chapter Six: Hidden Darkness

Guard your heart thoughts

for they are the thoughts that control your life’s direction.

 Don’t buy into the lies,

keep your words true to my LOGOS.

Be careful what you do and why you do it.

Keep your motivation filled with the LIGHT GIVERS purity. Keep your eyes on the path of the LIGHT GIVER.

Don’t stray to the right or left

 or you will find yourself on the path of darkness. –

LOGOS from the Wall in Morning Star

 Chapter Six:

The Hidden Darkness

            In his private chamber Chief Illuminator, Hunapo paced like a caged lion, his thoughts over whelming him. He waited for some word about the lost scribe or his secret teacher.  Both Esmail and Ignatius knew he wasn’t a patient man. What could be taking them so long?  

He knew Esmail had half the Inquisitor’s sect and the entire confessors sect in the catacombs looking for that troublesome boy.  Why hadn’t they found him yet? What was he supposed to make of Ignatius telling him that the tracks disappeared into thin air between one step and the next?  

Not only that, but he’d received no word whatsoever from Ignatius. Why couldn’t the Chief Inquisitor find one lousy heretic? Surely, the man wasn’t losing his touch. He’d heard from some of his spies among the servants that Ignatius had already spoken to everyone the boy hung out or worked with.  One of them should have talked. Now his spies said that the Chief Inquisitor  had commandeered a bunch of guardians and had them watching both a copy room and an empty inquisition cell. Nothing tonight made sense.    

Hunapo left his bed chamber and entered his office. Before him on a slightly raised platform was the intricately carved desk, he had allowed the royal carpenter to make him. The man had done his finest work ever and when he was done Hunapo took great pleasure in informing him that it wasn’t good enough to erase his taint. After his beheading, Hunapo took his land as the first to be confiscated for the “chapel” in Luminous City.

Directly, in front of the platform were two very plain and uncomfortable chairs. These were reserved for those who had displeased him when he called them to his office.

Behind them were two leather couches facing each other made of the finest white leather to be found in the entire Kingdom. Between them on the floor was an expensive cashmere rug and a small serving table. This was where he sat with those who had found favor with him, as their reward.

Behind his desk was a wall composed completely of windows. They looked out over the central courtyard of the Temple. However, even the sight of his domain could not still his impatience this night. “Where are they?” He thought.  “How can this be happening? I’ve worked so hard. Forty years of searching and three years of work, and it was all about to be undone by a scrawny nobody of a scribe.”  As he waited his mind wandered to how it all started.

It was his tenth birthday. The party was set for later that night, and it was sure to be a huge affair. After all it would be the last one he celebrated here at Morningstar Castle. Hunapo was the second born, that meant tomorrow he would begin his slavery as a Keeper of the Light.  “It wasn’t fair. Who decided that the first born got to become King while the second was given into the LIGHT GIVERS service? He was better than Solaris. All their instructors had said so.

 Three years younger and he could ride better, use a sword better. He was even a natural at diplomacy. However, none of that mattered. Because tomorrow he will become a Keeper as was royal custom.  Anger filled him as he though about how unfair it was.

Solaris got to travel with father to meet foreign dignitaries. He got to travel with some smelly old Keeper to a far-off Temple. Solaris got to fight along side the men of the royal army. He got to learn from a bunch of old men about an old scroll. Solaris got to help dispense justice from the throne room to the inhabitants of the Kingdom. He got to read from some crumbly old scroll about a far away god.  Solaris got to write royal proclamations; he got to copy the stupid LOGOS over and over again. It wasn’t fair. Hunapo knew he would make a better king than Solaris, but that didn’t matter because Solaris was born first.”  Then and there Hunapo decided that if there was any way to take his brother's birthright, he would find it.  

For nineteen years, he diligently studied the LOGOS, looking for some loop hole that would give him the throne.  He listened to every story that the older Keepers told hoping for something that would be of help. To those over him and around him, it looked like he was going to be the most learned and honorable Keeper to have ever graced the Kingdom. There was talk of all the ways he would draw people to the LIGHT GIVER. They talked of the eloquence of his sermons as an Illuminator when it was his turn to instruct at devotions.

            Then on his thirtieth birthday he was summoned to Chief Illuminator Patience’s office. When he arrived all six of the Chief Keepers were there as well as the Chief Illuminator. Patience welcomed him and seated him in a comfortable chair before explaining why he was there. “Hunapo, I have spent time this past month with each of my Chiefs and all of your instructors. I wish you to know nephew that I am very pleased with what they have told me. As you know, I am the first of the royal bloodline sent here to the Keepers, who ascended to the highest rank one can achieve in the Keepers of the Light. I did it through hard work and diligent study. It seems that you and I are cut from the same cloth.”

 With a confused look, Hunapo replied. “Thank you Uncle, but I am not sure I understand. If I am doing so well why have I been brought before you tonight?’  

            Knelling down beside him Chief Illuminator Patience smiled. “You misunderstand. You are not in trouble quite the contrary. Because of your devotion to the LIGHT GIVER, we have decided to make you my apprentice and the heir to the post of Chief Illuminator. In the morning, you will be wearing the robes of a Master class Illuminator and will start reporting directly to my office to learn at my feet. When the time comes for me to step down from this office it will become yours.”  

           

            Each of the Chiefs offered their own congratulations to Hunapo. After a few celebratory drinks and a rare offering of cake both as a celebration of his promotion and birthday Hunapo took his leave.

         

            The very next morning at the end of devotions, Hunapo was presented with his Masters robe. Every Keeper was informed of his new position and understood that when he spoke now he spoke with the authority of the Chief Illuminator.  It was to no one's surprise then when a month later Hunapo was suggested to take charge of the excavation project in the catacombs beneath the temple.

            The catacombs were the oldest part of the temple. Deep underground they had been where the LIGHT GIVERS followers had lived and Studied for a thousand years after the War of World Fire. When the world was inhabitable again they had come up to the surface and built their temple right on top of the catacombs. Now the Chief Illuminator at the urging of the Chief Historian was authorizing them to literally dig up the history of their predecessors. Hunapo was secretly thrilled to be put in command. It meant that for the duration of the project, he wouldn’t have to look at or copy or study or talk about the LOGOS. If he had his way, they would play in the dirt down there until his uncle left the Keepers, and he was placed in command.

            It was because of that decision Hunapo’s never forgotten dream got its major boost.  Six months into the excavation they found a room where the walls had been rounded. No one knew what those ancient Keepers had used it for, but Hunapo had decided that he would work in it. He was trying to clear away debris and look for hidden treasures one day and having no luck. As dinner time drew near he called a halt to the day's work and checked off each keeper as they left heading up to the temple for the night. When he was alone he grabbed his lamp and started out of the room when he heard a noise behind him. Turning he saw behind him a man-like none he had ever seen before.

         

          The man was wearing a full suit of armor so red that it seemed covered in fresh blood. From under his helmet long blonde hair hung down past his shoulders. The skin of his exposed face and hands was the color of alabaster. His eyes were the palest shade of blue Hunapo had ever seen. Those eyes seemed to hold him in their depth. Though the man looked young the eyes looked ancient and wise beyond his years.

            Hunapo walking closer to the stranger inquired, “Who are you sir? How did you manage to get down here without me seeing you enter?”

            With a voice as rich as honey and as thick as molasses the answer came, “I am the prince and power of this realm, I go where I like no one is my master. As for a name I have had several over the years, Baal, Moloch, Beelzebub, Loki, Hades, Pluton but my favorite was the first Lucifer. Yes, I really liked being called Lucifer, it means morning star like the castle you grew up in. However those are all the past, the men of this temple simply call me the Darkness. They have no imagination. You may call me Visvesa.”    

