DOMINATURE: What If The Devil…Banished God...From Heaven...

by Joe Belcastro

Genres: Urban Fantasy; Alternative History sci-fi; urban fantasy; science fiction; alternative history

Synopsis

Embark on an epic fantasy adventure with reimagined divine beings in this alternate telling of one of humanity’s famed creation stories.

Adonai and Helel are divine creators, equal and co-existing on their cosmic realm of Alegion. Yet when an unforeseen clash of wills in how to govern the subspecies of humankind on the planet of Eden reaches a breaking point, one creator deceives the other.

Now banished to Eden, the only way to end this conflict is for the fallen one to lure the other onto Eden where a death blow can be administered.

For thousands of years, a veiled and methodical war ravages the plane of humanity. Notable landscapes are explored, resurrected, and manipulated. New and familiar historical characters, along with pivotal scenes throughout civilization, are remixed in this introspective and violent biblical-like saga.

Can any being overcome who they are inherently destined to be?

 

Read more

Release date: February 22, 2022

Print pages: 557

Sample

Akin to night overtaking the setting sun, a steady tint of brightness accents the dark void of infinite space. The vast mirage of a seemingly transparent floor canvas yields a landscape encompassing structures built from materials so refined, the human mind would not be able to articulate if asked.

Standing with an upward gaze at a conversation taking place on a high-rise tower is a human-like being, fair mannered in expression, though imposing in stature. Unable to hear the dialogue of said conversation, the being appears to be hanging on every word as another, slightly more masculine, approaches.

“They’ve been meeting. All have noticed. Is there belief you’ll decipher what equation their powerful minds circumvent at this time, Gerwen?”

Gerwen, not diverting the gaze, says in a deep tonal voice, “Which is why you come forth now? Taun’s inquisitive spirit wonders as well.”

“I have no yearning for what our creators Adonai and Helel discuss until ready to divulge,” claims Taun. “They have our trust. Inform us prior to their public decree, this you know.”

Gerwen breaks the concentration and walks down a staircase towards a valley sporadically populated by similar-looking beings. They are met by Zamus and Quen, also blessed with physical prowess and height, both of which equally curious to the dealings of their creators.

“If true, new life has sprung over our domain,” says an eloquent Quen. “Though the catalyst remains mysterious.”

“Mysterious?” says the blunt Zamus. “The answer lies with the two of Gerwen’s persistent focus.”

“No matter,” says Taun. “Whether spawned from Adonai and Helel or an unknown, all we can do is observe from this realm. Let us rejoice if their life comes with attractive engagement.”

“Perhaps, extending our influential engagement is the discussion they have,” adds Gerwen.

“Engagement?” says Zamus. “Sharing our presence as the four of us stand now?”

“Bliss coddles our ever-existence,” says Taun. “To give this willing to sub-beings? Worthy has no species proved.”

“Our ever-existence you speak of, Taun, consumes knowledge for this plane created by the pinnacle of a hierarchy,” says Gerwen. “With purpose, we nurture. With purpose, we advance. Without purpose, static power, we become. Is this not where our realm of Alegion stands now?” 

Pondering Gerwen’s audacious proclamation about the heavenly state of Alegion, the trio watch Gerwen separate from the discussion. Eventually the remaining disperse amongst the plane of frosted glass, as the constant fiery glow of the universe’s brightest star surrounds their realm.

* * *

The elements of weather cease to exist as evident by the dirty blond locks only moving as Adonai’s body turns to continue with Helel after a brief pause in conversation. Mirror images of each other - the only noticeable differences are the length of their hair, with Helel’s resting longer on the collarbone, and Adonai’s piercing wide eyes. The creators lean against a wall of their private chamber atop an uncovered monumental pillar. In the cosmos, registering clear through their optic lens of vision despite the distance, is a blue orb with assortments of landmasses. It is a topic of significance as Helel and Adonai brainstorm the value of its current state.

“Infinitely, our advancement has been lacking,” says Adonai. “Now right before us, giveth an opportunity worth exploring. To intervene with supplemental power has become the quandary.”

