Out of the Ashes (Book 5)

[Akirapryde]

The Oracle
Capital City, Stephinopulous
Democratic Republic of Fra
Mid-Rim World of Fra

The religious movement that swept through the war ravaged Out Rim in the wake of the Jedi Civil War had a lasting impact on the hearts and minds of the average person. Where there was despair and loss of hope for a brighter future, the new religion offered peace of mind and hope. It wasn't long till the church became a driving force in the Outer Rim spreading its message and building churches the region that the Republic forgot. With their message of harmony and peace among others, it wasn't long till the followers of the church found welcomed homes far across the Outer Rim. Within their message was the acceptance of the one true God along with his forgiveness and kind hand to rule of the souls of its followers. There was also within the message the goal to cast out the wicked ways of dark temptations (namely the practitioners of the Force) which was blamed for the Jedi Civil War and later the down fall of the Great Republic. As the Republic fell during the Azgard/Republic war and the Galaxy slipped in to the dark ages of chaos. The Church's spread was unstoppable offering hope during desperate times to those in the most need. Like a candle in the dead of night, followers bridged space, race and cultural divides to join the Church. No one was turned away, as the Church set out to save the souls of the lost.

During the early years of the dark times of the Galaxy, the Church played a small roll as the conflicts raged between former Republic Worlds. As the years turned to decades, and decades turned to centuries, these conflicts became unsustainable. It was not long before the vast majority of all technology had been destroyed or the ability to build them had been lost to history. By the third century after the fall of the Republic, the true darkness engulfed the Galaxy. This was signified as the last shipyard capable of building capital warships was destroyed within the Mid Rim. By the fourth century after the fall, the Church enjoyed near unlimited access to worlds and empires. Their followers numbered in the hundreds of trillions which allowed the Church to ensure a wide range of influence throughout the Galaxy. Many world leaders, dictators and conquers had little choice but to accept the influence of the Church within their worlds and spheres of influence. They had to learn to work within Church's rules. The Church did not impose its influences during times of conflict unless it was forced to by others. Nor has it ever officially chosen sides during conflicts as long as its rights were respected. They preached a policy of God's Law shall be respected at all times by all. They maintain a steadfast policy of neutrality during conflicts. Through this, they demand that the property of the Church remain the sovereign territory of the Galactic Church of God. This sovereignty was only challenged once during the expansion of the Varl Empire within the Colony worlds near the end of the forth century.

As the Varl were strengthening their strangle hold on the Core Worlds, they set their sights on a few wealthy Colony worlds. As the invasions began, the ruling family of Sigtmux sought sanctuary within their local Church. The Church leader, Bishop Sig'ul Aey, informed the Varl commander of the invading military that the family was under the Church's protection and that they will be transported off world. The Varl commander claimed that the Church had violated its neutrality and ordered the Church stormed. The family was captured and executed right on the front steps of the Church along with Bishop Aey. The Varl leadership didn't have time to react to the actions of their local commander before the Church's response. The Church's response went down in history as the first time it flexed its muscles in inter-Galactic affairs. Over night, the church shut down all its communication links within the Varl Empire. This act effectively cut off the Varl's ability to communicate with its conquered worlds and its units engaged in conquest throughout the Colony Worlds. The Church also announced that evil forces had taken route within the Varl leadership and pure souls should flee the service of the Varl. The Church issues a public statement that God would cast his hand to smite the Varl for the murders they committed within the House of God. The Church urged its followers that raising up against such evil forces would ensure that their sins would be cleansed by God himself.

