The next few days passed slowly. The church tried to establish communications with the outside world. Telecommunications had been shut down entirely. Not a phone could be used.
They had resorted to sending out hunting parties to search for survivors and any extra resources. Only those who had a good grasp on their "gifts" could go exploring. Elsewise, you were left to work at home base. Some were building fences around the perimeter of the church's parking lot. Some cleaned and cooked the massive portions to feed hundreds. Some kept lookout in the nearby areas to warn of any incoming monsters. But so far, things were peaceful.
Those who weren't assigned a task were inside, listening to sermons from Abbot Kilgrove in the main hall. Monan sat in what could only be described as a throne on the stage. He was wrapped in white robes like some high priest with a scarf bearing the cross wrapped around his neck. And clinging to his arm was Chosa, looking upon the masses like they were her own.
They absorbed the adoration of the crowd as Kilgrove preached the holy word. But they weren't hopeful words like the usual sermons. These words were from the book of Revelation.
Kilgrove had made a point of reading from this book to educate all on what it truly meant that the end of days had come. Man had sinned too far, and god was punishing them with fire. The demons would come from the earth as well as from heaven to seek the devil's due, and for a time, he would reign supreme.
Monan made a habit of appearing bored, staying quiet, and looking through the crowd for anything that he hadn't seen before. But he knew that these sermons were a necessary part in keeping him praised in the public eye. So though they were a slog and he found the abbot a big fat bore, he had to sit through them.
He leaned over to Chosa, whispering, "Have you seen the kid in a while?"
"No… Not that I care to," said Chosa. He's probably sitting in a corner sulking like a baby. It's what he always does when something happens to him. It's so annoying."
Monan perked up an eyebrow. "He isn't the type to, ya know… take matters into his own hands when things get tough?"
"I don't think so… But I've only been with him for a year. Who knows. He might've already."
"He hasn't."
"Really… well, I've got no sympathy for people like that. People that just give up when things get tough. It's stupid."
"I couldn't agree more." He stared at Chosa for a moment but there was no shred of love in his eye. More like he was envisioning someone else. Someone who was not there. Monan was suddenly in a hurry to leave, walking away in the middle of the sermon and leaving Chosa confused. But the abbot called at him.
"Redeemer. Sir. Where are you going?"
Everyone was gawking at him. "God is calling to me. I must answer. But first… Is there anyone among you who wishes to receive my blessing?"
A hundred hands shot up in the crowd. Waving, cheering, all desperately clamoring to gain his attention. Monan watched the crowd diligently, singling out one man that he knew was his prize. "You… come forward. Your name, the lord tells me, is Michael."
The man was surprised by his gesture and rushed onto the stage immediately. "Yes, oh, great Redeemer. That is my name. I thank you for hearing my plea."
"What is it that you'd ask of me?"
"It's my sister and my nephews… I need to know. Are they alright? Did they survive Zero Day?"
He closed his eyes, pretending he was thinking. "I see… It's urgent. They are alive." He waited for the cheesing grin to come across the man's face before saying, "But they're trapped in the basement of their house. We can still save them if we send a rescue team immediately."
The urgency filled the room. Volunteers jumped up, eager to prove their worth. Kilgrove picked them out and told them to see Ellie before they went.
"Thank you, Redeemer." The man was in tears. "Thank god for sending you to us."
Monan simply nodded and left the masses awestruck at his divinity. Chosa followed directly behind, scoffing at their jealousy of her. Because she knew that every woman in that crowd was looking at her as their queen, and she loved every moment of it.
Ellie was far busier after the end of things than she ever was before. No matter the work or the ask, she accepted with a smile. Then the next thing she knew, she was serving as the church's main doctor and resource manager. She oversaw the people leaving on hunting missions and healed them when they returned.
But she didn't mind. The work kept her busy and her mind off other, more existential problems. And it was nice to be wanted by so many. Relied upon for nurturing and care. And now that she had the ability to heal people at a whim, it was like she had her own touch of an angel.
"So, still can't see out of your eye?" she asked the man.
"No…"
"I'm sorry. I think I've done all I can. To be frank, I'm still not sure how far this healing will go."
"No problem. You've done plenty. Really." The man smiled as she replaced the eye patch over his head. The healing loot was miraculous, but it still couldn't train the blind to see. Even this had its limits.
As she left the man, she noticed another one still cuddled up in his bed. He had been lying there all day… for the past three days. He hadn't eaten, and he barely moved. She tried to leave him a plate of food, but it would always waste away, so she would always have to pick it up and serve it to someone else. She was beginning to grow afraid that the man would die.
Which was sad, because he was the reason she had the touch of the angel in the first place. She tried to ask him what was wrong once, but all he said was thank you, not even hearing her. He was so full of life and energy just the other day. She couldn't help but wonder what happened, but knew it wasn't her place to push the issue. She just wondered if there was anything she could do to help.
