Fate - First Reply Deus Vult

[Sarah Barthom]

The Temple of the Celestials in Alliria.
The hour of healing.

"Go with the love of Astra, my child. May Aionus watch over you."

She smiled warmly as she helped a middle aged woman off the alter, healed of the painful sores that plagued her body. The woman thanked the priestess vehemently, "Astra has blessed you, sister Sarah! Your skill is truly a wonder to behold!"
Sarah shook her head, still smiling but in a slight patronizing manner, "It is only the blessings of Astra, for she guides my hands. I am merely her tool. Go now in peace."
The woman left the chamber and went back to her family.
Sarah let out a contented sigh, she loved the hour of healing at the temple, it allowed her to feel the presence of Astra every time she used one of her miracles. Sure, she spent most of her life inside the temple, the brothers and sisters of this temple protected her tightly because of Astra's blessings. They told her it would not do to allow temptation to take hold in the hearts of those that would abuse such miracles, and if seeing her vulnerable outside the temple without protection would stir such temptations... It was better for all that she remain hidden away with this concession, the hour of healing where even the poor could come and have their ills treated, with the Paladins and clerics guarding the every entrance and exit to the chamber and three or four sisters attending to her while she performed the miracles of Astra.

Sarah went and knelt before the alter. She often took the time between patients to pray.
Sarah wore a simple grey priestesses robe, simple in craft but fine in quality. She kept her blond waves of long hair hidden behind her wimple, tucked neatly back and out of the way. She knelt down on the cushion placed before the alter, folded her hands, bowed her head and closed her eyes as she started praying in worship to Astra while she waited for the next sick person to be brought in.

Unseen by Sarah, the family of the woman she just healed were "Requested" to leave a "Tithe" by the brothers who sorted through the masses looking for the most "needy". Having no choice the family put money in the collection box and left, grateful but disillusioned.
The priests found someone who seemed to have sufficient need of the blessings of Astra, not all who came to the hour of healing were brought to her unless it was determined by a priest that normal healing blessings of the general clergy would not be sufficient.

This person was ushered into the healing chamber where Sarah knelt and prayed. One of the priestesses present would approach and kindly ask the guest what was the nature of their ailment.

 

[Nycto]

Sarah Barthom

Nycto looked around the temple. Wow... this place sure was fancy. Temples always had this certain... air about them. Nycto didn't know why, but they always did have this sense of strangeness in the air. He wasn't sure if it was just him, or if other people felt the same way, so he kept his reservations to himself.

He usually didn't visit temples like this regularly. This was sort of an unusual meeting. Apparently, some of the healers here were blessed by a deity or something, and had extraordinary powers of healing and such. Well, it probably wouldn't hurt to check it out, right?

Well, apparently, the priests had selected him for "special" treatment, whatever that meant. Apparently he was very much in need of this so-called "special treatment. Something about an "illness" or "curse" or something. Nycto had no idea what that was about, but it seemed like after he got selected he didn't really have much other choice in the matter.

Soon after, Nycto was ushered quickly into a nearby chamber separated from the rest of the temple. It was all very sudden. Though, as he was shoved into the chamber, he did see the collection of the tithes from the group that was before him. That was pretty normal, but for some reason, it seemed... fishy to Nycto. Nycto stumbled into the chamber, still slightly stunned from the rush to get him into the healing chamber. Well... guess there really was no turning back now.

One of the priestesses present would approach and kindly ask the guest what was the nature of their ailment.

Nycto turned and looked at the priestess, his mask staring blankly at her. "Uhhh..." Nycto said, trying to pull his words together. How would he describe his condition? How would one describe it so easily in a short summary? Nycto really had no idea, it wasn't easy to explain so shortly. "Well... let's just say I have a condition. So far, no one has been able to fix and heal me yet. So... I guess the priest's thought that you would be able to help me." He replied.

 

[Sarah Barthom]

"Well... let's just say I have a condition. So far, no one has been able to fix and heal me yet. So... I guess the priest's thought that you would be able to help me." He replied.

