Saints or Martyrs?

Paul Smecker was a cultured man. He preferred an aged scotch over beer, Mozart over Metallica and the old masters over the unidentifiable scribbles masquerading as 'Modern Art'. Paul was being rushed down a long corridor adorned with the old Masters. Botecelli, DaVinci, Michaelangelo, Raphael; he knew that their works were hanging on these walls but if he had any thoughts of admiring them they were long gone.

His guide was rushing him toward a door guarded by two men wearing (of all things) balloon pantaloons and standing at attention holding old fashioned pikes. They might look funny but they were members of a very exclusive group of men known as the Swiss Guard and these two were among the most honored. Behind the door they guarded was the most revered man in the world, His Holiness, the Pope. And Paul Smecker, a Protestant and a non practicing one at that was about to meet him. The Pope had demanded an audience with him!

The Pope's guard opened the doors to the Pope's private apartments and his guide shooed him inside. Smecker was still reeling from the summons. Millions of devout Catholics would give their eye teeth to be standing here.

“Come in, my son.” The elderly man invited. Paul wasn't exactly sure how you were supposed to greet the Pope. He crossed himself, knelt, stood up and not sure if it was enough crossed himself again.

The old man chuckled. “A simple hello would suffice Agent Smecker. We have things to discuss and I don't think formality will fit our particular discussion very well.”

“Hello Father, Your Holiness.” Smecker said. “Please forgive my faux pas.”

The old man nonchalantly fanned a hand as if waving off Smecker's apology. “Please come sit. As I said we have much to discuss.” The pope indicated a chair moving to sit in it's mate. “It's time that you know why The Holy See saw fit to support your efforts. You see we have as much of an interest in Connor and Murphy MacManus as you do. As a matter of fact we have been interested in them since they were quite young.”

Smecker looked at the Pope in shock. “I never mentioned their names.”

“After our talk you will understand, Agent Smecker.” the Pope said.

*****

Lilith looked at the book. Labasu had suggested she read it but what did she need to know in a book. In truth she was more concerned with the MacManus brothers. She was in her current predicament because of them. And Murphy had almost blinded her.

Although she did have an imp for company, the creature's powers were limited, there was very little it could do and in reality she could do nothing. But there were others out there. Other demons that owned her favors. If she couldn't use her own powers perhaps she could call in others to use their powers on her behalf.

“Imp,” She called. “I need you to do something for me. Find Apophos for me, tell him I need to consult with him.”

*****

“Murphy, ye know we can't do tha. No women, no children; no exceptions.” Connor said.

“Connor, we don't have a choice. Lilith has to die.” Murphy argued. “'Destroy that which is evil' remember?”

Connor set a glass of water in front of his brother along with his medicine. “Ye don need ta remind me o me words.”

“Really Connor?” Murphy asked. “Tis not just men that are evil. I learned that tha hard way.” Murphy picked up the box that held his tattoo. “Guess tha lesson went o'er yer head.” Murphy threw the box across the table at his brother before pushing himself away from the table and storming off the the bedroom leaving Connor open mouthed with shock.

*****

Smecker stood in The Grotto. The resting Place of Popes. Specifically he stood in front of the Tomb of Peter, The first Pope. The man who had walked with Christ himself.

“You are not a particularly religious man Agent Smecker, and that is not a bad thing. Religion is a poor substitute for faith, for belief. Very few men are able to be religious and faithful at the same time.” The Pope said. “Religion often ties men to dogma that can impair belief. Come it's not much farther.” the Pope said touching his arm and leading Smecker into what could only be called a maze of tunnels burrowing deeper into the earth below Rome.

“Where exactly are we Your holiness?” Smecker asked finally having settled on the man's title. They had entered a large cavern. Human skulls lined the walls of the space. In the center of the room stood a massive altar and on the altar were a series of large books.

“We are below the Grotto, my son. The Grotto is where Popes have been laid to rest for centuries but this space is much older.” The Pope walked over and pointed to the skulls tucked into the wall. “Sampson and Joshua rest here along with the other apostles including Judas Iscariot. Mary, Joseph; They all rest here.”

The Pope picked up another skull. “This is the skull of the betrayer, Judas Iscariot. I'm sure that even you are aware of the story of how Judas betrayed Christ for 30 pieces of silver. Later in remorse for his actions he hanged himself. However you do not know the rest of the story. Judas betrayed Christ at the urging of a demon. Judas was riddled with guilt not realizing that the evil he committed was not evil at all but the will of God. Without Judas, there would never have been a resurrection.”

The Pope sat the skull back in it's place. And wandered over to the group of books on the altar. He picked up a small book, tiny really in comparison to the others. Smecker looked at the words on the cover 'The Holy Bible'.

“For centuries Christianity has been based on the dogma of this one small book. While all around them Demons and Saints walk the earth.”

“Your Holiness. I'm still a bit lost as to why you asked me here.” Smecker said.

The Pope pinned Smecker with a look. “Because you willingly chose to assist the descendants of Judas Iscariot.”