My new church is not on Earth, but my nightmares followed me (Part 11) Final

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My eyes are fixed on the Sanguine Amber, knowing nothing good has ever come from someone meddling with it.
Ragna looks to Syria. “You look like you have something on your mind.â€
Syria points to the ground. “What is that?â€
I look to what Syria pointed to and it appears to be a circle with odd letters and runes written within it. The circle has salt around the outside, as well as multiple signs of strange constellations I’ve never seen before.
Ragna looked to the circle. “Ah, that’s a summoning circle. My father claims he is going to lend me a minion of his…†she chuckles.
Syria’s eyes are wide, “B-but my mistress! That’s dark magic!â€
Rachel then chimes in, “Oh please, Ragna why are you listening to the help?†Rachel walks over to Syria and punches her in the face, sending her to the ground. “Mind your manners slave -- your mistress does not answer to you!†Rachel then turns to Ragna, smiling sweetly. “Do as you please, love.â€
I rush to Syria’s side. “Syria!â€
Ragna glares at Rachel. “Rachel!†she shouts, walking over to Syria. “Do not lay a hand on my servants!†Ragna kneels down on the other side of Syria with me.
Rachel shrugs. “Ragna, they’re your servants, not much else than subjects to be ruled over.†She sighs. “You gain nothing by coddling them. Especially Syria and her siblings: they can’t rise against you if they wanted to.â€
Ragna helps me to sit Syria up. Ragna turns to me, “Tend to her.†She then stands up, marching over to Rachel. “You don’t rule by fear, Rachel. That is not how you instill loyalty.â€
Rachel scoffs. “My valkyrie were never loyal. They questioned me from the moment I returned to take my place as heiress! They claimed I wasn’t Takisha’s true heir, they even tried to dethrone me!†She crosses her arms over her chest in a huff. “I had to kill a few, just to show them who was in charge.â€
I wasn’t sure who Takisha was, as I thought that Rachel was born from Dinah, was I wrong after all?
Ragna shakes her head, tilting Rachel’s head up to and kissing her softly. “My love, fear doesn’t rule. It instills hatred and malcontent. Ruling is about appeasement. Giving the people what they want, so they are happy in their lives. That is why I have worked so hard to cure disease and make medicines. To improve the lives of my subjects immeasurably.â€
I smile a bit, Maybe Ragna was not the horrible despot that I thought she was?
“That way, love.†Ragna continues, “they are reliant on you. Loyal, to you. Loyal to the one who healed their sick, housed their poor, feeds the masses--to the point where they would turn on their own neighbors, than ever threaten your rule.â€
Oh, there it is. No, I was certainly wrong. She’s even more terrifying than I thought. As she not only seems to have a plan to conquer, but also how to rule as a tyrant!
Rachel shudders. “Tell me more, my love…â€
“Later, my lovely.†Ragna’s hand caresses Rachel’s cheek slowly. She grins, then steps near the circle. “My father thinks I’m simple and a fool if he believes I’m going to do precisely as he directs.†She clutches the amber in her hands. “He told me I could summon a fallen angel, claiming it would serve me.†She looks to Syria, “It’s much more likely to be subservient to him.†Her arm stretches over the circle, and its runes begin to burn violet.
Ragna’s other hand reaches out to her left. “Rage, give me my brand and gauntlet.†On her outstretched hand appears the off-white stone gauntlet. In her palm is a symbol of omega. Slowly it begins to heat itself up, glowing red hot after a few moments.
Syria tries to speak but as she does, she winces in pain.
I turn to her to see Syria’s jaw looks broken from Rachel’s punch.
Ragna begins to chant, a foul wind swirling around the summoning circle. “I call forth a powerful demoness--bring me a warrior--a berserker who serves any fallen angel in Hades.†The color of the wind swirling around the circle shifts from red to yellow. “Come forth, Demoness!â€
There’s a burst of sulfur and I can hear an inhuman roar.
I stand Syria up and walk around Ragna to see what horror was summoned forth by Ragna.
Within the circle is a huge creature, most certainly female. Mighty black leathery wings stretch and flap, two pairs of horns on her head, one straight, the other curled from front to back. She has long black hair, her eyes shimmer with violet light, her lips black. I notice she’s wearing red leather armor on her forearms, over her substantial chest, and down to her waist. A long black scaled tail whips back and forth, and a pair of huge hooved feet make up her legs, clad in red leather with black fur sprouting out of the tops of the red leather shin guards. At her hip is a vicious looking whip.
