The Night Gods III- The Triumph Of Evil- XVIII: Hassan's Prophesy

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Hassan listened thoughtfully as Baraq recounted the details of his dream, black eyes glistening as his friend told of the grizzly despoilment. To Hassan the prophesy, and that's what he was convinced it was, was clear. Baraq must follow through- it was ordained. He must seduce and kill Lord Penrose's only child... she would prove the ultimate sacrifice. Baraq was to first marry, then murder Gwendolyn Penrose... he shook his head in disbelief at his friend's suggestion.

"But Hassan," he said eyes wide, "it's Lord Penrose's daughter. If I kill her..."

"It's part of Allah's plan," Hassan replied firmly. "Don't you see, this is how you show your supremacy over the white devils... but you must not kill her right away."

"I don't understand," Baraq said.

"It's so very simple, my friend," Hassan replied. "They call you the Chosen One... the embodiment of their gods. When you take Lord Penrose's daughter it will make you their god. First you take her in marriage- seduce her... then you will call for the ultimate sacrifice- your own wife."

"Penrose will never..." Baraq began.

Hassan cut him off: "It will be the true test of their fealty... if they believe you are who they say, they will do it willingly."

"I must think on this," Baraq told his friend. "This is most unsettling." He had no qulams about killing- he had done so many times... but not like this- this was murder, not war.

"But Baraq," Hassan said passionately, "it's all very clear. Allah has spoken to you."

"I think Allah has spoken to you my friend," Baraq laughed. "Let me think about this."

Baraq was still a devout Muslim, having difficulty reconciling what Penrose and his people had told him. If what Penrose had said was true, he would have to forsake his lifelong beliefs... this would take much more proof. He despised the bizarre rituals Penrose and his friends indulged themselves in. If the newly accumulated power he was accruing could be used to glorify Allah, then so be it. Otherwise...

He returned to bed, the dream all but forgotten. It was all too confusing. Until now, his life had been simple. He tried desperately to reconcile hios devotion to Allah with his new found prominence. He enjoyed the oppulent lifestyle he and Hassan now lived... What if Penrose was right?

Przybysz was also having difficulty reconciling what he and Dick had discussed. The more he thought, the more troubled he became- images of Ann and Anica falshed through his mind. It was time to call Father Tony... perhaps he could provide some insight. Without thinking about the difference in time, he dialed the priest's secure number and awoke him from a sound sleep.

"Give me a minute Prz," Father Tony said groggy from his slumber. "Let me put some coffee on and call you right back."

"Sorry Father," Przybysz apologized, "this has me so worried I didn't think about the time."

Fifteen minutes later Przybysz' phone rang. Przybysz explained everything he nad Dick had discussed, beginning with Fawkes warning about U'Bamah and the Biblical implications. Father Tony listened patiently without interrupting, making mental notes as he went. When Przybysz finished, he began...

"If it makes you feel any better, the Bible also says we win in the end."

"I don't get you." Przybysz replied.

"Before St. John of Patmos wrote Revelations, the Lord said of St. Peter, 'Upon this rock I build my Church and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.'"

"I'm still not following you Father," Przybysz said dubiously.

"It means that Jesus' Church winsw in the end." Father Tony told him

"You mean the Catholic Church?" Przybysz asked.

"No, not exactly. The Vatican was taken over by evil forces many years ago... it's a long story for another time," Father Tony explained. "Jesus' Church means the body of believers... those that actually follow Biblical precepts."

"But you're a Catholic," Przybysz replied. "Do you mean..."

"This is kind of complicated Prz," the Father told him, "let's just say for now that there's the real Church and the false Church... Jesus himself warned about false prophets, saying 'they come disguised as lambs but are ravening wolves.'"

"So how are we supposed to know the difference?" Przybysz wanted to know.

"If what you say about this U'Bamah is true it will be easy- many will follow the false prophet."

"But the Bible says that much of the world's population will be wiped out." Przybysz said.

"Look at how many already died in the war," Father Tony said sadly, "They're well on their way."

"What can we do to stop it?" Przybysz asked. "We have to stop it."

"How Prz?" Father Tony asked.

"We have to get to him," Przybysz said. "What does the Bible say, surely you must..."

"I'm just a priest Prz, not a prophet," the priest laughed. "You can't change prophesy... it's not a hint or a suggestion- it's what's going to happen."

"We can't change it?" Przybysz was grasping at straws.

"It wouldn't be prophesy then," Father Tony told him.

"Then what do we do?" Przybysz was getting a hopeless feeling in the pit of his stomach.

"Keep fighting the good fight," Father Tony replied.

"That's it?" Przybysz asked.

"You're a good man, Prz, and you've been accomplishing many great things. Keep it up," Father Tony said emphatically. "If it makes you feel any better, he only wins for a short time- the good guys win in the end."

"Thanks Father," Przybysz responded. "I'll let you get back to sleep."

Father Tony laughed again: "You think I can sleep after what you just told me?"

"So you really think this is it?" Przybysz asked the priest. "What are you going to do?"

"Someone needs to begin uniting people of faith," the priest replied solemnly.

"But Christainity has been banished- it's illegal," Przybysz said.

"So is what we've been doing- killing people," Father Tony laughed. "Christianity started out illegal, remember. They can outlaw Christianity, but they can't stop it... maybe this will be the new beginning."

"You'll be putting yourself in a whole lot of danger," Przybysz informed him. "Drawing attention to yourself."

"Like blowing up bridges and shooting UN troops is safe," Father Tony laughed. "It's a dangerous world now Prz. All I can say is our Lord died for us and I'm perfectly willing to return the favor."

"I admire your faith Father," Przybysz said sincerely.

"Look Prz," the priest replied, "I don't have all the answers, I'm not certain I have any. Let's wait until after the election and see which way the winds blow."

"Do you think Oliveira has a chance?" Przybysz asked.

"Not a prayer," Father Tony laughed. "I sincerely believe that you and Dick's suspicions are true... looks like this is it."

"So what do I do?" Przybysz asked a worried tone in his voice.

"Keep Ann and Anica safe," Father Tony advised him. "Keep doing what you've been doing. Keep the faith Prz... we'll find a way."

"I've never had any faith Father," Przybysz replied, "I've never even been baptized."

"That we can fix," Father Tony said, "that is, if it's what you want."

"At this point, it couldn't hurt," Przybysz said. "Say a prayer for us."

"Always," was the priest's reply.

(For links to previous chapters go to Chapter XV)

https://steemit.com/fiction/@richq11/the-night-gods-iii-the-triumph-of-evil-xv-the-loveboat
https://steemit.com/fiction/@richq11/the-night-gods-iii-the-triumph-of-evil-xvi-a-platform-of-peace
https://steemit.com/fiction/@richq11/the-night-gods-iii-the-triumph-of-evil-xvii-the-man-of-peace

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