The sister nodded solemnly as she listened to his assessment of his condition, she only seemed slightly put off by the mask he wore but seemed otherwise pleasant.
"Very well, Sister Sarah will be with you shortly. Come, there is a chamber with some holy water where you can purify yourself."
The priestess led him to an alcove in the wall curtained off for privacy.
Inside stood a small pedestal which held a basin full of holy water, a towel hung over the side of the basin. The priestess ushered him inside and closed the curtain behind him. He was left to his own devices for the moment.

Sister Sarah finished with her prayers and stood up from the alter. The sister that welcomed the masked man informed Sarah of what the man told her and Sarah began preparing for a lengthy ritual. The incurable disease, curse or injury was generally just that... Incurable. There is no known cure or treatment that can soothe the ills of such ailments.

And that's what miracles are for!

Sarah moved confidently forward, or rather, faithfully forward. The only reason she could perform such miracles from the gods was because of the depth of her faith and devotion to Astra. Hers was a devotion seldom seen amid those who counted themselves with the faithful, for this reason it was said that Astra rewarded her for such steadfast devotion and ardent faith even in the face of travesty.
But, as she often reminded her brothers and sisters in the faith, it was a far greater trial to keep the faith when it wasn't being put to the test, which in and of itself is a test.

When she was finished preparing she gave the sister the go-ahead to let the patient in.
The sister would go and tap on the wall beside the curtain.
"Sister Sarah is ready to see you, if you are prepared."
She would then escort him into the alter room where Sarah stood beside said alter which now held many candles and a sigil of Astra, there were also two chairs facing each other. Sarah was regal in her bearing, yet humble, hands folded in front of her robes and face radiant... Almost literally, a faint glow seemed to shine forth from her to those with eyes who saw such things of a spiritual nature.
"Welcome, child of Astra. Come sit with me and tell me of this incurable curse that afflicts you."
She spoke with a soft gentleness in her voice born both from her noble upbringing and her priestly training, a soft voice to soothe the souls that heard it.

She indicated the chairs in a permissive gesture while her clear blue eyes took in his appearance in a single glance, she was unperturbed by his masked appearance or dark clothing. Her eyes seemed to be searching for something much deeper than what can be seen by mere mortal vision.

 

[Nycto]

Sarah Barthom

"Very well, Sister Sarah will be with you shortly. Come, there is a chamber with some holy water where you can purify yourself."

Nycto was then lead to a small area behind a curtain. Soon, he was all alone, and left to his own accord. Inside the small chamber there was a pedestal with what he could only assume was the holy water that the priestess had told him about. What had he gotten himself into? Well... guess there was no turning back at this point, guess he'd have to go through with it now. Nycto sighed. For now, he was left alone with these thoughts.

What did the priestess say to do? Purify himself? Uh... how would he do that? He wasn't really sure how, and the priestess hadn't given him any instructions on how to do that. He really had no idea, honestly. So, Nycto just stood there in the small alcove, standing a bit awkwardly.

After a brief moment, the priestess returned, tapping on the wall.

"Sister Sarah is ready to see you, if you are prepared."

Nycto nodded, and followed after her, walking towards their destination. Soon, they arrived in an alter room. Nycto looked around the room, observing it. He saw who he could only guess was Sister Sarah standing beside the altar. There definitely was something different about her, she seemed both regal and strangely humble at the same time. She seemed... very bright, as if she was physically radiating light from herself. Definitely strange, to say the least. On the altar, he saw multiple candles on it. At this sight, he seemed to recoil ever so slightly, before regaining his composure.

"Welcome, child of Astra. Come sit with me and tell me of this incurable curse that afflicts you."

"Uh, um, right. Thanks." He replied. Nycto stepped forward, and took a seat in one of the chairs. It felt like she was scanning him, observing him. "Right, er- I'm Nycto." He said. "Sorry, I've... never done something like this before."