“Tampering without knowledge presented to the entirety of Alegion was a calculated guilt,” says Helel. “Though it appears to giveth an opportunity sought out. Concern of our duplicitous actions could weigh mightily on those closest.”

“In turn, have you not sensed complacency? Worried that efforts have become mundane, fruitless?”

“And if our Morning Stars feel cast aside? What lies on that plane is not to the level of our being.”

Despite Helel’s subtle counter, Adonai says with subdued excitement, “This is a joyous marker for Alegion. Expansiveness is the potential to further unlock our internal powers and motivations.”

“Adonai, our impulse is to create. Growth on that plane has been undeniable compared to other trials. Though taking a speculative approach on internal reactions is linked with risk. Even what sparked our life-force remains veiled. Who is to say our powers are contingent?”

“Do they not give birth to all surrounding us? Our calling to create initiated a universal domain. So much time in solitude comprehending who we are, did it not lead to achievements of purified glories? This is the reason we began again and amplified the realm of Alegion?”

Helel steps over to a lookout point away from the planet in question, fixating on the polished landscapes of plateaus enacting as miniature domiciles interwoven with physical structures of geometrical shapes defying the laws of physics. Symbols are carved into mountains as the eternal luminous night decorated with enlarged stars can mesmerize any being privileged to behold such peace and beauty.

“Sound are the initiatives you speak, Adonai. Unprecedented they are. A portal built to influence does come with unknowns. I stand by thee, though understanding will need conveying to the Morning Stars of Alegion.”

Adonai walks over to Helel saying, “Together, my brother, we will ignite a cycle enchanting the mind of all beings. If they wisely choose to stay with this literal journey.”

* * *

Hunching over a triangular-shaped viewer, housed in a similarly constructed, hollowed-out structure with vaulted ceilings known as the Tabernacle, Valen overlooks the happenings of a life-form primitive in stature and behavior to the occupants of Alegion. The Morning Star, donning short dark hair and soft features, sifts through areas of the orbital plane Adonai and Helel have been studying. It would appear by simply looking to an area, Valen manipulates the mechanism solely by use of the mind.

At the present, conflict is afoot between cultures known as the Sumerians and Egyptians. Disturbed by the range of emotion projected out leading to the vanquishing of life via combative force, the hopeful eyes squint as they search for understanding of such acts. 

“Perplexing, it is,” says Adonai, entering in. “Mercy is what invades their mind.”

“Seen have we, species devour for the purpose of survival,” says Valen. “Now I see conviction to destroy, but for rationale which escapes me.”

Adonai sits off to the side in the pyramid room encompassing bench seating formed in the walls, analyzing Valen’s expressive reactions to the theater of war.

“It’s something which has bothered me for a duration,” says Adonai. “Similar to how we developed Alegion, Valen, the process has been titled, evolution.”

“To say that we grow in our thoughts and behaviors?”

“Quite true. Though the atmosphere and those who we surround ourselves with influence such behaviors.”

Valen is taken aback by these words from the lips of Adonai and straightens up, prepared for information that is anew from the mightiest of them, save for Helel.

“Peace and prosperity are the desires I have for us, Valen. With Helel, our original goal was to create Alegion. Over seven cycles, this was created and cultivated. The plane you have borne witness to, their development was to see if we could learn about our own materialization. What spawned Helel and thyself? Hundreds of cycles went on with answers unattained. Helel surmised that we would need to replicate a detachment from our being in some form to ascertain theories. So there became an aggressive trial - and one that we have let flow freely with optimism. Violence as you know has never plagued Alegion. Though this plane, intelligence is rapidly growing along with other traits known to Helel and I, but never projected out as your eyes now see. Ergo, this plane has giveth unbridled knowledge to dissect.”

“Will you and Helel provide guidance?”

Answering from outside the room, a resounding, “We shall” echoes through as Helel enters with Gerwen, Taun, Zamus, and Quen. Adonai smiles as Valen greets the fellow Morning Stars with a genuine joy to see one another.