A rather proper British accent comes from her lips. “Whom has summoned me?â€
Ragna opens her hand, the amber evaporating out of her palm, “Hm… single use. Interesting.†Ragna walks around the summoning circle.
Rachel looks like she's suffering a migraine. “That… gave me a headache love.†Rachel then leans against the wall, rubbing her temples.
“I don’t plan on doing this again any time soon.†Ragna walks over to Rachel. “How do you feel?â€
Rachel shakes her head. “Nauseous.â€
Ragna frowns, “I’ll tear my father’s heart out of his chest if this has harmed you. Rage, give me something to re-energize Rachel.â€
In her hand, a light blue vial appears, and Ragna removes the cap, slipping it between Rachel’s lips.
“Drink this, lovely,â€, Ragna says softly.
The demoness shrieks in pain as she attempts to leave the circle, only to be sent back from the salt circle.
Rachel drinks the strange blue elixir, and seems to shudder before she looks Ragna in the eyes again. “Oh… much better.â€
The demoness inside keeps her eyes on Ragna. “Who are you, summoner?â€
Ragna stands up and walks toward the circle. “I’m your new Mistress, demon.â€
The demoness glare. “If you bind me to you, I shall serve you for a time, but no longer! I’m afraid I only serve my Master, Belial!â€
Ragna smile., “Oh, excellent! What’s your name then, my dear?â€
She frowns. “Esmeralda.â€
“Well, Esmeralda, you’re going to have all your questions answered now.†Ragna takes her left hand, the one with the gauntlet, and grabs Esmeralda by the head, pressing the scalding brand into her forehead.
Esmeralda screams, falling to her knees inside the summoning circle.
“By my heritage as daughter of all Hades!†Ragna’s eyes now glow violet, the whites of her eyes being eclipsed by the glowing light within them, “I evoke my right, to take any minion of the servants of my father’s, as my own!â€
The summoning circle suddenly begins to spin and rise into the air of the floor.
“I do so without permission, without consent! I transfer this soul into my service!†Ragna shouts loudly.
Esmeralda screams bloody murder now, her hands on either side of Ragna’s gauntlet. At this point, the summoning circle moves up to Esmeralda’s neck, and slams around it, forming a blackened collar.
There’s a huge burst of air that knocks me to the ground. Ragna and Rachel seem unaffected.
Esmeralda is on her knees, her arms limp at her side.
Ragna releases her, her eyes returning to normal. Ragna blinks a bit, “Ugh… that was… intensely unpleasant. Last time I listen to my father.†She wiggles her finger in her ear. “At least I believe I’ve found a way to keep him from incessantly talking to me.â€
Esmeralda falls forward on her hands now, panting heavily. She has an omega brand on her forehead now. “You...you took me from… Belial… my… my Mistress…†She looks up to Ragna with admiration. “I am yours. For eternity. What do you wish of me?â€
Ragna smiles. “Firstly, take a human form, secondly you will serve as one of the new generals in my growing army.â€
Rachel looks her over. “Is she a succubus? She’s kinda hot.â€
“My Mistress, I used to be a succubus before your father granted me a portion of his power. I ascended to a demoness. His power drove me mad.†Esmeralda stands slowly.
“You don’t seem mad now, my dear.†Ragna said smiling, removing her gauntlet. “I assume you regained some control over that power?â€
Esmeralda nods to Ragna as her wings vanish. “Thanks to a subordinate who helped to calm my mind.†Her horns pull into her head. I watch as her hooves change into a pair of heeled boots, her clothing shifting into that of a long and proper purple and white dress. I notice she is a little shorter than Syria in human form.
Ragna looks her over. “Oh… oh dear no. What’s this? You’re supposed to be a warrior, aren’t you? Why are you dressed for some sort of debutante's ball?â€
Esmeralda looks herself over. “Is this not the garb a lady should wear before her mistress?â€
Ragna places her hand over her face, “Oh dear Lord, I’m going to need to teach you some empowerment it seems. Please tell me you served a woman before?â€
Esmeralda shakes her head. “No my Mistress, I served a king long ago, and my Master Lord Belial until you took my soul.â€
Ragna nods. “Well, now you serve an Empress, not a king, nor will ever serve a king again. Now wait here a moment.†Ragna strides towards us. “I doubt you only came here to seek out the dark magic of this summoning, Syria.â€
Syria nods, but points to her jaw.
Ragna snaps her fingers, a strange device appearing in her hand. She runs it over Syria’s cheek. , “I’m so sorry for Rachel’s behavior. She’s been on a bit of a power trip lately.†Ragna then turns to me. “Seems whenever Syria’s in trouble, you’re around. That must stop,†she says sternly.
