Chapter 12: Insidious Covenant Church
A rift in the fabric of reality opened as Cedric and Rakael stepped into the dimly lit Insidious Covenant Church, the air thick with anticipation. The other members of the church awaited them on the other side, their expressions a blend of uncertainty and eagerness.
"So?" Alaric inquired, his brow furrowed with concern.
"Seraphina was a casualty," Cedric replied, a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. "But I managed to bring Rakael back—half alive, at least."
"So what's the plan now?" Henri chimed in, crossing his arms.
"With Veyan and Seraphina both dead, we're down two members, and any moment now, the Exorcists will be barging through our doors," he continued, his voice steady.
Cedric strolled toward a large, intricately carved chair beneath the imposing inverted cross, his fingers tracing the elegant designs etched into the wood.
"Give us an answer, Cedric," another member said, her voice low and authoritative.
"We have all been victims of Veyan's manipulation. He preyed on our weaknesses and used us to fulfill his desires. To reach the Tree of Life, the seat of God, and to be granted our heart's desires, we must unite. Veyan brought us together through lies and deception, but I, Cedric, plead with you all to fight alongside me. We have lost enough—our families, our loved ones; we've watched them die. We've waited for God's reformation for far too long. It's time to take matters into our own hands."
With a deliberate motion, Cedric sank into the wooden chair, crossing his legs as he surveyed the room.
"This time we attack! With the power of the Prince of Wrath on our side… we can't lose!"
His speech met with raucous applause, the fervor of the crowd echoing through the hallowed halls, disrupting Jerome, who sat in his cell.
Jerome stood, drenched in sweat from his push-up position, as the heavy door to his cell swung open. His gaze met Elara's, the striking amber of his eyes connecting with her own. Her platinum blonde hair spilled from beneath her hood, framing her face.
"What's all the noise about?" Jerome asked, a hint of irritation creeping into his voice.
"Get ready. We're leaving soon," Elara replied, urgency lacing her tone.
"Leaving? To where?" he shot back, brow furrowing in confusion.
"Lord Veyan is dead. Cedric— I mean Lord Cedric—killed him. Now he has taken the church for himself, so, quite frankly, your presence…" Elara's voice trailed off as Cedric entered the room.
"Go prepare," she said firmly, closing the door behind Cedric.
"You killed your leader, huh? So you've basically accomplished what you wanted," Jerome said, picking up his shirt.
Cedric smiled, a glint of triumph in his eyes. "Seems you weren't paying attention, were you?"
"Maybe."
"I merged with Cedric long ago, after his sister was killed by Veyan. He sought power, coming to me, pleading for my strength to get revenge. You might understand that, but I found it hard to grasp. Love… if love could drive him to the extent of seeking power not from any other demon but from me, then I want to understand. Perhaps that is what I lack."
Jerome's brows furrowed in confusion.
"Who are you?" he asked, suspicion creeping into his voice.
"I go by many names, but the one you might recognize immediately is… Satan."
"The Prince of Wrath," Jerome whispered, eyes widening.
"It's been long since I've heard that name," Cedric replied, a smile gracing his lips.
"You are weak," Jerome said, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Excuse me?"
"To go down on your knees, begging to be corrupted—lacking the will to seek power on your own… you disgust me," Jerome spat, gazing into Cedric's eyes with disdain.
"Corrupted?" Cedric echoed, taken aback.
"The bond between me and Cedric is not your average pact. We are bound by what you would call a binding covenant. In exchange for complete control of his body, I must uphold my end of the vow."
"You've killed Veyan. Isn't that what he wanted?" Jerome asked, a hint of skepticism in his voice.
Cedric chuckled darkly. "Cedric wants to be with his sister again. He wants to resurrect Dionne."
"That's stupid," Jerome hissed, disbelief dripping from his words.
"You don't understand, do you? Is it that you don't have love in your heart?" Cedric probed.
In a swift movement, Jerome lunged at Cedric, grabbing him by the neck and slamming him against the wall.
"So that's it." Cedric smiled, even as Jerome loosened his grip.
"Love and emotion are for the weak. I don't have the luxury for love," Jerome said as he stepped back, retreating to his bed.
"Why don't you join me?" Cedric extended his hand toward him, a glimmer of hope in his eyes. "Join me, and let us discover what love truly is."
"I would rather die than seek power from you."
"So it's power you are after?"
"Yes. I want power so I won't be ignored ever again. I've always been in the shadow of my siblings, not that they are better than me…"
"So you're jealous? That's an emotion too," Cedric interrupted, a knowing look in his eyes.
"What do you know?" Jerome lay back on his bed, his tone dismissive.
Cedric smiled and headed for the door. "If you ever change your mind… I'll be here, but not for long."
