HUNTING GODS

Senator Iscariot

The most extravagant temple stood as a reminder to all. Built on the belief and earnings of the most faithful, its gold endowed peaks stood as a monument to the strength of the Omega and Alpha resolve. It could be seen from the banks of the Outliers, an intended reminder that the Fallen would never have the faith to graze the heavens.

Within, amongst the circular audience of privileged men and women, stood a man, as dominating in stature as he was in presence. He translated the word of the Lord for them, his words carrying like weighted wings that allowed them to be carried closer to the afterlife they craved. They shook their heads in unison as he conducted them to, and then dropped to their knees when he instructed them to give thanks.

Lucas the messenger stood in the shadows, watching the man with fascination. He understood that man to be powerful based on his title alone, but to watch Senator Iscariot command so many with no resistance seemed ethereal to an Omega like himself. He waited, mimicking the learned words as the congregation prayed.

"For the Lord brought man from the heavens and gifted him the earth. He selected those that would build the world and named them Omega's, for their life is to be the soil from which the trees grow. He then took from these a select few that would guide his creation back to its rightful place alongside him, and he named them Alpha's, for their life would be the trees that shade the soil and touch the heavens."

The man lowered his great arms and paused, looking out amongst the crowds eager faces, the words they knew by heart paused in their anticipated breath.

"But amongst his creation grew greed and anger, and death ran rampant amongst his chosen. So the Lord reached down his mighty hand and cast those below the ground, to be the hard rocks from which nothing grows. These are the fallen, the children of Dante, the ones born of diseased means, whose lives weigh down our own in our climb back to his side."

The hisses echoed around the vast room, as if a great snake had penetrated the very aura of the vaulted space. The man raised his hand and drew it down, bringing down the cries of disapproval.

"But this the job we were selected for my Alpha brethren, we are here to protect our Omega brothers, and to reach our hands to the fallen in hopes that we may guide them back to the earth. We do no good withholding our helpful hand; we should extend that hand, and lift them as the Lord would, tear them back from Satan's embrace, bring them back for that is our chosen path.

The center of the circle nodded again, aware of the concerned faces the outmost part of the circle held as the Omega's seated there listened, their fears penetrating deep with in.

"Do not fear Omega's, for the Lord chose us to protect you. Do not fear the Fallen, for their lack of light is an act of God, so that we may better identify those who are not amongst the chosen. For here we stand my brothers, united, as Alpha and Omega was intended in our creation."

He raised his arm, the Alpha symbol clear on his wrist, as it raised the congregation to its feet in praise. They raised their arms to him, displaying their own status in pride, as they stood amongst God's presumed chosen.

As he dismissed them a roar erupted, raucous praise for their Lord. They made their ways out of the temple and to the awaiting world where some would lead, and some would support.

Lucas followed in the shadows, making his way to the quite room on the side where he knew the Senator would end his morning. He let himself in and waited dutifully till the door opened, revealing the man of God.

He stood and offered out his hand, revealing the small device he had been entrusted with just hours before.

"Senator Iscariot, Chief Bowen sent you a lantern."