Ruth’s FOV

I was watching from afar, leaning in a corner. The girl Elena approached the guard, she started limping and fell on the ground, right in front of him.

“HAAAA” She screamed.

“Are you alright lassie?” He had a really thick accent he spoke as he bent over to help her.

“I… I think I twisted my ankle, damn high heels. I will never learn its art. Ahh, it hurts.” She placed a hand in the man’s forearm.

He helped her get up; standing only on one foot, she tried to stand on the one she had ‘twisted’, back in the floor and made a pained expression.

Good acting.

“Kind sir, …I might need your help to get to my father. He will help, I can’t walk like this alone!” She said with a really fake embarrassed expression.

“Lass, I’m working I can’t leave just like this… You see the boss…”

“Not a problem, my father is very rich he will reward you and owe a favour to your boss for helping his daughter, your boss will give you a raise you will see!” She lied through her teeth.

Maybe she isn’t as dumb as she looks.

“Alright, if you say so…” The man helped her out as they went in another direction.

That was… actually solid. I’m impressed.

I quickly rushed over the door and leaned my hear against it. I could hear two voices. Two men.

“Any problems with the last shipments?” A man with a soft voice made a question.

“Everything is dandy, boss. We just have a little problem with the Black tar…” Another man with a rough voice answered, Submission clear in his voice.

“Again!? Those cultists attacked another shipment? It’s the second time this month.” The man with the soft voice hissed.

“I did everything boss! Changed routes. Hid it in hidden compartments of the sugar boxes. Had guards! Everything I tell you. Those cultists have otherworldly powers! A man can’t hope to hold against this sort of thing!” The rough voice was fearful.

“I don’t care for excuses. My revenue is dropping at alarming rates; my clients are banging my door down! You either get the Heroin or I will find someone else who will.” The soft voice hissed.

“I am assembling a big team in a local abandoned slaughterhouse. We will raid that monastery, I’m sure these cultists are in liege with the priests there. We will clean the place up and find the merchandise.” The rough voice answered with confidence.

“And now you are going to tell me why you haven’t you done so already.” The voice said full of annoyance.

“I have a contact. Guns. Pistols, muskets even the new rifles. But we are lacking some…”

BAAM.

Someone punched a table. Almost scared me to death too. But this is important I need to listen.

“You wil have your money. If I don’t get my shipment in two weeks. I will have your head on a pike. This conversation is over.”

I heard a chair moving. Time to skedaddle.

So I did; fast as the wind.

An attack!? To the monastery? That’s my home.

Adam needs to know about this. Father too!

I passed through the guard guarding an exit in the other end of the corridor from where I came from.

He didn’t say anything. It seems his job is to keep people from coming in, not out.

I acted normal. Its time to go back to watch the opera.

The corridors were mostly empty, the opera was still going on so most people were on their seats right now. I rushed over to get back to my spot.

I took a seat. The other teens were either watching the show or giggling at something. I took a seat back.

“Went for a number two at home?” Otto asked; laughing.

“Where is my sister? She went with you and isn’t back?” Tristan the blond from before and the girl’s brother asked.

I shrugged.

—-

Adam’s FOV

I cracked my shoulders as the opera was closing its final act.

My ears are buzzing from all the noise, either the gums of inbred pillocks or this opera. I thought an old times opera would be good! But they have so much to still improve on… Or maybe it is just this backwater town that doesn’t have much culture.

I took my wife by the arm and walked away. We both saying our farewells, my pockets full of business cards.

We stood by the exit waiting for Ruth. Maria hadn’t said anything yet.

Weird.

“You can let go of me now. We are done.” I said.

She released my arm.

“What’s up?” I noticed she had a new mood.

She looked up. “I just… noticed, there is so much more to life than dank basements and spell books. You were right, this was fun. I never so many people, they sort of weird but maybe they are just different. Even if it was just a lie… It…it felt good to be appreciated. You know?”

I patted her head, she was just a kid after all. No amount of dark spells and mutilation methods will change them; life does.

A thing that Nev never really came close to understand after centuries. Immortality has effects on people. Many of them.

Turns out that some people can live up to centuries and still be children; quaint notion that.

“But you are appreciated. ” I answered.

“Yeah… by whom? You? No… not even you.” She sighted.

“You know. Since I woke for the first… up this morning the first person I saw was you. And yet the day is coming to a close and here you are. By my side. Ruth might be a sneaky little weasel but I’m sure she loves you too. So… don’t beat yourself up, its not numbers that count. Its quality. And I would say that I had a great day.” I looked at her. She was starting at me with those big gazel puppy eyes.

