Ceres: Lutherous Nie and the Warriors of Faith

By Justin, Lawrence and Gabrielle Scariano

Professor Lutherous Nie is director of the Deity Settlement on the terraformed planetoid Ceres, which orbits Earth as a second moon. He is also an egocentric jerk, obsessed with harvesting the crystalline energy of Ceres as a power source to save the dying Sun. He and other individuals with strong telepathic talents use the unique energy to manipulate the forces of nature. Thus magic, born of science, is brought into the world. Unknown to Nie, there are others intoxicated with the power of crystalline energy who will stop at nothing to possess it all.

When the Ceres Project is sabotaged, the planetoid is thrown into another dimension. Nie awakes to a medieval world of magic from which many of Earths myths and fables are derived. Demonized by the gods of Ceres, Nie must learn to see beyond his own selfish needs if he is to ever return home to his wife and daughter.

Standing against Nie are the Warriors of Faith, those who fight for the gods of Ceres. Among these are a superhero (of sorts) mentored by Al Capone, a teenage witch from Old Salem, a troubled modern-day Chicago youth, an Aussi rogue, and a band of misfit medieval adventurers including Justa, a 10-year-old wizard prodigy. The warriors are on a collision course with Lutherous Nie and his army of sentient beasts in a race to discover the true source of evil threatening both Ceres and Earth.

Ceres: Lutherous Nie and the Warriors of Faith is an epic fantasy combining future technology, modern tribulations and historic/mythic characters in a magical medieval setting. Whether you like Sci-Fi, comedy, romance, or tragedy; wizards, cowboys, astronauts, or contemporary teen angst LNWOF has a little something for everyone and every age.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Dec 12, 2014
• ISBN: 9781503524439

Justin

Lawrence Scariano is a physician and adventure story fan. Fantasy, time travel and alternative history are his favorite genres, especially when intertwined with real-life characters, modern day events, romance, humor, and mythology. Readers will find the Ceres Series true to this form. Writing is a major component of Dr. Scariano’s profession, however, writing fiction provides him not only escape, but entertainment. “Putting a story on paper for me is like watching a favorite movie or TV show…words flow from mind to paper, becoming scenes and images, bringing three dimensional characters to life before my eyes. The best part is instead of waiting a week or year for the next installment, all I have to do is pick up my pen.” The story of Ceres began several years back as tales Lawrence, his son Justin, and daughter Gabrielle would tell each other on their drives back and forth to school. Soon thereafter, the children were writing their stories down as a fun, but educational activity. The concept was simple; pick out a modern day, historical or mythical figure, learn everything about that figure, and write him, her, or it into the tale. While not always obvious, readers will recognize characters such as the outlaw Ned Kelly, Merlin, Alice (in Wonderland), Amelia Earhart, and others woven throughout our books. Probably as influential to Lawrence’s writing as his favorite books, which include The Lord of the Rings, Stranger in a Strange Land, and Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, is his wife Leslie. Though not a contributing writer, her influence is reflected in the strong female characters portrayed in the current Ceres installment as well as those “in the works”. Dr. Scariano believes this is one reason why Ceres has such appeal to so many people regardless of age, sex, or race.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Cataclysm

His palms burned as he pressed them harder and harder onto the dome shaped control nodes. While the force of pressure eased the searing sensation, he could sense himself being consumed as if the nodes were sucking his essence into the plasma flow.

Dume! I need you here, now, called out Professor Daniel Fricken, the elderly psychophysicist brought out of retirement to lead the scientific team at the Ceres Deity Settlement. I need help directing the energy fountain; the flow is more than I can handle myself! He looked up from the panel to the bank of monitors above his head and was awed by the image.

Only one monitor in Divination Control still worked, and it displayed satellite feed of the entire region about the settlement. A thick column of white light rose from the Crystal Mountains and into the sky where it splayed into turbulent multicolored currents of plasma that expanded to the horizons. The mountains shrank under the escaping flow of energy as the land surrounding them blistered beneath the rapidly growing wave of immense heat that rippled from ground zero to swallow the globe.

