by Athanasios
“Mmm, I see that this is troubling. If it is a splinter of the Christians, why do you say they’re heretics?” Kosta asked.
“If the Romans had the boy, they would’ve killed him without question.”
“What of this young Kennedy who infiltrated the Secret Archives? What damage did he do?” Kosta was not certain they were unaware of his involvement so he changed the subject lest he appear too eager.
“They don’t know who we are, but they did uncover an old name. The bother is he did it at all. Now they know we can take possess people and have eroded the Weakling’s Citadel to the point that we may enter without interference.”
“So far, we’ve succeeded in our plans because we remain unseen. It was idiotic to alarm the Citadel over two codexes. I agree, it should’ve been handled more delicately,” Kosta concurred toeing the Nobility’s line.
“I’ve seen the codexes you seek. They hold no real relevance to our situation. I’ve read them and can help you by answering any questions you may have about the content,” Kosta offered.
“That is a nice stroke of luck. The Prince does look on us in his work.” Pike smiled openly at this news. “In a nutshell, what are the codexes?”
“They deal with our Savior’s last incarnation and how he was defeated by the Christians. I don’t know why this is so important.” In actuality, Kosta knew why they wanted them. He was sure that they would never find them. The names he gave had long ago proved too greedy to be trusted. For the right amount of money, the top two names would even forge their own version of the books. By the time the Dark Nobility discovered they were fakes, Adam would be fully-grown and out from under their power or influence. The deception would be attributed to the people who’s names he listed, and nothing would touch him or Adam.
“Go on, how is this relevant to our circumstances?” Pike asked.
“They are centered around the Cathari crusade and inquisitions, as well as two of their priests, who were both Perfecti. One was a direct descendant of our own Prince, while the other was a Merovingian, of the Weakling’s line.” Kosta continued, “The pairing produced catastrophic events, which ended in the complete annihilation of the movement. It was well on its way to supplanting the Romans in the Word of God, but because of this union, it died in infancy.”
“My goodness, it sounds like the soap operas of which my nanny was so fond. Go on.” Pike relished the impromptu history lesson.
“I assure you, this is all up to debate, but at the time, the Romans had erred in their arrogance of power. The Cathari movement stretched across Europe and it took more than a century to completely wipe out.”
He continued, “It began in early 1200’s, with the preaching of Domingo de Guzman, and ended with the Order he founded, the Dominicans. They continued establishing the inquisition terrorizing the world for centuries.”
Kosta waited for a response, something to indicate Pike cared about the subject.
“Do go on; don’t stop now. All this happened because of a tryst between lovesick messiahs? How melodramatic.” Pike said.
“The Dominicans went on to commit many more atrocities. They killed more people refusing to bow to the Weakling’s Citadel than any modern genocide.” Kosta spat out the last word like a bad seed.
“When the Prince gains his Ascension, for once in our history, the world will finally know peace Paleologos. Fear not,” Pike intoned. “The bloody path, forged through the world in the name of the Supreme Weakling, will be replaced with the justice of the firstborn Satanael.” Pike sounded like a preacher, praising God.
In unison, both said, “So mote it be!”
Kosta nearly choked on the words, though Pike thought he was overcome with emotion. He patted Kosta on the shoulder and wiped a tear from his own eye.
“At any rate, the Cathari didn’t give the Prince his due, any more than the Romans. In the end, one Christian is really no different from another.”
“So, you believe these codexes although important are not vital to our plans?” Pike finally asked.
“They are much more important than what I’ve told you, but no, I don’t believe that they’re integral. They did not merit the actions of the young Kennedy,” Kosta replied.
“Indeed, on that we’re in accordance, Mr. Paleologos.” Pike became lost in thought and neither spoke for a few moments.
They stopped long before they reached the outskirts of the town, but neither left the cab. Pike’s men got out of their cars and were warily approaching the cab when he rolled down a window and waved them away. With a nod he apologized to Kosta who merely shrugged disregard. No harm done.
