The Harbinger's Children (Guardians Of The Arcane Chronicles Vol. 2)

Chapter 10: Blasphemy

Fun Fact: Despite how much arcani exists in the world, the human race is the only species that is largely affected by it. Animals and plants evolved without magic, and it is rare to find one that has magical properties.

~ ~ ~

Gaius jogged along the corridors, making sure to keep up with his female companion. Parthena was not exactly moving as fast as an athlete, but he could tell from her jagged breaths that she was already sprinting as fast as she could. He pursed his lips with worry; those friends of hers had better not started without them.

The sound of people shouting at each other assuaged his fears as he turned into the main church auditorium.

"Sophistry! Blasphemy! Have all of you gone quite mad?"

Parthena rushed to the church leader's side, almost knocking into Gaius in the process. Orion was pointing a knife at his church members. His feet were planted firmly on the ground, although his hand was very clearly trembling. A woman stepped forward, blocking the Lucifer statue from his weapon.

"Why, Orion? You, of all people, should understand why we must do this." A crazed grin was planted on her face. "I guess you were an uninspired fool after all."

"You lot are the real fools!" Orion shouted. "Never have I taught you to harm yourselves in the name of beauty!"

"Tch, your teachings pale in comparison to His wisdom. Lucifer has already used this Rapture to reveal the truth to us all," a dark voice spoke.

The crowd parted, revealing a boy no older than twenty years. The ground clanged with a slow rhythm as he walked forward with a slight limp, leaning on his staff for support.

"There is but one truth. So long as we yet live in these imperfect vessels, we will never be free from despair and sorrow, pain and suffering. Even now, our hearts sing for deliverance. Our souls cry out for oblivion."

He chuckled slightly.

"And to this chorus of anguish, He has orchestrated our salvation!" Purplish particles began covering the young shaman's eyes as the crystal on his staff shimmered. "There is no need to struggle, for in our new vessels await paradise. He has shown us what true beauty is. At long last, we will know serenity and perfection. And it... Will... Be... Beautiful."

Orion backed away, shaking his head in utter horror and disbelief. His weapon clattered onto the floor as his hand lay limply by his side.

"You're hopeless... All of you..." Tears rolled down his cheeks. "What have I done...? What did I do... wrong?"

"You have done nothing wrong, Orion. You were simply not chosen," the boy continued. "Such is the answer to our existence. Such is the beautiful gift He has offered us. But a gift should only belong to one person."

Everyone turned their heads to the boy in shock.

"Me."

"Get back!" Gaius yelled in warning, but he was too late.

The air rumbled all around the room, coating the crazed cackle that burst from the boy's bleeding mouth. His eyes burst outwards from his face with a splatter of gore as he swelled to three times his size. Multiple raptorial claws exploded from its back, spreading themselves out like the world's ugliest praying mantis.

The abomination swung his claws in a circle, instantly decapitating those who were standing too close to him.

"C'mon, Orion. We gotta keep moving," Gaius muttered urgently as he pulled the shivering church leader back to his feet. A large shadow loomed over them as the monster shrieked, raising a hammer-like appendage above their heads. Gaius raised a hand to receive it.