“Helel and Adonai, always moving the pieces as they hide an agenda,” says Quen.

“Surely Gerwen sensed the timing of a reveal,” says Adonai. “The fairest of Alegion, equipped with an instinctual mind. Not to mention, watchful eyes like those who created this majesty.”

“If anticipation for new findings has offended thee, forgiveness, I beg,” says Gerwen.

“Forgiveness is unnecessary,” says Adonai. “Helel and I have arranged this congregation of seven in the Tabernacle to embark on the next enterprise of what achievements can be granted for Alegion via our young, circular plane of elemental liquid and soil.”

Everyone in the chamber gathers around the Tabernacle scope as it would appear Helel is now choosing what visuals to showcase. War is replaced by an upstart civilization working together to build their city as the Latin language is spoken between the inhabitants.

“Resemble us they do,” says Zamus. “Minuscule, they seem.”

“Indeed,” says Adonai. “Helel and I have giveth the label of humankind.”

“Kind in the name?” says Taun. “The act of kindness appears to be lacking in an assortment of instances.”

“Abbreviate to ‘human’ perhaps,” says Valen.

“Whatever their namesake, intrigue enchants my senses watching humans,” says Quen.

Helel responds with a sarcastic sense of relief saying, “Adonai, our skepticism is all for naught. Quen is thoroughly engaged. How say the rest of the Morning Stars?”

The five of them, along with the rest of Alegion, were anointed with this name as they were the first created by Adonai and Helel in their image.

Chiming in with positive responses to Helel’s query, Gerwen breaks in asking, “What is the purpose of humankind?”

Helel and Adonai are now targeted by sets of eager eyes as the current image on the Tabernacle scope shows a cold and callous area with a nominal barbaric colony trekking over the lands.

“Creation of Alegion was born from a pulsating impulse which neither Adonai nor I could silence,” says Helel, now pacing around them. “Existence we bask in, transcends into paradise. A sanctuary encompassing balance and fortitude. Infinite cycles spent together gathering knowledge as the awareness of our powers maturated. A physical piece inside of our being sparked the tools to spawn you and your brethren. Though your respective growth was guided and beautiful, lacking choice due to a direct connection of necessity by being born from the two of us, eluded thee.”

“Hence why the creation of Morning Stars has ceased at one hundred eleven,” adds Adonai. “Observed your growth. Reached your potential on Alegion, you have. Look to further elsewhere, we may.”

“Answers have been realized,” says Helel, focusing back on the Tabernacle scope as the projection showcases one giant landmass on the plane in discussion.

“In the beginning, there was this,” continues Helel. “Analyzing followed thereafter. ‘Twas when Adonai and I learned there is another uniqueness to our being.”

A piece of the landmass they are looking upon begins to move south on the circular orb. The Morning Stars notice Helel is the cause of this movement. A conjuring of disruption within the vast blue liquid occurs as Helel displays a sense of focus which surprises everyone, save for Adonai.

“Now watch,” says Adonai, also focused, instantaneously ceasing Helel’s movements of the blue liquid and the landmass.

“Balance of power,” says Helel.

“Countless cycles watching humankind encounter obstacles, our instinctual prowess revealed itself. As stated, knowledge of how we became remains a mystery to Helel and I. Though why there are two? Harmonious balance. The key to existence, we believe.”

Excitement emanates on the faces of the Morning Stars as they are spellbound in their creators’ teachings via storytelling. Understanding of a newfound purpose to bestow guidance upon life stemming essentially from their being resonates as the ultimate gratification of existence.

“In what way shall Alegion go about this?” asks Valen. “Forbidden to enter the plane under our guise. And forgive presumption, though imagine only our creators wield the power to do so.”

Helel looks at Adonai for the approving nod before saying, “Valen speaks the truth. Exposing our powers by use of direct measures to humankind is counterproductive to their development. If a sense of divine security is known, belief in themselves becomes lessened.”

“By what means do we engage then?” asks Taun.

