The Christ Slayer

And what do they call you?

Mostly boy.

And what do they call you?

Fate.

Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me.

I think you've partaken in enough vine.

Away with you.

I am a Son of thunder.

His thunder!

Ugh.

I cannot tell if he's drunk or mad.

Maybe both.

Smell their breath next time.

It never lies.

Again you slept with the door open.

Why must you scurry about so loudly?

Perhaps to make a point.

Anybody could have pilfered or worse in here?

Yeah, well I'm not dead.

Is the kingdom sacked and looted?

Sadly I can't tell.

What happened once I left you at the garden?

That's right.

I think I tried to cook.

Take in this beautiful morning.

Why?

It lets light inside.

No, it only allows those thieves you worry about

to peer inside freely. Perhaps.

I brought you your favorite bread.

It's fresh.

And wine? Later at the market.

What am I supposed to wash this bread down with?

Squeezed grape. Squeezed grapes?

Think of it as wine that is very, very weak.

That stains.

What did you say? Nothing.

I'm preparing your gear.

My gear?

What for?

Training this afternoon.

You have midday training.

Training?

Why?

A required day of training for all centurion.

Why was I not told about this?

I told you about this every day

for the past three mornings.

And I'm obligated to attend?

Yes.

A blind centurion?

I should not be made to go.

Your father would demand it.

If not for his status I'd be in no such position.

It's our good fortune your father does hold status.

You earn a wage instead of having to beg

like all the other blind people.

You are blessed.

Getting slow, Crispus.

Quick enough to best you.

Who's the better swordsman, Longinus?

It sounds even.

You're supposed to say me, you blind fool.

Vitus the great.

Even blind he knows.

I've always been better with blades.

A centurion always remains focused on the task at hand.

Sharon will not accept your excuses.

I can best you with a spear.

Unfortunate for you that's not what we're

training you today.

A centurion is versed in all weapons.

You feel confident, centurion telling another soldier

how to do battle?

Draw your sword.

You proved your point.

I don't think I have.

Now draw your sword.

Defend yourself, centurion.

That is an order.

I will resume the rite of Decemadio upon you, you coward!

He's had enough, Vitus.

I outrank you, Crispus.

I will decide when he has had enough.

I'm fine.

Again.

Again!

The one and all.

He who does battle with us,

he who sheds his blood with us,

let it be known that this blind fool represents us all.

He should be able to defend himself.

He should want to be like us, be one of us.

We are only as strong as our weakest link,

and Longinus, you are our weakest link.

Less talk!

I see.

I speak the truth.

One accidental swing of my sword

and I can remove that weak link.

Your status was not earned like ours.

You rode in on your father's horse.

If this were Sparta, you would've been cast out.

He's had enough!

Get off me!

I'm gonna remove the weakest link!

You will face his father's wrath.

Disgrace.

Wine.

I require more wine.

Wine!

I require more wine.

Wine.

I require wine!

No wine for you.

You've been assigned to crowd duty

under my command for this afternoon's crucifixion.

Give a blind man a spear

and maybe the crowd will fear him.

Not likely.

Raise him!

This is your moment, my son.

Remember what you have learned in your weakness.

Bleed him!

Longinus.

Perhaps you can strike a target that isn't moving.

I'd rather not.

That was an order not a request.

Bleed him.

Closer.

Closer!

Now.

Now.

I take great, great satisfaction

in knowing that in the end I will be right there.

I will be looking in your eyes.

Then darkness just fell and the rock shook of anger.

Odd day.

I don't find the darkness odd anymore.

But the ground shaking as if Hades was opening his gates.

I tell you that was odd.

Yeah, but the ground moved

just as the false prophet was dying.

You're acting it out?

Yes.

You know I cannot see you.

Okay, so moving rocks, darkness.

What are you proposing, that he wasn't a false prophet?

Of course he was.

Let the followers enjoy their sabbath.

Their messiah is dead.

Many today do not believe him to be false.

Fanatics.

They say he will rise from the dead on the third day.

The only thing that's gonna be rising

is a putrid smell from that tomb.

Nobody returns from across the River Styx.

That's what they would have you believe.

You still have blood on you.

Cease with your mothering!

Speaking of mothers, it was a sight today.

Shall I remind you again that I lack sight?

His mother was at his feet.

His mother should have persuaded him

to pursue his talents elsewhere.

Vitus was cruel.

He should not have commanded you as he did.

To have me poking blindly at some poor soul.

I could barely fulfill my duty.

Perhaps he's right.

He's right?

A blind centurion?

That would be like a mute singer or a legless dancer.

I'm sure many have thought what Vitus has there to say.

Have you ever spoken such things about me, Crispus?

Not in your presence.

He's here.

I can smell his fancy man oils.

Were the events of this glorious day

not enough for either of you two today?

What's that fine beauty that stands

next to you, Vitus?

I can smell her flowery scent from here.

This fine beauty, 'tis pity you can't see her.

I stand before you as a flower

attracting busy little bees,

while you two sit in your wretched filth,

attracting pesky little flies.

Do you always have to be so rude?

Do you always have to be so sensible?

You're welcome.

Those Christ followers, they weep

as they put his body into the tomb.

Centurion guards standing outside far too

respectful if you ask me.

Gone are the glory days where they would just

feed his scraps to the dogs.

Well, things have thankfully changed.

He will be forgotten

as soon as the next so-called Messiah arise.