Around three hours after death and chaos came to the island, a group that was called many things but more than anything were likened to Ghosts, the guests arrived. Among the very first wave, was a small private jet that skidded to a halt on the tarmac of a little tropical island that was somewhere along the equator. The plane was not the only one that had stopped in this small airstrip. Remaining idle within hangers that were beside the strip, there were five other small but expensive planes. The one that had just arrived took the sixth and last hanger that was available as it slowly rolled to a stop within the building. The door on the side of the plane hissed as it opened to a carpeted and well lit interior. An esoteric power seemed to be present when the door opened as the Verdant contracted around the plane and almost solidified into visible sparks. The density of Verdant within the plane was much higher than without as a massive flood came out of the door.
"Is it time already," an old man with a powerful build and blinding corona of spiritual energy covered his eyes as he stepped out of the plane. Even though he did not need it, he stepped down with the assistance of a man with salt and pepper hair who was dressed in a black cassock. The elderly man's white cassock and skull cap nearly glistened under the sun's light.
"Yes. It is time, Holy Father. The transport should be here in a few moments, if you could just be careful with your steps," the man in the black cassock greeted the old man with reverence as he motioned toward the men that flanked him on either side. They were soldiers in striped red, blue, and yellow outfits. Once the man in white touched the pavement, the soldiers bent down to a knee and kissed the man's hand.
"Despite my initial disbelief, there does seem to be a glory surrounding this island that I have only seen in the messages of our father God," the old man in white whispered to himself in a long dead language and narrowed his vision onto the peak of a mountain in the distance. His vision slightly turned toward the forest beside it. While he was still in the sky he could see a green tinted swirl that lingered around the island that he was aware of that came from a stone monument at the base of the mountain. As he took in the atmosphere with rapt attention placed on the report of the man in black, the stairs to one of the other planes hit the ground as someone walked out.
A bald man in maroon and golden robes with beads around his neck smiled at a similarly dressed and styled man that did not wear a bead necklace that walked out first. They both walked to a ground support cart that had pulled up to the side of the plane. Instead of waiting in the heat, both men chose to sequester themselves within the air conditioned plane and wait for transport. The Holy Father raised an eyebrow as the same cart pulled up to the side of his airplane. The driver pulled slightly past the past to reveal that many of the seats were taken in the trolley that was being pulled behind the cart.
"Can you also feel the presence of God Basil," the Holy Father broke the stream of reports and spoke to the man in the black cassock for the first time since dropping down and revealing his inner and initial thoughts about the island.
"I can Holy Father," Basil nodded his head as the soldiers straightened their backs.
"Ask our friend over there if he can feel the presence of God," The Holy Father made his way to the only available seating at the back of the trolley as he used a dead language to address the man in black. His gaze locked onto the robed people that neither smiled nor frowned toward him.
"Did you want me to ask his holiness just like that or...", Basil held his tongue. Though the Holy Father smiled cheerfully, the fire behind his eyes showed rage and disappointment.
"I'll ask the spiritual leader exactly as you have said," Basil cleared his throat and fixed his faux pas.
"Do either of you feel the presence of God? Our Father is wondering," He spoke using a neutral language that he was unsure of whether the two men in robes understood. After a few seconds of uncomfortable silence, the man without beads leaned over to the man with beads and whispered something. After an exchange of soft spoken words, the man without beads responded with a smile.
"His holiness and I can feel a dense spiritual energy but neither of us can say for certain if it is the glory of your God," after a brief moment, the robed translator said this.
"So what did he say," the Holy Father raised a brow and straightened his back.
"He said, I don't know if it's God's presence I sense but there is something different about this island," Basil wiped sweat from his brow.
"Ask him what it is that he feels then because this is most definitely God's grace," the Holy father commanded.
"Yes Father," Basil cleared his throat then smiled toward the robed man.
"If it is not God's grace that either of you feel and it is a spiritual presence as you say, why is it that you feel exactly what our Lord Father has detected. He does not feel any spirits other than the holy one," Basil asked.
"Perhaps there is a common origin that we must all feel to get a glimpse of our respective Gods. The world's breath, for example, is a common element that may bind us together. We have seen something similar some months ago," the monk returned Basil's smile and bowed slightly.
"What did he say," the Holy Father narrowed his focus and placed his arms behind his back.