“Humankind has grown populous,” says Helel. “My and Adonai’s extensive influential range may come with limitations. Though for the humankind plane and Alegion to evolve, Morning Stars shall be allowed to intercede as watchful guardians.”

“With boundaries,” Adonai interjects. “Our vessels would overwhelm. And human mentality thus far has shown the need for convictive orders rather than choice. As by what means, Taun, through use of universal energies provide within our being in conjunction with the realm we occupy. Erect a portal to balance and govern our abilities to transcend as a resource for counseling humankind.”

“In turn, humankind shall be baptized…with free will,” says Helel.

Gerwen begins to sit down as Zamus backs away from the scope.

“Human choices lead to consequence,” says Quen. “Though we can foresee, abstain from intervention?”

“Unless the consequences become dire,” says Helel.

“How are we to judge?” asks Zamus.

“A query which has plagued Helel and I since the dawn of this idea,” says Adonai. “Solutions have generated, though we remain inconclusive.”

“If I may,” Gerwen interjects. “If humankind fails to act accordingly, punishment this should lead to.”

The feeling of shock fills the room as a Morning Star has never stated audible verbiage so bold in front of their creators.

“A possibility, that will be humankind’s query to ponder, Gerwen,” says Helel.

The recurrence of silent pause comes from the Morning Stars as they absorb that Adonai and Helel have not reached a definitive answer. Valen leans on the scope summoning images of the seven landmasses.

“Eden is its name,” says Adonai. “A plane flush with various life forms existing together. We chose to separate the plane after some cycles to ensure multitudes of perspective and choice.”

“Though we do have the capability to reset. For positives of diversity is under-vetted,” says Helel, shooting Adonai a glance of ‘to be continued.’

“Mention of a portal, Adonai,” says Valen, extinguishing any potential awkwardness between the creators. “How will Alegion transcend?”

“Valen’s anxiousness is overt,” says a grinning Helel. “We, a duo if you will, have been tasked with consummation of energies, my eager spirit. To achieve knowledge with vulnerability, beginning with the experience of fear to the unknown.”

While the cryptic nature of Helel’s statement settles, recognition that Valen will assist Helel in engineering a gateway pleases the other Morning Stars.

“Let us rejoice as one,” says Adonai. “Quen, summon all Morning Stars of Alegion. Helel and Valen’s focus shall lie with conjuring of a portal. I shall provide counsel with each of your brethren on the standards of their engagement with humankind.”

* * *

Standing in the center of a sculpted crater in the open-air realm of Alegion, Morning Stars gather on elevated levels as Adonai finishes the testament regarding the venture of Eden and humankind. A sense of joy permeates in every being within earshot of Adonai’s tonal speech of conviction, as the inspired leadership infects their internal essence. Helel, standing slightly a step behind to Adonai’s left, immediately catches Valen’s line of sight as Morning Stars engage one another speculating endless possibilities of the newfound passion.

Helel and Valen walk down a corridor resembling a secretive backstage entry point. It leads into a deep valley fortified by statuesque creations which would make the pending 15th century Renaissance sculptors gawk in jealous admiration. The further they journey, Valen begins to realize the valley has experienced a restructuring.

“Gifts you have been blessed by?” says Valen.

“Secretive work requires a discreet palette, Valen. We stand at the precipice of our task, and therefore, our legacy. This is how it ends and begins, with this undertaking.”

Helel goes on explaining the portal will have similar baseline operations to the Tabernacle scope as they manipulate its vision via their minds to enable where they arrive on Eden. Deriving materials around them, the portal begins to take shape as it resembles a tall sphere able to hold a handful of Alegion’s physical being. Valen starts to suggest how the portal can filter their cosmic powers per Adonai’s decree. Helel realizes that an inevitable trial of descending upon Eden, followed by initiating a path to return as their whole being, requires facilitating to avoid risk if the portal cannot be reciprocal on Eden. Despite thorough discussions with Adonai, Helel’s mind suddenly races to “what ifs?” as the reality of what can be is imminent.

“Secure this area should be,” asserts Valen, breaking Helel’s moment of thought. “A mechanism to vanquish to prevent misuse.”

