Disclaimer: I do not own the Walking Dead.
Warrior Angel
Daryl and Rick were sitting on a plush, floral couch that was directly across from a dark brown couch, where Preacher Malory was sitting. Charlotte, upon Preacher Malory's request, had left the men to talk. The two men sat awkwardly in the large room, both of them were having a hard time trying to think of something to say. After Preacher Malory had offered them a seat, he just stared at them as if he was expecting them to do all the talking.
"Um," Daryl mumbled, finally breaking the silence. "Wus there a reasn' you c'lld us down here, or are you jist goin' to stare at us?" His words were slow, unsure whether or not he was crossing unsaid boundaries with the elderly man.
Preacher Malory just chuckled."As much as I would love to just simply gaze upon you, Zerachial, there is actually a reason I called you and The Authority to my home." The Preacher said.
"And that would be?" Rick asked, urging the man to continue.
"Well, your arrival was a bit of a shock to the people of The Temples. Though they prayed that you would, they probably hadn't actually expected you to come. The community is in an uproar and you and your followers have not been here for more than a couple hours. I believe it is only fair that the people got to see your Holiness in person, then we can begin preparations in your ruling." Preacher Malory explained in a rather thoughtful tone, the smile never leaving his face. The man seemed absolutely care free, so much so, that it was eerie.
Both men's eyes widened in confusion. "Rulin'? Th' hell you mean by that?" Daryl questioned. The old man's face contorted into his own form of confusion. A hint of surprise was etched in his features as well.
"Do you not know of your own prophecy?" Preacher Malory spoke with a gentle, yet surprised, tone. No hint of suspicion or anger ever crossed his face.
Both men swallowed in nervousness, thinking they had been caught. "Um, well." Rick mumbled, rubbing the back of his neck.
Preacher Malory's eyes widened in realization. "Oh my, you don't." The elderly man's gaze shifted down to the floor, though his gaze showed that he was in deep thought. "This will change a few things." He mumbled to himself. "Zerachial seems to have forgotten what his mission on earth is." Preacher Malory's gaze shot up at Daryl. "Has your transferring here into a physical body caused you to lose your memory? Or perhaps your memory has merged with your host's, causing you to think that you are human?" The old man questioned.
He got no response, only two wide-eyed stares. Daryl and Rick were left speechless. How were they supposed to respond to such an insane question?So they just stared, waiting to see what the old man would say next.
Preacher Malory, seeing their reactions, recollected himself. He rid himself of the shock and disbelief and replaced it with an air of confidence. He grinned at the two men. "No, worries. I will just tell your story to you. You may remember if I do so. The fact that you were still able to find your way here to us is proof enough that you still retain at least some memory of your mission." He said in a reassuring tone. "Don't you worry your majesty, we'll get your memory back and you to your normal self in no time."
"'Nough with the "yer majesty'" crap. I ain't royalty." Daryl suddenly snapped. The praising and respect that he was receiving like some noble would was getting to him. He wasn't used to being treated in such a way. He had always been disregarded as nothing more than worthless trash his whole life and it felt incredibly uncomfortable for him to be treated any different.
Surprise returned to Preacher Malory's face. "But you are, Zerachial!" The man argued. "You're the higher Archangel, higher than even the other six. You, alone, hold the title of The Prince of Heaven."
Daryl scoffed at the idea. "I ain't no prince. I ain't nothin' even close ta that and I definitely ain't goin' to be rulin' no one." Daryl said.
"But you must!" Malory insisted. " It's your God given mission to rule. Don't you even know the meaning of your own name? It means "God's Command". Full destruction of the entire world hangs in the balance. If you do not rule, then you have condemned us all!" Preacher Malory cried in desperate urgency.
"Have you been outside lately? The whole world's l'ready 'stroyed." Daryl shot back.
"No!" The old man stood up on his feet. "We still have a chance to take back the world from the Demons. There's still some of us left. You are our last hope! Vanquish the demons and heal those who can still be saved from the Demons' corruption then rule over us as God has commanded you to do!" The old man spoke with deep passion, every word echoed through out the room.
"An' just how am I s'posed to do that?" Daryl shot at him an accusing tone.
Preacher Malory let out a sigh, calming himself, and sat back down. "In order to answer that, I must first tell you of your prophecy." The man said in a low voice. Daryl and Rick shared an unsure look, but said nothing. Malory took a deep breath and began to tell the story. " It was said in the scriptures we follow, that during the falling of society, the Archangel, Zerachial, would disguise himself as a human and descend to Earth. Though the original texts spell Zerachial's name with an "e", we have come to accept it with an "a". Our earliest leader explained that, this way, Zerachial would know his true followers from the corrupted phonies. It was said that Zerachial would pass judgement on the surviving people and save those who are worthy of God. He would then remove the corrupted and restore the world as it had once been, filled only with the chosen few. He would create a society made perfect in God's eyes."
