Chapter 3
The van rattled along a solitary road, flanked by skeletal trees that swayed gently in the wind, casting eerie shadows that danced like specters in the fading light. Inside the vehicle, an uncomfortable silence hung in the air, thick enough to stifle conversation. Jerome's foot tapped impatiently against the metal floor, his frustration palpable. Beside him, Kari sat with her hands clasped tightly in her lap, her gaze cast downward, while Micah hummed absentmindedly to the tune playing on the radio, his expression unfazed.
"I can't take this anymore! Why is he still coming with us?" Jerome finally burst out, breaking the heavy silence like glass shattering.
"I've explained this a dozen times: Jeremiah is a unique case, a potential asset to the church," Micah replied, his gaze fixed on the road ahead, his tone steady.
"A devil as an asset to the church? That's rich," Jerome scoffed, crossing his arms defiantly. "If you hadn't intervened, I would have exorcised him right then and there."
"Is that so? You think you could take down a demon just with brute force, with out grace? Life is precious, kiddo; don't go throwing yours away," Micah said, lighting a cigar and offering it to Desmond, who shook his head firmly.
"Just because you're hailed as the strongest exorcist doesn't give you the right to dictate my life. You're just a phony outcast who couldn't save his—"
"Jerome!" Desmond cut him off sharply, his voice tinged.
Micah smiled, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "It's fine. Let him speak his mind. I let his elder brother die on my watch; it's my burden to bear," he said, taking a long drag from his cigar, the smoke curling lazily into the air.
"Stop the van. I'll walk home," Jerome declared, his tone resolute and his eyes fixed stubbornly ahead.
"Jerome," Kari whispered, her voice barely above a murmur.
Desmond pulled over, and without a word, Jerome flung open the door, slamming it shut with a finality that resonated in the stillness. The van continued along the lonely road, leaving a palpable tension in its wake.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have come along. I think it's better if I just leave," Jeremiah said softly, glancing at Micah with uncertainty.
"Do you know why the church exists?" Micah asked, his tone suddenly serious.
"No I don't," Jeremiah replied, furrowing his brow.
"The church has existed since the dawn of time, serving as guardians of the Material world. When the four worlds separated, the Material realm became a concentrated dimension of spiritual energy, attracting entities both good and ill. It's our duty to protect our world, and this is the reality you're stepping into," Micah explained, his gaze penetrating.
"What do you mean?" Jeremiah asked, confusion flickering across his face.
"I don't know, but there's something about you that reminds me of someone I failed years ago—a person cursed with immense power, power that could shift the balance of the world. It may sound sudden, but I want you to become an exorcist."
"Master Exorcist Micah," Desmond interjected, his surprise evident.
"Me? Labeled a devil and expected to be an exorcist? It's impossible. I can't… I'm sorry," Jeremiah stammered, the weight of his circumstances crashing down upon him.
"I'll give you time to think about it. Just ponder it," Micah encouraged, a glimmer of hope in his voice.
Jeremiah's gaze fell to the binding sigil etched into his palm, memories of the ritual and Eosphoros' ferocity swirling in his mind.
"Um… Jeremiah?" a timid voice broke through his thoughts. "This is the first time I've seen Master Micah this serious. Please think it through," Kari urged, her eyes averted.
"We're here," Desmond announced as the van approached a magnificent glass dome rising in the distance, gradually revealing a grand building surrounded by meticulously trimmed vegetation that formed an elegant boundary. Desmond drove toward the imposing golden gates.
"Welcome to Saint Agnes Basilica," Micah said, pride evident in his tone.
The gates swung open slowly as the van rolled closer. Jeremiah stared in awe at the church's opulence. Statues of cherubim and angels engaged in lively melodies dotted the landscape, their expressions eternally joyful. The chatter of numerous exorcists echoed in the air, sending a shiver down his spine.
"You'll do fine," Micah reassured him, as if sensing his apprehension.
Desmond parked the van, signaling for them to disembark. Kari stepped out first, followed closely by Jeremiah. As Jeremiah stepped onto the ground, he unintentionally released a surge of malevolent energy.
A brilliant stream of light erupted around them…
"What the—?" Jeremiah exclaimed, his world flipping upside down, his head spinning. A slender blonde woman emerged from the shadows, swiftly sheathing her katana.
"What are you thinking, you oaf?" she scolded Micah, her voice sharp and accusatory.