            He smiled at Hunapo, “I have been watching you for a while. I’m here to help fulfill your dream of ruling this kingdom. Not only will I make your dream come true. I will help you increase your dream to be the ruler of this whole world. All you have to do is bow down and pledge your allegiance to me.”

         

          Hunapo looked at this being and began to quote from the LOGOS when he stopped. “Why should I remain faithful to a God who has never shown one ounce of interest in me?” With that thought still in his head, he bowed his knee and gave his pledge to serve Visvesa with all his might, all his soul, and all his heart. In exchange, Visvesa promised to help him become the ultimate ruler of the world.

Visvesa smiling all the while, reached out his right index finger and drove it into the forehead of Hunapo. As the finger penetrated Hunapo’s head he began to hear Visvesa’s voice in his mind.

“This makes it easier for me to communicate with you. From now on I will be able to speak directly into your mind and you will be able to hear and respond without anyone knowing that we are conversing. This way even when you are with your masters or fellow Keepers I will be able to direct you to our goal of making you ruler of this kingdom and then the world.”

“Yes, my Lord” How amazing, Hunapo thought, the LIGHT GIVER never spoke to me like this neither did his LOGOS. Visvesa truly is a powerful being to be serving. “What do you want me to do now my Lord?”

The answer to that question was the start of the plan.

Early the next morning Hunapo ran to his uncle’s room awaking Chief Illuminator Patience with his extraordinary tale.  “Uncle, I had a vision last night. I was approached by the LIGHT GIVER himself. He told me that there was an important piece of our faith down in the catacombs. Then he took me to a place we had not been before and scooped aside the earth and showed me a Jar sealed with wax.  When I asked him what was in it he told me it was his true LOGOS.”

 “I asked him what he meant by that and he went on to tell me that over the years the LOGOS had been changed from what he had given to mankind. What we were following was false text that was leading us from his true path and down one of darkness. He went on to tell me to come to you and tell you my vision this morning and to ask you and the Chief Historian to accompany me to the place he showed me so that you would know my vision was true.”

Patience took his nephew by the shoulder “I will send for the Chief Historian now. Let us pray that we don’t find this room or Jar that you dreamed of. Because if we do then we will have to accept your vision as a true vision sent by the LIGHT GIVER. Then all my life has been sending people away from HIS path instead of toward it.” 

 The two of them proceeded to the Chief Historians Chamber and awoke him. Then all three went straight to the Catacombs where Hunapo led them to a small grotto none of them had seen before. There he went to a very specific spot and dug in the wall uncovering a clay jar sealed with wax. Just as Visvesa had told him he would.

As they removed the wax seal it was obvious that they had found a scroll of text. Hunapo handed it to the Chief Illuminator who opened it with trembling hands. It looked to be a scroll of LOGOS.  The Chief Historian, noting the look on Patience face spoke. “Your Grace, while this may indeed be a scroll of LOGOS we don’t know if it is different from those we use now until it is examined.”

Hunapo seeing his chance agreed. “He is right Uncle, though my vision seems true enough. We would be amiss if we didn’t compare the two making sure there is a difference. Not only that, but we must run dating tests to make sure this is older than the oldest scroll here, which is in the care of the historians. May I suggest that I conduct the test with one historian master and one scribe master to assist me? Then we can be sure that the results of those tests are accurate and unbiased by those with a stake for one scroll or the other being true.”

The chief Illuminator and the Chief Historian agreed letting Hunapo take charge of proving or disproving his vision. They also provided him the help of a Master Historian to run dating tests and a Master scribe to run text comparisons.  At the end of two months Hunapo asked to meet with His uncle and the Chief Historian to share the results of his investigation.

He informed them that his vision had been proven a true vision and showed them the written reports of both Masters who had worked on the found scroll.  The shock of it all caused Chief Illuminator Patience to suffer a stroke. He instantly fell to the ground and began babbling nonsense. 

Putting all his other duties aside Hunapo became his Master’s sole nurse and caregiver.  Thus allowing him to slip a small amount of deadly nightshade into his uncle’s medicine cup, each dose bring the Chief Illuminator closer to death. Until two weeks after his stroke Apprentice Chief Hunapo with tears streaming down his face announced that Chief Illuminator Patience had expired in his sleep.

From that day on Hunapo had followed the plan outlined for him by his true Master. All had gone exactly as Visvesa had said it would. His fathers death, again by nightshade, his sister-in-law’s confession and execution. Even his brothers inability to do anything to stop it without playing right into Hunapo’s hand. 

Now it all seemed to have been brought to a halt by one insignificant scribe and an unknown heretic teacher. “Where were those Chief’s? If they would just do their jobs and find these two men then his plan would come to the proper conclusion in less that three years.”  Three years to finish the chapel in Luminous City and move the Temple there. Then arrange for his brother mysterious death at the hands of his Darkness tainted niece, allowing him to send her to the same fate as her mother. Then he would be able to claim the crown as the last of the Morningstar bloodline and become King and Chief Illuminator of the Kingdom of Light.”

With that thought running pleasantly in his head, his servant entered and informed him that Chief Inquisitor Ignatius, Chief Scribe Truman and Master Scribe Dankrad were wishing an audience with him. “Show them in now” Hunapo thought, “This might be the answer I have been waiting for.”

As the servant showed the men into Hunapo’s office the looks on their face told him that they had indeed discovered the traitor among them. Then Ignatius began to speak. It took a few moments for what he was saying to sink in to Hunapo’s head.
Then with pain building behind his eyes he heard the voice of his master: “You didn’t destroy those scrolls when they arrived here? Do it now and find that scribe and get that one back from him or you will suffer the consequences.”

Then pain unlike anything Hunapo had experienced tore through his whole body causing him to scream out loud. To cover it he turned his scream into a roar of anger. Turning to face Ignatius he pointed at him “YOU WILL HAVE THOSE SCROLLS BROUGHT TO ME AT ONCE!! WE WILL DESTROY THEM THIS NIGHT AS WE SHOULD HAVE TWEENTY YEARS AGO.”            Ignatius with a nod quickly left to get the steel box and return with it.

Hunapo turned on the two scribes in his office. “I don’t know how this scribe managed to fool both of you but I am highly disappointed. It was bad enough when I though he was being led astray by someone in this temple. To find however, that the very boy you both recommended to me as more than capable and reliable, has been reading and copying tainted LOGOS under your very noses for a year is ludicrous.” Both Scribe looked at their feet in disgrace. “I have no choice now but to declare him a heretic and send him to the testing.” 

Then moving to stand in front of Master Scribe Dankrad, Hunapo lifted his head to stare into his eyes. “I should have you join him there. However, I need a transcription scribe for the new chapel. Since the biggest fault here is yours then it is my decision that you will be reduced in rank to Transcription Scribe. You will procure for me a copy of the Authorized text and replace this heretic Tal at the chapel in Luminous City.”

“Yes my lord Hunapo.” Was all that Dankrad dared to say. With that he fell to his knees before the Chief Illuminator to show how grateful he was for not being labeled a heretic along side his student.

Hunapo moved on to Chief Scribe Truman. “You Chief also vouched for this heretic. I am sure you were doing so on the words of your underlings.  Let this be a reminder too you not to take anyone’s word but to conduct your own investigation before you recommend someone for early advancement. Now I need you to appoint another Master to this copy room and get us back on track.”

Truman was relieved at not being found out. He had been the one who placed the Morningstar scroll in Tal’s transcription chest, nodded his head. “Of course my lord Hunapo, I will take care of that right away.” With that the two scribes took their leave of the Chief Illuminator.