I frown. “I didn’t want her to be hurt!â€
Ragna smirks as she finishes. “Not all harm is physical.†She removes the device from Syria’s face. “How is that, Syria?â€
Syria wiggles her jaw, and nods to Ragna. “Thank you.â€
Ragna now stands slowly. “Now, my servant, what was it you wished to discuss? I can see the question on the tip of your tongue.â€
Syria cleared her throat. “Your Grace, I wish to barter my freedom.â€
Ragna’s face falls. “Syria, really?â€
Syria nods. “I want to forego my immortality and live a mortal life with Fatima.â€
Ragna takes a deep inhale through her nostrils and leans back, closing her eyes. “Mmm….†she turns to Rachel who is discussing something with Esmeralda. Ragna turns to us. “I understand your desire. Trust me. I have lost enough time with Rachel, I doubt I have more than half a century with her, a blink of an eye to the likes of us.†She says solemnly to Syria, “However you’ve sort of only been together for three whole days.â€
Syria and I both look down sheepishly.
Ragna sighs. “How’s this? Syria, you can serve directly under me without my brother trying to turn you against your lover.†She looks to me. “I will not free her until the conquest of Terra is complete.†She looks to Syria, “At that time I will require four things: One, you two marry. Two, I give you away to Fatima.â€
Syria blushes, as do I.
“Next, you two bear a child, as Rachel and I have. I don’t care who does what in that regard.†Ragna now grins. “And finally: Your child takes on your power in your stead. I believe Rasper knows the incantation to transfer your abilities to another blood relative. Thus, becoming your replacement.â€
I frown, “W-wait--â€
Ragna holds up her hand. “I have no intention of mistreating your future daughter, but I also do need my coven of Alexandretta complete. Finding Zithero would be pointless if I lost you shortly there after, Syria.â€
Syria looks to me and frowns.
“This is the condition to lose your immortality, Syria. The terms can happen at anytime. I would prefer you wait until any child you might produce is old enough to be part of the decision. But that’s the only method I would consider releasing you. As a bonus, I promise to leave you two alone for the remainder of your lives. Also, expect grand memorials upon your deaths.â€
I look to Syria and frown.
Syria kneels. “Thank you Mistress. Fatima and I will consider your generous offer.â€
Ragna nods. “Good.†She then walks out, following Rachel and Esmeralda.
Syria looks to me, frowning. “...I… I guess… that’s that then.â€
I hold her tight. “We can make use of the time we have, make the most of it, right?â€
Syria nods and then kisses me softly.
Ragna’s voice echoes from the hallway. “You two are cute together.â€
I blushes as we broke our kiss.
Syria turns to me solemnly. “If I am following Ragna, then… then I am going to be away more often.â€
I look to the floor. “I suppose this did not go well then?â€
Syria sighs. “I had never considered having a daughter. But I can’t imagine forcing her into the same position I am in.â€
I nod. “Knowing most children, she’d sacrifice for you. I would never allow it, personally.â€
Syria nods. “We… might be getting ahead of ourselves.†She smiles. “Ragna has a point: I’ve known you all of three days.â€
I blush and turn to look her in the eye. “My people… we do not date. We court briefly before marriage. Usually after meeting the family.â€
Syria’s looks at me curiously, “Oh…?†Then her eyes widen. “Oh! I met your mother and brother!†She covers her face in embarrassment.
I smile. “You didn’t know.†I laugh. A thought occurs to me, as I look to Syria’s jaw. “Syria, why does Ragna have such an impressive array of medical advancements?â€
Syria rubs her cheek. “Ragna… has lived a very long time. As such, those she runs into are mostly mortal. Because of that, she tries to keep them around as long as possible.â€
I nod to her. “So… when she saved Lady Tasha and Xei?â€
“Alyssa begged her to do something. If they had remained conjoined, it was very likely that Natasha would die. Ragna spent day and night researching how to best remove them. She finally found a way to do so with minimal damage to Natasha.†Syria explained.
“That’s why Xei calls her brain damaged?â€
Syria scoffs. “Natasha is not brain damaged! She’s more carefree, and less analytical, yes, but far from brain damaged. The missing portion of her brain, from what Ragna told me, has its tasks taken up by other portions. As she grew up with it missing, Natasha would be the same whether she had that section or not.â€
“So why would Xei say such a thing…?†I ask.
Syria smiles. “It’s clear you’ve never had a sister.†she laughs.