How would he explain his affliction to her? It wasn't exactly simple. Some parts of it were beyond description of words, they couldn't be labeled so easily. "Well... I... I think I used to be... human. But something happened to me. And... and now I don't think I'm even a human anymore. I don't even know if I'm alive or even mortal anymore. I'm... something else. Something unnatural. And... and the pain is ceaseless. It hurts, I can barely hold myself together." Nycto told her, trying to explain it.

 

[Sarah Barthom]

"Uh, um, right. Thanks." He replied. Nycto stepped forward, and took a seat in one of the chairs. It felt like she was scanning him, observing him. "Right, er- I'm Nycto." He said. "Sorry, I've... never done something like this before."

She smiled warmly at him with reassurance in her tone, "It is good to meet you, Nycto. I am Sister Sarah. Put your heart at ease, you are among friends here."

"Well... I... I think I used to be... human. But something happened to me. And... and now I don't think I'm even a human anymore. I don't even know if I'm alive or even mortal anymore. I'm... something else. Something unnatural. And... and the pain is ceaseless. It hurts, I can barely hold myself together." Nycto told her, trying to explain it.

She nodded thoughtfully as he described his condition to her, her face wore a thoughtful expression as well but her eyes didn't leave his mask, she absorbed everything he said as if he were the most important thing in the room... Especially when he described the pain he endured, her face changed to an expression of empathy. The thought of a person suffering always made her sad for them.
"So you think you are under the effects of a transformative curse? One that has made you such as you are?"
She mused her thoughts aloud, "Perhaps if I knew how you were transformed, or how you came to be cursed, I could better discern the nature of this curse and figure out how to proceed."

 

[Nycto]

Sarah Barthom

"It is good to meet you, Nycto. I am Sister Sarah. Put your heart at ease, you are among friends here."

Friends? Nycto had barely any friends, if any. He wasn't exactly close to anyone really. He wasn't a very social person, and people usually liked to stay away from him because of his strangeness, and just the general feeling around him. He wasn't used to people being nice to him or being particularly caring about him at all.

"So you think you are under the effects of a transformative curse? One that has made you such as you are?"

Nycto shrugged. "Honestly? I have no idea myself. I don't think this is just a simple 'transformative' curse that simply changes my physical appearance. It feels like... something more. It feels like something else, something stronger and deeper. It feels like it hasn't just changed my body, but my mind. It feels like it has completely altered my soul itself. Like it has penetrated beyond my physical self." He tried to explain to her. It was hard to describe it. How would she understand? Nobody else had gone through what Nycto had gone through, none of them had experienced his situation. He couldn't explain how it felt so easily, even he didn't know how to describe how he felt.

"Perhaps if I knew how you were transformed, or how you came to be cursed, I could better discern the nature of this curse and figure out how to proceed."

"Your guess is as good as mine," Nycto replied. "My memory isn't the greatest. I think I was kidnapped at some point, and experimented on by evil sorcerers or something. But like I said, I don't really remember. All I can remember is that I didn't used to be this way." Ever since the incident, his memory hadn't been great. It would come in and out, and some details would be forgotten, while others would be remembered randomly.

"Sorry, my mind hasn't been exactly functional. My memory has been... spotty. I don't really know much, I can only take wild guesses." He told her.

 

[Sarah Barthom]

"Honestly? I have no idea myself. I don't think this is just a simple 'transformative' curse that simply changes my physical appearance. It feels like... something more. It feels like something else, something stronger and deeper. It feels like it hasn't just changed my body, but my mind. It feels like it has completely altered my soul itself. Like it has penetrated beyond my physical self."

"What I mean by "Transformative Curse" is along the lines of how Vampires and Werewolves suffer under transformative curses. They are fundamentally changed from who they were before in nearly every aspect, sometimes their very basic nature is even altered, changing normally well tempered and good people into monsters in every sense of the word."
It was practically impossible for the world to keep up with all the different curses both manufactured or divinely created, dark gods are constantly waking up and falling asleep, spreading their malice in any way they could by creating ever more vile and creative ways to cause mortals to suffer. All they who survive can do is record these for posterity in hopes that someone might be able to combat these things.

