The Tainted Moon 2 - (Bloodlight: Refrain, OC!MC)
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Italia, 1358.
Roma, Latium. Not even a few years ago, the once 'Urbs Mundi' was seen as the very prime proof of papal negligence.
Beggars and prostitutes on the streets, praying the Lord for mercy as their shameless jobs forced them to entertain sinful and wicked pleasures and horrors. It wouldn't be a lie to say that I always loathed visiting this place.
I heard so many things of this land when I was young and the many decades that jaded me to a world that was darker than I had hoped it to be had also aided me to see the true Vatican... for a time.
The Election of Pope Petrus II to the Holy Seat had seen many sweeping changes all over the Catholic world.
Indulgences had been not only 'rendered free for people to claim', but were also more difficult to provide without due process - one has to be truly willing to atone for the sins rather than provide monetary support to enforce a 'change of mind' within the Lord's own system.
The Judicial System was also reforged to be more tuned with the pious notes of the Bible, creating a most holy and humane legislation for the heart of Italia.
Thus, as I reached Roma, I was as baffled as a few months ago since the streets were clean, there were hardly homeless people (those few still around being unwilling to concede to redemption under the Faith), and there was a sense of odd peace within the land itself - as if the Lord had finally returned to it.
Upon arriving in Ostia, the main port of the Roman province, I was given instructions to met with the Pope as I was escorted by the Papal Legates, the close guards of the Pope himself.
It was a fraction of his full guard that was keeping my flanks safe, but I could tell that this was also meant to be a bit of a 'stunt' to gain more popularity.
Parading me, the Immortal Crusader, as a symbol that the 'Final War' was never going to happen, for we were winning against Demonkind itself.
If only they knew the truth.
After all, the reason the Papacy could show me around to the masses was based upon a lie that allowed my 'unusual lifespan' to be deemed a good thing.
The 'source' of my immortality was known as the Blessing 'Cuore non Taccia' (Heart Shan't Quieten), the ability of my body to be cured by the will of the Lord, for my mission was eternal to banish all demons and infidels that challenged the will of God.
...
As mentioned just now, that's quite the lie. But a needed lie considering not many don't know the purpose of the order that took me in. The Executioners were many things: saviors, scholars, defenders of the faith... dabblers of demonic magic.
That last bit allowed for demonic curses and powers to be attained and for each generation to bear a rather heavy burden of potentially losing themselves to the very demons they 'sell' their souls to.
My case was unique as I was the sole holder of 'Morte Silente' (Silent Death). There was no Devil bearing such power, and it was deemed an artificial ability due to the lack of 'threat' to one's soul because there was no exchange. It wasn't a genuine power, but a curse.
My soul could not depart my body and thus my body could never die. It did not help with the pains of suffering injuries, it did not help whenever a new scar was added to my body, and it definitely didn't help in keeping me from having moments of general panic when I was truly alone and left to my thoughts.
I was a hero to the masses, which is why I waved at the massive crowd that had formed upon my arrival, everyone celebrating me for my glorious return for this Last Crusade.
The war on the Holy Lands had been wrapped up just as the Holy Roman Emperor had waged a new crusade in case this one failed too. With the HRE and the current pope at odds over the ways governance had to be treated, this victory for the Vatican was treated as a permanent triumph over this matter.
Deus Vult... and all of that.
My arrival to the Vatican was graced by a full council of cardinals. The Pope had sought full audience by the higher ranks of the Church, and I was soon welcomed in that council under God.
Pope Petrus sat by his humble chair-throne, the wood cut from the very tree that he had treated since he was but a child. A simple gesture as he sold the former marble throne and given the money to charitable efforts to save the needy.
He kept his hair short, his clothes were always a pristine white and his 'papal crown' was nowhere around him as he wore a mere white hat over his golden hair.
Green eyes showed mirth and relief as I entered the chamber.
"All raise for the Immortal Crusader, savior of Jerusalem and carrier of God's will upon the Holy Land."
The cardinals seemed more than happy to follow the order and they all bowed their heads at me.
I could only bow back as I studied my words as to not offend the pope.
One may think that utmost respect and subordination would work - it definitely used to be the case before the election of Petrus II, but... not with him.
