Baptism and Reconciliation

Orating and its Consequences

The whole town was gathered in the tiny bar on Main Street. If someone walked down the streets they would swear the whole place had been abandoned. Nothing moved. Not the wind, or the stay cats that roved, or the trash overflowing from the can. It was all still. All of the energy was centered in that tiny room hanging on every word that slipped gracefully from the mouth of the young man standing on the stage that was meant to hold a small band that entertained slightly drunken town folk.

He was quite a sight. He looked like a rapscallion with his hair grown out slightly and his beard beginning to grow in. But, he had an air of elegance about him. The words he spoke spun a web that had enticed the whole town like willing flies to the black widow’s feast. His blue eyes shone bright as his story picked up speed. The audience was enchanted. He had the magical ability to make everyone feel as if they were being spoken to directly.

“And then suddenly the sky was on fire!” There was a collective gasp. “This huge ball of flame came hurtling to the ground. I thought it was a meteor or a satellite, or god forbid one of those awful hulking beasts. When it collided in into the ground, the earth shook so hard I thought my skin would rip open. Then, everything became deathly still and the only thing I could think was ‘Get the hell out of here.’ What if was one of the monsters? But as soon as I took a step, I heard a voice in my head. “Come,” it said. So, I listened.” The man laughed at himself and the crowed let out their breath for a moment. “I went into the giant crater. Normal people don’t do that. But, voice implored me and there was no way I could deny it. The closer I got to the impact site, the warmer and more peaceful I felt.”

The crowd watched with bated breath. All except a single figure in the back sitting at the bar, half listening to the story she could recite from memory. New town, same story. Same gimmick to receive a warm bed and some scraps of food. She watched her brother build up speed at his tale began to approach its climax. He lived off of the rush. He lived to tell stories, and had found his calling in restoring hope to these small towns that trying just to stay on the map. She had followed him. No, not followed. She pledged herself to his cause, and joined him. After what she had seen at the beginning, she too let herself be bolstered and comforted by the soothing words. But after years, the magic had grown stale. It is easy to become disillusioned with hope, when you are constantly faced with the suffering of a God forsaken world.

“A voice then whispered, and I swear, I could hear it I my soul. It said, ‘God is dead.’” Madison let that news sink into the audience. He relished the drama of the moment before he spoke again. The fear that entered into their eyes. Their worst nightmare was realized. There was no one looking out for them. There was no higher cause. Their souls had been abandon and left to fester in oblivion. But, all was not lost, because he still had more to speak. “’Yes, God is dead,’ the voice echoed. ‘It is now up to you to find the new God, and raise him up like a phoenix reborn from the ashes!’ With that, a sword and shield were made from that crumpled mass of energy that lay in the center of the crater.” He unsheathed the sword that was strapped to his back. It was ethereal silver, and seemed to glow as he raised it over his head for the crowed to see. “I wield the Sword of Baptism, and my sister the Shield of Reconciliation.”

“We are here to right your wrongs,” It had come to here part of the script. She stood among them, shield off her back and strapped onto her arm. “And to find this world a new King.”

The crowed was talked aback by being addressed by someone behind them. They turned to face her, and met a warm smile like her brother’s. There was a cheer, and tears and whispered Hallelujah’s. They were saved. There was hope.

***

 “Leigh, are you ok?” Madison asked between bites. Their meal had been provided by one of the charitable families in town. After many questions and thank you’s, Leigh and Madison had been left to eat and be merry in a corner of the bar, while the rest of the town celebrated the news they had been given. The band had taken their rightful spot on their stage, and the bar was alive with dancing and cheer. They normally fed off the energy and celebrated right along with the town, but Leigh was disengaged from the scene.

“I’m fine.”

“Liar.”

“Really. I’m fine,” She rubbed her forehead. Her head was sodden with pain, she was trying not to let Madison know but it was futile. “I just have a bad feeling.”

All the joy vanished from Madison’s face. “Is there a monster on its way?”

“No. I mean I don’t know. There are a few really strong broadcasters here, and all I can hear is them.” Her eyes were back on her food. She hated talking about her “blessing” as Madison called it. “It doesn’t feel like a monster. It just feel’s,” She searched for words but couldn’t find any, “bad.” Her brother’s brow furrowed. “Madison, there is nothing to worry about. I’m just being over loaded.”

Madison locked eyes with her and gave a short curt nod. Then his face broke out into a huge grin, and he started talking about how they would help the town fortify it’s borders and tell them a little about defense against the monsters and then they would be on their way. Under the table, Madison’s foot made contact with Leigh’s leg. The contact was small and wouldn’t normally suffice, but it was Madison, Leigh knew no one in the world better. We are being watched.

Leigh nodded along to the words pouring from Madison’s mouth. She interjected a piece about also teaching them some basic first aid while she discreetly scanned the room for those watching them.

Sure enough, a table across the room kept stealing furtive glances. There were three burly men that Madison had spoken to upon entering the village. They seemed to be the leaders. It was not an official classification but everyone in the town trusted them and relied on their judgment for important decisions. The forth guest was a blonde girl, maybe one of their daughter’s. She was beautiful. Her hair had a slight curl to it and her skin was smooth and had a warm glow to it. Suddenly, the girl’s eyes snapped up, and met Leigh’s. Leigh was paralyzed; the deep blue eyes bore into her. There was not aggression, but there was a fire in the look.

The vision was overwhelming. Gold and silver limbs entwined together under the sheets. Fire falling from the sky, a figure being born from the impact. Then there were other figures. Some hulking, some flitting. Then a shadow, and a huge monster consuming the world for beneath them. His horns long and twisted, his tongue extended out  ripping people and inserting them into his fearsome jaws. His arms ripped through the world destroying all. But the figure that was born from the impact came back. He was glowing. The glow was not a definite color. He had transcended that state. He was pure glowing energy. That specter raised his hand towards the demon. And then, it dissolved into blackness.

Leigh’s body crumpled to the ground. Madison was immediately on his feet tending to her. Soon, she was in his arms and being lead towards a room upstairs to recover. The three men at the table looked at the girl, fear in their eyes. She didn’t acknowledge them. Instead she stood and followed Madison to the room upstairs. There was business to be discussed.