War of the Holies

by Artemio Saguinsin

  “ I appreciate your gesture of support, Mr. Prime Minister and we shall launch our prompt attack tomorrow at 0800 hours.” Bradley said.

  26

  At 0800 hours, sirens all over the Vathikan States began to sound while the inhabitants promptly sought their safe refuge. Tunnels began drawing in multitude of scared and restless citizens as the streets, alleys in the cities were crowded with vehicles that were abandoned by its owners seeking for safety. Commercial establishments, offices, industrial centers, buildings, churches and schools were shut down. Airports were utilized by military aircrafts as soldiers were in full-battle gear embarking for air mission. War ships and navy fleets rushed to the deep seas to meet the enemy that may sail across the territorial waters.

  The most advanced weapons, aircrafts ,sea crafts of Britannia were visible. Likewise, its well-trained soldiers began to move out for a daring encounter. South Afrikan Armed Forces flaunted its modern warfare and sophisticated weapons that were fit to match all other modern weapons in the world. Lucianus’ military strategists began to mobilize all the available modern war armaments that they had in all parts of the territory while the alerted member-nations contributed its military prowess to counter attack the invading forces. All forces headed to Europe’s powerful nation of the world in order to shield it from any invading forces.

  The shadows of terrific flying machines darkened the skies while the sight of the seas was never before seen since the landing in Normandy, France of the allied forces during World War II.

  Billows of white and dark smoke from the firing cannons aboard the war ships began to form dark clouds in the atmosphere as the ground artillery blazed its long barrels to counter attack the spit-fire fighter jets that swoop as speedy as diving eagles.

  In the woods, Dunhill and his followers found a good chance to fire back at the retreating infantry as snipers thrown them into death of perplexity. APC’s were sabotaged and destroyed prompting them to scamper to the safer ground.

  But the military might of the member-nations that arrived to the rescue prevented the advancing enemy forces to penetrate the cities of Italia and Vathikan.

  Lucianus’ military satellite trackers found edge over the enemy lines prompting them to teem its military forces on the critical spots and weaken them. In three days’ ceaseless hostilities in the air, seas and land the sight of horrendous ruins and deaths in towns and cities became the dark graves for survivors. However, the unceasing reinforcements from member-nations shunned away the invading forces of Britannia and South Afrikan military forces that ended in fiasco.

  Britannia and South Afrika treated the war against the Vathikan States as a stalemate hindering their objective to destroy Lucianus and his empire.

  While Vathikan and the surrounding Italia were shielded with military forces Dunhill and his remaining followers failed to escape to the border of France and Italia.The woods and nearby towns were scoured by troops to capture Dunhill and his group who fled to the border.

  Meanwhile, Elijah who was in the Islands of Sta. Lucia was facilitated with technical means to broadcast and resumed his evangelization via satellite that enabled the world mostly many pacific nations to hear and listen despite the global dilemma. Again, Elijah repeated the most critical statement of his prophetic pronouncements.

  “ The days are numbered and the world will witness the approaching Savior and the end of the dark ruler, Lucianus. “

  In the border of France and Italia, Dunhill and his group exchanged fire with the border guards that attempted to arrest them. However, the weakened Dunhill and his followers were overpowered and consequently they were held captive and brought back to the Vathikan as ordered by Lucianus.

  “ You should know who you are dealing with. Should you yield earlier, this would not happen.” Lucianus said.

  “ We would rather die than be tormented to hell with you .” Dunhill said.

  “ What you’re saying is a mere fantasy, Dunhill. No nation in this world shall ever defeat me. They will vow down before me. He-he.” Lucianus sighed.

  “ Send them into the concentration camp” he commanded.

  Together with his remaining followers they settled with all other prisoners in the camp.

  “ We shall wait until the days that Elijah pronounced. “ Dunhill said.

  “ What is that day, Minister? That we will wait to die here ? ” his aide asked.

  “ No. The day when the Savior will come that will mark the end of Lucianus.” Dunhill said.

  After some time the superpowers that had gone to battle Lucianus were pacified as their leaders pondered the future of their nations reflecting the aspects by which they should tread in order to recover and bring their people into a new hope and beginning. Again, in his grand triumphant celebration over his enemies, Lucianus pronounced his lifetime domination of the world as Ruler and Master that was invincible and forever.

  “ No enemy of today shall ever conquer my empire. They will never conquer nor defeat the invincible ruler where every ruler of other nations shall vow down before me. The last enemy of my precious and holy cult now that I shall conquer is Elijah. “ Lucianus pronounced.

  “ Elijah’s days are numbered and sooner or later he arrest is at hand.” He continued.

  “ And if he continuously challenge my temper I shall be forced to decide the most critical decision I shall ever made of him to yield.” He added.

  As soon as he put a period in his last statement a great thunder and lightning struck from the dark clouds in the skies and amazingly ensued by tremors that shocked the spectators to scamper and dispersed.

  “ Don’t be scared ! It’s the signs and wonders that guide me. Don’t panic ! “ Lucianus exclaimed.

