Life, at a certain moment, took an unexpected turn, especially when unforeseen events were looming.
The world froze when a tree emerged in the middle of the city, and the people realized that hundreds of thousands of soldiers were fighting for humanity.
Many who wanted to venture into the streets to find out what was happening were mercilessly arrested.
Hope surged when the news showed a man kneeling, praying for everyone to find a light in their hearts to guide their paths.
Regardless of faith, that man was able to connect with every living being on Earth.
Once again, everyone felt the need to believe that there was a higher power watching over them. Meanwhile, those who held onto science clung to the belief that this was a method to control the humans who sought to wreak havoc.
But no matter who heard Anton's words, everyone, without exception, thought, "Priest, pray for us. Pray for our lives that haven't yet been taken; ask for the salvation we haven't yet lost."
Across the world, people began to pray, whether they served a god or not. Everyone believed that things might improve.
The world awaited answers, and they would surely come.
...
[For the last 48 hours, armies around the globe have been battling supernatural creatures labeled as demons. Tirelessly, they have fought to stop the rising tide of darkness that has enveloped the world.]
[The Pope of Light has arrived in New York. A containment strategy is expected in the coming hours, and everyone eagerly awaits an end to the calamities.]
[Estimates suggest that over ten million humans have perished at the hands of these dark entities. May God protect us. There is strong hope that the Light Association will win this battle.]
"Keep advancing; move quickly!"
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Within the barrier that Anton had created as a containment zone, soldiers advanced against the dark entities pouring in.
"We need reinforcements; where are the priests?"
Boom!
At that moment, the demons advancing toward breaking the allied lines seemed unstoppable.
But just before all hope of containment was lost, figures dressed in black combat suits appeared in the allied ranks, destroying every demonic figure.
A man with a red trench coat stepped forward, holding two pistols—one black, the other white—and plunged into the allied ranks, killing every demon in sight.
"Looks like I arrived just in time. I'll handle this battlefield while Anton takes care of the main event." Ethan Winchester appeared alongside thousands of superhuman agents, ordering the soldiers to distinguish the enemies carefully.
Roooaaaarrr!!!
In an instant, a werewolf tore through the bodies of a dozen demons.
"Are those things our allies?"
"They are supernatural agents in service of the Light Association. They are mutated humans fighting for humanity, so show some respect, soldier."
Ethan had clear orders: contain the dark entities emerging from the tree, while others dealt with the interior containment of the cursed tree.
"Zz... Will the Pope of Light be part of an incursion inside that tree?"
"Zz... Anton will be the first to enter. Kiran is on the way, but we believe that having a Regent and the Pope of Light should be more than enough."
Ethan's expression soured. He wanted to tell everyone he didn't plan on dying here, especially since his retirement was only a few years away.
"I don't plan on dying in this place."
Boom! Boom! Boom!
"Take down those demons quickly; we need to prove we aren't weak!" Ethan shouted to his team, who had fallen behind in their extermination efforts.
The agents of the light he brought were all superhumans, moving from one side of the battlefield to the other, slaughtering demons.
...
Anton stood before the tunnel beneath the tree, his cold gaze fixed on the dark cave. "We have the atomic bomb. All that's left is to give thanks for life and surrender ourselves to the hands of the Lord."
A thousand Light agents, hundreds of exorcists, and many special agents clutched their silver crosses and closed their eyes in prayer.
"Almighty and merciful God, Lord of the Universe and of human history.
"Everything you have created is good, and your compassion for humanity, who abandons you time and again, is inexhaustible."
"Today, we come to implore you to shelter the world and its inhabitants with peace, to turn away the destructive wave of the final judgment, to restore friendship, and to pour into the hearts of your creatures the gift of trust and readiness to forgive."
"Giver of life, we also pray for all who have died, victims of brutal terrorist attacks. Grant them the reward of eternal joy. Let them intercede for a world shaken by anguish and disaster."
"My God, Lord of Peace, we pray for the wounded in these moments of despair. For those weak in spirit, cover them with your warmth; for the children who barely understand what is happening, offer them shelter. And if my life is needed, then I offer it so that all of this may end."
"We ask you to heal their bodies and hearts, to strengthen them with your comfort, and to keep hatred and revenge far from them."
"Holy Spirit, Comforter, visit the families mourning the loss of their loved ones, innocent victims of violence and war. Cover them with your divine mercy. Let them find strength and courage in you to continue being brothers and sisters to others, testifying to your love with their lives."
"Move the hearts of those who have been turned into demons, so they may recognize the evil of their actions and return to the path of peace and goodness, respecting life and the dignity of every human being, regardless of religion, origin, or social status."
"God, Eternal Father, hear with compassion this prayer that rises to you amid the noise and despair of the world."
"Filled with trust in your infinite mercy, strengthened by the example of the blessed martyrs of Peru, Zbigniew and Michał, who became courageous witnesses of the Gospel even unto death, we turn to you with great hope, asking for the gift of peace and begging you to keep the scourge of terrorism far from us."
"In the name of our Lord..."
"Amen."
Anton looked at all the Light agents before him and asked, "Now that the time has come, are you ready?"
"Yes, Pope of Light."
"Then let us begin. If we win this last battle, we may be able to stop what's happening to the world…" Anton activated his guardians' ability, quietly blessing everyone before heading into the tunnel.