Revenge First, Love Later: Chapter 2 – Hard to Work With

Chapter 2 – Hard to Work With

“Do you mind telling me where we’re going?” Rex asks.

“It’s a town that we’re probably not going to be noticed in. I’ve hardly spent any time here nor do they really know what they look like outside of paintings and drawings made by others, so we shouldn’t be noticed,” Juno says.

“So, it’s a ghetto?”

“No! No place in our kingdom is a ghetto unlike the places in your kingdom.”

“You’ve never stepped foot in our kingdom.”

“I’ve seen pictures of it.”

“Those pictures were propaganda. Some of our towns may not be as wealthy as others, but they are humble and do important work for the kingdom.”

“Then why are there so many poor people in it? What about the criminals that defect to our kingdom?”

“The Church handles the poor, our guards take care of the criminals, and our assassins get rid of traitors, but we can only do so much. I wish there was more we could do, especially to help those in need and those who believe in falsehoods. I’m sure you have similar problems in your kingdom.”

“We do. A lot of which was caused by you.”

“I can blame the same things on you, but we should save it for later. Is that the town up ahead?”

“It is.”

Juno and Rex cloak themselves as they enter the town.

“Many these people are humble farmers, merchants, and craftsmen who do hard work day in and out,” Juno says, “Some are even going to church before the sun even rises to give God His due honor. Can you really this a ghetto?”

“Can you say the same about the places in my kingdom that do the same?”

“I’d have to see it first.”

“Bet on it.”

“Sure. I’ll make that bet.”

“What are you betting?”

“My hand in marriage.”

“What?! That’s a terrible reward.”

“I don’t have anything besides that. Furthermore, I know you hate it. If you want to bet, then that’s what you’ll have to take. So, do you still want to make a bet?”

“…yes, I’ll make that bet just to spite you, but we have to bet on more to make it worth it.”

“Okay, however, for every time I’m you have to give me to make your life more hellish.”

“The same goes for you.”

“Deal.”

Juno and Rex approach the doors of a church and enter into it. A few people are praying in the pews, lighting candles, and praying in silence in the adoration chapel. A few priests are conversing with the people while a few others are making sure everything is clean and in order.

Juno walks up to one of the priests cleaning up the pews and says, “Father.”

“Hello, how are you doing? Is there something you…Princess Juno? Is that you?”

“Shh. Father, we don’t need the attention right now.”

“How are you alive?”

“Someone brought me and this turd back to life for whatever reason and we need to find out who.”

“Is this Prince Rex?”

“The prince title is overrated.”

Rex gives Juno a dirty look as she gives him a smug smile.

“You know you shouldn’t talk about him like that. I apologize on her behalf, Prince Rex.”

“Thank you, father. It’s good to know that there’s someone in this kingdom that knows to honor my title.”

“It’s sad that this unending war cost you both your lives and the lives of so many others.”

“Don’t you think that the Church should be on one side of the conflict rather than try to be on both? Surely one side is holier than the other?”

“No nation or kingdom is better than another since all are under God’s watch and control, especially since they aren’t submitted to God’s Church. They keep hating, killing, and lying about each other. That’s three mortal sins that will surely send anyone to Hell. It’s truly a blessing for both of you to be alive. Hopefully, the undead can receive forgiveness and do penance for their sins.”

“I’m sure we can. Do you remember the repentant sinners who came back to life to become saints in a single day?” Juno asks.

“I remember those stories. We have artifacts of those historical events in the capital.”

“I’m sure you know all about people coming back to life in our kingdom. That’s why we came to you. Maybe you know of some way to reverse our condition or direct us to someone who possibly knows more?”

“All the stories of sinners that came back to life did so during a battle or after some act of repentance on their deathbed. You didn’t come back during your last battle and you didn’t have time for a last act of repentance, so this is new to me. Maybe there’s something special that you’re both supposed to do together. Perhaps you both can end this long war between your kingdoms.”

“Yeah. Giorno will emerge victoriously.”

“No. Notte will.”

“I think both of you are wrong. Neither side will win. Instead, they will come to a truce. I don’t know how, but they will.”

Both Juno and Rex look at each other before they start to laugh.

