"Do you get it now," the high priest held his hand up in silence and replied to the first elder's guest.
"This is insane. You opened the gates to hell and now you expect everyone to just be fine with it? What if…", the guest with the pencil mustache rolled his eyes as he stood up for all to see. Before he could finish the statement, the chair and his legs were knocked out from under him while a gun had been pressed against the back of his head.
"STOP! Father, tell them to stop," Aaradhya snapped his eyes shut and cringed away from the brutality. The cameras were still on the young lord so some people gasped, others raised a brow in confusion. The first elder's jaw dropped. Their god of death flinched away from a potential killing. In fact, the first elder felt annoyed with the whole situation regarding his guest.
"Uh... ", Aaradhya realized his mistake and fixed himself. With an emotionless face, he simply pointed at the gunman and waved him away. Then he pointed at the guest and rolled his palm.
"The lord has asked that we not assault our guests. In fact, he would love to hear what the first elder's ward has to say," the high priest interpreted for his son. The first elder gritted his teeth and clenched his hands as he was openly associated with the guest that made a fool of himself to the whole congregation. The gunman stood up and retreated to the side. The fallen man stood and cleaned himself off. He opened his mouth to be disrespectful again, but quickly realized he did not have any of the power in this place. Legitimately, everyone including the first elder that was supposed to be on his side looked at him with disgust or annoyance.
"Excuse my earlier comments and actions my lord. I was simply overcome with emotion. Unlike the majority of your subjects here, I have only been a small part of your outer council for but a scant few months. In fact, this is the very first interaction I've had with the Shepherds since my mother offered me her deathbed sigil. In other words, I am still becoming accustomed to the duties I have only recently become aware of," the man fixed his hair and bowed with the restraint and grace of a royal prince.
"Our lord is allowing you to rise and speak your mind. Please, do as such before he changes his mind," the high priest seemed to interpret Aaradhya's hand movements and head nods. No one knew that direct orders were being given.
"Thank you, my priest and glory be unto you, my lord. Then, I will speak frankly as you've allowed me to do so. Ahem. I am not so confident about facing the hordes of demons or lost souls that roam this world. I can guess that by showing us this footage, you wish for us to repay the wealth you've bestowed upon our families for generations by somehow assisting our lord in guiding the lost sheep back into our lord's embrace...", the man stood up straight as he spoke. Aaradhya hummed a jaunty tune as he realized that this guest of the first elder was actually intelligent enough to get his point across in a servile manner.
"Shame. He's a rather smart individual. Sadly, he has shown too much hostility. I can only hope to spare his life here and recruit him later… Father, I don't wish for this person to die. He seems to have a good head on his shoulders and people like that are in short supply," Aaradhya fanned his gaze across the crowd and noted that nearly everyone wanted this man to die. The guest cleared his throat and continued.
"I'm sure that you've heard some of the rumors that our elders have shared seeing as you are the high priest, but for those who do not understand my apparent displeasure. Ahem, I don't feel comfortable or capable enough to be able to handle our lord's issues with his realm. The scale is one thing but the mere concept of combating the undead is beyond me," the guest heard the murmurs of the crowd and pressed his hard earned advantage.
"That is not to say that I am unwilling. I merely fear that I am not equipped or ready to handle the new tasks that will come with dealing with the undead. Especially as I have heard that our lord has been using his body to keep us safe and in the dark since before the dawn of time. Also, my lord, why is it only now that our lord requests our aid in his descent into mortal flesh," the guest poured his heart out as the cameras focused on him.
"I have heard from the elders that his powers have been poured into us, his following, now that the landscape of his eternal war has changed," the guest cleared his throat as he spun around to make sure that the camera got his good side. It was only after a second of silence that he turned back to the throne and got on one knee.
