Zero to Peak: Ascension Online

There was a moment of confusion between Ivan and Roger over who was to speak first. They both shared the same outrage at the church's selfish stance and were eager to express it. Ivan conceded, letting Roger go first.

"Your Holiness, it's not right that we abandon these helpless non-believers to the hands of fate. It is morally wrong, and it doesn't speak well of our congregation."

Pope Sarr sighed. "Morally wrong? Who is making up the morals, them or us? For us, we are doing the right thing by saving our own. You should know this, Roger; you are a pillar of our church. You know what we preach, how we act, and what we think about the rest of the world."

The words Roger wanted to say to fight back got stuck in his throat, defeated by the Pope's cold logic. Ivan, however, wasn't having it.

"Oh, cut the crap, Your Holiness," Ivan retorted, though not too harshly. "I'm very sure that this congregation has an arsenal of weapons and powerful figures that could help curb the chaos in the region. Why are you acting like this? It doesn't make sense. You are residents of this region and, by lawful obligation, you are required to contribute to this society."

"But who is holding us responsible for failing to meet this obligation?" Pope Sarr asked, shrugging his shoulders.

Ivan threw his arms up in frustration. "Mr Pope, you're acting like one of those obnoxious, super-rich scumbags who take from society and don't give anything significant back."

The Pope laughed. "But what do we take from society? People come to us willingly, and the Church sustains itself. Don't ask me how; just know that she has her means of self-sustenance."

Ivan was dejected. He saw no hope of convincing the Pope to deploy forces to help curb the chaos the Unds were unleashing on Section 1.

"What if I volunteer to help?" Ivan asked. "Would you assign him to assist me?" The 'him' in question was Saint Angouleme.

Roger's gaze abruptly shifted to his friend, bewildered that he would even consider such an outlandish action. The priests also stared at Ivan with the same baffled expression. The Pope couldn't help but laugh at Ivan's question.

"Dude, are you crazy? Those things have super plasma cannons and they're twelve feet tall of pure muscle. You'd be blown to pieces the moment you step out of here," Roger said, his voice tight with concern.

"Ivan, would you like to have a private discussion with me? I see you are very intent on helping to rescue the helpless non-believers," the Pope said, his stubborn tone seeming to relax somewhat.

Roger panicked, wondering if Ivan was about to be ushered into the ongoing battle. To him, his friend was a regular guy, a cab driver who just had a good heart. He thought that this same good heart was about to be the cause of his friend's doom.

The priests had to pull Roger back, trying to convince him that he had nothing to worry about. Saint Angouleme also left the room. The three priests, Roger, and the Saint all vacated the Pope's apartment.

The Pope began the discussion. "Mr Nnamani Ivan, I understand your concerns. It is unfortunate that the region's military has an internal strife that renders it incapable of handling this invasion. Even the Governor is on the run; the aliens are relentlessly after him, wanting to take his life and cement their place as the overlords of this region."

"But as long as this Cathedral and the other sanctuaries stand, this region will not be overrun by those ugly aliens. In the end, it will be a shared region between us and them."

Ivan wasn't pleased with what he heard. "So, you've already accepted that this region will be overrun by aliens. You have accepted to be in a constant state of war with those monsters because you think the congregation has the power to defend itself. I'm so disappointed to hear this. In the past, I held this congregation in high esteem despite not being a believer, but not anymore."

"If I find my way back home, I will make sure that I don't recommend anyone joins this congregation."

"This is not the first time I have received that threat," Pope Sarr said with nonchalance. "The Church of Serenity respects boundaries that groups or governments set for it. The Goddess also sets her own boundaries. She teaches us to respect them and punishes those who do not heed her instructions. If you don't know, know now: the Goddess isn't a benevolent god. She can be adamant and ruthless. She isn't looking for more followers; what she wants are faithful, obedient followers."

"The government doesn't want us to interfere in their matters, such as the expression of military might. We respect that, but the Goddess has instructed us to apply pressure on certain other matters that affect her believers. It's complex, but quite simple if you try to understand it."

Ivan asked, "So, your congregation won't help in this war because you don't interfere in the government's expression of military might? But you can interfere in other government matters if they affect the church?"

"Correct."

"That's hypocrisy," Ivan cried. "How are you so sure your forces can repel the attack if you don't receive support from the government?"

"We can source support from anywhere. The Church is quite powerful, and we can flex past some restrictions. We already have support from your region. Not from your government, but from the Liberation Force. Lady Flux is helping us defend our biggest sanctuary in Zone Alpha."

Ivan was thinking, trying to find an argument that would convince the Pope.

"Saint Angouleme brought me here, but I'm not a believer. I thought your congregation didn't care about non-believers?"

"The reason you are here is because you are friends with Roger. If not, you would have been left to the mercy of those aliens. They were intent on killing both of you."

"Is your congregation's act of relocating Roger even legal?" Ivan challenged.

Saint Angouleme appeared in the room, not by using the door. In his usual gentle voice, he said, "It is."

He went on to reveal a fundamental truth: he was an angel, and the 'guardians' protecting the sanctuaries were all saints like him. The presence of this angelic force, a power dedicated solely to the Goddess's faith, was the true reason the church could not officially intervene in the alien invasion.