![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
mrua7.livejournal.com) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
section7mfu2017-10-23 11:59 am
Is there heaven or hell?" for day 2 of the 7 Days of Halloween Challenge
The prompt:
Solo and Kuryakin had hidden themselves behind a wide fluted marble column; both were dressed in black, with grease paint on their faces. They blended into the shadows created by candle light in the deconsecrated Catholic church, St. Anthony of Padua. Ironically he was the patron saint of lost souls, and surely that’s what the UNCLE agents were witnessing with this gathering of what looked like clergymen.
It was rare that a Roman Catholic church would lose its consecration, mostly in the case of the building itself being damaged or destroyed, or if a local bishop reduced the building to what was called ‘profane use.’ St. Anthony's however, was intact, with only the altar, statuary and other things having been removed. It was an empty shell with only the church pews remaining.
Napoleon knew this as he'd been raised raised Catholic and what he was seeing gave new meaning to the word profane.
Oddly what looked like a bishop (at least dressed like one) and apparently several other of similar rank were seated in the front pews, behind them sat a large number of men dressed in black cassocks and white linen surplices. Some of these faces the agents recognized as members of T.H.R.U.S.H.
“Speaking in Latin, the bishop chanted,” In Nomine Magni Dei Nostri Satanas introibo ad altare Domini Inferi.”
The others responded “ Ad Eum Qui laetificat Meum.”
“Adjutorium nostrum in nomine Domini Inferi,” the bishop called out. Again the gathering responded as one,” Qui regit terram.”
Illya whispered ever so softly,“Napoleon I have a bit of knowledge when it comes to Catholic rituals and some latin, but this does not sound right.”
“That’s because this isn’t Catholic...it, and I can’t believe I’m witnessing it, is a Black Mass.”
“What the devil is that?”Illya whispered.
“That’s exactly right tovarisch, this is devil worship...satanic. The rituals parody those of the Roman Catholic Mass. What was just said roughly, though their latin isn’t grammatically correct, is ‘In the name of our great god Satan, go to the altar of hell. To him who brings joy unto me. Our help is in the name of the infernal. The earth rules."
Solo was quite troubled, “Looks like our feathered friends are branching out into a new nest. I better tell Waverly.”
As the ritual prayers went on, Illya stayed put and continued to observe while Napoleon disappeared outside to call headquarters.
Kuryakin watched in disbelief as the eyes of the participants in the ritual suddenly began to glow, perhaps reflecting the candlelight the way a cat’s eyes would? Still, it was most unnatural.
Several men circled a large wooden table, holding thruibles which were metal cencers suspended from chains in which incense was burning. Clouds of it filled the air, and that was Illya’s downfall, as he could no longer hold back a sneeze.
“Achoo!”
The glowing eyes turned, all focusing on him, and before he could draw his gun from his shoulder holster, the crowd rushed him.
They dragged him up the marble steps to the table where the church’s altar had once stood.
“Defiler!” The bishop shouted, pointing a boney finger at the Russian.
Illya was lifted to the makeshift altar, and made to lie down on his back, his outspread arms and legs held fast by four supplicants.
“That’s Illya Kuryakin, an U.N.C.L.E. agent!” One of them shouted.” Where he goes, his partner Napoleon Solo is sure to be nearby!”
“Search the church!” The Bishop ordered.
After obeying, they found nothing.
“You are alone?” The bishop grabbed Illya by his hair, yanking it hard.
“Yes.”
“Do you believe in the christian god Mr. Kuryakin?”
“I do not.”
“Then why not join us? Satan will welcome you into the fold.”
“I think not,” Illya deadpanned, "as I do not believe in him either."
The man slammed Illya’s head back against the table. “Very well then, you will be our blood sacrifice, “the bishop drew a long curved dagger from beneath his robes, holding it in the air above the Russian’s chest.
“Who rules the earth?” The bishop called to his flock.
“He rules the earth!” They called back.
The bishop continued,"Lord Satan is your country, The world and all it contains. Justice and luxury of your throne. The rulers were seated and spoke against me: and the wicked persecuted me.”
“Help me, lord, my god, “they all responded.
