July 15th, 2021
St. Matthew's Holy Catholic Church
Sleepy Oak, Minnesota
*A familiar scene appears before our eyes as we see a newer, less ancient chapel, known as St. Matthew's Holy Catholic Church. A neo-Gothic classic design for the cathedral. It appears rather quiet, a few folks here and there, nuns and the like. Entering through the large chamber doors is a very familiar man. A small casual shirt, tie, and black pants make him stick out like a sore thumb, but Brian Zewbowski has always stood out considering his look anyways. With him though is another familiar face, and that is of Detective Harvey Brenton, with a svelte suit of his own, but less conspicuous himself.* Zewbowski: Can you please explain what exactly we're doing here? Aren't we supposed to be investigating those missing kids?
Brenton: Listen, Brian. We can get help here with that, but right now, we need this book taken care of.
Humanity: The Mundi Deglutiens has one rather unfortunate side-effect that belies its usefulness. It can be well protected through the use of certain rituals passed from Ancient Rome to the modern Catholic church.
Zewbowski: Hold on, you mean to tell me the Catholic church knows about this sort of stuff?
Brenton: It's better if you don't ask that out in the open. *Humanity's voice echoes in Brian's head, like a ping bong ball against the walls. It reverberates everywhere and nowhere at once, but it is fairly clearly understood.*
Humanity: The short answer is yes, though. The Catholic Church is two thousand years old, Brian. They have learned many things in that span of time, some things that would truly bring fear to the common folk.
*As Brenton and Brian walk towards the altar, they see an older priest speaking quietly to a far younger acolyte. The priest is perhaps in his 50s, while the acolyte cannot be any more than in his early 20s. Brian and Harvey watch quietly as they approach, the older priest in garb fit for a holy man. The man notices the two coming closely and closes the bible before him, which he was reading to the young acolyte.* Father Heinlam: Ah, gentlemen, I haven't seen either of you before. I am Father Heinlam, how may I help you? *Brian turns to see the young man, and there's this absolutely strange sense of... deja vu. As if these two have met before. The young acolyte has a boyish face, light blonde hair, and circular glasses. Brian tries to shake off the weirdest feeling as Father Heinlam turns to the young man and sends him away.* Father Heinlam: Don't worry about the boy, my friends. Young mister Remus is under my tutelage, and someday he will take over for me as the assigned priest of this church. *The name Remus pings Brian somewhat, bringing a stronger feeling to this odd sensation he is experiencing. He doesn't know why right now, but that name may become important later on. Brenton however is all business today, he turns to Father Heinlam and clears his throat.* Brenton: Father Heinlam, I understand that your education was spent in Rome's papal courts, correct?
Father Heinlam: Well, this is a surprise, how did you know that? *Harvey Brenton steps up to the altar, before Heinlam, and pulls out that horrid book, Mundi Deglutiens for the priest to see. As soon as he takes on look at it, his face goes pale white, looking at Brenton and Brian with suspicion and then his eyes darting to the others in the chapel. He shakes his head quickly and ushers the two to follow him.* Father Heinlam: Let's take this to my office, gentlemen. Not out here. *Brian feels confused, as how could such a simple priest know such a thing? The voice in his head, that of Humanity, speaks slowly to him.*
Humanity: I sense your confusion, Brian. The church knows all about Ammar and the book... but only those who have been taught in the halls of Rome, and sworn to an oath of secrecy.
*After some time, Brian and Brenton are led into a quiet office space, where Father Heinlam sits behind a large mahogany desk. He sighs and rubs the bridge of his nose with his thumb and pointer. Brian and Harvey sit at two chairs in front of the desk and they see Father Heinlam begin to rummage through his desk, pulling out reading glasses and finally releasing some breath, beginning to speak.* Father Heinlam: Alright gentleman. What is the meaning of this. Why have you brought this accursed thing to me.
Brenton: There's been activity. We need time, Father. You having an education from the Church in Rome, you know how to stall the forces of destruction. This book, it needs the Ritual of Admonition to keep any of Ammar's cultists from being able to touch the damn thing. Out in the open as it is, it's a danger. *Father Heinlam blinks for a few seconds, and then nods his head. He looks at both Brian and Harvey before shrugging.*
Father Heinlam: I see... so you both know, do you. Why do you think I can help? I'm just a simple priest.