Kosta waited and hoped Pike would not want to go where Adam waited. He had started leaving Adam at home, because he attracted too much attention in town. Even at his age he did not need supervision save for the television. Now, Kosta tried to determine the real purpose of Pike’s visit.
He stated he needed advice, which could be true, but when dealing with the Nobility, Kosta took nothing at face value. It was very troubling that he had brought up the attack on the San Francisco chapel. As far as they were concerned, the Luciferians were barely ushers, or bellboys at a hotel. Whatever happened only mattered if they could not continue their job. He even contemplated disposing of Pike and his entourage, but since it would raise too much suspicion, he disregarded the thought.
Kosta took comfort in that if they wanted to kill him, they would have already done so. The Brotherhood showed the only mercy they knew to their disregarded tools: a quick death.
While he was considering the reasons why Pike might’ve found him, the dapper and trim curmudgeon simply got out of the car, and with a nod and exhale of smoke, left Kosta. A few seconds later, the two Cadillacs drove away.
TIME: FEBRUARY 6TH, 1964. SECRET ARCHIVES, VATICAN
Martin and Quentin read quietly. At intervals, Quentin scribbled something in his notepad, but Martin never looked up from his page. They were comrades at arms who over the last year had sent the Vatican into turmoil of investigations.
It began in Sao Paolo, with Cardinal Colletti’s passing. As soon as their man arrived, he was assured the death wasn’t accidental. The cardinal’s hand was cut off and he bled to death. The severed hand still clutched a handgun and the mortally wounded cardinal mumbled about demons and the Antichrist. Once there, the investigator looked into the clergyman who Colletti had officially come to visit. He found Father Pewter engaged in ritual scourging and rampant pedophilia. It was not tied into any Luciferian rituals, but Father Pewter was beaten to death with his own whip.
Simultaneously, other teams looked into demonic activity in the San Francisco and South Carolina areas, and a few never reported back. Months went by and of the eight teams three converged on South Carolina. They went in and discovered evidence of a battle between Templars and Luciferians, where both sides had fought to the last man. The defenders died to keep something from their enemy, and their attackers doing the same to take it.
All the bodies were removed; a thorough inquiry ensued, unhampered by police or public knowledge. The home was purchased outright and then taken apart board-by-board, nail and brick, leaving nothing intact. In many hidden rooms, documentation, photographs and records were found, detailing an intricate structure of the chapel, as well as its constant correspondence with every other chapel across the globe.
The men who viewed this information were used to the finality of violence and battle. They were not prepared for the commonplace detailing of required depravity, which infiltrated the Catholic Church. Two men committed suicide and another joined the laity, never to return.
Seneschal Quentin halted review of the evidence. Any physical proof of clergy involvement in Luciferian practices, records, photographs and correspondence, was sent to the Vatican, unviewed and with armed and trusted guards. At the Vatican, hardened exorcists and clergy, used to the demoralizing influence of evil, catalogued and recorded everything. They sorted through papers of introduction and membership
lists, revealing true names, along with Luciferian titles that were used in mother chapels. Until then, they had only guessed at their ceremonies. Now, they looked on the reverse parody, stretching into daily sacraments of religious life. In the same way that their own church would keep details of clergy and laity, in any way connected to their work, the Luciferians had also recorded details of their organization. Human and animal sacrifice were shown and described.
Once the photographs, names and descriptions had been catalogued, it was decided to negotiate with the treacherous clergymen, rather than to excommunicate them or terminate their existence. A full tenth of their ranks were knowingly complicit, and mentioned in the evidence found. More knew about their abomination, and did nothing, either for fear of harm, or in the hope of advancement. If everyone, involved on any level were brought to light only a third of their ranks would remain.