Another explosion violently shook the settlement, causing lights to flicker and power conduits to arc wildly as plasma energy from the atmosphere channeled through to Fricken’s console. He glanced around the room at the four other node stations, their operators lying unconscious on the floor before them. Where the hell is Dume?

Lutherous Nie, his trademark ankle length lab coat spotted with suet, ran to Fricken’s side. Don’t know. Let me see what I can do, he said reaching to palm another pair of control nodes.

Luther, don’t! The energy flow is too great. The old man grimaced and then nodded at one of the unconscious scientists. You’ll wind up like him. Dume is the only one talented enough. But the structural…divert power to structural support grid.

While a fine administrator, Nie was at best an average psychophysicist, and he knew it. You’re right. If the grid fails, we all fail. He moved back from the nodes and started for the exit, catching a glimpse of the old man’s hands, But—you sure Daniel?

Another quake rocked the building sending debris to the floor in exchange for plumes of dust, rising into the already hazy and bitter air.

Fricken trembled, a short high-pitched moan escaping his lips, his skin beginning to glow. Just go…now!

Nie ran through a pair of sliding doors to the corridor beyond and straight into Lilith Dume who was casually making her way to the control room. He pushed back from the woman. It’s about time; the old man doesn’t have much left. He needs your help to stabilize the crystal core before we lose everything!

Of course Director Nie, whatever you need. She cleared her throat, Perhaps while I’m helping Dr. Fricken you might—.

I don’t need you to tell me my job; get your ass in there and do yours. He spun around and made for the Deep Level Transit access.

Yes sir, she said eying the entrance to the control room, I’ll take care of everything.

Several minutes later, Nie was nearing Deep Level 4 when a quake rocked his pneumatic cab. The lights in the cab flashed once before going out altogether as the cab entered a free fall. Thinking quickly, he removed the plasma emitter from his belt and pressed the activation switch, causing wisps of orange and green light to rise like smoke from the device’s lens. Nie closed his eyes.

The cab exploded when it struck the foundation of the transit shaft, taking out a good portion of the wall that separated the shaft from the Secondary Control Center. Nie, encased in the protective energy bubble he conjured, floated into the room and fell to the floor.

Jumping to his feet, he glanced at the emitter, its crystal lens black and spent. Guess I’m lucky it worked at all, he muttered before moving to the backup controls for the settlement’s structural integrity support system.

Nie studied the schematic displayed on the small monitor. All this power and none of it can be redirected to the grid…wait, except for…no, this can’t be. This is intentional; sabotage? He spun around, activating a heads up display. Not my work, not Ceres, not ever! Computer, show me all plasma conduits from plant emitters 32 through—.

The glowing holographic display flickered and then vanished as the room rocked from another explosion. The man roared in frustration, but stopped at the sight of a faint white glow from inside the transit shaft. Oh, that can’t be good.

He moved to the shaft and leaned through the ruined wall, carefully looking up. In the distance above him, he noticed a light that seemed to grow brighter by the instant. He thought for a moment, realizing the shaft must be exposed to atmospheric energy, which was condensing into a plasma flow and headed straight for him.

No, not good, not good! Nie cursed and pushed away, sprinting for the exit and down the long tunnel leading to Deep Level Security. As he ran, he could feel the heat from the thick, almost liquid wave of energy closing behind him.

Ahead of the scientist, a plant maintenance officer rushed into the tunnel from an adjacent corridor and froze in place.

No, Monav, go back! screamed Nie as he sprinted past the corridor; it was too late.

The man was consumed by the energy.

Nie burst into the security office as the leading edge of the wave caught him. His skin glowed golden, then white as his clothing and hair fell away. With his last measure of strength, he leapt into the two-foot deep stasis cell, smacking the rear wall hard and bouncing backward into the cell door that had closed behind him. Spinning about, he watched as thick swirls of color engulfed the stasis cell. He closed his eyes hard, focusing on the plasma outside and muttered, Bubble.

