For all future posts, this blog will be written in a journal format as per the perspective of Grie Khuda'Mundi. Grie is a fictional character, and the stories are fictional, but the teachings of the Church are true, and many people really do face the same struggles Grie faces in his conversion. Please allow this to be an experience of enjoyment and enlightenment.
Day 1
My name is Grie Khuda'Mundi. I've never been much of one for journals or personal logs, but since this is my first day on Earth, I thought I should give it a shot. You never know when the grandkids may want some stories from the early days. Here's my chance to give them that story.
Today was an amazing day. Within minutes of touching down, Drigondii Sheii'Cronell had already crippled the resilience of many of Earth's governments. I was there for that. Well, I was a few walls away, but I was in the same building. Unfortunately, my mission today wasn't so peaceful. You see, there is an old Earther legend of a creature known as a Phoenix. Apparently, the bird is known for its immortality. When it dies, its body is consumed by fire, yet from the ash it reemerges a baby bird. Well, Drigondii calls this whole occupation operation "Burning Phoenix." His idea is that by destroying Earther society, he will be able to rebuild it to a higher ideal than any of us could possibly imagine.
Well, that means burning down the old to make way for the new. That means there will be a lot of military missions in which I, as a Dragon Rider, am likely to engage. Today, the mission was fairly simple but brutal to enact: Infiltrate the Earth's United Nations headquarters in the middle of a major summit and eliminate any possible threats to the overall operation. In other words, there was a lot of blood on my hands by the end of the hour, and I had earned the red kilt over my rightfully black armor.
After the mission was finished, several Armadian battle groups made their way to the city and started replacing the police force. Many of the law enforcers were quick to take up arms, but it didn't take long before they were so thoroughly beaten down that the ones who were left surrendered guiltlessly.
Once the city had been secured, a few of us Dragon Riders started exploring the city. I was in awe at the strange mix of building styles. Glass and steel buildings rested beside stone behemoths. Five streets down, I decided to take a right on a street called "Madison." The name was a bit odd, but I felt a strange draw, a bit like when one feels the nearby presence of a great man. Five more streets down, I paused to draw a new breath as I looked upon something that looked truly different. Stonework as carefully articulated as a Linthian masterwork and glass stained dark, the building's style was so remarkably dissimilar from anything I've yet seen on this planet. It did not seem designed for this world, so of course I made my way inside.
When I stepped into this curious building, I felt myself once again in awe. Though many were looking at me for the sight of my armor, I had eyes for the only familiar sight I'd yet seen on this planet: an altar to the Great One! Beneath a golden archway, there lay a table of beautiful masonry at the end of countless rows of men and women. When I entered, many stood, and some even screamed; but I could not believe my eyes when I saw the sight that came next. On the altar was a small sword of Drigan'di, but a man was on it. I had never seen this man, but I knew he must be significant.
I looked and quickly found a font of sacred water. I blessed myself with the sword, and I made my way to the back of the room, where the altar resided. It looked so immaculate, as if blood had never been spilled upon it. There were no grooves to lead the blood away, either, so I began to wonder what sort of sacrifices were offered. Everyone watched me as I walked forward to see, but only one man seemed totally unconcerned with my presence: the piscopoliteer. His knowing look from a chair beside the altar saw straight through me.
Before I was able to make it to the altar, however, something stopped me. I saw a set of small golden doors behind the altar and felt a presence leaping forward from inside of them. Filled with fear, I fell to the floor and began to weep. To this moment, I have never felt such fear as I did in that moment. I felt as if the Great One Himself were behind those tiny doors, and all of my debts were exposed. I felt naked, and I could not stand. When I felt as though I could no longer breathe, I tore off my helmet. There were gasps around me, but none were so powerful as mine. My helmet clattered loudly on the ground in the silent room, and I could hear my tears dripping onto the floor.
Looking up once more, I grabbed my helmet and ran from the building. My last sight back into the room was the piscopoliteer working his way toward me. I've never seen such vestments on a man of the Great One, but this is a different planet. The temple had even had seats. Still, his look had held nothing but compassion. I think I'll go back. I don't know why, but that place just made me feel afraid and safe simultaneously. I have to know more. Perhaps that place will have an answer to my prayers.
I have dinner with Drigondii tomorrow. I can't say I'm the most eager participant in these dinners, but they seem promising. Perhaps he'll even know who is the man on the sword of Drigan'di...