“And… even thought you resisted, you did great today by my side. I appreciate it.” I smiled.

I could see a tear in the corner of her eye.

“Idiot! Making me emotional… I guess… you are right. Thank you.” She also smiled.

Not to ruin this beautiful moment, but if she was my daughter there would be quite a hearing from me, if any of them said this.

To depend on others? Seek their approval? Pathetic. Unbefitting of my depraved inheritance.

However I do have uses for this girl. Better to just make her depend of me. And when she outlives her usefulness, cast her away. By then she will learn her lesson; and become stronger for it.

I am the overlord. I didn’t reach the top among the most ancient and powerful beings in all of existence by being compassionate, caring. I do what must be done, and the road for divinity is paved in blood.

Either by ancestors or by those who conquered.

If she can keep up? Good for her. I will grant her all the power and glory she deserves. And if she can’t? Well, she can go and join the corpses of my enemies. The ones I used to pave my stairs back to the heavens.

One thing is certain. I won’t hold anyone’s hand, that reservation is for my daughters only, and I always make sure they do pay for it. This girl wouldn’t afford it, she would be better off dead.

It took a few minutes but Ruth eventually came out of the opera with her gang. Rich kids these, hope she made a few friends they might be useful.

She was holding hands with a blonde girl. The girl had tears in her eyes and the blonde man seemed a little down too. Wonder what happened.

“Hey Abella. How was the opera?” I said. The underling meaning clear, I was expecting her to perform well in our task. She is smart after all.

She nodded.

Good girl.

They said their farewells, and I noticed that the sun was going down. Time to head home, starting to get hungry and all that.

Monastery food here I come.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

We walked a while and had no trouble getting out of the town. There was still a little climb due to the monastery being up in a hill, this body certainly needed the workout.

I checked for tails. There were none.

Once we reached the walls of the place, we had no trouble going back in. The priest in guard duty quickly recognized who we were, even if our clothes were not in accordance to the proper dress code. A glare from Maria quickly made him rethink his words.

She really was held in a high standard in this community. The apparent heir.

The place was built in a square.

It wasn’t that big. One side was a building with dormitories, separating male and female. The centre building had a big room that was the prayer halls full of religious carvings, statue and fancy religious stuff, like chandeliers, gold goblets and such.

And another side was the hostelry where we ate and guests stayed. I have a feeling that there weren’t that many guests nowadays. It also had an infirmary.

The entry side was a big wall, supplied with old crossbows and rusty swords. There were fighting marks on it, indicating the place had seen action before.

It had a big iron gate, the one we just passed through.

The centre was a big garden, made up of dead flora which the priests didn’t seem to care about.

Finally at this garden’s centre the belfry that I had climbed up earlier.

Maria had mentioned a basement. Where ‘father’s’ accommodation was. And where we worked, either cult stuff or general priest duties.

Like translations and alchemy. It must be a big place underground.

I spotted a big church back in town. It seems the city folk pray there instead of coming here. It seemed a little different too.

However there is a big cemetery in the side of the hill here; where the monastery stood. Provably serving the whole town.

We reached the cantina and the three of us took a seat on a table. There were many priests and kids; perhaps apprentices? At this hour the place is quite crowded, but I can tell that this is not all of the order’s members, they are too weak.

The stronger ones must have somewhere else to dwell…

The acolytes/apprentices used a grey robe and novices an white one. Ruth had a grey robe and Maria a black one… I do also have a grey one, wish I threw away back in town, the girls did too. They didn’t take their old clothes with them. Do they represent a power ranking of sorts?

It also seems this monastery’s rules and the monastic horarium aren’t as strict as most of them.

There is also the fact that men and woman are equal in the clergy, even allowing them their own dormitories and such. Traditional christian church isn’t like this; another thing that the presence of magic somehow changed.

I wonder how they handle the implications that having men and woman living together causes.

We waited a while as Maria went to fetch our meal. Considering I was amnesiac and Ruth well Ruth. She didn’t give us an earful.

Ruth was scribbling a paper for a while. And as soon as Maria came with our supper. She handed it to me.

*Mission report. IMPORTANT* I read the first line.

“I see you did well. I will read it later.” I smiled as I pocketed it.

She nodded.

“We could communicate like this more often. Get a journal and a pen or something.”

She pulled out a silver pen that she had in her pocket. A pricey one it seems.

“Well done.” I said as I poured a ladle of soup into my mouth.

It wasn’t bad… Just bland.

“Hey Maria… I was wondering, what does the monastery do when girls get pregnant here?” I suddenly asked half-way through being done with the meal breaking the silence.