"Your guess is as good as mine," Nycto replied. "My memory isn't the greatest. I think I was kidnapped at some point, and experimented on by evil sorcerers or something. But like I said, I don't really remember. All I can remember is that I didn't used to be this way."

She nodded thoughtfully, "I see, if your condition is magical in nature that makes things easier for us. Things become difficult when the wills of the gods clash. Although a demonic source is just as likely in such a scenario, which isn't a horrible obstacle, but the existing will of an evil creature makes removing their creation that much more difficult."

"Sorry, my mind hasn't been exactly functional. My memory has been... spotty. I don't really know much, I can only take wild guesses."

She pulled herself out of her thoughtful reverie and smiled warmly at him, she tentatively reached out and placed one dainty hand over the glove of his hand.
"Do not be anxious, any little detail is a big help and greatly appreciated! What more can you tell me about your condition? Aside from changing you and causing you pain, has it altered the way you live your life? Does it hamper you in any way when you attempt certain tasks? Does it manifest itself, and if it does how so? Does it have any effects on those around you?"

 

[Nycto]

Sarah Barthom

"What I mean by "Transformative Curse" is along the lines of how Vampires and Werewolves suffer under transformative curses. They are fundamentally changed from who they were before in nearly every aspect, sometimes their very basic nature is even altered, changing normally well tempered and good people into monsters in every sense of the word."

"Aren't those usually transferred through physical means? I always thought that those were more like an illness, transferring from one to the next through the bite of an infected." He replied, wondering about the technicalities of things like that. "Usually in those situations it passes from an infected individual to another person through a physical transfer. And I don't think that someone transferred this to me. As far as I know, I'm the only one of my kind."

"I see, if your condition is magical in nature that makes things easier for us. Things become difficult when the wills of the gods clash. Although a demonic source is just as likely in such a scenario, which isn't a horrible obstacle, but the existing will of an evil creature makes removing their creation that much more difficult."

At this, Nycto froze up. He inhaled sharply, and stopped moving completely after she said that. His shoulders tensed up, almost in recoil; his mask staring out blankly. Oh no... He hadn't told her, and for good reason. Most people didn't like that aspect of things, so he rarely told people about that particular aspect of him. Even know, he wasn't sure if he could bring himself to tell her the truth. The truth was never easy. Sometimes, secrecy was for the better.

Then, he was pulled back to reality when she placed her hand on his hand. Suddenly, Nycto jerked back, pulling himself quickly and suddenly away from her touch. He pulled his hand away, reacting instinctively. She had touched him... very rarely did he allow himself to be touched outside of emergency situations. And... very rarely did people ever want to. He wasn't afraid of them, he was afraid of what he might do to them. That if they touched him, he might hurt them in some way. Nycto looked at his hand, then up at her again.

"Don't... don't do that, please. I don't want you too... get hurt." He said. While the mask stared blankly at her without emotion, his voice was full of fear.

Aside from changing you and causing you pain, has it altered the way you live your life? Does it hamper you in any way when you attempt certain tasks? Does it manifest itself, and if it does how so? Does it have any effects on those around you?"

Nycto nodded. "Y-Yes... It has... altered me and the way I live. And sometimes... sometimes it manifests into something worse. And... and it's done some other things to me."

 

[Sarah Barthom]

"Aren't those usually transferred through physical means? I always thought that those were more like an illness, transferring from one to the next through the bite of an infected." He replied, wondering about the technicalities of things like that. "Usually in those situations it passes from an infected individual to another person through a physical transfer. And I don't think that someone transferred this to me. As far as I know, I'm the only one of my kind."