"I am willing to learn how to combat the denizens of the spiritual realm of our lord, just as all of you are. My lord, I am willing, truly. But how, how do you expect us to face something like that? How do you expect anyone outside of this room, beyond our sanctuary on this island, to accept the existence of creatures like that? The flock, as I fear to even say, isn't as devoted to your teachings as those of us on this island are," the guest stood up and paced around the back of his seat as he pointed to the images that were frozen on the crystalline screens. All he did was point out that almost all of the silhouetted figures resembled demons and monstrosities beyond comprehension.
"And how, how can we be expected to protect the world under your guidance if our best soldiers can't even reclaim a single temple," the man roared this last bit. The anger the crowd felt towards him turned inward, as if they had failed their god. The first elder went as pale as a sheet. Information he shared in confidence was immediately used against him... and by his own stepson to boot. The high priest smiled and turned off his mic while the council argued and screamed over one another. The cameramen and women, or at least the servants that were working the booms, were smart enough to turn off their mics. The production team replaced the audio with music from the orchestra that was told to play something soft and melodic. While the servants did their best to preserve the profiles of the elders, Masih Sr gave a basic rundown of what he knew.
"The young man that you allowed to speak his mind is called Voltaire Gespario Di Beckham, he is the first elder's step son. The man married into his position from being an outer court Elder to being the first chair. Voltaire's mother used to be the first elder when my father was the high priest. At the time, Voltaire was raised with every intention to be the next first elder. Sadly, Beckham wormed his way into the hearts of those on the council...", Masih Sr remembered moments from his youth where he could see Beckham's all consuming greed play out.
"Father, I don't mean to call you into question but as I understand it, Voltaire said that he only learned of this, CULT, a few months ago by his own admission. How could Voltaire have received an elder's education regimen," Aaradhya questioned. Masih Sr's face fell as he tried to come up with a way to explain the intricacies of the faith and the educational regime that the youth would undergo.
"Ah. Well, many of us in the higher positions of the Shepherds happen to also be highly influential individuals out in the larger world. For example, a few council members are headmasters at prestigious boarding schools throughout the world while more than a handful work in the official cabinets of world leaders. Even more of the outer council members have careers or establishments in financial and technical institutes the world over. Thus, anyone who is selected to receive a seat at the council is given nothing but the best opportunities to grow and learn from birth. Gradually, we all work together to bring in these talented individuals," Masih Sr explained.
"Ah. So he was groomed from birth at one of those schools to get the first seat just because his mother was a wealthy member of the Golden Horn even if he wasn't directly exposed... Is nepotism a big factor in who gets what in this cult," Aaradhya noticed frightening similarities between many of the council members. He then noticed the treatment in seating throughout the room. Though everyone had good seats, only the five closest tables to the throne had proper spacing between the people who sat at them. The back of the barely lit seating areas nearly spilled with body parts as the tables were overcrowded. In other words, the grand elders, the old men and women that he met with earlier in the day, were at the table closest to the throne while the inner court elders were seated at the four other tables closest to the throne. The outer court elders were placed at the remaining tables with barely any space for them to move. There was a distinct difference between the elders as the grand elders all wore ribbons from famous institutes while the inner court elders wore pins dictating where they were the alumni of. The outer court elders showed a distinct lack of regalia.
"Among other things, yes. My father chose to speak out against the warped beliefs the council now holds. Beckham capitalized on that, and the situation is as you see. As for Voltaire, he received his education since his mother fancied my fathers opinion of letting the younger generation learn and grow outside of the confines of the temple," Masih Sr dished out that hot gossip and piqued Aaradhya's interest.
"How was Beckham seen as the first if the seat belonged to Voltaire's mother," Aaradhya trailed off since his father looked at him with awe. Knowing Death's style of planning now, Aaradhya made a wild guess. Voltaire had a very good supernatural predisposition and a certain level of intelligence that Death and Aaradhya appreciated in those they worked with. He jumped the gun but Death probably crafted Voltaire's backstory to help him in the future.
