Thaqib and Judah found Rast sitting under an awning of rock, enjoying a cup of tea while watching the monks preparing the temple for the ceremony to welcome Halima. He saw them approaching and quickly rose to his feet. Thaqib ran over and embraced him.

“You had me worried!” Thaqib said.

“I knew you’d pull through all right. Lucky Judah was able to find you before the police,” Rast replied. Judah smiled, shaking Rast’s hand.

“When I saw them swarming around the shack I thought it was all over for us,” Thaqib said.

“Well, seems like you’ve had quite an adventure finding Halima, looks like things are finally coming to pass,” Rast replied.

“What do you mean?” Thaqib asked.

“I had a feeling you’d be the one to find her,” Rast said.

“Huh? Who is she anyway? How is it everyone seems to know her?”

“They believe her to be their savior,” Rast said, looking at Judah with concern. “This lot are ready to go all in. I’m afraid of what’s about to go down,” Rast continued.

Judah sat down on the bench. “Sit down Thaqib, I think you should be privy to this,” he said as Rast joined him. Thaqib sat down as Judah leaned in. “Things have been strange here ever since the arrival. We sent out Shifun and his ward Pomo. Pomo came back before Shifun, said they’d been discovered by B.C.P.D, that Abbas had shown up.”

“Abbas?” Rast asked. “It’s been a long time since I’ve heard that name. It was he that was responsible for the destruction of the last Order temple.”

“Yes, the traitor. After everything we did for him—he turned on us as though it meant nothing,” Judah replied.

“I’m afraid Abbas’ story is more complex than that,” Rast said, “but that is for another time.”

“Pomo said Shifun stayed back to deal with Abbas while he escaped,” Judah said.

“Did he make it back? I haven’t seen him around,” Rast replied.

“Yes. No one else seems to have noticed anything strange, but there’s something off about him.”

Rast leaned in, seeming concerned. “Did you bring this matter to the elders?”

“I tried, they dismissed it. They said they questioned him and found nothing suspicious.”

“But you noticed something?” Rast asked.

“Yes, a darkness surrounds him.”

“Things here may be more dangerous than we thought. It’s not only the Shayateen we now need to worry about, it seems Abbas has a personal stake in finding Halima,” Rast said.

“Wait, Abbas? I know that name,” Thaqib said interrupting. “When I was on the barge, after I found Halima, the cops showed up and I hid her in the hold. A guy named Abbas came on board.”

“What?” Rast said, astonished.

“He must have been out on the harbour looking for Halima’s ship on Datura’s orders,” Judah said.

“So that’s how they found our shack. Then what happened Thaqib?” Rast asked.

“He got a call that something had been found and raced off. Lucky too ‘cause they just about found Halima.”

“That’s not all,” Judah added. “They also had a run in with the Shayateen.”

Rast stroked his beard, a crease forming between his brows.

“What’s gonna happen now?” Thaqib asked.

“I don’t know. We will have to see how the meeting plays out. Halima’s got a lot of explaining to do. We’ve been left in the dark for so long, I’m worried we will be a little shocked by what she has to say,” Rast replied.

A call went out from the monks gathering before the chamber. “Looks like it’s almost time to begin,” Judah said, getting up. “I better take my place.”

Rast nodded, “They’ll need your guidance in this, I’m afraid of the reaction they may have.”

“A bunch of old monks living in a cave their whole life? What could go wrong?” Judah replied with a chuckle as he made his way toward the temple.

Thaqib and Rast were left alone on the bench. “Well Thaqib, here we are. I suppose now you understand what I’ve been trying to teach you. That the Zionese ways are not so distant and redundant as you believed.”

Thaqib nodded. “I finally get it Rast, what you’ve been trying to get through to me. I’m sorry I didn’t get it sooner. I guess I just needed to see all this for myself.”

“Yes, I just wish I could have shown it to you sooner. But things here are not as I left them. I’m afraid the Order of Zion has begun to deteriorate and I’m worried about its future,” Rast replied. He looked to Thaqib, “I’m just glad you made it,” he said, smiling.

Thaqib felt in his pocket and produced a white stone object, the figurine he’d found in the trash haul on the barge, the one that had almost gotten him into trouble with Abbas. He handed it to Rast. “I thought you’d like this for your collection,” he said.