“You laugh at me now, but just watch. You’ll be surprised at what happens.”

A bell in the town rings. Juno, Rex, and the priest rush to see what is happening to see the undead soldiers and horses that were chasing the two have tracked them down to the town. Along with the undead are undead bears and wolves.

“It looks like your animal pets are turning against you,” Rex says as he takes his sword out.

“I’ve tamed these animals before for our army. I can tame them as undead as well,” Juno says with her sword out.

Rex and Juno join the town’s guards to defend it while the civilians either get to safety or go to get their weapons to help. Whoever is struck down immediately comes back to life as an undead while the undead themselves are immune to all attacks as their cut off limbs crawl back into their place.

“Father! We’re going to need a better solution or the town is going to be overrun!” Juno says.

“I have an idea! Buy me time while I gather the other priests!” the priest says as he runs off.

As Juno and Rex protect the town with the aid of its civilians, Rex shields those he sees are about to be struck. He saves one person from a bear and gets his head decapitated as a result. Since he’s undead, he’s able to fight without his head and manages to fight off the bear as the civilians retreat. After picking up his head, he runs off to help a group of people getting attacked by wolves. He attacks the wolves to get their attention and leads them away from the group. The wolves catch up to him and pull him apart.

With his undead ability, Rex pulls himself together and fights the wolves off as Juno comes to help him.

“Don’t expect a thank you,” Rex says.

“Concentrate on the fight!” Juno yells.

The undead army forms back up as they continue their advance. Rex and Juno are about to be overwhelmed until the priests come praying an unsealing prayer that weakens the body of the undead until their bodies release their souls. The civilians and priests sigh in relief and cheer for their victory before they start to clean up the damage done by the undead. Since Rex and Juno are undead and don’t look the same as they were when they were alive, the civilians thank them without realizing who they are.

“Thank you, father,” Juno says to the priest the two were talking to before.

“No, thank you. We couldn’t have held out without you, especially you, Rex,” the priest says.

“What did I do that was special?” Rex asks.

“You risked your life for the civilians.”

“I’m undead so it’s not like I could die. Besides, this is what people from my kingdom are used to doing. Our saints don’t come back from the dead. They sacrifice their life for those they love just like our Lord.”

“Regardless, it was still a selfless act.”

“Yeah. Even I didn’t expect it. T-th-thank you, Rex,” Juno says.

“Now that’s shocking. You thanking me? Well, you’re welcome, princess.”

Juno cuts off Rex's head with her sword.

“I said to not call me princess!”

“Hahaha!”

“Juno!”

“Undead don’t feel pain, father. He’s fine.”

“Still. You should control yourself.”

“Hmph.”

Once Rex gets his head on his head, he says, “Okay, so what’s our next destination?”

“We should go to the capital. Since my body was stolen from my home, maybe we can find answers there.”

“Sounds like the place we should’ve gone first, but okay.”

“Be careful you two. Since our prayer released the undead from their bodies and not you, I think our enemy may be using demonic powers,” the priest says.

“Yes, father. Thank you for your help.”

“You’re welcome, Princess Juno. Please be safe and try not to fight and hate each other.”

“If you say so, father,” Juno replies.

“Yes, sir. I’ll make sure she behaves,” Rex says.

“Me? I have to make sure you’re behaving yourself!”

“Says the girl who cut my head off.”

“Call me princess again and I’ll do it again.”

“You’re just proving me right.”

Rex and Juno leave the town while arguing with each other as the priest crosses himself as he prays for their success.

Revenge First, Love Later: Chapter 1 – Brought Together for Revenge

Chapter 1 – Brought Together for Revenge

Two kingdoms have been fighting each other for generations. One is named Giorno while the other is named Notte. Rex from the kingdom Giorno and Juno from the kingdom Notte are the prince and princess respectively of their kingdoms. They have fought many battles against the opposing kingdom that gained them fame and infamy. In their last battle, they fought and killed each other with neither side winning the battle. After their burial, the kingdoms fought even harder against each other because each ruler had lost their child.