Preacher Malory paused for a moment and breathed a shaky breath. His eyes were filled with tears, as if the story was too emotional for him to tell. After another moment, he continued. "The problem, though, was that Zerachial would only appear to a chosen group of people who have shown their loyalty to him through devote worship. Only they would be able to recognize him, for only they knew his disguise. We, The Temples, know your disguise." Preacher Malory's eye's bore into Daryl, making the hunter uncomfortable. He shifted in his seat, suddenly feeling very self conscious of himself. Malory's eyes suddenly seemed glassy as he began speaking again, but this time, he sounded as if he were quoting something. "He would appear before the chosen few with a bow in hand and wings upon his back and with him, a holy human, chosen by God himself, there to help guide and protect him through the damned horrors that is our world. He is called The Authority and only can he advise Zerachial. The Authority will be a man of law, sworn to protect and keep the peace." Preacher Malory looked over to Rick now. "An officer to the people and a holy guide to Zerachial. Ah," Malory sighed. " and that you were. You have both come just the prophecy had said and, I promise you, I will make it my purpose to help you find your memory and bring you to ruling just as you were meant to do."
Rick and Daryl sat silent the entire time Preacher Malory told his tale, both wondering who had originally made up the BS story and just how it had gotten so many devote followers. Mostly, they were wondering how they had somehow ended up conveniently meeting the descriptions of these fictional beings that the older man and his community worshiped so faithfully. Now, it seemed like only crazy people inhabited the world and now they were stuck with a whole town of them.
Rick cleared his throat "Preacher Malory, " He started. " I'd hate to be rude, but we should really get back to our people." Rick said.
Preacher Malory's eyes widened in confusion. "But what of the prophecy? Do neither of you remember any of it?" He asked, his voice filled with hopeful desperation.
Rick shook his head. "No, I'm sorry. I think it may take a little time for us to, um...remember, but right now ,we really need to be heading back to our group." Rick said.
Preacher Malory's face lit up. "Of course! Charlotte!" He yelled. Charlotte ran in the room, looking eager to do whatever the older man willed her to do. " "Call a meeting at The Square and bring the holy followers there. I will join you there shortly after with Zerachial and The Authority."
Charlotte's face contorted in a gleeful, insane grin. "Of course, Preacher! Right away." The woman looked like she could barely contain her excitement as she bolted out of the house.
"Meetin'? The hell you callin' a meetin' for? We just wan' to go back to our group." Daryl snapped, angrily.
Preacher Malory gave him a pleading look. "Please, just follow along for now your majesty. We're only moving along with the prophecy. You will see your holy followers at The Square, so please, do come along." The old man begged.
Daryl's anger never simmered but he kept his words to himself, seeing no point in arguing with the deluded man. The Preacher took his silence as a yes and asked the men to follow him out of his large home. When they walked out of the house, they find the town deserted. Not a person was seen. Daryl and Rick looked around in suspicious confusion, silently questioning where the psychopaths had taken their friends.
"Don't bother trying to find your followers now, my lord," Malory said. "Everyone has already gathered at The Square in the center of town. Don't worry, you'll see them soon enough." The old man reassured him. Preacher Malory began to walk toward the center of the town, Rick and Daryl close on his heels. They looked around the town, noticing the clean department stores and well kept housing. It was easy to find where the town ended in every direction. The place was literally a square, tall buildings stood at the four corners of the town.
Rick got Preacher Malory's attention and pointed at one of the buildings "Are those things why you call this place The Temples?" The ex-sheriff questioned.
The older man nodded vigorously, happy that Rick had asked. "It is," He said. "Those are the beacons that helped guide you and Zerachial to us."
Daryl rolled his eyes at Preacher Malory's response. A noise began to make itself known the more they walked. Daryl's higher than average hearing, thanks to years of hunting, quickly picked up on what the strange noise was. There were cheers and the constant buzz of people talking coming form the center of the town. It sounded like a lot of them. "How m'ny people ya got here, anyhow?" Daryl questioned.
The Preacher let out a thoughtful hum. "Oh, about four hundred. It's a small community when you compare it to the size that towns used to be, but it's considered to be quite large in today's standards." The man's voice was filled with pride.
Daryl and Rick's eyes widened in shock. "Four hundred?" Rick asked in astonishment. "How have you been able to keep so many alive for this long?"
