Three weeks had passed.
Together with Angus and Mia, I found myself getting closer and closer to the Center.
Even though our progress was slow Mia was still small and couldn't walk for long we kept going.
Angus told us we were just ten kilometers away.
At the pace we were going, we'd probably get there in five more days.
Angus and Mia got along really well.
He talked to her about God, about heaven, and so many other things that... even I was beginning to believe.
Maybe…
Everything we had gone through would be rewarded in the next life, just like Angus said.
Sometimes I wondered if Dad had managed to make it into heaven.
But...
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"To enter heaven, the only requirement is to have acted according to the Lord's instructions. And if you sin, you must repent with all your heart for the harm you've caused. The Lord is merciful and will forgive all those who truly regret their sins," said Angus, during one of his usual lessons for Mia.
When I asked him what sinning meant, he replied
"Sinning is failing to follow God's teachings. It's breaking His trust… wounding His heart."
"Having impure thoughts like envy or greed contaminates our hearts. God taught us that we must keep our souls pure against such sinful desires," he said with seriousness.
"Angus… is killing a sin?" I asked, uncertain.
His eyes widened.
"Little Aiden... that is the gravest of all sins. To extinguish a life is something only God has the right to do. Killing is the most direct offense against His teachings. For everything else, forgiveness exists. But for murderers... there is only one destination: hell," he said, in the most serious tone I had ever heard from him.
"Hell?" This time, it was Mia who asked.
"Yes, little Mia. Hell is the place ruled by the devil, the embodiment of evil and God's enemy. All sinners who fail to find salvation through the Lord's mercy... will fall into hell."
"Hell sounds ugly," Mia said again, her little face full of curiosity.
"The word 'ugly' doesn't do it justice, little one. Hell is the worst place in all of existence."
"Worse than here?" I asked.
"Oh, little Aiden… this place is paradise compared to it. Hell is where sinners' souls are punished with torments so vile they defy imagination. And the worst part... there is no redemption. Only eternal suffering."
"Children… never sin. But above all things… never kill."
My body trembled.
I turned pale.
Dad had killed more than one person… does that mean he's in hell?
Barely able to speak, I whispered.
"Is it true… that everyone who kills is doomed to hell?"
This time, there was no immediate response.
I lifted my head to look at Angus and realized he seemed deep in thought.
"There is one way," he finally said.
"Really?"
"It's only justified to kill if the person is a sinner who refuses to seek forgiveness. In that case, you act according to God's instruction, which says that evil must be removed from the world. Those who destroy evil will not only be forgiven... they will be rewarded by God."
"Rewarded?" I asked, now even more intrigued than Mia.
"Those who eradicate evil are recognized as God's apostles. Warriors of the Lord who protect goodness on Earth. All who are recognized as apostles will be granted divine grace and favor."
"Their ascension to heaven will be the most glorious, and they will be granted eternity alongside the Lord."
Then…
Dad won't be able to enter heaven.
He didn't kill for that reason…
"Angus, can apostles ask something of the Lord?"
"Little Aiden, all faithful believers can speak to the Lord through prayer, and God, in His infinite generosity, may grant us our wishes. But… apostles, because of their great deeds, hold special favor in the Lord's eyes."
I see… Then if I become an apostle… maybe I can ask God to forgive Dad and let him into heaven.
"Angus… how can I become an apostle?" I asked with enthusiasm.
Both Mia and Angus seemed surprised by my question.
"Little Aiden… do you really wish to become an apostle?" he asked, eyes wide.
"Yes. I do," I said with conviction.
"Hahaha! Little Aiden, that's wonderful. But… it won't be easy at all. Apostles are the most devoted believers, they understand God's teachings like no one else. It is said that the greatest apostles can even feel and hear the Lord's words."
"There's a fine line between killing to eradicate evil… and killing out of selfishness. Those who kill selfishly and claim it was in God's name commit the worst kind of blasphemy. For them... not even hell is punishment enough."
"If you want to become an apostle, you must first understand the teachings of God better than anyone. Better even than someone like me a mere messenger of the Word. Here, I'll give you my book."
He handed me the thick book he always carried with him.
"This is a copy of the manuscripts written by God's first and most devout apostle Miguel. His connection to the Lord was so powerful that no one in the universe could match his strength. His ability to understand God's words was so pure that the Lord wrote through him. In this book are all the teachings and desires of the Lord," Angus said.
"This looks… really important to you, Angus," I said, looking at him.
"Of course. This book has been with me since birth. It's been passed down through my family for generations millennia, even long before the slums ever existed."
My eyes widened.
"Angus… I can't accept this," I said, trying to return it.
But he stopped me.
"Little Aiden, I can see the unbreakable determination in your eyes to become a apostle. There is nothing more glorious to me than helping a young apostle find his path. My ancestors would only be proud if this book became a source of inspiration for you… even more so if you carry it with you on your glorious journey," he said with a wide smile.
I could feel the tears running down my cheeks.
All I could say was…
"Thank you, Angus… I promise I won't let you down."
"Haha, I know, little Aiden. I've seen how you care for your sister, even though you're just a child, alone in this world. You are strong, brave, determined, and pure of heart. Without a doubt, you have everything it takes to become an exceptional apostle," he said, still smiling brightly.
Beside me, I suddenly felt someone grab my arm.
It was Mia.
"Brother… you'll be the best apostle," she said, with a smile even bigger than Angus's.
Seeing those two people so happy… there were no more doubts in my heart.
We will go to the Center, where I'll learn to use mana and grow stronger.
And then…
I will become an apostle who puts an end to evil.
One that makes Mia and Angus proud.
And then...
We'll all live happily in heaven.