Unbeknownst to both sides, the bodies of Rex and Juno were moved after the funeral and brought back to life in a single coffin buried in an unmarked grave. When they awoke, they attacked each other while trying to get out. The coffin they were in was unbreakable as it was sealed with a seal, so the two kept fighting each other with their sword that they were buried with. They kept fighting each other day and night in the hope of killing the other despite already knowing they were both undead. After a week, their coffin is unsealed by two familiar faces who undid the spell on the coffin.

“Mom!” Rex says to one.

“Dad!” Juno says to the other.

The two stop their fighting to go to their loved ones.

“Mom, I thought you were killed in battle!” Rex says.

“Dad, I thought you were assassinated while I was still a baby!” Juno says.

“We weren’t any of what you said,” Rex’s mom explains, “Those were lies told you by people who tried to kill us because we were against the endless war we’re in.”

“Someone tried to get us killed and prevented us from telling you the truth,” Juno’s dad adds.

“Hold on, why would you want to end the war? You knew what these people did to us,” Rex asks.

“What we did to you?! You people are abhorrent,” Juno rebukes.

“Take that back!”

“Never!”

Rex and Juno slice through each other with their blades with Juno’s blade getting stuck in Rex’s head while Rex’s blade is stuck in Juno’s chest.

“This worked the last time I killed you.”

“You didn’t kill me if I’m still alive.”

“Stop it, both of you!” Juno’s dad says.

“You’re right, dad. I don’t need to be around this trash anymore.”

Juno and Rex walk away from each other only for their head and limbs to fall off their body. The two parents call out to their children before putting them back together while their limbs and head struggle to reconnect on their own.

“What happened?” Rex asks.

“It looks like there’s a spell forcing you two to stay together if you got out, but I’m still wondering why would someone bring you back to life, bury you together, and put that spell on you,” Rex’s mom says.

“This is terrible! I have to be stuck with you?!” Juno says.

“I hate it too, but I’m not going to complain. There’s no use for it. Anyways, how did you find us, mom?” Rex asks.

“We both visited your graves to find you missing. It took us a while, but we managed to track you down to this location. The person who stole you both must be in league with the devil. Necromancy and that sealing spell were both demonic that we had to break with holy water and a releasing prayer.”

“Can you free us from this spell?” Juno asks.

“I don’t think we can,” Juno’s father says.

“I think we should make the most of this and find out who did this to us,” Rex says.

“I hate to agree, but you’re right.”

“Why’s that?”

“You should be at peace in the afterlife. Were you being judged by God before you came back to life?”

“No, I don’t think I was. It just…black.”

“It was the same for me.”

“That’s strange, but I guess God knew you were going to come back to life, so He delayed your judgment. Perhaps it’s for a good purpose that we don’t know about yet,” Juno’s father assumes.

“We’ll have to ask the person who brought us back to life. Do you know who it could be?” Rex asks.

“It has to be someone or some people within both kingdoms. No normal person could walk into the castles, especially since they managed to make it to your graves, which is even harder to access without permission from the rulers.”

“Then we have to check each castle. I want to check your kingdom first,” Rex says.

“Why mine?”

“Because I think yours is most suspect. I’ve heard stories of your people coming back to life in battles.”

“Those were done by the grace of God! They came back to life to save their people and became great saints!”

“So you admit to them coming back to life? That makes your kingdom our prime suspect then.”

“Whatever. We’ll go there first just to prove you wrong.”

“Can we trust you two to work together to find clues to whoever is behind this?” Rex’s mom asks.

“You can trust me to do the right thing, mom.”

“Juno?”

“You can trust me.”

“That’s good. I know what you were constantly told about each other, but you have to put those aside for now. Now, I think we have some cloaks for you to wear. You need them since you look like walking corpses. No offense.”

The parents lead their children to their horses. They ride to the Notte kingdom but are stopped by undead soldiers and horses along the way. The undead knock the horses down and drag them into the ground while the parents are separated from their children.

As the undead attack, Juno’s father calls us to the two, “Go ahead without us! If you don’t see us in the kingdom, we’ll be at Giorno’s!”

“Dad!” Juno says as tries to fight her way to him.

“Come on, Juno! We can’t fight through this horde!” Rex says as he pulls on Juno’s arm.

“My dad is over there, and he needs my help! He isn’t undead like us and he could get killed, you idiot!”

