Preparing to Fire

"Mad?" Sonic replied coolly. "No. This isn't madness, and it isn't wishful thinking. I'm only doing what I must. This is the path I was destined to walk. My lord has fallen. That is an ending, but also a beginning. A pity you won't live to see the day of rebirth." He waved a hand, and a force of suction enveloped everyone present. "Come, return to nature! Give everything you have so the new Nature Church can rise from the ashes!"

"No! You can't do this! You'll destroy the entire church!" Pelosi shrieked in terror, but she could not stop her body from moving toward Sonic.

The same thing happened to everyone else. An invisible force dragged them forward, while layers of green light rose from their bodies. It was the Psychic Energy within them, and they could not hold on to it. Every last bit was drawn away.

Green flames burned in Sonic's eyes. He had descended into a frenzy. "This isn't destruction!" he roared. "It's rebirth! Only by taking this path does the Nature Church have any hope of flourishing. If we carry on as before, we'll merely cling to life until the Holy Light Church destroys us! I have no choice. Even my lord has abandoned us. We have no one to rely on but ourselves!" His voice climbed higher and sharper as his agitation grew. Green light flashed in his eyes, and the flames blazed. "You understand nothing!"

"He's mad! The high priest has gone completely mad!" Pelosi screamed. She strained with all her might to break free, but even when she unleashed the strength she had kept hidden, she only slowed her movement slightly. She still could not shake Sonic's hold. Her body continued to slide toward him against her will.

Some of the weaker