The Church of The Crone.

The hour was dark when Father Travis entered the darkened interior of the church of his new Goddess. The holy place was brimming with new and potential converts to the darkness that lurked below the mountain. Each day their efforts bolstered their ranks with fresh bodies and souls ready to give, and take, everything in Her dark name.

There were some among them that didn't care for adding the blood of "the newcomers" as Travis and others were called. They saw them as little better than parasites like all the others that trespassed upon Her realm. But there were those among the cult that weren't quite so dogmatic and readily welcomed fresh blood and bodies. An influx that was steadily growing from a trickle into a deluge as the situation within the town grew more dire as prayers to The Blessed Mother went unanswered while their loved ones grew sick, cold, and hungry.

Their recent attack upon the dwarves and goblins just added to their sense of doom at the thought of monstrous beasts coming out of the dark to take them away. But where they felt abandoned by the light, the darkness welcomed them just as much as it welcomed him when his faith and loyal service was so easily cast aside.

Travis walked along the side of the darkened room, leaving the practitioners to their praying and supplication as they listened fervently to the holy sermons that spoke of The Crone and their place within the cult. Some would be little more than idle worshipers, coming to pray and little more. Others would be sent out to proselytize to the masses during the dark hours when hope was at its lowest and fear took hold. Others were sent ever deeper into the dark below them as they were given to The Mother in more ways. Some would become the fanatical cultists that would join in raids and attacks while others were sent off somewhere that even Father Travis wasn't aware of. Somewhere deeper into the mountains.

He made his way past the dark pulpit and towards the mine shaft elevator that would lower him into the depths of the mountain. A couple of darkly robed cultists awaited him and sent the elevator down below. It was silent save for the rumbling of the elevator and the raspy whispered prayers that the nearby cultists muttered.

The darkness grew ever more alive as they descended. Unlike the paranoia that one gets when they are alone in the dark, this time there very much was something watching him from the dark. It continued to watch him as the elevator stopped and he departed further into the tunnels. Leaving the cultists to their raspy prayers.

His footsteps echoed as he walked semi-blindly. Despite a boon from his new patron giving him the ability to see into the dark, even here it was so thick and oppressive that his boon was useless. Still he walked with the faith of one that was so sure of his devotion. A devotion that wasn't unrewarded nor misplaced as his feet carried him down dark tunnel after dark tunnel.

Then he arrived at the center of the cult. Or as much of a center as he was aware of, Father Travis thought as he entered the large cavern that was sparsely lit with flickering torches that illuminated the ruined dwellings of the cavern's former occupants. Though to call these ramshackle things dwellings would be a kindness that he didn't have for the rapacious green blights.

He walked towards the center of the cavern where stood Casius and others belonging to the higher echelons of the cult. Those that knew a sliver of Her grand design. But none had the confidence or knowledge of the entire picture like Casius. But Travis had managed to gather that even he didn't know everything She had planned. Nor did he desire to, he had told him when inquired. For what mortal mind could ever comprehend plans that spanned infinite eons? While he knew more than any other of the cult, even he was limited in what his own mind would allow.

Casius turned away from the hooded figures that chose to keep their identities hidden even down here, and towards Travis.

"Ah, Father Travis. No trouble in arriving?"

"No. She led me straight and true as always." Travis declared fervently.

"Good. Now that we are all here we can begin." Casius declared with authority.

"Why did he need to be here to begin?! We've done Her work for years before these vermin arrived!" One of the robed figures hissed venomously.

"Perhaps if you had done a better job of doing Her bidding then I and other vermin wouldn't need to be here." Travis returned with just as much venom.

"Outsider wretch! The only good thing you're good for is as flesh and blood to sate Her hunger!"

"Enough." Casius commanded with an even tone.

Casius glared down at the others assembled as if daring any to disobey his authority. None did. He held his hands behind his back as he spoke to those gathered.

"We are to proceed as planned. We have received more blessings from The Mother."

The other cultists grew manic at his words. Travis however wasn't sure what to be excited about though. Seeing the look on his face, Casius explained to him.

"She isn't called 'The Mother' for no reason."

