"Very well, now I ask each of you to prepare yourselves. The sacred water required for the baptism shall be brought forth shortly. Once it arrives, you are to drink it in its entirety." In the grand hall of the church, a refined gentleman addressed the gathered initiates awaiting their clerical baptism.
"Is that all the ceremony entails?" Will called out loudly, hastily questioning a departing soldier. Yet, the soldier offered no reply, nor did he turn to acknowledge Will's voice.
Left without an answer, Will felt a pang of dissatisfaction. In his mind, the so-called baptism of a Holy Cleric ought to be a rigorous ordeal—one that would test both strength and resolve through countless trials, eliminating the unworthy until only the truly capable remained. That a simple drink of 'holy water' should mark the conclusion of such a revered ritual struck him as absurdly trivial. After all, he had spent his entire youth enduring the relentless martial and tactical training of his father and had longed for a chance to prove himself.
As Will pondered these thoughts, four figures entered from the side of the hall, clad in the same ceremonial garb as before. They approached in solemn silence, each bearing a deep crimson tray. Resting upon each tray was a silver goblet filled with a clear, water-like liquid.
"The sacred water is now before you. Take up your chalices and drink them to the last drop," the gentleman spoke again with poised dignity. Will lifted his goblet and hesitated for a moment—its contents appeared no different from ordinary water. Yet, resolute in his purpose, he drained it in a single motion.
"You may find yourselves wondering—does this liquid not resemble common water? But do not be deceived. Each drop is imbued with the sacred power of the Church. It does not merely cleanse the body, but baptizes the very soul. Within it lies a great force—one that only the worthy may endure," the gentleman explained, his voice calm and deliberate.
What's happening? Why is my head spinning? Is this the holy power he spoke of? Will's thoughts reeled as dizziness overwhelmed him. His legs buckled, his vision blurred, and the world around him began to fade into a numb and muffled haze.
...
Minutes later.
"Wh–what's going on? Where... am I?" Will groaned from the floor, slowly regaining consciousness. He lifted his head, disoriented, scanning the unfamiliar room.
"Ah, you've awoken. It appears you are the first this year to withstand the baptism's trial. Congratulations." The gentleman stood beside him, looking down with a calm, measured smile.
"...I see." Will responded sluggishly, devoid of any joy or pride. His mind was still foggy, and he answered more from instinct than intent.
"There is no need to fear. What you felt was the divine force of the holy water. Upon entering your body, it stirred immense energy—far beyond what ordinary men can bear. That is why you lost consciousness. But now that you've awakened, it means your body and soul have accepted and mastered the sacred force within. Many others remain unconscious still," the gentleman whispered reassuringly.
"You should be able to feel it now—the power of the Holy Cleric within you. Try to summon it," he encouraged softly.
Closing his eyes, Will steadied his breath and turned his focus inward. Yes—there it was. An unfamiliar yet invigorating energy coursed through his being, warm and relentless, flowing endlessly from within.
"Amazing... this power... it's overwhelming," Will murmured in awe.
"It will serve you well, in the days to come—slaying monsters and purging evil," the gentleman replied.
"It seems that two among you have proven yourselves worthy of this path. Well done. Congratulations." He then turned to Eddie, who had just begun to stir behind Will.
"Have we... passed the trial? Are we truly to become Holy Clerics?" Eddie asked weakly as he struggled to his feet.
"Not yet. But you've overcome one of the most crucial tests. Awakening after the baptism proves your worth. What remains is a trial of resolve—the final test. Only those who prevail will be anointed as true Holy Clerics," the gentleman explained.
"A test of resolve?" Eddie echoed, puzzled.
...
"Now, both of you who have passed the baptism—please come with me," the gentleman said, turning and walking toward the left side of the hall. Will and Eddie hurried to follow.
"What is this place?" Will asked in astonishment. They had entered a corridor with six pristine white marble doors, each leading to a separate chamber.
"Here begins your final trial. Each of you will enter a different room. The last test will be conducted within." The gentleman gestured toward the doors.
"We're to be separated?" Eddie asked nervously.
"It seems so. But we must both pass. Let's become Holy Clerics—together," Will said with a reassuring smile.
"Yeah!" Eddie grinned brightly.
They parted, each stepping into a separate room.
Bang! The marble doors slammed shut behind them.
"What?!" Will recoiled. The sudden darkness swallowed everything—the room had no windows, and with the door sealed, it was as though he'd been cast into a void.
"Where is this place? What's the test?" Will murmured, cautiously scanning the pitch black around him. Nothing.
Suddenly, a torch affixed to the wall ignited on its own, casting a flickering glow through the room. Will quickly surveyed his surroundings. Aside from the sealed door, there was no exit—just a weapon rack in the corner, holding a shield, a short sword, a spear, and a spiked mace.
Curious, Will approached the rack and instinctively took up the short sword. With ease, he gave it a few swift swings—it felt familiar, like an extension of himself. His father, Terry, had trained him since childhood to wield a short sword with precision and grace.
Just then, a radiant golden light flared in the center of the room. As it faded, a glowing portal emerged.
From the portal leapt a strange creature—its skin a deep blue, its form no larger than a child. It had an oversized head, enormous red eyes that glared at Will, and flailed its tiny arms in erratic hostility.