October 28th, 2023

Stigmata

I stared into the Abbot’s eyes as he looked at my hands. There was a sort of fear in his eyes. I wasn’t sure if it was the righteous fear of all those that believed in God’s will, or if it was something that wasn’t what I wanted in a leader. Either way, I wondered how he would react. Sure, what I was asking for was a little bold but I felt that it was the only appropriate reaction to what I had achieved. I was the living Stigmata, whatever he chose to call me, and I believed this was the greatest of God’s blessings granted by this system-voice.

“Uh… I suppose that’s a fair proposal. I don’t think that there are many who have used that name.” The abbot seemed to be a little bit concerned for me. Was he worried about my mental health? I was as sane as a bee!

“There is a long tradition of naming oneself after virtues. The stigmata is an important virtue in our line of work. I believe it’s important.” I said, with a stance and steady bove. I wasn’t really as focused as I could be but I think that the world around me should have to learn the word of god properly, through my voice or others.

“The stigmata isn’t really a virtue, it’s a blessing. A virtue is something you do.” He held his hand up to his mouth. “Did you… did you do that to yourself?”

“No, I didn’t. The system does as god wishes, and it granted me this ability.” Something about the way I said that, the smile on my face, it unnerved him. I knew that whatever I said would be important. “It heals me. I was fasting, it feels like I no longer need to eat. I was hurt, now the only pain I feel is through the lord our God’s wounds. It’s all fair.”

“Fine, fine, I’ll call you Stigmata.” The abbot said, seemingly a little cross with me. “But this business you have about saying that the system is God’s word. I don’t know about that. This sisystem mentions other gods at times! There are those in the brotherhood who have even left the faith over this alone!”

“Don’t be ridiculous, the other gods thing has been shown to me. The are called gods, but do you know what they are? They are living beings who have ascended and intercede on the behalf of their followers. That sounds like a saint to me, or perhaps the Bodhisattva of the east. Or do you think God can be killed?”

Stolen novel; please report.

“God is immortal in heaven, but the things this system says… it’s incompatible. They must be so far away, it’s impossible for us to understand what they mean.”

“Of course.” I said, holding my hands on his shoulders. He seemed to shudder as my blood dripped down his shirt and stained his robes. “Never doubt God. Sure, these are trying times, but trying must be true. We are to understand their name in fate, God’s word is within these prompts, no matter what we see.”

“God? Nay, it villany that struts upon the stage so grand.” He spoke with a flourish, mockingly matching my prose. He stepped back from me, and while my hands bled I saw he began to glow a golden light. “Yes, I’ll take the devil’s work in hand, don’t say I do not take these gifts, but your premise is fraught with fallacies. Listen closely, you must understand that we are the sons of god on earth, we must find our flock and help them in caring hands.”

“I thought you might say that.” I said, shrugging and turning around. “You are an idiot of the highest order. I say that God is with us and you deny his name, his power, his very fame. What care do you take of these people to make it so?” I started to walk from the room. “I shall leave. God can not be killed, not even if you preach it high, and I will join and do gods words.” A prompt entered my vision and immediately disappeared as I felt magic shiver along my skin.

“I must now meet the wretches of the world.” I said loudly as I stormed down the halls of my beloved Abby. “They need us, and you sit here in contemplation too long. I did as I was told by God, but now I am told much more, so I shall leave as you stay secluded.”

The other brothers stared at me as I walked away, and I moved to the large front doors which were opened for ceremonial purposes. I placed my hands upon them, my bloody wounds leaving marks upon the wood as I pushed them open and walked into the sunny skies and outside world. There were people I had to help.

The world looked bright, and silent, not a soul walking nearby the abbey. I would go next to the nearest church, I was sure there would be something there. I walked down the street, there were turned over cars, and all the signs that some form of riot had happened. However there was a sickly sweet smell that I was unsure of. Investigating closer I found a corpse, the body of some ferocious beast. It was a wolf, perhaps, something like it at least. “Ah.” I said. “A monster among the sheep. I see that the world is being slaughtered, and yet my brothers hide. A shame on them.” There was an odd smile creeping across my face as I walked. My robes were dragging along the ground and the meaty detritus left there, as I walked away. I chose not to investigate the smell of death any more, assuredly I would find a human body soon. I wanted to delay that, knowing it would shake my core, if not the faith that holds it up.