Major Story Arcs
This story arc involves a religious allegory. Each member of Mahound’s group of Grendels seems to represent an approach to religious belief. Mahound seems to represent those will do anything for their religion, even kill themselves. The name Mahound was often used by medieval Christians to represent Muhammad, especially when they wanted to present him as a false god, so he may also represent Islam.
Mahound is the leader of a group of Grendel warriors that exist not too long after the fall of Pope Innocent XLII. They are attached to the town of Oradour. One day they make a deal with the abbot of the local monastery, Sebastian Battista Chiesa. They keep a secret of his in return for being allowed to devastate the town, leaving only one survivor. This survivor, Petrus Christus, vows revenge. Years later, he joins Mahound’s group in order to destroy them from within.
However, they know his plans and have their own plans for him. They do not serve Orion Assante, the Grendel-Khan, leader of the world, as other Grendels do. They serve Grendel itself. One by one they attack him and try to drive him to evil and an acceptance of Grendel in his heart. After killing all of the others, Christus confronts Mahound. Mahound tells him that they knew his identity all along, and that the abbot allowed them to destroy Oradour. He says that Grendel has chosen Christus to become its champion, and to kill the abbot, who is their mutual enemy. Christus kills Mahound, then goes on to confront the abbot.