As they were leaving, Ignatius with four Temple Guardians carrying the steel chest entered the Chief Illuminators office. Hunapo went over to the fire place and removed a burning piece of fire wood. “Put that thing in the courtyard and open it up”

With out a word the four guardians did as they were told. “You are dismissed!” Ignatius told them. Then without another word Chief Illuminator Hunapo walked over and dropped the burning wood into the chest. As the Chief Illuminator and Chief Inquisitor stood watching the scrolls burn, Ignatius said “Well that is the end of that crisis.”

Hunapo with rage burning in his eyes rounded on his Chief Inquisitor. “It will not be over till we find that heretic scribe and destroy the scroll he has. Where is he? Why can’t anyone find him? Are you all incompetent? Must I do everything myself?”

Before Ignatius could respond there was a commotion from the door to the Chief Illuminator’s office.  Chief Confessor Esmail came barging in and on seeing the Chief Illuminator in the court yard came right toward him at a quick pace. “Your Grace, the Captain of the Temple Guardians says that Transcription Scribe Tal is at the Main Gate requesting entrance.”

“Have him brought here immediately.” Hunapo turned and looked at Ignatius. Slowly a smile crept up his face. “Now we will be able to put an end to this crisis once and for all.” He then motioned for the chiefs to reenter his office.  “Hurry you two and bring me that heretic.”

Chapter Five: Throne room Encounter

For one day in YOUR courts is better than a thousand elsewhere.

I would rather be a worker in the house of the LIGHT GIVER

Than to dwell in the palace of the Darkness.

        For the LIGHT GIVER is a sun and shield

The CREATOR will give grace and glory

No good thing will HE withhold from his Champion.-

Logos from the wall at Morningside Castle that appeared the day the Champion walked in the LIGHT GIVERS throne room.

Chapter five:

_________________________________________________

 Throne Room Encounter

While all this was happening, Tal was in the Throne room of the Light Giver’s Kingdom. What Tal saw there was beautiful, breath taking, and overwhelming. The throne room was huge and the floor, for the most part, looked to be made of the brightest and most polished gold that Tal had ever seen. Right in the center of the room the floor went from gold to what looked like a small sea of clear crystal so pure that he could see through it. He could see into the room below, where a large fire burned. Heavenly messengers seemed to be carrying things from inside the fire to the center of the underside of the crystal sea.

 Then his attention was drawn to the throne that sat in the very center of the sea. On the throne there appeared to be a figure seated. The figure was human shaped but glowed with every color of the rainbow so brightly that HIS glow seemed to provide a rainbow-colored light to every corner of the room. It was such a bright light that Tal noticed there were no shadows anywhere in the room. It appeared that darkness could not find a spot to dwell here.

   From the throne flashes of the purest light shot out into the rest of the palace, like lightning. Whenever the figure on the throne opened HIS mouth, the sound was like thunder, a million times amplified, so strong that the entire throne room vibrated with the sound of HIS voice. Between Tal and the figure on the throne were seven lamps on golden stands. Even though there was so much light in the room it was easy to see each one burning with open flame. On each corner of the Throne were the most amazing creatures Tal had ever seen.

One creature looked like a lion, one like an ox, one like a human, and one like an eagle. All of them had six wings, and they hovered at every corner of the throne with them. The strangest thing about them was their whole bodies were covered with eyes. It was like they looked everywhere at once; even their wings had eyes on them. 

All around the outer wall of the throne room, evenly spaced were twenty-four smaller thrones. Each of the smaller thrones faced toward the larger throne.  Seated on each throne was an elderly man. Each elder was clothed like a Keeper of the Light, only all their Keeper Robes were the purest white that Tal and ever seen. They were so pure they seemed to reflect the light of the Figure back at HIM.  On the head of each elder was a crown. The basic design of each crown was the same, a circlet of golden leaves. However, each crown was as unique as the elder who wore it. They all had different gems and precious stones arranged in various patterns between the golden leaves.

As the LIGHT GIVER approached the central throne the four creatures began to sing in loud yet beautiful voices “Holy, Holy, Holy is The LIGHT GIVER and the CREATOR, who always has been, who always is, and who is still to come.”  As they sang the LIGHT GIVER began to merge with the figure on the throne until they were one and the same.  Suddenly it was the LIGHT GIVER, who was sitting on the central throne.

As the LIGHT GIVER was seated the twenty-four elders lowered themselves from their thrones and removed their crowns and bowed down to the LIGHT GIVER. Then laying their crowns as close to the throne as they could, they began to sing in a counter harmony to the four creatures. “Worthy are YOU oh LIGHT GIVER and our CREATOR to receive all the glory and all the honor and all the power. You created all things for your pleasure. All YOUR creations exist because of You.

As they continued to sing this over and over the light grew in intensity. The lightning flashed faster and faster from the throne. The voice grew louder and louder as the song grew louder and louder until Tal knew that he could stand it no longer. He fell flat on the floor with his head buried under his hands. Suddenly, he realized that from his mouth came the same song as the elders were singing. They all repeated the song over and over for what could have been an eternity. Even if it was an eternity that wouldn’t be  enough time to worship HIM as HE deserved.

The next thing Tal became aware of was the LIGHT GIVER stooping down and taking him in HIS arms. Then gently lifting Tal to stand before HIM said. “Tal, thank you for your worship, it was in spirit and truth. However, right now we need to get you ready to be my champion in the Kingdom of Light. So let us start with me giving you the gifts that I promised in the catacombs.”

“First I give you my armor. This will both protect you and give you your main weapons. Take the garment of my vengeance; but remember that your enemies are not flesh and blood. They are the principalities, powers and rulers of darkness in high places that are behind the humans. Your goal is to bring freedom to my creations that are under the influence of the Darkness.”

“Next take the cloak of zeal; with it, you will be able to act in the face of overwhelming odds and come out victorious.  You will know that the excitement and determination to do so are my excitement and determination flowing through you. You will be filled with my indignation at injustice and enslavement of my creations. You will be overcome with my desire to bring justice and freedom; tempered with mercy and compassion.”  

 “Then take the helmet of Salvation, which will allow you to renew your mind and take every thought captive with the truth of what I have done for you. With the helmet, you will know that I have purchased your freedom and that of every other creature on the face of the planet.  When the enemy and accuser of my people comes against you, he will whisper how unworthy you and they are. This helmet will allow you will know the truth and be set free from his influence.”    

“Next I give you the breast plate of my righteousness. It will protect your heart and emotions from the accuser. He will try to remind you of how you used to belong to those set against the task I have given you. He will try to make you feel ashamed and under equipped to lead others into my true light.  Know this Tal while that was true, it is not your worthiness that you act upon. Instead, it is my worthiness which I have covered you with. It is not your readiness that will lead others to my light but my readiness to have them in the light again that draws them back to me.”

“Next take the waist-belt of truth. Let the truth of my LOGOS, which is alive and active cover your stomach and fill you like food. Remember my every word is more nourishing than any food you eat. If you allow it to my LOGOS will satisfy you like no other food can. Take it in Tal and make it the sustenance that refreshes and energizes you. Allow it to make you grow and become stronger in your relationship with me.”

“Take the shoes of peace and know that everywhere your foot treads you will advance my Kingdom. You will take the principles that the Kingdom of the LIGHT GIVER is founded upon and introduce them anew to my people. The principles of my Kingdom which provides peace which denies understanding, will flow everywhere you walk. Those who choose to be my people will accept them as their own principles.”

