Lightning Doesn't Strike Twice!

Chapter 53

Kaysi- 

"So we're going to the chief's hut, but we've already been here before; I don't understand," I asked Cailian. 

"Inside this room, another secret room leads to some of the tunnels built under the village.

Much like the underground cold storage underneath the buildings, they provide another secret space to protect and keep the first manuscript concealed." 

"Our duty as the Keetowah people is to bridge the gap between heaven and Earth. We were like way makers before they were formed, but we didn't venture out to help the rest of the world. We stayed confined to our small village and surrounding neighbors." 

"I must warn you that opening the first document comes with a price. As you already know, as my grandmother said, once the veil is falling, there's no turning back. All we can do is try to stop the events to come. Once the first document is opened, it will release a terrible Beast known as the Leviathan." 

"Wait a minute, did you say Leviathan? He does not live far from here, right?"

"Yes, but how would you know this information? It has been our duty to keep that beast dormant.

"When we were coming here on the ferry, a giant creature, like a little leviathan, almost crashed the boat. A massive storm and whirlpools formed around it, pulling us in. The captain couldn't see the beast, but we were able to guide him around it."

"No, that's impossible until the seal is removed from the first manuscript. The beasts of hell are not supposed to be released! Only those with the gift of divine sight can see the beasts! 

"What...? Did you say Beast of hell? What kind of creature is that and why would you guys have a document that would release it?" 

"We did as God told our ancestors to put on the seals on the scrolls. See, the beasts stand within the gates of hell. Each manuscript contains the location of a key, a beast, and the knowledge to shut the door. It was once said that if all seven gates were to open, the entire world would cease to exist. 

"You're telling me the Leviathan was found, but no one heard the first trumpet. The trumpet is sounded when the gate opens, and the seal on the first manuscript is broken. We must hurry to the treasure chamber to confirm what's happening." 

When we got there, a large door to the treasure chamber opened. Cailian pulled a necklace from his shirt that held a strange symbol similar to the top of an old Skeleton Key. 

"What is that that you're holding?" 

"This is a key that was passed down through the generations of my family. It seals this door. It is but a piece of the key of hell. There are seven pieces in total." 

"I will place the key within the door." Duke and Baby, please help me open the door. Only a Divine spirit and someone who can wield the key can open the door." 

"The three of them pushed the door open. Behind the door was a room full of jewels and treasures mined from all over the world. Some were recognizable, like diamonds, amethysts, rubies, and more. There were also other jewels that looked unnatural. 

I picked up one of the stones and examined it. "What is this rock here?" I asked cailian.

"It is an unpolished moonstone that came out of a crater once a piece of the moon fell. In this room are many precious jewels, gems, and rocks; these are our treasures from our ancestors." 

A small wooden chest with a gold frame and locks stood in the middle of the room. Cailian placed his key in it and opened the box. 

"Well, that tells us all the information we need to know. Baby interrupted." 

We turn to look at her, confused by her random statement. 

"As you know, we're not allowed to intervene in certain cases of humanity. The box you touched was only meant for those with pure heart—only the key wielder could open it." 

"To put it simply, you may have the key, but it would only open if you were pure of heart. If you were not, you would have died to touch it. You said you served in the army, but your grandmother said you never spelled a drop of blood." You genuinely are pure of heart. Your destiny as a gatekeeper has already been decided." 

"What do you mean, the GateKeeper?" Cailian asked, confused, never having heard this side of the story from his ancestors. 

"Open the box and read the scroll of the manuscript, and all will make sense." Duke gestured his hand in a go-ahead motion. 

"My family and ancestors have written the manuscript here. The Keetowah people speak about how humanity would break the first seal. Then, the gate would open in response to the seal being broken, which was only a matter of time. It could happen within a few hours to a few years." 

It says here that if all the gates open, mankind will end. It also says that each manuscript has a known GateKeeper. The gatekeeper would hold the key to humankind, and only once the land and its people were restored could the beast be revealed and slain. Only then would the door be shut." 

"So then, who was it that opened the first seal? The portals have been opening for quite some time." 

"Man opened the first seal. We're not sure if it was an ancestor or my grandmother. But now that the first one is open, the other ones will begin to open. We must defeat the beast and close the first gate." 

"There is more information here, Cailian continued. You must find the other manuscripts and restore the people's land within that area. For it is written that only after the sins of man, wherever rebuked, can the door close and peace be restored to the land. As humanity, we must pay for our sins and ask for forgiveness, and only then can the land be healed."

"So, the demons that took over the village were just the ending of the suffering in your village." 

"Yes, my grandmother spoke about how her sins brought pain to our village. This was probably why the Leviathan had woken. My grandmother, when she passed, asked for forgiveness. For her deadly sin of envy amongst the world bound the people. Once released, we all finally had a chance to heal." 

"Maybe that's why you came back at the time that you did. Destiny called you home to put an end and seal the gate." 

"Yes, Duke spoke, and the only way for all seven gates to be resealed is once we've collected all the keys. We must seal the gates of hell all at once. As a gatekeeper, I must watch and wait to seal the door. Once the Leviathan is concord, you must guard and watch the gate and let no sin further open the door." 

Baby included, "You can close it, but you cannot seal it. Not at least without the other remaining keys, understand? As the new chief of this land, you must see that Envy does not grow in the hearts of your people or that the door will open FULLY! Releasing an overwhelming amount of demons."

"Do you wish to accept the Divine gift you have been given to be the GateKeeper and keep watch over Humanity?" Duke asked Cailian. 

"Of course I do. I came here to help my people and promised my grandmother I would become their Chief." 

"Then, by God's Authority and divine grace, I grant you the power to seal the darkness." 

Cailian's piece of key was formed into two chakram weapons, one in the shape of the Sun and the other in the shape of the Moon. 

Baby told Cailian. "This gives you the power much like the way makers but a hundred times stronger. You will have the power to vanquish the Leviathan. We must go to the water soon and destroy him only once he reemerges. But first, you must fully heal ALL your people's hearts. Open their eyes and take the curse of envy from them." 

"Besides my people, others in my sister's village need deliverance." 

"Yes, and I believe you know who those people are that you must help." 

"Yes, our sister Village. They are a very proud group. We need help rebuilding. When I return with our twin cousins, I will ask their people for help."

"The twin cousins that I saved from the tiger demon? I asked Cailian." 

"Yes, with us rescuing them, I hope they may take heart and help our people." 

"Then what are we waiting around for? Let's ask for their help rebuilding. We can also use this opportunity to find out how else we can help them!