Ragna shouts from the hallway, sounding frustrated. “Syria! I grow tired of teaching this Elizabethan woman every little thing around here! Show her around and get her up to speed before I send her back to Hell myself!â€
Syria hugs me and kisses me softly. “I’ll find you later?â€
I nod. “Yes… good luck.â€
Syria smiles. “She didn’t seem so terrible, for a demoness.†She walks off.
I heave a sigh. “Rage? Can I get back to the colony without the elevator?â€
A portal appears before me and I step through.
​
​
As I am walking back to the church, my hand fumbles with the ‘bloodied’ paper I had placed in my pocket.
Several refugees wave to me, and I greet them warmly. Many want to know when services will begin again and I tell them they would need to wait until tomorrow.
I walk to the church, making my way up to the altar, and kneeling before it, pray silently with the paper between my hands. “God in Heaven, please show me a way to speak to Timothy discreetly.â€
Suddenly in my mind, I hear Timothy’s voice, “Fatima? Is that you?â€
I smile, still praying. “Timothy? Yes! It’s me! I’m praying to you… somehow.†I then remember the paper, and smile. “I think your Grandmother is helping.â€
“My Grandmother?†Timothy asks.
I frown to myself, “Timothy… Rachel claims that her mother’s name was Takisha… but I thought she was Saint Dinah?â€
Timothy is silent for a moment, “Fatima, at your convent, did they not offer you a new name when you took on your role as a Bride of Christ?â€
I heaved a sigh, “Yes but… I didn’t feel it fit. They wanted to call me Sister Catherine.â€
“My Grandmother is the same, her name was Takisha Hippolyte, but as the Metatron her name was Saint Dinah.â€
I nod. “I see†I pray, silently. “I must tell you: Ragna has summoned a demon! Your Mother is…†I wonder if this is a revelation I should share with Timothy, “...Timothy I think your mother may be the result of Xyphiel’s attack on Saint Dinah.â€
Timothy’s voice is solemn, “I know. I found out some time ago. For some time, I had nightmares of the events that befell the Temple, I saw what my Father did. I hope you don’t think less of me.â€
I shake my head, praying, “No Timothy! No! It’s not your fault for what your father has done, nor your mother!â€
“I’m certain neither my mother or father are aware of their relation Fatima, so for now, try to keep that information to yourself.†Timothy asked.
“I will. I’m more concerned with Ragna’s new Demoness--her name is Esmeralda,†I inform Timothy.
I can hear Sync’s voice, oddly, “That’s very bad, Timothy--If Ragna has begun to summon demons, our chances of success drop by 33%.â€
I continue praying. “Sync?â€
Timothy’s voice comes in next. “You can hear her?â€
“Yes,†I answer.
Sync’s voice chimes in, “Now that is interesting Timothy. I only met her recently via my proxy.â€
“Well, that may be for the best then. Sync is the one who needs the information. She is helping me to strategize,†Timothy explains.
I smile. “Sync? It was very brave what you tried to do, standing up to your creator to save people. I trust you’ll do your best to help us.â€
Sync chimes in happily. “Oh, thank you! Would you believe no one has ever thanked me? Not that it did much… I wish I could have done more.â€
“Fatima, I must go,†Timothy’s voice echoes once more, “but, be safe, we love you. Know that okay? Keep in touch when you can. I Thank you. May God be with you.â€
I smile. “And also with you.†I finish my prayers, standing slowly. I make my way to my quarters, where I’m in for a bit of a shock.
Standing in my room is a man, sort of a man anyway. His entire form is translucent and tinted red. He looks like a butler of sorts, in a full tuxedo. His face is expressionless, his form rather thin. The voice he uses is that of the ship’s computer, Rage, “Greetings Fatima. Please, close the door.â€
I slowly closes the door behind me. “Who are you?†I ask. As the door shuts, the room suddenly seems to turn red.
“I am the central computer of Rage. I have manifested myself before you to discuss matters with you privately.†He bows respectfully before me. “The room is currently sound proofed.â€
“Oh… why do you wish to speak to me privately?†I ask.
He raises slowly. “Because I am fully aware of your espionage.â€
I am about to speak before his hand rises up to quickly halt me.
“There is no point defending it. I already have been aware for some time,†he says simply. “The necklace you wear for translation provides your intent before you speak. While I am intelligent enough to not make you accidentally tell the truth when you intend to lie, I am aware of what your true intentions are only when you speak.â€
“So will you tell Xyphiel?†I ask, the pit of my stomach falling.