 “Then take as your shield, faith in my faithfulness. Believe in my faithfulness Tal, and realize that I cannot be unfaithful. Even when things look as if I have abandoned you, even if things look like all hope is lost, I will never leave you nor renounce you. Know that I will always be with you until the end of time”

“Finally take as your primary weapon the sword of the Spirit.  My Spirit dwells in you Tal and in my LOGOS. As you spend time in my LOGOS, my Spirit grows stronger inside of you. It will become like a sharp double edge sword for the destruction of my enemies. With it, you are armed to defeat the lies of the enemy. To bring my Light to the darkest soul you meet, and to fulfill the task that I have given you as my Champion.”  

As HE had spoken of each piece of armor, it had appeared on Tal’s body. By the time he was finished Tal was no longer clothed as a Keeper. Instead, he wore the armor of the KING OF KINGS and looked every bit the Champion of the LIGHT GIVER.  As Tal looked down, he saw the Armor of the LIGHT GIVER glowing as it covered his body. It seemed to be made of a metal with a mother of pearl quality to it.

Right in the center of the breast plate appeared a single tongue of flame that moved and flickered as if alive. He drew the Sword of the Spirit and noticed it was made of a metal that glowed with the same type of fire as on the breast plate.  The Shield on his left arm was as long as his torso and twice as wide yet it had no weight. It seemed to glow also, but with the same light which came from the LIGHT GIVER himself. Placing the sword back in its sheath he noticed the glow from it was not hidden at all.    

Then the LIGHT GIVER place his hands upon Tal’s head and said, “Be filled with my Spirit” and breathed on him the breath of LIFE. Tal felt as if he was consumed with living fire which empowered and revitalized him. He was swept up with a boldness that all but overwhelmed him.  

Then the LIGHT GIVER took him by the hand placing a ring on his finger “The CREATOR has given me all authority over the earth and Heaven and the realm of the Darkness. With this signet ring, I give you all that has been given to me. I claim you as my Champion and representative to the Kingdom of Light.  Know that greater works than I have ever done you will do in my name and with all of my authority.”    

Then looking at one of the Twenty four elders the LIGHT GIVER said, “Agyei, it is time for you to give him the prophetic assignment just as you gave it to me when I walked his planet.”  With that the elder got up from his throne and walked to stand before Tal. The LIGHT GIVER took a step back “Kneel Tal”  

Tal knelt before the little old man, whose eyes were filled with the power of the LIGHT GIVER.

He placed hands on Tal and began; “The Spirit of the CREATOR is upon you for the LIGHT GIVER has appointed you to proclaim his KINGDOM.  You will proclaim healing for the sick and peace to the tormented. You will proclaim liberty for the captive of the spirit war and release for the prisoner of wrong doing. You will declare the time of the LIGHT GIVER’S favor and of the vengeance of the CREATOR on his enemies.”  With that the elder returned to his throne and rejoined the chorus of worship that had been ongoing since the arrival of the LIGHT GIVER in the throne room.    

           

            The LIGHT GIVER came up to Tal and held out HIS hand. “One more thing would I do for you my Champion, give me the scroll you took from the Temple.” Tal handed it to his Master. The LIGHT GIVER reached out and touched it to Tal’s lips. “My Logos is within you. It will warm you, like a fire in your bones, until you unleash it to my people.” With that Tal felt warmth begin to radiate throughout his being. He suddenly knew every word of the scroll, as if it had been branded on his heart.  

The LIGHT GIVER’S hand was now empty. Before Tal could even ask the question forming in his mind, the answer was being given. “The scroll is within you now Tal. When you need it then it shall come to your hand.   Know this, even among our enemies you will find those hungry for the truth of my LOGOS. As you speak my LOGOS, they will know the Truth which will free them from the Darkness.”

“When you have need of it my LIGHT will flow out of you like a mighty flood and overwhelm your enemies.  Now take from my servant Taraka this staff. With it perform my miracles and wonders as a testament of my love and power.”  

Another of the twenty four elders came forward and placed a staff in Tal’s hands and returned to his throne to rejoin the worship. “Tal I am sure that you have many questions, but I will not answer them now. Know that my Spirit will teach you everything you need to know as you go. You know my voice, follow it whenever you hear it.  

It is time for you to return to your Keep and face the first battle as my Champion. Be strong and courageous Tal, for I go with you even though you won’t see me.”  And with that Tal was translated to the main door of the Temple of the Keepers of Light.” 

Chapter Four: Searches and Discoveries

Hide me from wicked people who violently attack me,

 From my deadly enemies who surround me.

They have shut out all feeling.

Their mouths have spoken arrogantly.

They have tracked me down.

They have surrounded me.

They have focused their attention on throwing me to the ground. Each one of them is like a lion eager to tear his prey apart

And like a young lion crouching in hiding places.-

 LOGOS that appeared on the wall of LOGOS in Morningstar Castle

                                                                    Chapter Four:

Searches and Discoveries

Just before Tal’s three hours had expired Chief Confessor Esmail, with lantern in hand, ordered the guardians to open the door and entered the catacombs. He was here to take the confession of the young scribe who had so upset Hunapo at dinner.  He walked down the corridor and turned at the first right. Then went down that corridor and turned left at the end.

 He thought, “I am so glad I didn’t have to try and do this in the dark by feel.” As he made the next right and walked towards the meditation chamber, as they called it, he was surprised not to hear any shout of joy or crying of fear. Every other time he had been sent here the person he was to confess was doing one or the other. “Why was this young scribe so silent? Had he fallen asleep? You wouldn’t think it possible the way the darkness seemed to come alive down here.  Could he have passed out from fear? That was a possibility, but based on what Master Scribe Dankrad and Chief Scribe Truman had told him about the young man he wouldn’t have thought so.”

As he neared the room he called out “Tal, I am here to take your confession and help bring you back to the path of the LIGHT GIVER.”  Still, there was no answer, or even a sound from the room ahead.  The Chief Confessor stopped and breathed a silent prayer to the LIGHT GIVER. “Don’t let him be dead. Not when we are so close to getting the chapel operational finally.” He made the last right-hand turn into the room and saw – NOTHING!    

No one was there! Where was the scribe who had been sent here three hours ago? Esmail knew that the inquisitor had warned the young man about taking his hand off the wall. If he had kept his hand on the wall, he should have been right here, and yet, no one. The Chief Confessor hurried back to the main corridor of the catacombs and stopping looked down.  

He could plainly see foot prints in the dust on the floor along the right wall stumbling deeper into the catacombs.  He followed them to the left-hand turn, then to the right. Even so, as he followed them, he noticed that the footsteps became further apart as if the young scribe had been running. At the next left they increased their distance even more. When he came to the final turn into the meditation chamber, the footsteps went on straight. Some how the boy had gotten turned around and was wandering lost in the Catacombs of Darkness.  

Retracing his steps to the door the Chief Confessor opened it, looked at the two temple guardians and said, “Go find Chief Inquisitor Ignatius. Tell him I need him here immediately. We have a problem.” They looked at each other and back at the Confessor. When they saw how ashen his face was, they took off at a dead run to do as he had requested.

When Ignatius arrived at the catacombs, the Chief Confessor motioned him inside and shut the door on the two guardians. He looked at his companion. Some how the young scribe got turned around in the dark. His tracks lead deeper into the actual Catacombs. I thought it might be best if you were the one to track him since you are trained to notice things. I didn’t want to mess up any tracks or over look something that would keep us from finding him quickly. We both know how important he is to the dedication of the chapel in Luminous City.”

With a quiet nod, Ignatius took the lantern from Esmail and called out to the two guardians outside the door. When they entered, he beckoned one of them to come to him. “You and your partner go and get as many lanterns as you can carry and hurry back here. Somehow, your charge got lost in the dark. Right now I must find him. After he is out of the catacombs the two of you, and I will have a discussion about making certain those sent here make it to the meditation chamber.”