"He said that the world's breath may be what you are sensing. He also said that he has seen a convalescence like this some months ago as well so he is familiar with what he is feeling," Basil did as he was told and reported back.
"World's breath, what nonsense! This is obviously God's grace," the Holy Father scoffed and rumbled with authority on the matter.
"You are both wrong, the spirits have turned their eyes to this holy land. Can you not see the flurry that is all around us, it's fascinating," another translator interjected on behalf of her leader. A lady in a kimono like Shōzoku clasped her hands together as the translator yelled out her initially soft-spoken words.
"Your God and Spirits have no place here. Can you not taste it, the pure will of the ancestors," another translator that was wearing a kufi led the way for another religious pylon in the world as he projected his voice so that the leaders in the back of the trolley could hear. The remaining two world leaders remained quiet but their translators worked furiously to ensure that they received all of the information that was being transmitted.
"I am hungry, let us continue this after a meal," the Holy Father was the first to frown and back off after feeling his stomach rumble.
"Father, do you want me to say that or...", Basil said with a worried look.
"Of course not. Say something intelligent enough to end the conversation and act like I said it," the Father said with a shake of his head. Basil thought about how he would comply with what was said and cleared his throat before speaking.
"I'm sorry to end the conversation so abruptly but my Holy Father just expressed a need to get moving out of respect for our leaders that are waiting out in the heat. He has said that it is more appropriate to finish this conversation where it is more comfortable," Basil flexed his diplomatic muscles and waited for the other translators to get the idea. None of them wanted to get stuck playing messenger for world leaders that were so staunchly against one another due to their beliefs.
Thus, the ride was taken in relative silence after the Holy Father's suitcase was placed in the back cart of the trolley alongside a few other bags that belonged to the other leaders and whomever they brought with them. The world's religious leaders didn't know where the cart was bringing them, only that they were being brought elsewhere. It didn't take long for the ground support cart to stop in front of a glass building that looked like the back of a tortoise with a concrete tower poking out of one side. The receiving building was connected to the control tower that ensured the safe touchdown of all of the planes.
A dark skinned man with a trimmed beard and a naked upper lip got off the trolley after it came to a complete stop and stretched his legs. The man with the kufi followed him. They had both just gotten done with a long flight and did not want to remain seated for as much as they could help it. The dark skinned man was also the first to walk toward the dome as he passed through a revolving door. Two men wearing green and black thobe with guns on their sides met him at the entrance as soon as he passed the door and scanned their environments for threats.
The rest of the world leaders followed inside as they were all greeted by at least two armed members of their own military or a private contractor that was there to protect them.
The inside of the dome was, compared to the outside which was humid and sticky, chilly and dry. It was clearly built with the intention to host very few and important guests. There were marble statues and pillars with paintings all over the place. Some depicted men and women in various poses but there were two that stood out. They were both placed to either side of a carpet that led into the dining area but it was clear that they were a set as it depicted a man kneeling with outstretched arms to a looming figure in robes. Both statues had the same face with one in agony and the other in pleasure, but it was not what someone would expect as the tall figure that was upright and in charge looked to be pained. It was an offsetting piece to be sure. One that was called "Those in Grace."
"Can you go grab a menu, if there are any for our Father. He is famished," Basil led the way then met up with and whispered to two soldiers in the same striped red, blue, and yellow regalia that the other two soldiers wore. One of the men nodded and jogged off without a second of hesitation, he would find a menu come hell or high water.
Basil guided the Holy Father to a marble table that was near the center of the hall as more than half of the world's religious leaders that were present decided to observe the art more closely. The only people to find seats at a table were the two monks in maroon and gold. Basil and the Holy Father did not concern themselves with anyone else at the moment as they both realized that they were right next to a statue that depicted the scenes of someone peacefully laying down in death as their soul ascended. This piece was called "Pass without Harm."
In fact, all of the tables were arranged such that they were beside a stunning piece of art. The other leaders of some of the world's various religions decided to choose seats beside their favorite piece. They were all hungry in some fashion and while some practiced temperance and fasting, others did not as they sent their soldiers or aides out to look for menus or for food. Basil, having anticipated his Holy Father's voracious appetite, was the first to receive a menu from the soldier that he had sent out. Where the man had gotten it, Basil did not know, nor did he ask as he passed one of the two laminated sheets over to the Holy Father.
