The Warriors of Light

Deep into the basement of the church, I walked nervously, a bit anxious to see what the hell Gregory needed to show me. "The Order is a very strict convent. Outsiders knowing anything pertaining to our work, quickly have their memories wiped of that knowledge. Brad was going to help me search for this..." He turned on a projector-like hologram, where a fancy podium stood and a book used to sit. It looked old, very ancient. So much so, I was afraid to touch the podium. "It's the book of Kukulkan, known as the Book of Monsters."

The projector started to form and shift as he spoke, mesmerizing my eyes to the story. "In the Spaniard Folklore, this was a Mesoamerican serpent deity that the Yucatec Mayans worshipped. The book is said to hold all knowledge of monsters and demons in this world and the next. Inside its magical pages, holds the key to our success in winning this fight against them."

I shook my head while holding it. I have gotten myself wrapped up in some crazy shit. "Wait? A book of monsters? I'm assuming this book tells how to kill them and to control them if Agares wants it."

Gregory nodded, "Unfortunately. The Order has been searching for it for some time. The location of the book moves every five years, to save face, of course, to keep the demons from reaching it."

I looked at Gregory then, suspiciously. "Or to keep us from getting it. I'm not buying that this is to help fight demons. This is about power. It always will be when it comes to people. No matter

how holy."

Gregory groaned, head down as he placed his hands inside of his cuffs. "Whatever you believe to be true, will be. We have no choice but to go get it anyway, if you wish to help your brother." "Agares asked for Johnny."

"Yes, and Johnny will be headed to the book. It's the reason he wants him. That and the fact that Johnny Stan sold his soul to Agares."

"Wait, how could he even do that?"

"Agares is a collector of souls. Johnny is a low-life, greedy person who traded his soul, for whatever reason. He told me when he came to visit the day you followed him. His only redemption is if he can get the Book of Monsters."

"Just because Johnny knew where it was would explain why he took Brad's soul instead. Must've needed to meet his quota since Johnny's would've been a minus one." I said, placing my hand on my chin in deep thought as all the pieces came together. "Why are you telling me all this, now?" Gregory looked confused. "You just gave this whole story about how outsiders can't know about all of this, but yet you told me. Why?" Gregory stuttered. "It wasn't until I told you what that demon called me that you decided to open up to me."

His face read emotionless, but I could tell in his eyes he was busted. It was true. Whatever that 'God Sent' message meant, Gregory felt compelled to tell me the entire truth. "I have to admit I'm a little disappointed, Greg."

"Don't call me that."

"It's written all over your face that you are clearly using me like you used Brad. You had no intention of telling me all of this, telling me the whole truth about Brad, until that demon called me God Sent. Admit it. Just fucking admit you..."

He moved fast. His right forearm pressed tightly against my throat as he pushed me against the wall. I couldn't talk afterward. The cold look in his eyes spoke wonders, though. I overstepped, but for once I didn't care. I was right. He couldn't deny that.

"You will watch your tongue in the house of the Lord." I struggled using all my strength to lift my leg to attack him. I barely touched him as he jumped back dodging the attack; his other hand knocked my knee away as if it was nothing, placing his forearm back against my throat. "Don't test me, Ray."

I attacked again. A radical punch towards his face just to get him away from me. Gregory moved back quickly. His other hand grabbed my fists and then I tried to knee him and his knee went up blocking mine. He was unmatched. I was just learning. There was no way I could beat him. Determinedly, though, I jerked my head up with speed, head-butting Gregory in his forehead, nearly knocking myself out, but succeeded in harming him.

"This is your fault that Brad's soul was taken because you and the rest of this stupid organization can't do your own bidding. Well, I won't be used for whatever ploy to get power for your power- hungry priests."

"You will leave Brad to suffer for all eternity? I didn't think you were this selfish, Ray."

I clenched my teeth. "I'm not leaving my brother, but I'm done with this." I waved my hands in

the air, gesturing the church. "I can recognize greed when I see it. You want that book for yourselves. If the Mayans hid it from the world that means no one should touch it." "Then what do you plan to do?" Gregory started to circle me as if I would attack him again. "I plan on finding Johnny Stan and delivering him to Agares myself."

"He knows the location of the book. You may as well just fetch it for him yourself. The book is better off in the hands of The Order, Ray. You don't understand everything, which is fine, but this is stupid. You talk down on us but plan on giving up information to the person that could take over the world. I can't let you do that. As much as it may not look like it, we are the good guys, Ray."

"But Ray wouldn't know anything about being on the good guys' side." Another voice boomed from the bottom of the stairs. I didn't even hear him come in. His robe was a lot more designed which let me know this was the head priest. "Leave us, Brother Gregory."

Gregory bowed slightly to the Pope as he muttered under his breath. "With pleasure." He walked off leaving me alone with the headmaster.

"Your disrespect is neither called for nor wanted here in this holy place, Ray. It is unfortunate that your endeavors for revenge led you here, but whatever the reason, Gregory continues to believe in you and fight for you."

I watched the Pope elegantly walk over to me, which I admit did make me rather nervous. His hands were clasped behind his back as he stared me dead into my eyes, searching my soul for secrets. I refused to back down from him, though. "His fault. I never asked him to fight for me." "Yet he does it anyway," The Pope's voice boomed over mine as if I was an insolent child. "It doesn't change the fact that now you know almost everything. At least, what I allowed. There is more to show you. More for you to learn. Follow me." He started walking off again, but I refused

to move.

"To be honest Pope Grandmaster, sir, I have had enough of following people and knowing things. I want to go home and find Johnny Stan and just get this over with. I'm sure you want me out of your hair as quickly as possible."

The Pope scoffed as he waited for me without speaking again. After a few seconds of complete awkward silence, I took a step and walked towards him. He led me back up and into his huge office. On the walls, he pointed to the pictures of different pastors and what looked to be different factions of religions. All different colors, all different beliefs, but all standing tall and strong with their leaders.

"The Order is comprised of every religion known to man. They help us fight and protect the earth from monsters. We are all over this earth, Ray. We are just the base of operations. This base in particular specializes in demon hunting." I watched him press into the stones as a huge scroll appeared behind them. "Each one of these names dedicated their lives to fighting beside us, our own Warriors of Light." He pulled out a scroll with a long list of names and an empty spot amongst the names and pointed. "Your name will go here."

I scoffed. The side of my lips twitched. "Warriors of Light, like an anime? Don't tell me their power levels are over nine thousand, too." I chuckled, but quickly swallowed my joke as the Pope looked seriously at me. "I'm sorry. I tend to make jokes when I'm speechless." "Perhaps not talking will be better suited for you then." He hit my shoulder as he placed all the stones back into place. "We were all skeptical of you son, but I think you are right where God wants you. Go home. Rest. We can proceed with helping your brother tomorrow."

"But I don't..." He placed his thumb on my forehead, again, and there was that paralyzing sleep that I couldn't resist. God, I will definitely need to learn that.