Rex stabs Juno through the chest with his sword to pull her away from the approaching horde of undead.

“Let’s go already! He said he wanted us to go. You trust that he’ll do everything he can to survive, right?”

“Fine.”

Rex takes his sword out of Juno as the two run away from the undead. Once they lose the horde, Juno sits down.

“I think we’re safe now,” Juno says.

“You can’t be tired. You’re undead,” Rex says.

“I’m not tired. I think we should come up with a plan on how we’re going to get into the kingdom. Everyone thinks we’re dead and we don’t look alive at all. I mean look at our skin, hair, and eyes. We’re even missing fingers because of all the fighting we did. Also, we don’t smell too good either.”

“And here I thought the undead were normal in your kingdom.”

“Shut up and listen to me. We need a way to get into the kingdom and my house. These cloaks are enough to hide our appearance, but they aren’t enough.”

“Well, do you know of anything?”

“Yes, but we’re going to have to be sneaky about it.”

“Got it. Lead the way, princess.”

“Don’t call me, princess.”

“That’s your rightful title, isn’t it?”

“It is, but the way you say it makes it sound like an insult.”

“You’re right. I guess I can’t help but say it that way.”

“Uck. Just call me by my normal name and I’ll do the same for you.”

“Okay, Juno.”

“…it still sounds like an insult.”

“Haha.”

Remade covers!

Check out these two remade covers of my story, Maggie and the Manga Maniac, by @KiddoAntag on Twitter! Also, check out the story these covers are from for free on Smashwords!

Link to the story! - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/922920

In this script version of a story inspired by manga and anime, two sisters, Lily and Maggie, have been training their entire lives to kill their corrupted and powerful mother. The two sisters must learn how to trust one another to stand a chance, but what happens if they obtain their victory? Will the battle rage on longer than they can handle? Will they be able to obtain a happy life?

It's Only Love - (Song/Poem Attempt #71 from Love Against the World)

It's okay
Calm down
This is normal
Because we're in love

I knew since we first met
You took my heart and never let it go
Nothing has been the same
My world has turned upside-down
Everything has changed and I couldn't be happier

Now hold on
It's okay to be scared
It's only natural
It's Only Love

I will never betray you,
Lie to you,
Or hurt you
Don't lose hope,
Because we're in love

I've always wanted to ask if you felt the same
It's kept me up for nights
But now that I know you feel the same I'm complete
Nothing can ruin my life
And I couldn't be happier

Now hold on
It's okay to be scared
It's only natural
It's Only Love

I will never betray you,
Lie to you,
Or hurt you
Don't lose hope,
Because we're in love

Look at me, take my hand, and dance with me
Our love makes us one
The two of us can do anything together
Nothing can make me happier

Now hold on
It's okay to be scared
It's only natural
It's Only Love

I will never betray you,
Lie to you,
Or hurt you
Don't lose hope,
Because we're in love

Don't lose hope,
Because we're in love
And nothing can break us apart

This song/poem is inspired by Falling In by Lifehouse.

I have another book release! This one is a paperback collection for those who like to collect my books as paperbacks!

Paperback ($6.99) - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08924D3R2/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=albert+oon&qid=1590419664&sr=8-1
Kindle ($2.99) - https://www.amazon.com/Collection-Shocks-Terrors-Divine-Terror-ebook/dp/B0893RZ71N/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=albert+oon&qid=1590419664&sr=8-1

Fear not 
This collection of three books contains stories about love and divinity. The Hound of Heaven is the King of Kings who delivers terrifying justice on those who oppose Him and merciful love to repentant sinners.  In Love is for Extremists, there are multiple stories of people going to extremes for the people they love. Last, but not least, is Freedom at What Cost where three influential people rally together a movement in the Catholic space empire to obtain the right to vote, but when the empire is fighting against itself, will the law be worth getting or is the law wrong to have to begin with? 
Contained in this collection are Behind the Story extras to show what special ideas went into the stories.

Check out my latest release based on a dream I had!

Download for free on Smashwords - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1023641

Set in the Good vs Right universe, an ex-soldier, his archbishop brother, and one of the few trustworthy politicians try to give the citizens of the Catholic space empire the right to vote. An assassination attempt on the other side puts the suspicion on the three as a civil war brews within the Church.
Will the right to vote even be worth it when the faithful fight against each other?

