An Unholy Redemption Chapter 8.3 continued

Rapturous applause sounded around the temple after he had finished his speech. Men rose in standing ovation in praise of the new master in the east, exclaiming, “All hail”. Lucifer looked around at the faces of the men around him. Some were crying, including Jeremiah. Why? A weakness, he told himself, but the pain again started in his heart. A gavel pounded, causing everyone to stop their applause. “Brethren, as the new Honourable brother from the East, I shall now take my seat, and afterwards you will join me.” He very proudly sat down. There was a brief pause and then all the brethren sat down. “Brother Caretaker, which state of reverence do we find ourselves in our present situation?” “In the final state of reverence, Honourable Master of the East.”

“Then brethren, it is my command, by the power in me vested, to resume the temple in the first state of reverence. All hail.”

“All hail,” they all repeated as the gavel made contact with its wooden surface.

“Honourable Master of the East,” Daniel said as he got on his feet again. “Having returned to the first state of reverence, we have some brothers outside the temple who are not to be found worthy ready to see you in all your glory. It is a time to lock up our secrets in a safe repository united in our hearts and minds.”

“Very well, Brother Scribe, your observation is noted. My brother from the north and south,” he said and they both stood, “the time has come for us to return to our former selves.” The three of them removed their masks. Underneath, their faces were red and flushed from the heat, and the candidate, now the master in the east, was looking very proud of his new position within the temple.

“Brother Caretaker,” the man still wearing his tiger mask stood up to the master’s command,

“having taken care of our proceedings, we find ourselves in a safe place. It is my command to you to release yourself and Brother Protector.” With a salute he removed his mask and walked to the temple doors and gently opened them.

“Brother Protector, it is the Honourable Master’s command to release yourself of your bond to him and the other brethren.” With one swift movement, David’s mask was off his head and being placed in his black case while the brother caretaker closed the door to resume his seat.

“Honourable Master, may all brethren be admitted?”

“With pleasure Brother Scribe, Brother Caretaker admits all brothers.”

“Did you enjoy that Luther?” James whispered from behind where Lucifer was sitting; he was leaning forward with a proud look on his face. “How did you get there?” Lucifer asked, surprised and offended by James being so close to him. “I crept behind here when the lights were out. So what do you think of our ritual?”

“Do you really want me to answer that? I think the only thing I enjoyed in this charade was when you were murdered. Now that was fun.”

“Now look!” James was stopped from issuing his objection by the wave of Jeremiah’s hand.

“Luther, please try and respect what has gone on here. It has happened for thousands of years and all the men here, including myself, are proud to be part of it.”

“Proud of a lie. What proof do you have that all this actually even existed?”

“We don’t have proof, only faith. That is all we need and I’m sorry you think it’s a lie. Even if it was, there’s no such thing as a bad lie.”

“What do you mean, Jeremiah?”

“Well, look around you. There are people in here who believe in something other than themselves. Something good enough to give their time and money away for. We are all generous in awarding quite a lot of money to charitable organisations and we all do a lot of good work in society. So you see, out of something, truth or lie, good shines through in pursuit of the ultimate truth.”

“Well I only believe in myself and nothing more. This only confirms that nobody or nothing can be trusted except myself and the way I want things to be said and done”

“Who hurt you so much, Luther? What has made you so bitter and angry at the world?”

Lucifer noticed the pain appearing again in his heart, causing him to take hold of his chest.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. I just want this stupid meeting to come to a close so I can get some air and remove myself from your irritating questions.”

“Not long now. We only have to close the temple when all the brothers have been readmitted   here they come.” Lucifer looked at Jeremiah’s face and could not understand why he was still smiling at him and demonstrating kindness after all his insults. They all stopped their conversation and looked around as the man in the east stood to speak, “Brethren, now our work is done. Please assist me in closing the temple”. Everybody stood and held their sign of reverence. “Brother Caretaker, see that all the brothers are accounted for.” He saluted, then went and opened the doors of the temple. “Brother Protector, how are you to be found?”

“Safe and still in a position of trust, Brother Caretaker” came the reply from behind the doors. The brother caretaker closed the doors and walked onto the carpet and saluted.

“Honourable Master, all brothers are safe and accounted for, and we remain so in your care.”

“Brother in the West, why do you reside there?”

“Honourable Master, I am here to represent the darkness, like the moon in a night’s sky.”

“I acknowledge why you are so placed, pray tell us why am I situated in the east?”

“Honourable Brother, you reside in the east to represent the light, like the sun giving its glory to all who dwell beneath it.”

“Very well Brother in the West, as our work is done and the sun is going down, you have my command to close this temple.” The three gavels sounded one after the other. “Brethren, as the light from above us has left us, I close this temple.” The organ started playing and the men from the north, south and west left their chairs and walked to the east, where they all lined up, waiting for their companion to leave his seat. “Brethren, as the designated scribe I record that the temple was closed at seven o’clock precisely and will reopen one month from now at a stated time. Remain standing while the Honourable Master, accompanied by his companions, leaves our temple.” The four of them marched off in time with the music, while the brethren from all sides saluted them. They finally reached the back where the caretaker opened both big doors and allowed them to exit, closely followed by all the other brethren.