The media attention was staggering. Within what had previously been the bunker's mess hall, a podium had been raised. It was flanked on each side by five Purge warriors. Tall figures armoured in plate mail, each bearing the burning ankh that symbolized the Purge. They held in their hands the trademark longswords used by the Purge, pointed straight down at the ground. No further security could be seen, although several warriors guarded each entrance to the bunker. It would be nigh impossible for a vampire to infiltrate the conference, as infrared scanners were used to measure the body heat of those who entered.
After about ten minutes, a figure stepped up onto the podium. Completely hidden under a white cloak and headdress, the figure was without a doubt the legendary Pope of Flames. Dozens of ribbons flowed down from his sleeves and headdress, dragging along the ground. A burning ankh hung around his neck, carved from dark wood. A series of beads woven into his clothing clicked together as he walked, the faint clacking causing a strange silence to fall over the room. There were no visible eye slits, indicating that the Pope of blind. However, he seemed to move with grace and ease nonetheless.
Coming to a standstill atop the podium, the Pope addressed the gathered reporters. His voice was deep and strong, clearly male. It had the a kind of reverence, each word sounding like it was taken from some holy text. "You have gathered here today to hear my words, and as such, I shall give you them. The Purge has often been at odds with the government, our goals clashing with the laws of this country. But as the vampire threat has grown, and SOLDIER has fallen, such opinions have been discarded." He holds out his arms, as if attempting to embrace the crowd standing before him. "We have survived a time of great tribulation, a period of darkness that will forever be remembered in history. The day when the night threatened to overtake the day, and mankind stood on the brink of extinction. And then the day when we rallied together, setting aside petty differences to overcome the evil among us. Many good men and women were lost...." He pauses for a moment, as if in respect. "But upon their sacrifices are built the futures of their children."
"However!" He raises his voice, before continuing in his solemn, hushed manner. "The darkness is not yet at end. We won the war, and we have pushed back the night. And yet, the sun threatens to set once more. Vampires still walk among us, feeding on humans, herding them like cattle. Those who survived through stealth or cunning, and once more rebuild their foul breed. They are weak, but they are not harmless." He looks around the room, and even without eye slits, all those present would feel his gaze upon them. "These creatures nip at our heels, as their forces amass once more. How long is it before they step out of their forests and caves once more, when once more they rally under one banner? Can we truly stand atop the corpses of our brethren, and allow their sacrifice to be in vain?"
Under his headgear, the Pope smiled. The crowd was enraptured, listening to every word. Many had lost loved ones in the Night Wars, as entire cities had been slaughtered. He knew he could play on their hate. "We have spoken to your government, and as we did before, we will rally as one. We have gathered our warriors, and we have gathered our allies. As SOLDIER falls, the Purge will rise to the challenge, and take it's place to safeguard you from these creatures. More than that, we will end their threat, permanently. These creatures may no longer live among us! We will Purge them from our ranks. In one week's time, we embark on a vampire Genocide."
A silence followed this statement, as the meaning of the words sank in. "I will now be accepting questions."
A torrent of questions immediately flared up, the reporter's instincts latently kicking in. The Pope would calmly answer them, even as he was displayed across the country. Even as government money flooded into his account. Even as hundreds joined his cause, as he used the leftover rage to increase his own power. Soon, the genocide would begin.