Chapter 22 – A Night in Linchester.

Bel turned and took the church in. It was twice as splendid inside. He had always loved seeing churches back home in Europe. They had a deep history and the handiwork was always splendid. Made by someone who loved their craft and took the time to make it as great as possible. This church was no different.

The similarities to the churches back home continued, there were over thirty church pews on either side of an aisle leading to a large altar with a podium next to it. Several large, wide pillars were holding up the high ceiling. There were several candelabras fixed to the pillars and several more stood around the large chamber. Acolytes and initiates were in the middle of lightning the candles, giving the chamber a shadowy glow. The light illuminated the walls and stained-glass windows, showing majestical battles between angels and monsters. The place was silent except for the murmurs of Liara and Conrad.

John had taken a knee by a side alcove where a statue of a winged woman stood and he was furiously praying to himself. His face was twisted in pain and fear. Bel was about to say something when Alexandra moved up to the kneeling man and spoke gently to him. Bel felt she had a grasp of the situation and moved further inside the church, taking in the calm and the splendor of it all.

He got a few glances from the priests and monks of the church. The building was large and seemed to hold a significant number of devotees. It was otherwise empty of townspeople as it seemed the evening mass hadn’t started yet.

Bel moved up to Bull, Sarah, and Francis who were sitting together on two rows of seats. Francis turned toward the other two behind him.

“You think he’s going to help us?” Francis was whispering to Sarah.

“I don’t know. We didn’t interact much before we moved on to the dungeon location. Liara seems to trust him and he’s not an inquisitor.” She answered while frowning in thought.

“What does that have to do with anything? That he’s not an inquisitor that is. Is there a difference between members of the church?” Bel asked as he sat down next to Francis removing his weapon and shield with a sigh of contentment. They weren't heavy per se but it still felt good lowering them from his back.

Sara looked at him funnily at first before she remembered who she was talking to.

“There are three parts to the Church of Dawn within the Empire. First, there’s the clergy, known as the Priesthood of Dawn. They hold services and take care of people in need, that sort of stuff. Then there are the Paladins, the military arm of the church. They defend villages and amass armies when monster waves appear or if there’s an invasion by outside forces. They work closely with the Royal Guard and the Royal Army but they aren’t under the general's chain of command. The Paladins answer to the Highest One and the priests to the Wisest One. Then there’s the inquisition, they serve as peacekeepers and heretic hunters, and they work to keep the population on the true path. They are led by the Watching One.” Sara was amicable at first but at the end, her face had turned pensive and Bel felt that she was having a hard time with the thought of the old order she belonged to.

No one except John had joined the inquisition by choice Bel had learned during their travels. Francis was given to the inquisition by his father as he mentioned before, Sarah and Alexandra had both been forced to join as their families couldn’t support them and it was either this or whoring. Bull had been sentenced to life service with the inquisition for a past crime. He didn’t mention what crime and he wasn’t too keen on speaking of it either not that Bel asked, that was his secret to keep.

“Are the other religions ad gods allowed within the Empire?” Bel asked curiously. He didn’t care if he made people uncomfortable with his questions any longer, he was too new to know what was proper or not and so far, he felt that he didn’t much care for the church.

“That’s a hard question to answer and I know why you ask. I don't have a good answer though.” Sarah said with a slightly uncomfortable tone.

“The short answer is yes it is legal for any religion to hold centers of worship, all but the Dark religions such as Death and Morkin and the dark Spirits. The longer answer is that though they are legal, not many people accept the other religions as the Heman Empire is almost completely human. Dawn is the patron god of Humans and as such most of her followers are Human.” Bel heard the exaggeration of the word most and he looked at Liara by the altar with a slight frown. He wondered why an Elf followed a human god with such fervor.

“This is the Heman Empire, right? This entire zone or does it control more territories?” Bel had so many questions and they hadn’t had much time or opportunity to speak about these things during their journey here.

Once again the others looked at him funnily for a moment. It was Francis who answered this time.

“I got this one. The Heman Empire spawns several zones on the eastern part of Eshander. The Empire is a Gold Ranked Society actually since The Emperor is Gold tiered and the capital is located in a Silver Zone several weeks' travel west from here. Underneath it, there are a few other Silver Zones and a smattering of Iron, Bronze, and Tin Zones. This zone is called the Eastern Lands due to being located on the Eastern part of Eshander bordering the Eternal Sea.” He explained to Bel.

“What’s with all the E’s?”

“What?”

“Never mind, continue.”

“This zone is a large one, most Tin zone are and its quite newly settled, hence this frontier town and several others, like Dunhaven our destination.” Francis continued while relaxing on the soft stuffed pew.

“How do zones work, what makes a zone a zone?” Bel interrupted the younger man.

