Chapter5: Decadence of God
Most scholars concur that the world is far older than is known; the world was dotted with ancient ruins, temples dedicated to deities long gone. A greater number still are hidden beneath the ground, some filled with treasures, but all filled with secrets. One such ruin, hidden deep in the earth, far away from the prying eyes of public, media and foolhardy adventurers, served as a meeting place for three powerful individuals. Its walls of ornate stone had been long since restored, light from chrysm lamps shone through stain-glass windows, who once looked out into the blue sky, but now looked out into infinite darkness. Pillar statues, designed in the image of Herculean men and women supported the ceiling and the statues above the doors reminded all who entered that they were always being watched by their deity. Three individuals (1) entered the room, their footsteps echoing on the marble floor as they walked towards the round table in the centre of the room. The leader took his place in the largest chair as his two companions took their places at equidistant points.
"What is the status of the project?" The leader asked.
"We are currently in the second phase of the project and all candidates have been deployed. There have only been a couple of failures in the initial testing, but we are still well within expected projections." The one on the leader's right said.
"The experiments have reached a complete bonded state with a success rate of ninety-six percent." The individual on the leader's left said.
"Only ninety-six percent?" The leader demanded.
"We have been unable to find a multitude of adequate specimens for testing and materials are precious as we must save them for the third phase. We can only do so much. Besides, until testing is complete we cannot begin perfect the process."
"I don't care what excuses you have, I want results and a perfected process."
"Still, ninety-six percent success rate... isn't that excellent progress for the current phase?" The one on the right asked.
"I remind you both that as of New Years Eve we are on a schedule and we all know the consequences if we fail to meet that schedule." The leader said coldly.
The one on the right hunched slightly as though brooding and the one on the left shifted slightly, an indication that they were both well aware of the consequences of failure.
"Since you do not have enough materials I shall increase production. Will your candidates be able to handle that?" The leader said, turning to the one on the right.
"As long as they are not overwhelmed by the sheer number. I shall increase the number of candidate training and acceptance and shall participate myself, if only to harvest materials." The one on the right responded.
"Will that suffice?" The leader asked the one on the left.
"We shall see."
"Is there anything else?"
"The materials that were promised have arrived." The one on the left said.
"You mean... him?" The one on the right asked.
"Yes."
"And your assessment is?" The leader asked.
"He's too powerful for all but the greatest of the candidates and even then... I am unsure if we should include him in the project at all." Was the reply.
"Keep him around, just in case we do have a suitable candidate. What of the Dragon?"
"Current activity suggests the Dragon is now in Winlan of the Rhapalan region of Windia. It has begun to seriously impede production in that area."
"And the materials?"
"Completely unusable, which is why production is down in that area." The one on the left replied.
"Any thoughts upon how to correct the problem?" The leader asked.
"Can we stop production in that area, transferring it to somewhere else?" The one on the left asked.
"No, that would arouse the Dragon's suspicions and h would simply move to another area. We should decrease production in that area, but not stop it completely. We should leave a token resistance to keep him occupied, but it should be weak so that he does not grow stronger. What we need is a way to judge his strength." Said the one on the right.
"Can we not just send in our strongest and eliminate him?" The leader asked.
"If we sent in our strongest and the Dragon prevailed, the Dragon would grow stronger for it. Besides, all suitable candidates for such a task are undergoing testing; we can spare no one."
"What about the rogue?" The one on the left pointed out.
"The rogue?"
"Yes, he is detrimental to the project. This way we can eliminate him and gauge the Dragon's strength, two birds with one stone."
"Will he be strong enough to adequately test the Dragon?" The leader asked.
"He doesn't have to be; he's crafty, that's why he is a rogue. If I have your approval I shall send an Observer to manipulate him into confronting the Dragon immediately."
The leader nodded his approval and, the meeting concluded, each rose from their seats and left the room.
The boy slammed the door to his room and sat upon the bed, his emotions smouldering. Today had simply been the worst day in his young life. First his teachers give back tests which he finds he had failed, then the other kids tease him and bully him for being dark skinned and then the teachers give him detention because he was standing up for himself against the bullies and now his own mother grounds him for the same reason the teachers gave him detention. He sat in his room, thinking over the events and his temper did not cool, as his mother hoped, but rather his thoughts continued to descend down a dark road.
'They're all against me.' He thought. 'They want to hurt me and keep me from being happy. I wish they were all dead, I want them all to burn.'
As he continued to think dark thoughts, his fervent wish became more of a prayer to God. His mother most certainly would have disapproved, saying that God was not a granter of wishes, but He did not care he wanted them all to die.
"Oh Juan... Juaaaaaaaan." A voice called to him.
"Who's there?" He asked, his reverie broken.
"Do you really hate them? Do you want to be happy? Do you want them to suffer?" The voice asked.
"Yes! I want them to burn in hell!" Juan replied furious.
The shadows in his room darkened, one to near complete opacity and that particular shadow came alive, writhing off of the wall and taking a vaguely humanoid shape before the now frightened boy. The thing extended a hand to Juan and suddenly he no longer felt afraid.
