Chapter 27 The Three Disciples

I must apologize, for this chapter is shorter, and not very dark. But don't worry, dark stuff is coming. I am really many chapters ahead of this one, but I am submitting them slowly. I apologize for submitting chapters slowly, but it is becoming a hassle to submit them, because when I submit a document in, all the text gets jumbled together, and I have to go through it and reindent every paragraph.

The Goddess cried out in anger as she watched Soulthrasher fall into hell. He had failed her. It seemed as if nothing could conquer the heathen. The Goddess raged and raged, as thoughts of revenge flew through her mind. The Harvest Goddess wanted to get rid of the threat before it was time for the Right Hand to pass through the village, but at the rate things were going now, Zach wouldn't be destroyed until the Right Hand passed through the village.

The Right Hand also watched Soulthrasher fall to Hell. The Great King of the Mountains bristled in anger, realizing how strong these heathens really were. The Right Hand would kill them soon enough, just not now. The Kappa growled in anger, and swam back to the bottom of the lake. Soon the Great King of the Mountains would be ready to attack. Winter had finally come. The chilling winds blew through the town as clouds began forming above the town, ready to unleash their contents upon the Island. Soon the town would be covered in a white layer of snow. I was happy, for Christmas would be coming soon. But the other people in the town were beginning to prepare themselves for a different holiday. They were preparing for the Hail Goddess Festival. I was dreading that day, for I was sure that the Goddess would be angry when I didn't show up to deliver sacrifices to her.

The Hail Goddess festival was scheduled for December 27, two days after Christmas. I was looking forward to celebrating the birth of Christ, but I was dreading the sacrifices which would happen on the twenty seventh. I knew the sacrifices which the Goddess received were distributed out to all of the Spirits, so the Spirits were probably the most active on that day. I would have to be careful not to be caught outside that night. But Christmas was coming, so I was preparing for it. I recently had gone into the forest, and cut myself a nice Christmas tree, which I set up in the corner of my home. I then decorated it, and placed a shining star at the top, representing the star which had shone in the sky so long ago to direct the three wise men, and the shepherds to the baby Jesus. Gotz told me everything about himself. Apparently, he had converted to Christianity several years ago. My Grandfather had helped him to find God. Then, Gotz began to realize that the Goddess was trying to kill him. He knew that one day he would either have to flee the island, or hide from the Harvest Goddess. He made his decision during the Hail Goddess Festival.

"That day," he said. "I was still a bit unsure of my new faith, so I attended the ceremony in Rose Square. Boy was that a mistake. After all the sacrifices had been made, the Harvest Goddess suddenly appeared before all of us. She looked around the square, at everyone. When she locked eyes with me, it felt as if she was speaking to me. I could actually hear her voice inside of me. She told me that I would pay for turning against her. She told me I would pay for this with my very life. So I immediately ran all the way home, and boarded up my windows and locked my doors." This reminded me of what had I had done the day when Won had tried to kill me. "I knew that I could never leave my home, because if I did, the Goddess would surely find me. So what I did, is I dug long caverns and underground passageways under my home. They extended from my home, to your Grandfather's farm. One of the exits, in fact, is hidden up there somewhere. But only I know the locations of the exits. I had inherited a large sum of money, so I could live under there for years, and not have to worry about cash problems. Your Grandfather helped me through all of this. He tried to give me food for free, but I could not accept it. So, he sold me a portion of his crops, so that I could survive. I invited your Grandfather to hide down there with me, but he refused, saying that it was his duty to try to bring Jesus into the town, even if it he would die in the process. Now that I think back on it, he was probably right. When your Grandfather died, I knew that I would be next. I had other problems too. What would I do about food now that your Grandfather was dead? I considered letting you in on my secret, but I didn't know if you shared the same faith as your Grandfather did. When my food ran out, I knew I had to go out and search for more food. But when I walked out of my house, I found that someone had set up a bunch of skulls on pikes in front of my home. I knew these were symbols of the Right Hand of the Goddess, so I ran for the Inn as quickly as possible. At the Inn, I prayed and prayed that God would show me what to do, show me how to survive. Then, suddenly, I heard the voice of God speaking to me. Our Father woke me up about twenty minutes ago. He told me to go to your house immediately, and tell you that I was the third disciple. He then explained to me what it meant. So, here I am. Here I am."

Gotz then turned, and looked at me with tears in his eyes.

"This is why I'm here," I said with hope in my eyes. "The three of us! You, me, and Kai. We are the three disciples. The only hope for this town! This is the work of God! Now I see it. He must have somehow told my Grandfather to work especially hard on helping you find Jesus, and He must have helped Kai find Jesus during his travels. And me. He must have told my Grandfather to will the farm to me, so that I would come here! It is up to the three of us, and God, to save this town."

Gotz smiled a hopeful smile, and looked up into the sky. The two of us were sitting right outside my house, and from there, the night sky looked absolutely beautiful. "I haven't looked upon the sky in too long," Gotz said as tears came to his eyes. "I have not beheld the glory of God in it for so long. But now I remember the beauty. The stars, God put them up in the sky." "Much can be said about the glory of God," I said, looking up into the darkened sky. Usually I wouldn't be out on a night like this, for I would be afraid of the Spirits of the Island. But this night, it seemed as if there was nothing to fear. The Holy Spirit was with us, looking after us, protecting us. I could feel the warmth of God, even here in the cold winter night. I let Gotz stay at my house for the night, since it was too dangerous to travel out in the dark. I set up a bed for him on the floor, before heading to bed myself. This had been quite an amazing night.