(14. A) Nepotism and Grace

"Do you get it now?", the high priest held his hand up in silence and replied to the first elder's guest.

"This is insane. You opened the gates to hell and expect...", the man with the pencil mustache rolled his eyes. Before he could finish the statement, his chair was knocked out from under him, and a gun had already been pressed against the back of his head.

"-STOP! Father, tell them to stop-", Aaradhya snapped his eyes shut and cringed away from the brutality.

Some people gasped; the first elders jaw dropped. Their god of death flinched away from a potential killing. Even the first elder, the one who was right next to the whole thing, didn't even flinch. In fact, the first elder felt annoyed with the whole situation. Just as he was about to accept his place, the person he brought with him had to open his mouth

"-Uh...-", Aaradhya realized his mistake and fixed himself. With an emotionless face, he simply pointed at the gunman and waved him away. Then he pointed at the guest and rolled his palm.

"The lord has asked that we not assault our guests. In fact, he would love to hear what the first elder's ward has to say", the high priest interpreted for his son. The gunman stood up and retreated to the side.

The fallen man stood and cleaned himself off. He opened his mouth to be Disrespectful again, but quickly realized he did not have any of the power in this place. Legitimately, everyone including the first elder looked at him with disgust or annoyance.

"Excuse my earlier comments and actions my lord. I was simply overcome with emotion. Unlike the majority of your subjects here, I have only been a small part of the outer council for but a scant few months. In fact, this is the very first interaction I've had with this covenant since my mother offered me her sigil on her deathbed. In other words, I am still becoming accustomed to the duties I have only recently become aware of", the man fixed his hair and bowed with the restraint and grace of a royal prince.

"Our lord is allowing you to rise and speak your mind. Please, do as such before he changes his mind", the high priest interpreted Aaradhya's hand movements and head nods.

"Thank you, my priest and glory be unto you, my lord. Then, I will speak frankly as you've allowed me to do so. Ahem. I am not so confident about facing the hordes of demons that roam this world. I can guess that by showing us this footage, you wish for us to repay the wealth you've bestowed upon our families for generations...", the man stood up straight as he spoke.

"-Shame. He's a rather smart individual. Sadly, he has shown too much hostility. I can only hope to spare his life here and recruit him later. Father, I don't wish for this person to die. He seems to have a good head on his shoulders and people like that are in short supply-", Aaradhya fanned across the crowd and nearly everyone wanted this man to die.

"I'm sure you've heard the rumors our elders have shared. The secrets kept from us since our inception. Our lord has been using his spiritual body to keep us safe and in the dark. Only now does he request our aid. I am willing, just as all of you are. My lord, I am willing, truly. But how, how do you expect us to face something like that? How do you expect anyone outside of this room to accept the existence of creatures like that? Even the flock isn't as devoted to your teachings. And how, how can we be expected to protect the world under your guidance if our best soldiers can't even reclaim a single temple", the man roared this last bit. The anger the crowd felt towards him turned inward, as if they had failed their god. The first elder went as pale as a sheet. Information he shared in confidence was immediately used against him... and by his own son to boot.

The high priest smiled and turned off his mic while the council argued and screamed over one another.

"The young man is Voltaire Gespario- Pierre, he is the first elder's step son. His mother used to be the first elder when my father was the high priest. At the time, that boy was raised with every intention to be the next first elder. Sadly, Beckham wormed his way into the hearts of those on the council...", Masih Sr remembered moments from his youth where he could see Beckham's all-consuming greed play out. The man was ruthless and vile, and it was all too late for the high priest to regain control. Masih Sr. trailed off as his own father was killed by the guards at the altar table. He couldn't bring himself to kill another person under Beckham's order. Sadly, the duty then fell on Aaradhya's father when he was but a child.

"-Father, I don't mean to call you into question but as I understand it, he only learned of this... covenant... a few months ago. How could he have received an elder's education regimen-", Aaradhya asked.

"Your plan. The elders have mostly believed us because the roots for such an overhaul have already been in place for decades. A few council members are headmasters at prestigious boarding schools throughout the world. More than a handful work in the offices of world leaders. Even more of the council members have careers or establishments in financial and technical institutes the world over. All who are selected to receive a seat at the council are given nothing but the best opportunities, those selected for seats on the high council have even more given to them...", Masih Sr explained.

