The wait was long and somewhat boring as about 30 minutes passed before the silence finally got the Spiritual and religious leaders of the world. Even though they made small talk through their translators and had the Grand Elder to converse with, the monotony and lack of thrill got into the head of a spiritualist that made a name for himself as a TV personality. He had a following of several million from all across the world.
"Taylor, where are the rest of the Elders and when are we going to get on with this meeting," the man fixed his collar with a presumptuous harrumph.
"I don't know sir," the woman named Taylor fixed her glasses and subtly made herself smaller. She knew this man's personality off the air and was afraid of what he might say next especially at the volume that he chose to speak.
"I am a very busy individual that has put aside important matters to be here, the least these Shepherd people could do is be on time. Or they could at least be aware of what each of us has given up to be here," the man was called Jordyn Everglow, it was not his real name. That was Gleb Butstuf.
"Jordyn, maybe speak a little bit lower, you are pretty loud," Taylor bit her lip and looked away after receiving a glare from one of the Elders that understood their words. She was smart enough to look at the other leaders and noticed that every time Jordyn spoke, the translators would inform their lord or lady of what was said.
"I could be on TV right now, making money from donations and advertising but here I am. Paying respect to a group of people that don't appreciate my time," Jordyn was one of the founders and spokesman of one of the largest polytheistic movements since any ancient religion. It was called the Monolithic Sun Church and it revolved around science with a sprinkling of faith thrown in to really steal followers from the Church of God and just about any other religion that even somewhat shared the same tenets.
"Everyone here is waiting patiently Jordyn, just give it some more time. Please," Taylor forced herself to speak up as she noticed the looks that they were getting.
"Time is money so these people need to hurry up," he couldn't contain his annoyance and spoke very loudly. Taylor cringed as he got louder. No one said anything as dissatisfaction appeared on the faces of the Grand Elders and guests that were present. Before anyone could reprimand Mr. Butstuf for his impatience, the main doors opened.
A little more than half a dozen men and women of the world's famous religions or spiritual groups showed up alongside their translators and security details if they had one. The security wielded or showed guns just like all of the other guards that were of the original six guests. These leaders came from the cruise ship that had docked around the same time that the third plane had landed.
"Things are starting to move it would seem," the Holy Father leaned back in his seat and examined the figure heads of each group. Some faces he knew, others were fresh.
Two of the members that he was aware of were an antithesis group that held similar but openly diametric values. The other leader was the head of a group that believed in nothing as far as the Holy Father was aware. Another face that he recognized was a grey haired woman with golden skin and scars all over her exposed arms.
She was the matriarch of a large family, or group, that called themselves the De'Montes. Why she was there was a mystery to the Holy Father since her family was currently in the middle of a war with several global supergiants fighting for control over her family's assets.The others, he didn't know. The new arrivals were escorted to seats near the first wave of guests.
"Fatima, what are you doing here," the Holy Father addressed the Golden skinned woman as she walked by. He spoke in another language that others would be hard pressed to recognize. The woman looked at the Holy Father up and down and sighed since she knew the language that was used as it was her native tongue.
"I'm looking for allies to help me look for my great great great grandson and thought this meeting would be perfect to state my case to people who have the power to authorize a search. He is to be the patriarch after me," the woman crossed her arms and glared at the people that were behind her and the servant that was guiding her to a seat. The people went around while the servant was cowed.
"One hundred and five years of life and you now have a successor, you must be upset that he is missing," the Holy Father narrowed his vision onto the woman that looked no older than forty. The only thing that hinted at her age was the grey hair and her back which was slightly arched.
"Had a successor," Fatima didn't look sad, she had this knot in her brow and a frown that made her appear wrathful. As if she would burn the world down for her kin.
"When was this by the way, I haven't heard anything about someone in your direct line going missing," the Holy Father tilted his head in wonder.
"It happened some months ago during a raid on our main compound. You wouldn't happen to know anything about that would you," Fatima's snake-like eyes chilled the Holy Father's blood. The Verdant reacted to her by thickening around their location. She was not capable of controlling it like the Holy Father, it was just a natural response to her raging vitality.
"No...", the Holy Father, as someone who was attuned to God's grace, felt his chest tighten and throat close as it became difficult to speak.
"I haven't heard anything," for a split second he saw himself trapped in a cage with a starved tiger facing him.
"Ah, you're not being tricksome with the truth are you," Fatima leaned closer to get a better look at the Holy Father.
"I'm not Fatima. You should know how I am when it comes to serious matters. At most I have heard that your family had been directly attacked but I didn't know about your descendant," The Holy Father called upon God's Grace and surrounded himself in Verdant to offset the threatening feeling that he was getting. It felt like he received shade in the middle of a scorching desert.
"That's truly unfortunate. I was hoping to find some leads today. You'll help me search for him won't you," she asked.
