Neophyte

Trial Pt.2

Tension was felt throughout the room.

Guillermo stood outside to give the Soldados space to make Padre Federico enter. Seeing and being too close to Padre Federico felt frightening. He couldn't help but feel dark energy from the Padre. 

Padre Federico glanced at him, smirked, before being motioned inside the meeting room. A shiver went throughout his body. 

"Guillermo."

Looking behind him, he was surprised to see Nicolas Jose. "N-Nicolas? Hace tiempo que no te veía. Pensé que habías regresado a tu pueblo (I haven't seen you in a while. I thought you were returning to your village)."

Nicolas stopped by the other side of the doorway, noticing what was occurring inside. "He oído que se está celebrando un juicio. Al parecer, el Padre Federico es el culpable (I heard that a trial is happening. It would seem that Padre Federico is the guilty one)."

"Sí, espero que sea castigado por sus acciones (Yes, I hope he faces punishment for his actions)."

"Según mi experiencia, estos malvados nunca sufren las consecuencias de sus acciones contra nuestra gente (In my experience, these devils never face the consequences of their actions against our people)."

Guillermo quickly glanced at Nicolas and then watched the trial. He noticed Metztli's anxiety when seeing Padre Federico, but Esteban was by her side. Looking at the Bishop, his father, made him wonder if he was like that with his mother during their youth. 

Meanwhile, Padre Federico felt everyone looking at him with either disgust or denial. He didn't care. "All these years, I had to deal with these fools and hypocrites." Metztli came to his view. Seeing her made his body and mind feel like fire. While in prison, he couldn't stop thinking about her. Seeing her brought the desire back, but he then noticed how close she was to Esteban. She was seeking comfort and protection from another. 

Padre Federico remembered his talk with Esteban when he visited him in prison. "I love her." His hands squeezed into fists. "If they think that I will be defeated so easily, they are sadly mistaken." The Padre smirked. "I have plans to destroy my enemies." Standing before the Bishops and Padre Fermin, Padre Federico looked at them in the eyes. He was tired. Tired of living a lie and in a life he never wanted to live. 

Padre Fermin looked at his fellow brother, disappointed that a trial had to be done. He seemed respectable with a hint of questions about his purpose. "Brother, you are being accused of a sin that the brotherhood swore not to do. Is it true?"

Everyone was silent, awaiting Padre Federico's response. Metztli and Esteban stood together. Metztli couldn't help feeling intimidated by the Padre. He could lie at any moment and reclaim his innocence.

"What she said and witnessed is true," Padre Federico said nonchalantly. 

Many in the room gasped in shock and horror. Bishop Victoriano, Esteban, Guillermo, Mariana, and Metztli couldn't believe what they heard.

Padre Federico confessed. 

The Bishops looked at one another; Padre Fermin put his right hand on his chest, not believing what he had heard. "Brother, surely you-"

"I did not hesitate, Padre Fermin. What these two said was true. Also, please refer to me as Federico."

"What is this!? Have you become insane, brother!?" Bishop Samuel exclaimed. 

"Insane? No, Bishop. I have finally become sane. My sin is to be a man with wants and needs. You all have that supposed sin."

"Brother, this is not you. You have dutifully followed the path of God. Why would you say such things?" Bishop Juan asked. 

Federico sighed while shaking his head. "Why? Why not, Bishop? Do you all believe that I did my duties out of love? You all know how I became a Padre. I had only two choices, and I chose the easy path. A path I loathed for so many years." He smiled and continued. "You think that every single man here is innocent? I have seen so many of my supposed brothers fall into temptation. I have seen many of you look at many savage women with lust. I have caught many of you touching yourselves where you thought no one could see." A smirk made way to his lips again when taking a glance at the Padres, many of whom looked uncomfortable.

"You speak is sinful!" Bishop Samuel yelled.

"We are all sinners, you old fool!"

Bishop Samuel stuttered, trying to find the words to speak. No one ever spoke to him in such a manner. 

Power flowed within him; it had been a while since Federico felt such a way. He then looked at Metztli; his smirk never faded. "You think that you will be protected, but you are sadly mistaken."

Bishop Victoriano couldn't help but feel a feeling of dread sweep within him. Federico was too calm; it was frightening. "Brothers, he confessed to his sins and he also confessed of not wanting to be in the brotherhood."

"He made an oath to God, brother. He cannot just be sent away," Bishop Juan mentioned. Looking at Federico made him feel uncertain.

"I do not wish to be in this supposed brotherhood, Bishop Juan. Though I appreciate your supposed mercy, I do not wish to live in this lie. Yet, there are some here that have lived in bigger lies than I. Isn't that right, Victoriano."

Everyone in the room looked confused. Bishop Victoriano raised an eyebrow; the feeling of dread intensified. "What are you talking about?" he asked in a warning tone.

Federico chuckled. "Playing innocent, Victoriano. Truly. Out of everyone here, you hold more secrets and sins than I." He looked at Mariana, then back to the Bishop. Before coming to this Mission, did you truly want to be a man of God?" 

"Of course I-"

"You still lie. Tell everyone the truth before forcing yourself into the brotherhood. Tell everyone the secrets that you held int this Mission for so many years."

"What are you trying to say, brother!?" Padre Fermin asked.

"Your Bishop has committed the worst of sins! He lied to you all! The secrets are that his lover and children have lived within this Mission itself!"