"-Ah. He was groomed from birth to get the first seat. Is nepotism a big factor in who gets what in this cult? -", Aaradhya started to notice frightening similarities between many of the council members. He then noticed the treatment in seating throughout the room. Though everyone had good seats, only the 300 closest to the stage had proper spacing between the people who sat at them. The back of the barely lit seating areas nearly spilled with body parts. The flock, nearly triple the size of those in the council, packed into the topmost areas like sardines in a can.

"Among other things, yes. My father chose to speak out against the warped beliefs the council now holds. Beckham capitalized on that, and the situation is as you see. As for Voltaire, he received his education since his mother fancied my father's opinion", Masih Sr dished out that hot gossip and piqued Aaradhya's interest.

"-How was Beckham seen as the first if the seat belonged to Voltaire's mother. Did she fall into a coma which lasted just until my birth…-", Aaradhya trailed off since his father looked at him with awe. Knowing Death's style of planning now, Aaradhya made a wild guess. Voltaire had a very good supernatural predisposition and a certain level of intelligence that Death and Aaradhya appreciated in those they worked with. He jumped the gun, but Death probably crafted Voltaire's backstory to help him in the future.

"-Explain the situation-", Aaradhya grimaced. He really didn't want to have guessed such a cliche move, especially not a move from his own sponsor

"It's as you say. Mrs. Pierre expressed in her will that her elder's signet would go to Beckham. She did not want her son to be restricted by the duties of an elder. If the old man were to die before she did, the seat would have no other heir other than Voltaire since the elders would not be able to agree on a new candidate. His mother only gave him a lesser sigil those scant few months ago because of my input", Masih Sr revealed.

"-Really? -", Aaradhya raised an eyebrow.

"Yes. I thought his drive and ability would be useful. Not only is a seat on the high council restraining, he does not share Beckhams outlook on using the faith as a personal resource. A seat on the lower council offers much more freedom and allows someone the freedom to maintain their attachment to the outside world. That said, he would likely try and deconstruct the council from the inside, which is something I have wanted to do since I was a child. A possibility I can see once again now that you are here my son", Masih Sr gripped the mic.

"-Good. I knew I had a good eye and I hold respect for your judgment as my father but to see how you have settled this matter, I'm impressed. What about your personal assessment? -", Aaradhya leaned on the throne's armrest.

"He has the heart of a leader, the pride and the ambition of one too. Voltaire would be an exceptional boon to your plans and would make a great figurehead after you... well... after we leave. Sadly...", Masih Sr also noticed the mixed feelings within the crowd.

"-I understand. He is a hot potato at the moment. Aiz. If only he held his tongue, everyone wouldn't be so set on killing him-", Aaradhya frowned then held his hand up. The cult quickly focused on him and quieted down.

"Voltaire, our lord does appreciate that you posed so many good questions. My response, however, is not needed. You've answered yourself and given us all something to think about. Guidance...", on the side, Mrs. Lagrange ordered the choir to sing as she personally directed the orchestra.

"Our lord has woken up and is here by our side. He doesn't expect us to fight something like that for he will train his new physical form every day to do it himself. Those who are willing to provide aid can do so under his instruction...", the high priest played another video on the screen. It was the same fight at the temple from the perspective of a soldier who fought until he died. The high priest and the guards, battered and bloodied, pulled out the followers who remained. Everyone watched each other's backs as lost souls flickered around the room.

"Our lord doesn't expect anyone to believe in the authenticity of his realm, he simply has faith that people will understand the truth just as we have. As for the world...", the high priest turned off the super cut and put up a graph of everywhere their cult stretched its influence.

"We simply have to change a few things in how we operate and the services we provide. It would mean the difference between saving every generation from here on and the alternative...", the high priest put up some more graphics These graphics were the alternative. Artistic renditions of the deformed monsters spread everywhere alongside images of violently mangled bodies. These were once the friends and family members of the flock. The council proper was quieter as the people at the edges of the hall roared.

"The corruption spreads over time, and those lost souls ruin everything", the high priest stressed the issue. Images they hadn't seen before showed up. These were the deaths that were deemed too harming to the viewer. Those who could see the real appearances of the lost souls in these photos, looked away.

"*Laughter*. I'm sorry, high priest. I have no intention of being disrespectful, but I can't keep this up. I find this presentation laughable. You wish to do all of these things but how many centuries will it take? Even with our extensive history and roots, our covenant would be destroyed by the public...", the man was right to laugh. Unlike many in the room, he was more in touch with the way the world worked. Even if those on the council were amazing and influential people, they mainly associated with other powerful and influential people. The general public wouldn't kindly accept something like this.

