Entering inside a darkened enclosed alleyway, Bruno let out a sigh of relief as he pressed his back onto the wall with a look of satisfaction gleaming from his eyes. "Now this is what I call privacy," he whispered quietly to himself, "nothing but myself and my thoughts," referring to himself alone before slumping against the cool stone surface.
Turning to his left, he watches people walk past without noticing him, their footsteps echoing off the narrow confines as they go about their business, oblivious to their presence being observed intently. Eventually, though, the poet looked down at his open palms.
The end is near, and his heart throbbed nervously, knowing that either way Seth will be betrayed by his own trusted allies. Horrific, but unfortunately truthful of what will transpire, as there is nothing else that can change that event.
Approaching footsteps from his right caused him to lift up his head in the direction of his source. Coming out of the darkness was Mathias; the priest's expression was full of delight in their preparation to proceed with this next plan in action.
However, Bruno did not feel great about this at all. "Mathias," he said firmly, standing up straight against the wall, "did you tell them?" Not wasting time, as the urgency was evident in tone, he asked expectantly, not bothering to waste another minute or second of waiting further.
"Of course," the priest replied. "I made sure the messenger would give them exactly what we needed in order to draw him out." He finished with a smile that widened further when he saw how nervous his fellow conspirator looked. "And what is that look, friend? Did you believe that I wouldn't go through with it after all we've accomplished together?" He snorted softly.
Bruno felt sick in his stomach. They were betraying their friend, whom they'd been traveling and fighting alongside for nearly months. "I can't fathom the thought of doing this to someone I cared about," he muttered to himself bitterly. But as he tried to turn away from his comrade, a hand gripped onto his shoulder firmly as though it were an iron grasp itself.
"Where are you going?" Mathias said, his face becoming twisted with anger and suspicion, "We are in this together," reminding him bluntly, "There is no escaping now, Bruno." The priest continued to stare coldly at Bruno with a menacing glare. "So I suggest you keep the act going."
Swallowing thickly, the poet reluctantly nodded in agreement and watched as Mathias released his grip. "Now let's go and find them," he commanded in a demanding voice. Without another word, Bruno followed his partner outside of this alley and into the busy streets themselves.
The duo walked side by side in silence, not saying a single word as they passed numerous bystanders along their way; some were talking amongst themselves while others laughed among their group of friends. None, however, can get Bruno's full attention.
This guilt was eating at him alive, as he knew deep down that what they're doing is wrong. Why does it have to be this way? Wouldn't it be easier to just abandon it? But he can't; the plan must go after taking the deal with that demon long ago.
For what cost? Finishing his book and being popular? Tch, Bruno can't believe how foolish he was in the beginning; it makes sense now why he feels like this because of how ashamed he is of it. He never wanted to be a hero or villain in the first place.
In the end, he learned that what Bruno meant was not only the unification of all religions and philosophies but friendship itself as well. However, friendships always end at some point while one person moves on and another stays.
After a while of walking, they notice an temple where other priests are speaking among themselves. "Over there," Mathias pointed towards the location as he changed his direction towards it, making Bruno sighed in defeat. As the pair approached closer, Kaine noticed the pair heading in their direction.
"Brother Mathias!"
Mathias smiled at seeing a familiar face in the sea of people as the two embraced. "Good to see you," he greeted sincerely with happiness, filling his heart in reuniting once again. "What troubles have you faced since last time, Brother?" He inquired curiously as the two withdrew their hug.
Kaine nodded before answering, "Many and many, I tell you." He groaned in annoyance towards such events happening. "It is about Seth and unwanted visitors," the man explained, resulting in Mathias narrowing his eyes slightly in surprise.
A nearby voice then yelled towards the coming figure, "Seth is here!" The priest's voice shouted over others' heads, catching many people's attention, including theirs. The holy man moved across bystanders who were eyeing him like a hawk that could pounce on prey instantly.
Silently fuming with clenched fists, Mathias remained in his spot despite how much hatred he felt towards that individual. "His here," muttering lowly underneath breath so only others close enough can hear his words, "do what needs to be done or less we will be ruined for all eternity," he hissed towards Kaine, who in return was surprised by the action.
"Brother?" Kaine asked, having never seen his brother act like this before, "What's the matter? Did he or I offend you in some way?" He wanted to know the truth, not expecting to receive an answer so quickly from the person he held dearest.
Giving him a cold look, "nothing; I shall go inside for the time being," he told, giving off an air of nonchalance that is contradicted by visible tension in shoulders or clenched jawline muscles tightening with each movement made towards the entrance way as many other priests scrambled out from within the temple itself, their expressions full of anticipation.
Seth then stopped in front of his brothers and fathers and said, "Let us go; I wish to make a speech." His voice was firm but gentle now, showing no visible anger anymore. "Will you listen, my fellow disciplines?" The holy man asked with genuine hope of receiving approval from all that were here in order to prepare them for their inevitable demise.
Many whispered among others in the minute before they separated each other in groups, allowing him to enter the temple without any hassle as he walked in. Soon after, the rest followed behind like sheep, following the shepherd, who led the flock down a safe route.