He then produced a large sack that squirmed and writhed that he hadn't held just moments before. A sickening squelch came from the sack as whatever was held within wriggled about. One of the cultists squealed in glee at the sight.

"Does this mean what we think it means?!"

"It does. All of you will be given a sack of blessings as well as a location to deposit them. You are to then tend to them and see to their needs until the time comes to call upon them." Casius proclaimed as robed cultists emerged from the dark with their own writhing sacks and gifted them to each of the head cultists.

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All except Travis. He looked about at the others enviously who received their blessings. He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to find Casius looking down on him.

"You have been given another task, Father Travis."

Travis felt elated.

"What does She wish of my service?"

"You are to assume your old life. Then go into town and lead them away from their absent goddess and into Her arms." Casius explained as the others dispersed.

"But, are there not plenty of preachers? Why must I?" Travis asked confused.

"There are. But none have the intimate knowledge of how this 'goddess' works or handles her flock. This is where you come in. Use your knowledge and former authority among her clergy to bolster our ranks with yet more converts." Casius continued.

"But what about Brother Jeremiah?" Travis asked.

"It is his job to cement the faith that you will instill in them. You are to sow questions and doubt among them, making them easier for Brother Jeremiah to welcome them into Her embrace."

"But-" Travis started as he looked towards the other cultists that disappeared into the darkness.

"We all have our duties to perform. From those that stitch and weave our garments, to those that tend to the hounds, to those that kill and die in Her name, and to those that spread Her word." Casius proclaimed.

"Of course. If it is Her will I will see it done to the best I am able." Father Travis said resolutely at last.

"Good. Rewards are given to those that earn Her favor, not by those that think they know better than Her." Casius said with a questioning tone towards Travis.

"Of course! I did not mean to question Her! I-"

"Merely wished to perform a job that may be ill-suited for you? To each according to their abilities." Casius stated.

"Of course. When am I to depart?"

"As soon as you get changed." Casius commanded as a cultist arrived from the darkness and handed over Travis' old affects. His pristine white robe had been mended and cleaned while his holy tome was also patched of its roughest spots.

Travis bowed and took his old gear before departing for a place to change. Leaving Casius to watch him leave. He sighed as he watched the fallen cleric depart before heading down one of the many tunnels of "Goblintown". New converts were the most eager to please, yet they were also the most raw when it came to their belief. So prone to brash actions. So prone to believing cautious methods aren't enough or even detrimental to their ways.

"Ah to be young again and full of vigor." Casius said to himself as he made his way down a tunnel and to a chamber that had once been used by Mortimer's goblins to spawn more of their ranks.

He stared down at the chamber impassively and beheld the violent displays below. Some among them had wanted to do away with the goblin spawning pools as they were deemed yet more signs of the parasitic outsiders. But Casius, with the backing of The Mother, was enough to keep the pools around. A decision that was proving quite valuable as the weak little goblins made excellent training for the more militaristic of the cult and other beasts within their ranks.

The wormhounds were the popular of the lot. Several among the cult claimed one for their own as companions akin to a normal dog like Jeb had done long ago. The viscous fluid they secreted was used to coat their blades in a debilitating poison that slowed and weakened their enemies. The beastfolk, those that gave themselves fully to Her and sacrificed their former bodies in exchange for power, might, and speed that would rival the best of humans. Though they lacked in mental acuity save for some of the shamans among them that retained a bit of their former selves enough to be capable of simple, if bestial, speech.

Then there were the blessings. The crude spawn of The Mother that She birthed daily from Her place deep within the mountain. Those that gnawed at the roots of the world in Her stead. Feasting on leyline, flesh, stone, earth, steel, and even reality itself where She remained confined.

All of them and more within their ranks fought savagely below as a never ending horde of goblins was spawned only to be cut, pierced, bashed, gnawed on, or even devoured wholly as the cult turned a pest into a valuable tool for training. Or food. The wormhounds and more bestial of them didn't mind eating the vile creatures. None of the cult partook though. Cannibalism wasn't welcomed, nor desired. It had a way of attracting unwanted guests that seek such depravity. While they could easily deal with any such creature, they'd rather not waste time and resources on such an endeavor.

