Chapter 10 Moments In The Convent

"Where should we take him?" Elena asked Mother Superior, dragging a half-asleep Samuel toward the bathhouse. "Just making sure this goof actually takes his bath. Sometimes he prioritizes sleep over hygiene," Mother Superior replied with a sigh, shaking her head. "I can wake him up," Elena giggled, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Mother Superior shot her a stern look. "Did something happen between you two?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "Well, you can try waking him up. Let's see how that goes." Elena leaned close to Samuel's ear and whispered softly, "Hey, wake up." Samuel's eyes fluttered open, and he turned to look at her.

For a moment, he seemed dazed, but as his gaze settled on Elena's face, he suddenly stood up, flustered, and hid behind Mother Superior like a child seeking refuge. "Oh boy, here we go again," Mother Superior groaned, exasperated. "It's fine if you're aggressive toward others, but when a girl shows you kindness, you hide like a scared puppy. You're in your mid-30s, for heaven's sake!" Elena couldn't help but laugh at Samuel's adorable reaction.

His massive frame contrasted so sharply with his timid behavior that it was impossible not to find it endearing. "Mother—or should I call you Celine?—Samuel won't fit in the bathroom. I think using the pool would be better," Elena suggested, trying to stifle her laughter. "Good thinking, my dear," Mother Superior agreed, nodding approvingly. Samuel, still hiding behind her, muttered, "Don't do anything funny." Mother Superior rolled her eyes. "Don't worry, Samuel. I've seen everything there is to see since you were a child.

And Elena's accustomed to this sort of thing. Now, stop being difficult." Reluctantly, Samuel followed them to the pool. Elena and Mother Superior scrubbed his massive frame, their laughter echoing as Samuel grumbled under his breath. After his bath, Samuel changed into fresh clothes and began strolling through the courtyard. But before he could enjoy his peace, Mother Superior grabbed his arm and dragged him toward the garden.

"Samuel, let me braid your hair. Come on, it's been years since I last did it," Mother Superior said, her tone softening. Samuel hesitated but eventually gave in, sitting down on the ground with a resigned sigh. As Mother Superior began braiding his hair, Samuel's eyes grew heavy, and he drifted off to sleep, his head nodding forward. Mother Superior called Elena over. "Would you like to help?" she asked.

Elena nodded eagerly, sitting down beside her. As they worked, Elena couldn't help but ask, "Mother, why is Samuel so… massive? He's unlike anyone I've ever seen." Mother Superior paused, her hands still tangled in Samuel's hair. "He and his brother come from a clan of Arians known as the Nazarites. You've heard of Samson, haven't you? Well, Samuel is one of them. But unlike Samson, Samuel's strength is unique to him.

Each Nazarite has a different gift, and his older brother, Hageo, is no exception." Elena's eyes widened in shock. "Hageo is his older brother? But Samuel seems so much… bigger." Mother Superior chuckled. "Yes, but size isn't everything. Hageo's talents lie elsewhere.

The Nazarites are extraordinary, but they have one weakness: they struggle to control their emotions, especially when it comes to love. Samuel may look intimidating, but he's the sweetest of them all. Don't let his size fool you." Elena glanced at Samuel's sleeping face, her expression softening. "I think I'm starting to understand him a little more." Mother Superior smiled knowingly. "Just be patient with him. He's not used to kindness from women. But once he trusts you, he'll be the most loyal person you'll ever know.

" The two continued braiding Samuel's hair, the garden filled with the gentle sounds of their laughter and the rustling of leaves in the breeze. --------------- Hageo and Father Cedric sat on the convent balcony, sipping coffee as the sun cast a golden glow over the courtyard. The air was calm, but Cedric's mind was anything but. "So, you and your brother are Arians?" Cedric asked, breaking the silence. "I thought that belief vanished after the Nicene Creed was established." Hageo chuckled softly, setting his cup down. "We're almost extinct, yes. After the Church adopted the doctrine of the Trinity, most of our kind were driven out.

But a few priests survived, scattering to the corners of the earth. They formed small congregations, keeping the faith alive in secret." Cedric nodded slowly, his brow furrowed. "Alright, I'll bite. But I need you to answer me honestly—what the hell is going on? Why am I seeing things that defy reason? Are we… facing the end of the world?" Hageo leaned back in his chair, a faint smile playing on his lips. "That's a big question," he said, his tone both amused and serious.

"It's going to be a long explanation, so bear with me." He cleared his throat and began. "For countless years, the battle between good and evil has raged on, ever since the first sin of mankind. Our Grand Creator set a plan of salvation in motion to save humanity, but the Accuser—Satan—has always had his own schemes. He's been laying his cards on the table, trying to seize control of creation. After the last book of the Bible was written, the Creator entered a slumber, waiting to awaken and pass judgment on all living beings. But the Accuser is cunning.

