Vega sits in absolute silence in the confessional booth, taking a deep breath in, and looking around his surroundings. He looks over to the covered side of the booth, where the shadowed figure of Zeus sits motionless. Zeus sits, fuming, snorting through his nostrils, as he sits next to Vega. Vega can see the outlining of Zeus, as he awaits for Vega to speak. Vega can here a heavy breathing coming from Zeus' side of the booth... And can feel a tension between the two. Vega sits, almost waiting for Zeus to speak again. To stifle the awkward silence, Vega feels compelled to speak.
"Well, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, at all. I mean, after all, Beard being here... I should have seen it coming, shouldn't
I have? I've always been a wanted man, I guess..." Vega smirks to himself, shaking his head at the insanity that he's walked into. Not just this instance... But for the past month. Vega has been through so much, but this is absurd. Zeus speaks up, with a measured reserve in his voice. For as angry as he is, Dr. Zeus is in a church. And Dr. Zeus will never give in to any of the seven sins in the house of the lord.
Zeus' wrath, while consuming him on the inside, won't be revealed on the outside. That will come later. For now, he speaks in an even keel, though obviously holding back his anger.
"I see you found it time to atone
For your sin, leaving me alone.
Facing a force I've seen once before,
The force responsible for this Holy War..."
Dr. Zeus looks over at his guest, who picks his head up. Zeus' voice lightens a little, though, for just a second
But all in the same, you're looking quite well,
For leaving me to face the forces of Hell."
Vega lowers his head again, as Zeus' sarcastic tone lets on his true intention. Vega returns in kind; "So, Catholic Guilt, huh?" Zeus shoots an ugly look at Vega; even if he knows Vega won't see the condemnation in his eyes, he knows Vega can feel it. Vega sighs, as he the tension grows even more palpable. "I didn't have anything to do with what happened to you on Ascension, Zeus... In spite of what you may think."
Zeus scoffs at this, and lets out a soft chuckle. He breathes in, before speaking up.
"You can see me whatever story you want to sell,
And I'm sure you know the story of Judas so well-"
"Really, Zeus? A Judas reference in a story about betrayal? I thought you were better than that." Vega's mirth can't be controlled, as he smirks again. Zeus blurts out, this time not able to control his anger.
"Then surely you know, since he never made amends,
How the story of the guilt ridden Judas ends..."
Vega looks in between the weaving on the door of the confessional booth. Vega notices the decadent chandelier, draped in gold and jewels, that hangs from the rafters of the church. Vega scoffs at such a rich object, adorning the house of a man that fought for the poor. He silently mocked the arrogance of the church, but from the corner of his eye, he notices a shape forming. His eyes drift towards the shadow of the chandelier, which seems to be shifting as the chandelier swirls. What once was the shadow of the grand chandelier is now shifting to that of a human body. A rope holds the shadow's neck, as it fights for air. Vega feels his throat tense as the body hangs from the rafters... Thrashing first, as the chandelier continues to swing. Vega watches the shadow struggle, as the rope tightens and tightens. Vega can feels the walls of the booth crashing down on him, as he watches the shadow flail with his last bits of life. Vega winces to himself as he watches the shadow now hanging lifelessly from the rafters, as the chandelier stops spinning. The walls seem closing in on him, as he almost gasps for air, and closes his eyes.
When he opens them again, the confessional booth walls are the same they always had been. The shadow has disappeared, and when he looks over, Dr. Zeus stone gaze meets his eyes. Vega takes a deep breath in, and regains his wits. He looks up at the chandelier, looking as decadent as ever, the ruby jewels catching Vega's eye most.
He silently curses the chandelier, before Zeus interrupts his train of thought.
"Should it clear your conscience, I know this for a fact.
You did not summon for the Men in Black."
Vega tries to recall the events of Ascension; so much of that night blurred together. The sight of the men in black storming the ring. Watching Zeus choke the life out of Aubrey Sloan. And the happiness he felt knowing he had won his match... Something he knew that with Zeus, he could do very much. Zeus knew it as well... This was why he was reticent to shout down at his potential new charge. Because he knew that with Beard and Vega, this Trinity would be absolutely unstoppable. They would finally achieve an absolution from all in WZCW. These three would bring the much needed Rapture to WZCW.
So, Dr. Zeus decided to be the kind shepherd, and offer kindness. For that is the beauty of God; he can express mercy, in kindness and cruelty.
Vega looks to Zeus, offering a question. "Who do you think sent those men?"
