A journal lays open on a large, dense office table, covered with other books relating to the occult and other historic materials. An owl mask and a pitch-black pair of gloves are laid neatly across a faded, worn brown scroll. There was a small cup, containing black ink which held up a simple feather pen. All of this was well-illuminated by a white light table lamp.
The first page of the journal was visible. It read;
"I awoke violently, a vivid feeling of my flesh clinging onto bones as it reformed. A man stood there watching...at first...a sly look in the orbs he had for eyes. He was soon gone. I owe him my thanks. He must be responsible for my resurrection. I can't help but wonder if he could be one of my sons, my descendants. Soon, I, Svengali will find them. With the scrolls and spells left to me in my tomb by that mysterious man, I have mastered the foundations and elements of Necromancy, the forbidden art. With this, I will bring to life an army of the undead; With this, I will bring to the mark of the beast, death to CAIN."
A faint clicking sound is heard and a woman opens the door leading to the office where the journal lies. The office seemed to be richly furnished and located considerably high even in the poor lighting at the time. The lady walked in. Only her form and sensual shape could be seen as she walked through the shadows, strolling towards the table, her heels striking the tiled floors. As she reached the table, her face and body became visible. She was tall, pretty, and dark-haired. Her eyes were a deep black and her skin was pale. She wore bright red lipstick in just the right amount-rare for users of that color. Her black dress and the black rose in her hand were oddly familiar.
She sat down gingerly on the table, ignoring the cushioned swiveling chair behind it, and crossed her legs. Then, she turned up a business nameplate that had previously been knocked over earlier that night during less...earnest activities.
It read in bold fine format;
SARAH .V. GALI
CEO
She smiled placed her intertwined palms on her knees and said in a familiar sing-song voice; "Let the games begin."
***
The camera panned down from the clouds and took focused on a full-length window of the Morningstar Manor. Beyond the window, curtains drawn lay the House of Gold.
A peculiar development was, however, observed. Several cracks, increasing gradually in length and depth grew along the face of the amber-colored cube.
WITHIN THE CUBE:
A man stood cluelessly in a dark and empty space, void of form and structure. He was sure only of the ground on which he stood, as it stood to provide him with some sense of normalcy, though even that he could not see. Out of the void, a cold dry wind blew on him-chilled him to the bone. He heard an old and raspy voice ask;
"What is your greatest desire?"
Suddenly, a white spotlight dropped on him from above, highlighting his body. He wore a brown monk's robe and had ruffled brown hair. He squinted his eyes in reaction to the sudden change in lighting and snapped his head about in search of the voice's source. The voice called out again, repeating its question. The man looked around again, but this time, he fell to his knees and clapped his hands together in prayer.
"I HAVE BUT ONE WISH: TO SEE GOD," he said in a gentle voice.
The scene faded to a grand towering hall, lined with golden pillars and floors, and ceilings made with crystals. The young man stood now before a gigantic being, its feet being its only observable feature due to its sheer size. Each of its legs was larger than Jupiter and its slippers were as shining as the sun. It wore a dazzling white garment that flowed to its ankles, and sat on a shiny chair, made wholly from gold.
The man was as tiny as a flea in the presence of this being. His mind could not fathom its grandeur. His legs shook violently as he fought down tears, admiration overwhelming him.
The giant being spoke in a great booming voice that shook the pillars and echoed along the walls.
"I am the Lord, your God"
The man fell to his knees, weeping, and placed his hands and face flat against the ground in reverence. The voice boomed again from above; "Francis! In your life, I have seen righteousness. Go forth, therefore, and make haste for the evil one works, I give you my power grant you my strength. There is work that you must do in my name and a reward that I will grant you. I will place in your mind all the strange languages and cultures of the world and give you a knowledge of all truths. Go now, St. Francis of Assisi, please me."
The man tried to look up and give a response to his master but before he could, the hall disappeared.
The house of Gold shattered into a thousand glittering pieces, falling to the ground like stardust. The saint, now omniscient, fell weakly to the ground unconscious for the moment and covered in gold dust, his buttocks to the ceiling, for he had lost his clothes on the trip back.
***