“I’m not entirely sure but I think it has to do with mana saturation. The lower the saturation the lower the zone. The higher you ascend the harder it is for you to live within a zone lower than you in rank. You should be fine now but even between Bronze and Tin you should feel a difference.” He looked at Bel with questioning eyes.

“I think I do yeah. This is all new and strange to me still but it feels sort of like being high in the mountains as if it's harder to breathe because the air is so thin. I didn’t notice at first but as my mana regeneration still hasn’t gone back to normal, I suspected something was up.” Bel answered.

“Exactly. That’s how I’ve heard it described as well. That isn’t a problem for the Unawakened though. They can live wherever they want as they don’t have a core, except of course they tend to be drawn to lower zones for the safety of the frontier. The higher zones tend to attract conflict and war as people try to ascend further. The monsters are also higher ranked and much more aggressive.” Francis was looking at Bel with an expression Bel couldn’t read. It felt like he was waiting for Bel to say something.

“That sounds horrible but also in line with what I’ve come to expect from these lands. Conflict and strife as far as the eye can see.” Bel’s eyes clouded over and he grimly looked at the back of the pew before him. The others didn’t say anything, they only exchanged worried glances.

“There is a lot of conflict in this world, but there are also great beauty and peace. Don’t judge us too hard until you have seen it all for yourself.” Liara interrupted their conversation. Her voice was calm but there was an edge to it and Bel felt himself blush from shame. He was quick to judge these people he knew, but he couldn’t help himself due to everything that had happened to him.

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“I’m sorry.” He said and she nodded with a slight smile.

“I understand. The things you’ve seen and the way you’ve been treated. Now is not the time for this discussion though. Conrad wants to talk to you before he agrees to help us.” Liara looked at Bel expectantly. “Come with me.” She turned and walked away while Bel tried to get out from the pew without tripping over himself.

He caught up with her halfway down the aisle. Bel looked at the altar where the priest was busy laying out books and scrolls while humming a song to himself. Bel didn’t recognize the tune but it was oddly soothing.

“What does he want with me? I don’t know anything. Why don’t you talk to him?” He whispered to Liara worriedly. She looked at him over her shoulder with a half-smile.

“He wants to get to know you. To see if he should let us stay or kick us out to the waiting guards.” With those ominous words, they arrived at the waiting priest. Conrad Gillroy was more intimidating this close, Bel thought. He was in his sixties but with a strong build and tanned skin.

“Greetings Bel and welcome to the Church of Dawn. I’ve heard a lot about you, mostly things that I hope aren’t true. The Hand of the Watching One was here a few days ago, spewing warnings and dire news about your arrival.” His baritone made Bel feel like a child again, he caught himself cowering slightly, and with an effort, he straightened.

“I bet he did. I think I got a good meddle on him after our duel. Which I won I might add.” Bel retold his journey since he arrived in this world and as he spoke a cloud of mana left Gillroy surrounding the talking human from Earth. Bel frowned at first and readied himself but he soon understood its purpose. The mana was reacting to his words, vibrating slightly as he spoke. Bel suspected it was some sort of truth-telling skill but he couldn't be sure, it didn't seem to harm him at least.

He didn’t mind, not this once. He needed this man to trust him and he knew his words were true, to him at least. When he got to the part with the Devourer, Conrad frowned whether from anger or worry Bel couldn’t tell. He didn’t interrupt him and Bel kept going. When he got to the part about the inquisitors losing their classes, he shot them a glance as they sat watching their interaction from the back rows of pews.

Bel finished his story and Conrad was silent a moment before sighing. He slumped and looked older after hearing the young man’s tale. Conrad walked up to the altar saying a silent prayer and lighting a candle. The illumination in the room had increased with all the candles now burning and he looked around the room, taking in the same marvel he had seen a thousand times before. It never got old seeing the tales of Dawn and the Angels who served her he thought to himself.

“That is quite a tale and it matches up with what Liara told me. Apostle Merikh however had quite a different tale to tell. It seemed everyone but you died or if they didn’t, they would have been turned to heretic ways by your influence. The Priesthood never got along with the Inquisition but I would never think an Apostle or the organization could sink to these levels of depravity, in their effort to keep the Empire pure.” He turned toward Bel again while speaking.

“It seems I was wrong. Your words were true and I doubt you are strong enough or knowledgeable enough to fool my Zone of Truth skill. I can feel that you have tempered and ascended to Bronze, you still have a lot to learn though. I do believe your class and the reason you were called here will lead to something nefarious though.” Conrad took out a small book, this one was only the size of his palm and it was black with gold adorning the edges. Liara paled at the sight of the book.

“That is why I am offering you a chance at redemption here and now. With this artifact, I can purge you and save your soul. You will be free of the curse of Death and will be allowed to live free again.” He smiled a pained smile because he knew how painful the procedure could be. Bel just stared at the book and the man before him.