“Trust of Alegion in question, Valen?” asks Helel.

“As you and Adonai stated, experiences of unknown knowledge can influence unforeseen behaviors. Diligence is necessary to ensure a Morning Star, I included, avoids falling to such temptations.”

“Visionary, you are my beloved Valen. I thank thee for counsel of intellect. Temptation, shall be cleansed.”

CHAPTER TWO(2020 AD)

A radiating sun illuminates across a natural world peppered with humankind’s constant twenty-first century modifications. The level of its beauty lies solely in the eyes of their respective creators.

Enjoying the few remaining summer days before starting her freshman year at Duke University, Cheyenna bops around midtown Atlanta. Armed with a phone in one hand and soon-to-be outdated earbuds wedged in her head, the only worldly concern is what transpires in the digital realm at her fingertips. She strolls past a trendy lunch spot and then scampers across the street to a corner boutique shoe store, where a homeless man sits quietly holding a sign that reads, “Whether you help or not, God Bless.”

The active newsfeed on her phone is a mixture of tragedy and friend selfies, with the former getting scrolled away while the latter garners an artificial like. As Cheyenna crosses the street, Andy walks out of the shoe store, bag in hand, while talking on his phone about a friend’s thirty-seventh birthday party this weekend. Briskly going past the homeless man, Andy then enters the trendy restaurant. Scanning the bustling atmosphere of corporate power lunches and gossiping trophy wives, he locates an older gentleman in his early seventies looking a little out of place. Heading towards him, Andy can anticipate the man’s reaction.

“Quite the place you picked,” says the elder of the two. “Wanted to make sure we could barely hear each other, I guess. Busy day again? You’re late.”

“Listen, Dad, I know,” says Andy, absorbing the rapid-fire greeting as he sits. “But these days, setting a time to do something is, like, more of a ballpark figure. And this place is one I wanted to check out.”

“I’m not here to beat tradition into you,” says Andy’s father. “I realize the days of being self-aware and/or considerate are on life support. People have the mentality of Dorian Gray. And the decision-makers feed the beast. Anyway, I’m just glad we have time to catch up.”

Andy is already scrolling on his phone one last time before he places it face up on the table.

“Your all-important boss and savior emailing you?”

“It’s a text, but never mind.”

“That guy thinks he’s Bruce Wayne or something - trying to save the world.”

“A timelier reference would be Elon Musk, perhaps,” suggests Andy. “Minus the eccentric persona.”

“Ha, Musk. The guy who died on Mars? Your mother used to call him a humanoid.” 

“Anyways, Mr. Jenson is trying to turn this world around. Bring us all together. And I believe in him. That’s why I’m working so hard these days. So future generations can prosper in a better society.”

Andy’s Dad just gives him a deadpan stare before saying, “Son, your boss calls his empire Echelon Enterprises - the very name suggests division.”

Getting flustered, Andy says, “It actually implies taking us to the next Echelon in life…you know, forget it. Can we talk about something else that’s non-confrontational?”

A moment of silence commences between father and son. The restaurant patrons start looking at their phones when the patriarch says, “I actually hope William Jenson does bring about the change he speaks of. We are about due. Time to put up or shut up. You can feel it in the air.”

Andy looks at his father, realizing that he’s either having a senior moment or is about to spring some sort of news that will affect his already focused day. Andy then glances out the window, noticing two police officers talking on their shoulder radios and walking with purpose just outside the restaurant.

* * *

“Command, we have a suspicious character walking down the middle of the street disrupting traffic flow,” says Officer Murphy. “Appears to be covered up and close to seven-feet in height. We are approaching with caution.”

Officer Stevens chimes in saying, “Ah, Murphy, I think you should have requested backup. This is a strange one. And is that a fast-moving storm trailing behind him?”

“Maybe this nut job will disperse if this weather hits. But that is a big NBA-sized boy.”