Freedom at What Cost: Chapter 5 – Counter-Revolution

Chapter 5 – Counter-Revolution

Two large Catholic assault ships fly above the Mars colony as its forces deploy. Seth and Cadmen are among the forces flying to the ground.

“Soldiers. We are going to liberate the colony of Mars and take it back for God’s Holy Church. Since we are entering a hostile colony that has purged everyone faithful to the Church, our job is easy. Shoot everyone who isn’t an ally on sight,” Seth commands with a heavy heart, “These traitors think they can kill start their own church they dare to call the true church? They’re going to pay with their lives. Understand?”

“Yes, sir!” the soldiers say.

The colony deploys whatever fighters it has to counter the incoming fighters the Church sends. Before they land on the ground, the transport ships fire rockets and lasers into the buildings and houses where the traitors are shooting at them from in the hopes of preventing a ground assault. This fails as the ground force lands intact. Up in the air, the Church’s fighters finish off the last of the colony’s fighters and move in for air support. Because of this, the Church’s assault quickly quells the meager defense of the colony. All the traitors are executed without exception. This includes the traitorous politicians, laity, and clergy no matter their status, age, or excuse to be spared.

After the victory, a small team is sent down to plan the reconstruction of the colony. The faithful that were forced out are brought back in to recover what they lost if it managed to survive the battle. No one in the Church’s attack force really celebrates the victory or congratulations each other in a job well done. They quietly cross themselves and pray for the traitors as they go back home. Seth and Cadmen pray more than most since they partially feel responsible for being a cause in this. Once word of the Church’s victory against the traitors reaches the other planets, Maiken decides to make an announcement to the entire Church.

“Hello, faithful citizens of the Church. My name is Senator Maiken. As you know, I was one of the leaders who put the right to vote into law, but today, I am going to be trying to remove that law from the governments of all planets in the Catholic empire. I know this may come as a surprise to you, but this needs to be done. Because of recent events, I think that we’ve seen that the fruits of this law are poisonous. It’s made us fight against each other rather than help us in our fight against sin, heretics, heathens, and the forces of Hell. I hope that you see what I’m talking about and can agree with me. With the removal of this so-called right, our Church should come back together instead of being in a civil war. I apologize for the damage and death that I’ve caused. Thank you for listening and may God bless you all.”

Most of the highest members of the clergy and government within the Catholic empire agree with Maiken and take out the right to vote within a week. The Church leaders get all the planets under her control to comply with the law within a year. Meanwhile, Cadmen, Seth, and Maiken keep their positions within the Church and are celebrated for their humility. Seth and Maiken even manage to have another child. They take this to mean that God is rewarding them for doing the right thing. The couple hopes that they actually did the right thing this time as things slowly go back to normal. Above all, they pray and hope that God’s Will shall be done now and forever.

The End

Freedom at What Cost: Chapter 4 – Consequences of “Rights”

Chapter 4 – Consequences of “Rights”

“Are you certain that all of these changes are going to be good for the Church and her planets?” a secretary asks Maiken in a call.

“Yes. We’ve come far since we started and if we think God will allow these laws into his Church, then they should be right and just.”

“If you say so. There have been many riots and protests ever since you gave the laity the right to vote. Because of the way the system works, certain planets have different laws such as having the right to enact vigilante justice, right to openly carry weapons, electing leaders of their planets that aren’t already politicians, -”

“I’ve already heard of the many changes the planets are making on a daily basis. A lot can happen in a year, especially during these changing times. Trust in God to give you peace during these turbulent times.”

“That’s what I’ve been doing. Maybe I should go for adoration more often to get the silence I need.”

“It’s a good idea. I’ve been doing that in my free time with my son.”

“I hope the Lord blesses him while in adoration. Infants in adoration can be particularly noisy.”

“Not my little man. He’s been silent and calm while I’m in adoration and it’s not because he falls asleep. He stays awake for the entire hour.”

“That’s amazing. He’s truly a blessing. Speaking about children, I have to get to my own. So, tomorrow we’ll be looking at the voting law again?”