Chapter 2

Heaven

A clatter sounded through the darkness, but he ignored it, choosing instead to focus on the lips he pressed tightly with his own. Pulling away slowly, he took in her site; beautiful.

Leslie’s skin was pale and smooth; hardly a wrinkle despite her age, but then sixty-five was still considered young. She wore a stark white gown with a delicate yellowed lace veil, handed down from her great grandmother. All was in keeping with the Old North American styled wedding they had planned.

It didn’t seem strange to Lutherous when in the next moment he was in bed with is wife, staring at her while she slept, wondering if he would ever be the devoted husband and father he promised when she wore that veil two years before. Life had become complex.

A baby’s cry came from down the hall. He jumped from the bed and hurried to the sound, hoping that the child would not wake his sleeping wife. When he arrived at his daughter’s room, however, Leslie was already sitting next to the weeping four year old.

Don’t go daddy. Pweeeeez, she sobbed.

Leslie took off the sunhat she had been wearing outside and placed it on the girl’s head. Honey, we talked about this. Daddy needs to finish his work, and we’re going to visit nana while he is gone. He’ll be waiting for us here when we get home, and he won’t have go back to Ceres ever again. This is the last time, okay?

Lutherous made brief eye contact with his wife before dropping to a knee in front of them. That’s right baby girl; after I get home this time, I’m not going back.

Pwommis?

He stood, taking up his daughter in his arms. You bet I promise. He held her close while staring ahead to the window. The sun’s familiar red tainted glow was unusually bright and it grew brighter, until the white had taken everything and he was alone again, except for the strange voices.

A youthful woman, her head bald and her eyes an impossible blue, held a palm to the face of the man lying motionless on the infirmary bed. Her hand glowed brilliantly, but quickly paled as she withdrew.

The man’s eyes flickered. Bethany, he heard himself say as the center of the white light dimmed and his vision cleared. Lutherous Nie pushed up, first to his elbows and then to a seated position. He wiped the sleep from his eyes and found himself surrounded by a dozen youths dressed in teal, their hands raised before their faces in a show of reverence. Noting also that he was naked, Nie growled, For God’s sake, at least give me my lab coat!

Where am I? he asked as he swung his legs over the side of the bed. All of a sudden, a multitude of colorful thread-like wisps appeared from the air, gathering about his wrists, arms and trunk. Slowly, cloth began to form over his skin. Jumping to his feet, he frantically brushed away the yet brittle fabric. Stop that!

Another attendant, this one hardly more than a boy, stepped forward. Please my lord, you are still weakened from your long sleep. Perhaps this will do for now. He extended a hand toward Nie, placing his other upon the crystal hanging at his neck. A pulse of light came from the crystal and once again threads of color reached from the air to the man’s body.

Nie winced but allowed the cloth to form this time. A few moments later, he too wore a teal tunic, but his was trimmed in gold. Not exactly my style. He looked at the boy’s crystal. Is that your emitter? He reached out and turned the crystal over and back, and then looked the boy in the eyes. You didn’t use an emitter?

The boy raised his hands to his forehead, each finger pressed to its counterpart, his palms forming an oval. Such is the way of gods.

With that, Nie took a step backwards and into another youth. He sneered over his shoulder, Get away from me. He grabbed the boy by his tunic. Not you; you tell me where I am.

Oblivious to Nie’s anger, the boy smiled. We are here.

I don’t believe this, he muttered, turning to the bald woman. Where is here?

Lord Nie, we are where we are to be. Like the boy, she smiled blissfully. This is our place; a dwelling place of the gods. You are home.

Nie dismissed the woman, instead gazing around for a way out. The room appeared empty except for the people and the bed on which he awoke. The walls were smooth like glass with several archways leading through them in different directions. Fine, I’ll figure it out myself, he said heading for the nearest exit.

I will join you my lord; you have been gone for a very long time, said a small girl falling in behind Nie as he pushed through the crowd.

Beyond the room, the corridor was dark but illuminated just ahead of the pair as they moved along. Nie had no clue as to where he was or for that matter where the rest of his team from the Deity Settlement was. He glanced at the girl accompanying him. What’s your name?

