[center][h1][b]CHAPTER ONE : LONG ROAD[/b][/h1][/center] [center][i]Fly me to the moon Let me play among the stars Let me see what spring is like on A-Jupiter and Mars In other words, hold my hand In other words, baby, kiss me…[/i][/center] The radio attempts its hand at lifting the mood, but its efforts are likely wasted. If Frank Sinatra is not to one’s liking then the rain provides an alternative form of sound for the ears. If not rain then the sounds of wheels grinding against the asphalt can be quite entertaining for some. If audible enjoyment is not fun enough then the windows can provide great visual entertainment. Whatever the case may be, the journey from the motel to the Castilian household is not exactly the most exciting or eventful. The driver himself is also not helping either, but that is not a fault of his own. He is just here to do one thing: to drive from point A to point B. The matters at hand are quite serious, and the atmosphere is very stone-faced. From time to time, the driver would state the miles traveled and how much more is there left to travel. The road towards the Castilian household has been very straight. No turns, no bends, nothing. It might be that the road is, in fact, just very straight and was built in such a manner as that. Another explanation is that the local area is bending to the realities of demonic forces, causing much fuckery on Earth. Likewise, the moon has not moved a single inch at all from the time that the car got close to the Castilian household. The surrounding areas also are strange. Walls of tree lines fully encompass the outside. Each tree is also extremely similar to one and other. It is not a matter that each tree is similar, as seen in nature, but that the trees have the same branches and leaf placement pattern. The rain has gotten heavier as well over the past few minutes. What were storms of small balls of water droplets has turned into golf-ball-sized droplets that smash against the car frame and window. The sound created almost drowns out any form of audible sound within the car. The thunder in the background is becoming more and more frequent. To the normal person, this would have scared anyone and caused the poor soul to simply go back. Who knows, this might be the purpose of the current situation - scare off any would-be person from going near the household. To add to the situation, the Chevelle’s headlights can barely pierce the darkness ahead. Only a few inches can be seen ahead as the night becomes darker and darker. Things are...starting to get weird. [center][i]Fill my heart with song and let me sing forevermore You are all I long for All I worship and adore In other words, please be true In other words, I love you...[/i][/center] A tall, Korean man, peppered with more than his fair share of scars was inspecting his gun. Any passenger that met his eyes was given a warm, affectionate smile in return. Jin Dak-Ho normally would have acquainted himself with others but he postponed his greetings in the motel as he felt that everyone seemed to have something weighing on their mind. [color=#50b0f1]”It seems that we’ve yet to acquaint ourselves with each other,”[/color] Jin began softly, his english was impeccable, [color=#50b0f1]”Even in South Korea, I’ve heard of all of you through your works, brothers and sister. Impressive, to say the least.”[/color] [color=#50b0f1]”It’s very likely that you haven’t heard of me, however, excuse my impertinence,”[/color] Jin continued, his smile never so much as wavered, [color=#50b0f1]”I am Jin Dak-Ho, a Protestant Priest. Pleased to meet such notable figures.”[/color] It had been nearly thirty years since she had been known as Yefreytor Tasiko of the Red Army. A member of the Assault Engineer Brigades in some of the worst battles of the war she would spend her nights before an engagement silently shivering in fear. Despite the best efforts of her commissars, she saw nothing noble or righteous about the struggle. There was no glory to be found, just the depths of hell risen up to take shape on Earth. Then she had learned that no mortal conflict compared to the true Hell, no man a fraction as demented as its denizens. Her battles as Sister Ekaterine had been righteous, not weighed down by a worthless rank or petty fear. After finding salvation in the Lord's strength she leaped at the chance to extend it to others across the steppes. But her early career as a demon hunter, while noble, was flawed. She had doubted herself and God by proxy, unsure of whether she was truly up to the task she had been assigned. But now Stavrophore Ekaterine's work was truly righteous. She was not merely a vessel for the Lord's mercy but an extension of his divine fury! Where once had been a soldier was now a tool, a weapon directed at the impure so that the operator could remove their stain. God was the shooter, Ekaterine was merely the rifle. And there was nothing more satisfying than that. It was the reason why she was smiling from ear to ear while checking the cloth stoppers on her bottles, the Mother humming snatches of hymns while she prepared herself for the trials ahead. [color=thistle]"Please Pastor, you aggrandize us!"[/color] She chuckled as she finished her inspection, moving to adjust her cassock so that it fits nicely over the armor underneath. [color=thistle]"And yet at the same time you downplay your own works. I'm glad to have you here with us.[/color] The Stavrophore cast her gaze towards the rear mirror so as to look at her companions. From her position in the passenger's seat, she could cast an approving eye over each one of them. Despite denomination differences, they were all her comrades in the fight against the Serpent and so were all deserving of respect. [color=thistle]"The same to you Father Alistair, Pastor Yu. I look forward to working with you again."[/color] As the car drove down the dirt road, Alistair couldn’t help but enjoy the moment. Even with the grim task before him, the priest enjoyed the sights of the country, the sounds of the radio, and the company of his fellow exorcists. Though they may be of different faiths, they all knew how to handle themselves, and each one would play a critical role in the job ahead. [color=#239C89]”Likewise, Mother Ekaterine.”[/color] The bespectacled priest responded. [color=#239C89]”It’s been quite some time since we’ve last seen each other. It seems the years have been kind to you.”[/color] He appended with a polite smile as he pushed up his glasses. [color=#239C89]”...and your skills with medicine will be quite the boon for us as well, Pastor Yu.”[/color] The priest looked out the window for a moment, before turning to the only member among them (driver notwithstanding) that had yet to meet any of the three of them before. It seemed Mother Ekatherine and Pastor Yu had met before, and Alistair had personally met them both at different points of his career. [color=#239C89]”And it is a pleasure to meet you as well, Pastor Jin.”[/color] The priest said. [color=#239C89]”I’ve heard of your works from within the Vatican-- there aren’t many exorcists in South Korea who are capable of what you can do. I have the utmost faith in your abilities.”[/color] He smiled, not unkindly. [color=#50b0f1]”And I, you, Father Alistair,”[/color] Jin replied, [color=#50b0f1]”To be recognized in any capacity is a surprise. It is I that is truly blessed to be working with exorcists of your calibers- perhaps I’ll be able to learn a few things and earn fewer scars.”[/color] The Korean followed this with a short chuckle as he closed the chamber of his gun. Yu wore a formal expression as the religious leaders began to introduce themselves. Two pale hands rested on [i]Jieru[/i] - a thumb carefully grazing over the intricate carvings of the thurible as its handler listened in earnest. Subconsciously, he leaned back so as to not obstruct the flow of conversation between the people in front and on either side of him. Kind words were exchanged, and Yu nodded in acknowledgment of their claims. [color=#889BAE][i]Sunbae-nim[/i]”[/color] He spoke in a low voice towards Jin, [color=#889BAE]“Your work has not gone unnoticed. Rest assured, work for the Lord is work worth recognizing.”[/color] The pastor looked back to give Mother Ekaterine and Alistair a small smile. [color=#889BAE]”...it is a blessing to be in both your companies once again. Your strength and utmost dedication will carry us swiftly through this operation.”[/color]