“We’ll have to do some revisions again since the last revisions caused a lot of trouble.”

“When does change not bring trouble?”

“Someone is bound to hate us for the changes, so we just have to hope these will work. Maybe they’ll grow to like the changes.”

“I hope so. God bless you and have a good afternoon.”

“Same to you.”

Maiken hangs up the call and finishes organizing her paperwork and digital files before exiting her office. She goes to the place in the capital building where caretakers teach and care for the workers in the building only for an explosion to destroy the room as she enters it. The capital building is shaken by more explosions coming from within and outside the building as an unknown group of people assaults it. Guards in the capital mobilize while calling for reinforcements and medical assistance. In the chaos, Maiken manages to get up from the explosion and searches for her child only to find blood and small limbs in the wreckage of the room. She lets out a cry of sorrow and rage before going back to her office to get a weapon Seth gave her to defend herself with.

The weapon Seth gave her is a laser assault rifle similar to his own except this one has an underbarrel shotgun rather than a launcher. With the rifle in hand, Maiken goes out to face whoever blew up the building and her son.

She goes up to a guard and says, “Where is the enemy? Who is attacking us?”

“You have to get to safety, miss. This place isn’t safe for a politician like you, especially in your injured condi-”

“I don’t care! I have a rifle and I can help. I’m well within my right to defend myself, especially since they blew up the children.”

“They…I see. You can help, but don’t be reckless.”

“I won’t.”

“They’ve breached the other side! We need people covering it!” one of the guards yells.

Maiken rushes to the other side of the capital with the guard she was talking to and a couple others. On the other side of the building is a squad of people shooting whoever they come across. Maiken engages the squad and manages to kill the group with only one casualty on their side. With this part of the capital clear, they go back to the other side to see that the other guards have died with more enemies entering the capital and slaughtering the people in it.

“Kill them all! Spare no one!” Maiken commands the guards.

The guards do as she commands while she also shoots down her fair amount. Once the building is clear, an explosion shakes the building as it begins to fall down around her. Falling debris kills the guards along with the other people in the building except for Maiken who manages to survive. She shoots her way out of the debris and finds herself in front of four people with guns in their hands.

“I was hoping to kill you myself,” one of them says.

“I was hoping to kill each one of you as well for what you’ve done,” Maiken responds with her gun raised, “Who are you people and why did you do this?”

“You don’t deserve an answer. You used to be an inspiration to us, but you changed when you didn’t put in the right laws that we asked for.”

“Since I was your inspiration, why don’t you do me a kindness by at least answering my question.”

“We are nobody. Just your average laity who’s fighting for change. If it means anything to you, my name is Ham.”

“I remember your name. I never got to thank you for helping my husband and his brother but now you’ve changed!”

“You are the one who’s changed. We fought for the right to change our planet in what we thought was God’s Will, but things have only gotten worse.”

“That’s not our fault. We’re still tweaking the laws to make them better. Maybe it was all a mistake to begin with.”

“No. You just didn’t do enough. I hope God doesn’t punish you for that.”

Knowing what the group is going to do next, Maiken quickly takes them out with the shotgun part of the rifle though she is shot in the arm and leg. A medical ship along with reinforcements finally arriving. Among the reinforcements is Seth who rushes to Maiken who is being helped by paramedics into the ship.

“Maiken!” Seth yells out as he goes to her side and holds her hand.

“Seth…I’m sorry. Isaac is gone.”

“What?”

“Lieutenant give her some space. She needs medical attention,” one of the paramedics tell him as they take Maiken into a medical ship.

It isn’t until Maiken is stabilized in the hospital that Seth is allowed to talk to her.

“Are you okay, Maiken?”

“I’m fine, Seth. I just need some rest, but that doesn’t mean I can’t talk to the public. I need to say something to them.”

“No, you need to rest.”

“I can’t. Everyone in the capital building died along with our son. An explosion blew him up as I was going to pick him up.”

“I don’t understand. Who would do such a horrible thing as this?”

“I talked to one of the attackers. His name was Ham, one of the people who helped you a year ago.”

“Ham? He was one of the attackers?”

“Yes, he said he did it because we changed. We weren’t putting in the laws he wanted.”

