The Secret Behind the Faith

Prologue: The Execution

It was the third public execution this month. Kazuna Azure sat down on the front seat, waiting for it to start. She wore a formal dress in the hue of black and white. The corset tightened on her waist like a snake crushing its prey. She hated it but there was nothing she could do for now.  She wasn’t fully a nun yet. The weekend’s sun blazed up in the bright blue sky.  She often forgot how hot it was this time of the year. Sweats gleamed down her forehead just like many others behind her. The growing crowd jumbled on the plaza, conversing, fanning with their hand or just standing there, waiting like her.

Kaz saw the girls in a nun outfit coming out of the church behind the two towering roods on the wooden base over a pile of logs.  They sat down on the chair away from the crowd with elegance. Their faces were young. They were thin and short, a preferable body for the position. They were quite attractive, Kaz admitted. Their beautiful eyes, their small noses and their smooth glossy hair. But unfortunately, she also knew they would never use it, not in front of the church. To pass the time, they exchanged conversation. Some laughed, some continued to tell, some reacted. However, all of them were trembling. They were here to do the act after all.
Luka Van Marionette, who sat beside Kazuna, took notice of her sweat and fanned her.
“Dear,” She said, sympathetically, “You don’t have to watch this.”
“I know,” Kaz replied. Some strands of azure hair flew with the wind. It was rather refreshing, “but some day I will.” She continued, “Much, much closer.”

Luka opened her mouth but nothing came out. A child shouldn’t be spectating this kind of act. She knew how horrible the executions were. But Kaz kept on insisting to go watch it for the weekend's activity. Luka denied at first, but a more prominent figure agreed with Kaz. Having an experience at a young age would be a very good thing here, he said.

And speaking of the prominent figure, he was already here. Flanked by a pair of men in black wearing sunglasses, a man in dark, sumptuous vestment came out of the church. He was tall and streaked with long white hair reaching the shoulder. The holy relic in the form of a triangle inside a circle on his bracelet laid dormantly on his chest. Everyone behind Kaz froze in unison as if time had stopped. Their breath became still but some remained sporadic. They tried to hide their shakiness. Relaxing their muscles, staying calm and inhaling and exhaling deeply and fully. It didn’t work. His presence, and his bodyguards, was too much.
He took notice of Kaz and waved with a welcoming smile. He greeted her and Luka and they both greeted back respectfully.
“Liking this so far?” He asked amiably.
“Nothing happened.” She said, rather displeasing.
He laughed, “Patience is the key.” He crouched down, “If you wait enough, God will reward you.”
“Zanella 25:2, Chapter 12, right?” She asked.

He looked her in the eyes, “You're going to be a great nun.” He petted her head, careful to not dislodge her wing hairpin. It was white like a cloud. Apparently it was the only thing stuck with her when the church found Kaz in the slum. And they can’t seem to separate it from her no matter how hard they try to convince her. It was like she couldn't live without it.

She grinned and nodded with enthusiasm, ignoring the two guys beside The Father. Her glasses and hairpin bobbed with her head.
The Father stopped and then turned to Luka, “How's your day?”

She wore a nun outfit just like those girls except older. Her face wrinkled through time. The same thing could be said to her hair. Grey began to spread like wildfire.
“Oh, Father, it's doing great so far.” She said in a southern accent, “Kids are catching up with their studies, the patients are getting better and the streets are being purified."
He nodded, “That's good to hear.” He then said, “How are they?”
Luka’s face turned grave, “We still haven't found them.” She said, “In fact, they struck again.”
The Father frowned, “What is it this time?”
“The Justice in Anderson’s Park.” She informed him, “It’s a headless statue at this point.”