Chapter 25 — The Sacred Ceremony (Part 1)

The evening was falling upon the woods. The sky, gradually, was changing its color, turning from light blue to a warm and pale yellow. The sun was setting behind the high trees.

In the Orient, the sky had already that almost purple and mystical hue that announces the coming of a more profound darkness.

But for now, it was still this in-between time, this mysterious hour of change, when but a few bright stars were already visible on the high pastel vault.

Gropius' disciples were gathering outside, in front of the house, near the lake.

Chris and Sophie helped collecting some dry branches, while agent Lachance was on his knees, trying to start a fire. He blew several times on the twigs and some red incandescence soon appeared, dark and feeble at the beginning, then turning into a rising bright flame.

They all sat down around the campfire. Karen, the old lady, was there, and also the two young punks. Lachance, the forest ranger, sat down heavily on a stump. He was looking still wary of Fluffy who was also there, next to Marvin. Baby Eugene was sitting on Angie's lap, clapping his tiny hands with enthusiasm.

"He seems happy to be there." said Karen to Angie.

"Yes, he's definitely not sleepy."

"Of course he's not. He doesn't want to miss the ceremony!"

Chris and Sophie, together with Emilio, placed some marshmallows on sticks and started to roast them above the fire.

Their puffy texture was soon melting into a warm, gooey and sweet treat that everyone enjoyed.

"Is there something to drink?" asked Emilio.

"Children… Children…" said Karen. "Of course I'm not against having some fun. But here we are, gathered for the sacred ceremony. It requires some solemnity. So, maybe we could eat and drink later."

And, indeed, the ceremony was about to begin.

Gropius was now standing in front of them, with his long white tunic and his strange necklace. His face was weirdly lit by the fire below. He began to speak:

"My dear friends, as you know, we are living some troublesome times. Our Earth is besieged. Not by the aliens that everyone consider our enemies. Those are but mere crafted illusions. The threat comes from dark powers that lurk in the shadows among us. Maybe within us.

"But these peculiar times are for us a great opportunity to accomplish great things! If higher beings come from above to visit our world, you have to know they are not malevolent. They are coming to help us. And they are coming soon. I am here to tell you that there is great hope for us. Great hope for our world to be saved.

"Tonight we hope for a new revelation to come down on us. They will most certainly reveal something important tonight. Be prepared. Be ready to learn which are the goddess' plans for us."

Everyone around the fire was listening with full attention. They were all eager to hear what was going to be revealed. Fluffy had her glowing yellow eyes widely open.

"Now, I will play the Pan flute for you." announced Gropius.

"Really?" asked Marvin. But no one seemed to complain. Eugene was clapping his hands again, with a big smile.

"Please…" said Gropius extending his hand towards Emilio.

'Oh!" said Emilio and he brought him the instrument. 

Gropius took the Pan flute in his hands and took a look at its uneven and softly gleaming tubes. Then he closed his eyelids, approached his lips and breathed lightly, producing a long windy sound.

He started to play a fine tune. The melody he played was soft and mystical, almost melancholic. It was deeply resonating with the starry sky above, with the dark trembling woods, with the silent lake, and maybe also with something hidden deeply in the hearts of the listeners.

When he stopped playing, no one dared clapping. Everyone felt this was a sacred tune, not something meant for entertainment, but something that should be received with silent devotion.

"Shall we commence?" asked finally Gropius.

Everyone nodded.

Gropius tossed then a handful of some weird powder in the fire. The fire suddenly flared-up with a big green whoosh. Then it went calm again.

Gropius closed his eyes and stood still for a long moment. This moment lasted for such a long time that it began to feel a bit awkward. Everyone was waiting for him to do or say something.

But he was just waiting there in silence, his eyes closed. His appearance was distorted by the blazing air full with red ashes rising from the fire.

The sky above was beginning to turn really dark. A cold crescent moon was slowly rising above the water.

"Oooooooommmmmmmm!" went suddenly Gropius after a deep inhalation.

"O mighty goddess! You whose real name I still ignore but who decided to speak to me, you who deemed me worthy of becoming your servant, pour on me your high wisdom. Let me see your light. Unveil your intentions. Let your gracious face shine bright through the darkness.

"If it be your will, make me your champion. I am ready to become your devoted knight, the general of your celestial armies, the admiral of your famous Golden Fleet. I will travel the entire universe to serve your high throne. I will fight all the battles to defeat your foes.

"Let my mouth speak your words. Let my hand accomplish your will. Am I not your chosen one? The savior announced by all the ancient prophecies ? The one the prophecies also call the Great Oracle?"

Gropius raised both his arms above his head, extending his hands as if trying to collect all the light from the stars.

"Speak goddess! I am ready! Teach me! Let my consciousness be filled by your divine light."

A moment went by and he stood still, with his armed stretched upwards.

"Please, speak to me, higher being. Why do you remain silent? Please, send a message. Don't let your devoted servant beg in vain. We are all willing to serve you, but we don't know what to do. What do you want me to do? Proclaim your will. Give your instructions… Please…"

He concentrated intensely. His eyeballs were seemingly palpitating under his tightly closed eyelids.

"What do you see ?" asked Karen. "Tell us, Master. What are they showing to you?"

"I think he's seeing his own brain right now." joked Emilio.

"Hush!" said Karen. "That's inappropriate!"

Gropius stood silently.

But after a moment he burst out:

"I… I can't."

He opened his eyes again, looking saddened.

 "I don't see a thing. I can't lie to you. There's nothing tonight. Maybe later. Or another night. I can't… I'm sorry, Marvin. I know I'm disappointing you again, but…"

Gropius slowly walked away from the rest of the group.

His dark silhouette shuffled down to the moonlit lake. There, on the shore, he sat down on his own.

"See what you've done?" asked Karen.

"It's not my fault." said Emilio. 

Despite the distance and the ambient darkness, everyone could see that Gropius looked really downcast.