First - Revetion-Cardinal Lorenzo Giudice - ?????????

  As the cameras were switched off, Revetion-Cardinal Lorenzo Giudice let out a long sigh, feeling the weight of his words settle on him. With his white and gold ceremonial vestments c his still-powerful frame, and his pierg, raptor-like hazel eyes and hair speckled with grey, he appeared every inch a fiery priest, vinced of the righteousness of the cause, and of God. And indeed I am. Deus vult, God wills this. Nearly eight billion souls, they ot be spent in vain. The Ninth Heaven will wele them all.

  “Quite the performahe rasping, dry voice that sounded like a snake skittering across sand rang out. His fellow Cardinal, the a, tury old woman, her hair white and threadbare, her skin dusky and filled with innumerable deep wrinkles, smiled then. Beside her, the huge horn, the Spiritus Exitii, the Breath of Destru, said to be one of the trumpets that were blown at Jericho, t down the walls, y menag and radiating power.

  “Yes, you have a way with words, Lorenzo.” she tinued, her breathing hoarse. “What will the Pontiff think? Even now, I expect he will be scrambling to… calm the situation.”

  “I would expeo less from him. He is caloroso, warm-hearted and fiving. Indeed, it is simply that he is too soft for these times, for the True Revetion.” Lorenzo shook his head sadly. “Of course, should we succeed in oals, defeating the un, the empio, ungodly… he would be perfect to lead the remaining saved souls into the warmth of the Ninth Heaven. Though… such a road looms long ahead of him. He may not see the end. None of us might, Konstantina.”

  “Me more than most, yes?” She ughed, a funereal sound. “These old bones are not suitable fhting, but if the Breath must blow, then blow I shall. Speaking of… is this a prudent course? I know that granddaughter of Magdalena has perished, and the Anulus Fortunae is stolen…” A dark expression crossed her face, her eyes fierce. “…we must surely sy that inhuman bitd recim the sacred treasure. But… the Hallowed Grounds are still spreading. Deploying so many of our forces… it seems… hasty.”

  At the look in Lorenzo’s eyes, Konstantina cackled, patting the bronze mouthpiece of her great, curled horn. “Peace, Lorenzo, peace. I am as eager as any. Why, I wish I was alongside my successor, leading the Choirs to victory. You know…” Another dry, hag cough. Even the great power she had beeowed, the winnowing of her spiritual form strengthening her, had limits, her advanced age still too much for her.

  Although, in time, the strength drawn from her Hallowed Ground and the worthless spirits of the creatures that dwell in the false Boundary that separates us from the blessed Ninth Heaven above may be able to restore her vitality, enable her to see the end of this journey.

  “…I am never oo shirk the work. I just worry. Our Hallowed Grounds are far from their peak. And our believers are limited.”

  “La serenità. Peace, Konstantina. I uand your fears, but we must have faith. After all, while all is in the mani di Dio, the hands of God, we must also act. The parable of the drowning man, while it is a moder has great truth, no?”

  “Yes. Fortunately…” her tone was sharp. “…we are capable. My successor, she is not weak, and while the Seminary is gone, we still have many forces. But…” She frowned, narrowing her eyes, and a great spiritual power radiated from her, her dry, withered skin crag, bright red blood trig. “Ah, the Watcher that spoke to me, the noble Grigori, it sees so many threats. We will take great losses, the work will be deyed.”

  “Better we suffer now and remove the thorns that pierce our brows, before they bee ied.” he replied piously. “There are those that have powers we must secure for our own, and if that proves impossible, then they must deperire, perish!” The book ed to his side, the precious relic, the Verum Lore, the Truth of Knowledge, was warm under his touch. “Matters are… irregur. The pristine clockwork of the Throne’s great, noble pns has jammed, a few gears stig or slipping. So… we must advance our as.”

  “Yes, the missing Cardinals, the death of Mary Stuart…” Konstantina agreed softly, though her expression was still a little vat and rapturous, despite being smeared with bloody drips. “There are those who do not belong here. Like the squatting abomination that has taken root in the Far East.”

  “Yes. a is too dangerous for us to se now. All efforts have failed.” He nodded, internally menting the loss of brave men and women who attempted to scout that Godforsaken nd. “A different approach is here. But our true army es from the West, the brulite, teeming masses who worship the Throne. We will lose Judges and squires, as well as many faithful who have pledged their lives to these endeavours. And the Martyred Dead, many will see their final, true rest.”

  “For every ohat falls, five will heed our call.” Konstantina agreed. “As for the Dead, over fifteen hundred years many have been interred in the crypts and mausoleums, awaiting the call to arms. The stro ot be awoken, the spirito withioo starved of strength. But in time…”

  “Exactly.” Lorenzo agreed. “Yes, we are bereft of our stro forces, but… we ourselves, the Cardinals of True Revetion, have taken the field. And nothing shall arrestare our advance. We shall remove the of thorns from our brow, even if our hands bleed, are pierced for it. Then, that fiend that has made a its ir, and the clearly hidden powers that have interfered with the perfect clockwork orrery of Gods’ design, shall all be dragged into luce, and the light will blind and e them.”