Here it was again, he thought to himself. Someone wanting to control him, change him, make him do what they wanted. Ever since he got here, he had been prodded and pulled in a direction not his own. He couldn’t reject the truth in the priest's words. If he did this, he wouldn’t be the bringer of anything anymore he could stop whatever plans Death had for him. He could live his life however he saw fit in this world, defenseless and at the whims of other Ascended. He knew in his gut that he wouldn’t be this strong or have this power if he went along with the priest's wishes. He would give up the only part of himself he felt he truly earned, by the suffering of his body and soul as well as the sweat of his brow.

“No.” Bel’s word was audible in the silence and everyone looked at the man. There was a dark glint in his eyes and both Conrad and Liara frowned at him.

“No? Why would you not take this opportunity if you want what you say you want? To be a good man and help others, not a being of Death and destruction?” Liara sounded shocked and incredulous.

“Refusing to give up a piece of myself is not being untrue to my words Liara.” Bel looked the Elf straight in the eyes for once.

“These powers I have now may have come from a dark place, a place of Death and if all the stories are true you are right to fear them. But I chose what I do with them, no one chooses for me. I use my powers and no one uses me. I hate Death for what he did to me and what he planned on using me for. But the fact is that I don’t trust the other Gods either.” He heard the others shift behind him and he saw the man and elf shift uncomfortably. Bel’s gaze was far away though, staring into the light of the candle.

“I’ve never put much stock in religion and now that I have proof that divinity exists it should perhaps have changed my view, but it hasn’t. It has instead given me more determination than ever to not conform and believe. If divinity is real and they require our worship, why is there still conflict and struggles? Why do you fight and kill each other, monsters and God knows what?” Bel chuckled at the human expression as he said it without thinking.

“I know what you are about to say, so please let me finish.” Bel said while holding up his hands to cut off any retorts. Conrad was silent and watching, his expression gave off nothing. Liara had opened her mouth to respond but shut it so hard her teeth clacked.

“There might be a plan, there might be something more than what I or you know. I don’t care about the reason. To me, it just feels wrong. I don’t like killing but a part of me likes fighting. I didn’t know that about myself before I came here. My world is peaceful in many ways, at least to those like me who had the privilege to be born in a rich and safe country.” He had picked up steam and was walking in front of the altar, speaking more to himself than the others now.

The party watched with different expressions ranging from anger to surprise and a few faces were thoughtful at his words. The room was silent as the other priests and initiates were watching the dark-clad man spewing blasphemy inside the church of Dawn. Their expression was one of shock.

“If I turn on this dark path you all believe I will, then I hope you’ll be there to stop me. But I won’t. I know almost nothing about this world and the things in it, and I hope you’ll help me learn. I need your help in many ways, although the choice is mine to make. I chose to remain who I am on the path I walk. No one will take this from me, I’ve earned it and I’ll show you all that I deserve to be me.” He finished his speech looking at his party, coincidently standing in front of the altar the light behind him giving him a glow.

There was only silence after his speech, he didn’t expect a response anyways, not applause or anything. Bel wasn’t the best at reading people and he didn’t much care for what they thought, but deep inside he wanted at least some confirmation to his words.

“I will help you.” It was Conrad who spoke first. Bel turned toward the man who looked as calm as before. Liara had a deep frown and Bel thought she might be angry. Her gaze was downcast though and she was avoiding his eyes, muttering to herself.

“Your words won’t sway my conviction but I understand your point. The fact is that everyone should be free to live as they choose within the Empire and even though the church many times works against that, I won’t.” His deep voice was full of conviction but there was no doubt to the others that knew him, that he remained as faithful and stoic to his cause as ever. He put the small black book back.

“Thank you... I don’t know what else to say. I know people will oppose me at every turn and it warms my heart that you would stand up for me.” Bel said, suddenly shy and unsure.

Conrad smiled, a smile full of warmth. A smile belonging to a gentle and good man even if his scars and old wounds told of a violent past. He opened his mouth to speak when something large crashed through a stained window. A large creature landed on an unsuspecting priest who managed to yelp before he was crushed against the floor, blood, and gore splattering everywhere.

The creature was almost two and a half meters tall, hunchbacked, and spindly. Its arms were almost as long as its whole body, ending in five fingers and wicked claws. The skin on its head was taught as if it was several sizes too small for its body. Its dark eyes were oddly human and its mouth was full of long sharp teeth sticking out in all directions. It was naked but genderless, it was muscled but in a sinewy kind of sense. The thing looked around before giving off a roar toward Bel. Spittle flew from its mouth and several more creatures came crashing through the other windows around the church. A lone bell started up outside and soon more bells picked up the call. Screams started echoing from all around the town and inside the church, the tension was broken by the arrival of the creatures.

“WENDIGO!” a voice shouted before all hell broke loose.