Both Father Quentin and Father Martin contacted Secretary of State, Cardinal Ciriaci, to deal with these earth-shattering findings. In turn, he called upon the Jesuit Master-general, Cardinal Bae, Templar Grand Master, Hapsburg, and the Vicar of Christ, himself, Pope Paul VI. They all met in the pontiff’s private office and listened to Fathers Martin and Quentin lay out the unhallowed, stygian details, which cost so many Templar lives to recover. Nothing was left out, and the sumptuous, lush décor, with which Pope Paul had outfitted his office, began to appear shameful and contemptible.
“Was it worth it?” Cardinal Bae muttered under his breath, when Martin and Quentin had finished. “After all of this, we could be looking at the end of the church.”
After months of worry, Pope Paul’s normally robust face had wasted away. In many ways, he still thought himself a simple man who tended his flock in the inhospitable, intimidating wilderness. Even now, as he recovered his mind he knew that he could not falter. The enemy was not only at their walls, but ate at their table.
“It was worth it. The truth will always be worth it, Cardinal Bae. The dilemma, which now faces us, is whether we do our duty to our savior, or whether we take the easier path,” the pope said, articulating the choices put before them. “No matter how much the voices of past popes tell me to deal with all of them as the scripture and canons dictate, allowing God to sort them out, I must face our current situation.”
Pope Paul faltered in his speech and drew concern from the five assembled men. They waited as he gained control of his breath and pitied their leader’s frailty.
“Grand Master Hapsburg, you will deliver God’s justice to these usurpers, but we cannot expunge all of them, or we lose more of the eroding faith of our believers.” He saw disappointment in Quentin who kept quiet. “I wish I could launch a crusade that would make the Innocents proud, but we are no longer that Church. Through goodwill, we hold position in the hearts and in beliefs of Catholics. We cannot lose their love. We must find a more moderate solution to our predicament.” He looked at Quentin and held his gaze like a commander exerting dominance to a subordinate.
“What is your will, your Excellency?” The sixth man, who remained silent, spoke.
“We have a two-fold plan, Grand Master. With utmost discretion, you and your Templars will go and eliminate the vermin on this list.” He handed over a page that Quentin took, though he didn’t look at it. “They will serve as examples of our commitment to our canons.” The Secretary of State continued, “I must stress they are to be dealt with discreetly, but severely, so those who watch will see these terrors.”
Pope Paul added, “Father Quentin, you are to make an example of them. On them, take out the frustration of your shackles. As the Secretary of State said, do this so that no one from the press can construe it is a systematic cleansing. Use the authorities sparingly, and if they get in your way, refer them to us. We will show them justification for our actions.”
“What about the others, Excellency. What are we to do with them? There are only about a hundred on this page. We routed out thousands, what are we to do with them?” Quentin said, a trifle heatedly.
“Seneschal Quentin, that will be enough,” the Grand Master stated bluntly. “They are to be left to the discretion of the Secretary of State. They are no longer our concern.”
Cardinal Ciriaci looked at the Templars and knew he just acquired bitter enemies. Hapsburg and Quentin were notorious for holding grudges. It was as irrational as it was complete, and, without question he saw it now in their stony expressions.
“As the Pontiff said, Father, there are issues, beyond the necessary punishment, to consider. If we rout everyone, not only would we decimate our ranks, but we would lose the trust and the faith of our followers. They look to us for guidance and hope,” Cardinal Ciriaci stated imploringly, seeking Quentin’s understanding.
“We are betraying that trust and hope they have in us,” Quentin said. “They look to us, not only for guidance, but protection. Here we are, confronted by true evil, and we do almost nothing?” Quentin let the accusation hang in the air for a second. “Tell me, Secretary, if we were to look further into those still unknown, black hoods, would we find more familiar faces?”
“Seneschal Quentin, please. This is a time we must stand together against this insurrection,” the Grand Master intoned and looked at the Pope, who weakly agreed. His eyes had a film that made him tired, and he slept more than twelve hours per night. Many continued to fear for the worst.
