Chapter 5: Tribulation begins

Within days of returning to America, the team noticed ominous signs. Strange glitches disrupted communications, and vehicles inexplicably failed when departing the chapel alone. Shadowed figures trailed Rachel to and from her apartment, faces vanishing around corners when confronted.

At Sunday service, a hooded individual slipped among the pews, clutching an object beneath their coat. Rachel shouted a warning just as an explosion ripped through the chapel. Panicked screams arose amid billowing smoke and falling debris. Parishioners fled the inferno as firefighters arrived, yet the assailant escaped in the chaos.

The team hurried to the hospital, fearing the worst. Through tears of joy, they found Susan and others injured but recovering thanks to courageous souls pulling them from the blaze. It seemed their enemies meant to send a violent message: desist, or all would meet grisly fates.

That night, Caleb led an emergency meeting at the smoldering chapel site, cordoned off by police. Gazing upon the ruins, sorrow gave way to a hard resolve, blazing brighter than the fires that nearly stole their lives. The forces of darkness sought to cow them through threats and carnage, yet righteousness could never be defeated by such means.

Returning to the annex, Daniel utilized hacking skills honed through serving God's light to unmask the bomber. Facial recognition matched archival photos of a known cult member with an extensive criminal past. Their foes infiltrated every level of society, yet righteousness served as an unbreakable armor against each assault.

Morning prayers lifted weary souls as plans took shape. Rigorous diligence and watching over one another were not enough; the team must strike directly at deception's gates with Christ's saving truth. Gathering contacts nationwide, a campaign was launched through every pastoral network and media avenue to expose the growing threat in its entirety.

Weeks flew by in a flurry of activity. Late nights saw the team sift reports of occult activity, unexplained disasters, and political upheavals worldwide for clues towards the enemy's true commanders. Prayers sustained flagging bodies as understanding crystallized—an upcoming global summit where influence peddlers congregated presented their chance to shake deception's foundations.

The long-awaited date arrived. Boarding a flight with souls fortified through communion that morning, the team looked to the skies. Though darkness seemed ascendant, Christ's light shining through faithful servants could never be extinguished. At the summit's closed sessions, truth would overcome lies and good would triumph over universal evil. With the Lord of Hosts fighting at their side, none could ultimately prevail against them.