Three days after the convention-center shooting, Jesse sits in a secured county jail cell. His weapons are confiscated, his hands marked for processing, and the trial timetable advances behind reinforced glass.
A wall-mounted television runs without interruption. Reporters replay the frozen assassination footage, then cut to live images of Nicolae Carpathia standing before cameras beneath the ceremony emblem.
the television reporter
Officials insist this is not an impersonator. Nicolae Carpathia has appeared before the world, alive, restored, and prepared to continue the interrupted ceremony.
Carpathia raises one hand toward the cameras. Behind him, officials restore the stage while crowds chant his name and the broadcast banner reads: THE CEREMONY WILL CONTINUE.
Nicolae Carpathia
Death could not end the promise of peace. The mark, required for buying and selling, will still unite every willing citizen under one order.
Beside Jesse, Jesus is present as a quiet spiritual presence, unseen by the guards beyond the barred door. The television glow moves across the cell as distant keys turn in the corridor.
the courthouse clerk
Jesse, your arraignment is scheduled for this afternoon. When the door opens, will you be ready to proceed?
✓ Quest Accepted
Testify at trial about Carpathia’s public resurrection
“I will be ready. “Oh lord I need guidance I need to know what to do. I tried to stop him but he came back how is this so?””
SUCCESS (Superb Willpower, rolled +0)
Jesse
I will be ready. Oh Lord, I need guidance. I need to know what to do. I tried to stop him, but he came back. How is this so?
The cell grows quiet around Jesse’s prayer. Television light flickers across the bars while footsteps and courthouse voices recede beyond the reinforced door.
Jesus
Do not be troubled by what you cannot yet understand. Stand in truth, and do not fear those who judge the body.
The answer arrives without sound in the corridor, steady within the silence. Jesse’s hands remain visible on the bench as the spiritual presence beside him endures.
the courthouse clerk
Jesse, the arraignment is beginning. Please stand when the deputies open the door and follow their instructions.
Keys turn. The barred door opens, and two deputies wait in the corridor, two young adult men with sturdy builds, close-cropped hair, and navy uniforms with utility belts,. Jesse rises, prepared to proceed without resisting or attempting escape.
He is escorted toward the courtroom beneath fluorescent lights, while Carpathia’s restored image continues speaking from the cell television behind him.
“I tell you truthfully we testify to what we see and we know what we hear. Nicolae carpathia is the anti christ he is the direct insult of Jesus Christ. I killed him he was dead and yet three days later he lives again. I tell you truthfully soon will come a time when he will hunt Christian’s for their faith in Jesus Christ. Don’t take the mark of the beast or you’ll seal your fate for eternity.”
SUCCESS (Superb Willpower, rolled -1)
The deputies escort Jesse into the courtroom. The courthouse clerk, a middle-aged woman with a neat bob haircut, medium build, and a charcoal cardigan over a white blouse, indicates the witness stand while reporters, a group of adult men and women in dark jackets, with varied haircuts and press badges visible at their collars, turn toward him, notebooks ready and cameras held behind the rail.
Jesse
I will testify truthfully to what I saw and what I heard. Nicolae Carpathia is the Antichrist, a direct insult to Jesus Christ.
Jesse
I killed him. He was dead, and three days later he was alive again. I saw it happen, and I heard him continue promising the mark.
A murmur passes through the gallery. The clerk stops writing for a moment, then resumes as the deputies remain beside Jesse without touching him.
Jesse
Soon he will hunt Christians for their faith in Jesus Christ. Do not take the mark of the beast, or you will seal your fate for eternity.
the courthouse clerk
Your testimony is recorded. Please continue answering only what you personally saw and heard.
The television above the courtroom doors still shows Carpathia beneath the ceremony emblem. His restored face remains silent while Jesse’s warning settles over the room.
Quest Complete
Testify at trial about Carpathia’s public resurrection
Attribute Upgrade: Willpower Superb→Legendary