Zeus scowls at the thought of who ordered this attack. It was a force he had meant once before... A deathly spirit, like he had never felt before. This was worse than Kurtesy, worse than any demon he had seen before. He spat out his answer to Vega, with as much vile as Vega had heard any man speak with. Zeus stared off into the distance, almost in a trance.
"The very essence of Hell, imbued in one soul.
The one who holds the demons at his control.
He will return, to cause man's downfall.
He is indeed the Father of All..."
Vega pondered this, and thought silently. "Nope, that wasn't vague enough for my tastes... You could at least give me a name here. I mean, isn't this confessional? Isn't this where your kind bares his soul? Father of All doesn't do me any good."
Zeus shot back a look of anger and disgust.
"I dare not say his name in this holy place!
He's a creature that can never receive grace.
And if you know who he is, he will hunt you down.
He'll pull you and pull you, until you finally drown.
That's why you must join us, to save your own soul.
And together, we'll shove him down the fiery hole."
Vega takes this all in... Though it does not seem to sit right for him. He leans against the seat of the confessional... And takes a large breath. He looks up to the heavens... And begins to mouth a few words. "It's starting to sound like you need me a Hell of a lot more than I need you."
Dr. Zeus smiles at this, in his side of the booth.
"Of course, Vega has all the answers, that is the truth!
I suppose that's why you're sitting here, in this booth?"
Vega wants to leave. He looks as though he wants to leave, and starts to head for the door. But his own curiosity keeps him from leaving... He knows he came here with a purpose. He settles himself back in his seat. After all, he was aware that The Beard was probably waiting for him outside; this wasn't the time, nor the place, to pick fights. He sits back, and thinks to himself. Then, he silently begins. "I guess you're as good a person to ask as anyone... Maybe you can answer something for me. You see... One week ago, you said that God's love leads to destroy. That he can kill that which he loves. I don't see how can he do that. I mean... What kind of father kills those he created? How is that a sign of love?"
Dr. Zeus listens intently, knowing the question, before it's even asked. Zeus smiles to himself, before beginning his answer.
"God created man with perfection in mind,
And from his own image, he created mankind.
But it was man's evil nature that made him rebel,
And that's the ultimately why man fell.
We took God's image, and we traded it in,
For wisdom and power... And also for sin.
God desperately wants us perfect again.-"
"So, kill those who have brains?"
"Now, now, my good man."
Zeus looked over to his opponent for Ascension this week... And smiled, once again.
"Man must be punished, or choose to accept grace,
And that's why we beg you to accept our embrace.
Come Ascension, you'll be offered a deal.
Either you can stand and fight... Or instead, choose to kneel."
Vega interrupts, clearly angered by this. "I kneel to no one! And I don't understand why God needs me to kneel!" Vega looks out to the church, infuriated with the gold surrounding it. He watches as humble families come before a golden altar, with a priest decked in gaudy clothing. "And why does he need all of this? For us to pay tribute, in this house of gold? Why does he need us so humble? So we can't think for ourselves?! So we can pay our respect him?! Because to me, a good father wants his children happy! And all of this..." Vega starts pointing his index finger around the church. "All of this seems very one sided. Everything here seems one sided. We give our riches, we give our bodies. We are asked to give everything to God. And for what?! We're asked to keep humble, to not be as smart. And in return, he'll save us from a fire that he, himself, started?! Well, pardon me, but that sounds like bullshit!"
Zeus sat in silence from this outburst. He took a moment to nod at this, and reflect on Vega's word. Dr. Zeus and Vega sat in silence, as Vega readied himself to leave. He got up, and prepared to leave again. Zeus held up his hand, and commanded Vega.
"Sit, I have only one last thing to say.
And then you are free to go your own way.
You remember Judas, who died in his sin?
I think a comparison to Peter is much more akin..."
Vega wondered where this was going, as Dr. Zeus stared a hole through Vega.
"Peter, who denied our Lord, thrice.
Well, look at you, Vega... You've already denied me twice.
But whereas the lord's grace served St. Pete,
I'm sorry to say your fate will not be as sweet.
You don't have God's grace, and that is a shame.
For those without it shall meet the Lord's flame.
Kneel before me on Ascension, or you, too, shall burn.
Because I'll then know it's the only way you'll learn.
Deny me again, and face the fires of hell.
Or join me again... And all will be well."
Dr. Zeus leaves the confessional booth, leaving Vega all alone. Vega watches as Zeus and Beard leave the church. Vega goes to leave the church... And finds Tiffany, watching him leave the booth, with wide eyes. She has her hands in prayer, almost as if praying for Vega's very soul.
