Chapter 15 Sergei's PoW

“...managed to gain their support. After we talked with Paul he told us that we can leave the west part to him.” Sergei sat in his comfy chair and listened to the report Dirk gave to him. It was long and a winded tale of them slowly expanding their influence across the city.

Even if that was not Sergei's original intent it did open a lot of doors previously closed. Unfortunately, even with the newfound authority he still had not gained any leads to who was the person who broke into their home. “Well, if we don't count that blurry camera shot.” Which Sergei supposed was something, it was just it turned out to be useless. The only thing it proved was that someone did came from their base and the after they had raised alarm left. The camera was not even aimed at their base, but on the street further down it.

The only plus side was that whoever had broken in thus far had not said a word about what he had found. “Or he had...” Sergei frowned. His thoughts had gone on the same loop many times the past day. The reason was simple, he had gained something that could help him find the culprit. Or so he was assured. “Only this timing... What was his name again... Aramaleo was it? Did the one who broke in told him? Or was it them who did it?” He absent-mindedly twirled phone in his palm. "What is their aim? How much of what he told me was the truth..."

Dirk had noticed that his boss was not listening and stopped his speech. “Is there a problem Father?” He finally asked after Sergei had sat there for a couple more minutes in silence.

"Maybe..." Sergei mulled over what to say. "Do you remember the man who visited yesterday?" Dirk nodded. "Did you find out anything about him?”

Dirk hesitated, but after a moment shook his head. “No, we tried to follow him, but... We managed to trail him to his hotel and found out in which room he stayed. We parked a couple of our guys to watch the door and another couple the building. But... This morning when staff went to clean his room he was gone.”

Sergei nodded once, affirming that he understood. Ever since that night two weeks ago he had changed. And with him so did also his 'sons'. Dirk still talked about how they were still trying to find Aramaleo guy, but Sergei did not have any hopes of that happening. He tapped his chin with his phone. “I keep having the feeling that there is more to it. No, there definitely is.” He clenched his fist feeling the power coursing through his body.

He pondered for a few more moments before coming to a decision. "Have the men cancel search for Aramaleo and the trespasser, then get them to return... No, everyone, get everyone who possibly can. Have them arrive by this evening and make sure that they know that if they arrive they already have accepted what I will offer. Also, get some men who already have been blessed gather information on Minsrel's, but have them return by the evening. And don't let Minsrel's feel threatened. We have already made too big of a wave in this city, they are starting to get nervous."

Dirk affirmed that he understood and left after leaving some paperwork for Sergei to shift trough.

Finally being alone Sergei stretched, feeling the energy in his already not young body. He felt like he was in his twenties again. “If only I had a nice woman to spend my energy on, but alas...” Trough the years he had not found to find a partner, and now that he had regained much of his youthful vigour he also remembered his regret of not bonding with anyone else but his boys.

He opened door to the basement and headed down. They had done a proper finishing to the building now. After they had expanded their influence they also had gained more sources of income. This meant that they finally could properly insulate their home. Winter was practically already here, and nights were freezing.

In the process, they had found a few places where the trespasser could have gotten in and out. Those places got removed immediately.

Sergei wished he could spend more money on security, but for now, he had to give his men a proper place to live in and then there were some unavoidable bribes that had to be given so that they would be left alone.

He hated the bribing. It showed how corrupt society really was, but it was a highly effective way for them to avoid trouble. Some growing pains will be unavoidable and some oil in the gears should make it more manageable.

He did order a new lock for basement doors. One which needed a code to open. After going down and kneeling in front of the Divine Star he steeled himself for the upcoming task. He was going to give out the blessing to many people at once and he did not know what may happen when he did.

Sergei himself did not fear to damage his own body and from what he could tell there was no way to hurt his men with the blessing. What he feared was damaging his source of light. He gazed at the Divine Star basking in its light.

He forcefully calmed his mind and emptied it from stray thoughts. After all, he was about to talk with what essentially was his God and guide through life. Well, talking was a strong word. It was more of an exchange of ideas and concepts. However, The Divine Star was indeed somewhat sentient. To what extent Sergei could not tell, nor would he dare to guess.

After a short while of trying he finally managed to make a connection. Suffering through a momentary vertigo Sergei managed to convey his plans and ask for permission to proceed. The truth was there was little his God did not allow to do, but he felt it to be prudent to make sure.

The answer was, as he had expected, positive. His plans would not harm his object of worship in any way. He could give out blessings but he also got a distinct impression of his blessings having a different effect depending on how many he did. The amount he had planned would be making the blessing quite a lot less powerful than he had intended.

“It can not be helped. We have to increase our strength.” Sergei thought to himself. He could feel through his connection with The Divine Star that the world will be changing. And the visit from Aramaleo showed that it had already started.

Sergei spent the rest of the day in the basement where he immersed himself in his newfound power. He meditated and tried to reach out to the higher power in front of him. There were no results apart from the start. But he felt no disappointment. This power was more than he was and it was expected for it to not respond to his pleas.

Sergei was roused out of his meditation by the sound of footsteps. There were only two other people who knew the code. So it was either Dirk or Saluman who was coming. After a moment he heard a knock on the door.

Not wanting for anyone else enter this place without extreme exceptions Sergei stood up and exited the room closing doors behind him. While Dirk and Saluman knew of The Divine Stars existence Sergei felt that they both did not understand the importance of it. Hence he did not let them enter, lest they insulted his God.