Within days of the murders on Sigtmux and the Church's response to them, there were revolts across Varl's conquered territories. Within the first months of the murders the Varl saw well over half of their worlds in open revolt with other worlds threatening revolt. Without the ability for them to effectively communicate with their military units, they Varl were unable to respond to the revolts in time to coordinate actions with local garrisons. The Varl saw its military suffer from desertions and defeats due to loss of moral. Unable to battle the revolts and the actions of the Church at the same time. Members of the Varl military leadership met with Church leadership in secret. After the meetings the Varl military issued a public statement regarding their leaders' pact with dark forces and condemned the act carried out by their own leadership. Military trails were held which were overseen by the Church. All but two members of the Royal Family of the Varl Empire were found guilty of sins against God. Many were pushed in to service with the Church to forward 'Gods Message' while a few were found to be unrepentant and burned to cleanse their souls of their sins. The Church crowned the new leader of the Varl Empire and announced that the Varl had been cleansed of its dark ties. While the Varl lost over half of their holdings during the two year entanglement with the Church, they were able to regain much of their control over the Core Worlds. This was brought about thanks to three major factors. A series of hefty payments to the Church for the murders which boosted the coffers of the Church significantly. Secondly, an assurance to respect the Churches neutrality in future engagements. Lastly and most importantly, the new leadership of the Varl officially recognized the Galactic Church of God as the only official and legal religion within the Varl Empire. This cleared the way for the Church to reopen its communication hubs and allowed the Varl to focus on the Rebel forces which were threatening to over run their holdings within the Core Worlds. The Church had stood against one of the boldest Empires to ascend from the ashes of the Republic, and it won. Never again would the influence or authority of the Church would be called in to question.

The Church on Fra predates the fall of Naboo to the very first invaders. Officially founded less than ten years before the fall of the Republic, it was a raising power of influence in both the region and on the planet itself long before that date. Due largely to its peaceful mission and respect beyond racial and culture divides, the people of Fra found the Church and its influence to be highly welcomed on this war torn world. As invaders came and were later defeated by other invaders, the people found one constant on their world, the Church. It was a Church brokered deal which brought about the end of the last occupation of the world during the seventeenth century. With the end of the occupation, the people of Fra were finally able to rule themselves as they did before the fall of the Republic. The Bishop of Fra oversaw the elections which gave birth to the region's first democratically elected Government. He went on record saying, "the Will of God has been at work in the hearts and souls of the people of Fra. May this Divine act live long and bare many fruits for the fine people of Fra." However this peace was not always the case. During the third and through to the sixth century, this region was one of the most volatile regions in the Galaxy. The number and scope of conflicts, the loss of life (normally innocent lives), were all completely unimaginable. While the Church never acted through military actions to counter these conflicts, many Bishops and Priests of the region had given their lives to protect innocent lives. They spoke with waring factions and held peace conferences between factions. Sometimes these efforts were successful, other times they ended with horrific outcomes for the Church and their clergy. It was largely due to these actions by the Church within the region that help foster a sense of peace among the waring factions within the region near the end of the eighth century. It didn't end the fighting completely, but did help cut down the number of innocent lives lost.

Long before the Church came to Fra, then called Naboo, the Jedi Temple of Naboo stood as a powerful reminder of Republic's influence and authority in the region. During the civil war, Naboo had become a hub for transient Jedi fleeing the Coruscant Temple to join the Rebel Jedi Movement. Naboo was spared much of the fighting that ravaged the Outer Rim and their secret underground railroad continued up till the last months of the war. It was a Republic spy that learned about the underground railroad and how Naboo was helping fund the Rebel Jedi factions. The Republic sent the mighty 39th Army of the Republic to Naboo with orders to secure the Temple and stop the flow of supplies to the Rebel Jedi. In what was suppose to be a prearranged peaceful take over of the Temple and securing of the world, was botched by the Republic General. The ensuing battle left Naboo in flames and the Jedi Temple leveled. The battle was not one sided as Naboo and her defenders fought back fiercely. The number of lives lost were high on both sides. While promises of reparations and rebuilding fell through, the resentment of Republic Corruption grew on Naboo. Today, on the very foundations where the Jedi Temple once stood, stands the proud Grand Cathedral of Fra. Its tail steeples and grand design had become one more proud symbol of God's influence in the physical world. Its bells, which had become known as a must see for the region, were cast from salvaged metal of the fallen Jedi Temple. The sound they make has been described as heavenly as they call all of God's children to service. The Art work along the ceilings tells the story of the Church's struggle to save souls within the region. The Grand Cathedral has been said to be one of the most magnificent buildings in the entire region, possibly the entire Galaxy. This is due to the fact that no expense was spared in its design and furnishings, as seen by the priceless gems and gold highlights around many works of art that are seen within building. "It is truly a fitting House of God", boosted a former Bishop of Fra. The current Bishop of Fra doesn't hold the same view of the Grand Cathedral.

