When he was a young man and the growth of his beard still soft, the God Emperor did not yet know himself as such. He was, however, impressed with his intellect and discernment. This is because he tested these faculties against the Preaching Christians, who were not known for their intellect and discernment. But the God Emperor was not yet known to himself, and allowances should be made.
In the place of learning where the young God Emperor (we'll call him Greer, since it would of course be dangerous to tell his real name) went to study the mathematics of the physical plane, there was a sect of Christians who converted young and confused students. As proof of their fealty to their newfound religion, these youths would stand in a public place and preach loudly to passersby.
This behavior amused Greer, and as he had some learning in matters of religion, and because he was impressed with his own intellect and powers of discernment, he would challenge these poor creatures. Greer pointed out the logical inconsistancies of their positions. Greer challenged them to prove empirically their articles of faith. Although Greer was amused, the Preaching Christians were not.
The Christians became convinced that the young God Emperor was possesed by demons.
When this opinion was made known to the young God Emperor (whom you will remember we are calling Greer), he hooted his amusement with great chortles. He said, "I will let them cast these demons out!" Turning to his companions he asked, "Will you accompany me on this lark?" He sent one of his companions ahead with word that he was coming to be exorcised, so that the Preaching Christians might be prepared for him. And so with his companions Greer went to the public place where the young converts would preach loudly to passersby, as proof of their fealty to their newfound religion.
The Christians were waiting. When word of Greer's coming had reached his ears, the young one who had been Preaching had called an elder to help him. The elder held his bible aloft, and shouted to the passersby that Greer had come to be cleansed of his demonic possession.
A few passersby took note of this change in the usual behavior of the Preaching Christians, and a small crowed gathered to watch. The Christians began to pray mightily over Greer, who stood with his eyes closed. The crowd heard the youth and the elder call to their deity in all this three faces, imploring him to bind the demons possessing Greer. The Christians told their deity: "The demons possessing this young man drive him to taunting us in our holy work, and torturing us by asking questions where there should only be faith. Deliver him and deliver us from these foul spirits!" They prayed mightily and long.
Greer (who, you will recall, was the young God Emperor) stood with his eyes closed. His companions became bored with the praying, and began to talk amongst themselves. Suddenly, the elder of the Preaching Christians shouted, "Evil spirits come OUT!" and struck Greer on the forehead.
To the surprise of all, Greer's body stiffened with the blow, his eyes rolled back until only the whites showed, and he fell like a tree to the concrete-covered ground.
All who were standing by, and all the passersby who took any notice, fell silent and held their breath. No one moved, least of all Greer.
Finally a companion of the young God Emperor, who did not know him yet as such, came forward. He kneeled next to the still body, put his hands to feel for a pulse in the throat, and leaned forward to smell if there was any breath. He looked up and the young and the elder Preaching Christian with a look of alarm. "You did it!" the companion cried. "His demons are gone!"
The companion shook the body urgently, imploring Greer to get up. There was no response. The Preaching Christians looked visibly worried, asked the crowd if anyone knew CPR.
With great presence of mind, the companion of Greer began to call the demons back into the still body. The others present (except for the Preaching Christians) joined in the invocations, and there followed many minutes of barbaric name-calling. No one was bored, and the Preaching Christians looked even more visibly worried.
When the re-calling of the demons reached a fevered pitch, Greer sat bolt upright and shook himself. The crowd, seeing that he was recovered, changed their chanting into cheers, and the Preaching Christians looked visibly relieved
The companion with great presence of mind offered his hand to Greer, and pulled the young God Emperor to his feet. The two friends clasped each other gratefully, and when they broke their embrace, Greer took his companion by the shoulders. As though in great confidence (but loud enough for the Preaching Christians to hear) he said:
"Thanks. That was a close one."
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The Declarations of a God Emperor