“That’s a sudden, and a weird question. Well… Some monasteries immediately execute both parents for breaking dictate. Other ones like ours, who well… don’t usually take in orphans or outsiders have them raised here.”

“I see.” I nodded.

Rough world.

“These rules are set by the high priest. He has total authority in our church. Managing his own monastery whatever way he deems fit, sometimes the pope from the main branch does send in inquisitors to… well see that everything is in order.” She said.

“That might be a problem.” I commented.

“Father has everything in control. They come and go and no problems ever arise, he is quite resourceful you see. ” She made a spin with her knife as she said it.

“Of course.” I just nodded. He is indeed quite the character.

I noticed a group of three older priests in grey robes approaching our table. The leader an ugly men with a scar on his mouth.

He slammed both his hands in the side of the table. Our table.

“Who do you think you are! Disrespecting the rules of our community. First you break dictate by going to town; after the high priest clearly stated that no interaction whatsoever with the outside world would be tolerated!” He shouted.

I looked at him.

“And then you have the dare to walk back in, breaking dress code; like nothing had happened…! You three should be executed for desertion!” He continued, clearly in anger.

“Just because you are the high priest’s off-springs doesn’t make you impervious to our rules.” A short haired woman standing behind him added.

“How dare you…” Maria said indignant. But I cut her off.

“Did he sent you?” I asked.

“No. But that doesn’t mean that me, an older and wiser member of our order doesn’t have the authority to put you mutts in your place.” The scarred one answered.

“What right do you have to break our rules and after coerce your fellow brothers and sisters to do your bidding? Heh!” He said as he reached for Maria.

“Just because you weaselled your way into the rankings and got the title of ‘Master’ doesn’t make you one!” He hissed at Maria. Who was clearly too young to be a ‘Master’.

I grabbed his wrist midway and smirked. Maria was surprised at my actions; but just nodded.

“Right?” I laughed aloud. Everyone in the place were staring at us now; the commotion. Some members even looked through the windows.

“This right!”

I pulled his hand with all my might making him fall face on the table. Before anyone could react, my eating knife severed his spinal cord.

Then he just bled like a stuck pig.

I picked up another knife on the table and got up, pulling him off it leaving a trail of blood, dragged him up on his knees by the table’s side, then casually i lifted his head up by the hair and slitted his throat open; for everyone to see.

He fell on the ground motionless in a pool of his own blood and piss.

“Adam!” Maria shouted.

Ruth was looking at the scene. No clear expression on her face.

The priests who were with him took a step back, the short haired girl along with a bald man with his skull full of engravings.

He was the one standing guard earlier. I took note of their faces.

“For anyone who thinks it would be funny to stand in our way.” I motioned at the man on the floor and placed my shoe in the hilt of the knife stuck on him. Twisting it.

He wanted to scream as he died. He could not; I only allowed him to whimper.

I stood hands behind my back and stomped my foot crushing his throat.

“I will have them severed limb from limb, and their soul incinerated; you won’t come back even as a flea ridden rat.”

Suddenly i moved, grabbing the bald man who was frozen in fear by the throat and punched him; breaking his nose on the spot.

“We, the high priest’s descendants are superior. Our authority unquestionable. Defy it and you will have my wrath, not even ‘my’ father will save any of you from me.” I shouted, my voice full of anger.

I looked at the short haired girl.

“Get this shit cleaned up. I won’t have it stinking my cantina.” I commanded.

She nodded and went somewhere to get a broom or something.

I took a seat.

—-

“Surging all this emotions is making me tired. Dear sisters show me to my room.” I said to both of them who had their mouth wide open.

We walked, everyone just made way for us.

That’s how you make an impression.

Soon we reached the dormitories. We entered the men’s side, and Maria and Ruth showed me my room. This body’s room.

I was… Well. Unimpressed.

The place was a mess. Trash laying on the floor, dirty socks. Eugh.

The bed was just a yellow mattress filled with holes and the window was shattered.

Maria squeezed her nose and Ruth pouted.

“I seem to have a problem.” I commented as I looked at the place. The walls were black of mould.

“I think you have many problems.” Maria replied with a smirk.

I looked around. Not a single book to be seen. I opened the wardrobe, a rotten and broken thing. The stench was even worse here.

I saw… A big collection, of well drawings. Lewd ones, some weird hobby mayhaps?

Maria looked away not saying a word and Ruth just smirked.

I also spotted a few dark robes. They seemed relatively clean, I took them.

“Well, I’m not sleeping here. Honestly I have a really strong urge to burn this shithole to the ground.” I said as I walked out of the room.

