The door creaked shut, with a darkly lit room with papers and Victorian architecture on the inside. The walls were lined with dark, imposing bookshelves, their surfaces cluttered with tomes in a myriad of languages, some of which he couldn't even begin to decipher. However, Rancent’s thoughts overlapped with the sound of choir boys singing as sometimes the organ played. Sneaking into the dressing room, he wore an outfit that resembled the other children's clothing.

“Ah, so you must be the new choir boy I’ve heard about.”

Rancent jerked back to see a boy with green eyes and black hair, in a black flowy robe with a pattern on the edges of his wrists.

“This is the Julius Fowleri Church of Igdur and Cekros, where we study their doctrine and devote ourselves to become their blessed. We sing and chant for the Gods to hear! It must be your lucky day, we are having the third devotional baptism today!”

As the boy's eyes lit up, he was a little confused about what he was talking about and how he got into the dressing room in the first place.

“Err, that’s nice and all, but how did you know I was here?”

“Oh! The choir boys are blessed by the Saint of Igdur, Julius Fowleri, and given Ether Navigation. It’s the flow of ether through all humans and living things—properties that allow us to live. This can be anything nutritional that our body requires.”

[Hm, Hm!]

As he absorbed this new information, Rancent felt as if he had stepped into a completely different world in mere seconds.

“Ether Navigation?” Rancent echoed, intrigued. “What exactly does that mean? Are you saying there’s some kind of… energy that flows through all of us?”

The boy nodded eagerly.

“Yes! We believe that Ether is like the lifeblood of the universe, connecting every living thing. It allows us to feel emotions, understand each other, and even perform some miracles. You’ll learn about it more deeply in your training. But first, you must be baptized!”

Rancent shifted nervously, trying to process everything he was saying. A baptism? It all felt so overwhelming.

“Wait, wait! Baptized? What if I don’t want to be part of this?”

he stammered, suddenly feeling the weight of the situation.

“Don’t worry, baptisms are only given to those of high rank. I was just messing with you to see your reaction. Now, Priest Romani is getting his devotional baptism today! It is truly a wonderful day today, is it not? Now, follow me!”

Rancent swallowed, glancing around the dressing room, the heavy robes weighing on his shoulders as he followed the boy out into the dim corridor. The sound of choir singing swelled louder as they walked, voices rising and falling in reverent harmony. It was hauntingly beautiful, though something in it made Rancent feel slightly uneasy, as if each note wrapped around him, binding him tighter to this strange new world.

“By the way,” Rancent said, glancing over at his guide. “What’s your name?”

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

“Oh! I forgot to introduce myself, didn’t I?” The boy laughed, scratching his head. “I’m Finnian Darrow. Most just call me Finn. I’m the unofficial guide for the new choir boys.”

Rancent raised an eyebrow, a small smile creeping onto his face. “Unofficial? I take it you’re the mischievous type then?”

Finn’s grin was infectious. “I might’ve broken a few rules here and there. But don’t worry—mostly harmless ones! There’s so much to learn about the church, especially with the rules and whatnot..”

They turned a corner, entering the main chapel. Stained glass windows stretched high above, casting patches of colored light across the stone floor. Rows of choir boys, all dressed in robes like Rancent’s, stood along the edges, their voices filling the room. At the far end, a tall, stern-looking man in a robe embroidered with silver and gold stood with his hands raised, leading the choir in song.

“That’s Priest Romani,” Finn whispered, leaning close. “He’s about to receive his first devotional baptism. Its really important.”

Rancent nodded, still trying to take everything in. But something gnawed at him—the term “baptism” didn’t sound quite as simple as Finn had implied. He leaned over, keeping his voice low. “So… what exactly happens in this ‘devotional baptism’?”

Finn’s expression sobered a little. “It’s a blessing… and a trial. Each baptism grants us a deeper connection to the gods, but it also asks something from us. After the first baptism, you start seeing the Ether flows, like an invisible web of life binding everyone together. But each baptism digs deeper—more knowledge, but also more responsibility.”

Rancent felt a chill as he processed Finn’s words. “Sounds… strict.”

“It is,” Finn said, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his face. “It’s not something you can back out of easily. Once you’re in, you’re… committed.”

Rancent swallowed, his gaze drifting to the faintly glowing fragment of Ether he’d acquired earlier. He still felt its presence, like a whisper in the back of his mind. But this talk of commitment, of binding himself to something he barely understood, made his skin prickle.

Before he could ask more, the choir finished their song, and the priest’s voice echoed through the hall, commanding their attention.

“Today, we witness a momentous occasion!” Priest Romani intoned, his voice deep and unwavering. “Through Igdur’s light and Cekros’s order, I take on the third baptism, devoting my body, mind, and soul to their guidance.”

A murmur of reverent awe rippled through the choir, and Finnian’s eyes gleamed with excitement. “He’s going to channel divine Ether,” Finn whispered, almost bouncing on his toes. “You’re lucky to see this on your first day.”

The Saint walked up to the podium, his robe dragging along the floor collecting the dust off the wooden floors.

“I’m sorry, the air is just way too heavy here. Can I go back to the study room for a second?”

The boy raised an eyebrow but seemed to sense Rancent's unease.

“Uh, alright. Just make it quick! We don’t want to be late for the ceremony.”

Rancent nodded, stepping back through the door he had just entered, his heart racing as he walked into the study room. The shadows danced along the dimly lit walls, and the air felt thick with an ancient knowledge. Papers were strewn about, and Rancent quickly scanned the room, trying to focus on the task at hand. He needed a moment to think. The whole idea of baptism, the energy of Ether, it was all too much. How did he find himself in a place where such bizarre customs existed?

As he rifled through some of the loose papers, he noticed a peculiar book half-hidden under a stack. Its cover was embossed with intricate symbols, reminiscent of a language he didn’t understand but felt deeply compelled to decipher. He picked it up, feeling a strange warmth radiating from it. As he quickly tucked the book under his arm, the warmth intensified, and he felt an inexplicable bond form between him and the artifact. The symbols on the cover began to glimmer faintly, almost as if they were alive and responding to his presence. He opened the book in a corner to realize that a small geometric badge was inside, emiting sparks of lights and shapes. He wanted to pick up the badge, but his body acted upon itself and darted at the figure instinctively.

"Wait.."