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Centuries after the great divide of humankind and the end of the Age of Winter, life has settled back
into a comfortable pace for both Earthbound and Enlightened people. However, a new threat looms on the
horizon, that could destroy them both. In recent years, a religious cult has gained popularity on the land and in the sky - the "Brotherhood of Redemption", more commonly known as simply the Cult of Marduk. What none of the devoted followers realize is that the cult is nothing more than a front for its leader - a self-proclaimed prophet named Marduk - and his evil ambitions.
The Brotherhood
This new religious movement gains more and more devoted followers each day. Little is known about it by outsiders, though, as it seems that all who enter their ranks are sworn to some kind of secrecy, not to mention total loyalty; people have abandoned their homes and families never to return once involved. When attempting to convert people, however, their pitch is always the same: the Brotherhood of Redemption offers freedom from fear and pain. To make true believers, though, the cult's leader has performed many amazing feats - there have been many eyewitness accounts of Marduk himself causing storms and floods to suddenly cease their destruction, or healing the sick where plagues break out. Despite attempts to keep their activities secret, the rumor mill has produced many theories on how they supposedly free their followers from unwanted suffering - a strict, ritual-laden lifestyle that eventually leaves followers as mindless, hollowed-out versions of their former selves. There are even very hushed whispers of human sacrifices being made for some dark purpose. There is no real proof behind these claims, though some have tried to infiltrate as spies or have followers interrogated. The public at large views them with only a hint of mistrust. Marduk himself, however, is extremely popular with these same folk, because of his strange powers of averting disasters. What's more, the Atlanteans have no idea that Marduk and his religious movement even exists down on the surface, nor do the Earthbounds know of his activities up above.
The Acolytes
Marduk's hand-picked inner-circle of "Spiritual Leaders" consists of nine people, both men and women. Unbeknownst to the rest of the world, it is using these nine that Marduk himself has been creating the disasters and misfortunes he is famous for being able to banish. They are, on the whole, truly wicked or insane people, their minds and hearts twisted by Chaos. Because of this, their potential to become Earth's guardians, like the Sailor Senshi or the Rooks, was also warped and corrupted beyond repair to give them evil powers. On top of their 'natural' abilities, Marduk has also granted each of them additional powers for their loyalties. He has promised each of his Acolytes their heart's desire once he has conquered both land and sky, and thus has earned their unwavering loyalty. Even these nine do not fully understand Marduk's ambitions of domination, namely the reasons behind it. The power he wields is impressive even to them, its upper limits and true nature also a mystery. Each acolyte also has an alter-ego, they pose as benevolent leaders of the Brotherhood of Redemption, either going out to perform acts of charity to convert more followers, or acting as decision-makers in Marduk's absence. As in any cherade Sailormoon villains cook up to hide their identities, some of the Acolytes are more convincing as do-gooders than others...
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