She grinned widely, turning her gaze downward as if embarrassed. I am called Gazardiel, she started sheepishly.

He thought for a moment of all the names he and Leslie considered for their daughter. Gazardiel, Angel of New Beginnings; very beautiful. Now how about you show me the way to administration, or to a depot, or anywhere I can get some answers.

I can take you to see all of here, and down, and beyond if you like. Would this be of help?

Nie stopped and touched the girl’s shoulder. Whatever, so long as we are away from those other loons.

She smiled, Obslevelone.

Nie was blinded for a moment by an unexpected flash of bright blue light. He stumbled forward and would have fallen if not for Gazardiel who despite her petite frame pulled him back to his feet. Before he could comment on the girl’s remarkable strength, he opened his eyes and was taken by the sight.

The two stood on a large round platform domed in tempered clear ceramic, atop a 100 story, 1400 foot tall spire, itself part of a tight complex of buildings perched on a mountainous butte. From the edge of the butte, the earth fell away scorched and barren for miles. There was an ocean in the distance to the south, and to the west, a fiery orange glow and dark smoke disrupted the twilight horizon. To the north was a large sea, rimmed in towering pinnacles and massive piles of volcanic rubble.

Nie scanned the complex of partially ruined buildings and the wasteland beyond. His mind superimposed memories of bountiful farmlands to the south, dense green forests to the west, and acres upon acres of zoological plantations to the east. Facing the sea, he imagined the Crystal Mountains, but in a blink, they were gone, ripped from the surface—no, vaporized where they stood.

The sky above the northern sea shimmered a silvery white and at its fringes were all the colors of the rainbow, darkening and disappearing into the twilight. Nie’s eyes were red and tears ran down his cheeks as he looked to the stars in the darker sky to the south. The constellations spoke to him, conveying time and location. He craned his head to the left, looking to where the moon should be, but it wasn’t, and he sobbed.

Gazardiel stepped behind Nie and put a comforting hand to the man’s hip.

He pushed the hand away. Gritting his teeth, he spun around 120 degrees and looked to the horizon, where only yesterday, he watched Earth’s rising. This sight spoke to him too. In his mind, he witnessed the release of crystal energy from Cere’s core; the scientists frantically using the same energy to protect the settlement while unknowingly causing the destruction of the moon, and then the Earth—his Earth, his future and his family.

Lutherous Nie, seething and crazed, dropped to his knees and raised his palms to the heavens. He watched as streams of energy from the air moved to his hands. He could see the same happening on a larger scale outside the dome. It was plasma energy infused into the sky above, and he was directing it to do his bidding, his final bidding.

Gazardiel, Angel—no, God of New Beginnings, of rebirth, covered the crystal at her neck with a palm and gazed up at the dome that now glowed brilliantly and fissured on the verge of collapse. A soft content expression overtook her face.

Nie, his eyes glowing demonically, roared.

The ceramic dome exploded in a bright flash of light that from a distance appeared as brilliant new star on the horizon. Creatures around the world, some human, some not, witnessed the strange light and dropped to their knees in homage, to who or what they did not know.

~

As he gazed at the star from the balcony of a far away castle keep, an older man with a tightly trimmed grey beard and kingly robes removed his spectacles, and put an arm around his queen. He sighed and mumbled, Now things get complicated.

It’s like the Star of Bethlehem in the Christmas stories my mother used to read to me, remarked the woman.

The old man smiled. Perhaps it is. From my travels, I’ve learned that much of Earth’s ancient mythology is based on true events, many at least starting here on Ceres. Through the millennia, names and faces change, but the stories are fact—more or less.

Like Mount Olympus, King Arthur and Atlantis?

Yes, and many others. Keep in mind, quite a few Earthers have migrated here and left their mark on Ceres culture as well.

You don’t need to remind me. Meelie gave the man a peck on the cheek. So you’ll be going there soon?