*Brian's face twists into a frown, his eyes shifting from their blue to dark-brown. Humanity takes control for a second and stands up, leaning into the desk and staring down at the Father. His voice is commanding,
Humanity: All three of us know, and I would bid that you show more respect to us.
*Father Heinlam is completely caught off guard at the voice, and nervously wipes away the sweat from his brow. He inhales, and then exhales slowly.*
Father Heinlam: ... I see, so even Mortis is active, huh? Very well. I guarantee no promise of success, but that book is as good as protected as long as I stand here.
*Humanity leaves as Brian takes over again with a look of confusion; he pipes up quickly in this confused state and demands answers to his inquiries.*
Zewbowski: Hold on, I need someone to explain this to me. What exactly are we doing here? What is the Ritual of Admonishment, as you call it?
Father Heinlam: For a vessel of Mortis, you truly are kept ignorant, my son.
*Brian rolls his eyes and shakes his head. That's like the third time this bit has been played on him. He's not really amused.* Zewbowski: Tell me something I don't know, pal.
*Father Heinlam sighs and leans forward in the desk. He looks down at the Mundi Deglutiens laid before him by Brenton, and after a few seconds he turns to Brian.*
Father Heinlam: Very well, I shall explain. The Ritual of Admonishment is an ancient ritual handed down from before even the Romans existed. It is dated to have existed as far back as the Trojan War, at least as far as we in the Catholic Church are aware. It may be even older. It is a process by which this... book... is bound by forces that prevent its usage. Think of it as creating a living lock; the person who sets the ritual becomes the lock by which the book is bound. Only that person can unlock its usage... It is not a spell for any common man, and only those who have been taught in Rome know of it; but we do not speak of it openly, save for those, like you gentlemen, in the know. You have to understand... Ammar is not something to be reckoned with. His awakening would damn us all to death without salvation from the Lord. We pray to God Almighty that this horrible beast does not awaken, because what would await us is a fate worse than apocalypse. In doing this ritual, it would buy time, perhaps by months, even years.
Zewbowski: How is it this stuff isn't common knowledge!? You'd think something like this would cause a world-wide panic. *Father Heinlam leans back and shrugs his shoulders in indifference.*
Father Heinlam: The Church is powerful, and good at censoring information if it would harm the natural order of things. I... admit, our censoring of information, while it is intended to do good, doesn't always serve the good of the public... like with our own Church's covering up of... crimes against children, which I dare not speak of. Needless to say, it is a necessary evil.
Brenton: You see, Brian, the Church are our allies in this fight, even if their methods are extreme. With the book off our hands, we can then focus on solving the mysteries in this town, and hopefully weaken the power base of Ammar's followers.
Father Heinlam: So you're seeking to solve them as well, my friend. Well, I may not be able to serve as much help in your investigations, but what I can do is pray for your protection and for speedy results.
Brenton: Father, we thank you; as long as you do your part, we will do ours. Come Brian, I believe we are finished here. We will leave the Father to the book, and we will begin our work.
*Brian and Harvey Brenton stand up and nod to the Father, who merely glances at them as he stares at the book, a nervous aura emanating from him. As Brian and Harvey leave the office and down the aisle of the church, they speak in hushed tones.* Brenton: Brian, now that we have some time, I have business of my own to take care of; my own investigation of sorts. I will leave you to it, but I dearly hope when I speak to you again, I have a lead to work on. Brian, take care of yourself, but be mindful of any suspicious activity... especially anyone following you around that you don't know. *Harvey taps Brian on the shoulder and walks away. With all that has been happening, the man is confused enough, but for some reason, he feels somewhat at ease. Ammar is on the move, but at least for a time, his followers won't be able to bring his return. Still, there is some nagging feeling in the back of his head. How long will this last? How long can this reasonably last? Nobody is sure for certain... but the sooner these mysteries are solved, the better.* |