"Mrs. Beckham, the previous first elder, expressed in her will that her elder's signet would go to Joseph, the current first elder. She did not want her son to be restricted by the duties of an elder. If Joseph were to die before she did, the seat would have no other heir other than Voltaire since the elders would not be able to agree on an outside candidate taking the seat. His mother only gave him a lesser sigil those scant few months ago because of my input before her cancer progressed," Masih Sr revealed.
"Really, " Aaradhya raised an eyebrow.
"Yes. A seat on the outer court of the council offers much more freedom and allows someone the freedom to maintain their attachment to the outside world," Masih Sr gripped the mic.
"Good. I knew I had a good eye and I hold respect for your judgment as my father but to see how you have settled this matter, I'm impressed. What about your personal assessment," Aaradhya leaned on the throne's armrest.
"He has the heart of a leader, the pride and the ambition of one too. Voltaire would be an exceptional boon to your plans and would make a great figurehead after you... well... after we make some adjustments to the faith. Sadly...", Masih Sr also noticed the mixed feelings within the crowd as the elders spoke on different matters without the high priest's input.
"I understand, he is a hot potato at the moment. If only he held his tongue, everyone wouldn't be so set on killing him," Aaradhya frowned then held his hand up. The cult quickly focused on him and quieted down. That was the signal for the servants to restart the mic and focus up.
"Voltaire, our lord does appreciate that you posed so many good questions and possessed so many insights. My response, however, is not needed. You've answered yourself and given us all something to think about. Guidance...", Masih Sr and spoke loud enough to attract everyone's attention. On the side, Mrs. Lagrange ordered the choir to sing as she personally directed the orchestra and camera men to avoid taking in the bickering of the grand elders.
"Our lord has woken up and is here by our side. He doesn't expect us to fight something like that for he will train his new physical form every day to do it himself. Those who are willing to provide aid can do so under his instruction...", the high priest played another video on the screen. It was the same fight at the temple from the perspective of a soldier who fought and survived. The high priest and the guards, battered and bloodied, pulled out the followers who remained. Everyone watched each other's backs as lost souls flickered around the room in the spiritually dense atmosphere.
"Our lord doesn't expect the majority of the flock to believe in the authenticity of his realm, he simply has faith that people will understand the truth just as we have. As for the world...", the high priest turned off the super cut and put up a graph of everywhere their cult stretched its influence.
"We simply have to change a few things in how we operate and the services we provide. It would mean the difference between saving every generation from here on and the alternative...", the high priest put up some more graphics. The council proper mostly quieted down as the people at the edges of the hall roared.
"The corruption we will face spreads over time, little by little while the lost souls are only an issue because we are severely underprepared," the high priest stressed the issue. Images they hadn't seen before showed up. These were the deaths that were deemed too harming to the viewer. Those who could see the real appearances of the lost souls in these photos, looked away.
"I'm sorry, high priest. I have no intention of being disrespectful, but I can't keep this up. I find this presentation laughable. You wish to do all of these things but how many decades if not centuries will it take? Even with our extensive history and roots, our Shepherds of the Golden Horn would be destroyed by the public if we were to be vocal with anything that you have shown us today," Voltaire, the man who was actually an outer elder of the council, was right to laugh. Unlike many in the room, he was more in touch with the way the world worked. Even if those on the council were amazing and influential people, they were mainly associated with other powerful and influential people. The general public wouldn't kindly accept something like this if they were to go public with their support of the Shepherds. Aaradhya nodded openly, shocking many who were looking at him.
"He is right to laugh. Some people probably already think that this is a cult but if we start saying that evil spirits walk amongst us and that we have to fight back, I can only imagine the backlash," Aaradhya closed his eyes and let the story unfold. He gave the info, how his father chose to use it was up to him. The meeting with the elders earlier in the day was the first barrier and the high priest already cleared it. Now, with their backup, he just had to convince the full council of elders. To prime the current conversation, the grand elders spoke to their lackeys, who spread it around like a game of telephone. Hence, the rumors Voltaire spoke of. Some of the info was meant to stay secret but now it didn't matter since it was all out there.