“Don’t look at me, mine is also a mess. I mean not the the disgusting kind, just my notes and books. Sort of... All over the place.” Maria said.

I banged the door shut. To never set foot in there again.

“Really? You… The princess is disorganized?” I grinned at her.

“Like you are one to talk… And, boys are forgiven in the girls dormitory. After… well an incident a few years back.”

“You are standing in the boy’s dormitory right now.”

“Girls are allowed here.” She smiled.

“You know… I don’t give a fuck about rules. You should know that by now; so lead the way.” I said.

“Alright then. But you are not sleeping in my room, its not proper and I have studies to attend to.” She answered reluctantly.

We walked to the other side of the building. Some women and girls gave me looks, but after my most recent show they wouldn’t dare say a word.

Maria unlocked and pushed the door open into her room.

Honestly I didn’t know what to expect. But it really was a mess. Books and papers all over the place, the room was a tiny claustrophobic thing. And piles upon piles of books well. It was a mess.

“What on hell do you need that many books for!?” I asked.

Ruth took a paper and scribbled as Maria didn’t say a word and took a set in a sort of throne made of… well mess and books. Id didn’t smell nearly as bad as this body’s room. Just dust.

I looked at it.

*She is dumb, so she studies a lot. Not that will save her from it.* She also drew a… emoji. A face with the tongue out and a winking eye.

I couldn’t help but chuckle.

I took a seat in a stool and opened one of the books.

“Hey that’s my stuff! It’s a mess. But an organized mess, I know were everything is.” She complained.

“Proper ways to interact with otherworldly beings. What is this…!?” I said as I read the book’s title aloud.

“You know, when we make a pact so the being we make a contact with… well accepts our terms and doesn’t hex us or something. We need these pacts so we have an anchor… you know to be able to cast spells. The resource. You have that, otherwise you wouldn’t be able to cast the spells you do.” She explained.

“So that’s how it works…” I mumbled.

“Yes.” She answered.

Now I realize it. These people don’t have their own magic! This world’s magic density is so weak that I could hardly feely it. At first I thought it was this body being detuned with… well pretty much everything. But it is really that weak, just good enough to make pacts. Warlock pacts, and yes they do suck. You are pretty much a slave depending on its terms.

I wasn’t using these fellow’s previous pacts to fuel my spells. He died, so the pact ended. No I was using my own soul. The one that is in the process of healing after I died and travelled who knows how far for how long.

The one that holds my essence, who I am.

Good thing I didn’t abuse this magic. Yes my soul is powerful, but draining it even a little too much may cause some serious trouble for me later on. It happened before.

I don’t want to even start remembering about that headache.

“I know a guy.” I said aloud.

“What guy?” She raised an eyebrow

“A guy we three can make a pact with. No trouble, all power for us.”

Ruth laughed.

“That’s preposterous. Most otherworldly beings wouldn’t bother to answer stray calls from what they deem insects, like us. Much less making a pact for nothing.” Maria answered, expressionless.

Its true. There is absolutely no benefit to making a pact with anything that this world possesses. No magic, no worth. But some creatures do, either for amusement or because there are that desperate for souls.

No way that someone from this world would have the power or means to harvest souls. I wonder why do they make them.

“The one we have a pact with, well he is bond in our family. Our ancestors tamed it and enslaved it to a certain degree. He is quite powerful, Father gave us these powers just because we are his descendants. There is no greater gift than this and that’s why we must make up for him” She explained.

Ruth nodded.

So that’s why they pretty much worship that old man.

“You should be most grateful for it. The other priests either have a pact with the cult’s scamps, making them pathetic, or with some creature that tortures them day and night. In our lives there is nothing more valuable than our pact. That’s something that every lineage sorcerer agrees on.”

“Like I said; I know a guy, I just need some chalk. I will call him up, whatever this scamp you have a deal with, my guy is a god compared to him.” I said.

What? I actually do know of lots of guys I could reach out to. But this one, … there was never someone as loyal. It almost brings a tear to my eye.

“You are delusional.” She shook her head.

Ruth placed a hand on my shoulder consoling me.

“Some chalk please and a place away from prying eyes.” I crossed my arms firm about my decision.

—-

Ruth’s room.

She actually had an organized room. A wardrobe with a set of neatly arranged robes and books, and a desk. A small bed too.

I was holding a piece of chalk between my fingers after I changed out of the bloody robe, into a fresher one.

The girls were staring at me, eyes full of disregard and some sympathy.

“Our brother went bollocks.” Maria said to Ruth.

Ruth nodded.

I started to draw a circle with the chalk.

Time to make a home call.