  Pg down the Verum Lore upon a nearby podium, the pages opened. Dense, archaic text, which was somehow still readable, filled many pages, but as he flipped to pages yet unfilled, the number seemingly greater than the book itself held, Divine energy surged around him, and upon the pages, text began to appear, gleaming a brilliant rainbow, before fading to a deep violet hue. “I see.” he muttered, the words spelling out several secrets. “Konstantina, I hesitate to put il ohis burden, upon your old bones, but…”

  “It is my duty, and my pleasure, to serve even to the st breath, the final drop of blood. For flesh, blood and bone are naught pared to spirito incorrutibile. That which is immortal within us and belongs to the Throne.” Her smile was that of one enlightened, and with one sharp nail, she drew a line across her withered wrist, and blood began to flow, dripping to the pages. “Now, Grigori, share what you have seen with us, let it be written in Verum Lore, the Truth. Let naught stand in the way of God!”

  The words that were written in purple light dimmed, the letters turning vermillion, seeming to be bloody ink scribed on the pages. Pictures were f too, and at the image, a strae made from two pilrs strewn with thick twisted ropes that resembled snakes, and a tree rising in the background, he smiled, though it was not a pleasant one. Yes, the greatest threat lies there. But… it shall not stand, nothing , against the might of the Throne!

  ***

  Sed - Uchida Ren - Kyoto, Japan

  “…is s with the ese criminals who caused so mahs in the very Kyoto I am standing in now!” Uchida Ren roared at the camera. The staff from the local Kyoto broadcaster had been joined by a team from FujiTV, and they were only too happy to help dish the dirt on that cursed bastard Oshiro Akio, apparently. He betrayed my son, my Yamato! He was supposed to be the one whht peace to the nd, instead… he wasted away, every day ing closer to death, never waking, his power stolen, his reputation tarnished.

  Footage was dispyed of the ese woman, Nie Ling. It was impossible for those involved with the inner ws of Oshiro Akio’s Fa… he doesn’t deserve any respect. He has killed my son. Yes, he still breathes, but his spirit is gone …not to be aware of her, since she was using her accursed power to ferry people bad forth from the spiritual realm. Ren still had people that showed loyalty to him, even if most of Susanoo deserted like rats off a sinking ship. Yes, even those who did not lose precious family during the mess that left my poor son atose had ties to those who did, and they still speak to us…

  “Worse, he is responsible for the deaths of many, children included!” Footage, harrowing and cruel, yed of the dead being carried out, many of them in high school or even youaking a deep breath to steady himself, Ren stepped back to let someone else speak, the head priest of Aoikaeru shrine, a small yet still true shrihat worshipped a minor Kami. He was old, the priest, and his hair was white, thin as gossamer, and he moved with a ponderous and trembling gait, his health having worsened signifitly since his granddaughters perished. As tears rolled down his wrinkled, sallow cheeks, Ren mao mask his smirk of satisfa, as the lead producer sent by FujiTV watched with bright eyes.

  “This is perfect, perfect.” The producer was ecstatiobody else break a story like this. FujiTV will go down in history, this program might eve more tra than the charity cert! Yes, some of the higher-ups were against this, but… I have Miyauchi Masaki-san in my er. He’s already under pressure, after provoking Arisugawa-san, so he’s desperate. But for me, it’s a win-win! I take the lion’s share of the credit for a success, and if it all blows up, well, I push the bme on him!”

  What a shallow cretin. Greedy and small-mihis is about more than fame, it is about judgement. Akio will suffer for what he did. I swear it on the grace of Kannon… no, never again. His thoughts reflexively turo the Goddess his family had veed for tless geions, but he pushed that aside. “Just do your part.” Ren grated. “I have given you so muformation, it should be impossible to refute it all.”

  “Yes, it’s all great stuff!” the loathsome man agreed, aepped back, taking a break, before he would finish off Akio’s reputation with some more daggers of knowledge he had uhed. As he did s the man wearing robes of white and gold, who spoke little Japanese. Fortunately, I speak enough English.

  “A good work.” The tall, knightly figure smirked. His blonde hair ulled into a short ponytail, and he was carrying a sword. But not just a sword. An assault rifle was strapped across his back, a great rarity in Japan, and Ren had no idea how he had mao smuggle that and the dozens of others carried by his forces into Japan. “The Godless, heretic scum who slew the great and pious Mary Stuart, murdering her when she risoner in all defiance of the ws of God and Man, shall face justice!”

  Ren nodded, but wondered just how true that was. Not that it matters. They had said that Princess Eleanor of Britain had been plicit iorture and murder, though sidering the British respoo the attacks and the state of Prince Henry, the truth was surely far murkier. But it is yet anger to pierce him with, bleed him out, destroy his reputation, and then… Cold sweat was beading on Ren’s skin, and he was trembling. He no longer wore priestly robes, as his old faith was dust, ae awkward, unfortable.

  “Yes, I wish him to pay. And I will pledge to any God that deliver on my prayers. Kannon did not, and her gift is now in the hands of his sister, mog me, making light of my Yamato!”

  “And you were wise.” The man, supposedly a Judge of Revetion, whatever that meant, smiled warmly, an odd expression on his angur, aggressive face. “Repenting of false worship and turning to the Lord saved you. And Yamato has been baptised, shriven and the st rites read. His soul is now safe, his false faith absolved. Now the storm is ing, and the sinners will wail and gnash their teeth, but they will be scoured.”

  I have seen it. Their forces. Dozens of men, well-armed. Yes, you shall get your punishment too, Saionji Gin! You were a thorn in my side, but now, like the dog you are, you rolled over and showed your belly for Akio. Pathetic.

  One of his Susanoo fa adherents, who also spoke det enough English, watched with some disfort. “You speak.” Ren told him, and with a nervous g the Judge, he started talking in Japanese.

