The Daunting Affray! (Round 1: Temple in the Sky!)

In the center of the temple there is a spacious room. In this room rested a table. It was large, twenty people or more could fit around its length. And it was old. So old in fact that it was no longer wood, but rather a creative assembly of patches and layers of varnish held in shape by strong glue and zealous determination. Six figures sat, awkwardly spread out among the multitude of mismatched chairs that had been placed at regular intervals around the table's bulk. They wore the vestments popular with the upper echelons of religious orders across the multiverse. Simply, solid colored robes sporting a number of colorful symbols and adornments. An uncomfortable silence hung over them. One nervously tugged at his elaborate collar. Another seemed engrossed by the numerable pocks and scratches of the table's venerable surface. The tension grew. Each second it challenged them to break the silence and every second it grew harder to do so. That is until, "High Priest Grass,...I uh...heard your vegetable garden is uh growing well..." one stammered, pushing his overly ornate hat back into alignment on his head. The whole table held their breath, the silence loomed over the table, suddenly seeming a lot more oppressive. "Yeah...it's er going ok..." A sigh of relief echoed through the room and the group seemed to relax. High Priest Grass perked up a bit. "Actually it's great really." He continued confidence flowing through him. "The yield is really spectacular this year, the Acolytes have done a really great job. I mean just the other day the Grand Prophet came up to me and..." High Priest Grass realised his mistake a moment too late. The room went dead silent as everyone tried to ignore the very distinct absence in their number. "It's a real shame about the chair..." the Chief Archivist murmured somberly after a moment. "It was over two thousand years old." "And the wall" added High Priest Dignity. Everyone nodded in agreement. There was a pointed silence for several seconds. "Not a bad way to go considering. Burned up in less than a second, I'm sure it was painless" There were more nods at this and the tinny jingle of High Priest Smiles once again adjusting his headwear. "He was getting on in years..." One suggested nervously. "Yes, I'm sure he would've wanted it this way." said another "Better to die with a bang rather than slowly waste away I always say!" "Absolutely" High Priest Smiles agreed. "And it was Holy Flame, very appropriate death for a Prophet" many murmured in agreement. "I guess we are going to need a new leader." High Priest Grass sighed looking at the small pile of ash at the head of the table. "Think the Archons will take care of that too?" The assorted priests took a sudden and passionate interest in their shoes. "I'm sure uh, I'm sure they'll figure something out after they deal with the demons and heretics." the Chief Archivist said, his eyes not leaving the floor. "They seem very good at taking care of things" "A bit pushy for my taste" High Priest Dignity stated, giving the large hole in the wall a quick worried look. "Well they are the gods' Servants of Battle." Grass argued "That's practically the job description"

All throughout the temple the gods' Servants marched dutifully through the halls. Their pure white cloaks flowed perpetually in an intangible breeze. A bright glow emanated from underneath their hoods. They marched in step, surrounded by a bright light. Their flaming swords raised and ready, gripped in both hands. They moved with a sort of inevitability, never out of step, never slowing down or speeding up. Walls collapsed before them, and rubble moved sheepishly aside as though avoiding their penetrating gaze. All who got in their way, mortal and angel alike, were quickly dispatched with an almost mechanical indifference. There was something wrong, something that didn't belong in the world, perhaps several somethings. They had caught that familiar scent, creatures from beyond the walls of the universe. There were demons in the temple.