Pandemonium, two years prior.

A nail is driven deep into Jackson Cade’s palm, blood pooling onto the floor beneath him as he writhes in agony. The punishment wracks his body, another nail driven through his other palm, crucifying Cade in place. Jackson struggles to stand, blood rolling down his face in crimson tears as he stares down his assailant.

“I’ve suffered for what I believe in.”

He struggles against the nails, Jasper’s hideous laughter pounding his ear drums with every last chuckle.

“My body? My soul? They’ve been torn to shreds for my cause. The blood in my veins has stained the ground beneath my feet more times than I can count! I’ve stared evil in the face as it plucked my dignity from my body and tossed it aside in a sick attempt at breaking my spirit.”

Jackson bows his head, pulling against the nails with all his might.

“And I would do it all again. If my suffering is the only thing standing between Arcadia and peace? If my death could usher in prosperity? I would lay down my life in an instant for the people I love. For the cause I believe in.”

Flash.

We look upon Jackson Cade’s hand, a circular scar still etched into his flesh.

“Can you say you would do the same, Reverend?”

“You entire existence until now has been comprised of nothing but violence and false righteousness, your vile beliefs leaving your hands stained with the blood of the innocent, your heart filled to the brim with wrath. From the moment I met you, I already knew the answer to this question would be ‘no’.”

He rubs the scar, wincing.

“It’s because you could never do what I’ve done. What your savior has done. Deep down, you know that if you were in his place, your morals would fold in an instant. You sought to be in his arms, yet you side with the same tyrannical force that would have seen him crucified. And do you know why? It’s because you don’t love your congregation as your savior did. You only love to punish them.”

Cade chuckles.

“The title on my waist, the badge on my chest? They’re all the crowns I’ve been made to wear, the burdens placed heavily upon my brow. If you so badly want to claim my belt, to inflict your divine retribution upon me for your new masters?”

“Then go ahead, Graves. Make me a martyr.”

Jackson shoulders his belt.

“At Pandemonium you’re going to try and end me, Reverend. But your opposition, my persecution? It only makes the Seekers grow stronger. No matter how many times you put me down, I will always rise back to my feet.”

“With every last drop of my blood you spill, my resolve hardens. My beliefs resolute.”

“I will bear the burden of this battle until my heart ceases to beat.”

“No one is above the Law, Graves.”

“And as I rise again and again, just know.”

“I am the Law.”