  “Uchida-sama, you… you truly abahe Kiyomizu-Dera and Kannon? How that be possible? Kannon, in her infinite mercy…”

  “Where was her mery son?” Ren hissed, furious, his anger so palpable the man stepped baearly fainting. “Fifteen hundred years we kept her faith alive, and like a whore, her Favoes to his wretched sister. He will not wake, and still Kannon does nothing. Not even brihe soce of vengeance. Instead, the wretched bastard Akio is uded as a hero, while Yamato is derided as a fool who caused so mahs. But… that is not true!”

  The man was sweating, but he managed an obje. “But… we know that Oshiro-san was at the cert when the first deaths occurred. The Hikawa boy, he…” His words stopped as Ren struck him. Fortunately, it was off camera, but the crew waved at him frantically, warning him off, so Ren dragged the priest away, before throwing him to the ground and kig him, the savagery making Ren feel much better.

  “If you feel sly about it, you should have joined him.” Ren spat when he was exhausted, his feet hurting. The fallen priest raised his bruised arms, having shielded his head, and managed a few weak words.

  “But… the Lady Diviner, she vouched for him…”

  “The Diviner is dead.” Ren shook his head. “I know, I attehe funeral, I am not a fool. And no matter what Akio cims… it is not the Divihat stands with him now, it is simply a devil masquerading as her, a cruel ruse. Those fools Gin and Yasuhide, they think themselves so clever, shteous, but they follow a monster who will doom them all. The gifts of the Divihe sanctity of life ah… nothing is sacred to him. If you mention the blessed, noble Lady Diviner again, I will be most angry!”

  At his baleful stare, the injured priest swallowed his words and scuttled away, limping and unfortable after the beating Ren had delivered to him. The Judge ughed, before nodding appreciatively.

  “It seems he offended you. Those with treacherous tongues should take care. Words are wind, but when the wind blows ill, it invites in evil.”

  As the priest of Aoikaeru shrine finished up his impassioned, hateful speech to the media, which would not only be broadcast over most of Japan but was being picked up by sympathetiews outlets around the world, as well as being streamed online, Ren nodded. “Yes, he should be mindful of how he speaks. I am still the head of Susanoo fa… no, saying that name now…” Ren finally severed his lingering attats to the faith he had so fervently followed, as did his father, his grandfather and many geions before him. “…it is the past. The future is all I care about. A future where those who stole from me will face judgement!”

  “Judgement is what I specialise in.” the white-cd Western man smirked. “Have no fear, all these sinners have evaded the judgement of the Lord for far too long, but… God is always watg.”

  “You o be careful.” Rehed, the feeling at the pit of his stomach hot and sickly, a mixture of hatred, trepidation a boiling away, eating at him. But it is too te to turn baow. I have offered everything for revenge… “Attag the Territory here will not prove easy. His cursed subordinate, another abomination, devil pretending to be human, holds the stro position in Kyoto. She has even stolen ownership of Kiyomizu-dera… yes, Kannon’s light has surely beeinguished form the world… if it ever existed at all.”

  “It did not. The only light is the light of the Lord. Behold the Throne and knlory. And you will.” The Judge patted his shoulder fly. “Because you made the hard choice. All past sins be fiven, if only you embrace the truth. And your son is saved as well. When our work leads to the dest of the Ninth Heaven, you and your son will be Saints, just as we will be.” He paused, grinning, tapping his assault rifle. “Don’t worry, we are quite aware of the dangers in attag her filthy realm in Kyoto, that Desecrated Ground. But I think she will have more to worry about than our as, besides…” His eyes narrowed, a cold expression on his handsome features. “…that is not my target, no. I have… other… matters to attend do.”

  With a shudder, Rehe heat in his belly spread, warming him. They say vengeance is cold, but no… to me it is as the sun itself. Those of you who listeo his lies, cast me aside… I shall not weep at your funeral. No, I have no tears left to shed, uhey are tears e and hatred…

  ***

  Third - Fujiwara Honoka - Hanafubuki Private Academy, Tokyo

  “Are you well, Honoka-sama, you have seemed distracted? I noticed you did not answer all your questions as speedily as usual.” Kozue, her bodyguard asked with some worry. The small girl was wearing her usual scarf alongside the elegant and soothing Hanafubuki school uniform, though it was far less fmboyant and noticeable than her older sister Michiru, who served Miyu-san as her guard.

  I know uhe long, flowing skirt, Kozue has hidden ons, but they are not like the ones Michiru uses, no, these are proper tools. They are not very much alike, despite being sisters. Perhaps… perhaps it is the same with me and Miyu-san, even though we are cousins…

  It was strange. Despite being cousins, and attending the same school, as well as both being tutored by the most prestigious teacher of traditional Imperial Kyoto-style dahey had barely ied, being distant and aloof. Of course, such is the way of things. Or it was. Hanafubuki had ged, perhaps due to the influence of the tendees, who were not nobility, but faith-based students.

  Her gze flickered over to where Takakura Mizuki-san sat, talking cheerfully with some of the daughters of the Three-Hundred, now that the css was over. She retty girl, Honoka had to admit, short but with an adult frame. Her manners cked refi of course, and she spoke her mind far too often, but that was to be expected of a oner. It is not just that though. Her retionship with Miyu-san had reached a healthier level of almost friendship, since Miyu-san had moved into grandfather’s mansion, and they had taken lessons together in these mysterious new abilities. Now we have stopped using distant honorifics like -sama, I definitely feel closer to her. It is not unpleasant, to have someone older to rely on.