“Chief Inquisitor, we didn’t escort him in your Master Inquisitor Marcus did that. However, I clearly heard him tell the prisoner to keep his hand on the wall. If he had listened then he wouldn’t have gotten lost.” 

Ignatius looked at the guardian “Be that as it may, from now on you will escort the prisoners to the chamber so this does not happen again. I will personally deal with my inquisitors and inform them as such. I also will be talking with your Captain and explaining to him this new plan. I won’t fail to mention that he needs to give you a refresher on obedience and the correct way to respond to a Chief of the Keepers.”

   With that he reached out and took the lantern from the guardian and handed it to Esmail. “Hurry up!! The young man jumped and ran for the door as if shot from a cannon.

 When they were gone Ignatius turned to Esmail.  “You stay here until they return. I’ll start to track the scribe down. When they arrive place a lantern here and come follow me if the tracks turn I will mark the turn very plainly for you with this chalk,” which he held up.

“When the light grows dim behind you leave another lantern and keep going until  you find me, run out of lanterns or I and the scribe return to you. What was his name again?”

“His name is Tal,” replied the confessor. “We must find him Ignatius. I don’t want to have to explain to Hunapo how we lost him. Nor do I want to have to deal with trying to find another transcription scribe to send to this chapel. We both know how important this is to our Master.”

 Ignatius nodded his head and started off following Tal’s path and calling his name. He slowly tracked the young scribe.  When he arrived to the place where the footprints lengthened he knew Tal had been feeling the effects of what they all called the “heaviness of the dark”.  When the trail went down a left corridor, past the chamber entrance, the Inquisitor made an arrow mark pointing up that corridor and after he made the turn he made a mark pointing back towards the entrance.  A few feet farther and the tracks lead him into a room on the right and at the entrance to the room he made a mark pointing into the room and stepped in.

He followed the footprints into the very center of the room. There he was forced to stop because there were no more signs to be found. In fact, it looked like between one step and the next the young scribe had completely disappeared.

“Oh no” he heard from behind him and turned to see the Chief Confessor with a lantern in each hand looking at that single foot print in the dirt of the floor.

“What can this mean?” Esmail asked looking to Ignatius for an answer.

“I don’t know” Ignatius replied, “Except that one of us has to inform Chief Illuminator Hunapo that his plans are going to be delayed again and it isn’t going to be me.” 

With that the two Chief’s of the Keepers of Light turned and began to make their way back out of the catacombs.

Ignatius and Esmail entered the chamber of the Chief Illuminator. It was Esmail, with a voice that trembled, who said, “My Lord Hunapo, the scribe Tal was not in the meditation chamber in the Catacomb. It appears that he has wandered into the Catacombs themselves and become lost”

With a curse the former crown prince of the Kingdom of Light and brother to King Solaris said “Well send the search party out to find him. We are too close to removing all influence of the tainted LOGOS over this kingdom for another delay to be allowed. We must not postpone the dedication of the chapel in my brother’s capitol city.

            “Master, I don’t think you understand what Esmail is trying to tell you.” Ignatius said. “We have already searched the catacombs. I followed his tracks easily enough. However the signs of his trek disappear in the middle of an open room between one step and another.’

 Hanapo roared in anger and grabbed a goblet of his desk and hurled it across the room where it struck the wall and shattered.   “How” he screamed, “how can this be happening? First that prophecy reappears on the wall in Morningstar. Then the whole chapel team, who tried to remove it is struck with that plague. Now when we are less than a month away this happens.” I don’t care what you have to do you to but one of you better figure out how to find that scribe and bring him back to us ready to do what he is told.”  With that he dismissed them.

Just before they reached the door Huapo had a thought.  “Ignatius remain here a moment. You and I have another pressing matter to discuss.”

Ignatius turned and walked back to the Chief Illuminator and waited to speak with him.  The Chief Confessor left the office with one quick glance at the Chief Inquisitor and hurried to figure out how you find someone who literally disappears without a trace.

 

            After Esmail was gone Hunapo turned to his Chief Inquisitor. “Ignatius, I need you to begin an inquisition. I am convinced, based on the question this scribe Tal asked me, that someone here in the temple is teaching from the tainted scrolls.  I want you to find out who they are and how they have been able to keep such instruction secret here of all places.”

            “Yes your Grace”, Ignatius responded “I will begin that just the moment that we have found the missing scribe.”

           

            His face a livid purple with barely controlled rage, the Chief Illuminator roared. “You will begin it right now! Let those who lost this scribe search for him. Your only concern at this moment is to figure out how this boy is learning these dangerous concepts. Nothing else matters but to stop this taint before it destroys all my plans.” “Now get out and don’t come back until you have answers.”

With that Ignatius found himself doing what he did best, calling in members of the Keepers of Light and questioning them on an infraction of the Rules of the Light Giver. None of those questioned knew anything about a member of the Keepers teaching from or about the tainted scrolls. This did not deter the Chief Inquisitor in his task; instead it only made him more determined than ever to find this secret heretic.

Since Tal’s friends and coworkers knew nothing, it was time to look for clues. Ignatius decided to start by searching this scribes room and work place. A search of his room turned up not one trace of a teacher or anyone else who might be instructing the scribe in the old scrolls. The Chief Interrogator was at a loss to explain to his master how this scribe had so much knowledge of the tainted Logos.

However as Ignatius was searching the work room he struck pay dirt, the preservation box belonging to Tal was empty. With his most intimidating inquisitors stare directed at Master Scribe Dankrad he inquired, “Where is Tal’s copy scroll?”

“Well, you see Chief Inquisitor, Tal was having trouble concentrating today on his copying. Seeing as how important it is to get this scroll completed for the new chapel, I suggested he take the afternoon with the scroll in a meditation closet. He will come in early tomorrow for a fresh start.” Dankrad was beginning to sweat under the inquisitors glare, “I assure you that it is not an uncommon practice. Often the LOGOS just grabs a scribe’s attention. When it does that we always suggest that they spend time reading and meditating. Then the next day they are reenergized and ready to transcribe.”

“Yes, I have heard of this practice. However, this time your young scribe may have been meditating on tainted logos. When was the last time you checked his transcription to see how he was doing?”

“Well, um, actually I haven’t checked this transcription at all.  I don’t usually check them until they are complete, unless the scribe in question is known to be unfocused and inaccurate. Both of which does not describe Transcription Scribe Tal. He was promoted early because of his accuracy. His novice master came to me and the Chief Scribe and informed us that Tal was perfect in his transcription every time. Upon checks we realized that he had never made a mistake since being promoted from apprentice to novice. So with special release from Chief Illuminator Hunapo we promoted him.  He was checked frequently on his first transcription project for Holywood chapel. Again he was completely accurate and perfectly legible, so we haven’t checked him since.”

“I see, in that case, and in light of the fact that he was leaning toward heresy today with the Chief Illuminator. I suggest we take a look at his transcription right now. Get it and let us see what he has been copying for the most important chapel we have ever built.”

 Master Dankrad went to the last desk on the right nearest the door, then with a quick flip of the latch opened the preservation box and pulled out a scroll. He turned and made his way back to his own desk where they quickly laid the scroll in the reader. They scrolled to the section that Tal had been working on that day.  With a gasp he moved away from what he saw on the reader.  “LIGHT GIVER have mercy on him!!”

Ignatius took one look at the master scribes face and knew that the young scribe had not only been reading the tainted LOGOS but he had been copying it as well. Rounding on the Master Scribe he demanded “How do you explain this Master Dankrad? You said this scribe was diligent and careful! Yet, here I see the tainted scroll being copied! How long would you say he has been working on this transcription?