“That’s still no reason for him to do what he did. You think he’d know that from what we went through last year.”

An officer comes into the room and says, “Excuse me for interrupting you two, but you must see this on the news.”

The officer puts on the TV to show that the news is reporting that a colony on Mars is defecting from the Church.

A news reporter says, “A rebel force has taken over a colony on Mars and threatens to take over the planet as a whole. The rebels name themselves the Catholic Church of Mars have defected from the empire and the Church as a whole. They have sent out a message saying that the Church should instate the same laws they have on every planet to give every citizen the true government that God wants the Church to have. We will see if our leaders will comply with rebels, reach an agreement with them, or take back the colony with force. Stay tuned.”

“We have to stop them. All of them,” Maiken says.

“What are you talking about?” Seth asks.

“All of the rebellions. All of the riots.”

“We can’t just stop them all. People are going to fight if they feel like they aren’t going to get their way.”

“Then we have to cut this off at the root. After you stop the rebellion on Mars, then I’ll take away the people’s right to vote.”

“What? We fought so hard to get it and we’re just going to throw it away?”

“Yes. You see the fruits of our labor. It killed our son and so many others. It’s made us fight against our own.”

“The old law made us do the same thing.”

“But not like this. It didn’t have this level of violence and separation. Bring down the rebellion and peace to the Church. Please. For God, the Church, me, and our son.”

“…okay. I’ll do it. I’ll tell everyone about your decision.”

“Don’t tell them about what I said about changing the law. I’ll do it after the battle.”

“Okay. Get some rest in the meantime.”

Seth kisses Maiken before he leaves. He tells the military leaders of the Church what her decision is, and they agree especially after what happened to the capital and all the riots that have resulted in the injuries and deaths of countless people. The Church mobilizes a sizable portion of her forces to retake the colony on Mars by force with Seth and his brother Cadmen leading the assault.

As they fly to Mars, Cadmen tells his brother, “Hopefully this will be the last time we shoot at our own.”

“I hope so too, brother. I hope so.”

Freedom at What Cost: Chapter 3 – Believers Against Each Other

Chapter 3 – Believers Against Each Other

“What’s our plan if things go wrong?” Seth asks.

“Go wrong? If most of Mars supports us, then we should have nothing to worry about,” Cadmen says.

“We were just in a firefight with members of the Church who wanted to kill us. I think we should have a plan.”

“Like what? They shouldn’t know we’re coming and by the time they know, we’ll have their name and we’ll be the ones after them.”

“Alright. I guess I’m just nervous about actually fighting people I know are loyal to God and His Church.”

“How do you know the people we fought weren’t the same? Just because we’re enemies doesn’t mean they didn’t actually believe they were doing the right thing. Always try to think positively about the motivations of others. It helps you not to hate them.”

“I understand, brother. Thank you for the reminder.”

The brothers land at one of the many cathedrals in the colony. This cathedral was built in honor of those who dedicated their lives in getting the Catholic Church into space, the faithful who lost their lives in space, and the many who fought in wars to protect the Church in space. When the brothers exit their ship, they are happily greeted by priests and officers.

“It’s a welcoming surprise to see you here, Archbishop Cadmen and Sergeant Seth. What brings you here?” the priest asks.

“We have a lead on the person who set up the assassination at our debate,” Cadmen says.

“That’s great! What is it might I ask?”

“We have the bank account number that comes from this colony. We’re going there now to reveal our anonymous source.”

“Can I come too? I’m curious to find out who would commit such an atrocity.”

“Of course.”

“What about us?” one of the officers asks.

“We want to see this terrible sinner brought to justice,” the other says.

Seth bumps Cadmen’s shoulder and whispers to him, “I have a bad feeling about this.”

“They seem genuine. Let’s trust them until you have a reason not to,” Cadmen whispers back before telling the officers they can come along too.

As the brothers, two officers, and priest make their way to the bank, they see Maiken on most of the large screens of the city talking about politics and recent events.

“Sergeant Seth, look! Your wife is on,” the priest says.

Seth watches the broadcast on the monitors as he walks.

“Did you hear about the violence happening where your husband and his brother were?” the politician says.

