Pope Peter slowly woke the next day. His body was stiff and sore from the battle the day before. The last thing he recalled was being attacked by a massive attack from the enemy. He looked at his own hands and body as he thought to himself, “I very nearly died. It is by the grace of God that I am alive here today.”
The Papal residence healer entered the room to see Peter awake. She gasped and clasped her mouth with her hand before saying, “By the grace of God! You are awake your Holiness.”
She then knelt to the ground as he rose from the bed gingerly. He winced with some pain but managed to walk over to the healer. He put his hand on her head and said, “God chose your hands to heal me through you. You are blessed as I am.”
The healer remained silent kneeling as Peter walked from the room. Peter exited the healing room and into a makeshift war room where he found his father and brother discussing the fallout of the battle.
Michael noticed Peter first and immediately knelt saying, “By the grace of God. You are alive.”
Pope Gregory walked towards Peter and said, “You fought valiantly Peter. The entire city of Houston has fallen to your feet with a single attack.”
Peter smiled and asked, “That warrior that nearly killed me. Is he dead?”
Gregory gave a stern look to Michael and said, “Your brother failed to kill the warrior, Nero.”
Peter scoffed, “And he calls himself the leader of our armies. Archbishop Michael, can you not avenge me, or is that you wouldn’t avenge me?”
Michael who remained kneeling answered, “Vengeance was not our priority. Father killed the Blood Demon.”
Peter remarked, “Is it true father? You have killed the Blood Demon who plagued this Earth with sin?”
Pope Gregory smiled, “It is true. A direct full-power Lightbringer attack took her down. The United States now stands alone and is ours for the taking.”
Gregory put his arm around Peter and said, “Come. The people have been waiting for your recovery.” The two made way to exit the room. Gregory looked back and said, “The invasion begins in three weeks time if everything goes to plan. Begin to make your plans today. I will expect a well-formed plan in short time.”
As Gregory and Peter left, Michael rose to his feet. He couldn’t help but hold a grudge against his brother who had more strength, more status, and more respect in the empire. Even more, he wasn’t invited to address the people after their victory. He was purposely left to his position with no hope of ascension. He stood in silence for a moment contemplating the disparities and lack of fairness compared to his brother’s treatment.
Michael then sat to prepare his invasion strategy for the coming weeks. As he began to work, he heard a loud cheer that sent vibrations through the Papal residence. Michael shook his head as he knew that was the sound of the people lauding his father and brother for their achievement while his own contributions were left in silence and lost to time without ever a person of the empire knowing.
Meanwhile, Pope Gregory and Pope Peter walked out onto a beautiful white stone terrace overlooking the Papal courtyard. Pope Gregory and Pope Peter both raised their hands to the crowd as they cheered.
Pope Gregory silenced the crowd and began, “God smiles on us all. Houston has fallen, the Blood Demon is dead, and Pope Peter has made a full recovery!”
The crowd went wild with cheers. Pope Peter then addressed the congregation, “Pope Gregory and I hear the words of God. He has spoken to us. And He says we will be victorious in cleansing the lands in the North of their foul sins!”
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The crowd once again went wild with cheers before Pope Gregory made a final announcement, “The next three weeks will mark a celebration of the beginning of a new age for our empire and the fall of the world’s most prolific sinners. Celebrate and rejoice!”
Pope Gregory and Pope Peter exited the terrace and made their way back in to the Papal residence with the loud roar of cheers for them both at their backs.
Gregory stopped by to see Michael in the war room and said, “Archbishop. I intend to continue our conquest of the United States. However, call a council of the Master Families. All of them. I am interested in stirring support for taking down the Blood Devil once and for all.”
Michael nodded, “It will be done.”
Peter also chimed in, “Oh and Archbishop. Make sure the news of the Blood Demon’s death makes international headlines around the world. I want the world to know she is dead.”
Michael nodded once again, “I will start immediately.”
Gregory turned back to Peter, “You must be hungry. Let’s get something to eat.” The two men walked off leaving Michael to his tasks.
_______________________________________________________
Senator Hammond sat reading his tablet in the war council room. The top headline and indeed the reason they were convened read, “Fallen Star. BloodStar Princess falls in battle.”
President Monroe rushed in asking, “Is it true?! Is it true God damnit!?”
Senator Davis sat across from Senator Hammond and nodded, “It is true. While there has been no official word from the BloodStar Empire, Pope Gregory has gloated about the news every chance he gets. Furthermore, our satellite imagery shows Xenia’s pulse reaching zero and her core body temperature dropping significantly. All consistent with death.”
The remainder of the members filtered in, and the meeting began in earnest. Senator Hammond started things off, “I think we all know why we are here. Princess BloodStar has died in battle against the Holy Light Empire. Houston, Texas has fallen. Two of the biggest dominoes we’ve ever seen have fallen. The events to come are all but inevitable.”
President Monroe added, “Pope Gregory has issued the three-week period from the day of the battle as a celebration in his empire. We have three weeks and counting to prepare for what I am sure will be an all-out onslaught against our border states. General Douglas, how can we prepare?”
General Douglas hesitated before saying, “Well. We can prepare by moving the entirety of our armed forces to the border states. We will be sending them to their deaths, of course, but what other option do we have? Xenia was our shining star and beacon of hope. Morale is low.”
President Monroe then said, “I do have some potentially promising news.”
The council turned curiously to him and waited for him to continue. He said, “The Master Families, including Pope Gregory himself, are meeting in Paris within the Heraklinos Empire just before the deadline of the three-week period. I too have been invited.”
Hammond coughed and said, “So a diplomatic option still hangs in the air?”
Vice President Morrow chimed in as well, “A long shot. We would need a miracle. The Master Families hate us. We are the last bastion of democracy. We are the one nation that gave their sworn enemy a chance. And we are a nation at war… and we are losing.”
President Monroe laughed, “I won’t act like it’s a done deal. I will have my work cut out for me. But at least we will have a venue to air our side of the story. It’s possible to salvage this. It’s possible if we condemn the BloodStar Empire and revoke our alliance with them, the Master Families will overlook our transgressions.”
Senator Davis quickly responded, “We had better be 110% sure Xenia is dead before we go down that road.”
Monroe looked directly to Arthur and said, “That’s exactly why you’re packing your bags, Arthur. We need you to be our boots on the ground in the BloodStar Empire. We need you to confirm her death. As you were Xenia’s most favored liaison, you would likely be much more welcome than any of us.”
Arthur nodded, “I would be happy too. I am curious myself to confirm if she is truly dead. I came to know her quite well. She isn’t someone who is so easily constrained by death. Then again, she may very well be dead. She went up against Pope Gregory himself, renowned for his strength and on par with Jarek Heraklinos. What did she expect?!”
Arthur ended his musings with anger. He quickly apologized though, “Forgive me, I have lost a friend. And we have lost a great hope to our country.”
The other members of the council nodded in agreement. Arthur then stood up and said, “I think I will be on my way to pack my bags. I will leave the diplomatic angles at the upcoming Master Family meeting to the rest of you. As you say, whether she is dead or not will be a cornerstone of our strategy at the meeting to come. I will make haste.”
President Monroe bid him ado, “We will all be anxiously awaiting your report, Senator.”
Arthur nodded as he left the room.