Bishop Bausch set behind his large desk deep within the clergy sanctuary. He had much on his mind that distracted him from the communication reports set before him. It was his duty to review the reports and notify the Holy Seat of the Church of anything in the region that might pose as a threat to the Church or its influence. The Church's communication network gave them untold advantage over every one else. When the Great Republic fell, the Church saw an opportunity to build a powerful advantage for themselves. They hid their technology resources from common sight as the waring factions tore each other apart. Their ships moved across the old space lines and captured the old communication beacons and nods. They weren't able to save them all, but they did save enough to preserve the some of the network. As the Galaxy slipped headlong in to the dark ages of conflict, the Church secretly set up their communication network using their Grand Cathedrals on worlds to fill in the gaps that their beacons and nods couldn't cover. In exchange for allowing political leaders use of their hubs (for a fee) they demanded that the Church would remain neutral in any conflicts. At first some leaders attempted to take the hubs by force. The Church had planned for such an action in advance, the hubs were tightly encrypted and the links were only good between two points. They were also closely monitored and controlled by the Central Church. Which allowed the Central Church to cut entire regions from the network. It became clear that taking the Hubs proved to be problematic because even if they could hack the system, they lacked the knowledge to maintain the systems for any length of time. It was decided that simply paying the fees and accepting the Church's demands were vastly more easier at the time. Most major powers rationalized that once they had secured their power base and rebuilt the Republic in their own image, then they would deal with the Church. As the centuries passed, the Church's Communication Hubs became the life line for entire worlds and communities. It has been said that where one finds a Church, there is hope and life. This saying came to be as communities slowly migrated to where the Churches were so to be close to this life line with other worlds.

Bishop Bausch looked down at the last report and gave out a heavy sigh. It wasn't long since he met the outsiders deep in the Stepped Plains. They brought trouble to his world and his followers. He could sense the great death that they were going to cause. Yet he also knew that they had a greater promise to fulfill. That they could bring hope to the Galaxy once more. That was if they could find the destiny that God has laid out for them. He sighed once more, From what he saw in the two meetings with them, he didn't have faith in them. There was simply too much chaos in their souls for them to achieve God's work at the moment. He heard the screams and yells from the other side of the sanctuary. He reached over and flicked on his security monitor and saw the mob rushing in to the sanctuary dragging a pair with them. He shook his head slowly as he heard foots just outside his office. He turned the monitor off and stood up as the door opened and one of his younger Deacons rushed in. “Bishop! The people have caught a witch and a warlock!” the Deacon said in a labored voice.

“Settle your heart, my brother” Bishop Bausch said softly as he reached over and picked up his staff. He could feel the spirit of God pulsating through the staff as he took hold of it. “Remember, haste allows us to fail to see the temptations of the Dark Forces around us. Haste allows use to fail to understand what it is that we are doing. Haste allows us to fail to see the Greater Work of God right before us. Let your heart be calm, my brother” he explained as he calmly walked from the office. The short walk down the hall gave the senior Bishop time to focus himself while the voices of the mob carried through the passageways of the Cathedral. He could hear them calling out to burn the pair of evil doers. He could sense their hate and their fear flowing through the halls as he walked. Facing the Dark Forces was something that every Bishop had to be prepared for. This training starts even before Clergy reach the level of Deacon and it continues all the way through their life with the Church. Their mandate by God was simple, save souls from the Darkness. The old Bishop stopped before the statue of the Prophet Burattinaio. He was the first of God's Prophets to take action against the Dark Forces that rage unchecked in the Galaxy. He started building the Churches and forming God's children in to the Religion that they have today. Prophet Burattinaio has been the patron saint of facing the Dark Forces. Bishop Bausch lowered his head and offered a short prayer, “Lord, offer me the strength that I shall need to face this darkness and cleanse my community of it. Ahem” he said softly then turned to walk in to the sanctuary. As he walked in he saw the mob had already grown two folds and more were wanting to see what was going on. He could sense that these events were staged, and he had an idea of by who. He turned his head to the young Deacon, “pay attention Brother. Today you shall see God's power at work before your eyes.”