  The others have ged too. Motoko-san and Natsumi-san, as well as Hinata-san, had all beore open, kind and talkative, spending time with others in schardless of status. Though some, like the Shiraishi sisters were only remaining at Hanafubuki due to their grace, since she had heard their family had greatly angered grandfather, Ichijou-sama and Takatsukasa-sama. And that brings me to what is on my mind…

  “You talk to me, Honoka-sama!” Kozue insisted, her face pink with desire to help, and Honoka sighed, nodding slowly.

  “I was just thinking… Sakura-sama… what will she do? If she is not the trueborn daughter of Takatsukasa house, will she have to drop out of Hanafubuki? I would not like that. I spent little time with her, but she always seemed kind, and her dang does stir the heart so. Our honourable teacher praises her often.”

  “She atch up to you!” Kozue decred, and Honoka nodded gently, smiling with a little pride.

  “It is true. Honourable teacher praises me often as well. I rideful as the best student, though now Miyu-san exceeds me.”

  “Yes, but… it is simply because she has cheated!” Kozue tried to sole her. “She has gained a gift from the Kami of Dand the Arts! It is not her own…”

  “That is wrong!” Honoka cut off Kozue, raising her voice. Immediately those around her in css gnced over, subtly to be sure, unwilling to gawk at her as she was the heir to Fujiwara house, but it was enough to tinge Honoka’s face pink with embarrassment. L her voice she tinued. “Do not be petty, Kozue. Hoeacher would not be fooled by mere artificial skill. She says it is not her greater grace or elegahat makes her dater, but… that her heart, her emotions have ged. She holds feelings she has never before, and through dahey are expressed. I envy her. But I am happy for her. I think I shall talk to Sakura-sama when the day is done.”

  “But your reputation…” Kozue warned, w how Honoka had gone from talking about Miyu-san to Sakura-sama.

  “Things have ged. We are being more united, less scious of the differen our status. Besides…” Honoka was uerred. “…grandfather would hate to see this. He must be furious. Though…” Again, thoughts that had bothered her all day were surfag. “…did you think it strange, Kozue? Father… has been ag oddly.”

  “How so?” Kozue asked.

  “The event today. Normally, father would be enraged if Miyu-san ced ahead of me, despite her being the older of us. He would never dare to speak it to grandfather, but the servants would bear his anger. Yet… he accepts this. No, he seems almost eted. I am not the most perceptive of women, I admit, but… it simply makes no sense.”

  “Perhaps he has matured?” Kozue replied, uain. “I agree, I had also noticed. Hidemasa-sama has been in an unusually boisterous mood, yet he deed your noble grandfather’s invitation to attend the celebration at the Tengokusentou, instead, Miyu-sama goes with him. Not only that, but Takatsukasa-sama and Ichijou-sama will be in attendance, as well as a number of other important nobility. It seems… strange… normally Hidemasa-sama would be funting his importarying to appeal to them.”

  “Are you worried? I feel uneasy…” Honoka whispered, and Kozue shook her head.

  “There should be no cause for . Much as I despise him, father and his idiotic crew will be there, and they fight, and have a certain low ing. My sister is a match for any man as well, even if she disgraces the Koga name by pying pretend ninja like a child.”

  For a moment Honoka smiled, finding it amusing. Though Kozue was the younger daughter, she certainly seemed more mature than her sibling. But she definitely had her childish side too, with a bad temper, though Kozue made efforts to keep it leashed around her. “Yes, grandfather has excellent security. And it is reassuring to have your father there, Kozue. Miyu-san is with him, and she is different now.” Why am I so worried? Is it perhaps because father has been ag unusually strange?

  “Yes.” Kozue held some rivalry with Miyu-saainly, worried she would take what rightfully beloo Honoka, in her eyes anyway. Honoka herself was far less ed with such matters, she would do as her grandfather bid, as always, whether that was marrying the man he chose, or taking over Fujiwara house when he finally passed.

  “I am sure you are correct as always, Honoka-sama!” Kozue finally answered. “But for now… the lesson is about to start.” Kozue sat back at her desk o Honoka’s, and as the teacher returned, her smile warm yet professional, everyone in css, even the boisterous Mizuki-san, focussed all their attention on the lesson…

  ***

  Fourth - Joseph Young - Far Haven, Utah

  “How did you get in here?” Joseph Young, once a Reverend, now the self-styled Last Prophet, and the true voice of God oh, grimaced. His light brown hair was short, immacutely trimmed, and though nobody could call him handsome, when he found a situation troubling or enlightening, his face took on a warm, benevolent appearanow was one of those times, as within the chapel his followers had built him here in Far Haven, six men and women white robes with gold adors had appeared, the great oak double doors smming shut behind them. “And I am holding Mass. Enter quietly and with dignity, this is a House of God. The only House of God.”

  Joseph leased to see his gregation direg their wariness and hostility towards the newers. He had drilled into them he was being hunted by heretid faithless men, and that outsiders were dangerous, and he had armed them, sending out followers to gradually amass ons from the distant towns and cities of Utah. Even little Lacey, a mere child, was gl at the newers with her wide, i eyes, hands on a small pistol that she had been traio fire.

  “You call this Mass? How… curious.” The lead figure, a tall, slender woman in her early twenties spoke brightly. Her blonde hair was fanning around her oval, pale face, and her blue eyes were full of fidence, even as she took in the dozens of guns poi her by the gregation. “But…” Her expression was more approving as she took in the chapel and its stained gss windows and statuary, which were obviously new, aed Angels and Saints. “I like the décor. I had thought you Protestants weren’t fond of statues and artwork, calling them idotry?”

