Chapter 9 – The Reformation Conflict
774 Words
John :
"As you know, I used to be a doctor; a heart surgeon, to be exact. Once upon a time, I thought this was the best thing I could do with my life – saving other people's lives. However, when you see enough deaths, you will have a change of perspective.
I had an existential crisis at the age of 45 and thus began my journey as a priest. I thought, maybe instead of focusing on stopping people from dying, I should start focusing on helping people to live.
It may not be a decision that many would approve of, but I feel that I have helped way more people as a priest than I had as a doctor.
Of course, I had to deal with a fair share of internal politics within the Church itself. However, what bothered me wasn't so much the conflict between the Church authorities, but the corruption within, that spreads like a disease.
I am also well aware of the issue of p********a. The Church is far from perfect… Regardless, I never once thought that the solution would be to divide among ourselves. The Reformation in 1517 did not do either the Catholics or the Protestants any good. The Protestants today have as many problems as the Catholics, with all the scandals and the money, preaching for all the wrong reasons.
Thus, I've always wondered how different things would have been if the Reformation never happened."
Skylah :
"Are you telling me you want to stop the Reformation from happening now, in 1516?"
John :
"I did think about it. However, I cannot imagine what effect it would have on all those who have been saved.
What would happen to all the Protestants after 1517?
Oddly enough, when both of my souls got split, leading to the existence of my duplicate, Johannes, this inner thought process seems to have been carried forward to him instead."
Skylah :
"So, in other words, Johannes is the one who wants to stop the Reformation from happening…"
John :
"Yes, and I chased him all the way here in 1516, Germany, to stop him."
Skylah :
"Didn't you change history too when you cured the innkeeper's daughter?"
John :
"It was a common cold that could have easily been cured in this era. Weighing it out with my Hippocratic Oath, I don't believe what I've done would have changed the course of history.
If we were to apply such logic, then every single interaction, including us being here in this tavern drinking beer, would also have changed the course of history."
Skylah :
"Fair enough.
Anyway, what do you think he is going to do? Assassinate Martin Luther King Jr?"
John :
"I don't think so. Despite the dichotomy of our thought processes regarding the Reformation, our fundamental values remain the same.
I believe he would not go as far as to commit murder."
Skylah :
"So, do you have a plan to stop him?"
John :
"Honestly, I don't even know where he is or what he is up to."
Julianna :
"So, Skylah, what do you think we should do?"
Skylah :
"Well, for starters, you could explain how I can use my powers? I'm pretty sure it'll come in handy."
John :
"For starters huh? Alright. The first thing you should know is that we cannot create something out of nothing. Everything that we have is still within the laws of physics."
John snaps the handle of his mug out and places it on the table. He then places his index finger gently on the broken handle, and it slowly deforms into a pile of clay and some mixture of sand.
John touches the mixture of sand with his index finger and it starts to glow red before forming into a piece of glass.
Skylah :
"That's...…interesting...…..
But didn't you just say that Doctor Sofia and Doctor Salvia could create something out of nothing?"
John :
"It may appear so, but Doctor Sofia and Doctor Salvia believed that they were drawing energy from something else. Alas, this remains an unsolved mystery due to their demise.
That aside, since we have our souls split, we have this strange affinity with this unknown power that we can feel within our souls. I'm sure you can feel it too by now."
Skylah :
"I should try doing what you just did with my mug too…"
A huge commotion breaks out at the other end of the tavern, interrupting the trio's conversation. The crowd seems to merge into two distinct groups having a shouting match with occasional beer mugs flying at each other.
- Writer