“Guard me, lord, from the hands of the wicked, and from unjust rescue me.”
“Lord Satan, you quicken us," They answered in response.
“O Satan go from strength. And my people shall rejoice in thee.”
The bishop raised the dagger higher, preparing to bring it down and end the life of Illya Kuryakin.
Gunshots rang out, echoing throughout the church; the dagger wielding bishop and the four men holding Illya dropped to the floor around the table; the dagger clattering down the marble steps.
“Illya vstat'!” Napoleon shouted in Russian for him to get up.
Kuryakin did so, standing on the table, and just like out of an Errol Flynn movie, Napoleon Solo swooped down from a mezzanine while holding onto a rope.
He grabbed his partner, and the momentum carried them across to the balcony on opposite side of the church, though they just made it over the railing.
A few gunshots rang out from below, but most of the robed men began scattering. With their leader dead, many were in a panic.
Napoleon returned fire, driving them towards the exit of the church.
Outside they were greeted by armed U.N.C.L.E. agents, and New York city police. The robed men were loaded into paddy wagons to be taken downtown for questioning. The known Thrushies among them were rounded up, taken into custody by the agents.
Solo and Kuryakin returned to headquarters, and were now seated in Alexander Waverly’s conference room. They each had towels in their hands, provided by Lisa Rogers, and were wiping the black grease paint from their faces.
“This is an unusual dilemma we face gentlemen. With T.H.R.U.S.H. infiltrating satanic cults, they will have access to new recruits for their nefarious plots, no doubt.”
“And we’ll dismantle these cults one at a time if we have to,” Napoleon said.
"I'm afraid it won't be quite that easy young man. These satanic organizations, many of which were founded by one Anton Lavey, who is an American occultist and author, are spreading. Scholars of religion have classified it as a new religious movement and a form of Western esotercism it's but one of several different movements that describe themselves as forms of Satanism. Lavey's ideas are heavily influenced by the concepts and writings of Nietzshe and Rand. As such, these so called churches, many of which are independent of Lavey, are considered legitimate and protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constition, and therefore UNCLE cannot interfere with them."
“Then what will happen to the people who were arrested tonight?” Illya asked.
“Ahhh,” Waverly smiled knowingly,” since there was an attempted ritual murder...that is with you Mr. Kuryakin, a crime was committed. Those in attendance will be considered accessories as none of them tried to stop your execution...sacrifice, or whatever the devil you would call it. “
Waverly stopped himself, realizing his poor choice of words.
“Yes sir, I appreciate Mr. Solo’s timely and rather dramatic rescue,” Illya nodded.
“Hey I always wanted to do that, you know drop down on a rope and liberate a damsel in distress, but you had to do I suppose,” Napoleon winked before grinning.
“Please Mr. Solo, refrain from your jocularity, this is serious business. I’m afraid we just might have to create a new division to oversee these cults as it were, just in the event T.H.R.U.S.H. decides to continue their infiltration.”
“Agreed,” Napoleon said.”If you don’t mind sir, if we're finished...Mr. Kuryakin and I would liked to get cleaned up?”
“Oh yes, quite,” Waverly picked up his pipe.” I will expect your written reports tomorrow. Dismissed.
The partners exited the conference room side by side, heading to the locker room showers downstairs in the gymnasium.
“Napoleon, while you were gone from the church something strange happened. Something I cannot explain.”
“What’s that?”
“The people there...their eyes all began to glow, iridescent like cat’s eyes. Could this group truly be in touch with the devil?”
“The devil? I thought I heard you say when you were pinned on that altar that you didn’t believe in Satan.”
“I did say that yes.”
“Wait, so if you don’t believe then why the question that these people are in touch with Beelzebub?”
Illya deadpanned, not willing to admit to anything.”It was just a hypothetical question and nothing more.”
“Yeah right, “ Napoleon clapped a hand on his partner’s shoulder, “and I’m the King of Spain.”
“Napoleon what the devil are you going on about?”
“There you go, using that vernacular makes me think you do believe in a heaven and a hell; in God and the devil.”
Kuryakin simply clicked his tongue…
no subject
no subject
no subject
no subject