MANDATES OF DIVINITY

Episode 15

Episode Fifteen

And you shall receive

Light and life in all abundance

Your days will be lengthened

Because you sought the giver

-Saint Petros

The love vespers



The day started without a fuss although there had been a row the previous day due to the body discovered by a group of knights. On the day that followed however, everything had returned to normalcy. Betty, Athion, Watt and Bernard would be having a session with Xandar today and for some reason, he requested for them far earlier than usual.

Their blue robes distinguished them from the other priests, they were already priests too. They had equal footing with the Higher priests and Xandar had passed a verdict that the smiths no longer use the churches’ ranking. Seeing as they defied the former logic of ranking easily, the entire formidable forces are to remain High priests until they could be considered of equal footing with Elder bishops. This meant that there were no longer induction ceremonies until they became Elder bishops. Even with their tremendous assimilation speed, it is predicted that they couldn’t achieve that mark in the next eight months!

The four arrived at the pristine chapel, Xandar was nowhere to be found and they quickly took various poses and meditated. Since Xandar had exposed them to the nature of immortality and to the essence of the flesh, they barely had time to rest. Xandar had always ensured that they meditated and increased in light so that they could be granted immortality. Most of the cardinals had attained this height, their life span extended considerably and some legends are said to still be alive after a thousand years. Pope Vio for instance was the pope for over 154 years, his reign was referred to as the 154 years of peace and yet his appearance was like a middle aged man.

While the four meditated, Xandar walked into the hall and his aura filled the entire hall. His appearance was like glass, his skin faintly glittered, he even looked a bit younger. The energy accompanying his presence rested on the four and they opened their eyes at once, they marveled at his strange appearance.

“You four look surprised, I can see this is your first time of seeing this.” He smiled faintly after they had saluted him with fear. “Well your guesses are right, I just received another measure of light and life from the creator. Do you know what this means?” His voice didn’t change a bit, as emotionless as ever.

“Your grace, you have now received another extension in your life span.”

“Your mastery over light and blessings have also increased by leaps and bounds.”

“You must have received new techniques and secrets from the holy space.” That was Bernard, Athion and Watt accordingly. Xandar nodded in confirmation and turned towards Betty, his eyes hinting expectations. The others glanced at her, they had basically said everything that is meant to be said.

“You are one step closer to becoming the Pope.” Betty’s thin voice resounded round the hall. The others were somewhat dazzled by her response, but Xandar nodded in praise.

“And by the time that happens, I want you four to become the strongest there is next to me. I want you four to wrought exploits.” His voice gradually rose, the four could sense very faint traces of excitement from him. “I called you earlier today so that I might show you this form of mine. Everything you have been taught is true.” At this point, his skin returned to normal. He still looked a bit younger, but the glow and gleam had stopped.

The training continued as usual and ended earlier than the norm, Xandar kept receiving messages about another Cardinal who demanded his audience. A member of the Sanctus Primus, a man named Lithur. Just as the four left, Betty turned around and spoke to Xandar.

“Your grace, I have something to share. I apologize, I should have informed your grace but I couldn’t tell what it meant until a body was discovered yesterday. I saw, in a trance, a man who rode on a mighty stead, he held in his hands a trident with the engraving of an eye. Whoever he cursed decayed to dust! I could feel his rage, his anger and his power.” She was almost trembling, sweat had already gathered on her forehead as she remembered the events that from that night.

“Hmm, do not be troubled. The giver keeps his own, always.” Xandar touched her lightly at her forehead, Betty’s jaw dropped in shock as a powerful but calming force invaded her body. She suddenly became peaceful, too peaceful!

When Betty came to, Xandar was no longer in the hall. Betty couldn’t tell what she was doing, she couldn’t remember what she said. She left the hall puzzled, she knew she had stayed behind to share something with Xandar, something important. She searched her mind, probed over and over but couldn’t find anything strange. Her mind had no record of a trance whatsoever.

