"You need to leave, now!"
Even from outside, the racket from within the church was thunderous. It was midday, sun gleaming overhead, while onlookers stood outside and watched on with horror as tragedy befell the church. Smoke billowed from upstairs windows, polluting the air with more now than simply noise. People within called out for help, while people without ran in search of buckets and water. A man vehemently rang the massive bell that was situated just outside, yelling for others to find help.
From the steps of the church appeared a robed man that donned a vulture's visage. He walked slowly out of the church. Civilians, frozen with terror or anger, watched as he walked by. The ringing of the church bell slowly stopped, as the man who was moments ago manning it approached the robed figure.
"What have you done?" he asked, "The Gods will have your head for this! I swear it!" In a fervorous act of self-righteous revenge the man reared his arm back and unleashed the greatest punch he could muster. The vulture-headed man raised his left arm and caught the punch in his own hand. The head of the vulture tilted and turned, one ruby eye pointed directly at his assailant. "The Gods?" the mask, or was it even a mask? rasped while twitching and contorting. The man's hand was being squeezed tighter and tighter by the moment. "I am God."
With his right hand Bartgeier freed the staff that was hanging from his back. With a slight twirl and a bit of repositioning, he held it like one may hold a sword in one hand. In the blink of an eye the staff had connected with the man's temple, and the man had hit the ground. Bartgeier now leaned his weight on the staff, and peered around. Nobody struck him as entirely threatening, though he was still unsure of what threatening would look like.
"Now, seeing as your church will soon be smoldering, I say we begin plans to erect a new one. This time, though, you won't be worshiping those false idols. You will worship me, Bartgeier, the all burning and all powerful." His head twitched and one eye at a time surveyed the growing crowd. People cried out in anger or fear while the church still burned, smoke now polluting the air and causing people to cough.
I can't believe this! We need to stop him! Why, exactly? Are you daft? You've seen what he's done! Yes, wonderful isn't it? A new beginning is always nice. Do you not think that perhaps people will be outraged? We aren't at full power, and we aren't immortal. What do you think will happen when somebody stronger than us happens along and decides they don't like the renovations?
"Now. Does anybody have any complaints? I would love to hear them, trust me, I really would. " Bartgeier held a hand to his feathered ear. "Well? Come on." People muttered under their breath and some even left. A loud crashing sounded behind Bartgeier, the second story of the church bottoming out and crashing down into the first. "Good. Perhaps you should leave now. We begin clearing the area first thing tomorrow."
The next day, after almost the entirety of the ashed building was cleared away, Bartgeier surveyed the area he had to work with. He determined that he had about 50 yards or so to do with what he wanted. The bell from the previous establishment still stood, as did quite a few stone walls. Each of these walls were about thirty feet long, and about three feet tall, and each led up to where the steps of the church were. At each end of the walls was a fierce-looking gargoyle, head of a lion yet winged like a demon. The ground where the church stood was now scorched, yet around it grass still remained. A few roses were scattered here and there as well. A few large apple trees provided shade to the area. Around the outer perimeter of the entire fifty yards was a metallic fence, spiked on top to prevent trespassers, he assumed. The entrance of the area was a fenced gate, which was open currently but when shut had a beautiful design that signified whatever deity it is that was once worshiped here.
Bartgeier explained his building plans to each of the civilians, and demanded that they be on their way. About fifteen workers ran about, doing whatever task they were assigned. While they worked, Bartgeier made his way to one of the apple trees, plucked an apple, sat at the base of the tree, and watched the gate for any trespassers. His staff laid next to him, and he tried his damnedest to ignore the voices in his head.
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Good luck, and have fun. :>
_________________ Archelon, Bartgeier, Arctos, and Ajdarxo
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