Dankrad quickly calculated when Tal had completed his last copy of the LOGOS. “This is his second transcription since being promoted, Chief Inquisitor and based on how far along he is I would say about seven or eight months.”

“Where was his last transcription sent? We must retrieve it and check it for this taint as well. But even more importantly, I must find the scroll he was copying from so that I can figure out how he got his hands on it.” Ignatius started to pace back and forth behind the Master’s desk and then he stopped and looked behind him. What he saw caused his face to go ashen. For there sitting in the darkest corner of the room was a steel chest with a large steel lock on it.

He turned back to the Master Scribe and grabbed him by the throat.

“YOU ARE MASTER OVER THE COPY ROOM WITH THE TAINTED LOGOS IN IT?” With barely controlled rage he loosened up on the Scribes throat and continued, “Yet you allowed at least one of your scribes to transcribe and send copies of the LOGOS without checking to see if the taint had spread? Especially now after we know it has returned to the Castle and made a whole chapel of Keepers ill!”

“You will be lucky if the Chief Illuminator doesn’t have you burned at the stake. For now I am placing you under the authority of the Inquisitors.”

He turned the scribe around and placed shackles on his hands.  Ignatius led Dankrad to an empty inquisition cell to await the outcome of the night. After getting the Master Scribe safely into a cell the Chief Inquisitor called for three Master inquisitors to report to his office immediately.  Within a few minutes each of them came flying into his chambers in various states of dress.

This chamber was both office and sleeping room for the Chief Inquisitor. Against one wall was his bed. On the one opposite it lay a chest filled with the scrolls of the test requirements for various levels of the taint. Beside them lay a test kit with the several of the Chiefs favorite test implements. The test implements were items that brought enough pain to draw the darkness to the surface of the subject, with out causing permanent damage. Beside the bed, facing a steel doorway was Ignatius’ desk where he was seated when the inquisitors entered. Behind the steel door was a stairwell that led down to the three levels of the Inquisition cells and down one more level to the inquisition room, where the more serious tests were conducted.

Looking at the three masters standing before him he was encouraged that they were the most diligent in bringing the darkness to the surface.  “My brothers it is with heavy heart that I give you this assignment.  The young scribe who has gone missing from the catacombs had access to and was transcribing a copy of the Tainted LOGOS. I have the transcription right here but we know that he left the copy room in possession of an original tainted copy. 

His master says he was given permission to spend the afternoon in the meditation closets. I want you three to personally search each and every meditation closet in the Temple. For your own protection, from the taint, it is imperative that you stay together and in sight of each other. None of you should enter a closet alone. Two of you enter and search the third one guards the door. No closet is to go unsearched, be polite but firm on any who want to continue their meditation. Retrieving that scroll takes precedence over everything. Now go, and leave no closet unsearched. If you find it bring it here to me. If I am not here the three of you wait here, together, until I return. Under no circumstance are any of you to open the scroll.  Bring me any and all scrolls you find.

With that the three Masters went and quickly finished dressing. Then they began to search the meditation level of the Temple as their leader had instructed. Not only did they open every closet, but they checked all the waiting couches as well. They overturned every table, lamp, and planter. But when they had completely finished they had nothing to show for their zealous search. Empty handed they stormed back to their Chief’s chambers.

 Chief Inquisitor Ignatius, his heart heavy with dread, opened a secret compartment in his desk. He withdrew a steel key and a small scroll that listed the code for every tainted LOGOS in the Box in the copy room. He sent a messenger to the temple guardians requesting half a squad to meet him at the copy room. He gave strict instructions that neither they nor anyone else, under penalty of testing, enter that room till he arrived. Then he started toward the copy room dreading which scroll he would find missing. However he was afraid he knew already which one Tal had in his possession.

           

When he arrived at the copy room he instructed the guards to keep everyone out of the copy room until he said other wise. “This means you men as well. If anyone tries to enter around you, anyone other than the Chief Illuminator himself, he is to be killed as a heretic working for the Darkness. Do you understand these orders?”

Each of the guards agreed that they did. With their assurance Ignatius entered into the copy room, crossed to the Master’s desk, and grabbed a quill and inkwell. Then he took the scroll Tal had been transcribing and he began to make a series of marks on it. He made two T’s and over them a U then around the outside of the whole mark a half circle, open to the left.  Then he took the small recorder scroll from his pocket along with the key. Using the key and the inkwell to keep it unrolled he made the exact same mark as the one on the scroll. Then he wrote out beside it TAL TRANSCRIPT UNFINISHED COPY ROOM. He blotted it dry, then taking everything he approached the Steel chest. With one quick motion inserted the key into the lock and unlocked the chest.

           

Once the lid was up, Ignatius took the small scroll and lay in on the lid. In each corner of the lid were four small mag-rock. He unrolled the recorder scroll and placed a mag-rock in each corner of the scroll turning the lid into a small table. He set the inkwell and key in the lid as well. Then, with quill in one hand, he began to draw out each of the scrolls contained in the Lock Box and looked at the markings on the outside of each. Each marking had a corresponding one on the recorder scroll as well. Ignatius would find that marking, then find its match on the recorder scroll and make a check beside its entrance in the recorder. Then he would place the scroll in his hand on the floor and repeat the process.

           

The more scrolls he marked off, the surer he became. When he got down to five left, and saw only four scrolls; he was almost certain which one was going to be missing.

When he was at two scrolls, dread and fear of what would happen when Chief Illuminator Hunapo found out which scroll the scribe had, overwhelmed him.  Then he marked of the last scroll in the chest. Only one mark was left: a full circle with a cross and an x through it and on the scroll the description, in his own hand writing, defying his every hope: LOGOS ROOM MORNING STAR CASTLE.

            Quickly, Ignatius replaced every scroll and added the one with Tal’s mark on it. He removed the recorder scroll, inkwell and key from the lid and set them in the floor. Then he relocked the box.  With inkwell, quill, and key in hand went back to the Master’s Desk and found a single sheet of parchment. He quickly wrote out a message and blotted it dry. Then rolled the parchment and using a bit of wax and his inquisitors ring, sealed the message. He went out into the entrance way and sent two of the six guards back to their Sergeant.

 “Tell your sargent to get this message to your Chief. If I don’t receive a reply in less that a half hour, in my chambers, you two, your sargent, and the Chief Guardian will face the test for taint by morning.” Then he motioned for the other four to enter the copy room with him. He led them to the steel lock box and instructed them to pick it up and follow him.  He marched them to an empty inquisition chamber and had them sit the box down. 

“Two of you are to remain on the inside of this door and two on the outside. You will stand watch over this box. If anyone besides myself or the Chief Illuminator try to enter this room and access this box, you are to kill them for they are a taint controlled heretic.  You will be replaced by four more guards at next watch. They will have the same orders. Be diligent and repeat the orders to them, because if you fail at this you will be put to the test and found a heretic as well.”

Then Ignatius and two of the guards left the room.

The Chief Inquisitor, with dread sitting like a ton of bricks on his soul, headed up to the Chief Illuminators office to report what he had discovered. “Heaven help us all when Hunapo finds out what scroll that scribe has in his possession.  I had better not arrive alone.”

With that last thought he went and retrieved Master Scribe Dankrad, and together they collected Chief Scribe Truman. Ignatius explained what he had found as they walked towards the Chief Illuminator’s chambers.  Then he stopped them and said “It would be better for Tal if he were to die lost in the chamber of darkness than to face what Hanapo will do to him if we find him. You need to be prepared for that, he is beyond saving now. If I were you I would pray the LIGHT GIVER gives him mercy and takes him quickly.”