---
**Saint Agnes Basilica, Sancta Veritas**
Desmond stood in front of a large black van, adjusting his tie as he half-heartedly responded to the greetings from passing Exorcists. A group of six emerged from the main church building, Micah leading the charge, dressed in the church's deep blue uniform. Desmond pressed a button on his key fob, and the van's automated door slid open slowly.
"I'm so glad you're the priest assigned for this mission," Micah said, a cigarette dangling from the corner of his mouth, his smile wide.
"Master Exorcist Micah, it's a pleasure," Desmond replied, opening the passenger door beside the driver's seat.
"Desmond!" Hana called, her voice bright.
"Inquisitorial Captain Hana," Desmond said, bowing lightly.
"It's you! I guess we're in good hands," Kaiky chimed in, bouncing after Hana.
Inquisitorial Captains Fiona and Tyreel followed close behind Kaiky, their expressions serious.
"Inquisitorial Captain Fiona, weren't you just coming from a mission?" Desmond asked, curiosity evident in his tone.
"What can I say? I love a good fight, and you guys need someone to keep an eye on Micah," she replied, catching Micah's pouting reflection in the side mirror.
"Mister Desmond, it's been quite some time, hasn't it?" a lanky man said, scratching an imaginary itch in his short dark hair.
"Is that you, Master Lark?" Desmond asked, adjusting his glasses in disbelief.
"Yes," Lark replied, his face flushed.
Desmond hugged him tightly. "It's been ages, Lark! I thought you died!"
"Well, I've been rehabilitating for a while now, and you have to thank Micah for that. He saved me," Lark said, pride in his voice.
Micah beamed, soaking in the praise.
"Why did they place you immediately into this squad?" Desmond inquired, intrigued.
"Well, the Commander said he needed the strongest Exorcists for this mission, and Jerome is Jamiel's brother. He has been a good friend to me," Lark explained.
"Um… this Uncle-Cousin reunion is touching, but we need to go now," Micah interrupted, blaring the horn of the van.
"You mean Uncle-Nephew," Tyreel teased.
Micah shot him an annoyed glance.
Lark climbed into the van, while Fiona and Micah, as if reading each other's minds, offered Lark sticks of cigarettes, which he politely declined. Both shrugged and entered the van.
"Let's go get our kid back," Micah said, determination evident in his voice.
---
**Insidious Covenant Church**
Cedric emerged from the church, flanked by members dressed in hooded black cloaks. Jerome followed closely behind him, a silent shadow.
"This is the moment we've been waiting for," Cedric announced, his voice steady.
"How are we going to move?" Henri asked, glancing around.
"We'll move in pairs—two-man cells. No one should be left alone. Elara and Alaric, Lilith and Zephyr, Orion and Malachi, Nova and Marcellus, Rakeal and i would move as a cell, both of us have a score to settle"
"That leaves Henri alone" Alaric said
Henri scoffs
"That would be fine wasn't a team person to begin with"
"What about him?" Elara chimed in
Cerdic looked over his shoulder his eyes catching Jerome's disdain
"Don't worry," Cedric reassured, descending the long staircase with the rest of the church following him. "We'll manage."
"Are we walking the rest of the way?" Marcellus interjected, a sheepish grin on his face.
Music blared from the van as it traversed the sprawling fields. Micah and Fiona sang along, their voices mingling with the sound of the stereo as the sun dipped below the horizon.
"Master Exorcist Micah," Desmond said, his tone suddenly serious.
"Yeah?" Micah replied, glancing back.
Desmond brought the van to a halt as members of the Insidious Church blocked their path.
"Please be careful," Desmond warned, his concern palpable.
"Sure," Micah said, stepping down from the van.
"I'm coming with you," Fiona declared, following him as they walked toward the waiting members, their voices low enough to be just within earshot.
"Where is Jerome?" Micah asked, eyeing Cedric.
"He is right here," Cedric said, gesturing for Jerome to approach. Jerome hesitated before moving toward them.
"I find you handing over Jerome without fuss a little suspicious," Micah remarked, narrowing his eyes.
"Capturing Jerome was Veyan's plan, not mine," Cedric replied, maintaining his composure.
"Your spiritual energy feels similar. You are the same person from the church," Micah pointed out, suspicion evident in his voice.
"That's what you expect from Saint Agnes Basilica's strongest Exorcist," Cedric said, a smile spreading across his face.
"So what's the plan?" Fiona asked, crossing her arms.
"The plan remains the same: fuse all four worlds together. But Veyan's method is inefficient and filled with uncertainty; mine is much more effective," Cedric explained, his tone calm.
"And that is?" Fiona pressed.
"We start by taking you all out," Cedric replied, a chilling smile gracing his lips.
---