"Miss Brazer." One of the children tugged at her skirt. "The abbot said he wanted to see you."
"Yes. You tell him I'll be right there."
The abbot's office was on the fourth floor near the Redeemer's bedroom. She hated coming up here. It smelled like wine and disgusting pleasures.
"And what are you doing up here?" The voice came from Chosa, standing in front of the Redeemer's door like a gatekeeper. She was wearing some of the abbot's jewelry that he had preserved for special engagements. But they belonged to the church, and Chosa looked like she had picked them straight off his robes.
"I'm here to see the abbot," Ellie said.
"Mhmm… Well, it isn't this door."
"I know where it is."
"Then go." She sounded like a high school bully overprotective of her boyfriend. Ellie didn't mind leaving her there in the slightest, but for some reason, she felt an aching to punch the girl. Maybe some old high school feelings had stirred up in her, but being that she was an adult, she let her be and walked to the abbot's door at the end of the hall.
"Hello Abbot.." She closed the door behind her.
"Please. Arthur is fine. Sit." Arthur Kilgrove was a touch past his spry days, with a short, greying beard and hair packed tightly. He was thin and moved with a silent swagger. Though he tried his best to hide it.
She scanned his room. It was bare except for the essentials. A desk, a few chairs, and some candles for the night. He didn't like to rely on modern technologies when he didn't have to.
"I'm sorry that I've been relying on you so much. But I want you to know that everyone here appreciates what you've been doing," he said.
"It's no worry at all. It keeps me busy."
"You'd tell me if things ever got too much for you?"
"You've known me a while, Arthur..."
"And you've never complained about anything I've asked. I know… But still, I thought I should check on you."
"It's really not been that much of a bother. These gifts…" She paused on the word. It didn't leave her tongue right. "They make things incredibly easy. And I feel like I have the power of god right at my fingertips."
Arthur stood. "Right, the gifts…"
"You still haven't accepted one?"
"Nope... My neck is still clean," he said, patting himself on the nape of his neck.
"But why? The feeling you get with them is unlike anything you've ever felt. And we can use it to help so many."
"Ehhh… I'm an old man, Ellie. These weapons... are meant for people much more headstrong than myself."
"They're not all weapons. Many of them are for healing, and some can even create water from thin air. You should see some of the things the children are able to do…" She stopped, noticing the words weren't having an effect on him. "They don't bite."
"Yes. And that's exactly what worries me. These things were not meant for the hands of man. Everything is just all… wrong."
"Then… do you really think it's the end of days as the scripture reads?"
The abbot flinched at the question, suddenly aware of all the inconsistencies in his head. But he could not voice it. "It is." He turned to the window. "And thanks to the Redeemer's presence, we have been chosen to survive."
"And you trust him?"
"Who are we to mistrust a messenger of god?"
The words were not comforting, but she would not answer them as any answer felt like a trap.
"The rest of the city is burnt to ash as far as we can tell. There is no word from anyone. Not the government. Not the police. Not the military. Things have reached the worst possible scenario. And yet the church remains untouched by beasts. While they are suffering. We are thriving. Surely you see that."
"I know. His guidance has given us many gifts. But I can't help but be afraid of what's going to happen."
"Do you think that makes you a non-believer?"
"I don't know."
He chuckled. "Each sign that god leaves behind has gotten nearly impossible to interpret. But only one thing is clear. We are not following the rule book he handed to us any longer. Something has gone awry. We must make our calls on the fly and survive how we must. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
"Abbot, you can't mean to say that you don't believe…"
"Shh.. I will hear no more of it. We mustn't question God's will in his own house."
Ellie couldn't believe her ears, but the abbot was done with the conversation. So she had to placate herself by bowing her head and getting up to leave. "Yes. Of course. You're right."
"Now you let me know if you ever need anything and I'll do what's in my power to help."
"There was just one question I had." Ellie blurted out.
"Yes."
"When he first arrived here… what did he whisper to you?"
Arthur nodded his head, unbothered by the question and having already known how he would answer it. "It is best kept a secret to protect all those involved. If that is all, I'm sure the people downstairs miss you."
She curtsied, faking the smile that she showed. On her way out, the Redeemer appeared to her. His tall, fit frame blocked the doorway.
"Excuse me."
He didn't move. He seemed to take serious note of her. All parts of her. His sultry eyes made her skin crawl, and she could smell the wine on him. "This is new," he said. "But that's alright. There's always room for one more."
She bowed politely, ignoring the comment. "Excuse me." She pushed her way past him as he watched her go, tongue clicking against his teeth.
"You have need of me, Redeemer," Kilgrove asked.
"Yes, I do, Arthur." And the door was shut.