It was a cold, crisp autumn day. A light breeze danced across the tree tops sending leaves into the air like birds taking flight. They began to float towards the manicured, green lawns of La Cattedrale del Sentinel. The afternoon sun was eclipsed by the yellow clouds as they passed by carrying the toxins from the Industrial City Sector some forty miles away. A lone raven took flight from the trees and flew by the falling leaves before settling atop the Cathedral highest, pointed tower.
The great iron gates groaned as they were pulled open, the gold plated images of Saints combating demons shining in the few beams of sunlight that still fell upon the ground as the clouds passed. Fallen leaves scattered as a small power-car hovered through the gates and down the path to the Cathedral. It hummed along the path, it’s driver and passengers hidden behind the dark tint that covered the glass bubble that sat atop the metal carriage. The craft came to a stop by the entrance and powered down.
The two great wooden doors opened slightly, leaving enough space for the old priest to slide through. His black cassock wrapped around him in the breeze, the rosary dangling from his neck, and the battered leather bound bible clasped in his skeletal hands. He scratched at his close cut white beard and then made his way down the stone steps as the small car's fans powered down and it eased to a stop.

With a hiss the bubble cockpit split in four and opened like a blossoming flower. The glass fourths slid into the machine revealing the occupants as they stepped out of the machine. The driver was a robot. It had a  slim, silver body and a small cylindrical head with glowing red eyes. It’s chest bore the symbol of the Inquisition. The standard mechanical assistant to any Inquisitorial Group. It closely monitored the Inquisitor's activity all the while constantly sending video and audio feed back to the Church's computer.  The Priest breathed in sharply.
The second was a young woman also wearing a cassock, but, more close fitting and suited to combat maneuvering. She held in her hands a large book bound by a steel cover. She carried it out before her as the wind blew her shoulder length black hair back revealing piercing green eyes. The Priest gripped the bible in his hands, his knuckles turning white, as he felt a drop of perspiration slide down his forehead.
The third occupant was a man who seemed much too young for such a position he held. He stepped out letting the breeze catch the long green overcoat he wore blowing it back revealing a simple black suit, a rosary around his neck, and the gold badge of the Inquisition pinned onto the tie that was tucked into the jacket. They began to walk towards the Priest, the Inquisitor’s boots smacking against the cobblestone. As he came upon the Priest he ran a hand through his dark, short cut hair and removed his sunglasses letting his icy gray eyes fall upon the Priest.
“Padre.” Inquisitor Anthony Haellus didn’t bother bowing. The man before him hardly deserved the title he addressed him by, but, it would have to do. After all, this was simply a formality.
“Signore Inquisitor.” The Priest nodded to the man feeling the fear growing in his chest. He knew this man, by story alone. This man had no mercy for his kind.
“You know why I am here.” It wasn’t a question.
“Yes, Inquisitor.” The Priest shifted his weight as the Inquisitor held his hand out. The woman behind him opened the great book and removed a page, setting it in his hand. The Inquisitor took the paper and let his gaze fall upon it.
“Padre Mario Caduto, formerly of the Order of the Holy Protectors of Our Blessed Saint, are accused and have been found guilty of the crime of Heresy.” He handed the paper back and stood there as an uneasy silence fell. The raven squawked overhead as the thought of possible resistance from the Priest crossed his mind.
“I am not ashamed.” The Priest finally spoke. He tried to think of all he had come to believe in and decided that he was not afraid. “I will be rewarded for what I have done.”
“I’m afraid you’ve been lied too. The only thing that awaits you is endless torment.” His words, another formality. The Inquisitor held out his other hand and the robot placed a long obsidian shaft in his open palms. The surface was smooth and reflective, the Priest figured that it was at least five feet in length. He held it at his side upon accepting it and looked at Priest once again.
“I am obliged to give you once final chance. Repent and you will be forgiven in this world.”
“And in the next?” The Priest asked sarcastically, a slight grin coming to his weathered face.
“I’m afraid that is not my jurisdiction.” He replied. The Priest smiled and gave a quiet laugh.
“Do what you have come to do.” The Priest was humored now, dropping the formality he had originally approached the Inquisitor with.
The Inquisitor stoked a section of the obsidian shaft and it began to change. The end formed a handle with a hand guard while the rest began to break into cubes and shrink into the hilt revealing a long steel blade. The Inquisitor held the blade in front of him and began to read the prayer inscribed upon the blade. The raven shouted again.
“Anthony.” His aide whispered behind him. The robot turned to her and held up a hand signaling to her that she was interrupting the proceeding and it’s recording. The Inquisitor finished the prayer and swung the blade.

The hilt reformed itself and the blade was once again hidden behind the obsidian. He put both his hands on the end of the shaft, it's end lodged between two loose cobblestones, and stood there staring at the Priest. Behind him the robot fell to the ground, it’s head lying in the grass smoking as the exposed wires burned out.
“Why?” The Priest was stunned. The clouds began to break letting the setting sun reflect upon the large circle of glass the was placed above the main doors. Beams of sunlight danced all around them as the Inquisitor spoke.
“You refused to kill anymore. If that is what you makes you a heretic, then, I must join your company.” He said solemnly.
"Thank you.” The Priest was on the verge of tears as he embraced the Inquisitor. He then turned to the Inquisitor’s aide and hesitated.
“You have no reason to fear us, Padre.” She said with a smile. The Priest stood back and then his smile faltered. He was doubting the Inquisitor. He may have destroyed the robot, severing his connection and the one who watched him and reported his actions to the Church, but, was he merely acting?
“Wait, can this be true?” The Inquisitor let the shaft reform into a blade and held it up. The Priest’s heart skipped a beat. Then, the Inquisitor turned it around and held the blade, the Symbol of the Inquisitor, to the Priest. No Inquisitor parted with his blade not even in death, not unless he had fallen from the Order. The Priest accepted it.
“It is true, Padre.”
“Then come, my children. You must be welcomed into the Order. Never in all my time did I think an Inquisitor follow in the footsteps of the Pacifist. Come now.”
They ascended the steps and entered the cathedral. As the doors shut the wind blew again as the raven took flight amongst the leaves.