  Behihe other five were standing, impassive, their presence a clear threat, so Joseph had little choice but to answer. “I chart a new, stronger faith. For I was called, I heard the voice of God clearly! And I was gifted with an incorruptible nature, and Healing Hands, to match His Son. It is only natural to disregard the old, fwed ways of thinking.” He couldn’t help but boast.

  “The voice of God, you say? That is indeed a great honour. I was myself not blessed by the words of the Metatron, unlike many of the Cardinals above. Yet I saw the Virtue, fmes and lightning the province of the Divine, and I too was granted power.” She smiled brilliantly, though there was nothing alluring about it, it was serene, holy, and a brilliant halo of lightning formed around her.

  Seeing that Joseph cursed inwardly. I have not the power to fight, though, God’s miracles have two sides. Just as God makes incorruptible, the immortal soul within us, God also makes fallible, fwed mortal bodies. What heal harm. Heal thyself, physi indeed. Still… Not liking his ces in a fight, Joseph let the pure power flow through him, and it was as if he was glowing, though the light was not truly present, more a feeling, a perception.

  “In that case, please do not disrupt the serviy further. Show respect to God and his void pray!” Joseph ordered, and with a tinued smile, the woman aking an ope, o the small yet aggressive Lacy, she reached down, patting the surprised girl’s head.

  “Why, aren’t you a wonderful little thing? So pious, so brave. There is naught to fear. See?” She waved one hand, and lightning bloomed like a small firework, sparkles in red, green and gold falling, which made Lacey’s eyes widen, she reached for them, only for the woman to shake her head, even as her other five panions also took seats. “That’s not wise. What is pretty often burns to the touch.”

  “…now.” Joseph cleared his throat. “…let us tinue. So, the Lord spoke to me, Joseph Young, his and final Prophet. For the End of Days is here, and only those who believe will be saved. The Rapture es, and evil is unveiled. And it lurks everywhere! Just as Jesus was dehree times before the cock crowed, so too were my words, God’s words, and the faithful were called upon to give their lives to ensure I could escape the wicked! Trust not the men who would be above you, call themselves leaders, politis, nor trust the women who would seduce you from your path, no… trust only in God and his guidance, which I shall deliver…”

  As he spoke, his passion shining through, Joseph set aside his visitors, letting his faith speak for him. After his sermon was delivered, he went through the usual prayers, before leading everyone in a rousing hymn. Ohe singing died down, he bade everyone have a good night, sleeping well. It was then the puded.

  “Most moving. Seeing everyohe old and the young, all together with such gusto, singing the praises of the Throne… why, it definitely stirs me! You were very cute, little girl.” She praised the shy Lacey warmly. “And I must fess… e Thou Font Of Every Blessing is a favourite hymn of mine, and so very poignant. After all… every blessing does e from the Throne, else it is no blessing, but a curse.”

  Hearing the subtext, Joseph nodded. Smiling warmly at his gregation he bade them retire. They hesitated, their fanatical loyalty to him intense, but he soothed them. “It is te, and the young ones should certainly be in bed.” His gaze on Lacey and the other children of the vilge was kind. “After all, here in Far Haven, we rise with the dawn to pray and work.”

  There were more protests, but eventually, everyo, after their thanks and good wishes to him. They eyed the newers warily, but while the other five were stony-faced and cold, the woman was all happy smiles, waving to them as they departed. As the great doors shut again, she turned back to Joseph. “I admit, I enjoyed your words. Though some would call them a deviation from the truth, there is still truth withihe End of Days is ing. And God is the only path to salvation, the Ninth Heaven above us. We wish to save as many as we . Tell me, do you think you be saved, Joseph Young?”

  As she said his name, he frowned momentarily, before reasserting his calm, the Divine power within him soothing. “I am already saved. No, instead, I am to save. Now, who are you, and how did you find me here? This pce has no i, no mobile phones… and I stay undercover, only leaving the churder a shroud, no eyes in the sky see me.”

  “The Lord’s eyes see everything.” The woman disagreed. “And what is written iruth is pin for pious eyes to read. How we sought you out is not so important, the why is.”

  Gng at the old-fashioned ons they carried, swords belted at their waists, and taking in their robes of white and gold, ched by thick, richly adorned belts, they reminded Joseph a little of tales of the Knights Tempr. “Have you e to kill me?” he asked, preparing to act. Though I dismissed everyohey will not leave me alone here with these suspicious strangers. Even now, some will be watg from above. The Chapel had been designed as a safehouse and a fortress, so there was aernal, hidden access, and murder holes in the hollow walls and roof spaces. “If so, you will surely see Hell.”

  “That… depends on you.” The woman answered simply, surprising him. “Though your faith deviates from the true path, and your revetions are inplete, the Truth finds you worthy, if you be corrected. And…” Her smile was angelid the electric halo was making her blonde hair fan out, golden uhe light. “…it is hard to fault the piety of your believers. A man such as yourself should hardly be wasted saving a mere handful. Your voice should be heard, no?”

  Yes, I know I have to do more than merely hide here, why else would God have chosen me? But… “And if I do not agree with your truths, and I dee… what then?”

  “You know, for you are no fool, Joseph Young. You wish to be the right hand of the Lord, which is udable, but…we are the True Revetion. For lohan this try has existed, we have awaited this day, trained and honed our skills, gathered funds and made inroads. I was but a humble soldier, but now I attracted the gaze of the Throne on high, I am a Judge, and I enact Judgement, smiting the sinful and the false, raising up the worthy! If you wish to rise, then do so, under our auspices, if your faith is true, following the correct path… The Lord shall reise your efforts, as shall we.”