“Well, this will have to be the first piece in my new collection, I assume the cops took my last one,” Rast said, rubbing a finger over the smooth stone. “Sophia,” he said, ponderously. “Seems she’s guided you well.”

At the rear of the hall, the cold vacant stare of Shifun watched over the proceedings. Pomo approached him again, his head bowed low. “Master, I just wanted to apologize for anything I may have done last night to offend you. I will do better, I know I’ve struggled to keep up with your training, but I will try harder.” Shifun stood staring into the crowd as though he hadn’t even noticed Pomo was there. “Master?” Pomo asked. He noticed something. From the collar of Shifun’s robes he saw a black, spider-like vain reaching up his neck. He stepped back in alarm. Something about it disturbed him greatly. Suddenly Shifun moved toward the temple leaving Pomo staring in shock. Pomo watched Shifun descend the stairs and join the crowd gathering before the temple. He followed after him, keeping his distance.

The sound of a drum called attention to the temple steps where a procession of monks appeared. The ceremony was about to begin.

Thaqib gathered with Rast and Judah at the gates of the temple along with all the other members of the Order. It was a large gathering. Thaqib had never seen such a thing. Gathering like this was forbidden in the city above.

The temple was carved into the side of the rock-face, the torches and candles that lit it made the carvings of ancient beasts and intricate patterns dance with shadows, making them seem alive. Within the entrance a golden light emanated.

The sound of chanting and the low hum of vibrating metal filled the air, creating an atmosphere of melancholy. A gong struck and Halima appeared from within the temple. She was cleaned up now alright, adorned in a brilliant purple cloak that seemed ruffled like bird feathers. The golden suit she had worn when he’d found her was now polished and gleaming in the dark. Halima’s face however didn’t seem to match the occasion, he sensed that she was very uncomfortable, he could understand, he’d also feel very uncomfortable being paraded around like that in front of all these strangers.

“We are gathered here today to welcome our savior. Our prophet from Zion, the Czepta—Halima. She has arrived at the prophesied time to deliver us from Babylon!” announced the booming voice of a particularly old looking monk from the temple steps. His eyebrows were so long and gray their ends disappeared into his wispy white beard.

“Who’s that?” Thaqib asked Rast.

“Elder Toa, he’s the head of this chapter of the Order.”

Halima took her seat at the top of the stairs on an extravagant looking pillow. She sat above all others, looking down, seeming not to want to see the many people that stood looking up at her.

“We are here to discuss the course of action that must now be taken. For many decades, since the end of the war, we have been displaced by the corrupted Babylonians. We have struggled to hold onto any hope that we would once again find our way back to the promised land of Zion. Aotea has been split in two and we have been unfortunate to have found ourselves upon its dark side. We have waited for the one to guide us from the darkness, through the Veil and back to Zion. Now, the Czepta has returned to show us the path. We must make our way to the Veil!” Elder Toa announced.

“But how can we possible get there? The Babylonians will crush us the moment we step out of our sanctuary,” asked another of the elders standing nearby.

“Why do you think the Czepta has been sent to us? Halima has the power to protect us from their evil. She will lead the way! All we need to do is follow her,” Elder Toa replied.

“And what of the Shayateen!” boomed a voice, surprising the crowd. Elder Toa turned to see Shifun standing in the crowd.

“Shifun!? Where have you been?”

“This one from the Veil is no Czepta. She is a deceiver. I witnessed her arrival—Shayateen streamed in her wake. This girl lies! She did not pass through the trial of the Veil untainted!” The crowd gasped at the accusation.

“Preposterous!” Elder Toa yelled. If she were not the Czepta, the Veil would have consumed her. Yet here she stands! She is the Czepta!”

“No!” Halima said in a voice so loud it echoed through the chamber, catching everyone off-guard. A sudden silence fell upon the temple grounds, all the faces in it looked up to her sitting there alone atop the stairs. She stood, her purple cloak sliding off the floor, giving her a regal appearance. “You’ve got it all wrong,” she continued.

The silence deepened. Halima seemed to hesitate, Thaqib noticed that she seemed afraid. He remembered how she had been at the barge when the Shayateen had come upon them, that absolute fear that had gripped her. He saw that she was struggling now with a similar fear.

