"Nothing ever happens here Tom, why are we guarding this forgotten temple." One soldier yawned.
"If a priest would hear you say such things they would excommunicate you! Show a little bit of respect to the Goddess." A stern looking Tom responded.
"Meh, this religion is cooked. Even those priests you speak so highly of have mostly forsaken tenets of lust and have fallen to greed. This old man might be different from the rest but he's a dying breed."
"How many times do we need to argue about this! Its always whenever I am with you here, right? You do not pester other guards about their faith..."
"Hold on! Tom, something is coming!" The two soldiers imidietaly raised their shields and spears, pointing it at a dark alley.
From within the dark corridor a bloodied man emerged with a woman carrying a passed out child.
"Help please! Thugs are chasing us!" Mark screamed.
"Leave this area now! You know the rules and so do I!"
"He is blessed with her light!" Ada screamed.
"Fuck."
"Finally!"
Both soldiers had the opposite reaction.
"You know the consequences of lying?" Tom the guard asked.
"Yes! Now get Priest Almus here!"
Three figures blanketed in cloaks and shadows stepped out while the family they were chasing stepped behind the two soldiers, crossing the church's boundary.
"Tsk so close yet so far. What now boss?"
"Kill them all, no witnesses means no complaints."
"Thats why you the boss!" Two of the bandits shot forward.
"Ring the alarm Tom! Finally some action." Unnamed soldier charged towards the first bandit, slamming his shield into him and sending the man flying while parrying a backstab with his spear.
Tom the guard grabbed a linen rope and pulled on it, ringing the warning bell, soon footsteps could be heard coming from inside the chapel.
"Rook, Behind you!"
"I know!"
The guard parried the dagger thrust of the bandit with his shield, while throwing his spear at the enemy he slammed previously into.
The spear embedded itself deep inside the bandits gut. Satisfied. Rook unsheathed his spare short sword while engaging with the other bandit.
The boss seeing temple doors opening and 3 more guards rushing out, motioned with his hand to his newly arrived forces to stand down.
Tom theusted the spear, aiming at the back of the bandit that targeted his complicated friend, Rook, skewering him like an animal.
"What is this commotion!? Wait Mark? And Ada?" An elderly but energetic priest doning the white robes of Euphoria stepped out with his mace ready to strike and a closed book in the other.
His eyes scanned the two bodies outside.
"Good job Rook and Tom. You two have some explaining to do, come in." Seeing the situation resolved, priest motioned for the family to follow him into his chambers.
Sitting inside his modest room, the two told Almus what happened inside their 'house'.
"If what you say is true, you have made the right decision. I will test the viability of your claims myself. Awaken child." His hand glowed gently with pink light, bringing Travis out of his stupor.
"Huh, where am I? I need to stop waking up in different locations." Travis opened his eyes and looked at the priest infront of him. Sudden flashback hit him.
He remembered an eerily similar priest sitting behind the desk, discussing his potential joining of the clergy.
"Curious. Tell me young one, how old are you."
"13"
"Good. Do you know who these people are?"
"My parents."
"Good. Who am I?"
"A priest, obviously."
"Satisfying. Can you figure out why are you here?"
"Because I am capable of performing miracles?"
"Hah, brave one, I like that. What you did i would classify as a miracle, although it might have seemed like one to someone in your position." He smiled gently. "Please show me what you did."
Travis looked at his parents and they patiently nodded to him.
"Curing is our purpose and spread of pleasure is our calling, restoration."
The sound of dice hitting a wooden board echoed in the heavens.
Having memorised the incantation, Travis didn't need the book.
The priest inspected th pink light and sighed heavily. "Oh he has talent alright. Casting a divine spell without the book is a monstrous achievement. Has he learned how to read or cast spells before?" Almus turned to Mark.
"No, never as Goddess is my witness."
"This... is problematic." His brows furrowed.
"I will offer the two of you the same contract albeit with more benefits, due to his gifts." Almus took out a parchment and drafted a long letter, soon handing a quill to Travis's parents which they used to sign it.
"Good. The two of you will be able to see him once he passes his trials." He sealed the letter and tied it to an owl perched on his window, sending her away. "I will wait for you outside young man."
The priest promptly left his office, leaving the trio alone.
Unknowingly to him, Travis's body launched forward, embracing his new/old parents.
"Well it's not like we leave forever!" Ada stroked the back of his head.
"Yes, work hard and make us proud. We will see each other soon. Focus on learning and avoid trouble, son."
"Yes mother, father." His eyes became watery as the two kissed his forehead for good luck.
"Go now." Adas voice trembled as she pushed the small frame of her child towards the door. Mark embraced her while smiling bitterly.
'I will change the fate of this family, of our family and fulfill our fate."