The Holy Quest

The Briefing

"This venture is proudly sponsored by the WIC company." Jude began his address. "We are dedicated to providing the world a better service to humanity. Right now our major concerns are the alleviation of the current pandemic that has eaten deep into the marrows of this planet..."

The televisions flicked open and displayed a golden cup. The reflections of the cup seemed to turn the room to a golden colour - which about fit the current mood and atmosphere.

"We sponsored the scientific advancements made over the last few years on the Covid vaccine and are proudly responsible for the short success that followed. However, we deeply regret the evolution that followed afterwards and how it's increasingly impossible to control this malady that has come upon us.

"Our attentions have turned to a spiritual solution. One that many of us will be familiar with by now. It's the Holy Chalice with which the Lord Jesus drank from. It is believed that this cup holds the power to anything, to which we believe includes the pandemic.

"Of course, this doesn't make any sense given our professional approach in solving the world's problem but at the moment, this is the only possibility that offers hope mo matter the absurdity it presents. Our leaders in society have voted in confidence of this motion with huge donations that can carry this mission successfully.

"Now, enter you esteemed gentlemen. Your participation in this grand event is not by chance, nor is it any mistake. You have been chosen based from strict data algorithms over qualities that are necessary for the mission at hand. So believe me when I say you're all fully equipped for this task.

"Now what is this mission? The first phase of this mission was to research the location of the Holy Chalice of the Saviour. This phase has been successfully completed. We have been able to define the demographics that will aid you in retrieving it. The second phase, which is to safely land you in this strategic location, is currently underway and will soon be over.

"You task is to retrieve the Holy Grail from where it is been located and bring it back here for our friends, loved ones and the world at large. This is not going to be easy. You'll have to solve riddles, fight dangerous beings and outsmart your obstacles. And while this requires a lot of teamwork, only one man will be credited with the success of getting the Cup back. So this is a game so to speak. We at the WIC believe that presenting a competitive game will help forge creative ways to retrieve the Cup.

"Ultimately, we believe that the cup will provide the solutions to our problems. And the winner will be honoured for taking the bold step to achieving this for us."

There was no applause, no murmurs. Just deep silence. Everyone thought about Jude's speech. Whatever it was, it surely help weight. The Indian summed their thoughts up perfectly well:

"So this is a game. And our lives depend on surviving on the stage? As well as the rest of the world? And while we are all playing against each other, the true enemy and opponent is something bigger?"

Jude smiled warmly.

"True, my friend." He replied. "The beauty is that you are all perfectly positioned to make this a reality."

"Damn it then." One of the crowd chipped in. We are all dead more or less. The only difference is back at home, it was a matter of "when", here it's a matter of "if." This is a chance we can't pass up. If we die we die honourably for the world."

Everyone nodded in support.

Jude's smile stretched wider. As the room lingered in silence , he closed his eyes and said:

"We are currently flying over the world's prime meridian." Jude announced.

It didn't mean much to everyone. They just blinked back in return. Except the Brit. He smiled warmly at the thought.

"Home sweet home." He said reminiscently.

"What?" Jude was a bit confused. "Where's home?"

"England."

"He meant France, doofus." Kelvin replied the Brit.

"What?" Jude and the Brit seemed to say at the same time, although for different reasons. The Brit was confused about the fact that France is the world's prime meridian. Jude was surprised that England would even be considered a prime meridian.

"France?"

"The Paris Meridian." Kelvin said crisply.

"You mean you placed the foundations of time in the wrong location?" Jude was unimpressed. "Little wonder pestilences ravage you all in this world. You deserve it. Now listen up everybody!"

The room fell dead silent. Satisfied that he had everyone's ear, he began:

"Man is the architect of his grievances. From taking Sovereignty away from the creator, to taking away freedom from the fellow man. And now, I just heard that the divine decree to have the time's foundation in the city of Paris have been moved to Satan's choosing. It's funny how man continues to ally with their greatest enemy.

"But God, in his infinite mercy has not given up on this race, on this generation. From the beginning he offered his blood up to save the world in order that we may all share his nature and live forever. Today, we venture honourably to make it happen in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."

The scene began to unfold, shifting itself in bubbles until everyone found themselves in an ancient cathedral. The podium was now an altar and the cushion seats were now pews. There were more people than the 100 gathered previously in the plane.

Everyone were confused over the change in scenario and they began to murmur. They wiped their eyes repeatedly to check if they were dreaming. The discovery of this new reality knocked their manners for a moment.

Kelvin's astonishment was not that however. It was something else. Something bigger. Jude now wore priestly garments and he was now very familiar to Kelvin now. The Priest in his dreams!

The piecing of the dots in this entire venture nagged Kelvin in his head. He appreciated the value that the divine forces had placed on this mission. With a newfound belief, he stood up and began clapping.

The others were clueless over what was going on but joined in regardless.