by Moonstone 04
----
The Second Coming
Half bowing and half crouching to avoid the noisy helicoper propellers, the casually dressed Dr. Masuda squinted up at the sliding door. Stepping out of the helicopter was a young man, wearing black jeans, boots, and a long-sleeved black silk shirt. Masuda had met him in person only once before, and he knew it was extremely rare for him to appear in public. Even the black fedora and round-lensed red sunglasses didn't entirely mask his bizarre features.
"Master Wilhelm, this is an unexpected surprise!"
"Today is a very special occasion, isn't it?" Wilhelm spoke loudly over the noise as he held onto to his hat brim to keep the wind from blowing it away. "I had to come down and see it personally."
"Of course, it's absolutely incredible!"
As they moved away from the helicopter with the Vector logo emblazoned on the tail, Masuda noticed that the dust that gusted around them didn't stick to Wilhelm. His striking pale skin and the pristine black clothing was untouched by the grime that coated Masuda. Unnatural snowy locks waved from beneath the fedora.
Leading the way through the tents and abandoned dig sites, he realized that the Vector CEO wasn't accompanied by any sort of entourage, not even a bodyguard. The longer you were in his presence, the more you understood why this was. Despite his small, slender frame, everything about Wilhelm exuded raw, unabashed power. Those who didn't expect it could be easily cowed by it. Masuda knew this was the case when random site workers in their path would stumble away from them in bewilderment.
"I trust the site is completely secure?"
"Yes, just as you requested." Masuda said. "Since we found it this morning, no one has gone near it. Even without the order, I think most of my men are too afraid to even think of going near the shoreline. It made a very impressive entrance. ...And then there's that." Coming to a stop, he pointed overhead.
Against the darkening purple sky, a lonely white star was shining brightly. It was several times larger than any normal star, and twinkled with a brilliant light. "When the object was revealed, it shot a beam of light into the sky, and it was like the heavens literally opened up. One moment it was clear skies, the next, we were soaked with rain. It didn't last very long though. And when it cleared up, that light was there, way up in the sky."
Wilhelm laughed softly. "What do you suppose it is?"
"I haven't the damnest clue. But you know, I have this funny feeling I've seen it before, a long time ago. I just can't remember for the life of me. Can't imagine how I could forget seeing something like that."
"Oh, you haven't completely forgotten. At least, not yet." Wilhelm looked skyward, the star shining scarlet red in the reflection of his sunglasses. "That, Dr. Masuda, is the Star of Bethlehem. I'm sure you've heard of it."
"Huh?"
"Except, there are no more wisemen to follow it." He turned to Masuda. "So let us continue to follow it ourselves, and see what it is we'll find beneath it." Now leading the way, Wilhelm continued toward the lake site.
Even more mystified than before, Masuda followed along. "Really, Master Wihelm..."
"You had a tragedy three months ago, is that not right?"
For a moment, Masuda couldn't speak. Even if Wilhelm was an eccentric man, that was an unexpected subject for him to have brought up at that moment. "Y-Yes, sir."
"I heard about the accident, it was all over the news. A freak train collision, most unfortunate. I'm told your son was exceptionally talented. Tell me, how old was he?"
"He was sixteen."
Wilhelm nodded slowly in thought. "Can you still remember what he looked like? What his voice sounded like?"
"Yes." Masuda's chest clenched. Why did Wilhelm insist on bringing up such a painful subject? This was supposed to be a joyful occasion, the first he had experienced in a long while.
"That's good. That means he still lives in your memory."
"Sir..."
"We're almost there." Wilhelm stopped suddenly. "Dr. Masuda, I must now ask you a serious question. If I could give your son back to you, would you be willing to give him to me in return?"
"What? Master Wilhelm, you can't be serious."
"I did say it was a serious question, did I not?"
"But that's...just..." Masuda stared in disbelief at the strange man before him. "Sir, my son is dead. You can't give him back to me. It's impossible."
"We stand on the threshold of a new age," Wilhelm said gently. "Nothing is impossible. All you need is to believe in me. Are you willing to follow me, Dr. Masuda? Are you willing to give up everything for me?"
Feeling very disturbed, Masuda just stood there for several moments. He had never seen anyone with such sincerity in his eyes. It sounded like a cruel joke, or pure madness. But when he looked at Wilhelm, he couldn't help but believe. Whether it was that look in his eyes, or that aura of power, something about the man made you believe.
"I would do anything to have Joshua back."