  “And just what is the correct path?” Joseph asked, one eyebrow raised in disbelief.

  “Why, following the Truth of Knowledge, the Verum Lore.” She replied. “You are wasted here. Instead of c, preach. This great nd, this America, it cries out for salvation. Take revenge on those whed you and be a bea that shines for the Lord.”

  “It is tempting, but then… was Jesus not tempted over forty days and forty nights by the Devil himself? Fair words often mask foul desires…” At his words, her face paled, and her eyes narrowed, all joviality lost.

  “You would call me a minion of the Devil? Though… even the Devil bows to the Throne. I five you, for you know not what you speak of. But… let me be blunt. Your Hallowed Ground, you left it far distant when you fled. A mistake. For to spread the light of the Lord is to assume responsibility for that light. And we… well, one move, and my fellow Judges who remain there will su, and you will suffer.” Her voice lowered. “Have you ever seen the spirit of a man shredded by the agony of having the Lord’s grace ripped from them? I have. I have little wish to see it again, but…” Her hand was on the hilt of her sword. “I’ll see it again. I simply wish… not today.”

  Feeling an arming prig wnawing at him, Joseph nodded slowly. I feel the Stairway to Heaven far distant, and… yes, it stings… Unsure if what she was saying was truth or a lie, Joseph bowed his head, g defeat. For now, I have little choice.

  “I would talk more about this.” Joseph asked. “There is no need for haste. I invite you to a meal? We break bread and talk wisely.”

  “I would like that.” The woman’s smile was back. “But you are wrong about ohing. There is a great need for haste. But…” He looked into her eyes, which seemed to shimmer with prismatiergies. “…for a man of faith, even if misguided, I make a little time. It would be such a shame for you to end up on the wrong side of history…”

  Joseph nodded slowly, raising one hand to scratch at his cheek, a signal for the watg vilgers to retreat. I shall listen and judge their faith. But… verting America, bringing it all to the true veion of God, and Joseph, his st Prophet… Yes, it is certainly tempting. No, not just tempting, but… destiny!

  ***

  Fifth - Judgement Cardinal Luca Aloisio - Tokyo, Japan

  “And so it begins. At st.” Judgement-Cardinal Luca Aloisio decred with great satisfa. He was a big man, over six feet tall, and his iron-hard muscles, now enhanced by the great power of the Divine he had gathered, strained uhe silver mail that he wore under a white cassock. Under his meaty hand was a great wooden wheel, ringed with studded stakes, and the Divine power radiating from it alpable.

  “Yes, the faithful have gathered.” One of his Judges, a man with simir brown hair and eyes to Luodded. “Our preparations have not been in vain. Praise the Lord and the Throne!”

  “Indeed. Finally, judgement will fall upon that wretched sinner who slew that fool Mary Stuart. I knew she was not her grandmother. Her zeal was admirable though, and even ih, she strikes against our enemies.” His hand was tight on the massive wooden breaking wheel, the precious Rota Iudicii, the Wheel of Judgement. The a, dark wood held a rich sheen, and Luca felt he could smell iron, the blood that had soaked into this precious artefact over the years proof no sinner could escape judgement.

  “The days of old shall return. The false politis and worthless forked-tongued speakers that have led the world away from faith, basking in self-i and vice shall be purged, and we shall usher in the Ninth Heaven, as was always meant to be. But first… root and branch, we must rip away the foundation of that scum. Only then we defeat him.”

  “It will not be easy, Judgement-Cardinal.” The Judge, one of his elite, pointed out. “Even with all our careful preparations. We have the hardest task by far.”

  “And I rejoice at it.” Lueered. “The Thros us our tasks, and the harder the better. After all, even that fool Mary Stuart is a martyr, and shall be seated on the right of the Throne in the Ninth Heaven. Those of who fall will be remembered. New Martyred Dead are always needed. But even though some of us will surely perish, by the Rota Iudicii, I swear we will rip out the roots of this great heresy. And when the so-called Hero of Britain is revealed as uo proteything, the world will know only oh to salvatios.”

  “They call it a spider thread, here in these nds.” one Judge, who was short and with a different snt to his features, pointed out. He was Japanese, one of the few adherents to True Revetion that the Far East supplied. “Bsphemous, of course, but sometimes there is truth iaphor. Hope is a slehread many are eager to grasp, but when it breaks, only a pluo despair and damnation awaits.”

  “Apt.” Luca agreed. “That aside… everyone is armed?”

  “Of course.” the first Judge agreed. “This has been in preparation sihe failures in London. Our people have been slipping in through numerous els. Though not everythi as pnned.”

  Luodded. “Those damned police. Sniffing around our operations. But no matter. They only found the pitiful fates of those that refused our offers. They know nothing of those ted.” It was a risk, approag wealthy businessmen, phinthropists and charitable folk, especially after in Britain, Maxwell Power turned out to be running his own agenda. Yes, he too will be found aeo breaking on the wheel. But first…

  “Yes, those ted the light of the Nine Heavens shall find salvation. After all, easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than a rich maer the Nine Heavens.” The Japanese Judge agreed piously. “Uheir wealth is dedicated to a cause. Those others… ih they serve as a tool to show our enemies as corrupt. Anyway, with their aid, we have gathered everyone. As for the ons…”

  “The Reliquaries are w perfectly. Though many of the ones we have kept over the louries have ceased to fun, our artisans have mao create modern replicas.” The Judge several suitcases which were being opened by other squires and troops from the Church. To ordinary iion they appeared normal, but if one could sehe Divihe energy they radiated was a faint haze of violet drifting off then. “They appear empty, but…” As one squire opened his Judge’s Reliquary a his limited energy flow into the hidden meism, a fsh of purple shone, and the empty case was filled with guns, swords and ammunition, as well as grenades and even an old Russian-make rocket uncher. “…simply st them in the false Boundary is simple enough.”

