The Dark Society

101

 Nemesis spilled the blood of the unholy across time without remorse. Acts that revitalized the spirit, making it effortless to enter society. Still, as dawn engulfed the sanctum, Paul and Leon struggled to recover.

"What happened?" Leon exclaimed, rising to his feet.

Paul's expression, combined with an unbridled squint, immediately conveyed his uncertainty.

"I'm not sure, but they've merged!"

The bishop stared in shock.

"Her strength is immense!"

Paul cringed and began tearing away the remains of the altar.

"We don't have much time--Nemesis is leaving for America."

Leon settled against the far wall.

"Why didn't we oppose her?" he questioned. "Now she'll destroy her coven and retrieve Karen's gemstone."

Paul sifted through the debris.

"We had to relinquish control," he proclaimed. "That way, she can overwhelm the elders and weaken the sovereign."

Leon retrieved a ledger and placed it on the podium.

"What about Marc?"

The sovereign glared.

"He's part of Harold's coven, but also a deterrent to the day-witches. A distraction that'll allow Nemesis to infiltrate Saint Anthony's."

"And if the elders reunite?"

"They'll be no match for the girl while she harbors the goddess's strength," Paul retorted. "Plus, with Katherine missing and without his daughters, Harold is vulnerable."

"She isn't a killer," Leon announced, gesturing. "Nemesis only wants vengeance for lost brethren."

Paul scowled.

"You're forgetting--she now harbors Karen's essence. An ability which makes her capable of anything."

Leon finally accepted the ancient connection between Paul and Karen. Understanding, their species was intent on infiltrating society. For this reason, he examined the ledgers as the bishop considered Harold's return.

"You're expecting him," Leon stated, recoiling. "Hoping he allows you to live--why?"

Paul smirked and turned.

"I told you before: though powerful, Harold isn't immortal and can die. After all, Katherine almost succeeded and that's proof enough. Moreover, he'll oppose what I've done with Saint Anthony's. So, I expect an inevitable confrontation."

Leon paced.

"You manipulated his plans, facilitating the coven war, knowing he'd oppose you."

Paul drew nearer.

"Yes, but with this girl's animosity Nemesis will succeed and the Morgans will die."

Leon smirked.

"In that case, we'll have to fortify the Lady of Victories and eradicate deceivers."

Paul nodded.

"Every war has casualties, does it not?"

"What about Katherine?"

Paul smiled.

"She's alive."

Leon shuddered.

"How do you know?"

"Samantha doesn't wield her mother's power or the medallion. So, the ascension isn't complete," he explained. "Not only that--once Saint Anthony's falls, she, like Sabrina, will defend the coven."

"You're going to kill them?"

Paul gestured to a section of text.

"By using their magic against them. Except Samantha must die first, then Sabrina. That way, Katherine can't pass on her power and it dies with her."

"What about Julia?"

He stared.

"Harold will try to protect her, but due to the transition, he'll fail."

Leon accompanied Paul into the oratory. Finally, there were weaknesses and time to exploit them. Though, as Paul coveted Harold's ledgers, Leon glared.

"I'm willing to see this through."

Paul grinned and handed over the scriptures.

"I'm glad to hear that."

Accepting the offering, Leon gazed at the ancient texts.

"Regardless, the Morgans will reunite and Saint Anthony's is the focal point."

Paul escorted Leon outside with a heavy hand on his shoulder.

"That's why we have to follow Nemesis. She'll need guidance and I don't wish to disappoint."

Leon felt skeptical in the end, but Paul was right. The results they demanded wouldn't happen within the church. Furthermore, if Samantha invoked Katherine's power her abilities would be unimaginable. Likewise, if the scriptures were authentic, Julia would also become formidable. Thus, strategies for ending the Morgan dynasty and reclaiming Saint Anthony's began.