His serene features breaking into a blazing smile, Wilhelm turned towards Lake Turkana. Surrounded by broken lakebed, an ancient etched road stretched out before them. Hellish red cracks glowed within the road, possibly caused by the volcanic activity in the area. Possibly. The road reached far across the lake, coming to an end in the deepest waters. There, floating above a massive, grasping pedestal, was the surreal golden monolith. The giant blue jewel at its center seemed to be alive, as light constantly shimmered and flowed within it. And far above all this, was the star.
"I think we should have a closer look, don't you?"
Stone and dirt crunched beneath their feet as they stepped onto the road. A soft, barely noticable vibration echoed through the structure. "I don't know if this is safe yet." Masuda said, speaking in a hush, though he didn't know why. "Shouldn't we wait for the-"
"There's no need to worry." Wilhelm assured him.
The closer they got to the object, the stranger the air became. It felt like walking through static-charged cotton. Just as Masuda was about to suggest turning back, Wilhelm came to a stop. They were only a few feet away from the end of the road.
"Do you feel it?" Masuda asked.
Wilhelm smiled at him. "Yes. It's truly remarkable. Thanks to you, Dr. Masuda, a brand new horizon lies before us. Therefore, it's only right that you be the first to take a glimpse at it."
"Thank you...but I still don't understand."
"Step closer." Wilhelm gestured towards the monolith. "And you will see."
Masuda told himself that the glow in those red sunglasses was only the reflection of the light. There was no reason for so much apprehension. Leaving Wilhelm behind, he ventured closer to the end. His neck craned back to get a better look at the enormous golden monolith. This close, the strange energy coming off of it was washing over him like a cold wind. It came in waves, making his hair raise from his skin. Rubbing his arms, he was only a few steps from the end of the road, when he saw something flash directly above him.
"He's responding." Wilhelm sounded pleased.
It was the star. It was descending.
Frightened, Masuda backed away. Flashing as it passed over the water, the light came towards them. Then it stopped, and there was a sound like a crystal chime.
From within the light, something emerged. Like a newborn, a slender young boy descended headfirst from the star, spiraling down towards them. When he had completely appeared, the light disappeared, as if the boy had unraveled from the star itself. Just when it appeared he would collide with the road, his body twisted like a cat, landing him in a kneeling position. One fist to the ground, and his silver-haired head bowed low, the boy did not move.
Once the initial shock had passed over him, Masuda shot an incredulous look back at Master Wilhelm. But Wilhelm, who had removed his sunglasses to reveal his equally crimson-colored eyes, did not look back at him. Instead, he just stared down at the boy, his features completely blank and unreadable.
Turning around to face the boy, Masuda dared to get closer. Cautiously kneeling down beside him, he tried to get a better look. "Uh...hello?"
Completely nude, the boy was as dark complexioned as Masuda himself, but there was faint luminescence clinging to his skin and hair. Trying to convince himself whether or not he was hallucinating, Masuda touched the boy's shoulder. At the touch, an intense surge traveled up his arm, and he quickly yanked back his hand with a hiss. He looked at his hand, but it was unharmed. It had felt like an electric shock. There were tingles still going up and down his arm.
When he turned back, he gave a short yell, and fell back onto his hands. He had been suddenly confronted with two unearthly blue eyes, staring back at him. Their glow and color was the same as the monolith jewel...but that wasn't what made Masuda stare in complete shock. It was impossible...
"J-Joshua?"
The hair was silver instead of dark brown, and the eyes were glowing aqua instead of warm amber...but it was unmistakably his son. Slowly blinking, the boy looked back at him without recognition. It was unbelievable. It was insane. It was real.
His son was alive again.
Ignoring the intense shock of energy that assaulted him, Masuda pulled the boy into a tight embrace. It could have seared him, and he still wouldn't have let go. He was never going to let go again. Shaking, he cried tears of joy into his hair.
"Now do you understand, Dr. Masuda?"
Wilhelm was now smiling down at them. There was a triumphant look in his eyes, still fixed on the boy. The hand that wasn't holding his sunglasses was clenching and unclenching compulsively.
"How...?"
"Everything will come in time." Wilhelm reached out for the boy's hair.
Suddenly, the youth recoiled with a cry, hiding against Masuda's shirt.
His hand paused in the air, Wilhelm's eyes narrowed for a moment, before he slipped back into an easy smile. He withdrew his hand, and put his red sunglasses back on. "He seems to be disoriented. Not surprising, but he'll gradually recover. Keep him hidden until everything is conveyed to the facility."
"Master Wilhelm, how can I ever..."
"Take care of him." Wilhelm turned, and started back down the road. "But don't forget your promise. He is no longer your Joshua. He is Yeshua. And he is mine."