He watched the sunset until a guard came up to him and politely asked him not to block the traffic. Daniel wondered if their attitude would be different if he reincarnated in his plain hospital clothes. Finnean was right. The blue of both his shirt and jeans was too vibrant compared to others, indicating that he was more than just someone.

Would a merchant laugh at him if he offered to work in the market square? For some reason, Madam Li’s fortune-telling kept coming back to his mind. Although he sincerely believed she was playing an evil prank on him, it wouldn’t hurt to check it out.

The people in the market square helpfully gave him directions, though he had to stop and ask every few minutes to make sure he didn’t get lost. Expertly navigating past a red-light district named Silkside and avoiding numerous catcalls, he nonetheless peered into several vice dens, brothels and casinos. He salivated at exotic food carts selling food to both rich and poor customers. The plague of being poor struck him once again, this time as hunger. He focused on his steps, ignoring his rumbling stomach.

He must’ve entered a residential district because soon enough, the bustle of the city faded behind him. The road here was cracked and uneven, the buildings short and squat, oftentimes only a single story. The buildings had one of two motifs - a melting sun or a crescent moon, with only the rare few hoisting different symbols.

When he asked a middle-aged woman for directions to the church of Morvina, her face lit up like nothing before.

“It’s just down that way, though you’ve come early for the sermon. It’s in a couple of hours. I hear the moon will be quite beautiful tonight.”

“Ah, thank you. I’ve come for a different issue, but perhaps I’ll see you there,” he said, smiling at her.

“By the night’s veil,” she said, bringing her hands together, palms facing each other, fingers extended and slightly cupped. Daniel mirrored the gesture with difficulty.

The church was easy to find once here as the entrance was flanked by two massive and ancient elm trees devoid of leaves. The building itself was constructed from a sleek black stone, with tall towers erupting from it, reaching toward the sky. Daniel twisted his head, trying to make heads or tails of it - the entire building had an asymmetrical design, no two patterns the same. Even the two gargoyles by the entrance were completely different, looking as if they would come to life at any second.

Walking next to the church, he felt his thoughts turn to mush, a profound relaxation sweeping through his body. Even though the sensation was gone the next moment, his entire body loosened up, the tension disappearing into the wind. Then, he stepped inside.

The first thing he noticed was just how dark the church was. Looking above, a night sky greeted him, a purple crescent moon bathing the surroundings in soft light. Next to it, various stars glimmered in the sky as if dancing. Tall stained glass windows depicted phases of the moon, colouring the sunlight spilling in.

He walked upon the soft, carpeted ground, passing among rows of intricate pews. At the back of the room was a tall altar, draped in dark, rich fabrics. There stood a single person, who turned around to face him in surprise.

“Welcome to the church of Morvina.” The man’s voice was calming, resembling a serene pond.

The priest looked to be a man in his thirties, with long, black hair, though not a single wrinkle or crease adorned his complexion. A purple veil draped over his face, thin enough to not obscure his facial features - a high pointed nose and deep blue eyes. His clothes were simple but elegant. A rich indigo robe covered most of his body, only an onyx pendant in the shape of a crescent moon on top of it.

“I-” he reconsidered his words, wondering what his previous urgency was about.

“I’m sorry, father. It’s quite a silly matter,” he said, taking a step backwards. The priest tilted his head at the strange term.

“No, no. Please, tell me about your troubles. Morvina must have led you here for a reason.”

Now that he was here, the whole sequence of events seemed foolish to him.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

“I was looking for a job, a way to make some crowns. Madam Li, a fortune teller, said I should come here,” he remarked, purposefully skipping a few key details.

“Ah, Madam Li,” he said, glancing at the sky. “She once helped me with a matter of faith, though it did cost me more than a few crowns.”

He walked around the room, his voice and his steps unhurried. Cupping his hands, a small flame erupted from them, which he used to light incense.

“But, her advice did indeed help me, so I don’t regret the expense. Perhaps the goddess has spoken through her once again.”

