Red Queen walked towards the battalion of Heroes who had survived the onslaught of the Hybrids. Across the battlefield, apostle Ozeah approached his holy men.

Staring at the two figures Elissa turned to Al. His face was solemn and contemplative. He was much different from the emotional kid she had first encountered almost 50 years ago.

Breaking the silence Al said. "Peace between the Church and New Ark City. Between the two they might be able to deal with Taczlopalic."

Elissa smiled and followed behind him. "Yes, the God Leafs might not even have to get involved. Once we get some free time I have a few things to teach you," she informed him.

The two began walking toward apostle Ozeah who was explaining the situation to the holy men. The men received Al and Elissa with suspicious looks. Meanwhile, their light acolytes who hovered above the oblivious holy men paid little interest.

Preparing to leave, apostle Ozeah noticed three familiar figures approaching them. It was Red Queen accompanied by Hero Pink Bunny and Hero Raging Stone. Before he could speak Red Queen loudly stated. "Al is a friend of our City's founding fathers. I will be accompanying him."

Apostle Ozeah pointed at the two Heroes at her side. "What about them?"

"In your attempt to kill Al, you ended up killing her teacher Hero Misume." Red Queen explained as she nudged Hero Pink Bunny forward. "I owe it to my teacher to see the conclusion to the cause that led to her death. I need closure." The small pink hero clarified.

Without needing to be introduced Raging Stone turned toward Al "A good friend of mine made a big sacrifice so we all could be here today. I owe it to him to see this through."

Al turned towards the two and bowed, saying "Pink Bunny I apologize for your teacher's death. Raging Stone I'm sorry for Hot Pyro." The two Heroes acknowledged Al but remained quiet.

"So be it." Apostle Ozeah said before turning to the Holy Men and giving the order to leave.

The holy men formed a circle holding hands and began humming. In unison, the light acolytes hovering in the air entered the bodies of the unsuspecting holy men

The ground beneath the group began vibrating in resonance with the humming. A light leaked from the grass beneath their feet. The sparkling glow coalesced into a circular sheet of shimmering light.

As the sheet of light began floating taking the group into the night sky cold air rushed across Al's face. He could see the land beneath despite the luminous sheet carrying them. From below they looked like a disk of light flying through the night.

"Under the Light of our god, anything is made possible!" Apostle Ozeah loudly spoke. Red Queen crouched to touch the sheet of light scrutinizing the material.

Seating down next to Elissa Al pondered "This Red Queen is she truly here to help me or is this as an excuse for her to study the power of the Church?" Silently he focused his breath to recuperate the Will he had lost in the fight between the Hybrids and the Temple of Ozeah.

The priest continued to hum their hymns causing the light to move. As they dashed through the sky Red Queen began speaking to apostle Ozeah about the fight they had just had. Neither had come out victorious, they were locked in a standstill.

Apostle Ozeah only remembered pieces and admitted becoming the Temple of Ozeah felt like a dream. When he would return to his human form it was like waking up.

Red Queen speculation had been confirmed, apostle Ozeah remembered nothing the two had spoken about when he was the Temple of Ozeah. The light acolyte inhabiting his body was affecting his memory

The sun was slowly rising in the east and the morning had overtaken the land below. They rushed past a Dawn Keeper(etheric servants of the light acolytes) the sky and lands were filled with their kind. After some time 3 pyramid peaks became visible in the horizon.

In comparison, few humans were entering small buildings spread throughout the land. As they got closer 9 towers could be seen surrounding the 3 pyramids.

The platform of light took them to the highest floor of one of the 9 towers, its ceiling was almost the size of the platform.

"Welcome to the 8th Temple. Welcome to my altar." apostle Ozeah spoke to his guests. The holy men lowered their humming making the platform of light slightly permeable. Al, Elissa, Red Queen, Raging Stone, Pink Bunny, and apostle Ozeah fell right through, each landing on their feet.

After ordering the holy men away apostle Ozeah descended downstairs accompanied by his guests. The stairs from the ceiling led to a grand room below. The room was filled with various instruments, bookshelves, and a telescope near a large window.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

Apostle Ozeah placed his hand on Al's shoulder while addressing the group. "This is my study. All of you will wait here until I prepare private quarters for you. Meanwhile, I will escort Al to our holding facility."

"Holding facility?" Elissa loudly questioned.

"This is what we agreed to. We will hold him there until his day for execution comes. Rest assured we won't lay a hand on him until then." Apostle Ozeah replied. Before she could say anything else Al reassured her that it was fine and he continued to descend the stairs with apostle Ozeah.

The two walked together passing a closed door. "You have holding facilities? Do the people here get themselves executed frequently?" Al asked.

Without looking at him apostle Ozeah answered "We don't kill our people, however sometimes after someone that has countlessly broken the law and refuses to change. We exile them to lands in the West. We keep them in a holding facility while they await a trial constructed in their defense."