"That's a very good question and it will be answered in due time but now," Preacher Malory stopped walking. He turned around and faced the younger men. "We're here."
Rick and Daryl looked up. They were at the center of the town, now. Only now did it hit them why they called it The Square. The building surrounded the area just right, making a perfect square. The whole place was made from multi-colored bricks. At the very center of the bricked square, was what looked like a makeshift stage. It wasn't huge but it wasn't small either. Their group was standing on it as well was Charlotte. The area surrounding the stage was huge, large enough to hold the entire town, which it was. It looked like whole community had gathered around the stage. All of them stared up expectantly at Rick and Daryl's group.
Daryl anxiously stared at the large crowd, not liking the sheer amount of people that were packed in the area. Preacher Malory grinned at them and began to guide them toward the stage. Daryl would have run right then and there if it weren't for the fact that the Preacher had a strong grip on his bicep, a grip that Daryl had tried to pry off to no avail. The man strong for being a living fossil. Malory forced them to climb a couple steps of stairs to get onto the stage.
They stepped into the center of the stage and the crowd immediately grew silent. All eyes were on them, mostly Daryl. The hunter swallowed a lump in his throat and suddenly felt very hot. The rest of their group ran up to them, whispering questions of concern and where they had been. Charlotte stepped in and forced them to step back, she even told Rick to stand back. Now Daryl was left alone in the center of the stage with Preacher Malory. Everyone's expectant eyes were on the pair. The ones who looked at Daryl seemingly stared in awe of his presence.
Preacher Malory took a step forward and addressed the crowd. "Welcome my faithful followers!" Many shouted in response.
Daryl looked over his shoulder and stared at Rick, silently asking the man to help him. Rick could only shrug, showing that he couldn't do anything. Daryl's head whipped back around as Preacher Malory continued to speak. "I would like to tell you all the good news personally, but it seems it has already spread." A few people chuckled. "But, I'll be the one to say, with honor, that the rumors are true." Whispered gasps began fill the crowd. "Zerachial has finally come to us!" Malory gestured to Daryl who immediately tried to make himself smaller. The crowd erupted in cheers, cries, wails, and even joyful laughter. They screamed Zerachial's name, a few even lunged at the stage, attempting to grab at Daryl's feet even though he was too far away. The safe distance did little in comforting Daryl. He still backed away from them, practically hiding behind Preacher Malory.
"Our beloved Prince of Heaven has finally come down to save us all from the Demons that corrupted our world. Everyone, it only right that we properly show our devotion and thanks to our savior!" Preacher Malory screamed passionately. The crowd began to shout with him. "Everyone! Bow to our Angel of War!" Everyone was on their knees in an instant. Their faces hung low, touching the dirt. They wept grateful prayers into the ground beneath them. Charlotte followed suit and bowed as well, tears pouring down her cheeks. Preacher Malory slowly lowered himself to his knees, minding his old joints. He too, bowed to Daryl.
The group stared, shocked at the scene. Daryl stood at the center of the stage, alone. In front of him, four hundred people bowed to him, crying in joy at being able to merely be in his presence. Preacher Malory, the obvious leader of their settlement, was bowed at Daryl's feet. They stood, awed at the sight, unsure of what they were supposed to do.
Charlotte perked her head up at them for a split moment. "Bow!" She hissed, as if she were offended that they weren't on their knees like everyone else. Which she probably was. Glenn was first to drop, though he went down awkwardly. Maggie and Beth followed after him. Then Carl dropped down, followed by Lori who took her time, minding her belly. Hershel took his time bending down, careful of his ageing knees. T- Dog and Carol gave each other unsure looks before bowing them selves. Finally, Rick went to his knees. Daryl watched him, his stare practically begged him not do it. But Rick did, seeing no way out if.
Now, Daryl was the only one standing. He looked down at all the people, his group, and Preacher Malory. All of them bowed to him and it scared the hell out of him. He wanted to scream at them, tell them to get the hell up. He wanted to run and hide away from the crazy town. His heart beat rapidly in his rib cage and his breathing came out in short, panicked breaths. He shifted his weight between feet, unable to hold still. Daryl's eyes darted around the area, looking for an escape. All he saw were people and he was at the center of it. At the center of all these people who worshiped him.
Once again, thanks for the reviews. It brings me joy to know that you guys like it so much and makes me all that more excited to write it. Though I still haven't quite gotten into the plot line, just more of the end of the introduction. The next chapter will settle to the actual plot, though. Sorry about the author's note thing that happened in the middle of the chapter. My computer did a weird glitch thing on me and I didn't realize it had done it until it was too late. I think I fixed it now, so hopefully it's better. Special thanks to DeadHead26 for pointing the problem out.