The End of a Beginning

The months dragged on as everyone progressively prepared for the battle that could very well be the last of their lives. A fight for humanity—life or death—would be decided in the coming days.

Just as predicted, events began to unfold as expected. People started protesting around the world, demanding the truth that had been hidden from them.

After cases of dark entities were made public, panic spread like wildfire. The military took control of the streets, and only essential personnel were allowed to continue their work.

Essential personnel included technicians, doctors, nurses, and, in more isolated cases, workers, delivery drivers, cooks, transporters, and indispensable military base staff.

Students were confined to their homes, resuming their classes online as they were obligated to continue with their lives.

People with non-essential jobs were reassigned to other departments to prepare them for future essential roles necessary for the continuation of human life.

"Mercy is not an option. Eliminate anyone who breaks isolation three times; we don't need to care for citizens who refuse to be cared for."

"If anyone associates with dark entities, they will be eliminated."

"If a citizen violates the reporting code, they will be imprisoned in maximum security, with no chance of seeing daylight for five years."

"If a citizen cannot care for their minor children and they cause problems, all of them will be imprisoned with no chance of seeing daylight for two years."

"If someone commits crimes that violate rights, they will be charged with the maximum penalty with no possibility of appeal."

"If someone lies, they will die."

At this moment, dictatorship was the only way they could all survive; there was no other way.

If a country is free, it will be destroyed by the demons; everyone had to ensure they could maintain control when the long-awaited war began.

They were on the edge of a cliff; if they fell, everyone would die.

…

General Control Room of the Light Association, Europe section, central zone.

"Verification code…"

"Ethan Winchester is on the border with South America, ready for immediate incursion. He is on a warship, prepared to be deployed on any mission as an immediate response to an extinction-level threat."

Anton entered the control room to verify the security levels that had been implemented. "Is the nuclear arsenal online?"

"We have the world's entire nuclear arsenal aligned to your command line. All the world's armies are also prepared. Reserve soldiers have been reactivated, and we have new global recruits who have volunteered for training."

"What about Kiran?"

"He is in the western sea, ready to respond to threats in that zone."

Anton nodded slightly, watching the armed fleets strategically mobilize to respond to threats at any moment.

"Any disaster must go through this line; I need to be informed of everything."

"Understood, Father of the Light."

Those who were meant to be saved would be; those destined to die could not be saved.

Anton had sent his loved ones to a special place where they would be protected, alongside all the families of the Light Association.

"If they must die, they will die."

Everyone would give their lives for this planet; at least the hunters, exorcists, researchers, and agents of the light would do so for their loved ones.

"May God have mercy on us."

…

The days seemed to stretch out; no one would believe the end of the world was near, much less that it would happen so soon.

Just three months after the total lockdown, news that shook the world spread like wildfire in every country.

[Good afternoon.

The situation in New York City has reached alarming levels.

After three months of strict lockdown due to martial law, an unprecedented event has occurred: A gigantic tree has emerged in the city's center.

According to recent reports, unidentified creatures are beginning to emerge from this tree formation.

Authorities are urging citizens to stay in their homes and follow safety instructions.

[We will update with more details as events unfold.]

"In just a few hours, over three hundred thousand inhabitants have died. The army is now fighting, but we must seal the demons in a single district to prevent the death toll from rising."

No matter where they were, everyone who looked at the sky could witness an apocalyptic scene, as if they were witnessing the end of times.

The sky turned red, blood began to fall in drops, and everyone thought it was rain, but this rain was blood.

It was raining blood all over the world.

"The saints will reign in heavenly splendor."

"Christ will come, and men will be judged."

"Blessed are those who keep His commandments."

…

"Zz… This is Eagle One, monitoring compromised airspace."

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The unmanned combat aircraft were in a fierce battle around the black tree that had covered the sky in blood, while on the ground, soldiers were engaged in a ferocious battle against the demons.

"I want every voice channel to hear my message; the whole world must hear it."

In the cabin of a helicopter, Anton ShadowBane kept a calm gaze on the catastrophe. What he had been brought here for was being presented before his eyes, and truth be told, he was not afraid.

"Zz... Father of the Light, all news outlets will hear your words if you speak through this voice channel."

Anton's eyes, which had remained open, closed, and he murmured, "Hard times create strong men; strong men create easy times. Easy times create weak men, and weak men create hard times."

"I, the Father of the Light, believe deep in my heart that this is not the end of all things. My children, today more than ever, pray with me."

Holy Father, I praise and bless you for your goodness and love.

I ask you, in the name of your children, those who deserve forgiveness, to send your strength to our hands to decide for us whether to die here or live in search of a new change.

Sanctify my body and soul with your presence.

Grant me strong faith in you and your word.

Give me the grace to love you with all my heart and to put you first in my life.

renouncing all my idols, vices, sins, and faults.

In your infinite mercy, have compassion on me, a sinner, and forgive my shortcomings.

I also wholeheartedly forgive

all those who have offended me during my life.

Deliver me from all the traps and attacks of the enemy.

May he have no dominion over me.

Deliver me from the world's seductions

that drive me away from you and your will.

Deliver me from the weaknesses of the flesh that push me to sin.

Heal my body from all illnesses.

and my mind from all anxiety, sadness, or disturbance.

You know well that many things I have experienced since the day I was conceived in my mother's womb

have negatively marked me.

With the grace of your existence, heal now, Holy Father, in my heart all the wounds you find in it, especially those that arose because I felt rejected, abandoned, unloved, or misunderstood.

a victim of hatred, envy, indifference, and the malice of men.

Give me a new heart, like the heart of faith and hope: kind, humble, full of joy and peace, and overflowing with love.

May I begin a new life today,

giving you glory in all that I think, say, and do,

And may I be accompanied and helped by you on this pilgrimage."

When Anton opened his eyes, a light spread within the helicopter cabin, and without waiting any longer, he walked to the back door, opened it, and jumped.

His final word was a simple

"Amen."

Raphael, who was beside Anton, dressed in powerful combat armor, looked at the dozens of supersoldiers behind him and said, "Everyone, follow the Father of the Light. You have been blessed. Cover them so they can create the barrier."

"Understand, Cardinal of the Light!"