The helicopter cut through the morning clouds. Inside, the five servants sat in perfect silence, hands folded, eyes forward. The black suits felt strange after fifteen years of gold and black undergarments. The world below grew larger — cities, highways, the long scar of the coastline leading toward the prison island known as Far Far Way.
Joseph finally spoke, voice low.
“Master Aldwen said they will resist us.”
Jabra answered without looking away from the window. “Then we will not break. We will not retaliate. We will not lose alignment.”
The others nodded once.
When the helicopter touched down on the island’s secure landing pad, the servants stepped out in formation. Prison guards met them, weapons visible, faces hard. The lead guard looked the five black-suited men up and down with open contempt.
“You’re the ones from the mountain cult?”
Jabra stepped forward, voice calm and level. “We are the Brotherhood of Taben Rael. We have come for the five men under the Bishop’s petition: Kareem Jubilee, Daren Gamble, Joshua Upright, Lovett Jones, and Jason Albright. They have been granted one chance. We are here to take them home.”
The guard spat on the ground. “They’re lifers. Animals. You want them, you sign for them. And if they kill you on the way back, that’s your problem.”
“We understand,” Jabra replied. “Bring them.”
They were brought in chains.
Kareem Jubilee — tall, broad, eyes burning with residual rage.
Daren Gamble — lean, smirking, already assessing weaknesses.
Joshua Upright — quiet, watchful, the most dangerous kind of stillness.
Lovett Jones — restless, jaw clenched, every muscle ready to explode.
Jason Albright — the youngest of the five, but his stare was the coldest.
The servants stood in a precise line, hands at their sides, faces expressionless.
Kareem laughed once, harshly. “Look at these pretty boys in suits. Come to take us to church?”
Jabra did not flinch. “You have been given one chance. You will come with us. You will not speak unless spoken to. You will not resist. You will not test the limits of the covenant that has been extended to you.”
Daren stepped forward as far as the chains allowed. “And if we do?”
Joseph answered, voice quiet and absolute. “Then the mountain will decide. And the mountain does not negotiate.”
A long silence. The five prisoners looked at one another. Something in the servants’ stillness unsettled them more than any threat could have.
Finally Kareem shrugged. “Fine. Let’s see this mountain of yours.”
The chains were removed under the guards’ watchful eyes.
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The five men were escorted onto the helicopter. The servants took their seats opposite them — five refined men of Taben Rael facing five unrefined souls still dripping with the world.
The helicopter lifted.
No one spoke for a long time.
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