  But the people did not heed his call and fled the site. Lucianus and his trusted warriors went into the comfort of his palace until the phenomena expired.

  “ Elijah has been pronouncing his end time vision

  to the world.” the protocol said.

  “ He is leading his followers to nowhere. He has

  never witness my wonders. “ Lucianus said.

  “ He is confirmed to be in the Islands of St.

  Lucia.” the protocol added.

  “ He is going nowhere. His capture is almost at

  hand.” Lucianus said.

  “ His aggressive followers were said to be armed

  to defend him in the event he is pushed against

  the wall.” the protocol added.

  “ Then send our warriors to neutralize his rebel

  followers and bring Elijah to me alive.” Lucianus

  instructed.

  The following day throng of warriors

  rushed to the islands of Sta Lucia where Elijah was allegedly taking refuge. Gunships and power boats swarmed into the shores as the armed warriors began to secure all possible exit points of the islands. They trod the pavements and the landscaped hills and woods of the tiny islands prompting the scared thinly populace to confine themselves indoors. But some remained posted as they were as they watched them marched towards the heart of the town.

  “ Where is Elijah Michaels ?” asked the troop officer.

  “ I don’t know him” a bystander replied.

  As they walked farther into the municipal hall they came across one of the municipal employees.

  “ Where is the magistrate of this town ?” the officer asked.

  “ He is not around. He went to the seashore to accompany Elijah Michaels to the port. “ the employee replied.

  “ What ? How long have they left ? “ the officer asked.

  “ About twenty minutes ago. They must have been in the seas sailing now.” He added.

  “ Where is the port ? C’mon to the port. “ the officer asked.

  Immediately they rushed to the port where the Magistrate and Elijah headed. The officer contacted the air support to divert to the port to pursue Elijah. By that time, Elijah and his elects were already boarded the sea plane heading to the nearest in
ternational runway of the islands. The magistrate and his aide knowing that the emissary and the troops of Lucianus had already tracked them down decided to change their course back to the office in a secret passage misleading the troops to a different direction.

  The air support of Lucianus came late to the port that they did not find any trace to locate Elijah’s whereabouts.Meantime, Elijah and his elects were already boarded on the jet plane that would take them back home to the East. Later, the pursuers were able to track down the runway but failed to see the airplane of Elijah took off from the runway.

  “ GHQ, this is the paratrooper on board from the islands of St. Lucia. We are in the runway but failed to see Elijah’s plane. They have flown to unspecified direction!” the pilot announced.

  “ We read you. Get back to the host command and we’ll keep tracking the subject .” GHQ replied.

  The technical support team monitoring the flight links promptly tracked down the flights from the region.

  “ By 0800 hours tomorrow they are anticipated to touch down at the Honolulu International Airport.” One technical staff said.

  “ We got it, Master.” the protocol said.

  “ Then send paratroopers to Hawaii now.” Lucianus commanded.

  “ Master, we will be breaking the International law and this will mean invasion of America.” the chief of staff said.

  “ I am the law and the ruler of the world. I have conquered them all, why not now ?. Contact the Hawaii embassy and the immigration and tell them to hold Elijah for awhile .” Lucianus commanded.

  “ Yes, Master. “ the protocol replied.

  “ We will not invade Hawaii but we will visit there momentarily for Elijah.” Lucianus said.

  Meantime, the embassy in Hawaii received the message holding the flight of Elijah to the East while the International Airport Authority was alarmed about the instructions.

  “ For what reason you want us to hold connecting flight 333 to the Philippines ?” the airport officer asked.

  “ There is a dangerous man aboard the plane. He has been under surveillance by the Vathikan States authority for a long time and must be apprehended by our leader.” the protocol said.

  “ You should have alarmed the airport immigration police beforehand if he is a dangerous man .” the officer said.

  “ He is a leader of a cult and only our leader can stop him in his mission that may destroy the citizenry.” the protocol added.

  “ Okay. We will hold the flight until your cult leader arrives to negotiate to this dangerous leader. What’s name of this dangerous man?” the officer asked.

  “ Elijah Michaels. “ he replied.

  “ I know Elijah Michaels. He is a renown tele-evangelist and wanted by Lucianus. I know he is a good teacher and love by all. I have heard and seen him teach. Why ? What’s wrong ?” the officer continued.

  “ Just do as I say !” the protocol said.

  “ No ! Lucianus is a dark ruler who has caused world wars and killed many of his adversaries.” the officer added.

  “ We will invade you if you won’t heed my command.” the protocol threatened.

  “ Then do it!” the officer replied.

  Lucianus’ protocol thought pensively and made up his mind.

  “ He let Elijah go.” He said.

  “ What ?!” Lucianus asked.

  “ We can’t do anything Master or else our rapid move may mean another senseless war. “ the protocol said.

  “ Where do you think Elijah is heading now ?” Lucianus asked.

  “ He is going back home to the Philippines now. His country of origin.” the protocol replied.

