Father Lutz's footsteps faded into the side passage. St. Lutz Church fell silent once more. Only Father Anderson remained beneath the crucifix while candlelight filled the ornate nave with a soft glow.
Anderson continued his daily prayer in the way that worked best for him. Instead of repeating Scripture for hours, he quietly recounted everything he had done since his previous prayer. Years of experimentation had shown that this was the fastest method for completing the daily mission.
He could not imitate the believers who knelt for hours and repeated the same passages with unwavering devotion. Speaking honestly about his day felt far more natural. Sometimes Anderson even wondered whether God preferred hearing stories instead of endless praise.
Perhaps omnipotence became lonely after enough time passed.
It was only a private theory. The answer did not matter as long as the method continued working and helped him grow stronger.
Anderson described the exorcism in Amityville and his unexpected visit to St. Lutz Church. Not long after he finished, the familiar mechanical voice sounded inside his mind.
[Daily Mission Completed]
[Mission: Daily Prayer]
[Reward Issued: 0.5 Attribute Points]
"Amen."
Anderson opened his eyes and looked at the crucifix. He made the sign of the cross before lowering his hands.
The daily mission had one useful advantage. He could complete it inside any consecrated church as long as he prayed sincerely before an image of Christ. Since churches existed across the world, he could still earn the half point while traveling.
"You may be the only person praying here in the middle of the night."
Father Lutz emerged from the dim side passage with several documents beneath one arm. Anderson kept his gaze on the crucifix and answered without changing his expression.
"That only proves I'm more devout than the rest of you."
"Yes. I suppose you are."
Father Lutz sat beside him and placed the documents between them.
"You were devout enough to stab a cardinal to death inside a church."
The reminder did not disturb Anderson. He remembered that night clearly and had never regretted his decision.
"My conscience is clean."
Father Lutz sighed and handed him the file.
"You had other choices. Your decision may have been the most effective one at the time, but you still need to consider how the senior clergy see you."
Anderson opened the documents and began reading.
"Why should I care about their opinions? I'm doing well enough. If they cause too much trouble, I can always leave the Church."
Father Lutz's weathered face twitched. The answer was so direct that he could not find an immediate argument against it.
"Fine. I'm not one of them anyway. I only want to reach retirement without another disaster."
Anderson did not respond. His attention remained on the report until he reached a photograph attached to one of the pages.
His brow tightened.
"He's dead?"
Anderson had planned to find Maurice Theriault and examine him personally. The photograph showed that possibility had already vanished.
Father Lutz looked down at the image of Maurice's body.
"He died the same night the Warrens confirmed the possession. I was preparing to investigate the case and perform an exorcism when it happened."
Anderson studied the gruesome photograph in silence before turning the page.
"When I arrived, I couldn't sense any demonic presence," Father Lutz continued. "I thought the Warrens had made a mistake and Maurice was suffering from severe mental illness."
His expression grew heavier.
"I never considered that the entity might have left him and attached itself to them instead."
Anderson continued through the file. The remaining pages contained medical evaluations and ordinary investigation notes. They described Maurice's unstable behavior and changing mental condition but offered nothing about the entity behind him.
The information appeared useless at first glance.
Lorraine's dark aura proved otherwise.
The force targeting her was not an ordinary spirit. Yet the documents did not reveal enough to trigger a system mission. Anderson still lacked the event or location that had first connected Maurice to the demon.
He closed the file.
"Father Lutz, did you investigate where Maurice had been before the possession began?"
Most paranormal events required a trigger. A person might disturb a sealed object or visit a place connected to death. Moving into an unfamiliar home could also expose someone to a dormant presence.
Ordinary people who followed the same safe routine could live their entire lives without seeing anything supernatural. A single unexpected journey could change everything.
Father Lutz rubbed one aged hand with the other.
"Anderson, I'm old."
Anderson stared at him for a moment.
He remembered how Father Lutz often sent others to investigate dangerous cases first. He also recalled the Church's evaluations of the old priest and understood what the answer meant.
"All right. Maurice is already dead, so I won't stay any longer."
Anderson rose with the file and started toward the exit.
Father Lutz remained seated beneath the crucifix.
"If you truly intend to investigate, start by learning where Maurice came from."
Anderson did not turn around.
"I know."
His steady footsteps faded through the nave.
Father Lutz lifted his eyes toward the crucifix and made the sign of the cross.
"Lord, I sincerely repent of my sins."
The truck door closed with a heavy bang.
Anderson glanced toward St. Lutz Church as its windows returned to darkness. He placed the file inside his backpack before looking toward the cursed objects in the rear seat.
Annabelle remained inside the glass cabinet. The case containing the other haunted vessels sat beside her.
After enduring the recorded exorcism prayer during the drive, the spirits seemed to understand their situation. Their presences had weakened but Anderson did not think they had suffered enough.
He picked up his phone and opened the audio files again.
"Let me play another song for you. This one is called the Bible."
Something moved in the back.
Annabelle's glass cabinet slipped from the seat and fell sideways.
Anderson smiled. He found the recording he wanted and pressed the play icon without checking the fallen cabinet.
The consecrated Bluetooth speaker began reciting Scripture.
"Whoever desires life and wishes to see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceit. He must turn away from wickedness and do good. He must seek peace and pursue it."
Muffled screams rose from the rear seat beneath the calm voice.
Anderson listened with satisfaction as he shifted the truck into gear.
"Not bad. Every drive needs good music."
He pressed the accelerator and gripped the steering wheel with his left hand. The Ford Raptor pulled away from St. Lutz Church and headed toward his next destination while the sacred recording continued behind him.