Everyone was yelling at him to burn the pair under God's law. Bishop Bausch looked around and waved his staff. He could feel the presence of darkness in his Church as he looked around hoping to identify the source. 'Was it from the pair or someone else?' he questioned unsure of where the source was coming from. He calmed the crowd as he looked to the Magistrate. “Speak the Charges, Magistrate.” he knew the local Magistrate closely and considered the man a close friend. It was this friendship which allowed the Magistrate remain in his position after the Coup. Since the Coup, the Magistrate had worked closely with the Church to help ensure that God's Law and children were cared for. Had the Bishop not spoken personally for the old Magistrate, he would had been murdered with the others during the Coup.

The old Magistrate stepped forward, “Bishop, I have two witnesses that claim that these two.” he started to explain as the crowd parted and a group of men brought a young woman and a middle age man forward. Both were in heavy shackles and beaten heavily. They clearly did not end up in shackles without a fight. What was surprising was that they had weapons aimed at them. It was clear that the men who were holding the pair were not the Magistrate's men, as his men did not enter the Cathedral with their weapons. “These two are the witnesses” he motioned as a woman and a man stepped forward.

Before anyone else could speak the old Bishop spoke up, “I understand that you men are duty bound and honorable.” He spoke to the guards clearly and sternly, “however this is the House of God. Take your weapons out of here, NOW!”

The men looked disgusted at the Bishop's comments but dared not disobey him. They handed their weapons off to one of them and he removed the weapons from the building. The Magistrate motioned for the witnesses to speak, “Bishop, we” started the man, “watched them down by the river. Where the old Miners' House is. He was speaking to her of dark powers and we both saw them lift up a stones from the river.” He explained as the woman nodded, “She seemed new to these dark arts as he seemed to be showing her things. Then he flew around like a bird. I saw him, we saw him fly across the river without touching the water!”

“Thats a lie!” cried the man in shackles. The Bishop waved the man to silence.

“Its not a lie, we both saw it” demanded the woman, “I would not lie in the House of God!”

Bishop Bausch looked at the young woman as she only looked down at the ground. He nodded as he turned his attention to the pair of witnesses. “Tell me, why were you both at the river?” They both looked at each other as their faces betrayed their nervousness. He moved closer to them as his robs and chained cross made an unsettling sound, “Why were you both at the river. I know both of you. Both of you are married and work on the other side of the city. You have no reason to be down by the river.”

“I told you! Its all lies!” cried the man once more.

Bishop Bausch turned the man finally, “No, its not. This much is clear.” he turned back to the young Deacon, “Take them to the confessionals. I think the burden of guilt is weighing heavily on their souls.”

“Yes Bishop” replied the Deacon as he motioned for the pair to follow him.

The woman followed the man as he followed the Deacon. She paused next to the Bishop and looked down in shame, “Yes I have sinned, Bishop. But lying is not the sin. Please believe me.”

He nodded to her, “I do believe you child. Go, confess your sins to God and I shall see both of you and your respected spouses in three days. I shall help you all save your Holy Unions and clean your souls of this filthy sin you have brought to them.” he said softly.

She reached up and rested a hand on his lower arm with her head lowered, “Thank you Bishop.” she slowly allowed her hand to slip from his arm as she followed the Deacon and the man she sinned with. The crowd turned their focus to the pair as the Bishop's words seemed to condemn them both already. They were all screaming once more for them to be burned at the stack. The levels of fear rose which added to the levels of hate and anger.

The Bishop looked around as the fear and hate rose in the large sanctuary. Once more he rose up his staff and yelled as his voice carried throughout the massive sanctuary. “You shall be calm in the House of the Lord or face judgment of your immortal SOULS!” As the echoes of his warnings slowly dead away, there was not a sound in the sanctuary other then the sounds of the chains of the two prisoners. Bishop Bausch walked forward to the young woman. He carefully lifted her chin as he knelled next to her. “Tell me child, are these claims true?” she tried to look away but he held her chin secured in his grip, “Child, I can see through your eyes, right in to your very soul.” He could call upon the power of God (The Force) and could tell that she was touched with the gift (Force Sensitive). “Do not lie to me. Lets save your soul here today, confess your sins.”

