Saint Michael the Archangel.
Defend us in battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray.
And do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen!
—Excerpt from the Exorcism Scripture
The Vatican, Saint Peter's Square.
Residents of Rome, ambassadors from various nations, the upper echelons of the Papal States, forty-eight scarlet-robed cardinals, and even His Holiness the Pope himself were in attendance.
The Exorcists of the Papal States had always been shrouded in mystery. Their chief in particular answered only to the Pope himself.
It was said that he led his disciples beyond the borders of this world, waging war against the 7,405,926 evil spirits in Hell.
Others claimed he joined mysterious organizations from around the world to guard a seal tied to the fate of humanity.
Still others said this Exorcist had lived for over ten thousand years and witnessed mountains rise from the sea.
Under the blazing sun, a pale-skinned man in a black robe accompanied the Pope onto the raised platform. His hair was white, but his expression was resolute, and his movements were so fluid that it was impossible to guess his age.
There was no doubt: the man standing beside the Pope was the legendary chief Exorcist. The cardinals all rose to their feet.
A sacred hymn rang through the heavens.
Pius IX raised his scepter, and the entire square fell silent. He announced solemnly,
"Our brother, the beloved Bishop Minofel, has left us. But he did not ascend to Heaven; the Devil stole his soul."
The crowd erupted in gasps, and people began whispering among themselves. Tales of ghosts