“If this wasn't an indicator his cause is influenced by Satan, then I don’t know what is,” another politician says.

“I heard about it, but from what I know, they were shot at first and had to defend themselves from law enforcement that had no right to arrest them,” Maiken answers.

“No right to arrest? The law dictates that citizens who are suspects of a crime must stay on the planet that the crime happened on and your husband and brother disobeyed it,” another politician says.

“They were freed from suspicion on the planet they were on.”

“By people that are on their side. It’s not difficult to get away with a crime if you have people in the system that will believe you no matter what. I should have everyone that let them go questioned,” yet another politician says.

“You should shut your mouth! All of you! How dare you accuse my husband, his brother, and the many faithful citizens who defended themselves against a threat that is within our own Church! I should be the one accusing you of conspiracy for trying to put all my supporters and myself in jail because you don’t want your power to affect politics and the church taken away from you!”

The surrounding civilians chant Maiken’s name and cheer for her as the talk continues.

“There’s no wonder why people call her a mother in terms of how hard she fights for and defends her people,” the priest comments.

“It’s also because she can’t bear her own children, so she treats the people under her care as if they were her children,” Seth says.

“Regardless, you have an inspiring wife, Sergeant.”

“Thank you, father.”

The group makes it to the bank and moves in front of the short line of people.

“We need to see the owner of this bank account. It will lead us to the man behind the assassination attempt,” Cadmen says to the desk attendant.

“Yes, Archbishop Cadmen. Right this way.”

The door that the attendant leads the group to opens to reveal soldiers and officers with their guns pointed at them.

“I knew something was going to go wrong,” Seth says as he takes out his gun.

Cadmen, the priest, and the officers take out their weapons as well as more armed law enforcement and military enter the bank. A single man approaches them from the crowd.

“Archbishop Adriel? Are you the one behind the assassination attempt?” Cadmen asks.

“I am. Don’t worry I’ve had a change of heart. I’m not going to frame you for what I did. Instead, I’m going to take responsibility for it, execute you, and write it into law as it is in Heaven.”

“You can’t be serious. The Church won’t allow it. God won’t allow it.”

“They’ll come to see the truth. This is done to prevent the Church from collapsing from within herself.”

“It’s already doing that! Don’t you see what you’ve caused? The faithful are fighting against each other because of what you started,” Seth says.

“You are mistaken. You started this. If it weren’t for your rebels and you, then there wouldn’t be riots in the streets. There wouldn’t be people hounding their bishops, priests, and leaders for rights they don’t have nor deserve. You are going to create a church full of self-appointed leaders who will lead the Church into Hell. I cannot. Will not allow that to happen, so you must die along with your rebellion to ensure that doesn’t happen.”

“No, you can’t! How do you know that your new rule will turn against you?”

“I have my faith in God that it won’t. How do you know that your new law won’t end up being a mistake?”

“For the same reason you do.”

“I don’t believe it because of the rotten fruits of your work.”

“Then don’t believe it. What about the rest of you? Are you really going to kill your fellow Catholics who are risking their lives to serve God and His Church? Are you going to serve a murderer who unrepentantly kills innocent people to get his way? If you are, then go ahead and pull the trigger. I’m willing to die for the truth.”

A crowd behind the law enforcement starts chanting for Seth as the officers look at and whisper to one another. They then turn their weapons on Archbishop Adriel.

“Is that how it’s going to be? Well then…”

Archbishop Adriel tries to shoot Seth but is shot at by Cadmen.

Seth silently crosses himself before saying, “Thank you for the save, brother.”

“Thank you for your speech. It seems like you’ve been taking notes from your wife, but you still need some practice.”

“I figured, but first we should give the archbishop a proper funeral and burial.”

Once the archbishop is buried and his plan exposed along with his collaborators, the citizens of the Catholic space empire receive the right to vote. A few days later, Maiken becomes pregnant and she and Seth take it as a sign from God that they did the right thing. Cadmen receives an award and praise for his efforts along with his supporters. Not wanting to keep the public waiting, Maiken along with other political and church leaders put into law a system where each citizen in the empire can vote in their political leaders. As the first election comes around, everyone prays and hopes that this is the beginning of a bright future.