 Ignatius and party resumed their walk to the Chief Illuminator’s chamber each locked in his own somber thoughts.  Ignatius knocked and they were ushered into see the Chief Illuminator and give him their burdensome news.

Chapter Three:Return of the LOGOS

For you have been reborn,

not of flesh which is perishable

but of imperishable matter

 that is the LIVING and Indestructible LOGOS.

For all flesh is like the grass

 and its beauty is like the flowers of the fields.

The grass dries up and the flowers fall off

but the LOGOS of the LIGHT GIVER is ETERNAL. –

LOGOS on the wall in the LOGOS ROOM at Morningstar Castle on the day of the Champions rebirth.  

Chapter three:

The Return of the LOGOS

______________________________________________________

One month earlier

          King Solaris stood in the LOGOS ROOM and looked at something he never thought to see again, words on the wall of LOGOS. Not words from the LOGOS of the LIGHT GIVER but words he remembered his grandfather telling him about.
Words carved by the fingers of the Last Prophet of the LIGHT GIVER a thousand years before. They were his final prophecy, and the story had been passed down from Morningstar to Morningstar until this day.

They were the words of the prophecy of the Champion of the LIGHT GIVER.  Here, they were, just as if they had never been removed twenty years earlier.  When his brother Hunapo, declared the LOGOS on the Walls to be false, and had the Keepers of Light temple guardians chisel them off.    

Just, an hour before the Keepers, who were here to build their new chapel, had been summoned by the guardian. The word was that something strange was happening in the LOGOS room. Now an hour later they were all sick and making plans to return to the Temple.        

           

When they left, the king’s steward came to him with the keys to the LOGOS ROOM. “My liege they left so fast they forgot the keys. I believe you might want to come and see what has gotten them all extremely excited.”

The King had, for the first time in twenty years, entered into the LOGOS ROOM. He was standing here amazed to see words on the wall again. 

The only person the Keepers left behind was the temple guard who was the first to run to them. Word was he was down in the infirmary being consumed by some kind of infectious plague, which was liquefying his flesh from the inside.  The king's steward had gone to see the guard and returned to tell the King what the man had said.    

The tale was he was standing watch to ensure no one entered the room. Just as he had done every day for the last twenty years. Standing there, he heard a noise of movement coming from inside the closed-off  room. He opened the door and saw a hand writing on the wall, nothing more, just a large hand with a wound in the wrist. The words written were the prophecy of the Champion. The very words the King was now reading for himself, just as he had all those years ago when his grandfather showed them to him the first time.    

“When darkness reigns in the Kingdom of Light

And all seems lost in blackest night

From the Keepers camp, a true champion shall arise.

And with him once more the True LIGHT shall thrive.

And these shall be the signs he is right

He shall be cloaked in the Armor of the Light.

There from his hand LIGHTS power shall pour

And drive the Keepers from the kingdom's door.”

King Solaris fell to his knees and began to pray to the LIGHT GIVER. “Oh Lord LIGHT GIVER I pray these words be fulfilled soon. We are in desperate need of a Champion to return us to the days when we could worship you in freedom and without restriction.”  The King left the LOGOS ROOM giving his steward orders for the room to be checked frequently to check if more text was returning to the walls. 

As he left, he reflected on how things changed twenty years earlier. How the LOGOS had been removed from the walls of the room. How religious freedom had been scrubbed from the Kingdom of Light in the same manner. He remembered it just like it was yesterday.  

           

It was the custom of the royal family for the first born to be the heir to the throne. The second born was to be dedicated to the service of the LIGHT GIVERS church, the Keepers of Light.  So it was that Solaris was the Crown Prince and his brother, Hunapo, was dedicated to become a member of the Keepers of Light.

As they grew into manhood Solaris began to learn the intricacies of running the Kingdom of Light and Hunapo began to learn and advance in the order of the Keepers. He was not a scribe but of the Illuminators Sect and continued to advance. By the time they were both in their thirties Solaris was married to a noble young woman named Agape. Just, one year after his marriage, his wife had given him his first child. A girl named Rayhia, who was the apple of her grandfather’s eye. 

Their father King Stephan was proud of both his sons. He was surprised to hear that Hunapo had taken a wife from the servants of the keepers. She had borne him a son named Balaam.  Things were right in the Kingdom of light. Peace and prosperity were the legacy of King Stephan’s reign.  

           

Crown Prince Solaris heard often about his brother's achievements. It was no surprise when he obtained the rank of Master Illuminator. Nor was he surprised, when  Chief Illuminator Patience named his brother to be the heir apparent to the post of Chief Illuminator. This began to allow Hunapo access to all areas of the Temple of the Keepers of Light.

The rumor was that his brother, along with his studies of the role of Chief Illuminator, was spending time on an excavation of the Catacombs under the
Temple.  Everyone had been surprised when the excavation paid off with the finding of another scroll of LOGOS. The scroll was found in a jar in one of the oldest quarters of the catacombs. 

 Even more surprising was that, with the blessing of Reigning Chief Illuminator Patience, Hunapo refused to allow anyone to see it.  A few months later, Hunapo took the scrolls with him to the Patience’s Chamber. Whatever they discussed upset Chief Illuminator Patience so much, he suffered a major stroke. Two days later he died without ever uttering a single word. All the Keepers of the Light were recalled to the Temple to preside over the anointing of Chief Illuminator Hunapo and the funeral of his predecessor Chief Illuminator Patience.        

For the next two years all over the Kingdom, Illuminators were being replaced by men known to be loyal to the new Chief Illuminator. Their predecessors either passed away, or were retired. Until finally Chief Illuminator Hunapo was the oldest illuminator left at the age of thirty two. His brother was overseeing most of the daily operations of the Kingdom. Their father, the King, spent most of his time entertaining his granddaughter and daughter-in-law.  

Then the day came when Hanapo came to see their father with news that was quite disturbing. Solaris remembered it as the day which marked the beginning of the time of Darkness, though none of them knew it at the time.

 The Chief Illuminator entered the Palace asking for an official audience with the King and Crown Prince. He needed to discuss a matter of great importance to the spiritual life of the Kingdom of Light.  He was escorted into the capitol city and even the palace by an army of Temple Guardians twice the size of the royal army.

In the Kings private chambers, Hunapo showed his father and brother the scroll he had found in the catacombs. He proceeded to explain that they were older than the scrolls found anywhere else in the Kingdom so far. He wished to test this found scroll against the scroll in the LOGOS ROOM, and the LOGOS recorded directly on the wall as well. He suspected that this scroll was older than both. If true it would show that the LOGOS had been altered over the years in such a way as to lead the entire Kingdom down a path to darkness and away from the LIGHT GIVER.

Disturbed by this King Stephan gave his permission for his son to conduct the examination. 

For two months the Chief Illuminator aided by Master Scribes and a new class of Keeper called Inquisitor scoured over the LOGOS ROOM, and the scroll of LOGOS contained within.  They read every word both on the Wall and in the Scroll and compared them word for word. They ran a test on text type and scroll age. They did carbon testing on the Wall for age and in the text on the walls as well. Then at the end of two months, Hunapo again asked for a private audience with his father and brother.

Hunapo stood in their father’s private office and stated. “As I feared father, the scrolls I found are indeed older than both the LOGOS scroll and the LOGOS on the Walls in the LOGOS ROOM. Sometime in the ancient past the LOGOS of the LIGHT GIVER has been drastically changed. This has led our Kingdom off the path of the LIGHT GIVER and into a path of Darkness. As Chief Illuminator I feel it is my responsibility to return our Kingdom to the right path.  I am send my Inquisitors, along with a contingency of Temple guardians, to every chapel throughout the Kingdom to destroy the corrupted LOGOS. Further more; I will instruct my Scribes to begin making copies of the Authorized LOGOS to distribute to every chapel as they are finished. I also will leave a contingency of Guardians here to see that the LOGOS ROOM is sealed. It will remain sealed until my inquisitors can chisel clean the walls. Then the scribes can reapply the Authorized LOGOS to them.”  