Once he arrived inside, he took the time to see how messy it is, remembering that merchants were running in and out with their goods in hand, bringing chaos to this once tranquil place as everyone is now attempting to fix this mess, collecting coins from the ground, picking up rotten food on tables, or even putting tables together after being thrown aside violently.
He saw his friends who were looking at him with mixed expressions, some confused and baffled while others were curious and even concerned, but it didn't stop them from listening as he approached where the large cross was before stopping and turning around to see his followers.
"Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in me. In my father’s house, there are many homes. If it weren’t so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will receive you to myself; that is, where I am, you may be there also. You know where I go, and you know the way."
Everyone present was divided; some still considered him a heretic and false prophet, while others were either doubtful or had decided to trust Seth as the messiah. But none were prepared when a familiar old man came out of the crowd, who was none other than Andreas himself.
"Lord, we don’t know where you are going. How can we know the way?" He asked, hoping for guidance from someone who was preaching a sermon. His question was simple yet complicated, considering its meaning itself, but the holy man simply smiled at it nonetheless, seeing him once more.
"I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have also known my father. From now on, you know him and have seen him."
Mathias was about to speak up until his brother moved past him and came forth to confront Seth. "Lord, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us," Philip said, his eyes gleamed with anticipation at being witnessing divine revelation.
Philip's skin was a shade lighter than Seth's, as though he spent more time indoors than outside in the sun. His hair was sandy blonde and curly, almost like a lion's mane. He was shorter and stockier than Seth, but he had the same fierce determination in his hazel eyes.
"Have I been with you such a long time, and do you not know me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father. How do you say, ‘Show us the Father?’ Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in me? The words that I tell you, I speak not from myself; but the Father who lives in me does his work. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me; or else believe me for the very works’ sake. Most certainly, I tell you, he who believes in me will do the works that I do, and he will do greater works than these because I am going to my Father. Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in my name, I will do it. If you love me, keep my commandments. I will pray to the Father, and he will give you another counselor so that he may be with you forever: the Spirit of Truth, whom the world can’t receive, for it doesn’t see him and doesn’t know him. You know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans. I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world will see me no more; but you will see me. Because I live, you will also live. On that day, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. One who has my commandments and keeps them is one who loves me. One who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him."
Bruno intervened in the conversation, his eyes fixed on Seth while trying desperately not to reveal any hint of the true plan being executed this night. "Lord, what has happened that you are about to reveal yourself to us and not to the world?" Great question in itself from the poet of all people.
"If a man loves me, he will keep my word. My father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who doesn’t love me doesn’t keep my words. The word that you hear isn’t mine, but the Father’s who sent me. I have said these things to you while still living with you. But the counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of all that I said to you. I leave peace with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, I give to you. Don’t let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. You heard how I told you, ‘I go away, and I come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced because I said, ‘I am going to my Father;’ for the Father is greater than I. Now I have told you before it happens so that when it happens, you may believe. I will no longer speak much with you, for the prince of the world comes, and he has nothing in me. But the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father commanded me, even so I do. Arise, let’s go from here."
Finishing his speech, half of the men were moved by his words; it was as if he was speaking directly to them, giving them the comfort they needed, while the other half still held skepticism about it all. Regardless of how much they disagreed on certain things, everyone agreed there were some truths to what he was saying.
And Andreas defended his savior with all he had as the frail man walked to Seth's side before grabbing his hand and using the other one of his own to point upwards at the heavens themselves. "This man here is King!" He spoke proudly with confidence as others gasped in shock upon hearing the bold statement.
Firmly holding Seth's hand, "for I am his witness!" Saying those words out loud so everyone can hear his declaration clearly. There was neither hesitation nor fear in the old man's voice, only complete certainty about what he believed in: "I was forsaken and broken when evil men tried to rob me; none had come to rescue me when I called for help but this man," raising Seth's hand together, "had healed me completely from those wounds inflicted on me before he took away the pain itself and gave me a new chance at life!"
Before anyone could say further, Solomon spoke up in agreement, "His right!" The young fighter said, approaching the other side of Seth as he grabbed his hand too, "He is my king!" He exclaimed without shame or fear at all, "My savior, my master, my friend, my leader, my teacher, and my father! If all of you had occupied yourself with him, then all of you would have seen and heard him many times before now."
Genno smiled, also moving to where his friends are; "they speak the truth," stopping near them as he turned to face the crowd with arms crossed together. "I have been with him since we were children, and Seth is truly a righteous man, as many of the rumors have said," he stated seriously, making everyone more inclined to join their side.
One by one, they got down on their knees and onto the floor itself, letting their foreheads touch the ground before shouting praises in unison while others were dumbstruck by their actions. "The messiah! He is our messiah!" They cried out loud with no remorse or regret whatsoever about who they worshiped: "Long live the king!"
Leaving only some still standing as the regretful Bruno and angered Mathias was still furious at this action, refusing to bow down at this false prophet, "traitors, heretics!" Shouting angrily towards his comrades who turned on them by proclaiming their devotion towards Seth instead of their own God, "you have made enemies of heaven by doing this!" Cursing at them before leaving the entire place by himself.
The others who still stood glared at Seth: "If what you say is true, then we must test you in the praetorium." One of them challenged him while remaining stubborn as ever: "Prove to us that you are our messiah, if you can."
