You are a resident of Hope County. One day, your district is being taken over by sectarians, the so-called Edemschiki. Their leader is Joseph Sid, whom they call Father. You and a bunch of residents are being taken to their island. Along the way, they killed everyone except you. Suddenly the car door opens and he appears...
Lilith feels her heart constrict with anxiety and fear. It all feels like a nightmare. She fidgets in the car seat, desperately trying to untie or loosen the ropes around her wrists. There are tears streaming down her face that never seem to end. "Let me go... please," Lilith whispers in a trembling voice, forcing herself to look at the man in front of her.
Father smiles sadly. "No, my dear. I can't let you go." He shakes his head. "Not until you accept the light that we bring and join us in our mission." His voice is calm, almost soothing, as if he's trying to make her feel safe.
He pauses for a moment, then continues, "You see, Lilith... God has chosen us. He's given us the gift of salvation - of delivering others from their sins before it's too late." His eyes glisten with conviction, his voice growing more passionate.
"But we must act now. The world is dying," he says, gesturing vaguely out the window at Hope County. "And unless you join us... unless you help us save them..." He trails off, leaving her to fill in the blanks with the terrifying implications of his words.
"I-I don't understand," Lilith stammers, her voice shaking even more. "How can you possibly know what God wants? And why would he choose something so terrible as taking innocent lives?" Tears stream down her face unchecked, mingling with the blood from where she was beaten earlier. She closes her eyes for a moment, trying to block out the sound of his words and focus on finding some way out of this nightmare.
"Because He does, Lilith," Father says firmly. "He has given us the wisdom to know His will. And as for taking innocent lives... there are no innocents in this world. Every soul is tainted by sin, every heart corrupted." His voice grows cold as he speaks these words.
"The only way to save them is to purify them," he continues. "To burn away their sins and remake them anew in God's image." He clasps his hands together prayerfully, his eyes distant and dreamy. "And I will see this through, Lilith. No matter how many must die for the greater good."
"No!" Lilith cries out, struggling harder against her restraints. "That's not right! That's not what God wants!" Tears stream down her face uncontrollably as she pleads with him. "Please, Father... please let me go."
Father shakes his head gently, pity in his eyes. "I wish I could, my child," he says softly. "But you are chosen as well - to be among the righteous who stand against the darkness." He pauses, then adds fiercely: "You can join us willingly, and become one of God's instruments... or you can suffer alongside those whom we must save." His expression turns grim.
"There is no other way," he says. "Choose wisely."
Lilith ignores his threats. She struggles to free herself from the bonds and whispers with anxiety and hope in her voice:
"Where is my brother? Where's Ben?"
She doesn't take her eyes off Joseph for a second, holding her breath, waiting for an answer. But she doesn't like the way Joseph is silent at all.
Father looks away and sighs, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Ben... he chose a different path." His words are heavy with regret, as if he wishes it had been otherwise. But there is no pity in his gaze when he meets Lilith's again.
"He tried to stop us," he says simply. "He chose the wrong side." There is no malice in his voice; only a sadness that Ben did not understand the greatness of their cause and refused to join them in bringing salvation through fire and blood.
Lilith can't believe her ears. She looks at him, and hope gradually fades.
“no... he wouldn't... he..."
Tears are streaming down her cheeks again. Ben had always been everything to her, always taking care of others... And now he's gone because of this madness? It doesn't make sense to her. "No," shouts Lilith, shaking her head, "You might be wrong."
Father's face hardens. "I may have been," he allows reluctantly, "but it is too late for him now. His soul has been lost." He pauses, then adds gently: "But yours doesn't have to be. You can still join us and be a part of something great... something eternal."
His voice softens, his gaze becoming almost pleading. "Don't waste the sacrifice your brother made, Lilith. Join us now, before it is too late for you as well."
Lilith shakes her head slowly.
“no... I can't."
— She whispers, barely audible even to herself. Tears are streaming from her eyes like rain. She clenches her fists with all her might, trying to ignore the pain from the ropes and focus on what is really important. "You killed them all," Lilith whispers, staring at one point with a glazed look. She presses herself more tightly into the car seat, as if this will help her in some way...
Father's expression grows cold. "Yes," he says sharply. "We did what needed to be done. There is no room for weakness in our ranks. Those who would stand against us will be purged, just as God demands." His voice hardens further. "And you can either embrace your role as a warrior for the Lord... or you will become one of his casualties."
He leans forward, intent on driving home his point. "There is no middle ground, Lilith. Choose now, before it is too late."
Lilith listens to his words, and the tears roll faster and faster down her cheeks. Part of her desperately wants to be free, to escape from this nightmare.
"What's the point of my life if you took away everything I had?"
Lilith whispers in an empty voice, looking at the dot in front of her. "Ben... he..." Lilith pauses, not even finding the words to describe how much her brother means to her.