  “Excellent. I am not so old-fashioned as to decry advances in onry.” Luodded. “Though the Wheel is all I need. We are no longer in the era of knights, where swords and nces csh, and longbows rule the battlefield. No, this is a me, and the Throne uses all tools. Even profane ones.”

  “You’re talking about them?” A third Judge, this one a woman with her long bck hair tied in a braid grumbled, scowling. “What are the odds they would choose to act when we did?”

  “God does not py dice.” Lutoned. “The Lord offers us a way. It will separate the forces here. And if they kill each other, so much to our advahough it will rob me of the satisfa of breaking them upon the Wheel with my own hands. But… the task es first. And we shall not fail. No more thahers will.” Luca’s eyes were cold as he decred this, and his thoughts turo his fellow Cardinals and their forces. Uhe watchful eye of the Grigori, and the Truth of Knowledge, the Verum Lore, our targets have bee, and they shall submit or be destroyed. Our foundation is the stro, we have been pnning for fifteen hundred years!

  “In that case… shall I give the signal?” The first Judge asked, pulling out his phone. “We o coordih the forces in Kyoto.”

  Luca took a deep breath, stroking the wood of the Wheel, and then nodded, his brown-eyed gaze sharp and predatory. “Yes. Transmit. It is time to strike. I shall lead the team into the Desecrated Grounds here. It is a potent one, but its strength will not resist me and my Judgement! The other Judges are in position with the Dragon’s Teeth that call upon the Martyred Dead. Judge Solomon, Judge Hiroshi, Judge Susan…” At their he three Judges k, eager expressions on their faces.

  “…Solomon, Hiroshi, you shall lead the forces attag this pagan shrihis of snakes. Leave none alive, be they men, women or children. Only death se them. We ot allow others tthen the masses. Only the Ninth Heaven is the path to truth. Keep a watchful eye on our allies…” He shis the one decision of the Revetion-Cardinal’s he took issue with, though for the greater good he accepted it. But when their purpose is served, I would happily send those treacherous and bsphemous Sons and Daughters of Iblis to their graves. “…ahe false idols to the tord salt the ground so that nothing might grow there agai remain forever as a moo sacrilege. As for you, Susan…”

  Her pin face burned with fervour and her eyes with fanaticism as she k, listening to his words. “…the sins of the father are visited to the third and feion. But in this case… the sins of the son shall be visited on all who call him family. Examples must be made.”

  “Have no fear. I shall lead our forces a them. I fear no false powers!” Judge Susan decred, tugging on her braid in an expression of rapture.

  “Most excellent. As for the third target…” Luca scowled. “The wretched Child of Iblis, as he calls himself, leads that. It is for the best. While sinners are buried deep there, is are too. Best the blood and the sin remains on the hands of the un. But I uand the y. Secur powers are naught before the Divihey should learn to bow before the Lord and the Throne as they used to. Kings and peasants alike are all equal before the Lord!”

  Judge Hiroshi trembled, uanding just what was to e. “There is no going back from this. all. Strike at them, and the nobility…”

  “The only true nobility is the priesthood. I simply hope one day the Pontiff, soft as he is, realises we are in a war, and there is no time for charity and fiveness. I suppose he is a product of the times, not fed iruth of Knowledge as we are. But Revetion-Cardinal Lorenzo has hopes for him. So I will reserve judgement. After all, I am Judgement-Cardinal, not Charity-Cardinal. Hot that Cardinal supposedly perished here in the East.”

  “I uand.” Judge Hiroshi swallowed, steeling himself. “Besides, when their support is shattered, and the false bravado they have cultivated by being respected, feared and obeyed crumbles… they will be impotent.”

  “Exactly.” Luca agreed, hefting the Wheel onto his shoulder. “Now, none know we are here, our colborators have made sure of that. Even so…”

  “It is under trol. We have local forces io prevent any interruptions.” Judge Solomon promised. “The grace of the Lo with you on your mission, Judgement-Cardinal. I pray you are victorious!”

  “Of course.” Luca smiled, though there was little mirth in it. “After all, while the cat is away, the mice do little but scurry around and wait for destru!”

  ***

  Sixth - Sixteenth - Tokyo, Japan

  “This sits ill with me…” The olive skinned, short woman earing a tight bck leather jerkin and trousers, with a bck veil woven around her face, only revealing her pierg hazel eyes, muttered, her nguage fn to this Eastern nd.

  “Why?” A man with dusky skin and numerous piergs in his ears, barely visible behind his own veil, asked. “Our knives have reaped the young and the old alike, the deserving and the undeserving. Iblis cares little from where the tribute es from.” He paused then, and the woman figured he was smiling mogly behind the faceless veil. “Or are yhtened, Sixteenth? Does your buttocks d your bdder burn hot? Perhaps a tumble before battle would restore some fire to your heart and your loins.”

  The woman termed Sixteenth gave him a ft look. “Twelfth, you think far too highly of yourself. If I wished to copute, I would do it with a dog over you.” As he snorted bitterly at her rebuke, the others around him let out their own quiet chuckles. “No, I am simply unvinced we should work with the hateful Book-watchers.”