“I traced the curse from the body.” Lithur finally saw Xandar, the two walked side by side towards Xandar’s quarters. “I was surprised, I thought it was a real threat. The curse is from Hella, I believe we have spawns from Hellos cult within our walls.” He was half laughing as he spoke, he really found the discovery hilarious.

“I have already been informed however, I do not remember instructing you to trace the curse.” Xandar replied without glancing at the man beside him.

“I didn’t think it was necessary, we couldn’t just sit back and do nothing. You have always charged us to take active measures against the fallen.” Lithur was surprised by Xandar’s reaction. “Also, we are both cardinals and I believe we both have the jurisdiction to do that which we deem best for the affairs of the church.”

“I have nothing to say to you.” It was like Xandar didn’t hear a word Lithur said. “You shall not speak of this to anyone, not any of the other cardinals, not even members of the Sanctus. If any man inquires you of the matter, they will be directed to me and I alone.” Xandar finally glanced at Lithur, his eyes cold, the two stopped to exchange gazes.

“Who do you think you…” The words in Lithur’s throat disappeared, his pupils shrink in terror. A powerful energy had exuded from Xandar’s body, he could tell that Xandar had increased in strength.

“Remember who stands before you Lithur!” Xandar’s eyes were fiery, his voice was authoritative and for some reason, Lithur shuddered in terror. Xandar walked away, leaving a terrified Lithur behind. “Summon me my disciples. The four.” Xandar gave his final order to Lithur before he finally disappeared from his sights.

“Just when did Xandar become that powerful? Those eyes, they are not the eyes of a man.” Lithur thought within himself, sweat already gathered on his hands, his back cold. “The reins of the church is about to fall into the hands of a mad man!” He gently made his way towards the home of the smiths.

Simultaneously, just outside the gate leading into the main grounds of the basilica, a priest approached the gate with a woman.

“Father Stan, we have been instructed to deny normal citizens entrance into the grounds.” A guard quickly stopped the woman accompanying him. “We have been instructed to double security due to recent events.”

“Really? She is a maid, recently hired to attend to the needs of the smith. I will take responsibility till she knows her place.” Stan swiftly replied, but the guard hesitated. “Do you not know who I am?” Stan was getting impatient.

“Well, take care Father.” The guard quickly withdrew, he didn’t want any trouble. Stan and the woman with him walked into the grounds. “When did the Father become this aggressive, his actions are strange nowadays.” The guard whispered to the other who simply shrugged and turned to attend to other issues. “Fine keep mute.” The guard hissed and turned away.

Father Stan and his accomplice quickly headed towards the abode of the smiths, they treaded as casually as they could to avoid suspicion. The woman with Father Stan was Meghan, who was without a doubt under the influence of Yoku. Just as the two were about to entire the main encampment, a voice called to Stan from behind. Stan turned around to find a Cardinal beckoning at him.

“I see you have some business to attend to.” It was Lithur, he was also about entering into the main camp. “Just spare time and inform Xandar’s protégées that he intends to see them again. Right away.” Lithur delivered the order and left without even receiving a response.

Stan frowned his eyes behind the cardinal’s back, why on earth would someone intercept him, now of all days?

“What do we do Master?” Meghan addressed Stan from behind. Her voice was that of Yoku.

“I have told you over and over, here call me Father.” Stan glanced around with wary, the two moved on towards the buildings. “We will first plant the tears, then I will run the fool’s errand afterwards.”

They sneak into the administrative building, Hurd had already performed reconnaissance in the form of Stan and he knew fully well where the main supply for water in the camp was located. The two successfully arrived at the well, Meghan unveiled a vial that contained a black liquid. Once the lid was opened, a faint whisper resounded in the ears of the two. They emptied the content into the well without hesitation. Meghan whispered in a strange language, she somewhat resonated with the whisper in her ear.

“That went well.” Father Stan nodded in praise. “Now let us find those fools and get out of this city!” Stan smiled.