"We will not have our flock worry about the lost souls and corruption that will spread. Instead, our lord has informed us that matters of the soul can be put aside in favor of matters of the flesh," Masih Sr threw a curveball that Voltaire was not expecting as he stopped pacing and looked at the priest with a scrunched nose.
"We will start combating the infection of our lord's realm by doubling our efforts to establish new educational systems. Our first goal is to popularize a universal common language. After we have united our people, we will integrate fixed monetary exchange rates and global stock prices. Our lord then said that after we have accomplished those two goals, we have to protect and encourage cultural exchanges. Our final goal is to establish universal medical and artistic services," Masih Sr repeated what he convinced the grand elders of during the first private meeting.
"Father. I will say this once, and only once. Your ability to hold an audience is impeccable," as Aaradhya said. Nearly an hour passed as the high priest explained everything that he had only touched upon with the grand elders. With an exhausted blush, the high priest cleared his throat.
"... And before we get back to the festivities. Remember that once you leave this island, your every thought should be filled with how you will use our lord's guidance to make the world a better place," the high priest spoke. Cheers and a visible insanity rushed through the hundreds of people present in the room and the thousands that vacationed or lived on the island. The music boomed and vibrated through the bones of everyone present.
"Wait. Hold on," everyone who got up to rush the high priest with cheers and bowed to their lord up close froze. Everyone in the orchestra held their breath and steadied their hands. Someone on a trumpet accidentally let out a note and walked out of a service door in shame.
"Listen up everyone. We are our lord's most faithful servants. We have all withstood decades of hard times and have had our faithless moments ...", the high priest continued without the aid of music or a microphone. His voice alone, boomed and echoed throughout the chamber.
"Sounds like this Voltaire kid is having one of those right now," a nasally voiced person in the crowd berated.
"That's right, ha ha, the BOY is definitely having one of those faithless days," another person laughed. A few more voices made light of the situation at the exact right time and dragged everyone into the antics. The crowd forgot their anger and laughed at the grown man who reddened in embarrassment.
"Alright. Enough about brother Voltaire's misguided judgment. Today, we establish a future for all generations to come. Tomorrow, we hold our hands out to those who would come to be our allies. The day after, we party like it's our last day to live. Remember, there are medical stations all over the island so if you need assistance go to one. And after that...", the priest paused for dramatic effect.
"We change the world. Let our lord's glorious light guide us to the future," the music started up and everyone rushed the table with the elders and their wards. Voltaire was completely ignored and pushed aside as people stormed the high priest's table. Someone even directly pushed him to the ground and ruffled through his pockets. In the mess, he didn't notice because someone else stepped on his ankle and another stepped on his hand. The crowd was more concerned with getting up close to their lord. With a grim expression, Voltaire left the ballroom and returned to his temporary residence.
"It seems as though everyone has forgotten about his slight to me. Father, send someone to keep watch over him. If possible, I would like him to return… ", unlike the crowd Aaradhya still watched the forgotten man. For some reason, Voltaire paused at the main entrance and looked back at Aaradhya.
"It seems he's cognizant of the fact that he almost died here. He will probably harbor some grudges toward the cult but not me from the looks of it. Hm, should I call it a covenant instead? I do like the word... If possible, father, can you also try and express my intentions to get him to come back. Actually, let's hit two birds with one stone… ", Aaradhya leaned back in his chair. He went back to light reading.
"Get the first elder Joseph Beckham to contact him. First, stress that he needs someone to take over his role as the first now that his ward was essentially exiled. He needs a successor for tomorrow's little play. Also, let him know that if my plans going forward fail because of him, well. You make it up, do as you wish with the old man. I caught a glimpse of your emotions earlier and the memories behind them. Crush the old bastard how you see fit," Aaradhya watched as the first elder tried to sneak off toward his stepson. The crowd constantly got in the way.