- Apostolic Palace, Vatican, 1999 -
Two men walk down a poorly lit hallway. This is a section of the palace that very few people have access to. Their pace is rushed, as if they're late or the news are urgent. Their clothes, the black clerical robes. Their stoles, white with a golden trim, and a red cross in each end. Their pectoral cross, a golden one, with a white gemstone embedded in its center. They're bishops from the Order of Christ.
– Father Enrico, why does His Holiness wish to see us? – the youngest one, a man with short, wild brown hair, asks.
– It is simple, Father Emilio. – the eldest one, a man with short gray hair and a thick moustache, replies. – The pope wishes to know if we did any progress in our little project. He's been in the dark for at least five years.
They finally reach a large door. The door opens, revealing a huge, highly decorated throne room. Several religious scenes are depicted throughout the walls. Statues of the Twelve Apostles serve as "guards" to the room. At the end, a wide step, serving as high ground for the throne. The pope's figure is obscured by the cloaked robe he's using. The men approach the step and bow.
– Your Holiness, we bring news. – Father Enrico raises his head. – Our little project has been successful. An excursion can be sent to London.
– Good, good. – the pope nods. – I was worried about your Order's reluctance in giving me news. I was starting to think that I would have to go in person to your base, to question your silence. Although, an excursion to London is not happening. The Protestant Church might take it as an invasion, a Crusade. We don't want that.
– But, Your Holiness, our men are ready! – Father Emilio stands up. – We cannot allow such relics to stay in England! In the hands of those heathens! – he's clearly enraged by the decision.
– The word of the pope is the word of God Himself! – the pope rises from his chair. – Do I have to remind you of that, Emilio?! – the pope sits again. Father Emilio bows. – Your sector of the Order is filled with extremists. I see that said fact has influenced you as well. The protestants are not heathens. Heathens are those who call themselves gods. Heathens are those who worship false gods. The protestants believe in God and Christ as much as we do. They don't bow to me, but to another herald of God's word. – the pope waves his right hand. – You can return to your base, bishops.
– Yes, Your Holiness. – both men say. – Permission to leave your presence.
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
– Permission granted.
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- Conference Room, Wolfheim HQ, 2020 (present day) -
The most important members of Wolfheim are discussing the current increase in Anomaly encounters. The leader, Robert Dullack. The head scientist in the Relic Research Department, Professor Abraham Smith. The head scientist in Technology Development and Anomaly Research Department, Professor Johan Van Helsing. The top official of the Agent Training Program, Maximus Phawn.
– Well, we do need to remember that a similar event happened in 1999. Everyone was freaking out because of the "2K Bug", right? – Robert is concerned, but still wants to keep his cool. – Some asshole decided to unleash some curses, and there you go, a sudden increase in Anomalies.
– That is right, but we do need to remember that the situation back then was quickly solved. – professor Abraham takes the word. – And the numbers stagnated around April. We're close to the end of June and the Events are still increasing. Also, the Vatican deployed help across the globe. Now, not even they know what to do.
– It's quite clearly a problem we alone can't solve. – Maximus states, adding more. – Several other groups, even the branch bases of Wolfheim across the world, have reported an overall increase in aggressiveness from the Anomalies.
– Either this is one of the biggest surges ever recorded, or someone or something is making this happen. – professor Johan finally joins the argument. – I've had pressure from many sides, expecting an answer. The Holy Knights Templar, the Illuminati, both the French and the American branches of the Freemasonry, the Order of the Dragon and the Van Helsing House. All of them!
– Oh my! – a mysterious figure appears from a dark corner of the room. – So many clueless asses asking questions, Doc? The Order of Christ and their whiny asses... Holy Knights? What a scam! The enlightened Europeans who believe they're better than everyone else... to think that once people thought they controlled governments... Hahaha!
– What are you doing? – Maximus asks.
– SHUT IT! I'm not finished. Then there's the French and American guilds of stone workers. Funny. Oh, and the Romanian sad idiots... The Dragon's dead, get over it. And finally, the Van Helsing House. Doc, is your son really pressuring you? Can't he figure it out on his own? Since he's, you know, your son.
– Siegfried, enough is enough! – Robert intervenes. – Once we have something for you, we'll tell you. Now get out!
Siegfried proceeds to leave the room with no further protest. No comebacks, no menacing looks, nothing. He just leaves through the door as if his mission was complete. The room is left silent. Robert had just dominated Siegfried, in a way that Johan never managed to do. Robert sighs, and explains.
– As you know, I was once an agent myself. One of the best hunters of my generation. Because of that, I went through several missions alongside him. After all the things we had to go through together, it's only natural that he reacted the way he did...
[Well, hello there, dear reader~. It's me, Siegfried. I just want to say that Robert is toootally wrong. I did what I did 'cause I felt like it. The only man I bow to is Johan. Let's just say that Robbie's gonna get a little surprise down the line.]