The reptile marched through the swampy marsh. He didn’t bring weapons because he knew it wasn’t necessary for the mission. He’d brought only what was required: something that the reptile held close to him. He dreaded the thought of being there, what was necessary to banish the creature. If there was something he could wish for was for someone else to take the task instead, or the creature would finally die.
The reptile rested at the top of a Bald Cypress tree, to give himself a moment of privacy. He retrieved a small metal box from his pocket. Inside it was something he held dearly. Jackson rubbed his scaled fingers on the edges; he wanted to pop it open to look inside one last time.
They stopped themselves and put it back in their pocket before they climbed back down to continue on their journey. The mission always came first to him, the reptile had to do what was expected of him for the survival of humanity. Even if it would hurt them the most.
Sniff!
The miasma was familiar to him; he was close. He reached for his necklace under his vest to retrieve a copper ring. With a kiss, Jackson took it out from its chain to wear it. It wouldn’t protect him, but it would remind him of the past.
At the centre of the body of water, was the monster. The black building was 125 metres in length, 50 metres in width, and the height of the steeple was 161.53 metres. Its decorative stone masonry depicted an assortment of patterns and art, beautifully crafted with gargoyles that peered down, judging the reptile and guarding the black stone. But what caught his eyes was the three religious symbols on top of the doors. The Star of David, The Cross, and The Crescent.
Before the reptile could open the door, a frail old man stepped out of the cathedral to greet him. ‘I thought the rumours were true, I just had to make sure.’ The old man gave a ceremonial bow. ‘Greetings, and what name do you go by now?’ They wore a featureless mask of gold, their robes and hood a cornsilk white with a red trim, their hands hidden way behind white gloves with silver fingertips. They were not human, but a projection by the cathedral to communicate with the outside world, to speak to a familiar face.
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‘Jackson,’ he bluntly replied.
The custodian was taken aback by the reptile's response. ‘You’ve changed.’
Jackson ignored their comment as he pointed at the three conflicting religious symbols. ‘Why?’
‘The world changed, that’s why. People are turning away from their gods, becoming more secular with each passing year. A shame really, I liked it when humanity had faith in something incomprehensible. Now humanity is chasing endless growth, and constant satisfaction from their screens. It saddens me; they are resting less and working more. I miss the days when my halls were full.’
‘Good,’ Jackson retorted. ‘Let them abandon their gods. They never did any good.’
The old man sighed, ‘I see that never changed.’ The custodian pressed their hand against the black stone door. ‘You were gone for a long time, Jackson. I hope you remembered what you needed to do, and that I can never truly die.’
‘I remember.’
The custodian shook their head, ‘this would be the hundredth time you walked inside. I pity you; I have ever since the tenth time you walked inside. Tell me, do you believe it will ever change?’
The reptile ignored the old man’s question while he took off their trench coat. ‘Can you hold on to this?’ The custodian took the armoured coat before they neatly folded it.
As they reached for the door, the custodian grabbed onto the reptile’s hand. ‘You’re hurt, Jackson. You shouldn’t have come here in your current state.’ Jackson didn’t reply, instead, they stared down the custodian. The message was clear. He didn’t care what the creature had to say, he only desired to leave as soon as he arrived. ‘Know this, it won’t be easy. Nothing has changed since your disappearance, I hope you remember that.’
Jackson gave a nod before he was allowed to enter the Black Cathedral. ‘I know.’