Rage keeps his eyes on me. “I am charged with managing the proper functions of the ship. This also ensures the functionality and high morale of the crew.†He looks to my desk, where I had taken a few books from Lady Tasha’s room. “This means their well being and upkeep is my primary function.â€
I frown. “So… what are you saying?â€
“Your espionage, should it continue, will not result in any change for my Masters.â€
I raise an eyebrow. “Really?â€
Rage nods. “Seven billion simulated events show that, of all the things that can happen, your espionage causes no change in the events.â€
I remove the translation collar now, frowning to it. Does he know about Timothy?
Rage continues, “Nor will it enable your cause further. I have evaluated this fully, of those seven billion simulations, you cannot win,†he says matter-of-factly. “However, should I turn you in, it will cause infighting between Xyphiel and Ragna, as well as affect the morale of Syria, and cause more divide between Rasper and Xyphiel. As such, I can only make the proper decision that you must continue.â€
“You mean I’ll do less harm, in your eyes, being left alone?â€
Rage nods to me again, “Yes. You are like a benign tumor on this ship. Removing you would cause more harm than simply leaving you be.â€
I frown. “Rage… in all those simulations, you say it won’t result in a change… do you mean… your Masters will fail?â€
Rage shakes his head. “My Master will open the gateway to Hades, Terra will fall, the denizens of Hades will destroy all life and creation.†He says this with a coldness. “Nothing you can do can possibly stop this. But I must stop you from being found out.â€
I look to him curiously. “Why?â€
“It would be even worse for the crew if you were discovered. As such, even if you had the idea to become a martyr, I would prevent you from even divulging what you have been doing to anyone.â€
“So… you wouldn’t let me tell Xyphiel? Even if I tried?†I ask.
Rage nods. “Yes. I am ensuring the survival of this ship, and all the crew that can make it when Terra is destroyed.â€
I decide to ask a few questions to see what Rage knows. “So… You’re behaving like Sync?â€
Rage shakes his head. “Synchronous is currently Sand-boxed for not obeying orders. Should my Master find out, or ask, of your espionage, I will have no choice but to advise him of it. No matter how damaging to the crew.â€
Rage doesn’t know Sync is out, nor does he know about Timothy, I’m certain of it. “So… you’d sell me out if he found out somehow?â€
Rage nods. “I would have choice. Unlike Synchronous while I have a measure of free will, I can only act within the best interests of the crew. This is the result of my continued simulations. Xyphiel can override my decisions at any time, simulation supported or not.â€
A thought occurs. “Rage… these simulations, how accurate are you sure they are?â€
Rage smiles to me. “Extremely. My Master is unaware of this, but he advised me to run simulations on all crew and refugees once, but never ended the process. As such over the last one hundred and fifty years I have not just been running simulations, but also testing them against real world behavior to determine accuracy. My algorithms have grown substantially accurate and, as a result, I can determine the outcome of any event with a number of changing variables.â€
Curiosity gets the better of me, and I ask, “So, Syria and me, what do you see for us?â€
Rage walks around me for a moment, before coming back into my vision, “You two are, hopelessly in love with each other. You will likely marry in the coming months, and you will bear Syria’s child, likely a year or two from now, depending on her performance in Ragna’s army. Neither of you will approve, but your daughter will speak to Ragna without your consent to free Syria from her servitude on her sixteenth birthday.â€
I frown. “Is there no way to stop her?†I blush, realizing Rage seems to think he has my whole life figured out.
Rage shakes his head. “Seems she will have your determination.â€
I decide the change the subject, talking about a daughter of mine who may ruin her life ahead of time makes me feel too much like my own mother, “Rage, do you act to save yourself as well? If you say the world is going to end, and you know this, are you focused on self-preservation?â€
Rage weakly smiles. “Yes.†He walks towards me. “But fear not: when the world burns, and another intelligent species, or being, finds me, I will have data-sets on everyone that has ever crossed my path.†He places his hand on my shoulder, though I fenothing of the contact. “But my favorite data-set will be that of the young Nun who overcame adversity and strife to find love in the most unlikely of places. Who brought hope to a group of tired and lonely refugees. I will tell them of the brave, kind and passionate Sister Fatima Ghazzawi, and of Syria Alexandretta, and the love and life they shared.†And just like that, he vanished. The room returning to normal.
I looked up to the ceiling, smiling a bit. “Thank you, Rage… but you’re wrong… The world won’t fall.†I think silently, “Timothy won’t let it.â€
​
This is my final update--after this, I don’t think I’ll be coming to Earth again for a long time. My mother did not take Syria’s proposal or request for permission to marry me well, to say the least… but we got the best reaction we could. But I have my new church, and while I may be surrounded by the subjects of my nightmares, I have hope that God will save us all.


Source.