"I am your friend, Juan. I can give you what you want, I can bring you to a place where you'll have friends, people like you and I can give you power to shape your life as you choose." The thing said inside Juan's head. "All you have to do is cast off your former life and agree to come with me... Will you?"
Juan considered for a moment. He knew it would mean never seeing his family or even this building again, but he wanted it so badly. He wanted them all to suffer, he wanted to be liked, he wanted to never be lonely again and if he had to kill his own family then so be it. He took the things hand and shook it. It was warm, like human flesh and blood, perhaps warmer.
"Excellent, I knew you would. Now, friend, I would ask your patience, as we have to collect some more like-minded people who'll be our friends and then we'll make some fireworks to bid adieu to your life of misery and pain."-----------------------A camera focused on a camera anchorwoman as she gave her report from behind the large desk in the studio. Images of flame and firefighters were projected behind her.
"The fire department is unsure at this time as to what caused the blaze in the downtown apartment and in these early hours after the fire has been extinguished department officials do not believe that they will be able to find any such evidence as the damage to the surrounding area as well as the building was far too extensive. Miraculously there were ten survivors, seven teens and three young children, who survived the fire. Unfortunately their parents did not and all the survivors have been confirmed as having no living relatives." The newscaster said.
The image changed to a video feed of the aforementioned survivors, adolescents and children of diverse ethnic backgrounds. The camera focused on one particular dark-skinned boy. He had a sullen face and did not seem overly concerned about his fate.
"As a piece of good news," The anchorwoman continued. "The Brotherhood of Saint Evans has graciously offered to support and care for the survivors. The Government has also agreed to sponsor them through school. There has been talk from locals about organizing a fundraiser for these unfortunates. Over to you Bill."
"Thanks Mitsumi." The anchorman said. "Speaking of the Brotherhood, the High Bishop Mabus (2), leader of the Brotherhood is making a live appearance before the media today. With that story we go live to the capitol of Evrai, Ehvehedo, with reporter Tom Vanderhaden. Tom?"
The image switched and the image of a young reporter appeared on TV screens across the province. He stood before the Grand Church with a multitude of other reporters. The Grand Church, a massive cathedral, was made with marble walls, with huge towering spires that seemed to scrape the clouds. It was perhaps the greatest construct rendered by mortal hand of that age. It seemed a fortress, inviting and awe inspiring.
"Thank you Bill. We had received word yesterday that High Bishop Mabus was going to make a public statement and take questions from the media today. If you'll recall this is the first public appearance the High Bishop has made since he took over for his predecessor, nearly thirty years ago and... And here he comes." The reporter said.
The massive doors opened and the High Bishop stepped out, escorted by two cardinals. A black, stout man in red and gold priestly robes with a large red mitre; he commanded great respect from all who met him. His hair was short and white, his face was lined with age and he wore glasses; with his genial and compassionate face he gave one the impression of a kindly grandfather or uncle. He stood on the podium and a great silence fell over the crowd.
"Good day all," He began, a deep voice filled with confidence, inspiring hope. "As we all know, Yuletide approaches and New Years shall follow not soon afterwards. We must take this time to remember our family and help those who need our aid in this time of celebration. We can, nay must aid all our fellow men and women to create a better tomorrow, for our children. We cannot succumb to hate and through faith shall find the true path to salvation. It is my fondest hope that all peoples, regardless of race or religion, can put aside their differences; wipe the slate clean for the New Millennium. It is the dawning of a new age upon our world and perhaps a new age for all peoples of the world."
This drew applause and cheering form the crowd. Mabus was ever the public speaker and was very charismatic; this public appearance was bound to increase the number of members of the Brotherhood. As the din calmed down the media prepared to ask its questions.
"High Bishop, High Bishop, what is your opinion on the murders in the city of Winlan, the ones that occur in the churches of Saint Evans?" One reporter shouted out first.
"It is regrettable that someone would commit such a heinous act, in one of our churches no less. We are cooperating with the authorities as best we can." Mabus replied.
"What about the prophets, the homeless people who proclaim that the world will face the apocalypse during the New Millennium? Is it true that they are proclaiming Saint Evans as the saviour of the world?" Another asked.
"Who they proclaim as saviour doesn't really matter does it? Besides, I sincerely doubt that the world will end; the whole idea is ridiculous. Also, the Brotherhood of Saint Evans works to creating a new future for the world, not destroying it." Mabus chuckled.
The whole crowd had a good laugh at that, after all the whole idea of Armageddon was simply ridiculous, wasn't it?
"There are some qualities, some incorporate things, that have a double life, which thus is made a type of twin entity which springs from matter and light, evinced in solid and shade." Edgar Allen Poe, "Silence".
Music: "Decadence of God" (Breath of Fire II)
1)- Sorry oh loyal readers but this mysterious triumvirate must go undescribed for now.
2)- The name Mabus has special significance; check out the prophecies of Nostradamus if you want to know what that significance is.
You know what I really love about this chapter? I know what's going on and you don't muwahahahahahah!