to take a look inside the sacred place and its natural decorations. 

 

“What happens if ya stop?” Vern asks, glancing at the young man. There seems to be a pause in Silas’s stride when he asks this. He’d never considered it, which means he never considered the repercussions… or the good it could do. 

 

“I don’t… I don’t actually know….” He says, the pair finally coming up to the large opening of the tree. “I’d assume the demon I'm contracted with would take his powers and I'd die again.” 

 

“How do you know that it works like that? Maybe the powers are a part of you now because they’re what’s keeping you alive.” 

 

“I’m not revvin’ to find out if it’s true or not. I happen to like living.” Silas firmly tells him. “Demonic power or not. It keeps me upright and not six feet underground.” Vernon goes ahead of him into the cathedral. 

 

“How d’ya know the demon won’t take his powers back once he’s done with- stop fuckin’ around boy!” Vernon turned to see Silas in flames as he stepped into the cathedral. “This place’s flammable idiot! Knock it off!” He scolds loudly like he was his own son. Silas was keeled over laughing, the flame slowly dying out. 

 

“Come on! That was hilarious! I mean, demon powers-” He motions to himself, then the cathedral, “Place of God. I’m a comedian.” 

 

“You're a dumbass, that’s what you are!” Vernon smacks the back of his head much harder this time. “These people are tryin’ to pray and you’re in here makin’ a fool outta you and I!” Silas was actually starting to feel slightly bad about his joke. “Now quit bein’ stupid and get in here.” 

 

“Okay, Dad.” Silas dramatically says trailing after him, a smokey residue emitting off of him now that he was extinguished. A few bystanders shake in fear as Silas walks by, the deep red glow of both eyes fading back to his natural one-gray and one-red look. With a smirk Silas looks at them, his pinky finger pulling down his lower eyelid. With a smirk he bares his tongue, piercing and all, and shows off his one red eye with a wink. As they quake and run out he can’t help but chuckle. Vernon shoots him a glare, which sends a shiver up the young man's spine. “I hope you know you’re scarier than any demon I've met.” He pouts. 

 

“The devil wish he were me.” Vernon chuckles, his eyes glued to the ceiling. Vernon could swear that the whole universe was up on the ceiling. The fungi create beautiful swirls of art and depictions of things higher than religion itself. “Truly, this is one of the most gorgeous things I've ever witnessed.”

“Prettier than your little Nymph girlfriend?” Silas looked to the ceiling, enjoying the view himself. 

 

“You really must like gettin’ your shit rocked kid.” Vernon turns back to look at him, debating on whether or not he should hit him again. “An she’s not my girlfriend, she’s my Lady friend, there’s a difference.” 

 

“The hell’s a lady friend? When were you born, 1990?” Silas fake gags, his eyes still focused on the fungus art on the roof. His eyes traced shapes as if they were constellations. 

 

“That’s not that old! I was born in 1995!” Vernon rebuttals, the man slowly starting to feel his age. 

 

“I was born in 2189. It’s currently 2214 where I'm from.” He says looking at Vernon. “You’re ancient history where I'm at.” Vernon smacks him once more, the hardest out of the three hits. 

 

“Shut up and look at the pretty mushrooms.” Vernon barks. The pair find a pew and sit down to appreciate the small things… but they sit a few feet away from each other this time. Just to avoid any more hitting.