He sighed again, removing the obsidian wand from his sash. In a few months. First, I need to visit an old friend in Chicago; maybe I can pick up a little frankincense while I’m there.

She chuckled, You’re not funny.

Chapter 3

Judgment

Perhaps because of the scattering of DNA from all those who died in the cataclysm or as a matter of fate, many who now inhabited Ceres had the ability to direct plasma energy released from crystals. Outside the settlement, this was considered magic, and it was a way of life wrapped in religion and tradition, which varied between the continents and their cultures.

On the continent of Frickendume, descendants of the surviving scientists found Lutherous Nie alive in the bowels of the old Deity Settlement. These descendants, while especially powerful in their ability to direct plasma energy, had lost their heritage over the generations since the cataclysm. Like others on Ceres, they had little knowledge of Earth or mankind, and even less interest in learning. This angered Nie.

For months following his awakening, Nie was kept apart in a section of the settlement purposely drained of all plasma energy. He had proven himself uniquely powerful and this made him dangerous, especially given his growing dislike for the gods and his emotional instability after learning about Earth’s demise. The explosion at the observation dome, after all, was a grief driven attempt by him to destroy all remains of the Ceres Project and to end his own misery.

Since then, however, things had changed. Using tools available to him in his old quarters, Nie now theorized the Earth and moon were in fact not destroyed, at least not that he could confirm. The cataclysm must have instead pushed Ceres out of normal space-time and into its own dimension. He discovered there where bridges linking the worlds and these bridges might be the key to restoring Ceres to Earth’s orbit where he could rejoin his family and finish the job he started. All he had to do was convince the others to help him.

It is almost time, my lord. We should—, started Gazardiel who had been sent to bring the prisoner to the Hall of Rulings.

Nie turned in surprise. I wish you wouldn’t do that. How long have you been standing there?

Long enough to witness your resourcefulness, Lord Nie. How is it you are able to power this technology, she asked, referring to the heads up display Nie used to search an astronomic database.

If you promise to keep your mouth shut, I’ll tell you, replied Nie playfully.

She smiled. I can not shut my mouth if the Most High chooses to ask me.

Fine, be that way, you little traitor. He walked over to the girl and touched her forehead with an index finger. Did you feel that?

She stepped back nervously. No, should I have?

He smiled, Nope, but I did steal a little of your life force just now; stole a little energy from your crystal too.

Necromancy?

Oh, yeah. I can drain energy from just about anything and store it in my body like an old fashion capacitor. After that, powering my toys is a simple matter.

The Most High would not be pleased.

Maybe if the Most High was half as smart as you say he is, he would have figured out how to return Ceres to Earth centuries ago instead of fostering the unintended life forms outside these walls.

Gazardiel ignored the comment. She, like the other gods, felt strongly about all life on the planet, and she was confused how someone who helped create that life could be so callus now. We really should be going. Gazardiel placed a palm on her crystal, Would you like me to provide you more fitting attire?

Nie adjusted his bow tie and grabbed his lab coat. Don’t you dare. I’ll go as myself or not at all, and this time I’ll make them listen; they have to.

The Hall of Rulings reminded Nie of the room in which he awoke after the cataclysm. It was semicircular, with pale yellow glass-like walls through which several archways led to the rest of the habitat complex. At the rectangular end of the hall was a large polished stone platform before which sat several dozen descendants.

The prisoner was seated comfortably in the middle of the assembly, surrounded by his counsel and others assigned to assist him during the past months. Unlike with the previous gatherings intended to secure his support, this time he was optimistic and prepared to make his case. Can we please get started already? he called out impatiently.

A young barefoot man stepped forward, holding out a tray of goblets. He looked compassionately at Nie who he considered with great reverence despite Nie’s contempt for the world he created and the gods who devote their lives to preserving it. May I serve you my lord?

With a patronizing nod, Nie took a goblet and sipped from it. Thanks. Can we get things moving, please? Some of us have constructive work to get back to. By the way, you got big plans today; gonna sit around in meditation, contemplating the purpose of earwax or something else absolutely worthless? He looked over his shoulder and gave Gazardiel a wink."

