With a bit of difficulty, Sergio opens his eyes and the sight of the being in front of him makes the priest scream in fear.
"I can't...you are!"
"Indeed welcome my child"
Sergio's focus was on the man in front of him, thus he hadn't noticed the hand that almost suffocated him.
"My lord Nirvana!"
The man slowly removes his hand from Sergio's neck letting the man kneel in front of him.
"I save you from a great danger my child, how are you?"
Upon hearing those words the priest kneels even more showing his great devotion towards his god. Just like what the scriptures said Nirvana was a very tall man with iron like body. His skin was blue while his eyes were red, their god's hair was a bit long but it only highlighted his masculinity.
"This humble servant doesn't deserve such kindness!"
"Nonsense all of you who follow my will deserve my kindness"
[This is a bit cringe]
"Shut up can't you see I am God!"
[A God my foot]
Jeremiah's words were immediately blocked from Apollo's mind, he needs to stay in character after all.
"My lord what happened to that creature"
"Him? I chased him away however with my limited strength because of the seal I could only appear in this form"
"You don't have to worry my lord your faithful servants will immediately free you! Just give us another time my lord!"
Apollo felt amused with his reaction however his face remained gentle yet authoritative.
"I shall be waiting for the one to free me"
His voice began to bear the power of his mana making Sergio amazed at the same time fearful.
"Only the one who will free shall receive my grace. It's like a race my child and I hope it will be your temple that will accomplish it"
Sergio's eyes watered as if receiving the most precious gift he ever had.
"We will! the tenth monastery shall accomplish this holy task!"
A grin emerges from Apollo's face making the priest grateful for his expression.
"Then I shall be waiting for that time to come"
Then he went closer to his ears, and a voice full of malice escaped in Apollo's lips.
"Tell everyone my message only the one who can free me shall receive my blessings"
His voice made Sergio tremble however he didn't let it show, he wanted to show his utmost strength towards the being he puts his faith to.
"Rest assured my lord your will shall be followed!"
He eagerly said making the man in front of him smile. However it wasn't the priest's words that made him smile, it was the red paint-like stains that spread around his body that made him smile.
"Yes I know you will obey me"
....
[That was a superb job Creator]
"Thanks but I am more thankful for the info inside Elijah's memories. To think there are records of Nirvana's personality and appearance"
[You are surely good, by the way Creator]
"Yes?"
[What to do with these two bodies]
"Is that you Ziggy?" A hoarse voice sounded behind an aged tree.
"I figured this would be the place you would go, how are you, Sergio"
Finally, a man full of deep wounds and bloodied clothes came out from the trunk of the tree.
"!?"
"What happened to you!?"
They rushed to approach however when they did so they became even more mad.
"Elijah!"
"Hey Dylan"
The assassin named Dylan held a man who had lost his arms and legs.
"What kind of!"
His hand began to shake while holding his friend's butchered body.
"I am still alive Dylan"
"Don't smile like this damn it!"
"Who did this Sergio" the third assassin spoke while taking out a potion to feed them.
"I don't know Lorenz we don't know what creature it was, all I know is it looks like a demon but has a consciousness and mind to think"
"He can even use spells which is impossible for demons" Elijah added even though he was having a hard time speaking.
"Enough we should head back since we are not sure if no one was able to follow you"
Dylan insisted as he helped the two to walk.
"I'll carry you, Elijah"
"Thanks, Lorenz"
Eventually, they managed to get away without alerting anybody.
However, deep into the sky, a figure can be seen floating among the clouds.
[It seems like no one was able to notice]
"We will find that out once they arrive inside their base"
Apollo said while he was in Demon form.
"Let us head back we did what we had to today"
[Affirmative Creator]
For the coming days, Apollo planted a seed of competition and conflict among the hearts of the devotees of Nirvana. The very thing that keeps them together is also the very thing that causes them to be divided.
...
Inside one of the most secure temples of the monastery.
A archbishop stood tall in front of a stone statue of a mysterious man.
"Hahaha"
A loud laughter can be heard instead of a prayer and instead of a man clad in holiness, the priest looks obsessive and intoxicated.
"I knew you would return...HAHAHA!"
"That's right 200 years ago you promised!"
His body shakes in excitement as he says those words.
"You wanted a race!... yes, I will give it to you and when you return I shall become the pope of your church!"
His voice was ragged but full of craziness and excitement. Apollo didn't know that the words he spoke not only caused conflict amongst the temples but also gave them a newfound motivation.