"Your Holiness, I have returned Jerusalem to God. The Kingdom has but a king and his name is Jesus Christ of Nazareth."
"May you be praised eternal, Sir Percival. You carried your duty with devotion unlike most men of the faith and you never once faltered in your efforts. May you be blessed by His Light and Warmth."
I nodded, but I knew already there was more to it. It was something I had waited for long as the cardinals, albeit pleased to have someone like me around to wage war on the demons in the Holy Land, had no reason to keep me around now that my burden had been completed.
And I would have been more than happy to claim retirement after this very day.
...
Yet, it would be wrong to say it was now the main goal in mind. Not after that encounter with that Jinn. Not when the many questions that his words drew me to left me more crossed on the topic than assured.
What I once thought absolutely true was now questioned and, while I would have doubted those words had I been told these when I first received the news of the order's demise, I was now too aware of the Church's former delight in lying over the way some events unfolded.
I had been subjected to slanderous words more than once through my years of service, but always fought for the truth- fought for the right to know what truly was going on.
Today... it wouldn't be any different.
"Alas, I have, in the best interest of yours but also the flock as a whole, a wish to grant you any sort of desire within the limitations of the material reach. I will not claim the Lord's own prerogative to bless you, but as the leader of the Church I have a duty to give what is due to those of strong will and dutifulness. Speak now, Percival, and I shall try to give you what you seek."
I looked down to my hands, closing them in fists as I drew a tired sigh. I should quit now. I deserved the peace I had fought so hard for but...
There was more to it. I couldn't quit now that I knew something wasn't right. That, perhaps, I wasn't truly...
Alone.
"When... when we first met, your holiness, you delivered a passionate speech about Truth. You never once shied away from the need that all truths, may them be silly or bitter, had to be revealed to the masses unless there was a genuine reason that could see this truth hurting the flock."
"I do remember. What about it, Percival?" The pope asked intrigued, clearly not expecting this- actually, no one looked like they had predicted this turn of events.
"In the Year of the Lord 1019, I had been told by a papal messenger that the Order of the Executioners had been destroyed from within as one of the members had lost control of their powers and turned on the order itself. I have... strong proof that it may not have been the case."
Surprise and shock were the two emotions shown by the rest of the chamber's occupants. The pope himself appeared stunned by this developed and frowned at me.
"Truly? Do you believe that something else may have happened? That the Pope of the time may have purposely covered this event with a lie?"
"...I know so."
Petrus II turned to the cardinals. "Could it be the case?"
Despite some unease, they all appeared agreeing. "It could be possible," One of them confirmed. "Still, the topic is not one we are familiar with ourselves. The Pope of the time, John XVIII, was known to have taken a slight displeasure on those orders dabbling in... demons."
"The books of Father Claudius may still be within the forbidden vault," Another added, more nods coming at his guess. "If that's the case, you will have to be escorted to see the content of the vault, Sir Percival."
"Alas, this is something that I grant to you, Sir Percival," The Pope confirmed, yet appearing curious for a moment as he turned to me with a perplexed glance. "Yet, I found myself intrigued over one aspect of this request. Would it be fair to assume you seek someone that may be possibly alive? Truth may be the first step, but you seek more from it."
"I do."
The cardinals looked surprised and yet the young pope pressed onward.
"Do you believe someone of your flock may still be alive even now, Percival?"
"I do."
"Do you have a name? Someone we should look forward to perhaps welcome back to the church?"
I felt my throat drying up as I thought of her name.
Especially as I remembered the last time we spoke right as I was about to reply.
"What's wrong, Perci? You are going to be back soon. I promise you, Father Claudius would make such a fuss if you were held back for more than these five years. And then... you and Mikhail can butt heads some more. All while Stratham and Cole eggs on you to go around and spend time with them."
I found myself sniffing. "What about you, Al?"
The short-haired woman beamed, her grin warming me in a moment where I hesitated to go to my first crusade.
"Me? Oh, I will prepare you some nice meal because I doubt you will find anything as good as my dishes, right?"
I chuckled. "Truly. You are truly a blessing to this world, little sister."
I blinked as I was back before the pope and my mouth spoke truthfully.
"Sister Almonde Jagger."
AN
Ah yes, the path to hell is paved by good intentions... isn't it?