To counter him, the Council of Heavenly Beings created weapons—sacraments—to fight against evil. These sacraments were entrusted to the leaders of the early Church." Hageo paused, his expression darkening. "But over time, many of these leaders used the sacraments not for their intended purpose, but to conquer and oppress. Our sect, however, remained true to the original mission. Because of that, we were granted blessings and the ability to wield these sacraments against the forces of darkness." Cedric's eyes widened.

"But I'm Catholic. How is it that I've been chosen by one of these sacraments?" "It's not as rare as you might think," Hageo replied. "Just like salvation, it's not about the specific set of beliefs you follow. It's about how you live your life, how you treat your neighbor. You don't need to change your faith to serve the greater good. The Creator's grace isn't confined to one doctrine." Cedric absorbed this, his mind racing.

"And the destruction of the world? Is that real?" Hageo nodded solemnly. "Many sects of Christianity believe in Armageddon—the final battle that will lead to the earth's destruction. But here's the problem: if that prophecy is rushed or misinterpreted, it could trigger a premature judgment. If that happens, the Creator's plan would be falsified, and the Accuser would win. Darkness would reign over all of creation. That's why our role is so crucial. We ensure the flow of prophecy remains intact. We face horrors beyond imagination to protect the balance." Cedric exhaled deeply, his hands trembling slightly. "So the prophecy of the man in Patmos… it's true?" "Yes," Hageo said firmly. "But it must unfold as it was meant to. Any deviation could lead to chaos." "And these sacraments… how many are there?" Cedric asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "Our sect holds about 40," Hageo explained. "Yours has 30. And there are a few others scattered across the globe, held by chosen individuals from different beliefs.

Together, they form the last line of defense." Cedric sat in stunned silence, his coffee forgotten. The weight of Hageo's words pressed heavily on him, but he managed to regain his composure. "This is… a lot to take in." Hageo smiled faintly. "I know. But you've been chosen for a reason, Father Cedric. The road ahead won't be easy, but you're not alone." The two men sat in silence for a moment, the weight of their conversation hanging in the air as the world continued to turn, unaware of the battle being waged to save it. Father Cedric leaned over the balcony, his gaze drifting downward to the garden below.

There, he saw Mother Superior and Sister Elena carefully braiding Samuel's hair as he sat slumped in a deep sleep. The scene was oddly peaceful, almost tender, and Cedric couldn't help but smile. "What's the story with Sister Elena and your brother?" Cedric asked, turning to Hageo with a curious expression. Hageo burst into laughter, his shoulders shaking. "Ah, that's a funny story. You see, when Elena was possessed by Ishtar, I told Samuel to kiss her and place a seal on her body to prevent the spirit from returning. But that big oaf ended up falling in love with her instead!" He wiped a tear from his eye, still chuckling.

Cedric raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Well, maybe Elena should consider breaking her vows." Hageo's eyes sparkled with mischief as he leaned closer to Cedric. "And what about you, Father? You could always break your vows and pursue my aunt." Cedric's face turned bright red, and he stammered, "W-what? No, no, that's not—I wouldn't—" Hageo erupted into laughter again, thoroughly enjoying Cedric's flustered reaction. "Oh, come on, Father! You're blushing like a schoolboy!" Before Cedric could recover, Hageo leaned over the balcony and called out, "Hey, Samuel! I think Father Cedric is planning to break his vows and marry Elena!" Cedric's eyes widened in panic. "What are you doing?!" The effect was immediate.

Samuel, who had been peacefully asleep, suddenly jolted awake. His eyes snapped open, and with a roar of anger and jealousy, he surged to his feet, his massive frame trembling with emotion. But before he could do anything, Mother Superior stepped in and delivered a sharp slap across his face. "Enough!" she scolded, her voice firm. "You know how fragile your emotions are, Samuel. Calm down!" Samuel blinked, momentarily dazed, then slowly sat back down, his head drooping as he drifted back to sleep. Hageo was doubled over with laughter, tears streaming down his face. "Oh, that never gets old!" Cedric, on the other hand, stood frozen, his mouth hanging open in disbelief. "You… you're unbelievable," he muttered, shaking his head. Hageo wiped his eyes, still grinning. "Come on, Father. You have to admit, it's a little funny."

Cedric sighed, though a small smile crept onto his face despite himself. "I suppose it is… in a strange way." As the two men continued to banter, the convent remained a picture of tranquility. But unbeknownst to them, a figure in a trench coat stood in the shadows just beyond the garden walls, watching them with a sly grin. His presence was unnoticed, but his eyes gleamed with an unsettling intensity, as if he were savoring a secret only he knew.

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