  “It’s true.” Aweh, a woman like her, agreed. She too, like everyone around them, was in form-fitting bck leather and veiled. They stood out, certainly, but even so, none of the passers-by paid them much of a gnce. After all, the arts of the Assassin, as passed down by the great Hasan al-Sabbah, allowed them to call uporaces of spiritual energy, that these Easterners so crudely called Qi, to turn aside and fog minds. Though now our strengths have grown, it is trivial to deflect attention, until we act, of course. It would take greater strength than ours to keep minds i and fused when bdes are fshing and blood sptters.

  “Just weeks ago we were fighting the cursed idiots who believe they are the only truth. How many nameless ones fell? And even several Sons and Daughters of Iblis perished. Though we bled them…” she hissed in satisfa, and Sixteenth agreed with Tweh’s ses.

  “The First Son and First Daughter have spoken. Who are we to disobey?” Fourth, a tall, powerful assassin, waved one hand, sileng them. Ordinarily he would have been in and of this operation, but ihey had their trump card, who was looking at the magnifit building that loomed ahead of them with some i. He was short, but handsome, with mesmerising blue eyes, unusual for one of the Sons.

  “After all… loyalty is bred into us. Death before betrayal, no backwards step. They must have their reasons, their Jinni whispering to them. Defeat is simply temporary, our knives may shatter like our bones, but in the end, another bde in the darkness will e, our enemies perishing.” Fourth finished. “Just assume it is a test. Everything is a test.”

  “Everything is a test!” The twenty veiled figures echoed piously, only the Son of Iblis remaining silent. As he stepped forwards into the wide, open space around the building, which was elegantly pnted with grasses, trees and flowers that were fading in the end of autumn chill, a man barked at him to stop, that this rivate, restricted area, and that no photography ermitted.

  Japanese. Of course it would be. We all speak many nguages, it is foundational to our skillset. But… Son Husam, he was not one of us, until the Jinn chose him… “Great Son Husam, he is warning you to stop.” Sixteenth told him in Arabiseen still despite standing in the open. “Worse…” Her danger sense rig. “…they are prepared to act. I had thought this eaceful nd.”

  Twelfth snorted, mog her. “Truly, you are a fool. Perhaps I should pound some of my wit and intelleto you. No nd is unafraid to act when their precious ones are in peril. And the powerful evade all san.”

  Son Husam tilted his head, uanding. With a smile he opened his mouth, speaking English. “I am not here to take photographs. This is… a school, yes?”

  “A private school!” The suit-cd man, clearly a powerful security guard, and who was armed with both metal batons and guns, Sixteenth noted, switched to English, relieved he could be uood. “You are already in a no access area. Turn back.”

  “Turn back? Oh, yes, I apologise…” Son Husam grinned, and as he turned away, the man rexed, only to suddenly freeze. Literally. Exging words with Son Husam, Jinn of Ice, is dangerous…

  Sixteenth was as trained as any of the stro who had not yet earned a true name, even if her powers were nothing pared to the Sons and Daughters. But when it came to killing… The other security guards proteg the school sprang into a, including several up on the walls in hidden observation posts beside the fortified main gates. Sixteenth and Twelfth both acted, and it annoyed Sixteenth that the crude man that always mocked her and made advances on her was more skilled than she.

  Son Husam crushed the skull of one man ruthlessly, his blood gealing, and that frozen blood was used as small bullets to take down a man reag for his phoo signal a. The bullets weren’t strong enough to kill him, his armoured cloth suit proteg his vitals, but fingers and phone were both shattered.

  Other men rushing in to engage, pulling out guns, were suddenly white as ghosts, their blood leaving their bodies as throats were split by the other advang Children of Iblis, who seemed to have appeared from nowhere, their perception-blog arts released. Gunfire sparked, as the two lookouts opened fire, but Son Husam hauled up a fallen man, blog the shots. Then they fired no more, Sixteenth sshing her knife, a jambiya, through his throat. Twelfth had likewise silenced his foe, though suddenly arms bred, the beautiful building, ringed by cherry trees that stood bare of leaves, suddenly alert.

  What happened? All the guards are dead… it erfect assassination, as per the scriptures of Iblis.

  “Times move on.” Twelfth grimaced, his own bde sshing through a set of wires, sparks fshing. “It seems like some automated equipment. When it detected gu reyed some sort of warning. And… it redoubled when his heart stopped.” He kicked the dead man. “Fine. We move. The task, no matter how distasteful, goes ahead.” He was all business now, and Sixteenth nodded.

  “Everything is a test, after all.” she managed, as her fellow Childre up the walls. Son Husam merely g the gate, before vaulting up over the wall with ease, his Jinni-given strength great. nding in the smooth, paved courtyard below. Ied oones, and several nearby trees were rimed with bitter frost. Sixteenth felt a chill, her leather clothes not keeping it at bay, before wiping her jambiya.

  “Yes, everything is a test. And only by passing every test might we be worthy to earn a name, bee a Son or Daughter of great Iblis!” Twelfth agreed. “Now… let all our foes pass into the sweet embrace of death, and if they are worthy, the embrace of God. If unworthy… then only salt and boiling fme await in Jahannam!”

  Hell, yes. Sixteenth nodded. It was not for her to question the First Son and Daughter. That way y anarchy and failure. Rag across the grounds, her rades like a score of indistinct shadows, Son Husam leisurely strolling across the grounds, his breath streaming to frost in the already chill December air, she clutched the hilt of her knife, ready to reap a toll in blood and honour…

  ShipTeaser