FATE\Deus Decipit

Chapter 39: Sleeping Giant

As written in the personal journal of Yanni Iole.

"October [__], 20[__]

"God has lived in this world for nearly two weeks, and I sit here disgusted with myself. Two weeks, and what have I accomplished? Even with the greatest force of nature currently existing on this planet, I've accomplished nothing with it.

"These sentries are the bane of my existence. It seems that every move I make is under extreme scrutiny. They've all but declared war on me, and the shadowed one's attack on me only proves that much. Whenever I move out, the silver one, Rider, intercepts me. When I stay still, the shadowed one forces me to move. The idea was to establish a defensive front, a home field, but I've neglected the reality of the situation. This is not a castle, this is not a fortress. As powerful as God may be, if these sentries are as near-equal in strength as they seem to be, then, with their numbers, killing me would be no issue for them, and I'd have no defense.

"I have only one advantage: they can't defeat God by themselves, and 'themselves' seem to be in disagreement. The strategy of silver and shadow would be unbeatable if they would coordinate with one another, but it seems their 'strategy' was not by choice. I imagine their outward conflict is akin to my inner conflict, whether to press forward or establish defense. If I wait for them to come to an agreement, I will be at a disadvantage, instead, I must attack while they still fight among themselves.

"But that raises the problem, doesn't it? Rampage isn't the solution. This world is God's to take, as are the people, I can't destroy these things wantonly, and I especially can't force Him to do it Himself. No, the enemy must believe that they are at the advantage. They must believe that they can win. If they think otherwise, they'll retreat back to their holes like the rats they are. They must think that victory is theirs, enough that they will be willing to place everything on the line and fall one-by-one. This is the truth, the truth that has been bestowed to me by my God as His priest. The only question now is how to get this mission done, but the day is long, and the sun is still low. I can't afford to forget how little time I have.

"No, no, no. I can't allow my mortal fears to sway me. God remains ever-vigilant, and so I must as well. It is truly remarkable, God remains calm and clear-headed no matter what happens. As brutal as He can be in combat, here, He remains still, like a statue, waiting for the call of His people, and of His priest. The soft, rumbling thunder has become life to me, to the point that its absence (when it is absent) makes me anxious. Is this what they call the fear of God?

"He's truly one with nature. Even now he remains outside these thin walls, still, and at peace with the world. It reminds me of what my Teacher taught me once, before he passed. The reason Heracles has the right to be the One God is because He is the perfect union of man and nature, the one who took the power of the gods and wielded it for the good of man. This is what makes Him worthy to rule the world, and I'm reminded of it whenever a bird lands on His shoulder, or a bug crawls on His knee. Even the least of these is deserving of His power, even thinking about it moves me beyond words"

This section of the page is notably stained with what appears to be tears.

"How could anyone refuse such benevolence!? When I think of these sentries, I can't control my anger, but when I think of man's pitiful attempts to defeat him, of tanks and lead flying left and right, I can't help but be giddy. Change is near, and becomes nearer with each day, all the more reason why I can't afford to wait any longer. This game we play, it's so fruitless, so pointless. Any of them could be smashed under his foot, but their resistance persists despite that. Why do they fight? Why do they suffer? Why do they resist their salvation?

"I have to answer these questions. Then I will know the perfect strategy."

...

Yanni Iole closes his journal. Though he had made the habit of keeping a journal for many years now, for this occasion in particular he had bought a new one. He knew that, one day, when this petty conflict was over, a new religion would rule the world, and the notes of this event, as God's priest, were his responsibility to keep. He placed the notebook, which featured a holographic cover of a lion, back in his dresser. Even though there was neither the need, nor the reason to hide it, this had been his usual hiding spot when things were still normal, and the habit had no reason to die yet.