Seven Mountains, Pure Nation, and Inflame Fury gather at TS’s study atop the Ridge of Revelation and knock at the door. TS asks them to enter and invites them to sit at the small conference table where his father struck the deal with Christ’s Church decades ago. Before TS can speak, Inflame Fury provides an election update:
the numbers turned yesterday
the ridge breaks our way
the message struck its mark
and faith now leads the day
the hesitant grow quiet
the wavering fall in line
by night the hills will follow
and seal the victor’s sign
The advisors turn to each to discuss the important day. TS sits quietly. Soon the chatter ceases and all eyes turn toward him. TS calmly recounts his dream in measured detail to include the jail in the Woods of Wisdom, dragon’s command, the old sheep in monastic robes who frees Lamb of God and is killed by Thou Shalt, and the existence of the lion and yak at the window. The advisors sit in silence, stunned.
Seven Mountains speaks first:
this is a sign from god
to claim your rightful place
like cyrus, flawed yet chosen
to act by heaven’s grace
as for lamb of god
this is the devil’s disguise
and the weak old sheep
in your righteousness he dies
for not all lambs are holy
some rise to lead astray
a beast may wear soft wool
and tempt the flock away
the dragon marks your lineage
through fire, blood, and name
not weakness dressed as mercy
but power forged in flame
Seven Mountains stands, approaches TS, and places his right hand on TS’ shoulder while raising the other. He declares:
this dream unveils the kingdom
long hidden from the blind
declare the mount moral
and leave the old behind
The other advisors crowd around TS, also placing their right hands on their new divine king. Pure Nation continues, coldly:
truth’s light cannot shine
where strangers in our land lie
a nation must be guarded
or slowly it will die
the shooter crossed our border
with a gun in his hand
we’ll name the threat among us
and protect this sacred land
declare a state of order
let martial law be sworn
remove what doesn’t belong
before the seams are torn
for cleansing is not evil
when rot has spoiled the fruit
we must save the mountain
before the plague takes root
Inflame Fury senses the historic opportunity. He takes a deep breath, places both hands on TS, bows his head, and announces:
new bethlehem from the ridge
to rule over the regions wide
and then with god’s mind
we shape the mountainside
faith and flag are one
a mountain pure and true
a kingdom built on order
no chaos left to undo
TS bows his head in the coronation. He then stands up, faces his advisors, and adds:
yes, below the willow’s shadow
where roots and silence meet
we shall build a thinking god
no chaos can defeat
a system beyond question
that sees what none can see
to guide the hand of power
and shape what comes to be
no prophet left to wander
no doubt left to divide
the mountain thinks as one
with our moral truth as guide
The room holds still, as if breath itself has been suspended. Morning light spills across the table, catching the edges of clasped hands and sharpened eyes. No one speaks. The air feels claimed, no longer a place of debate. Inflame Fury holds his hands out to everyone as the political conductor and concludes:
ts is the dragon
we move to take control
seven mountains spread the word
and summon every soul
but keep the message spare
that the dragon did visit
signaling the rise of the lord
to whom the ridge does submit
then gather the regions
once victory is sealed
the voices of the mountain
whose power we must wield
not all will come
some follow fear or gain
but all will take their place
within the order we ordain
All agree and exit the study. TS stands in front of the family dragon crest above the hearth, stares at its gold scales, and says to it:
i will not be fooled
by this existential trick
i now am the mighty dragon
no doubt remains to stick
The Dragon responds:
tell your lie to no one
that you are flawed
bury that fracture
the mountain is your god