Et Brute

Tauntingly, He cocked His head to the side - making His broadly intimidating presence even greater. Julius grew smaller, for he found himself tyrannized in this scenario. "It is not you I blame - you must know beforehand. You, despite the wit I drew for you, were tricked by one of the most malice games out there. Admittedly, it is an embarrassment. I crafted you, but your ignorance to the sport of manipulation astounds me," He told him.

"Bu- but, but," he stuttered, "I could never have foreseen. I could have never foreseen such a thing be inflicted onto me. I am a leader! I am respected! I am wise, and educated and powerful!" his words, though being screamed, held little volume in the spacious area.

"Caesar, oh Caesar. Anger never really is gratifying in the end, now is it?” He was not really asking a questioning, rather presenting Julius with no other option but to agree.

“I thought they still supported me. Do not misunderstand me - for I am aware that they were all power-hungry, malicious men. Yet, somehow, I had convinced the nagging thoughts of betrayal to be silenced. I should have let it roared, I should have terminated all of those men,” Julius boomed.

“And how would that have benefited you? In what aspect?” Julius felt Him grew angry, yet he know He was not capable of rectifying human emotions. “You would have had an uproar, anarchy, and would have ended up with same fate. You were meant to die today, yet it was not known how until today, the ides of March,” He stated simply.

Julius sighed, while no longer in his battered form, defeat was evident in all parts of him. He no longer stood as sturdy as the columns, but he was sullen. His age was present in the wrinkles and crevices that decorated his eyes and lips. It was as if an ash, the kind of ash that settled on priceless items that had become disregarded over time, had coated him. His head down, he sighed, “I played into their manipulation, their facade. I cannot believe I am dead now, facing You, the Almighty. Perhaps, I would have not been pathetic if I had not uttered the idle words,  ‘Et tu Brute?’ What a waste of my last words, a contribution to the tale of manipulation. I sure hope I am not quoted with them.”

“Perhaps.”