Silence reigned supreme for minutes on end, neither of them having anything to say. Normally, the lull in conversation would make Daniel deeply uncomfortable, but now, the silence only served to further relax his mind. Or, perhaps it was the incense spreading through the room, strongly smelling of lavender.

“Come, tell me what you’re looking for,” the priest spoke, standing at the altar. “My name is Tavian, a simple priest in the service of the goddess above.”

“I’m Daniel, and it’s very nice meeting you. I’m very good at dealing with spirits and souls, though I would like to not disclose my class,” he said, keeping his voice calm.

He didn’t like lying to such a religious man, but this concerned his well-being. Besides, he was working under Death itself, so it wasn’t that big of a lie. There was no need to mention he was only level 2.

“We’ve got a position open for an exorcist. Our previous one perished under some... mysterious circumstances when investigating ancient ruins.”

It was good that the incense was keeping him calm, otherwise, he would be thinking twice about the job offer.

“But, to apply for it, you’d have to officially become a member of our clergy and swear the Oath of Midnight. Are you willing to do that?” Tavian said, grabbing his necklace and uttering a quick prayer.

Daniel had a difficult past with religion. His mother would take him to church when he was younger, but he never really paid any attention to the priest’s teachings. He started praying to God once he received news of his cancer, hoping that would take away some of the burden. Time dragged on and on, and his prayers turned to lament, cursing Him for causing Daniel sorrow and misfortune.

If asked whether he was particularly religious, he would answer no. But, the goddess in this world was likely real, answering prayers and granting powers to those worthy. If so, he had no qualms about joining their religion, as long as he agreed with the principles.

“Could you tell me more about Morivia and the religion?” he asked while contemplating.

“I would love for nothing more,” Tavian answered, leading him to the back of the church.

There, spanning floor to ceiling, was a mural depicting a woman. She was enveloped by a dark and starry night, wearing it as a mantle. Her dark hair cascaded around her shoulders, her piercing black eyes a mix of compassion and wisdom. In the mural, her outstretched arms extended toward her many worshippers, kneeling in reverence. Countless ethereal souls, depicted as wisps of light, entwined around each other and danced in joy, reaching for her embrace.

“She is the divine embodiment of the night sky, of souls, spirits, and death - a compassionate deity that guides souls on their journey to her divine realm, an eternal vigil that safeguards during the night.” He said, cupping his hands in reverence. “As the stars shine eternally, so does my devotion to you, Morvina."

Ah, so that was where souls went when they died. If so, was he robbing others of their afterlife? But, what was reincarnation if not another form of afterlife? In that case.

Was he god?

He quickly shook his head, clearing his mind of such thoughts. He would be smitten to death if he continued committing blasphemy in such a holy place.

The priest continued, unaware of the mental turmoil behind him.

“The Oath of Midnight is a sacred one. If you would swear to embrace the night sky, to live with compassion to others, and to always seek to better your soul, then you will be eternally bound to Morvina. As a part of the clergy, it is also your duty to guide those who are lost and those who are still searching.” Tavian’s voice was solemn, echoing through the church.

Although still concerned about the issue of a soul, he found nothing he disagreed with in the teachings of Morvina. Making up his mind, he nodded at the priest.

Both of them knelt upon the carpeted ground, arms cupped and reaching for the night sky above. For a moment, the stars in the sky moved, a silhouette of a woman embracing the moon. “If you are truly determined, then follow my lead.”

The priest’s chants shook the building, darkness wrapping around them like a coat. Keeping his mind serene, he closed his eyes and started praying.

"I, Daniel, pledge my soul to the embrace of Morvina, goddess of the night. I vow to honour her sacred teachings under the night sky.

I shall walk the path of inner reflection, seeking wisdom in the shadows.

I shall embrace the mysteries of the night, finding solace in its tranquil embrace.

I shall honour the cycle of life and death, recognizing their intertwined nature.

I shall strive to bring comfort and understanding to those touched by grief.

I shall act with compassion and empathy, offering kindness to all souls.

By the night's veil, I seek your acceptance.”