Casius heard a whine from nearby and turned to find a wormhound that leaned over the edge and whined as it watched below. Its beady black eyes looked almost sad, Casius thought. He sighed and walked over and knelt down beside the wormhound and ran a hand over its oily chitinous hide.

"What's the matter?"

The wormhound whined again and pawed at stone with its thick claws while gesturing with its worm-like head towards a cultist and her wormhound companion eviscerating a couple of goblins with glee. Casius chuckled and patted its chitinous head.

"I know you miss him. But She's said that he needs time to grow on his own."

The wormhound whined again and gazed sadly towards the pair as they continued to fight among the green fodder. Casius sighed and looked down at the wormhound. To be so close for so long yet not being able to be with its master. He knew that feeling well. As close as he was to The Mother, even he had not seen Her in all Her glory despite being so close. There were tunnels that lead to Her. If he were to follow one he would bear witness to Her in Her entirety. Not the mortal shell She used nor even the avatar She rarely showed, but Her true cosmic form that once graced the cosmos for eons! Yet despite the euphoria he would feel from seeing his Goddess as She truly was, he would be no more use to Her as his mind tore itself apart from bearing witness.

As much as he wanted to, he would not fail Her to sate his curiosity. She needed his assistance and it would be a waste to throw away all his years of hard work. He would see Her as She is when the time arrived. But for now he just had to be patient.

He stared down at the wormhound and sighed. He might not be able to see his Mistress as She was. But that didn't mean others had to be deprived of the same. Besides, She had told him She missed keeping an eye on Jeb. He was sure She actually missed Her son though. But he wouldn't call Her out on it. If it were to return to its master then She could have a way to check on Jeb.

So Casius sighed and stood.

"Come along then."

The wormhound snapped its worm-like head around at him as if it wasn't sure it heard him right. Casius chuckled at the display.

"Come on. I'm sure Jeb's missed you just as much as you missed him."

The wormhound fumbled as its claws dug into the stone like a hot knife through butter as it tried to stand. It panted and gurgled while it hopped and bounded around excitedly. The little nub of a sensor that looked like a tail waggled around as the creature jumped as it followed after Casius. Casius chuckled. He wasn't much of a animal lover, but maybe having a companion that loved you without question wasn't such a bad thing, he thought as he lead the wormhound down the darkened tunnels.

They passed miles of tunnels in short order. A perk from The Mother, where the dark below was no obstacle to those in Her service. Not quite teleportation, but it made travelling through tunnels far easier. Especially for his aching feet. He was grateful to finally arrive at a opening in the far side of the mountain. The moon was out and the presence of The Mother was softer here. Evidence that Her reach only went so far despite the recent gains from the Agency and the dwarves.

Down below was a near sheer cliff face which ended in train tracks. A perilous climb for anyone without proper training or equipment. But no problem for one such as the wormhound. He smiled and turned towards the beast.

"Go on. Go to Master Jeb."

The beast perked up and looked at him with its multitude of beady black eyes for a moment. Then it started to heave and choke which grew in frequency before a semi-digested rat was spat up onto the ground. The wormhound looked down at the dead and slimy rat then up at Casius. He grimaced and patted the wormhound on the head.

"You can keep it. I'm sure Master Jeb would welcome it more though."

The wormhound's thin barbed tongue hung out like a typical dog's did before darting out and snatching up the half-eaten pest with a crunch. It panted and shuffled excitedly as it looked between Casius and the horizon that Jeb now resided in.

"Well go on!" Casius commanded with a chuckle and gestured towards the tree line.

The wormhound shuffled excitedly while wagging its sensor tail before rushing towards the edge and falling off it. But it wasn't afraid and its strong body and thick claws dug deep into the stone as it raced down the rock face with little care or worry.

Casius laughed as he watched the wormhound bound easily over the train tracks below before disappearing into the woods in search of its master.

"Good luck Dougie."

With that, Casius turned around and entered the darkness of the mountain once more. He had done his good deed for the day, but now he had work to do. Much work to do indeed.