In front of him stood Saluman with his black beany still on his head. Sergei had once asked about it, but Saluman had only shrugged telling him that it was like a part of his body. Even now Sergei was not sure what was under the hat and by now he was almost afraid to ask. Saluman saluted and started to speak.

“Everyone has gathered at the Hall of Blessings and now are waiting for you Father.”

Sergei rolled his eyes. He disliked the way his men had taken on naming things, but he did not stop them. After all, he himself was worshipping a floating crystal bead. A crystal with a god within it, or was it crystal itself that was a god... Still, it mattered and Sergei forced himself to stop thinking about such an impudent matter.

They made their way to the Hall of Blessings. It was a newly made room for those times when they all had to gather. It was enormous room for the buildings overall size and took almost half of the first floor. There still was the lack of any decorations as the walls were bare and still lacked paint job.

They were also in the process of building a second floor, but it due to the building once being a warehouse it had no proper structure to support it. Still, they could prop up rooms along the walls.

For now, those who had been evicted from their usual rooms were staying at the Hall of Blessing for the nights. It was not comfortable, but he had not heard of any discontent. His men knew how to be patient. The beds were removed for the occasion and a podium was brought in for Sergei to stand on.

When Sergei and Saluman entered the Hall by special entrance made for him he saw a couple of hundred men waiting for him. It was a tight fit to get them all in the room, but they did not plan to expand their numbers, at least for now, so it was not a big problem. A gathering like this was an exception.

Still, two hundred men was not a small amount. They had grown immensely over the years. There were many who now had families and new lives, but they still remembered their roots, and they were all welcomed.

As Sergei walked to the podium his men quieted down. Inwardly Sergei felt uncomfortable, but on the outside, he radiated composure and calmness. His men, as always needed a leader. And he, as always was ready to step up. Even if times ahead were troubling he would not abandon them as they wouldn’t him.

Sergei could feel the excitement from below as his men looked at him with burning eyes. He felt loyalty and belief in him. It was apparent that they all knew why they had been called. The word about blessing had spread among them, but not any further. The trust he had placed in them was returned.

By his side stood Dirk and Saluman. In the very front were 10 men who had been blessed by him after his most trusted. These twelve men had received the strongest benefit. And then there were the rest of them. There were only scant few blessed ones among the crowd, but they mingled in, not showing any superiority over their peers.

Sergei raised a hand and last whispers in the hall died down. It was time for him to give them strength. "It is a pleasure to see all of you gathered here today. Those of you who still have yet to feel light of our guardian, those of you who shall be granted a boon, those of you who shall carry our will and those who already are." Sergei cringed inwardly, he did not want to speak in the way he was, but his Drik and Saluman had assured him, that it was fitting. And he had unwillingly agreed. "As you have already heard, our home was tarnished by an intruder two weeks ago. We were angry and desperate in our search, but we searched to no avail. What we lacked was not resolve or effort. What we lacked in was the strength. Some of you already know," Sergei glanced at the two men standing by his side, "of what lies beneath our home. As for those who don't, while I can not bring you there and show, I can still share."

Taking a deep breath Sergei felt the pressure building. This was the decision he had come to. He alone was not enough. What he needed were willing brothers who could share his burden. While he would not let them see The Divine Star itself, or at least not for now, it was not necessary. The gift he had received he could share and trough it they will realize the might of the target of his belief.

"Many years ago, by chance, when I was at my lowest point I found something. This something guided me trough years and helped me find you. It allowed us to become a family. Trough it I found myself guiding you as I was guided by it. Now this something was found by the trespasser. I was in deep despair and fear that 'It' will be revealed to the world and in my despair I received strength. Strength not only for myself but for all of those who were willing to receive it and follow me. I call it “The Divine Star”. While I can not bring you to It, what I can show you is Its strength."

The silence in the hall deepened as Sergei once more raised his hand, this time in inviting gesture. “Please, those of you who are still without the blessing, come forth so you may receive it.”

What followed was silent shuffling. Those who already had received the blessing shifted to the back, while those who had not come forth. There were many thoughts going through his mind. For one he had not thought that one day he would lead, what essentially was a cult. “No, not a cult, we are more of a new church. And with us changing we shall change our identity.”

Sergei surveyed the men bowing before him and started to gather every ounce of power he had. He reached down deep and felt The Divine Star respond to his need. He cast one last sight at his men before releasing the blessing.

A soft, blue and warming light shone through the hall. In its centre, Sergei's figure stood divine. As the light fell on the men they felt a touch of something greater. If they had any doubts of before there was none now.

They enjoyed the newfound energy in their bodies. A manifold of emotions streaked across the faces of his children. He knew them eager to test this newfound strength, but there was one more thing he had to convey.

Sergei knew that he could not keep up this facade for much longer, as the miracle he had done had taken most of what he had gathered. Quietly he expressed his gratefulness to the Divine Star for keeping him standing firm.

“The world is changing and with it so will we. Now you have been given a tool to carve out a place in the future. With it, we won’t be lost even if the world around us crumbles. With this bond, we will be united and unbreakable. From this day forth we will protectors. We shall protect this family. We shall protect our homes. We shall protect the Divine Star and with it our futures. Today we are reborn together and stand tall, for we are the Refuge of the lost.”

The men looked at him in silent acceptance. Sergei had spoken with his heart and soul and he had to admit that he had gotten carried along with the atmosphere. Still, he did not regret it. No matter what shall come, he would receive it with all of his might and the might of his family.

It was time to make a call.