"Yes rabbai. (Jaden falls to his knees) It's me." "Hmmm? (The old priest stands up and turns back facing Jaden) You?" "Yes teacher. Please, (Jaden puts his hands together) you need to help me." "And what is that which you seek?" "I need to fix my relationship with God." "No, not that. (The old priest looks at the alter) I can tell theirs something else which you truly seek." "In that case, I also seek to know the true story about pope Joan." "How (The old priest looks at Jaden in fear) did you get to know about her?" "So that means she's real?" "Walk with me. (Jaden nods his head then he stands up and follows the old priest who walls very slow with his walking stick) In all my years, I haven't seen anyone who still remembers the story of her, talkless of her name. The tragic legend of pope Joan. The only woman om the church's thrown. She was born in Germany, ninth centuries land; where women held no books nor power in hand. From childhood smart beyond her years, she faced a world of rules and fears. Disguised as a man, she crossed the seas to Greece where knowledge rode the breeze. In Athens, she surpassed all with her mind then to Rome faiths stronghold her faith did guide. She climbed from notary to cardinal with grace the pope then chose her as his heir to regin but deadly secrets sealed her fate. A love she tried to hide too late. In secret meets heart aflame with what she loved before her fame. She hid her pregnancy with robes so grand till a solemn march revealed her stand. Before the crowd, a child she bore tied to a horse stined by the roar. The church tried hard to hide her fane but legend's kept alive her flame." (The old man sits on a chair followed by Jaden) "Woah. (Jaden breathes out) So she was stonned to death? (The old priest nods his head signifying yes) Okay...But how did the church try to hide her name?" "Many bishops and priests of Rome decided to kill all that were present that day since it wasn't recorded with a camera. Afterwards, they set themselves on fire as a sacrifice for what they had to do and the innocent lives they took inorder to protect and maintain the church's balance." "That's why their are no records of her." "Indeed. Every evidence, both big and small were destroyed. But like I said earlier, the church tried hard to hide her name but legends kept alive her fame. " "What happened to the chuld she gave birth to?" "The child was kidnapped from the crowd and never heard of again. No matter how hard the priests and bishops tried to locate the person who took the child, all the attempts led to a dead end." "Up till this day?" "Yes. Many of the bishops and priests believed that God saved the child while some said the child must have been killed when she was stonned to death." "Well I believe that the child was saved and somehow I'm some kind of connected to her. Like a descendant of her." "A descendant? (The old priest slowly looks at Jaden) And why do you say that?" "Because wver since I got to Rome I've not been myself. I kept having crazy flashs about the past and even myself from the future cane all to warn me." "That's not true." (The old man calmly chuckles l) "Rabbai belive me. It all did happen." "I never said it didn't. What not true is you being her descendant." "If that's true then why did I get flashs of her and why did my future self come to meet plus warn me? Even a different priest told me that my covenant with God has been broken, likewise my future self. You even sensed that my soul is unclean. " "Is that (The old priest stands up and continues walking down the aile with Jaden beside him) so?" "Yes." "Well, when I said I sensed an unclean soul; I wasn't talking about yours." "What? (Jaden looks at the priest with a confused face) I do not understand what you're trying to say." "It wasn't you Jaden." "I haven't even (Jaden talks to himself in his head) mentioned my name to him. Who is this man? (Then Jaden walks in front of the old priest) If it isn't me then who is i- (The old man walks past Jaden, opens the basilicas door and points at Riko) Don't tell me...(Jaden turns and sees the old priest pointing at Riko) Riko?" "Huh? (On hearing his name, Riko looks at Jaden) Oh, (Seeing the old priest pointing at him, he warmly smiles) I see." "Riko what's going on? (Without uttering a word, Riko continues smiling) When you said it's time to (Jaden in confusion stares at Riko) make things right. What did you mean?" "Isn't it clear enough (with tears in his eyes, Riko walks up to Jaden and the old priest) Jaden?" (Riko walks past the two of them and enters into the basilica. Walking to the alter, the old priest says to Jaden) Your friend won't make it." (Then the old priest walks back into the basilica) "What? (Walking back into the basilica aswell, Jaden closes the doors. Facing Riko as he walks towards the alter, Jaden calls Rikos name which makes him turn and face Jaden) Oh no. (Seeing blood coming out of Rikos mouth, Jaden frowns) Riko leave this place before you die." "No. I will not go." "Why?" "I will stay here until my mother comes." "Where is she?" "In the afterlife." "Have you gone mad?" (Jaden trys to walk towards Riko but the old priest stops him) "Don't get any close to him." (Jaden looks at the old priestthen back at Riko) "What makes you think that your mom will suddenly come from the afterlife Riko? This isn't a movie we'refilm trick happens. Wake up to reality." "You maybe right Jaden but (Riko sadly smiles) I know she's come." "Rabbi, (Jaden looks at the old priest) Please tell him to leav-" "She's (The old priest looks up) here." "What? (Jaden looks at Riko and sees a female figure a bit above him with a little distance) Oh my days. Never have I ever seem such in my life." "Silence." (The priest says as Jaden nods his head and they both watch Riko and his mom)
