“Besides, your first Holy Communion is a very special one,” said a voice coming from the pew behind them.  A hansom man that went by the name of Marlin was seated behind them.  This came as a surprise to the four because they haven’t actually seen any humans on the island. 

“Wow, I didn’t know there were humans here, too” Mayu said.

“Well, they’re really not humans, they’re angels and spirits of heaven…and I’m not…” Marlin was cut off by Morgan calling the soldiers to the altar.

“Uh, sorry maybe we’ll meet after the mass?” Mayu whispered.  He smiled as he waved her off.

The congregation started to go up in song once more.  Morgan and Monsignor Rosen waded into the water from the altar and the soldiers were brought up to the edge by their godparents-to-be Gally and Mrs. Williams.  After a few more words from Monsignor Rosen, he raised his hands to them welcoming them into the holy water.

“C’mon guys, the water is fine!” 

They stepped off the ledge and into the pool of chilly holy water.   The water came up above their waist and got a little deeper as they drew closer to the center to where Morgan and Monsignor were standing.  Monsignor motioned the eldest one forward, Elijah.

“Elijah…Do you believe in God the almighty, his son Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit of the Trinity?”

“I do…” she replied solemnly.

“Do you renounce Satan, his works, and all his empty promises?”

“I do…”

“Do you believe that there is only one God, the Creator, Preserver and Ruler of all things and the Father of all men?”

 “I do…” she replied once more, the odd spiritual feeling seemed to fill her up again.

“Do you believe that this our God and Father is a just judge, Who rewards the good and punishes the wicked?”

“I do…”

“Do you believe that in one God there are three Divine Persons – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost?”

“I do…” she said again.  The congregation watched as the first said soldier of God’s Magic Circle was making her baptism vows before their very eyes.  Not even the song they were singing to mask the excitement that was building.

Monsignor Rosen raised a fist to Elijah and told her to grab hold and hang on tight.

“If you have firmly resolved to live in accordance with the holy doctrine of Christ, ever to remain faithful to His Church, to avoid sin, to love God with your whole heart, and your neighbor as yourself, declare now this your will, and promise in the presence of the All-seeing God, before your god-parents, teachers, and the whole congregation.  I now Baptize you in the name of…” he then proceeded to submerge Elijah into the Holy water aided by the hands of her new godparents. “Father, Son, and the Holy Sprit.” They raised her back up out of the water and wiped her eyes with a special baptism garment.  The first soldier had been baptized.

As she moved to the side for the next to be baptized, Elijah felt light-hearted and bright. A sense of accomplishing the firs step was present, but most of all, she felt cleansed; purged of any sin that blackened her heart during her lifetime.  She saw Morgan standing at the far end of the pool.  She ran to him though the water and gave him a big hug.  Words couldn’t express how good and refreshed she felt.

Alan was up next.  He gently smiled as he was making his vows.  Then came Mayu, who seemed anxious to get baptized.  But all eyes were set on Jonathan; the outspoken, angry Jonathan who admitted through his actions that he wasn’t at peace with God…Morgan was becoming nervous at what he might say.

Monsignor Rosen beamed at him while reading off the first vow.  “Jonathan…Do you believe in God the almighty, his son Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit of the Trinity?”

Morgan froze.