Chapter 25: The Test Of Faith

"Y-yes. He's your father."

I felt like I had been punched in the gut. The air was knocked out of me, leaving me gasping for breath. My world came crashing down. My mind reeled as I tried to process the information.

My father?

But that was impossible. I had grown up to see mum's husband- Mr Timothy as my father…or so I believed.

"No" I whispered, shaking my head.

"That's not true." I hadn't realised that tears were already falling.

"After two years of marriage to Kyros, I couldn't endure his attitude, negligence and abuse any longer. He opted for a divorce and I agreed. I hadn't realised that I was pregnant then. I ran away from home, from responsibility, from family and I came to Brookville to start my life afresh. I met Timothy here and a few months later, we got married and…i-i had you." She said, sniffing.

"Did Dad know?" I asked as she shook her head, shame evident in her expression.

"No. He doesn't know…till now." She said.

"Did Kyros know?" Her face went pale and she leaned over from across the other side of the table.

"No, he doesn't know and it must remain that way, for your safety. Sandra, he mustn't ever know. If he knew he had a heir, it'll all be over."

"Heir? Mum what are you talking about?" She hesitated a bit before replying.

"His father, Damon, my father and a few other highly influential men in government, founded the cult- OET and at the age of 39 or 40, they must bring their children, which are their heirs to preserve their legacy and continue running their operations. Without them, they'll be killed and their position of leadership would be passed onto another family since they have a hierarchy. And that is what caused the death of my father- Pa Reginald. Since I ran away and was no where to be found, he couldn't produce a heir and both he and mother were killed." She said as my blood ran cold.

"B-but what about your siblings? Couldn't they have been brought as the heir?"

"No Sandra. Every first born must be presented as the heir. Apat from that, it would have given my father access to a scepter that wields lethal power and can unleash mayhem. So that us why Kyros must never know. Although he has you captive, he mustn't know so that he wouldn't initiate you into his cult.

This was way too much for me to bear.

God, what do I do now? All my friends are in danger because of this? Is this why Kyros held us captive for this long?

Ray sneezed and we immediately ran to his side.

"Ray? Are you okay?" I asked as he nodded, rubbing his eyes.

"M-mum? S-Sandy?" He asked as mum hugged him tightly.

"It's okay Ray, Sandra. The Lord would keep us safe." She said.

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The air was heavy with malevolent energy as the dark cultists gathered around the ancient altar. The full moon hung low, casting an eerie glow over the preccedings. We were all bound and hope seemed far-fetched as we were dragged to the center of the circle. Mum was tied to a chair nearby as Kyros walked in, his aura oppressive and intimidating. I looked at my friends and it was like I could see through their tired, rugged exterior- an expression of hope and I imm felt this surge of power and hope as I prayed in my heart.

It's time to fight. I'm a soldier of Christ after all.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Jael, how long were you planning to keep this away from me? Oh you thought you could fool me all this while right? But guess what? I have my heir and access to the scepter!" He said, laughing maniacally as my face paled.

I thought mum said he didn't know!

"Now, it is time for the sacrifice and initiation. Sandra, step forward." My heart raced. I knew what he wanted to do- kill my friends and initiate me in order to gain access to the scepter.

"No! I would not be initiated into your cult and my friends are no object for your sacrifice!" I said, with unwavering boldness that surprised me.

"Choose, Sandra. You get initiated into OET and enjoy power and authority or you die helplessly with the rest of your friends." He said, smirking evilly as I let out a chuckle which confused him.

"What authority do you talk about? As for me, I'm not interested and I'll rather die because the authority my Heavenly father has given me is way greater than anything you can give." His face contorted in anger as he took a step closer.

"I am your rightful father and you are my heir. Who else can give you power and authority greater than that of OET?" He asked.

"My heavenly Father. And He says that I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you."