Chapter 9: A crack within the cathedral

A hush fell over the cathedral hall as the skinwalker, disguised as Edward, started walking back into the meeting room. From behind a towering marble pillar, a figure emerged, his face etched with a mixture of disgust and disdain.

"You guys are as disgusting as usual," the Pope spat, his voice dripping with contempt. "You make me want to puke."

The skinwalker paused, a sardonic grin spreading across its stolen face. "Coming from someone like you, that's saddening. Selling out your comrades for power... You make me want to puke. I'm only doing this because I'm benefitting a great deal from it. I despise betrayers."

"I hope you remember your part of the deal when the day comes," the Pope hissed, his voice laced with a venomous threat.

With a dismissive wave of his hand, the skinwalker strode back towards the Elders' chamber, leaving the Pope fuming in his wake.

Inside the chamber, the Elders sat in tense silence, their faces etched with worry.

"So, any luck reaching the kid?" Gorion growled, his impatience evident.

The skinwalker, settling back into Edward's chair, shook its head. "I wasn't able to get to him. We can continue without him. I'll make sure to relay the message later." It paused, its eyes gleaming with a cunning light. "Besides, since these creatures are now able to identify the families, being secretive is a futile effort."

Santiago D'Angelo, the eldest of the guardians, nodded grimly. "We should move the orbs to another location, known only to us. The sacred book that the orbs unlock is yet to be found, but all the orbs when in close proximity can signal its location, the other factions would start attacking aggressively when news about the vulnerability of the family houses and the stolen orb spread."

"He's right," Gorion agreed. "If those creatures are targeting the orbs, it's only a matter of time before they find the book. That spells doom for us all. We can't let what happened two thousand years ago repeat itself, cause this time, the gods won't be sending another man to protect the people of earth."

"Unlike before, the people of Earth have abandoned the gods to rely on their own power. The gods have withdrawn their protection. It's up to us to act before it's too late." Orion spoke in a low, somber tone.

"You all just repeating the same thing!" Silverwood Maximilian, his voice filled with frustration, interjected. "You're elders, direct messengers of the gods, yet you do nothing but wallow in pride and burden us with more responsibilities. Only when the end is upon us do you seek solutions. Pathetic geezers."

Vasquez slammed his fist on the table, his face contorted with rage. "Didn't your father teach you manners, boy?! Who do you think has been maintaining the link between you worthless guardians and the gods so your fortunes can keep growing? Who do you think is maintaining those holy barriers in your household that have been protecting you over the years? Who has made sure no sickness befall any of you, you ungrateful pest!?"

"We are not the only humans on this planet," Maximilian countered, his eyes blazing with defiance. "How can we be sure you're not just doing those things to protect the orbs while ignoring the masses? Why won't they rely on their own power?"

"Enough!" Orion roared, his voice echoing through the chamber. "This bickering is getting us nowhere!"

Maximilian, his anger reaching its peak, stood up abruptly.

"You will not walk out on us Young Silverwood," Garghat's barked

"I'd rather use my precious time to find means to protect the orb and my family. Something you elders have clearly failed to do!"

As he stormed towards the door, he glanced back, his eyes narrowing in confusion. He noticed something strange on Edward's neck, it looked like scales. He shook his head, dismissing it as a trick of the light, and left the chamber, his footsteps echoing down the long hallway.