The Sword Has Power

Bonnie brushed her hand against the boulder. She could feel the power of the sword through it.

Dixie was looking around them, ensuring nobody was around to witness them taking it. Hiding their identity and potential powers was a ridiculous notion given they were sent by the Goddess. They should be able to confide in the people around them, especially the church. 

Unfortunately, they were not fully aware of the scope of the corruption and who was in line with the Demon Lord. Until then, it was best to proceed with caution. They would discreetly find allies and build up in numbers until they became a force to be reckoned with.

Then they would take a public stance. 

Sensing the coast was clear, the sisters climbed up onto the boulder and knelt before the sword. The red handle was gleaming under the sun.

"So, how do we do this?" Bonnie asked. "Should I just yank it out?"

Dixie shrugged. "Best be quick about it. We don't know when someone else will walk in." Her eyes scanned their surroundings again.

Bonnie touched the handle and immediately felt it grow hot. She grasped it completely, still without pulling since she was uncertain. "It's glowing."

Dixie blinked. "I think the sword thinks you intend to retrieve it."

"What do you mean the sword thinks?"

"It has the infinity symbol, Bonnie. Magic has a mind of its own...or at least, whatever Kartara programmed it with." She eyes shot around again. "Quickly pull it out and let's go."

Dixie hopped off the boulder after reaching into Bonnie's coat and retrieving the blueprints. "We have more than one fish to fry."

Bonnie pulled at the sword with all her strength. It was coming out inch by inch. The entire thing was glowing more brightly than before. It was blinding. Dixie used the blue prints to shield her eyes.

Next thing they knew the earth began to shake and the wind began to howl. Bonnie was unaffected by it, her eyes transfixed upon the sword. 

Dixie had to press her back against the boulder to prevent herself from being thrown around by the wind. The flowers were ripped out of their stems and the fountain began to slosh out its water.

As soon as the sword was out the boulder snapped in half, causing Bonnie to leap off before she fell. The holy sword was very light, in sharp contrast to how difficult it was to pull out.

The weather evened out again leaving behind a flowery and dirt strewn mess.

Bonnie and Dixie were both holding onto the holy sword, in awe of how it hummed with power. They heard the sound of running feet and alarmed voices, causing them to panic.

Before they could make a run for it, the infinity on the sword glowed and swallowed them both. They vanished into thin air leaving behind nothing but the blueprints.

The entire church was in a state of chaos. The earthquake and raging wind had caused some injuries. The priests were trying to calm everyone down, insisting it was just a natural phenomenon. But the fact that it happened inside the holy temple alarmed those who were superstitious. 

Was this an omen from the Goddess? 

The Pope who, had his suspicions realized that he had underestimated them. Even before he had gotten to the Garden of Promise, he knew they had taken the sword. The woman, Felicia, he knew was a Saintess. But what of her brother? He had met Lord alexander before and he had not appeared as he did today. The Young Master seemed to have recently acquired holy powers.

Why? Why had the Goddess sent two? What was Alexander's role?

He had already proclaimed Helena as the Saintess. If the real Saintess were to make herself known it would bring confusion and division. And far too many questions.

Especially since they now had the holy sword.

Keeping up an air of indifference, the Pope addressed his shocked priests. Some were standing, some were kneeling, all were looking at the boulder which had once held the holy sword. 

Not only was the boulder cleanly cut in half but the sword missing as well. And there were random sheets of parchment strewn about. The Pope had them all collected and brought to him.

A quick glance made both his blood chill and his temper flare. For a brief moment, the other priests saw a sinister expression of the face of their holy Pope.

"Clean this place up and bar it from entry. No word is to be spread about this until I have determined what has happened." The Pope intoned.

The priests all bowed as the Pope walked away with his hands tightly clenching the papers. He called his most trusted Bishop to his side and ordered him to have guards stationed in front of particular doors within the church.

"We have had a breach, Bishop. I believe someone is trying to infiltrate our archives and steal our treasures. We must be vigilant from now on. Everyone who comes to pray must clearly state upon entry exactly where they're going."

The Bishop bowed. "Yes, your eminence."

Seated inside his private chambers, the amicable Pope finally shed his human mask and ripped the papers in his hands angrily.

"It would appear, my dearest Moniqua, that your children are determined to go down the same path you did."