A night later, Nick and Maria solemnly came to the entrance of the cathedral. The priest Leo guided them.
However, Nick was somewhat distraught.
"Nick? What is wrong with thee, my brother?" Leo calmly asked him.
"I may expect... that the Cardinal will entertain me not as his guest... Look at me, Father... Who can accept a sin-stained demon like me?" replied the sorrowful Nick.
"Nick... all of us human beings are sinners, I know thou art aware. But, there is always time for each of us to change to a better human."
"How can I confront the Cardinal like this?"
"Just be thyself... and have faith. By the way, I am the one who will preside over this recollection ceremony."
It was later on that night when Nick and Maria bowed to the Cardinal.
"Come with me." said the Cardinal hospitably.
Inside the place where the Cardinal resided, he started the open discussion.
"Why I initiated this ceremony is because my fellow brother Leo hath contacted me that there are people who suffered from spiritual trauma and manipulation. There are also people who went astray and were lost without a guide. That is why Leo and I are here to guide thee to the good and right path." discussed the Cardinal.
"I see..." said Nick.
"So... before we begin, let us solemnly pray." initiated the Cardinal, leading a solemn prayer. However, Nick remained silently dazed.
After the prayer, the Cardinal instructed Maria and Nick to feel free to confess about their spiritual sentiments.
"Let me start with thee, man in black." pointing to Nick.
"Through my whole life, I was a source of every person's nightmares. This implies that I have massacred a large number of people who dared to cross my way. My conscience is of the evil, and my heart and soul are tainted with this mortal sin and this hatred. Sometimes, I am against the mentality these people believe; but they demand justice. I have realized... that I deserve to be condemned... with no mercy and no hope..." Nick expressed his sentiments, slowly getting mad of himself in return.
"What made thee act evil, killing the innocent and helpless without moral consciences? I believe thou art spiritually dead since then."
"How I acted dependeth on the judgements of the people. I even thought that I loath them, believing that they choose to be spilled in the unholy light from an unholy, yet unknown, deity. According to the people I confronted, non-believers deserve to be in Hell. I even told them that we have different beliefs so therefore we cannot force them to believe what they say. Who are they to judge? Who am I? But then, I encountered these people raising their prides. Since they are also sinners, they also deserve to be in Hell!"
"Thou treatest not anything as sacred, as I heard from thee. Why dost thou hate people?"
"Their minds are prejudiced, leaning towards jealousy, hypocrisy and negativity. Even if they try to think anything sacred and rational, they are still tainted by these!"
"From thy confession, thou art looking at the sinful side of the human beings, which is in fact true; but thou hast a big flaw as well. Thou didst not look at the bright side, despite them having inner demons just like us. Let me give you a spiritual advice, my brother. Thou deservest not to be in Hell. Rather, thou shalt find ways for them to win their trust in thee, and they will have faith in thee as much as we have faith in God."
Maria, in turn, professed, while the Cardinal witnessed the weeping rage Nick had.
"Nick... I understand why thou hadst sided with the sinful choice thou hadst made... but why? We know humans are sinners, and both of us are also humans, Nick. Canst thou not understand? Even if I am also an angel in thy presence, I am also a human just like thee! If thou art aware, I am hurt! I am hurt because I saw thee killing the innocent and the righteous just because to thee, their minds are prejudiced... I am hurt, too, if I saw thee releasing the beast violently at the ones putting a grudge on thee... Art thou not showing them mercy? Dost thou view them as sinful, hopeless creatures deserving a place in Hell? I know humans have this jealousy, hypocrisy, and negativity... but I beg thee please... Give them a chance to repent! We are all sinners, I know; but with God, He will not leave us, regardless of our sins. He loveth us as much as our family members do!"
"But He hateth sins, Maria. Who is willing to accept sinners?" replied Nick.
"I know God has commandments for all of us to follow. He wanteth us to love each other, and when we have committed sins, we need to repent and forgive!"
"Even if such sin I committed is grave and mortal?"
"Even I have sins, Nick. And to answer thy question, we can be willing to accept sinners, and God is also willing to accept sinners. God never spills unholy light to His believers, but He spills holy light that leadeth us the way to a spiritual and a moral change, from the darkness to the light. Nick, when darkness surroundeth thee, release the light in thee. Getest thou what I mean? Look at the bright side!"
Maria sobbed after her confessions at both Nick and the Cardinal. In return, the Cardinal wanted them to listen to his side.
"That... is... enough. Let me speak to thee. Maria is right. Even though we are all sinners, and we committed sins to ourselves and to the others, we need to forgive ourselves and them for those trespasses, and we also need to forgive those who committed sins against us. Sins are against the Lord's Word, but He is ready to forgive us, as much as we are ready to forgive ourselves and others in time. Forgiveness is a slow yet important process that we shall possess. As for thee, Nick, I beg thee please to follow the Fifth Commandment. Thou shalt not kill. For Maria, there are sentiments that Nick is truly observing. All I suggest is to make these negative ones be a motivation for us to change for the better. It meaneth we need to find a way for them to win their trust and have faith in us. Overall, humans have choices to decide the matter, so we first have to understand and respect them, and we will also give them pros and cons of such decisions made. But take note that with the presence of the Lord, everything good will be possible to achieve." spoke the Cardinal to them.
