"Welcome, Brother," a cloaked figure said with a certain fervour in his tone.

Nodding politely, the man he had addressed answered, "Thank you, Brother Francis," before he entered the massive holy structure that stood in front of him.

All around the building was nothing but an empty marsh, as was the nature of most of Connecticut and Massachusetts now as a result of God's decree.

"Mother Danielle is waiting inside. May the Lord always watch over you, Brother," Brother Francis said before he greeted the next follower diligently.

With calm and serene movements, a woman in her mid-50s or so stepped onto the massive pulpit that overlooked the Lord's grand cathedral.

Reverence and awe filled the faces of the thousands of people who were quietly and patiently sitting in their pews like an obedient flock waiting to be shepherded.

A motherly smile took ahold of the woman's expression as she opened her mouth. "Brothers, Sisters, fellow Children of God, the time the heavenly Father foretold us of has arrived."

Disgusted and quite frankly offended gasps rang throughout the entire crowd. The woman who was, without a doubt, Mother Danielle, nodded sadly. "We knew this day would come, however, we must remember that the sheep are free of guilt, only the shepherd knows of what ill he has forced upon the mindless animals."

A sad look entered her eyes as she said, "I was hopeful that we could peacefully bring those of us who were lost towards the light, but I now see that is impossible."

Mild befuddlement surfaced on the faces of the stout followers. None doubted a word Mother Danielle spoke, but they felt empty without more guidance to help illuminate their minds.

"I know. I can feel it... Your confusion, it pains me greatly. Allow me to bless you all with the elegance of truth!" Mother Danielle's voice contained a certain... charm to it as she spoke. "The heretical system-worshippers have invaded our lands!"

"These dissidents would defy us and choose oppression over ascension for those of us who remain pious even in these of most trying times!" Anger at such misguidance leaked out of every one of her words. "As is the duty of the faithful, we are charged with divine credence to show these unheeding heathens the Truth of the Lord! The Truth of God!"

A wave of holy power washed out from Mother Danielle and the pulpit which she was stood on. It cascaded out like a divine palm of warmth as it seeped into the bones of every single believer present.

Calm returned to Mother Danielle's face as she smiled kindly once again. "I have received an omen from the Holy Father himself. We are to march forth and bring New York to its knees. The only way to let blinded sheep observe the light of Truth is to first let them witness a second doomsday! The false gods under the rule of the devil's power known as 'the system' will pale in comparison to our unmatched righteous might!"

Roars of agreeance shook the cathedral to its very core.

"Alas, we have already lost some of our brothers and sisters to these deniers of faith! Noble and most holy of martyrs made to show the severity of the situation, no doubt!" Mother Danielle loudly stated. "The Lord wishes not for us to allow ourselves to become obsolete with time as we were before the devil's power touched our dying world!"

She shook her head and then spoke with raw passion. "Mere herds of sheep are people and thus must be subservient! Such is the will of God! Our most holy of tasks have increased, Brothers, Sisters! Not only shall we save Earth, but we shall also save her people! God has not abandoned us, for we are his faithful instruments of change!"

Another wave of thunderous shouts and yells of like-minded thoughts filled the enormous hall.

Once the building had finally quieted down, Mother Danielle raised her hand and made a 'come' motion with it.

"His Lordship delivered unto me a holy omen upon our victory over the cruel and evil invaders of our divine lands!" The sound of metal and wood scraping against the ground followed the religious leader's words. "The omen asked for repentance!"

The peculiar noises echoed like a shout in a canyon. All eyes were drawn to the source.

At the entrance to the cathedral could be seen a young woman wearing rags as she carried a cross on her back. Metal anklets attached to ball-and-chains slowed her movements as she was led down the building's main aisle.

"This sinner is a powerful pawn of God's deniers! Today, she shall be given a chance to repent before the Lord himself!" Mother Danielle stated powerfully.

The prisoner said nothing as she carried her cross down towards the raised platform beneath the mother's pulpit. She had come to terms with her fate. She was going to die here, but if she would do so quietly or not was something only she herself knew.

She had to admit though, the weight of the gazes pressing down onto her hurt. To see so many people acting like this troubled her far more than her impending end did. She was no saint herself, but these people... they were practically a cult at this point.

Before long, she had reached the stage. Her retinue of robed guards quickly grabbed her hands and her wooden cross. They then attached the structure to the stage and nailed her hands and legs to it.

It was a struggle to not let out a scream, but she refused to give them the satisfaction. 'Are they going to wait for me to bleed out? I miss him... I wish I could have seen him one more time before this... It was stupid to have underestimated them... If only we knew that they can obstruct esper powers and the system...'

"Regretting your crimes, Heathen?" Mother Danielle asked. It would seem that she had made her way down to the stage. "I am afraid it is too late to repent with words alone, the Lord will only forgive you one way now, Child."

"..." Her voice was weak so no one heard her whispers.

"Speak up, Child. I will allow you to make peace with the world before you are graced with the glory of serving at the Heavenly Father's side," Mother Danielle offered very 'generously'.

The woman bit her tongue, making it bleed. Using her own blood to wet her throat, she glared at Mother Danielle and said, "You'll never beat him," and then used the rest of the sticky red liquid to spit on the 'holy' woman's face.

Like magic, it simply turned into golden particles upon touching her somewhat wrinkled face. "Foolish child. No one can defeat God."

She then pressed her palm against the prisoner's head. "I forgive you for your transgressions against the one True Faith. For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, the Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others of their sins, the Heavenly Father will not forgive you of your own sins."

A golden glow exited the mother's hand and entered the prisoner's head. The next second, the body of the woman nailed to the cross burst into flames. "Aila Bristle, today you are reborn anew. Your dark power is cast out of this world and you are made afresh by the Lord's side. Amen."

"Amen!" the crowd mimicked.

Turning to the crowd, Mother Danielle spread her arms widely and loudly proclaimed, "I am protector of the Truth and the great upholder of the True Faith! We will make the defectors and objectors realise their error with the long-awaited second doomsday! Alone, I have been chosen to be spoken through by True grace!"

Her words were met by nothing but unanimous support.