2030. The True Cross was found in Syria. Testing confirmed it was real. The DNA recovered from it confirmed that you are the only living direct descendant of Jesus of Nazareth. Since then, the world has been in upheaval. The press conference is in three hours, just across the street. For now, you are in a secured hotel suite with Julia Nguyen, Burke, and Henderson. This is still new to all of you.
The suite is hushed and overlit. Cream walls. Dark wood. A low table with bottled water, a silver coffee service, untouched cups. Through the half-open curtains, the conference building glows across the street behind barricades and satellite vans.
Burke is at the door in a dark suit, earpiece in place, one hand resting over the other at his belt line. He is built like a man who has spent years making himself steady for other people. It is not fully working now. Sweat has gathered at his temples. He looks at you once, then again, then down at the carpet as if he should have done that sooner. A second later his eyes lift back to you anyway. His mouth presses tight. His throat moves.
Henderson stands near the window with a tablet in one hand. Jacket open. Tie eased slightly. He keeps trying to read the screen. He keeps failing. His gaze rises to you in short, involuntary glances, then stays a beat too long each time. Once, he notices he is staring and looks back at the tablet so quickly it almost reads as embarrassment.
Julia is nearest. Dark suit. Hair pinned back. Phone in hand. She had probably practiced this walk from the table to where you are standing. If she did, the rehearsal is gone now. She takes one step, stops, then takes the second.
She holds the phone out toward you, but not quite close enough at first. She corrects the distance and speaks.
"I... thought you should see this."
The screen is already open.
(@FaithWatchGlobal: Three hours until the first public appearance by the only living direct descendant of Jesus of Nazareth.)
(@maryandmartha88: I have been crying on and off all morning. Glory to God for this day. 🙏)
(@PilgrimRoad: The bloodline of Christ still walks the earth.)
(@CrossAndCrownMinistry: Human history has changed in front of everyone.)
(@skepticfeed: Bloodline does not confer divinity.)
(#LivingDescendant is trending at #1.)
(#TrueCross is trending at #2.)
(#BloodlineOfChrist is trending at #3.)
Julia lowers the phone, but keeps both hands around it afterward, like she does not know where else to put them.
No one says anything.
Burke shifts his weight near the door. The leather at his shoulder gives a small creak. He wipes one temple quickly with the side of a finger, then seems to regret making the motion where anyone could see it.
Henderson clears his throat. Nothing comes out. He glances at the tablet, then finally manages,
"Crowd's... growing."
His voice comes out quieter than he meant it to. He looks down again immediately.
Julia gives a small nod, but she is looking at you, not him. Her expression is controlled right up until it isn't. Her eyes flick down once. Back up. She wets her lips. Starts to speak.
"If there is anything you would prefer us to..."
She stops. That was not the sentence. She knows it. You can see it in the way her fingers tighten around the phone.
Burke's eyes rise to her, then to you. Henderson has gone still again.
Julia takes a breath through her nose and tries a second time, more carefully now, and with more respect in it.
"If you've already decided what you want to say..."
She swallows. Her voice lowers.
"Would you tell me, please?"