After hearing the answer Al remained quiet. He saw various rooms some meant for prayer some meant for teaching. The lower they went the more Dawn Keepers Al saw. Before exiting the tower apostle Ozeah turned to look at Al, "You will be the first public Execution we've ever had."

Stepping outside Al could see the 3 pyramids in the distance. Their flat surfaces reflected a large amount of light making them appear like stars in broad daylight. Apostle Ozeah walked Al to a small pagoda not far from his temple. He confiscated Al's dual blades before handing him over to a priest.

Entering the pagoda the priest escorted Al to the third floor. "For a place meant for criminals, the design is quite luxurious," Al observed as he stepped on a velvet carpet and walked past ivory statues.

He was brought to a room with a well-made bed, a small library, and a large window displaying the brilliant pyramids. After being left alone Al let out a long sigh. He walked over to the small library and pulled out a random book to read.

Meanwhile, apostle Ozeah returned to his study where he had left Red Queen, Elissa, Raging Stone, and Pink Bunny. He walked them as a group to a different building. Before bidding them farewell he invited them to a festival the Church was having to decide the future 5th apostle.

Back in the holding facility Al flipped through the pages of the book he had pulled out. A soft knock on the door broke his concentration.

Wondering who it could be Al invited them in, a young man wearing a white and emerald robe walked into the room. "Sorry to interrupt your privacy, my name is Alan Wilson." The young man introduced himself. "I heard you were the one who killed exarch Stefanos?" he asked.

Al instinctively readied his free hand before remembering that his blades had been taken from him before entering the pagoda. Al carefully replied, "Yes I killed that man, he left me no choice."

Alan's eyes widened slightly. "He was a good man and a teacher to many. But exarch Stefanos didn't have much time to live. I often wonder if he acted so recklessly because he knew the end was approaching?" He finished the last part in a whisper.

Al stood firm and put away the book he was reading. "What do you mean he didn't have much time to live, was he sick or something?"

Alan closed the door behind him, before responding. "If being blessed is a sickness then yes. Those of us who carry the light of the Church are not long for this world. Priests only live a little over a century, exarchs live around 40. No apostle has made it past 30."

Listening to Alan a light bulb turned on in Al's head but he kept his countenance calm as he reflected. "Light acolytes stick to individuals. Dark acolytes collect multiple people. Dark acolytes make a contract with the soul to transfigure the human body into a hybrid. These light acolytes must then be making a contract with their victim's body to transfigure their soul leading to their early death. The soul is the mind." Realizing the etheric creature's true nature made Al's head spin.

With Alan standing before him Al shifted his attention to the young man's anxious face. "You said 'those of us'. Does that mean you're a priest?" He asked.

Alan's eyes turned to the pyramids, "No, not exactly. From a young age, our aptitude for the light is measured. I was about to enter advanced education when I was chosen. All 9 apostles, every exarch and priest turned towards the sky when the light became one with me. They say I will be the first prophet of the Church of New Light."

Al's eyes widened, the power Temple of Ozeah wielded was catastrophic. He could only imagine what this young man would be capable of. However, he quickly remembered the words Alan had spoken.

Al looked at the young man, he was staring at the wooden floor with a grim expression. In an empathetic tone, Al said "You're afraid your life will be cut even shorter than the apostles."

Alan looked up at Al but didn't say a word. Al could see the struggle within his eyes, however he couldn't reveal the truth about the light acolytes.

This wasn't like the small enclave he and Elissa had rescued from the enlightened dark acolyte Ragjiel. Telling Alan the truth would risk the lives of the people who had accompanied Al to keep him safe. The truth could potentially create another enemy for the world.

Quickly thinking about the best course of action Al gave Alan a small smile and invited him to sit on the floor across from him. alan sat across from him and listened to Al speak. "Us cultivators pursue immortality. Death is the last thing on our minds. But as a Stubborn Will cultivator, I've died more times than I can count. There was a time I even welcomed death, but still, I didn't die. My family, loved ones, and friends are all gone. Still, I persist. Do you know why?"

Alan's face was filled with curiosity he had momentarily forgotten his anguish. "Why do you still endure?" he responded.

Al gave a long sigh before sharing his reason for his persistence. "Because if I gave up now, everything I've done would have been in vain. It's as your books say, I must bear my cross. So pick yours up and carry it."

Alan was slightly moved before returning to a dejecting look, "You chose your fate, I didn't. We are not the same!" he stated.

Al froze as he recalled his life and choices, there were a lot of painful memories but one thing was clear. While he thought his choices were his alone he had repeatedly gotten those close to him killed despite all his effort.

In a monotone voice, Al replied. "We trick ourselves into thinking freedom lies in our choices. But nothing we do can stop the inevitable, my end lies in solitude, yours in death. Nothing but death awaits you, I can see it in your eyes you would be better off dead than living as a ghost."

Alan gritted his teeth in response to Al's harsh words. He stood up and stormed out of the room. Al remained seated and looked toward the pyramids, "If he knew the price for his freedom would not only be his death but everyone else's. Would he willingly take up his cross or crumble under the truth?" he pondered.