For What Tomorrow Brings...

Chapter 5: Anima Mundi (Soul of the World: Woe of the People)

Main quote: "Only love can conquer hate. The Cross is a symbol of both and yet it was the power of love that led others to see through the storm the need to change." (Father Joshua)

Souls weep inner tears as their hearts give life's blood to the body, and in momentary pauses, peace comes to the tortured being that is the human person when they realize there is joy.

In the heart of Jesus, may the souls of the just and the repentant find their eternal joy. Amen.

Rafael and company enter Auburn Hills...only to find his village in ruins. The fire there was built by the survivors who have set up shelters in the only secure part of the town, the square. Rafael takes hold of an ailing old man. "Save us, boy...we have been wrongfully accused of... destroying the peace." Terra sends three pigeons to some friends, bearing a call for help.

"Rafael, we must bring these people out of the town. This place is not safe."

"Yes, I agree." They bring up the horses and each carried two people. Those able to ride on their own followed the trio as they went to the next town, which happens to be part of Terra's inheritance. "I already informed the people here that we would bring the refugees in."

"Thank you Terra." He looks through them. "But where are Niña and Calvin?"

No one has seen them. This was an upset for Rafael.

Terra assures him that they will be found. "For now, let us take care of the people."

A man in white robes finished his prayers. It was the priest.

The priest was Father Joshua van Sankt, the holy man who prayed for justice daily.

However, he was a different person when entering the other side of the old Parousia.

"Do you have the keys with you?" he asked a guard taking charge of an old dungeon.

"Yes, I do. But what do you need it for, Father?"

"The man who wishes to hear confession has been confined in the deepest and most guarded part of the Underground Retention Facility, the Core Cell."

He gives the keys. "But heed me, priest, he is not just any man."

"Son, I have slain far more demons in my life than you have in yours. I am protected."

He enters the cell which he spoke of. "You seek repentance?" The man was chained to a large stone pillar. He was large and ghastly as well. Yet he remained strong, continuously exercising by attempting to break free, many endeavors that have almost succeeded.

"Father, why do you come?"

"Because there is only one way you can redeem yourself, Slayer." The priest uses the keys to release him. They go up together. Surprisingly, none of the guards were there...

Well, except the man outside. Father Joshua gives him the keys but...the man points his halberd at them. "What are you doing? Why is he?"

"Lord Simon gave the orders. This man will be moved to the capital. To avoid discrepancies, I have sent for his replacement, a traitor." Two men garbed in monkish robes bring in a Norman Crusader who was caught stealing from the monastery. "This man committed sacrilege. Do not kill him. He will not resist arrest anyway." Father Joshua goes and whispers to the man, "I paid the men of this place. Just do what you can to release all the so-called criminals. We will need them." The man nods and is led inside. The Slayer asked the priest, "Father, what is the meaning of all this?" The giant was close to eight feet in height. Father Joshua answered him in reply, "God shall judge this land. There is no escaping it now."