AN: I have very little time at the moment, so enjoy this mini-chapter. This was originally supposed to be the very last part of the next chapter, but considering the circumstances i think it fits here too. I also tried to clean up my style a bit to make stuff more readable. I hope it helps. When i have time i will also go back and fix errors and stuff in the old chapters.
He sat on the throne, letting his wings recede back into his body. He was weary, tired. It had been over three months since the emperor disappeared. The only reason the empire still functioned at all was the fact that the old man had had enough foresight to teach his disciples what it took to lead despite his seeming immortality.
"Father...when will the Great One return?" one of his children asked, eyes full of uncertainty and strife. "Is this a test of faith? Have we sinned? Sister Mandoly thinks the same. Maybe we should increase the daily prayer time?"
The older man sighed and shook his head. He put a pale, clawed hand on the younger mans head. "Do not worry, my son. I doubt it. We have purged the vile rebels already, and the rest of the lands seem to be more faithful than ever. No, whatever happened to him, it was not our fault."
He scratched his short dark beard in thought. "But maybe you're right. Let us increase the number of our prayers anyway. It cannot hurt after all."
This seemed to satisfy the troubled youth, who bowed respectfully and joined his brethren. Slowly but surely the throne room filled up with his kin. Some flying, some walking, some staying in their more animalistic forms, some preferring to show their human side instead. And some weren't even of his kind.
Not that this mattered to the old man. These were just as much his children as the rest. Why should he cast them aside when they were just as devoted as the others.
He sighed again and lost himself in thought. How could this have happened? Of course, since the emperor disappeared immediately after he struck down the vile rebellion, suspicion fell onto the Neo Acadians. When he and his brethren heard about this they began the purge without delay. New Acadia was an empty nation soon after.
He had expected there to be an outcry, But no, the people of the imperium were as righteous as he had hoped they would be. And instead of being executed for cleansing the land, new Grand Empress Nyssa had given his children New Acadia as a gift. If his body could cry he would've wept.
In the past few weeks he and his most trusted had personally overseen the pilgrimages to make sure everything was in order. Combining that with their search for the emperor that occupied the rest of his free time it was now wonder he felt so exhausted. He was just about to stand up and give a speech to his children when it happened.
A loud sound, louder than the mighty roar of a dragon echoed through the hall. Many of his children fell to the ground, clutching their ears, but he stood straight. His eyes had caught something. On the ceiling. Or near the ceiling, anyway. It looked like something had punctured reality. It was impossible to describe exactly. He was obviously not the only one who had noticed this as one of his children, a human one at that and an oldtimer too, grabbed his metal staff and with the speed of someone who had practiced for years, crafted a complicated set of runes in the air. A number, more than ten at least, build a circle -with a big one appearing in the middle. All of this happened in under a minute. And the moment he was finished, without saying a word, he rammed the staff against the middle rune. A concentrated beam of energy left the staff and enveloped the tear in reality, concealing it inside a bubble.
The Father was impressed.
"Quick thinking there, child. You have my respect."
The human bowed deeply. "You are too kind Father. I just did what I though best."
He shook his head. "Don't be so modest. It was an impressive feat. But what, pray tell, did you do exactly?"
"This is a portal into another world, Father, though it is incredibly small." The religious leader was intrigued. "It most certainly leads into a world with little magic of its own, or it would not have made that big a noise when it appeared."
He wanted to ask a question, but a female sister, one of his kind, took the words out of his mouth.
"But brother, if the world on the other side is a world of sin, how could someone have opened this tear?"
He had just noticed it, but his human child seemed to be unnaturally excited about something
"That's the thing sister, its not possible. Someone or something of extreme magical prowess is needed to create such a phenomenon."
Surprised and hopeful whispers erupted in the crowded room. "And, if I may be so bold, I think I can safely say that even the empires best and brightest could not manage such a feat. It is too precise, too controlled."
He stood up, eyes wide open and focused now. "My son, do you mean what I think you mean?"