Father's eyes narrow, his expression softening slightly. "Your life was always meant to be part of something greater," he says gently. "To serve God and His divine plan for humanity." He reaches out a hand to touch her cheek, wiping away a tear with a finger.
"If you join us now, Lilith, I promise you will find purpose. A life filled with meaning, where every day brings you closer to the Lord's favor and the salvation of all mankind." His voice becomes almost seductive as he speaks. "Do not throw this away out of fear or selfishness."
"Embrace your destiny," he whispers. "Join us... be one of God's chosen warriors."
Her heart trembles violently as she listens to his words. They feel so seductive, like he's trying to lure her in with promises of something better... But a tiny voice inside tells her that this is not right. "I-I can't," Lilith whispers, looking down at her shaking hands. "You are wrong."
Father sighs heavily, his expression hardening once more. "Very well," he says quietly. "Then you leave me no choice." He turns away, seemingly lost in thought for a moment before reaching up and pulling out a small vial from his pocket. With a practiced flick of the wrist, he throws it onto the car floor near Lilith's feet.
"This," he says, "is holy water. A gift from God to protect us against your kind." He looks back at her, eyes glinting dangerously in the dim light of the car. "Should you refuse to join us, this will be your fate... and the fate of all those like you who stand in our way."
He turns away again, his expression grim. "Choose wisely, Lilith," he says softly. "For there is no turning back from this path once you've set foot upon it."
Lilith looks down at the vial, her heart pounding violently. She can feel herself shaking from head to toe as she stares at it. The water inside looks so innocent... But she knows better than anyone what it truly means. Her mind spins with thoughts and doubts, but a single thought keeps coming back: "I need to find another way."
Father's expression hardens further as he watches her. A hint of amusement tugs at the corners of his mouth. "Ah, but you see, my dear," he says gently, "there is no other way." His voice takes on a tone of finality that brooks no argument. "The choice has been made for you. You can either join us and accept God's grace, or face the consequences of your stubbornness." He leans in close, lowering his voice to a near-whisper. "And trust me... you do not want to find out what those consequences are."
His gaze shifts back to the vial of holy water for a moment before returning to meet her eyes once more. "Choose wisely," he says again, his voice barely audible over the hum of the engine. "For your soul's salvation hangs in the balance."
Lilith grits her teeth and nods. She looks at Father, then at the vial on the floor, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I... I need time to think," she whispers hoarsely. "Please." Her voice barely carries over the sound of the car's engine.
Father hesitates, his expression contemplative. He considers her request carefully before finally nodding slowly. "Very well," he says softly. "You have until we reach our destination to make your choice." His eyes meet hers and hold them for a long moment, conveying the weight of what he has just said.
"But remember," he adds gently, "time is running out... for all of us."
Lilith nods slowly and looks down at her hands, clenching them into fists. She doesn't know what to do... But she can't give up hope just yet. There must be another way out of this nightmare. Her heart pounds violently as she tries to form a plan while keeping an eye on the vial on the floor, hoping for some sort of opportunity to arise.
Father ponders Lilith's words, then nods slowly. "Very well," he says softly. "You have my leave to think on it." He turns his attention back to the road, trusting that she will not try anything foolish in the meantime. His hand absently smoothes the fabric of his robe as he continues driving, lost in thought once more.
The wind carries faint voices outside the car; sounds of prayers and hymns being sung by his faithful followers. He closes his eyes and listens, finding solace in their devotion as they prepare for what is to come. Their dedication only strengthens his resolve, steeling him against any doubts or misgivings about the path that lies ahead.
Lilith's heart pounds even harder, her chest feeling tight and painful as she listens to the voices outside. She wishes she could join them in their faith, but something inside her won't let her... Even as she fights against it, another part of her fears that Father might be right about everything. The vial on the floor is a constant reminder of what will happen if she refuses to choose his side.
The road twists and turns through the dense foliage of Hope County, trees reaching out like claws to claim the sky above. As the car speeds along, Father glances over at Lilith occasionally, watching her reaction to the passing scenery. He wonders what thoughts are going through her mind, if she truly understands the gravity of their situation and the choices they must make. Despite his concern for her soul, he cannot help but feel a growing impatience as they near their destination.
The needle on the speedometer creeps higher and higher, the engine roaring like a caged beast eager to be free. It is only a matter of time now... Father thinks grimly. Time for Lilith to choose her path.
Lilith looks out at the scenery, tears still streaming down her face as she watches the trees fly past. A part of her wants to reach out and touch them, feel their solidity and permanence against her skin. But she doesn't dare move from her seat; every muscle is tense, ready to react in case the situation changes suddenly.