There was a knock at the door and Pope Paul nodded to Cardinal Ciriaci, who bade them enter. The door swung open and Major Grand Prefect, Cardinal of the Apostolic Penitentiary, Cardinal Raimondi, strode forward to join the men who sat around the Pope’s grand desk. He was a shorter man, plump with the good living of being Grand Penitentiary for years growing overly comfortable with the luxuries of his office. Many argued he could pass for the dictionary example of the third deadly sin, until they looked at his eyes and his record of conduct in Papal service. He was tireless and fastidious in the enforcement of the Pope’s will amongst his clergy. Quentin was glad to welcome him to the fray.
The Secretary of State spoke first. “The Grand Penitentiary has joined us to detail our plans to deal with the remaining vipers in our ranks.” With that, the Cardinal took his seat and looked at each of the people assembled, starting with the Pope and ending with Quentin.
“We know we will be unable to deal with all the clergy on your list Seneschal. The reasons have already been made clear.” The Grand Penitentiary went on, “In my capacity, I will ruin them ecclesiastically — every last one of them. Each will be given a choice; they may either take their own life, or they will be laicized with extreme prejudice.”
Quentin stayed silent and felt better after hearing the proposed punishments. They fell well short of his direct methods but were better than nothing.
“Anyone who is laicized will, in due course, fall into your hands. Do with them what you will, but wait for a discreet time, so that no parallels can be drawn to the consequences,” Cardinal Raimondi ended, with the finality of the judgment being imposed.
The secretary watched Quentin and the Grand Master closely. He knew he, too, was being observed. The Grand Master continued to be a man of few words. When pressed for a response, he answered with a curt, “Fine.”
Cardinal Ciriaci turned his attention to the Jesuit, who sat quietly, watching everyone. Father Martin had been the Vatican’s chief exorcist for a few years, and had also been under their order’s head, Cardinal Bae, for four years. Ciriaci wondered if Bae told him everything about his Jesuits. The higher offices of the church, Jesuits and Dominicans, had worked for centuries to reestablish the absolute rule and glory the Church enjoyed in the days of the Innocents, with crusades in the Holy Land and resolute stands against heresy. They worked for a day on which all national governments bent to the Papal will. Such a plan would be too insidious for the modern, politically correct world.
The return to world dominance remained the primary motive for most of the actions of the Roman Catholic Church. In due course, they used many q
uestionable methods and inexcusable allies to further their goal. In the pursuit of their goal, the Church became a bureaucracy, a political power, seeking a lost supremacy. In far reaching plans, sacrifices had to be made. The names on list, now in the Templars’ scarred hands, would be seen as martyrs to Rome’s renewed reign. Unlike the Luciferians, the Papists could not afford to suffer rumors and whispered conspiracies. It was imperative that their plans remain secret.
“Now to the matter of the prophesied child destined to rule the world.” Pope Paul was vague, not wanting to name the Luciferian Christ. As a child he always referred to the proverbial devil as the Fallen One, or the Outcast, fearing he would appear if named. Even now, he would not say his name, nor allow anyone else in his presence to utter his name.
Martin, who remained silent until now, answered, “We are still looking into that, your Excellency. It seems we were sidetracked.” Martin politely referring to the earlier conversation but continued, “Now that we see how deep the enemy has infiltrated, we will need to make sure our ranks are doubly impenetrable,” Martin added. “They planned an enthronement ceremony, upon the coronation of a new pontiff.”
“How dare you?” the Secretary burst out in outrage. “You speak of another Pope in his Excellency’s presence. Have you no decency”
With a raised hand, Paul called for his secretary’s silence. “Don’t be so melodramatic, Pietro, Father Martin is right. I will not be long for this world, and God willing, my actions will not keep me from His grace. That is between me, Him and the Grand Cardinal Prefect.” He raised his head and glanced at Martin and Quentin.
“You two have been invaluable in your dedication to cleansing the Lord’s house. You have shown remarkable insight, resourcefulness and indomitable will. You will have whatever resources you need, from anyone under my rule, for as long as you need. You are to find this child and do whatever needed.”