The Cardinal then started to narrate a biblical story.
"Let me tell thee a story, all about the conversion of Saint Paul."
Flashback (Biblical Story, the Cardinal's POV):
Before he was converted, his given name was Saul. Born in the city of Tarsus, and schooled as a Pharisee, he was a tent-maker by trade.
But, he was noted for his hatred towards Christians; for he believed that the teachings of Jesus violated the Mosaic Law. Now, he was an aggressive persecutor of Christians, and he swore to wipe out the new Christian church called The Way.
With the authorization of the high priest, Saul obtained letters indicating that he will arrest those who follow Jesus Christ, the Son of Man and the Son of God.
On the road to Damascus, a blinding light struck down Saul and his loyal companions, with the voice saying, 'Saul, Saul, why dost thou persecute me?' Upon asking who spoke to him, the voice replied that He was indeed Jesus, the one Saul persecuted. He told him to go to the city and to do what he must do, and he was blinded.
A man named Judas led Saul and his companions to Damascus. However, for three days, Saul did not eat or drink, and he was still blind.
Meanwhile, Jesus sent Ananias, a disciple in Damascus, to go to Saul. However, Ananias was aware that Saul was a merciless persecutor. In response, Jesus told him that he was his chosen instrument to deliver the gospel to the Gentiles, and the kings and sons of Israel.
Finding Saul at Judas' house, upon seeing him praying for help, Ananias laid his hands, telling him that Jesus sent him to restore his sight, and that Saul might be filled with the Holy Spirit. With this, Saul could see again. He rose up and was baptized into the Christian faith. After his conversion, he changed his name into Paul.
"Much like me, in an instance..." responded Nick.
"In here, the Lord sent Maria, Leo, and me to help thee change to a better man, just like He sent the disciples to the persecutor." informed the Cardinal.
"I see, it may be a hard time for me, but I will do my best to control myself."
"Time will tell, Nick. I cannot force thee to do so, but I encourage thee, and I advise thee to be a good Samaritan to the people around thee."
"It was until now that I realized that what I often did affiliateth the evil side."
"Nick, if I could repeat what I said, thou hast the power to change. How about thou wilt start thy affiliations of humanity, instead of thy affiliations with the Devil?"
"Trying is my only option here."
"I believe thou art a demon in their presence, Nick. Am I right? Being involved with demons is a bad idea. Summoning them is even worse."
"I see... Methinks that I will search for meaning and intent in this life I have."
"We will help thee. I promise thee that."
"My thanks, Father..."
Both Nick and Maria shook the Cardinal's hands and stood up, but the latter did not get his job done yet.
"Wait; there is something for thee to be strengthen thy faith in thyself, in others, and in God. Let me tell thee now." informed the Cardinal.
"What would that be, Father?" asked Maria.
The Cardinal prepared a sacred book and established a solemn prayer to the Lord, and afterwards, he turned to both of them and used his holy opportunity to speak for the second time.
Upon reciting the Desiderata poem, where the Cardinal was inspired by, a sacred magic was imbued in him, and he invoked...
Desiderata by Max Ehrmann (The Cardinal's Recitation)
"Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy."
The holy magic radiated the whole cathedral as Leo and the initiates started to make peace and forgive themselves and others. Meanwhile, the Cardinal closed his eyes and kept silent, as the purification spell towards Nick tried to weaken his demonic power.
"Agnus Dei, qui tolis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.
Agnus Dei, qui tolis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.
Agnus Dei, qui tolis peccata mundi, dona nobis pacem."
While the Cardinal invoked these words, the Shades that surprisingly infiltrated the cathedral vanished while screaming at their deaths.
The Khazra cultists outside the cathedral, who also attempted to interrupt the recollection ceremony for the initiates to be captured again, were blinded by the light.
"Somebody protecteth the initiates! Bring them to me! He will be treated as our offering!" demanded the Khazra cult leader, but was paused.
"There is nothing we can do, Master. We are all known by the townsfolk!" responded one of the disciples.
After the successful purification spell, Nick was at least weakened, but rays of light shone upon the cultists and Shades, summoning spears of embodied light in them.
The cultists, except the surviving leader, were stabbed to bloody death. The Shades screamed upon vanishing and fading away. After a successful divine spell, the sacred light faded and everything went back to normal.
"Now go, do what is good and right. With this, thou wilt know the true purpose why God sent us here in this world, and the true happiness it bringeth on thee." the Cardinal bade both of them.
Later, while the Khazra cult leader remained outside desperate of human sacrifices, Nick slowly went outside the cathedral, waiting for their next confrontation.
The bell rang, indicating that it was midnight, and in silence, Nick and the cult leader met again face to face.