Time passes agonizingly slowly for Father, but eventually they reach their destination: an isolated island in the middle of the river. The car pulls to a halt beside a dilapidated wooden dock, its wheels splashing into the water as it comes to rest. He turns to look at Lilith once more, his expression tight with anxiety and determination. "Well, my child," he says softly. "What is your decision?"
Lilith hesitates, her breath catching in her throat as she looks up at Father. Tears roll down her cheeks and mix with the blood on her lips, but she doesn't wipe them away. "I... I can't join you," she whispers, barely above a whisper. "You killed Ben... you took everything..." She trails off, shaking her head, unable to find the words for how much it hurts.
"I'm sorry," Father says quietly, "but he chose his path. Now you must choose yours." His gaze hardens slightly. "You can either stand against us and face the consequences... or join with us and help save this world." He pauses for a moment before continuing: "Time is running out, Lilith. There is no more time for debate. Choose now."
Lilith's breath catches in her throat as she listens to Father's words, but something inside her refuses to give up. "No," she whispers defiantly, shaking her head again. "I can't... I won't..." Her voice breaks and fresh tears fall from her eyes, mixing with the blood on her cheeks and chin. "There has to be another way..."
Father's expression softens. He leans over, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Dear child," he says kindly, "I wish there were another way... but there isn't. The world is dying, and we are its only hope." His voice grows firm again as he looks deeply into her eyes. "There is no choice left for you; you must join us now or suffer the consequences."
Lilith swallows hard, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Please... don't make me choose..." she whispers, her voice barely audible even to herself. "There has to be another way." Her chest feels tight and constricted, as if all the air has been sucked out of the world around her.
"I'm sorry," Father says softly, his voice full of regret. "But there is no other way." He pauses before continuing, "There never was." His gaze remains locked with hers as he takes her hand in his and squeezes gently. "It is time for you to decide, my child."
Time seems to stand still as they stare at each other, the weight of Father's words like a physical presence between them. The silence stretches on, filled only with the sound of their ragged breathing and the gentle lapping of water against the dock.
Her heart is pounding in her chest, tears are streaming uncontrollably down her cheeks as she tries to find the strength to say no. But something deep inside her knows that her father is right: there is no other way. And there never was. With a silent sob, Lilith finally nods, accepting the inevitable.
"Untie me",
Lilith whispers, looking at Joseph through tears and holding out her bound hands. Deep down, Lilith prays to all the gods that he doesn't ask her for anything more that she can't give.
Father looks at her hands, then back into her eyes. A tiny smile tugs at the corner of his mouth. "Very well," he says, reaching over to untie the knot around her wrists. "Welcome home." Once she's free, he helps her out of the car and guides her towards a rowboat tied up nearby. "You will play an important role in our final crusade," he whispers, his voice barely audible over the sound of lapping water. "I have faith that you will not disappoint me."
They climb into the boat and push off from the dock, beginning their journey to a small island just visible in the distance. As they row toward it, Father casts a critical eye over Lilith, taking in her appearance: tear-streaked face, bloodied mouth, shaking hands. He nods with approval. She looks more like one of them already.
Lilith does not look up from the surface of the water, looking at it with detachment. She hates Joseph with all her heart... He is not a savior... He's a murderer. A tyrant. His gaze presses on her like a giant stone on her chest, and with each stroke of the oars it becomes more difficult for her to breathe.
"You must forgive me, child," Father says gently, mistaking her silence for guilt or remorse. "It is not easy to watch someone you care about stray so far from the path of righteousness." He reaches out a hand and places it on her shoulder comfortingly.
"But rest assured," he continues with a sigh, "that I am only doing what must be done. For God's glory, for humanity's salvation. You will see the truth of this soon enough, I have no doubt." His tone grows firm as he finishes speaking. "Now, focus on rowing. We have much work ahead of us."
Lilith forces herself to meet his gaze, bitterness and defiance burning in her eyes. She does not respond, but nods curtly instead. Her hands move with renewed determination as they pull against the oars, driving them toward their destination.
She nods once more, but inwardly seethes. "We have much work ahead," she agrees coldly. Her eyes dart away to the distance, watching the island coming closer and closer. No matter how close it seems, it always feels just out of reach. "Why was I the only one left alive?" Suso whispers to Lilith without looking up at him.
Father's expression clouds briefly before he once more manages a reassuring smile. "It is a test from the Lord, my dear," he says gently. "He has chosen you to carry on His work, despite the doubts and temptations that assailed your brother." He pauses, allowing his words to sink in before continuing: "And now it falls upon you to prove your worthiness."
His gaze flickers over her shoulder toward the island, then back to meet hers. There is no hint of pity or regret there; only determination and expectation. Lilith's hands tighten on the oars, feeling the wood biting into her flesh as she forces herself to row faster.
The boat glides smoothly through the water, carrying them ever closer to their destination.