"Of course, do you have anything...", before the Holy Father could finish his question, Fatima passed him a photo of a golden skinned and haired toddler with unnatural sapphire eyes. His pupils were clear and sparkling like gemstones.
"You can contact me through the usual channels. The child's name is Salimoon," she sighed and walked to her seat. There was a distinct lack of translator and guard with the old woman.
Once Fatima, as the last guest to be seated, got to her assigned location, maids and butlers stormed out of nearby service halls. They possessed different and specially designed meals and paperwork for each person. Even those that already ate received a light snack and drink. The cuisine left everyone absolutely speechless but more so, the documents left them all stunned. It was today's docket, in their native tongues. Everything regarding this meal and debriefing, to the scheduling and coordination of personnel, were all handled efficiently and with a quality of control that left something to be admired if not outright desired.
The Grand Elders filtered in not too long after alongside servants that set up a projected screen above the throne so that everyone's attention was brought toward that direction. What ends up happening next is rather simple... A grand elder steps up to the plate while everyone is either eating, drinking, reading, or doing some combination of the three. With a mic in hand, the Grand Elder tapped it to get everyone's attention.
"Hello everyone, I am the Eleventh elder of the Shepherds of the Golden Horn…", the Eleventh smiled and projected his voice even though he didn't need to.
"It's a delight, honor, and privilege to have so many bright minds and wise souls in attendance," he bowed slightly.
"We of the Golden Horn have called this conclave and requested you all come on such short notice because of two reasons," the Eleventh put up two fingers.
"The first reason is because we are celebrating the holy descent and revival of our lord. We are all fortunate enough to be alive for such a grand, no, momentous occasion. As a faith of this great Earth, we have made the unanimous decision to share this with as many of our contemporaries as possible, which is the first reason why you are all here," the Eleventh almost couldn't contain his zeal or, at least, it looked that way. The projection at his back changed from an idle screen to a slideshow of pictures that were moments of celebration taken out of context. There were people cutting cake, having a picnic, swimming at the beach, and just overall celebrating something big. Everyone had the same decorations up and around their places of joy almost as if it were a ritualistic event or holiday.
"The second reason is because we Grand Elders have an announcement that requires the aid of your faiths or followings," the Eleventh wore a solemn expression as he changed to the next point. The slideshow changed to a graph and bullet pointed breakdown of a singular goal. It was essentially a plan for world domination.
"The Shepherds, as a whole, have decided to introduce ourselves to the world under the guidance of our lord," the points that were made to the council were brought before the religious leaders of the world. Education, universal healthcare and base income, technological development and release rate, and infrastructural capacity were all touched upon in a ten bullet point breakdown of a 50 year plan. Aaradhya didn't have to think much to share this information with his father since his previous world was practically a utopia with all of these things implemented. That said, Death, in their report, went as far as to break down exactly what the Shepherds were capable of achieving and when so Aaradhya simply shared that information with his father who in turn explained it to the Elders.
"The Shepherds will no longer operate from the shadows or by proxy. We would like all of you to welcome us into the world so that we may change it for the better," the eleventh elder raised his arms as if he wanted to give the crowd a hug. There was chatter, and not a small amount.
"My family will accept and even assist in your faith's debut if you can help me with something," Fatima placed her feet up on the table in front of her. Most of the guests looked at her as if she had two heads since they didn't know who she was but the Eleventh elder smiled as a few heads of the religious orders looked on in surprise.
"If there is anything that we can help you with Madam De Monte, we will certainly try. Your family has done a lot for us Shepherds. My mother especially thanks you as she has reached the age of 113 this year and hopes for another few thanks to the gifts your family has provided us," The Eleventh elder bowed slightly.
"She's still kicking huh. Tell her I said hello when you get the chance," Fatima said.
"Of course, now, what is it that we can help with," the Eleventh elder asked on behalf of all the Grand Elders..
"My great great great grandson has gone missing. I would like to enlist you and everyone here in finding him," Fatima pulled out a photograph of a golden haired, blue eyed, and sun kissed one or two year old baby.
"He is three months, two weeks and four days old today," the old woman looked upset, not heartbroken, and annoyed that she had to stoop low enough to ask for help.
"Do you mind if we keep this copy," The Eleventh elder waved someone to pick up the picture.
"Not at all, I have enough for everyone here, help me spread them out," Fatima stunned the crowd as she pulled a stack of photos out of her pocket. All of the Grand Elders received a photo copy of the De Monte child that they would have to help look for in exchange for the family's support. As for the rest of the guests, most of them looked at this scene with hard eyes and steeled hearts as the guard of the Shepherds spread the photos to them as well. They did not know this woman, the De Montes, or the Shepherds that well for that matter. They were only here because of prior arrangements in their own faiths, invitations, and their open availability. Jordyn, specifically, was not enthused as he stood up without reading the docket. Taylor tried to get him to sit down since she read it but Jordyn pulled his arm away.
