Ripples

The wind on the mountain stirred the clouds and swept past the flags and energy barriers of the mountaintop temple, yet inside the Supreme Holy Temple, not even the slightest hint of the cold atop the mountains could be felt. Beneath the solemn, magnificent pillars and the Light Screen dome, the Holy Seat's voice echoed gently in everyone's ears.

"...The new Angel Catalyst will be delivered to the home planet within three days. Once it arrives and completes testing, it will immediately be placed into the Sacred Furnace. It will become the 'key' to the Eden Gate and complete the final step toward the Path of Holy Asceticism for us.

"While the Eden Gate is opening... the borders must be sealed, and the Sacred Realm must not be disturbed.

"Beware of complacency leading to negligence. Until the final moment arrives, none of our fellow believers may relax... After hundreds of years of arduous searching, we are only one step away..."

Golendel lowered his head and listened intently to the Holy Seat's teachings. Then he heard someone speak: "Holy Seat, our recent operations in the Crossroads have suffered repeated setbacks. They may already have noticed something... Should we make preparations in advance?"

The voice was somewhat grating. Golendel instinctively tightened his grip on the arms of his wheelchair, but he soon relaxed again, putting on an indifferent expression as if he did not care about the question.

Only a dull ache lingered below his knees.

The blonde man standing on the steps still wore his usual warm smile. He looked toward the priest who had asked the question, approval in his pale blue eyes. "We never underestimate our opponents. Those heretics have already caused us considerable losses, and I can sense that this time, too, they will bring trouble in unexpected