In a domain outside the space of the world, a group of people covered in brown capes sits around an oval table. Twelve sits in total, each with a glass of wine before them. On each cape is a symbol: Alpha α, Beta β, Gamma γ, Delta δ, Epsilon ε, Zeta ζ, Eta η, Theta θ, Kappa κ, Lambda λ, Mu μ. A seat between Theta and Kappa remains unoccupied.

  "Why is he so late? Hasn't he noticed?" Epsilon exclaims.

  "Don't be too harsh on him. I mean, everything went so fast." Theta tries calming things down.

  "You're always taking his defense. Not only does he come late, sometimes he's even absent, and he doesn't make the monthly profits expected of him." Mu crosses her arms.

  "This is our only way of communication. Maybe he didn't think the light would become the reason for a reunion." Zeta takes a sip of wine. "I mean, not all of us have good results, and he is the worst. Facing the fact that a meeting is on the line, he might be too ashamed of facing us."

  No one responds, as if understanding what he means.

  Zeta raises her glass. "Maybe we can begin without him."

  Light emerges behind Alpha.

  "You're late." Alpha glances at the newcomer.

  "Sorry. My son got sick, and I'm having trouble getting the appropriate care." It's Iota ι.

  "Take your seat at last."

  "Okay." Iota bows slightly before moving to sit between Theta and Kappa.

  A glass of wine slides across the table toward him. "I'm sorry about your son. I shouldn't have judged you without knowing." It's Epsilon.

  "How old is he? Two, right? Poor thing, his health is already being put to the test. I'll be praying for him." Theta's voice softens.

  "I'm happy you're looking out for him."

  Clink, clink!

  Alpha taps his glass. "Do you all know why we're here?"

  "Because the Light of Judgment appeared." Beta adjusts his stance.

  "Exactly. The existence of that light proves there's a power so immense that humanity had to eliminate it." Alpha stands. "We as humans always fear what we don't understand. The single thought of something we can't comprehend ruling over us is frightening." He spins dramatically. "Fools, wizards, idiots. We've been called every disrespectful name for generations. Yes, this is just the beginning." He smashes his glass on the table, making everyone flinch. "We've waited for a time like this for generations. We have to cause the next great event, bringing back the divine so that everything returns to its original state." He sits back down.

  "Someone sound excited about the news." Lambda points at Alpha.

  "You can't blame me... After all we're the first generation to see such a thing..."

  The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

  "This raises the question... Is the foundation of this cult actually reliable?" She adds.

  "Stop implanting your pessimistic thoughts." Beta readjusts his glasses.

  Lambda calms down understanding she shouldn't push the matter any further.

  "And what are we exactly going to do? Our cult lacks significant manpower. We have skilled elements, but the quantity is low." Gamma crosses her arms.

  "Also, we can't be sure they'll engage just after the light has appeared." Zeta adds.

  "Even the great empire of Kaldur fell before the light. Do you have any idea why they attacked them? Knowing the reason will give us an additional layer to convince and recruit more people." Iota raises his hand.

  Everyone looks at him with intrigue, as if he's said something unexpected. He proceeds with his explanation.

  "Angels had to be living with them. If everything in this world is indeed cyclical, then an angelic guardian spirit will appear in one of the great kingdoms." He looks at Alpha.

  "That is indeed a brilliant idea." Alpha nods. "Waiting again wasn't part of the plan, but it would be effective."

  Theta raises her hand. "I heard the King of Aphras remarried."

  "That old geezer?" Epsilon crosses his legs.

  "That's probably because he's planning to father a child." Beta sneers.

  "A child to hold the divine?" Lambda tilts her head. "The angels can't protect us from the light. The fall of the Kaldur empire is proof of that. But perhaps it'll be a good method of persuasion." She glances at Alpha. "And what will prove our god survived the light?" A grin appears below her hood.

  "The answer is simple." He breathes deeply. "The Rupture."

  At that answer, Lambda laughs hysterically. "Everything always comes back to it." She adjusts her posture. "But I guess now it is quite funny." She rests her ankles on the table. "I can't continue like this."

  "What do you mean?" Alpha asks coldly.

  "Our family kept believing in the existence of Nirvain without anything but the Rupture to back it up. We're in a world where even that is seen as folklore. So why should we keep believing it?"

  "What are you insinuating?" Epsilon grabs Lambda's collar.

  "Nothing. I just want our leader here to take responsibility in case things go wrong." She raises her hands playfully. "I mean, we use money to maintain this organization." She points to Alpha. "Ten years. If after ten years you have no results, you're going to give me full command of the organization."

  "How can you?" Beta slams his hand on the table.

  Alpha stops him. "Fine. I see it's not fair to keep it this way. I'll take the bet." He faces Lambda. "And I expect that for those ten years, we collaborate to the best of our capabilities."

  Lambda smiles. "I'm good with that."

  Everyone returns to their seats.

  "With that in mind, let us have our next meeting after the spirit of the next child of Aphras is revealed." Alpha glances at Iota. "And take care of your child. He'll be very important for the project. With that said, this meeting is dismissed."

  Snap!

  Light surrounds everyone before they disappear.

  At the outskirts of the kingdom of Casis:

  A fisherman packs his tools. His name is Ernest Fogue.

  "The weather became so bad after that light emerged." He wipes his sweat. "It's so easy to get lost in such misty weather."

  He glances intently at the ocean. "What is that over there? A boat?!"

  He pushes his own boat back into the sea, jumping inside. He swims until he reaches the drifting vessel. He pulls himself up, looking inside.

  "Nobody?"

  He then tows the boat to shore. After beaching it, he starts thinking. "If there's nobody, then it's a free boat." He smiles.

  After wringing the water from his clothes, he takes a closer look. "It's so clean. I could make one or two hundred royas from it."

  Looking inside the boat more carefully, he jumps back. "What... what was that?"

  He approaches cautiously, eyes widening. Inside the boat lies a child. The boy is tanned with short black hair, asleep and wrapped in a blanket. He looks peaceful, as if he never drifted in the sea at all.

  "Is this what I'm getting from being so dedicated to my job? Something out of a fairytale?" He looks at the name embroidered on the blanket. "Everest." He chuckles. "Even our names look alike."

  He lifts the baby carefully. Leaving his fishing equipment behind, he carries the child with him.

  "First I need to get him to the orphanage and maybe get him some clothes." He smiles. "I don't know, but I feel like you're a good sign."