(15. A) Quality time and surprise sightings?

--DAY 2--

"Our guests should be on their way now my son. If even one of them is interested in assisting our plans, the day can be seen as won", Masih Sr sat down in front of his son with puffy eyes and a yawn.

"-I'm sure you are right, but shouldn't you focus on sleeping when you have the time father? You look exhausted...-", Aaradhya stared at the high priest's crow's feet. Aaradhya could also see just how much silver stubble his father usually shaved away every morning.

"-You even forgot to shave this morning. That unkempt appearance is unseemly for the face of this covenant. Take care of yourself more-", Aaradhya reminded his father.

"Forgive me, my son. I'll delegate and focus on my health if this happens again", Masih Sr bowed his head with a sigh.

"-You have nothing to apologize for. I said it as a semi compliment. I'm impressed with you father. To organize the summoning and secret arrival of several dozen world famous leaders in under 24 hours… In short, you've gained even more of my respect-", Aaradhya let go of one of his father's hands and balanced on a foot.

"Thank you for being proud of me but I must admit that what has been achieved was not through my effort alone. I received a lot of help from many in the flock. You may not be surprised to know that some of them are more vital than the members of the council...", Masih Sr stood up from a stone bench and lowered down to a crouch as he held his son's hand.

"-I'm not surprised at all. Without question, many of the fools currently on the council have reached that point where they are simply coasting along on the hard work of others-", Aaradhya paused and stroked his chin with a scowl unfit for his age.

"Very true. You shouldn't have to worry about those individuals soon enough. I will handle everything and exceed your expectations even more", Masih Sr grit his teeth and looked forward with staunch resolution.

"-With matters of your success, I have little doubt...-", Aaradhya took a step away from his father's seat. The duo slowly made a lap around the stunning courtyard.

"-Father, do you think I am odd? -", Masih Sr paused at the question and met his son's deconstructing gaze. The two sat down on a patch of grass for a bit and enjoyed the scenery.

"It depends. What are you referring to?", Aaradhya shook his head with a small grin. He couldn't tell what his father thought.

"-It's very difficult to get a read on you when you use that expression father. As for what I'm referring to, my current strength. It suggests that I am much older than I should be-", Aaradhya tried to stand up by himself to continue their walk but stumbled. His father was right there to pull him back up and gently set his son's feet to the courtyard stone.

"I see. On that matter, I have not put much thought into it. Now that we've taken this moment. As your father, I find your development to be something somewhat concerning. As your Priest, it isn't surprising at all. You are our lord, which makes you better than every mortal bar none. Not to mention you are your mother's son, it makes sense you are exceptional", Masih Sr said.

"-Ah. So you are saying that you overlooked my state as a matter of fact in consideration of your oppositional viewpoints-", Aaradhya turned back to his father with a small smirk.

"I guess I did. Yes", Masih Sr turned his head away with a bright blush. The stone-cold expression he wore moments earlier melted away.

"-I guessed as much. I am odd but considering my status, the oddity is to be expected", Aaradhya summed up.

"Indeed", Masih Sr nodded along.

"-You should know that I've also estimated my body to be 25 to 40 months old. If I'm in the correct ballpark then my Rest is going to have to be used as a last resort rather than a safety net-", Aaradhya raised his head and continued walking with his father's assistance.

"I'm sorry my son. I'm not following ", Masih Sr said. The meaning of Aaradhya's thoughts transferred just as Masih Sr would receive his lord's intentions but that didn't mean they could 100% speak to each other.

"-Ah yes. You would be lost unless I explain it. First, I have an ability called Eternal Rest. It is also called Death's sleep or Death's embrace, but the general idea of the skill is to prevent my death in even the most extreme cases. For this, assume that someone shoots or stabs me or there is a solar flare so violent it cooks the entire planet in mere moments. Instead of going to the grave, I would enter a sleep where my entire being would regenerate. In that state, I cannot be killed, but the tradeoff is, I cannot act to ensure that I am revived or experience anything in the world around me. It would seem that my skill also allows my body and soul to age. Which would explain the odd growth-", Aaradhya revealed the eternal rest perk to his father.

"Is it possible someone could keep you in a fatally wounded state and prolong this restorative sleep? Say, by burning your magnificent form for a period of time?", Masih Sr connected some dots.

"-Possibly. Why do you ask? -", Aaradhya shrugged. He didn't know but it was likely since the very same thing happened to Wilfred.

"You were attacked by our previous thirteenth elder just as the lost souls started to become a concern for the flock. I couldn't understand why but if he knew about your abilities, it would make sense. As for where he could have learned of this information. I haven't a clue, which makes me concerned", Masih Sr took the chance to express himself.

"-Hm. I can think of a few people he could have learned something from but for now, let's leave that issue until we can investigate further. Tell me what else is on your mind, I can see how pensive you are-", Aaradhya balanced himself to keep from falling.

"If you age beyond what your body could withstand, would you die or be reborn once more", Masih Sr asked.

"-I assume my soul would automatically transfer to someone I have a tethered connection to. As you understand, it would be a vessel closest to my person-", Aaradhya stared at his father.

"...", the two walked around the sand garden and mini forest in silence.

An hour later, a boy in a Hawaiian leaf print shirt and flip flops rushed in and stopped himself behind the father and son duo.

"Kanjan, what is it?", Masih Sr waved toward the kneeling child and let him speak. At the moment, Aaradhya sat in the center of his garden and closed off in his mind to read. He was mostly unaware of the situation, but one eye slowly squinted as he barely listened in.