"If we are just going to sit around and let a nobody like her talk, I will take my leave. It was a waste of time listening to manager Jim. I should have never come here," Jordyn walked toward the door. The guards moved to intercept Jordyn but the Eleventh tutted into the mic. The guards locked up and stood on standby.
"A nobody huh, is he talking about me," Fatima rolled her tongue and tasted blood in the air as she stared daggers at the boy that disrespected her. A knife came off of her belt and entered her hand but just before she was about to throw it, the door came open.
Masih Sr entered the hall with a frown on his face. He had just finished putting out the fires (The problems that had sprouted due to the destabilization tactics of the Ghosts) that had been raging all over the island and received a report that his lordly son was back in the crystal peak. He assumed that his son would have arrived at the conference hall to lead the meeting that was occurring but upon seeing that the throne was empty, he sighed and closed his eyes in relief.
"Who are you," Jordyn sized up the man in front of him and puffed his chest.
"I am the High Priest Aaradhya Masih. And you are," Masih Sr narrowed his sights on the boy in front of him.
"I am Jordyn Everglow, Spiritual advisor and faith leader to the Monolithic Sun Church," he turned his nose to the sky and smirked.
"I see. Were you just about to leave before hearing what my Lord had to say to you all today," Masih Sr's voice thickened.
"I don't know anything about your lord but I was about to leave, Taylor, let's go. This was a waste of time. I'm never listening to Jim's recommendations again," Jordyn yelled and waved out to the poor woman that was making herself as small as humanly possible. She had no choice but to stand up now with him pointing at her to follow. Masih Sr nodded a few times before he simply waved his hand. The guards that were at the door kicked the upstart's legs out from under him and proceeded to gag and tie him up with zip ties and rope that they had on hand. It was almost like they were prepared for this exact scenario. The guards and mercenaries of the guests did not take that action too well as they lifted their weapons and tightened their positions beside the people that they were charged with protecting.
"It seems our guest is not feeling too well and needs to be watched over carefully. I hope this one incident doesn't dissuade you all from all the benefits that you will receive if you help the Shepherds with our emergence," the Eleventh put on his poker face and dismissed Jordyn's faux pas as him being sick. The face of the Monolithic Sun church was placed back in his seat by the guards with Taylor to look after him. Meanwhile, Masih Sr walked across the middle of the hall and stood beside the throne.
The next person to speak was the leader of the movement that believed in nothing, the great Nøll at the end of life. It was like being an atheist but it was a bit more extreme and encompassing since it took in scientific research as a basis and religious cues from stories that ended in destruction for the pantheons associated with the myths. The man with slicked back hair that had touches of grey at the temples stood up and shook his head.
"I am seeing an outline of a plan, nothing concrete. What are our benefits and what must we do to assist you. And what are these stages that you keep referring to," the man looked livid but it was just his angular features and high nose bridge that made him appear as such.
"Good questions. This is an outline of what we must do to reach a semblance of world peace or at least, majority enlightenment. Our lord was kind enough to simplify his complex thoughts as much as possible...", the Eleventh smiled and made a hand motion that gave his praise to the lord.
"The benefits that are outlined are many. There is influence such that we who are here would hold dominion over those with and without faith. There is a monetary benefit as there would be a tax paid to us if this plan were to come to fruition. And most importantly, there is the bounty of our lord…", the Eleventh held the attention of the guests and pressed forward.
"Anyone who joins us will receive knowledge about his realm and the powers that are now available to us thanks to our lord's descent," the Eleventh and the elders showed off their spiritual powers if they had any. The leader of Nøll blew air out of his mouth and shook his head.
"That is nothing new," the man's hand waved and left an imprint on the Verdant for all to see. He even coalesced a small fraction of it into a green ball that floated a few inches away from his palm. With a flick of his wrist the ball turned into a ribbon of light that danced above his head freely.
"Several of my managers have also developed their bodies to produce and control this natural filament. We have, because of this filament, made allies amongst those in their next phase of life," the silvered man reduced his control of the ribbon and let it scatter into motes of green light.
"Now, how can you expect us to assist when you are offering nothing new or even certain," the man crossed his arms. He did not smile or frown as the other religious leaders in the room muttered to themselves. The display that the Shepherds and that man did were like child's play to some of them. To others, it was novel. Jordyn, for example, felt that he was looking at wizards at play as he had never seen something like that before.
"Ah. You have something wrong when it comes to our lord's gift to you...", the eleventh smirked.
"The exchange of information and our Lord's power will come in stages as the outline says. The first of which would be a dissemination of training methods that will enhance not only our gifts but also our bodies and senses. Our Lord has said that he would personally teach us once he gains the ability to speak," the Eleventh revealed the first revelation that was promised to the Shepherds at the first stage.
"The next stages actually rely on how far we can get in helping our Lord reclaim his divine seat, or how much we can influence the world on his behalf," the Eleventh looked deranged, rather, that was the face that he decided to wear. He went into detail about what each leader here will receive and when at each stage as they went along with the plan.