She started to cry as he spoke to her in such soft words. She tried to move her face once more from looking in to his eyes but he refused to let her go. Her will gone, her strength long left her when they were captured by the soldiers. She just cried and nodded, “Its true Bishop” she sobbed, “Ba but, he only flew off the ground a little.”

He nodded, “I see, just a little?” he said almost playfully as he tried to reassure her. She returned the soft smile unsure of what it could mean. “I know you, child. You are Maider daughter.” her eyes light up at the comment. “You have been touched by the Gift of God” he said softly as she looked down in shame. Once more he pulled her eyes to his, “how we use this special gift is up to us. He must have spoken to you of great things you can do with your gift.” She nodded, “Did he warn you of the temptations of this Gift?” she shook her head, “It is true that you can do great things with this gift that God has given you. However, it is easy for such an act of good intentions bring about horrific outcomes.” He paused a moment to allow her to soak in what he said before continuing, “The Church shall help you understand the Gift and help you use it to do the Lords bidding.” He said as he let her chin go, He motioned for the Magistrate and pointed at her, “come child, come before The Lord, Our God.” he motioned as the Magistrate helped her to her feet. The three walked up towards the very front of the grand sanctuary. There the Magistrate forced her to her knees, “Child, speak your sins before God and confess what is in your heart.”

Her tears ran freely down her face as she looked up to the impressive statue which represented her God. All her life, she had been raised to fear the sins of the flesh and temptations of the Dark Forces. All her life she was raised believing in a life after death. The fate of that life would depend on what she did in this world. She knew that she was faced with the temptations of the Dark Forces, and now she had to face that action before God himself. She tried to speak but the tears and crying got in the way. Finally with a bit further encouragement from both the Magistrate and the Bishop did she find her voice, “Father, I have sinned against you” she said softly fearing to even look up at the statue. The fear of her heart was real and founded, “I have spoke with darkness. Been temped to do evil things. These things seemed so easy and so exciting at the time. I don't want to sin. I don't want to burn for eternity. Please Father, forgive me! Please show mercy on my soul.”

Bishop Bausch knelled next to her, “the last time I saw you, you were just a little girl sitting in that seat over their.” he said motioned to where a crowd was standing next to some wooden seats. “When the war broke out, your family ran out of fear. When fear controls our actions child, we make mistakes and do the wrong things. There is no reason to fear with God in our hearts. His strength gives up hope and lifts our hearts above this realm.” He motioned for her to remain, “Pray child and stay here, we shall talk more.” he said then rose up from the steps where she was lowering her head. “She is repentant of her sins that all of you have now bared witness to. She shall remain in service with the Church till she has cleansed her soul of these sins.” He explained as he walked forward to the man, and looked down at the man who was now looking down at the floor. Like her, he was touched with the Gift as well. However he was darker then her. Where her soul was pure and could be saved, his was much darker. It was clear to the Bishop that he was the reason for her actions. “I don't know you, stranger.”

“I know, but I know who you are. Bishop Bausch!” he said as he leaped up to his feet as a powerful blast knocked the guards away from him. The Bishop retreated from the change in events as he felt the surge of Darkness within his church. It was clear to Bishop Bausch that there was another source of Darkness here in his Church. The man made a grunt as he ripped the metal shackles apart as the small metal pieces were flung across the floor. The crowd let out a cry of terror as the man laughed and screamed out, “DIE SLAYER!” as he unleashed a bluish bolt of lighting at the Bishop.

