The Revealing Light: A Short Story

The halls had once been crowded at the Church of the Revealing Light. During times of war, people were naturally drawn to the church, like moths to a flame. The memories still throbbed in the back of Vect’s mind, a time when warlords drowned nations in blood and engines of war marched the land. It was a time when people gave his church thanks and gifts rather than scorn and ridicule, but that was decades ago. When the fighting was over, the victor of that great conflict took power. While peace was a wonderful thing to Vect, its presence offered him no solace. Yes, the Church of the Revealing Light had once been popular, but only a few now dared to approach its gates. Vect looked curiously at his unexpected visitor, whose agenda remained a mystery. “Welcome to the Church of the Revealing Light.” said Vect. …show more content…
“Perhaps you would like to join me in my services? It’s quite popular around these parts.”
The cold of the rainy night slipped through his robe like an unwelcomed guest, but Vect kept the door open for his guest. “No,” said the stranger, pulling back his hood to reveal a somber but kind face. “Please, I lost my way while touring the region. I am looking for somewhere to stay for the night.” The stranger’s face was bronzed from a life spent outdoors, his dark hair neatly combed and pulled back. He wore utilitarian clothes, identical to those worn by virtually every other inhabitant on Earth. Vect hesitated at the request. After a short pause, he reached for his pocket and withdrew a medallion. He flipped it into the air before catching it in his palm. “Heads,” said Vect. ”Looks like the lonely old man is going to have some company tonight, come in.” The stranger stepped into the church with a slight bow. He closed the doors slowly and respectfully, trapping the cold winds outside. “Thank you for your kindness. My friends call me Karl. Is rare to find someone with a sense of humor these days, especially someone of your... profession.” “My profession?” said Vect. He walked back into the church and ascended the eight steps that led up to the altar. “Yes. Most priests I have met in the past are quite dour and solemn,” said Karl. “Considering that this place will soon be gone, I expected the guardian of the last church to behave similarly.” Upon the altar sat a thick, leather-bound book surrounded by eight unlit candles. Using a nearby taper, Vect carefully lit each candle, gradually bringing forth a welcoming light around the altar. “Then maybe you have been hanging out with the wrong priests,” said Vect. “Tell me, Karl. What did you mean when you said that this place will soon be gone?” “Surely even you must have heard of the Ethnarch and his doctrines?” replied Karl. “Mankind now upholds science, reason, and progress above all else. Soon, religion and superstition will be history. Either the forces of the Ethnarch will come and tear this place down, or the mobs will do it for him.” Karl approached the altar and glanced at the leather-bound book. “It’s hard to believe that there was ever a time when this book governed the lives of millions,” he said. “None read it now, but its powers remain in our minds.” “If you are here to convince me to leave, then please go now,” said Vect. “Although I may be the last of my kind, this is still my home.” “You are right,” replied Karl. He fixed a smile and extended his hand. “I was …show more content…
“His warriors fought the soldiers of a far-away kingdom. But before they slaughtered their distant enemies, the warriors hacked and burned to death thousands of their own who opposed the war. Just a hundred years later, another man declared a similar war on a church of his own sect. He ordered his warriors with the command: ‘Kill them all. God will know his own.’ Over twenty thousand man, women, and child died that day. The same thing would happen again in history, and again, and again, and again, and again. Such is the danger of blind