The girl raised a brow and motioned to Nie to behave.

The man with the goblets nodded his head politely and placed the tray on a nearby table. He clasped his hands at the waist and addressed the gathering. Lord Nie has been summoned at this hour and to this place so the coven might appeal, one last time, for his support and leadership. With another nod to the prisoner, he moved to stand near the archway at the rear of the stone platform.

Nie’s legal counsel, wearing the same uniformed teal tunic as nearly everyone else in the room, leaned in and whispered something into her client’s ear. Patience, my lord. Your time will come to speak, if the Most High wishes it so.

He pretended to listen while obviously preoccupied with his bow tie, the clasp of which snagged on his dingy white lab coat. Got ya, he said glancing up at the woman, dismissing her comment. Does the tie make me look fat?

Before she could answer, another voice spoke out from the platform at the front of the room. It is thought that some fifteen hundred years ago Fricken, Great Lord to us all, brought forth life on this world before ascending to take his place in the heavens above. He was not alone in the beginning and many lords eventually followed him beyond the beyond while others remained here to guide those creatures he and his host created.

I’ve heard this all before. Nie stood, holding a small media projector containing the results of his recent research. I’d like a chance to talk this time. I have import—.

His counsel pulled him back to his chair with a shush as the man in front continued.

In time, these lords too ascended to be with the father, but left us, their children and their children’s children, as caretakers of this world. The man raised his circled hands to his forehead and with a subtle bow stepped back to stand on the opposite side of the archway.

A familiar woman with hairless scalp and brilliant blue eyes stepped up from the assembly and climbed the platform, taking center stage for her turn to speak.

This is like some poorly written holiday pageant. Nie let out a rude sigh and leaned forward with his elbows on his knees, his hands cupping his face. Oh god, please help me.

His counsel seated at his side, leaned in again, How may I serve you my lord?

Slowly, the prisoner pulled his hands away from his face and gave the woman an indignant stare.

An expression of deep concern passed over her face. I’m sorry, did you mean one of the other gods?

Just stop it, will you! He shifted in his chair away from her, cursing under his breath.

The woman onstage looked down on the prisoner with toleration and a soft smile. You my lord once stood at the side of the Great Lord. You knew and conferred with him, and with him brought life to this world. Will you now not give us your blessings and join us as we continue our work among the peoples of Ceres, lending them guidance and reason for hope?

Nie covered his face again, gritting his teeth. He could feel his blood pressure rising as his frustration with the naive inhabitants of his settlement reached critical mass. Enough! he yelled launching out of his chair. He stared down threateningly at his counsel who was again trying to pull him back to his seat. It’s my turn; let me go.

Gazardiel wrung her petite hands, her ever-present grin turning to an expression of dread.

You ask for my support, that I join you in playing god for the creatures crawling the surface of Ceres, but you are misguided. It’s true, I was wrong too when I thought I’d lost everything, but now I know otherwise. I can prove who you really are, and I can return us all to Earth, our real home. But, I need your help. Nie tried to mimic the compassionate smiles he saw around him, extending his open arms to the crowd, welcoming them. Please, hear me out; we don’t belong here.

The bald woman stepped to the edge of the platform opposite the prisoner. We are where we are to be, my lord. We tend the sheep; there is no other need or purpose.

Purpose? Nie was losing his composure. The purpose of your forefathers, and you should have been to return to the world from which they came, not to foster the abominations outside these walls. Three billion people live on Earth, people like you and me—not gods, who need your talents and they need Ceres. As for your Great Lord, Daniel Fricken did save the world. He was the most powerful psychophysicist I’ve ever known, but he was not a god. Because of him, your ancestors survived, but he did not intend to reanimate life outside; that was a side effect. His job was to save the settlement and he followed my instructions doing it.

Nie paused for a moment, taken unexpectedly by grief for the loss of his old friend and mentor. He followed my protocols, and it killed him. Daniel Fricken is dead!

