Chapter 5 : Sanctuary XIV

"Even if what you are saying is true, what makes me any different??...

Ever since Eliza placed the role of vice captain on me, I have never been able to make a decision on my own whenever she asked me to take charge, it was always you guys pitching ideas and me just going with them.

I am not a quick thinker like you neither do I care as deeply as Aria, heck I'm at the same level with everyone else if that's the case so why not just pick the one best suited for it??"

Elisha remarks completely stomped by Jay's explanation.

"Which is what Eliza did, she picked you as the best suited for the job.

What you see as a weakness is actually a strength that we appreciate, the fact that you always ask for suggestions means that you value everyone's opinion and so you let us voice our thoughts.

I don't know of any mission that you have taken the helm on and we failed to deliver.

Stop trying to bring up reasons why you are the wrong person for the job and instead look for reasons why you are, I hope you can understand that."

Jay replies without mincing words.

"I don't even know what to do about all this."

Elisha says finally accepting Jay's points as being true.

"Don't think too much about it right now, you have enough time to grieve after which you can then start to think on how to take care of things.

You have the makings of a great leader but right now you are a mess, so clean yourself up and get your team up as well.

Anyways, I just thought I'd come out here and get some fresh air, turns out it's already occupied so I'm gonna turn in now, Good night."

Jay says as he stands to his feet and begins to walk back inside.

"Jay…"

Elisha calls out with Jay turning to face him.

"Yeah??"

Jay answers

"Thank you, if you hadn't come out here and talk some sense into me, Lord knows what I would have done. So thank you, I really appreciate this."

Elisha says with a slight smile showing across his generally solemn expression.

"Don't sweat it. Even if I didn't do it, someone else would have because like it or not we have to watch out for each other, as Eliza would say we are family.

Anyways I got to go now, need to rest up. Take it easy on the drinks."

Jay remarks with a chuckle as he turns to leave, with Elisha turning back to look up at the starry night.

"Family, huh… That's right, we are family and as a family we always look out for each other.

Don't worry Eliza, I'll make sure nothing happens to our family, I'll protect them no matter what so don't worry about anything, OK….

Just you wait, I'll put everyone back in high spirits after which we'll come for you, so don't you dare die on me, just wait a little while longer."

He mutters to himself with determination resounding in his voice.

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LOCATION : OFFICE OF THE POPE, NEW VATICAN

TIME : 11:11PM

DATE : 20TH FEBRUARY, 2077AD.

Pope John is seen staring out the massive window at the back of his office.

His gaze moved from the beautiful buildings that made up New Vatican to the starry skies above with several thoughts running through his head.

He seems a bit uneasy with his hands placed behind his back and his face hung with a solemn expression on it.

A knock is heard at the door and a response is given for whomever it was to come in after which the door knob is turned and Kirei walks in.

"Your holiness."

Kirei greets with a slight bow with John waving him on without turning to face him.

"Kirei, you are here. Any news??"

John asks without bothering to face him.

"We have successfully extracted the Ark and the sacred artefact is now well placed in the Vault."

Kirei replies.

"That's good and the apostles??"

John asks again.

"We led them from the Vault straight to the new living quarters built for them."

Kirei replies.

"Tell me, have they settled into their new home??"

John asks once again in a passive manner.

"Yes your holiness, the apostles were quite pleased with the new arrangements though due to their grief they weren't able to fully enjoy the new setting."

Kirei explains in a calm voice.

"So they are still grieving??"

John mutters without actually expecting a response.

"Is it a surprise to you, your holiness??...

Eliza was an important figure to the apostles and it is understandable that the loss of her would end up affecting them in such a manner though to be honest, they are much more calmer than I expected."

Kirei remarks.

"I am not surprised over the actions of the apostles due to what happened to Eliza, she was the one that brought them together.

Made them a well oiled machine and without her, controlling the apostles might prove difficult. She was our trump card and yet we lost her to a demon prince, is the gap in power still that great??"

John asks in frustration with a slight annoyance visible on his face.

"Forgive my manners your holiness but I am curious to ask. What do you plan to do next??...

Are you going to send the apostles after Eliza to try and retrieve though we aren't even sure if she is still alive or would you order them to continue their search for the Vulgate??"

Kirei questions with a slight bow.

"What can I do now??...

Obviously the apostles would want to go after Eliza to try and rescue her even though they aren't sure if she's dead or alive.

A faint glimmer of hope is all they need and they would go on to the ends of the universe in search of her, but the energy they are still able to detect might just be a ruse by Satan and her forces to lure in our greatest assets and destroy them completely which is something we cannot allow.

But sending them after the Vulgate knowing that they would go in half heatedly due to Eliza's absence would also be foolish as they would end up still going after Eliza."

John remarks, tightening his fist as he did so before finally turning to face Kirei.