"Excuse my intrusion but there may be a situation. I had the day off and enjoyed myself at the fourth elder's festival but...", the kid passed the high priest a stack of polaroid photos and a camcorder.

"What am I looking at here?", most if not all of the photos were taken by members of the flock who enjoyed a wonderful beach party arranged by the Fourth elder. The background details in most of the photos were shaky but it was clear that the people in the photos enjoyed their time. Nothing stood out.

"Wait...", at first glance everything looked normal.

"Is that....", the high priest flipped through the images then played the video on the camcorder. A volleyball game right beside the water unfolded but that didn't catch his eye.

"In the ocean...", strangers of all different sizes blended in with pictures of children learning how to swim or adults who just wanted to enjoy the crystal-clear waters. Others filtered onto the shore with the masses along the shore. All of these odd background characters wore skintight black swim gear.

"--.... no... but I always remember a face... have someone check the island's registers... I hope I'm wrong. This can't happen now. Not when we are so close to actually making some progress--", the high priest's thoughts raced at light speed.

"-Oh my. Those are not my thoughts...-", Aaradhya perked up. He stared at his father to get another glimpse into his mind but nothing of the sort occurred again.

"-I wonder, are my thoughts beginning to slip through as well? Hm. No, rather it seems my intention can't even get across to my father if he isn't focused. He must be in an agitated state so severe even his soul trembled-", physically, Aaradhya could see a veins on his father's forehead nearly double in size from the stress of his own thoughts.

"It's likely that we have intruders. They are either Assassins sent for our guests or more dedicated journalists who are trying to infiltrate our flock. Either way, find and put an end to whatever plans they have. Contact the fourth elder and have his festivities come to an end. Have the seventh elder conjure some reason for the flock to lock their doors. Have the tenth direct our forces to scour the island and fortify the homes of our flock. Once orders are in to keep our guests and people safe, have the third and fifth elders take stock of the inventory allotted to their families. Above all, do not alarm our arriving guests. We must hastily make these preparations with precision and secrecy. Now go...", Kanjan nodded at his orders and rushed out of the room with long strides.

"Prath...", the same old man who walked beside the high priest when Aaradhya woke up took the boy's place.

"I have already received a detailed report. Vasuman is headed to the military camps of our guests to inform them of the security breach before they make any final fortifications", the old man coughed and forced himself not to double over. Aaradhya didn't see the blood at all since the old man covered his mouth with a handkerchief.

"Anila has also set out with our surveyors the moment I received a call about the strange outsiders", the old man put the bloodied piece of cloth away and tilted his head upward and around very slowly. The old man cleared his throat with a loud grumble and patted the high priest on the shoulder a few times too many.

"It would seem as though you are a bit too comfortable with me Prath", the high priest controlled his facial expressions and bloodshot eyes with some difficulty. His head also scanned the empty room. Green sparks noticeably flashed in both of their pupils.

"-That light, is there something going on in the spiritual world? -", Aaradhya guessed but his soul sense didn't activate. He had no way to confirm his suspicions.

"Forgive my intolerable behavior, my priest. I just can't contain my excitement. You and our lord will finally make the changes this covenant and world need...", the old man turned Masih Sr around and pushed the father and son duo towards the door. The maids opened the doors almost as if they knew this would happen and smiled when they caught Aaradhya staring. One chuckled and the other shyly looked away with sleepy eyes.

"Aaradhya. I am proud of the man you have become in spite of how the first elder has forced you to live. Continue to be strong but don't harden your heart in the future", Aaradhya Masih Sr cried for the second time in his life.

"-The exaggerated cough, the excessive patting, and the long-winded goodbyes... Is the old man dying? Or is death an option. If so, why? Obvious answer, the intruders are assassins as father guessed. And if they are, I would certainly be their target-", Aaradhya frowned as his father carried him away. The maids stayed behind for whatever reason, which only further heightened the unreasonable discomfort Aaradhya felt all the time.

"-They know something! Father, whatever is happening, those two maids know about it-", Aaradhya noted that the more open of the two maids winked at him as she pulled a thick and near endless metal chain out of her clothes.

"They probably do. Those two were with the outsider who showed up to save you", Masih Sr nearly sprinted down the steps.

"-Hm. Then the stranger could only be one of those three. My bet is the one who knows the ins and outs of this world better than any other. On that note, are those two maids hidden characters or did the author learn something through the store -", Aaradhya frowned and simply took in the new scenery with a heavy heart.

A massive stone and gravel field stretched far off into the dark in nearly every direction. Lamps dropped down from the sky like suspended stars. Gargantuan beams of metal and stone interwoven with a network of countless catwalks and platforms, expanded up all the way to the mountain peak.

"-This is... Wow... this is the service area is it not? -", Aaradhya stared up into the dark and almost felt as if he were starting at a night sky.

Masih Sr bounded off toward a wall and pressed his hand against its surface. After a few moments, a passage opened and revealed a steep downward incline. Going down, Aaradhya could only describe the sight as a…

"-Father. I know about the art of excess but all of this, is it not too much? -", the high priest looked up one last time, through the mountain, and wiped his still wet tears. Wordlessly, he opened an already unlocked vault door at the end of the hall

"-Father? Hm, he can't hear me in his agitated state-", Aaradhya frowned and watched as maids and butlers swarmed like bees around their queen. The swarm parted ways for an older woman who passed notes here and there.

"Mrs. Lagrange, If I do not make it past today. Please take my son and live comfortably. The accounts and homes I had Prath set aside in the event of my untimely demise are all on this note", the priest took off and locked the vault behind him. He didn't spare a glance at his son.