“I’m not who you think I am,” she announced causing a cacophony of whispering to erupt in confusion. “I’m not the Czepta,” she said, a shocked silence descended.

“What?” said Elder Toa. “Not the Czepta? What do you mean?”

“That’s what I mean, I’m not it. I’m sorry,” Halima said turning to the crowd. “I didn’t come here to save you.” The silence of the crowd deepened in disbelief. “My coming here to this terrible place you call Babylon, was by my own accord. Zion didn’t send me. I chose to come here, only to help.”

A gasp of blasphemy and disbelief erupted. “No—it’s impossible! The prophecy stated that on this day the Czepta would return to free us from our slavery!” Elder Toa said.

“There is no one coming!” Halima said loudly. “The reason you haven’t had contact with Zion, the reason you haven’t heard from them for so many years is because… Zion has abandoned Babylon!”

“What!?” yelled Elder Sensar, seated with the others.

“Lies! who do you think your are?” Shifun boomed. “She is a traitor, an impostor!”

Thaqib looked to Judah and Rast who seemed to be just as shocked by this revelation as the others. “What’s going on?” he asked.

“I don’t know,” Rast said.

Halima stared out at the crowd, “The corruption here is too great. You are left to your own devices. If you wish to return to Zion, you must find your own way there!”

“This cannot be—the prophecy—we’ve been waiting here in desperation for word from Zion,” Elder Toa said.

“This is the end! We’ve been sentenced to die,” yelled someone from the crowd.

“Zion has betrayed us!” Shifun yelled. Suddenly to Thaqib’s surprise, the monks started approaching Halima. “She lies! Put her in the hold!” yelled Shifun. “She is a deceiver, she must have been sent by Babylon to destroy us from within!” The elders too began to get worked up, waving gnarled fingers at Halima.

Suddenly Judah stood. “Elders!” he boomed. “This is a gift. Halima has told us what we’ve already known for centuries. We were never supposed to put our fate in the hands of another. By putting our hopes and our will in a savior from outside we’ve lost the ability to help ourselves. Our cultivation has been suffering and dying these past years. Have we forgotten the core tenant of our order? That help comes to those who help themselves? Why are you so shocked by this revelation? Why would Zion send help to those who have forgotten their obligation?”

“Blasphemy!” hissed Shifun.

“Our fate is in our own hands, not in the hands of Babylon! They have been able to wipe us from the land with ease, because we let them!” Judah continued.

“How dare you!” Elder Toa yelled turning to him. “I’ve heard enough! seize the false prophet! Zion would never abandon us.”

“Rast!” Thaqib said, becoming alarmed by the growing tension. “Rast, we’ve gotta get Halima out of there!”

Judah realized Thaqib was right and moved to help her. Rast put a hand on his shoulder, holding him back. “Just wait, you’ll see,” he said.

The monks became angry, moving toward her, their movements becoming hostile.

“Stay back!” Halima said. They didn’t listen.

“You’ve betrayed us! Impostor!” they said, moving toward her.

Thaqib saw a familiar glow on Halima’s chest. Suddenly Sol detached from her neck piece and Thaqib recognized what was about to happen.

“Quick, close your eyes!” Thaqib said to Judah and Rast. They seemed to understand what he meant and did so just in time, Sol emitted a blinding flash, knocking back the monks, blinding everyone in the chamber.

Thaqib heard the cries of confusion and knew now was the chance to get Halima out of there, Judah and Rast agreed.

“Meet me in the armory,” Rast said to Judah. “And be quick, I fear that our problems here have only just begun.”

Judah nodded, “Come with me Thaqib, lets get Halima away from these fanatics.” Thaqib nodded.

They ran through the crowd who were stumbling over each other in a chaos of anger and confusion, still blinded by Sol’s light. Halima stood over them seeming bewildered.

“Halima!” Thaqib shouted, she turned to see him, almost relieved. She ran to him and they met atop the stairs.

“Let’s get out of here,” he said.

She looked at him with those large golden eyes and nodded.

“Looks like they’re coming to,” Judah said. “Let’s go! Quickly, before they see us!”

They made their way back through the crowd and out of the cavern. Shifun made his way after them. Pomo emerged from the crowd behind him and followed, keeping his distance.