"It's sometimes both. There are many variants of those diseases but many of the diseases also originated from the first instance of the original curse. There are even several occult practices that I am aware of that are able to recreate the curse or disease magically, making their own twisted version.
Those that were cursed were still able to propagate but the magic was slowly bred out of the process and the natural method took over. Otherwise, it is exactly as you say, it is spread through physical transfer."

Although, since I still know so little about your condition, I cannot say for sure whether yours is a completely unique one."

"Y-Yes... It has... altered me and the way I live. And sometimes... sometimes it manifests into something worse. And... and it's done some other things to me."

She nodded again, thoughtfully. "I see, does it seem to have a will of its own?"

Her words seemed to agitate him which caused her to feel an even greater need to offer him some comfort, her compassionate heart simply couldn't let him suffer alone... But when she touched his hand, he recoiled.

"Don't... don't do that, please. I don't want you to... get hurt." He said. While the mask stared blankly at her without emotion, his voice was full of fear.

She was taken aback slightly, that last time someone recoiled at her touch it was because the light in her soul caused a demon possessed man such pain. She almost burned him with simply the presence of Astra in her.
But this wasn't pain, this was fear, he'd hurt people before... And he feared he would hurt her. His own compassion caused her only to smile all the warmer, this was how the gods meant for the world to live, where complete strangers could care for each other so deeply.
"Your concern for my safety warms my heart. But do not fear, only have faith that Astra will protect us both. Please, I wish to comfort you in your time of suffering and distress, I assume you've faced this curse alone, and my heart breaks at the thought that you carry such an immense burden without comfort or reprieve."
This time she offered her hand, to take or leave as he chose.

 

[Nycto]

Sarah Barthom

Although, since I still know so little about your condition, I cannot say for sure whether yours is a completely unique one."

Nycto shrugged. Like he had said earlier, even he didn't know much about his condition. He had no idea if there were other people like him, or how it spread and affected him. There was so much he didn't know about even himself. It was seeming less and less likely that Sarah would be able to help cure him... Maybe it was hopeless to even try...

"I see, does it seem to have a will of its own?"

Again, Nycto froze at this. How would he respond to this? It wasn't an easy question. Sort of? It was hard to explain. "I... yes, sometimes I can hear something." Nycto replied cautiously. He didn't want to scare her off by telling her too much, but it was the only way he could get help...

"Your concern for my safety warms my heart. But do not fear, only have faith that Astra will protect us both.

Nycto shook his head. "So far, it seems like the gods don't care. In fact, some of them seem to be purposefully torturing me..." He told her. No doubt HE was watching this conversation right now. Nycto could always feel him, watching, observing one of his many masks.

I assume you've faced this curse alone, and my heart breaks at the thought that you carry such an immense burden without comfort or reprieve."

Nycto watched as she offered up her hand again. He froze, staring at it for a couple of moments. Should he? Could she really heal him? Could she make things better? Was it really worth it? Would this really work, or would it all be for nothing?

After a couple of moments of thinking, he reached out slowly, and placed his gloved hand delicately in her hand. This time, however, the darkness decided to intervene. Eleth wasn't willing to give up this mask so easily...

This time, the light that Sarah was blessed with in her soul touched Nycto. Nycto was certain that some cosmic deity or force did this on purpose. The pain was so immense Nycto nearly passed out. He clenched her hand. Nycto cried out in pain, a terrible, pain-fueled cry, like a wounded animal. It HURT. He could feel it burning his very SOUL. The light was agonizing, ruthless, and torturous. He was being burned on a spiritual level. His very existence being seared.

Eventually, he managed to pull away from her. Shaking, he breathed heavily, the pain now starting to lessen. The pain was agonizing. He looked at her, observing her. "What... the hell... are you?" He asked her.

Then, suddenly, one-by-one, the candles in the room would go out. Oh no... oh no oh no... Not now. Why now? Why would they come now? Did Eleth send them?

Nycto grabbed Sarah's hand again, this time the pain wasn't as bad, but it still burned him slightly. But... the pain would be worth it. "We need to go. Now. We're in danger. They've found us." He told her. Outside the altar room, sounds of fighting could be heard. Shouts, screams, and other sounds of combat could be hear. THey were already here.

