Lukewarm

An Abrupt Awakening [Ch 1]

Despite the sun's feeble attempt to warm things up, the snowy lands of Antarctica were unforgiving and harsh. Daniel was sat inside a rather impressive temple, bundled in a thick and fluffy white coat, his hands in his pockets. He pulled one out slowly, his hand trembling, it's colour comparable to Papa Smurf. He glanced on the now iced-over watch - it had been about 5 hours now... Perhaps these things took time? He'd been waiting for many days now, and counted the hours tirelessly, ignoring the mounting feeling of despair and the feeling of hope draining from his body; he wouldn't let his faith alter, he couldn't, he didn't know what he'd do without it.

[Context backstory]
Many years before, a year before Daniel even existed, his parents gave birth to what they believed to be their miracle baby. She was perfect, everything they could have ever dreamed of. The mother cradled the week old child in her arms whilst the father continued to stitch together something extravagant.
He turned towards his loving wife with a manic grin on his face - "completed!" He awaited his wife's approval. She wiped a tear from her eye and smiled at him fondly "it's perfect. Look sweetie!" She turned the baby around in her arms to allow her to face her father's creation. It was a long white gown, embroidered with gold symbols, the most impressive being a large X sided by two feathered wings on the back. "Your first ritual gown." She sniffed "they grow up so fast.. a week old already, it feels like only yesterday that Xemüg blessed me with such a gift of a child."
With trembling hands she placed her baby down on an altar and dressed it in the ritual gown carefully, smoothing out all the wrinkles (which was considerably difficult on a moving and squirming baby.) she brushed the child's sweet tuft of blonde hair lovingly. "Such a beautiful girl."
The father approached and gave the child an approving nod. "Perfect. Shall we begin?"
What next took place may be down to the Smith's lack of sanity, or perhaps it was one of those unexplainable events the universe throws at you. All the young couple knew was that they'd done something right, for those were the unmistakeable crackles of hell-fire, and their child was most definitely blessed, like a religious artefact.
About a year later in life, a new member had joined the family, a young baby Daniel. Though the couple were pleased to have a new member to add to their numbers, they felt this child was nowhere near as special as his older sister. At a year old she'd already managed to decapitate a squirrel, which in their eyes, was remarkable.
Daniel was taken care of, of course, but the love his younger sister got was far greater than what he received, and it went on like this for many years.
At only 7 years old, Daniel had figured that he needed to really impress his parents - perhaps then they'd noticed him. He came home from school with offerings for them; decapitated wild animals and the like, but there was no eyes for him. His sister was the only one his parent's could see, and so Daniel was shoved aside many times, each and every one of his feeble attempts to gain their affection unworthy of a second glance.
At the age of 23, Daniel decided more drastic measures were needed. He was tired - tired of being shut out by two people he had always looked up to. It would take a lot to impress them, but he was certain he could do it.
A summer camp full of children. Each and every one of them brutally sacrificed to his lord and saviour, Xemüg. He alerted his parents immediately. Though mildly impressed, their compliments weren't satisfactory enough for him. He needed more. Camp Campbell was next on the list... [Cult Camp and future episodes ensue]

Daniel was sat in the same spot. It had been perhaps another 2 hours, every second consumed with deep thought. Why would Xemüg keep him waiting for so long when he had been so quick to appear last time?
Then the realisation hit him with the force of a truck zooming undisturbed down a straight road at 100 miles per hour.