semper regnus

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Merciful and powerful UNUS, we bring to you our hearts to make clean. Forgive us for any sins we might’ve committed and any sins that have been committed against us. Make us whole, as we dedicate our service and lives to you. Make our hearts clean. Make our souls full. In your holy name. Amen. 

Sacrificium 3027 

Wiping the sweat off his forehead, he looked at the worn-down blue door in front of him. The summer sun of Sacrificium shined on him, holding him hostage to the heat it produced. Part of him hoped that behind the door he was about to knock on there was a blast of cool air, but he knew better. In a row of old houses in the small Spero City village called Fleri, here is where the city’s outcasts, criminals, and addicts find themselves. He looked up to the bright sky one last time for strength, as his knuckles knocked against the wooden door. Three knocks later, he heard the locks of the door unlatch, and the door slowly opening. He nodded his head in awe as a tall man appeared in the frame of the door. In a gray vest and basketball shorts, the man standing at the door scrunched up his face, unsure who the visitor was at the door. 

“I am looking for Lorenzo King.” The man at the door raised a brow as he observed the stranger who finally spoke. His bald head was glistening with sweat, indicating some older age, but his body was packed with muscles, knowing that he could put up a serious fight. The tall man stepped further through the door frame, quickly looking around the overgrown yard. 

“You alone?” His low voice, barely over a whisper, asked. The bald man nodded his head profusely, now nervous at the actions of the tall man in front of him. “And your name.” 

“Erroll Smith. Also go by EJ.” As soon as he finished the answer, the door slammed shut in his face. Erroll took a deep sigh, confused about what was happening. He knew he was given one final task, but he wasn’t expecting so many barriers to find Lorenzo. He was starting to feel that he wasn’t alive anymore and missed a crucial opportunity that would’ve saved the family. 

The door creaked open, pulling Erroll out of his thoughts. This time, it wasn’t the tall man, but a person with a familiar face. Standing slightly taller than Erroll, the fair skinned man, with wide shoulders and a solid frame raised his pierced brow, stood with said brow raised. 

“How do you know who I am?” He asked as he crossed his arms. Erroll quickly peaked around him and saw three other bodies, including the tall man who answered the door, standing behind him in the distance. 

“I was the last person your father spoke to before his execution.” Erroll said as he pulled out a crumpled piece of paper from his pocket and quickly handed it to the man in front of him. He looked down at the paper now in his hands, reading the familiar handwriting of his father. “And I am certain this is authentic because?” 

“It is your calling, Lorenzo.” Erroll sighed. Lorenzo quickly looked around once more and pulled Erroll into the house. Errol’s body tensed as the door slammed behind him. Lorenzo motioned for Erroll to follow him into the living room, where the other three men took residence on the large worn-out couch. Looking at the piece of sponge falling out of the couch, Erroll sighed as he followed and sat on the folding chair that Lorenzo put out for him. 

“You have about fifteen minutes to explain yourself before our roommates come back. So, make it quick.” Lorenzo said as he sat on the arm of the chair next to the tall one. Erroll quickly cleared his throat as he took in the other two men in the room. The person on the far left, furthest away from the tall one, was a little slimmer than Lorenzo and his hair in single plaits framing the glasses on his face, next to him was one the same shade as Lorenzo, but more muscular and a low cut, with both arms covered in ink. 

“Can I at least know who I am speaking with as well?” Erroll nervously chuckled. The inked one looked at Lorenzo with an amused look before turning his attention to Erroll.

“Nah.” The others snorted as Erroll rolled his eyes. His fear turned into slight annoyance as he remembered that he was dealing with new adults. 

“Alright. I am just doing my duty. Joshua told me when Lorenzo got out of Revelium House, that I needed to track him down and tell him he needs to run Semper Regnus. It is all written in that paper there.” The group all looked at the paper that was in Lorenzo’s hands. Lorenzo let out a deep sigh reading the words of his father again. 

“We’ve been out for a year, and only now you’ve found him?” Plaits with glasses questioned. “Aren’t y’all supposed to be better than the AIP.” Erroll let out a deep sigh as he gave him a tight smile.

“Well, this was the last place I was expecting him to be. I also feel that this isn’t really your style as well.”

Plaits with glasses shifted around in his seat a little uneasy. The room fell into an awkward silence as the three stared at Erroll who was looking at Lorenzo re reading the letter over and over again. 

“Okay, I am not doing this alone.” Lorenzo broke the silence. 

“But your father asked for you.” 

“It didn’t say just me.” Lorenzo challenged back. Erroll looked at the group in front of him once again and let out a deep sigh. It was obvious that they developed a deep friendship and whatever idea Lorenzo came up with, will include them.

“Fine. It is set. Meet me at The Docks in three days. Seventeen hundred hours on the dot. Not one minute later.” Erroll said as he stood up from his chair. As he was about to walk out of the living room, he felt a cold metal against his skull, and a slender arm around his neck. 

“Why are you in my house?” A higher pitched voice asked. He let out a deep sigh as he looked at the men who had amused looks plastered across their faces. 

“Babe. He safe. Let him go.” Plaits with glasses said. Erroll internally rolled his eyes at the word “babe”. This was going to be more work than he expected. He quickly left the house, letting the blue door slamming behind him. He looked back up at the bright sky as his shoulders released all the tense energy that he was holding. 

“It better be worth it Joshua.”