Chapter 372: Holy Fright

"Well, since you asked nicely enough..." The Jester would start, as he'd set up his mask once more, snapping his fingers to create a massive projection, two beasts by the demon's side, as he'd begin to step down. "Kubrick and Kuro. The Recording Camera and the Dark Name. I believe I have the latter inspired by a calligrapher who-" He paused as he saw the children's faces, seeing their vitriol bleed out in their expression. He'd sigh as he'd let Kuro write such a name with its bare fingers, its nails as the brush to paint the word itself, allowing the camera to shift. "Ahh, forgive me. Time is indeed precious. I wouldn't wish to waste it, not without giving you the answers at least." He'd apologize, as Harvard would take notice of the two monster's abilities.

"Just like one of my spells. You're using their appendages to summon them out without burning your energy..." He'd comment, causing the Fool to laugh a bit.

"Oh, how right you are! That's the beauty of my Mask of Monsters! The ability to wield and weaponize whatever monster has existed that donned the mask. The deck, I assume, has suited you well then, Harvard?"

"It saved me from some binds, yeah. It's also gonna be cathartic using it against you."

"Such HATRED! Save it well when we fight, hmm? I wish to see how much that anger of yours has boiled since our last meeting. I can't wait to see how much you'd twist the knife on my back." It was evident Jesta was not taking them seriously, putting the boys on guard instantly, the Monsters prepared in case he would issue an all-out assault. Much to their surprise, however, the camera would begin, as it depicts a massive garden, a field of light green. Creatures of all size grazing the grass and eating the leaves off the tree, as well as a couple that danced with the animals around, all under a watchful, cheerful gaze that enjoyed their life. "I trust you know the story, yes? The story of Adam and Eve? How the fruit tainted them and were forced to be expelled by heaven?" He'd ask, as the children would see something off in one of the trees near the two. A snake, one with black scales and silver eyes, as it bites into the fruit, a venom coursing through them. Solomon was quick to flip through the pages of the Codex Gigas, arriving at the very story. His expression was torn between confused and scared, as nothing in its pages remarked about the Snake poisoning the food they eat. The focus of the display shifted towards a new person, one who is complaining towards the heavens and remarking about the Lord's choices.

A man in gallant armor, blonde hair, white teeth, and markings of the cross itself in his tongue. "Surely you can't just be keeping it as those two, right!? It doesn't make any sense! Why not make more humans? We could teach them what it means to live! We could give them fire! Tools! We can-"

"Lucifer Morningstar..." another voice beckoned, interrupting his speech. The boys would be quick on seeing who they were, as Harvard went through his cards. The four angels themselves, with Gabriel being the one speaking. "...While I understand how much you wish for Humanity to grow, we cannot rush it. Let Him guide his creations how he please."

"But why wait for a millenia!? They're not going to do ANYTHING if they're just stuck in paradise! Give them challenge! Give them Power!"

"And risk damaging the people He wishes to keep sacred?" A third voiced, as the flames from its shoulders would heat up and expand outward, a tell-tale sign of condensed anger. "Nonsense! Challenge implies risk. Risk implies damage. Not a soul here would have the heart to watch the humans try to hurt themselves in accomplishing a menial task. This is a haven, not a militia. Quit your squabbling this instant, Morningstar. You clearly do not understand His methods, and you certainly will not be allowed to alter what has been provided."

A scowl was made in the angel as he departed, flying off to the clouds. "If I was a God, I would've proven you all wrong and then some..." He'd mumble.

Questions began to rise as to why Jesta was trying to show him such a story, but such questions were quelled when it fast forwards a few more days. The part where the two ate the forbidden fruit, tempted by its odd color and fragrance, their sin now poisoning them. Vines and thorns erupted from their insides, ripping them down by the skin. A small forest that infected their body the longer the fruit remained, as if they themselves were its tree. Word spread like wildfire about the incident, prompting the angels to escort them from the Garden, far, far away so that they will not infect anything else. The two were terrified, with one bed-ridden and struggling to breathe by the amount of oxygen flooding her lungs, unable to let her move properly, and the other training, hunting, searching, all to ensure a cure was found so they would be rid of this disease. All the angels took notice and demand immediate action, yet they weren't able to find either its source, nor its antidote. 

It even managed to slip by God's eyes.

Lucifer would be watching such chaos unfold, which would begin to spawn an idea. The angels nearby noticed his wide grin and his wings flapping down to earth. They confronted the Lord about this, yet God raised his hand. He did not try to intervene. This was temptation, as far as he knew. This was not only a test to see if his faith is really about caring the humans, or if it means nothing less than self-indulgence. The screen itself would disappear as Jesta would walk backwards, immediately warping himself into another room. The children and the monsters would follow suit, yet as they teleported, the very army itself was now scattered. Like headless chickens, they all scrambled once more to find the Ringleader, finally reaching him at what looked to be a massive graveyard. Dead grass and weeds sprung out, whilst a cold, depressed sun was looming above them. It would only take them a few moments to see the screen once more.

What they saw there, however, was utter chaos.