About a quarter mile down the road is a hooded figure walking in the beginnings of what will escalate to a torrential downpour. Cars are honking with some passengers shouting sarcastic remarks. Others are spooked as Officer Stevens as they stare at this slow-moving presence. As the officers move closer, a bolt of lightning strikes a building behind them, sending window shards spraying onto the streets. The officers quickly recover from the shock and frantically call in for backup.

“Keep an eye on our friend,” says Murphy. “I’ll go check on the people in that building!”

As Officer Murphy runs towards the restaurant, Officer Stevens anxiously reinforces the backup request at their location as the storm is rapidly strengthening around the area. Citizens are fleeing for shelter as cars recklessly pull off the street onto sidewalks showing disregard for pedestrians.

Officer Murphy reaches the site of the lightning strike as restaurant tables are scattered onto the street. Bodies fill the interior of the brick and mortar. As Officer Murphy starts to find a way in to survey the damage, he is slammed into by a bloody person.

“Help…help him. He needs help!”

Officer Murphy gathers himself and says, “Who? Where is he?”

“My dad. He’s…he’s in th…there. Help him, please!”

Officer Murphy lays the man against the outer wall of the building and then proceeds to go inside. Maneuvering through the debris of restaurant furniture and traumatized people, he comes across an older man lying on his back. His eyes are open, but he is unable to speak. Sadly, Officer Murphy knows how this scene will play out as howling winds accompanied by the sound of hail pelting off the building increase behind him.

Suddenly the old man tilts his head and tries to reach for what appears to be a phone. He struggles to whisper, “Find my son, Andy.”

Officer Murphy starts to say something when the life in the older man’s eyes fades.

* * *

Outside, the atmosphere is the mating of a hurricane armed with heat lightning. Frozen in place, Officer Stevens sees the harrowing figure within one hundred feet. Perhaps out of instinct, or likely insecurity, his firearm is pulled. He insists that the figure stops moving. As if Stevens’ words were never vocalized, the figure does not deviate from its path. Now mere feet away from Stevens, another crash of lightning hits on the adjacent corner. A semi-panicked Stevens fires off a shot into the chest of the figure. The figure pauses, still fixated ahead on its methodical path. Quickly, it reaches out a withered hand with nails stained as if tattooed with oxblood. It snatches the neck of Officer Stevens and hoists him up with urgency, only to send his body spreading over the drenched pavement.

Pressing forward, the figure approaches the vicinity of the trendy restaurant. It goes past a bloody Andy lying against the wall. As Andy struggles and watches the figure pass, he notices the homeless man from moments ago. He is still holding the sign in the same spot thanks to the large shards of glass piercing his body and ending a vagabond existence.

The hooded figure continues to walk amongst the volatile weather as Officer Murphy emerges from the restaurant and sees it press on in the distance amongst the destruction and death in the midtown streets. He looks back for his partner and notices him motionless on the ground and begins to sprint towards him screaming in the radio, “Officer down! Repeat, officer down! We need help!”

* * *

From a vantage point looking head-on at the storm approaching, a man is perched. Leftover civilians continue to flee towards his direction. The man can make out the hooded figure from a distance when suddenly a frightened teenage girl approaches from behind with just one ear bud in her head. Her expression suddenly becomes relaxed when looking at the strange man, despite only seeing his back and long, blond hair. Rising from the perch position and ever so slightly turning the head to acknowledge her presence, though mindful not to reveal his face, he speaks.

“You are not the one, I expected.”

“You know me?” says the timid Cheyenna.

A thunderous roar in the sky snaps Cheyenna out of her temporary daze. She cautiously backs away and scurries off while the man returns to a perched position looking over the escalating destruction below saying, “Where are you?” 

* * *

Vanessa’s arrival is always preceded by her boots echoing through the hallways of Carter’s United Kingdom campus. Today brings an extra pep in the twenty-seven-year-old’s pacing as she enters the tinted, glass-enclosed conference room with tablet in hand containing the rundown of what just transpired in Atlanta.

“We have something new,” she says, interrupting whatever the four men in the room were discussing. “A witness.”

“A witness to what?” asks Nevan.

Slightly older than Vanessa, Nevan appears the more analytical of the crew.