The first thing that the old man noted upon receiving the sheet was the selective nature of the menu. There were only about a dozen items on the list with the same number of beverages being on the backside of the sheet. The Holy Father chose his food quickly as he went with a classic steak and potato combo with red wine. Basil already had breakfast but still ordered a small chef's sushi special to hold his stomach until dinner. The soldier that brought the menu left with it so he could order the food at the window that he received the menus from.
"Who is that over there," the Holy Father was not amused as he scanned the seating arrangements and the world leaders that had chosen their spots. He referred to a corner of the hall where there was a massive stone wall with depictions of war and divinity carved into its surface; it was called, "Shepherds." Rather, the Holy Father talked about the person behind the wall. The table in that area was mostly blocked from where Basil sat so he did not respond as he looked at the edifice. The Holy Father could make out the spiritual imprint of whoever was there as well as see two unfamiliar faces standing to either side of the wall like guards. Their dress was unique, like that of a butler and maid but with much less fabric thanks to the heat.
"Would you like me to go over and check Father," Basil asked.
"No, let us eat before anything," the Holy Father said.
"Of course Father," Basil nodded.
"What do you think about this matter, Basil?"
"Father?"
"The conclave that has been called...", the Holy Father started.
"The Elders of the Golden Horn used their only mandate for the decade to call as many of us in the religious circle that were available on such short notice. Why do you think that is," The Holy Father leaned forward as he spoke in a dead language.
"Maybe they unearthed a relic with God's grace instilled into it? It would not be the first time that they have shared such a divine object with us," Basil paused for a long time before he gave a thoughtful response.
"I initially thought so as well but now that I am here, I do not think so. I think we are here for a person like the Exorcist," the Holy Father slightly frowned as he examined the two people that were on either side of a stone wall with more scrutiny. They both had the markings of God's grace on their bodies but he once again focused on beyond the wall. Toward the startling figure that possessed a similar corona to himself. The man didn't want to admit it but the power radiating off of that figure was even greater than his own.
"Why do you think that Father? The Exorcist is a once in a generation user of spiritual arts that border the realm of the divine, how could there be another person like that in the Shepherds," Basil raised an eyebrow as he turned to follow the gaze of his Holiness.
"There is a sensation that I am getting. I know it is the lord speaking to me but it is muffled and that unsettles me. It is as though we will receive an unwanted revelation today," the Holy Father cleared his throat and shook his head as he could see and feel the Verdant flow throughout the building. It swirled oh so subtly near the stone wall, near that powerful figure.
"I am more curious to see whoever that person is! They have a divine connection with the lord much like mine," the Holy Father revealed.
"The person on the other side of that statue?"
"Yes Basil," the Holy Father swallowed down his pride and realized that the person before him certainly had a greater connection to the lord than himself. It seemed effortless as the Verdant swirled around their location.
"Are you sure my Father," Basil shook his head, unable to truly understand what that meant for someone to be closer to God than the Holy Father.
"I am sure. Whoever it is, they have the potential of an apostle of God or a saint," The Holy Father nodded and pulled on his connection to God to test his statement. The Verdant swirled toward him as if he were a sinkhole and pulled away from the person that was minding their own business.
'I will administer a little test,' the Holy Father thought. He did not come from a place of malicious intent, rather, it was pure competitive spirit. The Verdant fizzled on the Holy Father's hands as he laid them over one another on top of the table to silently tug at the energy that flowed throughout the world. Blue energy flashed through the Verdant on his fingers.
"What is that Father," Basil didn't understand what the man in the white cassock was doing, just that blue and green lights danced across his hands like stars in the night sky.
"A test of faith," moments later, the swirl that his holiness created, turned into a typhoon of energy to those that could see the spiritual world. Whatever suction force that drew the Verdant toward the person behind the stone, abruptly snapped as the whirlpool sucked in more than the Holy Father could handle. The old man coughed up a mouthful of blood. It was as if he were in the middle of a tug of war battle and the opponent suddenly let go as someone else pushed him back.
"Father! Are you okay," Basil would have thrown his seat backward when he jumped out of it if it were not bolted to the ground.
"I am fine. I was just not expecting for that person to suddenly retract his connection to God's grace," the old man narrowed his eyes and scanned the servants that were to either side of the person that he had tested. He saw them move toward the person, suggesting that he had also received backlash. Unexpectedly the servant looking individuals only moved because on the other side of the room, there was a group of similarly dressed servants that carried all sorts of food and drinks.