King Stephan looked for a moment at his son and then replied. “I know that the spiritual well-being of the Kingdom is your responsibility. However, the entire well-being of the Kingdom is mine. Let us slow down here. It is not that I don’t trust your test, but I wish to see the differences in these two LOGOS for myself.  I would ask you to give me the same courtesy that I have extended to you. Allow me two months to read both scrolls and see this path of darkness for myself. If the corruption is as bad as you say, we will proceed exactly as you have stated. However, until then let us slow down.”  

Hunapo’s face briefly flashed with rage, but so quickly was it gone that Solaris was not sure that he had truly seen it, or if he had imagined it.  

 “Father you are right, in my zeal to correct this spiritual problem, I became overzealous for a moment. I will give you those two months but would ask that you allow me to seal the LOGOS ROOM to everyone but you. Furthermore, allow my men collect the Scrolls from all the chapels in the land.  We will hold them under lock and key at the temple until you have made your decision.”        

King Stephan nodded. “I agree with your conditions with one exception. We both know that my eyesight is not what it used to be. I would ask for you to allow Princess Agape to read the scrolls to me. I trust her judgment and discretion as much as I do yours and your brother’s”

Hunapo thought for a moment, and with a smile, said, “Of course father. I will also leave several scribes here to begin making copies of the Authorized scroll when you and Agape are not reading them.”    

With those words, an agreement was struck and the Chief Illuminator began to give orders to his men. When finished, he took his leave of his father and brother.    

The King sent for Agape. The two of them began to read the scrolls a section at a time from morning to night for the next few weeks.

 After a few weeks Agape mentioned to her husband that she was worried about his father. He seemed to be growing sick and weaker by the day.  Solaris went the next day to see his father. He was shocked by the change he saw. Until that day, his father always seemed like a strong and regal King. Now what he saw sitting at the desk that day was a frail old man.    

Solaris sent for the Royal Physician, who examined the king saying he seemed in good health, but a little overworked and tired. So Solaris convinced his wife to shorten the reading time and urged his father to rest more.  Then with two weeks left to go in the two months. King Stephan went to bed one evening dying in his sleep.    

Word went out through the land that King Stephan was dead. Long live King Solaris and Queen Agape. That was never to be. 

Hunapo came to preside over his father’s funeral. He also made arrangements for his brother and sister-in-law’s anointing and coronation as King and Queen.  

 The Chief Illuminator arrived, and the funeral took place the next day. King Stephan was laid to rest with his forefathers in the royal crypt.  The Coronation was set for two weeks later to allow a period of mourning for the King. It was during that time that Hunapo requested an audience with his brother.  Solaris would never forget that day as long as he lived.  

Hunapo met with Solaris and reminded him of the spiritual problem which the Kingdom faced. “Brother I agreed to fathers plans out of respect for him, but now that he is past, I must do what is spiritually best for this Kingdom. I issued orders last night to my inquisitors and guardians to seal the LOGOS ROOM and finish collection of the corrupted scrolls.” Solaris was shocked that his brother would overstep his authority like that and informed his brother of that.  

“Overstep my authority? Are you forgetting whom you are addressing? I am the Chief Illuminator. It’s my role to oversee the spiritual well-being of the Kingdom! You will be king in two weeks because of my authority as Representative of the LIGHT GIVER.  I went along with father’s request because he was our father. However, with him dead I will do what I feel is best for the Kingdom’s spiritual life. If you try to interfere with my duty, I will have you tested for the influence of this taint. If my inquisitors find darkness in you by the Authorized LOGOS, which I guarantee you they will, you will be executed as a heretic. Make no mistake, brother, we will return to the Path of the LIGHT GIVER, with or without you as King.”

 At that point Agape looked at her brother-in-law “Hanapo, I think that you may be mistaken in this. Your Father and I could see no darkness in the LOGOS as it stands. However, we did find a lack of the Love and Forgiveness of the LIGHT GIVER in this so called Authorized LOGOS of yours.” 

Hunapo, with rage apparent on his face, stood and crossed to the doors of the royal chambers. He opened them, and called out for the Temple Guardians. A contingency entered the royal chamber as if waiting right outside.

“Take Princess Agape to the Chief Inquisitor and ask him to put her to the test. I fear that she is in immortal danger because of all the time she has spent with the corrupted scroll.”

 As the guardians approached his wife Solaris stood and drew his sword only to be clubbed in the head from behind. When he returned to consciousness, his wife was no where to be seen. He was disarmed and restrained. His brother was standing over him. 

“Solaris, be very sure of your next move. I have a larger and better trained army here than you do. I will use them to ensure the spiritual purity of our Kingdom is returned. You are to be king, and the political and daily life of our Kingdom is yours to run. Do not try and interfere again with the spiritual life of the Kingdom, or you will face the same fate as your wife. Instead, I suggest that you pray that we find no taint of darkness in her or your daughter either.” With that Hunapo cut the restraints and left his brother alone.  

For three days Agape was tested by the Inquisitors. She confessed, in writing, that she had been practicing in dark arts for years. Her confession stated that she had used them to confuse her father-in-law and ensure that the corrupt LOGOS would continue. When he had begun to see the truth of the scrolls, she had insured his death by witchcraft.  

It was the conclusion of the Chief Confessor, that there was only one way to purify her eternal soul. She was to be set free of the Darkness by being consumed by fire. Though her body would perish, her soul would be cleansed and returned to the LIGHT GIVER.

So, two days before the Coronation of King Solaris, the Princess Agape was burnt at the stake as a witch and murderer.
Watching his wife burn, Solaris knew that, in reality, he was not really the ruler of the Kingdom of Light; his brother was in command. He wondered in his heart how long it would be before Hunapo found a way to be both Chief Illuminator and King.  

When his brother left after the coronation Solaris called his Steward and had him find out which of the palace guards were the most committed to him and Rayhia. From those men, he picked twenty of the best and fiercest fighters creating the royal guard. They were tasked with protecting the King and Royal Princess with their very lives.    

Twenty years had passed but to King Solaris on this his daughter’s twenty-first birthday a miracle had happened. The wall had LOGOS on it again or at least a prophecy, that gave him a renewed sense of hope. “Even so, so LIGHT GIVER," he thought, “please send your Champion soon.”  

Two weeks passed, and a new group of Keepers arrived at the castle. The Illuminator among them asked to speak with the King. Solaris granted him an audience.  The illuminator handed him a letter from the Chief Illuminator stating that all the original chapel party had succumbed to the same plague as the Temple guardian they had left behind.    

This new party was to complete the building of the chapel. Furthermore, they would ensure that the LOGOS ROOM was kept locked, and that no one entered it again until the taint of darkness it possessed could be eradicated.        

So King Solaris ordered the room locked. He gave a key to the new illuminator of the chapel project. King Solaris suggested to him that since the room was locked, and he had the only key. It would be unwise to post temple guardians at the door seeing what happened to the last one assigned there.  The illuminator with an ashen face agreed. No doubt, not wanting the same fate to befall him as had befallen his predecessor.        

Things returned to normal in Luminous City. However, no one was aware that the King had kept a copy of the key to the LOGOS ROOM. Solaris continued to have it checked daily to see if any more of the sacred text appeared.