“Everyone saw the storm,” continues Nevan. “But no one at ground zero can recall anything other than the chaos. Same dead ends as the other disruptions that cursed city has been dealing with this month. I mean, shit, that storm ripped through a hospital as if it were aiming for it.”

“Not this time,” says Vanessa. “We have a recording of two officers reporting someone moving within the storm. Carter, it could be him.”

Carter, a man approaching his golden years, takes off his glasses saying, “Describe, within the storm?”

Vanessa taps on her tablet with purpose saying, “Alfredo, can you play this over the monitors?”

Alfredo, choosing work over sleep any day of the week, takes the tablet and links it to the room’s control console. The audio file of Officer Stevens and Murphy’s correspondences with their precinct plays when they first noticed the hooded figure and the incoming storm.

“Officer Stevens asks if that’s a fast-moving storm trailing behind whatever being was moving toward them?” says a confident Vanessa.

“Hell of an entrance,” quips Nevan.

Vanessa continues about how the report filed by Officer Murphy describes a moment where they had to separate as he attended to a restaurant that was destroyed by a bolt of lightning, leading to Officer Stevens requesting backup.

“As Officer Murphy emerges from the restaurant,” she says, “he sees our tall friend going up the street away from Officer Stevens’ position. And when he goes to find his partner, he sees him lying on the ground with a shattered collarbone and crushed windpipe.”

“Did the officer live?” asks Carter.

Alfredo, in hacking-mode, says, “It appears so. In critical condition.”

“But the intrigue in all of this isn’t the precise injuries,” says Vanessa. “It’s the fact that he fired off a bullet from his gun. What made him fire a shot during the panic of a storm?”

“Body-camera footage?” asks Nevan.

“The storm hampered the mechanism. Probably water-logged,” Alfredo guesses. “But ballistic reports state they did a sweep and found no bullet holes in the radius the gun could have covered. Also, no traces of blood from a wound.”

“This is different,” says Vanessa. “This feels like a blatant sign. An act of arrogance. Maybe even a test to see what resistance is out there.”

Carter, Nevan, and Alfredo ponder this point from Vanessa. Standing up, Carter goes over to a covered board and reveals its contents consisting of tragic headlines.

“Parents,” says Carter. “Having to bury their newborn because a lunatic unloads an automatic weapon in a shopping center. The assailant claimed she was compelled to do so. Corrupt governments imposing their will on those who cannot defend themselves inciting riots. A woman walking her dog in the park during the day and getting bludgeoned. Random? Sickness? Or the modern-day eighth deadly sin: influenced. A revived tool in an ancient arsenal of deception. Either way, we find ourselves asking, ‘How could a God let this happen?’”

Carter turns to the group hanging on his every word and continues with, “Facts are there if you look closely. There has always been more Evil than Good in our world. Evil has controlled the balance. Are we inherently destined to destroy? And more importantly, are we able to combat this relenting will?”

Vanessa jumps in saying, “Carter, you know we need to overcome this.”

“We are privy to an abundance of unknown truths,” says Carter. “Everyone thinks that a prophetic moment they are charged with will reveal itself during their time. Thousands of years, one bloodline, and we battle ourselves if we want to be in the climactic moment. Or is it the thrill of the proverbial chase - perhaps hoping to disprove the existence? Almost akin to a misguided cult.”

“If this is a pep talk to raise our spirits, I’m missing it,” says Nevan.

“I ask you,” says Carter. “Are we truly prepared to embark on something only one being has ever fully understood? Based on the information passed down since the time of the Roman Empire?”

“That’s faith,” says Alfredo, breaking the silence.

“In Gods we grudge, right?” says Nevan.

“That’s what worries me,” says Carter.

Vanessa insists they alert their allies around the world.

“We have waited for the beginning long enough,” she asserts. “It could be here. Your brother needs to help us with this.”

Carter takes a pause and looks toward a wall decorated with ancient landscapes and an old map that sort of resembles their world. He then glances over to a picture with him and a pope.

“Whomever is here with us, I hope they choose our side…”