---
Meanwhile, Jerome ambled along the road leading to the church, earbuds snugly in place, absentmindedly kicking rocks with each step. Suddenly, three shadowy figures darted across his path, igniting his curiosity.
"Who's there?" he called out, pulling his earbuds free.
Just then, he narrowly avoided a lunging attack from behind, throwing himself backward to create distance. Three figures clad in black overalls now confronted him, eyes gleaming like daggers in the dusk.
"Who are you guys?" he demanded, fists clenching.
Without a word, they charged at Jerome. One leaped into the air, aiming a punch that he parried with ease, simultaneously dodging kicks aimed at his midsection. In a swift motion, Jerome clotheslined one assailant, grabbing another by the collar, his attention drawn to a silver button gleaming on the uniform. With a decisive headbutt, he knocked that one out cold while the last scurried away, fear etched on his face.
"Well, that was entertaining," a voice remarked, emerging from behind a nearby tree. A tall, slender woman in similar garb, though with her hood down, stepped forward. Her long brown hair cascaded over her shoulder, and her slit pupils sent a chill racing down Jerome's spine.
"That insignia on that button… it belongs to the Insidious Covenant Church, doesn't it? I was wondering when you lot would finally crawl out of your hole," Jerome taunted.
"I'm not in the mood for chit-chat. My objective was to capture the weakest son of the Prelate…" she replied, a smirk curling her lips.
"What did you say?" Jerome's expression hardened, brows furrowing.
"Did I strike a nerve? I didn't know you were such an insecure brat," she teased
"I'll make you eat your words," he retorted, fists clenching.
"Without grace, you can do little to stop me," she sneered.
"I don't need grace from any angel to take you down," Jerome replied
With that, he charged at her. They exchanged a flurry of blows, her swift parries countering most of his strikes while she landed her punches. Gathering light particles around him, he unleashed a beam of spiritual energy that she dodged effortlessly. Seizing the opportunity, he closed the gap and forged a sword of light, slashing her arm. She stumbled back, executing two agile backflips to distance herself.
"Now you've done it," she said, her voice low and dangerous as a dark aura began to emanate from her. "I might bring you in a little broken."
---
Micah stood before a massive wooden door, extinguishing his cigar before knocking gently.
"Come in."
The door creaked open, revealing a spacious room adorned with deep burgundy drapes, trophies and awards lining the walls, and a large wooden shelf filled with ancient tomes.
A man in his late seventies, clad in a flowing gold cassock embedded with precious stones, awaited him. As Micah stepped in, the man approached with a warm smile.
"Ecclesiastical Commander," Micah bowed his head, dropping to one knee.
"Micah, I told you that when we are alone, you can call me Daniel," the man replied, his weathered face lighting up with warmth.
"You know I can't do that," Micah said, standing once more.
"Well, that's true," Daniel conceded.
"You called for me?"
"Yes, regarding the boy you brought in," Daniel stated, his tone shifting to seriousness.
"Word spreads quickly around here," Micah remarked, a slight smile tugging at his lips.
"Would you like to take a seat?" Daniel gestured toward a small table beside an open window. They moved toward it.
"So, what about him do you wish to discuss?"
"Are you really asking me that? That boy might be possessed by a demon! You failed to exorcise him, and then you brought him to the church."
"What I did was wrong, but I exorcise for a living, not to kill children."
"Excuse me?" Daniel raised an eyebrow, clearly taken aback.
"Beneath the skin of his left wrist lies a binding sigil—a sigil meant to bind him to Lucifer."
Lucifer huh? Daniel responded calmly
"His parents were devout members of the Insidious Covenant Church. They attempted to bind their souls together, allowing Lucifer's essence to inhabit him. But for some reason, the ritual failed. Instead of containing Lucifer's soul, he became intertwined with a fragment of Lucifer's malevolent energy."
"That would explain the recent surge of malevolent entities in Sancta Veritas," Daniel noted, nodding in understanding.
"And it seems he has also acquired a form of Divine Retribution, granting him the ability to manifest a demonic entity named Eosphoros."
"So what now? What do you propose we do about the child?" Daniel asked, pouring himself a cup of tea, his demeanor calm despite the weight of the conversation.
"I want him to train with the 100th squad and become an exorcist," Micah declared, determination lacing his voice.
Daniel halted for a second before putting the porcelain tea pot down
"A devil train to become an exorcist?, that's unheard Micah.