"They're here for me, but I have no doubt they'll want you too. To kill you, or worse... They'll take your light." He tried to explain. THere wasn't enough time to give a lengthy explanation. He had to get her to safety quickly.

"Sister Sarah, do you trust me?" He asked her. They needed to get out of here, and fast, but only if she agreed to it.

 

[Sarah Barthom]

"I... yes, sometimes I can hear something."

He was being cautious, which told her that he's been turned away far too many times. Sometimes those who professed faithfulness were false teachers, wolves in sheep's clothing that maligned the very idea of the gods and sullied the names of the orders they represent. She endeavored to be a true follower, and she would not turn away anyone in need.
""Something"? Is it a voice? Does it speak to you?"
This was starting to sound like a possession of sorts, but by what sort of creature she didn't yet know... For all she knew she was now grappling with a dark god on the behalf of Astra, if so she knew that she could never back down.

"So far, it seems like the gods don't care. In fact, some of them seem to be purposefully torturing me..."

Such words nearly brought tears to her eyes, as it was she cast her hurt gaze to the floor. She knew why a person might say and believe such a thing, again much of it is due to false teaching and disillusionment by the priesthood itself.
She collected herself and did her best to assure him.
"Not all gods have your best interests at heart, this is true, not all gods love mortal kind. But Astra is the creator, she is the author and she loves every one of us as her own children. Have faith, the gods have not abandoned you, they have led you to me."

After a couple of moments of thinking, he reached out slowly, and placed his gloved hand delicately in her hand. This time, however, the darkness decided to intervene. Eleth wasn't willing to give up this mask so easily...

She smiled at first, he was opening up... Then everything went wrong, very, very wrong.
He started screaming as if in pain, this has happened before when she's come across those possessed by demons. The light of Astra was holiness and perfection and evil could not withstand its radiance.

She immediately tried to let go but he gripped her as if his muscles were being charged with electricity, horror crossed her face as she watched him burn spiritually... She could actually see white flames licking up his arm!
The other priestesses stood still where they were, unsure of what to do.

"What... the hell... are you?"

When he finally released her hand and recoiled she had to restrain her initial instinct to go to him and tend him.
"I'm so sorry! By Astra, I couldn't let go of your hand and you were aflame! Please, don't misunderstand! The light of Astra burns the spirit of evil and darkness, this isn't Astra's wrath against you!"

In that moment she experienced a vision; to her eyes it seemed like a hundred impish looking shadows began buzzing around the masked man like an angry hornets nest.
They didn't come near her but seemed to fill the room, and even the sisters that were with her, unaware as they were, were being touched by the shadows.
The imps started putting out the candles and chaos ensues.

The masked man grabbed her hand and again she watched in horror as white flames engulfed him... But he seemed to be able to fight through it this time... Perhaps the flames were cleansing him? Perhaps this was how Astra meant to heal this man while also letting him atone for his sins through the pain?
She would need to pray about it to be sure.

"We need to go. Now. We're in danger. They've found us."

She blinked in confusion, her fair brows furrowing.
"Who is "they"? Spirits cannot touch me unless Astra wills it, and I will protect you. This temple is guarded by the Templar Knights of Astra, what is there to fear?"
She said that, but still the sounds of combat caused her concern, especially for her brothers and sisters in the faith tending to the people outside.

"They're here for me, but I have no doubt they'll want you too. To kill you, or worse... They'll take your light."

To her eyes she was talking to a living torch of white light, "Sir, you are suffering, please release me!"
She gave half an effort to pull free of his grasp.
"I cannot simply leave my brothers and sisters in danger! They may need healing or prayers, how can I abandon them?"

"Sister Sarah, do you trust me?"

She paused, her face a mask of worry, the brightness of his face stung her eyes and caused tears to roll down her cheeks.
"I do... Of course..."