It was true that the Bishop was indeed a slayer of allies of the Dark Forces. It was true that the Bishop had slain many during his time as a Warrior of God. However, it was not true that the old Bishop would be such an easy target. As the bluish lighting reached him, he held his hands out to catch the lighting bolt. The crowds retreated from the attack out of fear. This was the first time any of them had ever seen a clash between one of the Lord's clergy and a servant of Darkness. As Bishop Bausch's body illuminated in a wash of light blue flashes, the Bishop called out, “I am a servant of the Lord, our God! Darkness shall never prevail in his presence.” Within seconds the lighting was gone and the Bishop moved to his attack, “Allow the light of the Lord to expose you, assassin!” he said as he unleashed waves of light slamming in to the man and tossing him back. The crowd parted as the man flew backwards across the floor. As the smoking body of the man attempted to get back up, the Bishop walked forward towards the would be assassin. “One does not enter the House of God and assassinates those chosen by God himself to speak on his behalf.” He said as he hammered the assassin with another wave of light from his hands. The man's body slid once more across the floor of the sanctuary. “Darkness shall never prevail over the servants of the Lord.” Bishop Bausch said then unleashed a new attack on him. “This contest is over, evil has failed once more” the Bishop said as he lowered his hands.

Slightly recovered and knowing that if he is to kill the Bishop its now or never. He had thought that the assassination would have been easier than this. However none of that mattered, he had to act or die. He flipped over and smiled, “Its your turn to die, you fool!” he yelled as he attempted another lighting attack on the Bishop. He thrust his hands forward and nothing happened. The man's eyes went wide as he tried it once more and nothing happened. “Wha....What have you done!” he yelled as he tried once more.

Bishop Bausch smiled as he turned around and started to walk away, “The Lord giveth the Gift and the Lord takes it away.” He walked up to the Magistrate as the crowd cheered at the Divine Power of God. “Take him to the town center and burn him. Let the fires of our Father cleanse his soul of the darkness he inflicted on himself” he explained to the Magistrate as the soldiers were already recapturing the man who was now screaming and trying to flee the fate he just heard. Never before had anyone seen the Divine struggle between God and the Dark Forces. Their faith in the Church had been once more reassured. However, deep in Bishop Bausch's heart, he felt as if it was all staged. The battle allowed him to sense that there was another source of darkness about his Cathedral. He couldn't locate it. 'So you had your show, your move' the Bishop thought as he walked up the young woman still where he left her. He carefully helped her up and removed the shackles as the screams of the crowd soon drowned out the cries of the man about to be burned alive. He nodded to her and smiled, “When was the last time you spoke to your family?”

She looked down once more in shame, “I...um....a while, Bishop.”

“Let us, ensure that they know you are on your own road to redemption and that you are in good hands” he said softly as he led her away.

As the crowd thinned, a strange bird like creature watched the events from under a cloak. From his advantage point, he heard and saw everything. Through the Force he knew what powers were at play. He knew that the assassin was much more powerful than the Bishop, and that the building helped defeat the assassin. He saw how the Bishop drew power from the building which acted like some kind of energy source for Force users. He also saw how the Bishop used his staff much like a lightsaber to help during the combat. It was clearly some kind of Force imbued item. Even he felt the other dark force about the holy place. Hiding from under the cloak of both the real world and within the Force, his senses were a bit lessened. So like the aged Bishop, he couldn't locate object of the dark energy. He felt its departure, but couldn't identify it within the large crowd. There were things at play during this battle and that became all too clear.

Leaving the Great Cathedral, the cheers of the crowds over the defeat of Darkness could easily be heard as word spread through the streets. The air revealed the fate of the assassin as smoke started to raise from the city center. It was unclear where the man had come from but it was clear that he knew the Bishop. The how and why were still the mystery. “It might be a good assignment for Padawan Daz” Visst said softly as he walked down the street. Between the buildings, Visst saw the crowds cheering at the fire. Through the flames he could make out the person chained to a large stone post screaming for the mercy of death. The flames licked him as the crowds cheered. No longer fearing the man, they cheered his defeat and fate. Some were even singing their praise to the Lord for helping their Bishop to defeat the Dark Assassin. He also saw some of the men from the Reich at the burning as he continued to leave the area. He wasn't sure, but he thought he saw the Field Marshal through the crowds. He could feel the tugging of fate on him. He knew that the Church was much more today then it was in the past.