  “ Alert our people in the Philippines.” Lucianus ordered.

  “ We had alerted them earlier, Master.” the protocol added.

  “ We will go to the Philippines.” Lucianus added.

  27

  Elijah and his elects arrived in the Philippines and were met by a throng of followers to keep them away from any enemy attacks. Immediately, Elijah was led by a convoy of his followers to his original headquarters in the densely populated town where he first settled. The old headquarter was built at a more or less fifty acre- land where all the facilities that his followers needed were available. Apparently, it was a community where everything human wants were all contained. The school, hospital, flats and home for the aged and nursery, vegetable and fruit plantations, animal stables, fish ponds, etc.

  It was surrounded by high fortified concrete walls and iron-walled gates. The gates were electronically equipped with CCTV( closed circuit television), likewise the four corners of the surrounding headquarters had it all.

  As planned for his glamorous visit to the Philippines, Lucianus would represent himself as a beloved and reverent religious leader.

  “ Avoid making any violent moves. Be humble and people-oriented. Observe and display all the good qualities of humane individuals.” Lucianus instructed his followers.

  “ What if we were threatened with violence ?” his warrior asked.

  “ We will keep ourselves meek. We have to change our image and eliminate in their insight about our hostile nature. We will try to win them and be able to get their sympathy. Then, we can get Elijah’s attention that our objective is clean.” Lucianus added.

  When Lucianus arrived in the Philippines the atmosphere was pleasant in the sight of those who did not know his activity but were evaded by those scared citizens. They preferred to be housed in luxurious hotels that was located near the beach to feel the serene and pleasant environment. They exhibited no signs of harmful weapons in the sight of any citizens but rather showed them friendly and humane behavior. It looked like they would stay and established residency in the country that Lucianus eventually built his cult structure in a certain locality and flaunting religious activity to commence his ministry and convince local members.

  Again, his old depiction of signs and wonders in his ministry would scare and amaze people but some who would be deceived would find themselves working and embracing his creed. His stay and time that he spent in the locality did make any sense that he gradually deployed his ministry to different parts of the country to catch the attention of Elijah.

  “ I am the last messenger of this generation that is the answer to your problems. I am the representation of the Christ that will do signs and wonders to heal your diseases.” Lucianus proclaimed to the people in his preaching.

  “ How shall we call you ?” one audience asked.

  “ You shall call me Master.” Lucianus replied.

  “ Master ? Are you the Christ?” the audience asked.

  “ I am your Christ .” he replied.

  “ Then, why did you let war happened that killed many in your country ?” he continued.

  “ In order to save the world and the innocent from the enemies.” Lucianus replied.

  “ Why would you like to arrest Elijah and harm his followers ?” the audience continued.

  “ Because he is a dangerous person and a threat to our nation.” He replied.

  “ But Elijah is a good teacher and teaches good to us.”

  “ He is leading you to nowhere. He cannot assure your future and he does not do signs and wonders like what I do .” Lucianus said.

  “How did you say that you are a good leader ?” the audience asked.

  “ I feed and help those who want to follow me.” He replied.

  “ And I heal any kind of diseases and I even raise the dead.” He added.

  “ If you want to witness the healing of the sick, bring the sick to me and he shall be healed.” Lucianus asked.

  And the sick were brought to him and in the sight of the multitude the wonders of his powers were witnessed that amazed them all.

  “ Master, they say that you can make rainfall ?” another audience asked.

  “ Look up and see the falling rain .” Lucianus said.

  The strong wind blew in the skies and the dark clouds were accumulated and suddenly rain fell. People were agai
n amazed and murmured thought that rain was a sign of blessing.

  “ Get inside and be blessed by me.” Lucianus asked.

  “ He could be a Master of wizardry. “ the audience said.

  “ He could be a messenger of an occult.” the other said.

  “ Don’t just believe in his signs and wonders. The word in the bible is the truth. False prophets in the last days will emerge and shall show signs and wonders. He is a false prophet. The word of God in the bible is the truth and does not lie. C’mon let’s get out of here.” One antagonist said.

  Elijah upon knowing and witnessing the ministry of Lucianus promptly called on the people to deny the latter’s religious motive. Tension became high when Lucianus was disappointed by Elijah’s campaign to reject the former’s depiction of signs and wonders to deceive many. Lucianus wanted to raise a good impression from the people by showing a more civil approach to Elijah and his followers.

  “ I will be glad to challenge Elijah in an on-the-air and live telecast religious debate in any TV studio that he prefers to show the people that I am the real messenger of this generation.

  An emissary was led to the general headquarters of Elijah where he handed the letter of invitation.

  “ He may be sincere in this invitation but what if he is frustrated by the debate ? Will he make a drastic and treacherous move to harm you.” Elijah’s elect said.

  “ He may not do something wrong because the people will leave him . Aside, we will be surrounded by authorities.” Elijah said.

  “ But the authorities are mostly his allies. Then, what do you think. Will you accept the challenge ?” the elect asked.