"-He is right to laugh. My world suffered through a lot before anyone got their act together. On that note, the Gods said the other champions come from similar world backgrounds. I wonder what the history looks like where they come from-", Aaradhya closed his eyes and let the story unfold. He gave the info, how his father chose to use it was up to him.

At the moment, Masih Sr shared the steps they would need to take to create a future the resembled Aaradhya's original world. The meeting with the elders earlier in the day was the first barrier and the high priest already cleared it. Now, with their backup, he just had to convince the council. To prime the current conversation, the elders spoke to their lackeys, who spread it around like a game of telephone. Hence, the rumors Voltaire spoke of. Some of the info was meant to stay secret but now it didn't matter since it was all out there.

Naturally, Aaradhya simplified the steps his world took then further crunched the topics into bite sized points that Masih Sr could share: Change educational systems, develop a universal common language, Integrated and fixed monetary exchange rates and global stock prices, protect and encourage cultural exchanges, establish universal medical and artistic services, and then solve every problem that was either being ignored or made worse because of hyperpolarization or exaggeration.

It was around now that Aaradhya returned to the conversation his father directed.

"-Father. I will say this once, and only once. Your ability to hold an audience for hours is impeccable-", as Aaradhya said. Nearly three hours passed. The high priest explained everything he had only touched upon with the elders. With an exhausted blush, the high priest cleared his throat.

"... And before we get back to the festivities. Remember that once you leave this room, your every thought should be filled with how you will use our lord's guidance to make the world a better place.", the high priest spoke. Cheers and a visible insanity rushed through the hundreds of people present. The music boomed and vibrated through the bones of everyone present.

"Wait. Hold on", everyone who got up to rush the high priest with cheers and bow to their lord up close froze. Everyone in the orchestra held their breath and steadied their hands. Someone on a trumpet accidentally let out a note and walked out of a service door in shame.

"Listen up everyone. We are our lord's most faithful servants. We have all withstood decades of hard times and have had our faithless moments ...", the high priest continued without the aid of music or a microphone. His voice alone, boomed and echoed throughout the chamber.

"Sounds like this Voltaire kid is having one of those right now", a nasal voice person in the crowd said.

"That's right, ha-ha, the BOY is definitely having one of those faithless days", another voice laughed. A few more voices made light of the situation at the exact right time and dragged everyone into the antics. The crowd forgot their anger and laughed at the grown man who reddened in embarrassment.

"Alright. Enough about brother Voltaire's misguided judgment. Today, we establish a future for all generations to come. Tomorrow, we hold our hands out to those who would come to be our allies. The day after, we party like it's our last day to live. Remember, there are medical stations all over the island so if you need assistance go to one. And after that...", the priest paused for dramatic effect.

"We change the world. Let our lord's glorious light guide us to the future", the music started up and everyone rushed the table with the elders and their wards.

Voltaire was completely ignored and pushed aside as people stormed the high priest's table. Someone even directly pushed him to the ground and ruffled through his pockets. In the mess, he didn't notice because someone else stepped on his ankle and another stepped on his hand. The crowd was more concerned with getting up close to their lord. With a grim expression, Voltaire left.

"-It seems as though everyone has forgotten about his slight to me. Father, send someone to keep watch over him. If possible, I would like him to return…-", unlike the crowd Aaradhya still watched the forgotten man. For some reason, Voltaire paused at the main entrance and looked back at Aaradhya.

"-It seems he's cognizant of the fact that he almost died here. He will probably harbor some grudges toward the cult but not me from the looks of it. Hm, should I call it a covenant instead? I do like the word... If possible, father, can you also try and express my intentions to get him to come back. Actually, let's hit two birds with one stone…-", Aaradhya leaned back in his chair. He went back to light reading.

"-Get the first elder Beckham to contact him. First, stress that he needs someone to take over his role as the first now that his ward was essentially exiled. He needs a successor for tomorrow's little play. Also, let him know that the plans going forward fail because of him, well. You make it up, do as you wish with the old man. I caught a glimpse of your emotions earlier and the memories behind them. Crush the old bastard how you see fit-", Aaradhya watched as the first elder tried to sneak off toward his stepson. The crowd constantly got in the way.