The human let out a short cough before answering. "I cannot be sure, of course. But I would say that it is highly likely that it is indeed our great one on the other side."
Now the whispering turned into loud cheering. Some of his children were so excited that they couldn't hold on to their human forms, their wings and fangs growing, their yes turning red. Some decided to turn onto animals completely, with bats and falcons circling around the magical sphere, while others dissolved into mist, clouding the room in a soothing white.
He stepped down next to his child and embraced him. "That is excellent news, child." He let go and addressed everyone. "My children, a word please." He waited until everyone had calmed down. "We will tell no one of this discovery until we are certain, is that clear?" Cries of agreement could be heard. "Now, Tellius, my son. Can we open a portal to that world? Is that possible?"
The old human nodded slowly. "I think it is possible yes. But I must warn you. Time is a fickle thing, and it runs differently in every world. In fact, compared to us, other worlds seemingly speed up and slow down in a random pattern, the same is true in reverse of course."
Murmur erupted again. A sister yelled "What does that mean, exactly?"
"I will get to that. The sphere that contains the tear also stops time on the other side. But since it took a while for me to cast my spell we have no way of knowing when exactly we will arrive when we cross over. It could be a second after the tear was created. It could be a month, or a year. Or a thousand."
The Father shook his head smiling. His fangs were very visible. "Do not worry, my child. It is of no consequence. Just tell us, can you open a portal by yourself?"
He shook his head. "Im sorry. But I know a few good mages in other chapters, and two in my own, who would be glad to provide help."
"That should be no problem." He stretched his arms outwards and spoke to the heavens. "My children, the great one has given us a sign! We shall cross over into whatever vile dimension he was abducted to, and we will rescue him. We will seek new brothers and sisters to join us! And we will slay all heathens who stand in our way. GLORY TO THE GREAT ONE!"
The sentiment was repeated by everyone present. For a good five minutes the throne room was filled with praise for the Great One.
"As for your reward, my child...I will offer you the choice between a reward of wealth and a reward of faith. Choose what you wish."
The human bowed down. "I choose the reward of faith, Father. There is nothing material that I crave."
The Father smiled a sincere smile. "The I think it is only right that I would confer to you the title of Priest."
The old mages jaw dropped. "B-but Father..."
"I am aware that normally only my kin can advance in our ranks, but I think it we can make an exception this time. And before you interrupt again, I know full well that matters such as these are a group decision. And since more than half of my chapter is present now, I think we can proceed." He raised his clawed hand. "I, as Father, supreme authority of this family, call for a vote to allow this child, Brother Tellius, to raise above the station of Acolyte, to advance in our ranks as if he were kin. Do the Grand Bishops of this chapter agree?"
Three of his kin raised their hand. One of them nodded and spoke. "Three of this chapters four Grand Bishops are present, and all agree to allow the vote. Do the Grand Priests have any objections?"
No one spoke up. After a minute of silence, one of the children nodded. "All Grand Priests of this chapter are present, and none have objections. Brothers and sisters, we would ask of you to vote on this matter. Everyone in favor raise their hand."
Tellius couldn't believe his eyes as he saw every single hand lift into air. Some of his brothers and sisters pat him in the shoulder in encouragement.
"The vote has concluded. Since more than half of this chapter agree, I will now declare that bother Tellius shall from now on be awarded the rank of Priest, and be granted every opportunity to raise his rank that presents itself. I have spoken."
"But Father, I am not part of your private chapter. I was sent to help with my healing magic in case someone was in need."
"You are now, my child. Welcome." The old human broke down in tears of happiness. "Now, my children, bring out the prisoners so we can feed. Also, could someone bring our newest brother a human meal? And don't worry about not getting enough blood." He licked his fangs and looked at the encased tear in the ceiling. "We shall have plenty of food soon enough!"
AN: Fun Fact - I really regret my decision not to watch Loud House Season 2 right now. I heard the Christmas episode was fantastic...But i must be strong! ^^
Anyway, hope you enjoyed this one, short and Loudless as it was. I will make up for that with the next chapter though, i promise. =)