With that, everyone in the hall dropped to their knees, heads bowed and hands to their foreheads. Mumblings of Blasphemer, Heretic and Satariel washed across the crowd.

Gazardiel stood and appealed to the assembly. Please, I have come to know Lutherous Nie. He is coarse, self absorbed and of limited compassion, but he is also of the line of the Great Lord and the Most High. Should we not at least hear him before passing judgment?"

I am not self absorbed. Nie crossed his arms defensively.

Gazardiel, started a voice from the rear of the room. You are oldest and wisest among the coven. While Lord Nie’s heart may be corrupt, he is as you say and we will hear him.

The prisoner stared at the young girl he knew as Gazardiel. Oldest and wisest?

You have something to say? she asked with a whimsical grin, trying to spur him on.

Yeah, right. Nie jumped to the platform and placed the media projector on a vacant chair. The device came to life, automatically showing images of whatever he described.

This is your ancestor’s home world, Earth, and the smaller moon is Ceres—this is long before you were born. Ceres was home to many talented scientists, your forefathers, who like you could manipulate crystal energy for wondrous things. The people of Earth depended on our work not only as a source of energy but also to save our dying sun. Then something happened; an explosion so powerful Ceres was pushed out of normal space-time. I believe—.

There was a soft pop and a bright flash of light behind Nie. From it, another man, larger and more muscularly built, wearing a longer tunic and gold bracers, a warrior’s sword hanging about his waist, appeared. I am Michael and I speak for one who yet stands at the side of Fricken. The Most High begs you abandon this attempt at deception, and open your heart to the great societies born before you on this world and their potential for good under our kind and benevolent direction. He stepped forward and reached out, gently lifting the collar of Nie’s lab coat. What is past is past and the future of this world and its people depend on us. We have no other purpose less the Most High commands us so. Lord Nie, we ask only for your faith and in exchange we and this world are yours to command as well.

Nie pulled away with a jerk and snarled bitterly at the young man, his ability to contain his anger all but gone. What is past is past; that’s what you think? The past is all around you, and you don’t even see it. He pulled at his hair in frustration and then barked at the gathering, pointing at one person and then another. You have libraries, all the proof you need! Have none of you—. He stared at the blank faces around him. What, you’ve been too busy praying to one another to read? He glared again at the large man, Or is it because someone doesn’t want you to know the truth?

Michael appeared distracted for a moment, as if listening to someone whispering in his ear. The peaceful expression on his face disappeared.

Nie turned to Gazardiel, Please, I need to finish; I can teach you. Ceres and Earth are in the same place they’ve always been; they’re just shifted a little out of time from one another. I think present time on Ceres is spread like butter across Earth’s past. Those things you call portals, they’re really dark matter bridges holding the two worlds apart.

He paused to catch his breath, noting how many in the crowd where staring at him with genuine interest. He was getting through to them, possibly awakening their long dormant sense of curiosity and wonder. I believe if we destroy these portals, Ceres and Earth will be restored. We can go home to our families!

Michael took a step back and pulled his sword. The sword began to glow and yellow flame appeared to rim its edge. He spoke loud and authoritatively, This will be your final appeal, Lord Nie. Will you show us faith or will you know now the judgment of this coven?

The prisoner spun around, squared his shoulders and stared defiantly at Michael. Faith is for children, fools, and the destitute. I am none of these. He dropped his open palms to his side as colorful streams of energy appeared in the air and moved to him.

Michael appeared distracted again, but for just a moment. I understand, he whispered before raising his sword, causing the plasma energy in the air to vanish.

Nie’s power disappeared too. He tried to move, but his legs and arms were frozen in place. He looked over his shoulder, helplessly to Gazardiel who had tears in her eyes.

Michael’s voice echoed now with the sound of many. Then by your own words, perhaps faith may be learned. Lutherous Nie, you are not now a child nor are you a fool, nor are you destitute, but you shall be made destitute, and like a child you will be lost, and you will foolishly wonder the land, scorned and made to live amongst those you so detest until such time as you repent your desire for evil things.

One by one, the members of the assembly looked down, closed