Chapter Text
Your body felt like it had grown wings, as if by some miracle the Father had transformed you into an angel and let you take flight through Heaven. Perhaps He had made you His angel, shown you the Light and the true path to salvation. You were blind but now you see. You give silent permission for your eyes to open and you find Joseph’s staring back at you, not filled with the usual disappointment but glee and everlasting love that His Lamb is no longer lost. You glance at the fields surrounding you and breathe lungfuls of the sweet Bliss. The motes of light dance around the two of you, blanketing you in a protective bubble that separates you from those who do not believe.
Joseph’s chest swells with Pride at how pliant you have become. It fills Him with relief that He does not require Jacob to condition you. You were His lost Lamb and you returned to Him willingly. It stirs a Sin deep within Him. One that He had ignored since the loss of His wife, since God’s first test. But God was presenting Him with a new test. To choose whether He ignores His ultimate purpose or embraces it to prepare for the Collapse.
He tilts your chin up and smiles softly, studying you as if you are a walking miracle.
“My Child, my little Lamb. You have found the true path. You have embraced your purpose. You have embraced me. Let me show you how divine your purpose is and together we shall march to Eden’s Gate and after the Collapse, we shall emerge as the Prophets who created and protected life.” With a sweet smile He sweeps His arm out presenting a beautiful girl in a dress similar to the one you find yourself wearing whenever you are in these fields. The girl’s barefeet danced along the grass and she takes Joseph’s hand as He guides her to stand before you.
“My sister Faith, she will guide you along your purpose. She will be your pillar when I can not. Let her help you and your path shall be divine.” Fairh released His hand and took both of yours, her smile wide and eyes glistening.
“I have waited so long for the Father to find His purpose. You are His purpose and He wants me to guide you. All you need is to have faith and God will shower you in glory!” She laughed gleefully and spun on the spot, the Bliss flowers parting in her wake. Joseph was gone but only for now. Faith calling you divided your attention and you chased after her into the clearing.
Your new life seemed so peaceful and desirable, it was hard to comprehend why anyone would not have faith in the Project. You aired your thoughts to Faith as she wound flowers into the braid she had tied in your hair. The soft smile across her face left you wondering if she was even listening. Your questioning glance left her giggling.
“Now I see why the Father loves you, you are devoted. You have faith and in return we shall offer the same.” Her words didn’t make too much sense in that moment but you smiled in acknowledgement and continued to play with the blades of grass that tickled between your fingers.
“Tonight you will attend a sermon with the Father and brother John will baptise you as a member of our family!” She leaned forward and blew the motes of Bliss into your face.
Like a breath of fresh air you were transported, whisked away like dandelions in the wind. The choir was already singing and you could hear the joy in their voices as they sang a song dedicated to the Herald due to cleanse your soul.
Oh John, bold and brave, he’s finding us a family, he’s teaching us the faith.
You slowly stepped forward towards the church doors and let your hands hover over the handles. You could hear your heart pounding in your ears.
Oh John, keep us safe, he’s gonna march us right through Eden’s Gate.
“I look forward to your confession,” came a blunt voice from behind. You gasped and spun to face the perpetrator - a handsome young man with blue eyes you could lose yourself in for days.
“M-my confession?” your stutter earned you a smirk, one you would never wish to wipe from the man’s face. His smile only grew as he studied your form.
“Yes, your confession. One you must give to me before I can cleanse your soul. To truly allow you onto the path of atonement.” He stepped closer and closer with every word until he had your back pressed against the doors. The wood creaked under your weight and you silently prayed that no-one try to open them.
“John,” you breathed as you realised that he was the Baptist. Joseph’s Herald of Holland Valley.
“The pleasure’s all mine,” he purred as a surprisingly calloused hand took yours and raised it to his lips. A soft kiss was pressed to your knuckles as blue eyes stared at you. He raised his head with that smirk and tilted towards the doors.
“Shall we? I would hate to keep the Father waiting.” He opened the doors for you and Joseph smiled widely when he recognised you both.
Your smile dwindled as John’s hand ventured to the small of your back, guiding you into a pew. So much contact and you barely knew a thing about this man. You picked up a Book of Joseph and rested it beside you but couldn’t help but be fully aware of John’s hand resting atop your thigh. You eyed it cautiously and John seemed to notice but decided that a wink should suffice.
He’s gonna march us right through Eden’s Gate.