Jennifer kept her aura in check, following her master’s tips to keep it suppressed. She was used to the act with her Mark’s presence, so it only took a few tries before she got the hang of it. And it was important she kept her aura hidden. A teenage girl with an aura wasn’t heard of often, all the more if she didn’t have a subsequent [Lady] or [Heiress] class to go with it. She already drew enough attention to herself, she didn't need more.

Jennifer had, on advice from her master, decided to visit the church in the inner city. Sera’s church was actually a misnomer, as the church was dedicated to the entire pantheon, Sera just being it’s head goddess.

It’s not like the church has ever had much presence in the central plains. Far too many non-humans for their preference, I bet.

Jennifer felt [Eternity] hum within her core, resting peacefully. She hadn’t gotten time to properly test the blade yet, but it had managed to slice through a Tier-2 Guarding spell with ease last night.

I can’t summon anymore blood glass though, unless I create a new separate shard. The one I had is fused with [Eternity]. A lot of things to test this time around, and I need to finally get a hold of Irwys and Prince Laiken. They know more about the marks than anyone else I've met. And Xar. Still need to rescue him. I know he’s near the guild but where? I can’t keep blindly rushing in.

Jennifer’s thoughts were interrupted as her gaze landed on the tall building standing in it's own separated section of the city. Surrounded by large bulevards, the church’s branch in Lienmont wasn't a particularly large one, due to it’s low influence outside the Empire. But the golden domes and long thin spires made for a resplendent building nonetheless.

I think I remember reading about a conflict when the Mage tower increased in size, becoming taller than the church. The first [Archmage] took residence and single handedly decided he wanted to double its size. Something about a rivalry with the clergy.

Jennifer turned with the street, heading towards the entrance of the church. Despite the wide thoroughfares, the number of people walking in the area being sparser this close to the church. She paused at the sight of two armored men standing in front of the entrance. Both their faces were fully covered by a heavy helmet, with only a slit to see through.

[Paladins] Didn’t know they guarded the church premises. Wonder what’s up.

Jennifer headed closer, climbing her way up the stairs. She stopped when one of the paladins stepped forward, barring the way into the church.

“The church is closed,” the paladin said, his muffled voice carrying the sound of ringing metal with it.

Couldn’t have told me that before I climbed up and came all the way here?

Jennifer held back her snort, trying not to piss off the [Paladin] if she could. She may be capable of coming back from a decapitation, but she preferred her head to remain on her shoulders.

“I just need to talk with a [Priest], for a minute. I won’t take long,” Jennifer said, trying to be as polite as she could.

The paladins kept the door barred, not replying to her. Jennifer pursed her lips, frowning as she stood at the top of the steps. She wondered if simply returning and moving on would be a better option.

“Why is the church closed? Was it the earthquake? You can tell me that much, right?”

The paladin turned to look at her for a moment, his blue eyes visible for a second through the slit. “The [Priests] have said it's closed, girl. That's all there is to it. Now go away. You can come back next week,” the paladin said, returning his gaze straight ahead.

Jennier almost muttered a few curses, stopping when she realised where she was. She stood for a moment, wondering if the church closing down had anything to do with the invasion when a voice called out from the inside.

“Let that girl through.” a man adorned in white robes with shining golden trimmings and embroidery said as he strode toward them. With the way it shone, Jenn suspected it wasn’t just golden thread, but pure gold woven into thread.

The paladin turned, bowing before the man. “As you wish, [High Priest]. Head in girl. May Sera’s grace bless you.” The paladin intoned, his armour clattering as he stepped back. Jennifer froze at the sudden change, turning slowly to look at the man, a [High Priest] who wanted to let her through personally.

Coming here was a bad idea, wasn't it? Shaking her head, Jenn stepped forward, brushing past the [Paladin] who still knelt next to her.

Too late for regret. We’ll see what’s up.

Jennifer walked into the church, her gaze travelling up to see the beautiful glass windows and depictions of the goddess guiding her followers. She even spotted one where Sera flew, lightning travelling around her hand as a massive dragon fell, with three wings on it’s back.

“Your first visit, I see. Follow me child,” the High priest said, turning around as he began to head further in.

Jennifer stared at the priest for a moment, before she started to follow behind. “Umm, so, I need to talk to a [Priest] about something.”

The priest glanced back at her momentarily, and Jennifer paused as she saw the purple blue eyes gazing back at her.

“We know why you're here, child. Be patient, and I’ll take you there.”

Well… alright, way to be mysterious.

Jennifer kept quiet as she followed behind the priest, remaining wary in case it was a trap. But demons infiltrating the church would remove their most significant opposition. If they'd done so, there’d be no point in waiting and planning an invasion.

Her eyes trailed through the various depictions of Sera on glass windows and statues. Jenn paused when the central altars became visible, five large statues carved from white stone. At the centre stood Sera, a young woman in her late twenties. She wore a flowing robe of white that seemed to form wings behind her, carrying the sword of Virtana in her right hand while bestowing blessings with her left.

Directly behind her stood Elphion. The statue depicted the god wearing a large rat skull that covered all but his right eye. He carried a whip wrapped around his left arm, while a staff made of bones in his other one.

Then was Anvyrin, the goddess of Fate, a single bracelet hanging by her wrists, the movement of which determined what path the Fates took. And Ar’stherium, the half giant god who the Orcs revered who stood a full head above the other statues. Finally, at the back was Veitrus, the stranger, depicted only as a figure in a cloak.

I think this is the first time I've seen all the gods together. Or seen their faces. If the statues are accurate.

The priest turned to a side door, taking her out of the public part of the church. A row of armored paladins stood throughout, bowing with their arms to their chest as the [High Priest] walked by.

“Here we are,” the priest said, opening a door. Jennifer followed him into the simple chamber, decorated with only minimal ornamentation. The sole notable feature was the large pool of water which dominated the centre of the chamber. Next to the pool sat a woman, with her legs crossed and her eyes covered by white cloth with the symbol of the goddess embroidered on it in red thread.

“The [Oathkeeper] will show you your spider friend’s location,” the priest muttered from her elbow. Jennifer felt the hair on her body rise as she froze in place. Slowly she turned her head towards the priest, his purple eyes gazing back at her, his face passive and unreadable.

“How do you know?” she asked, staring at the priest.

The high priest walked past her, clasping his hand as he muttered a prayer. She felt a skill activating as his hands held a tiny golden light. Then he pulled his hands apart and the light pulsed outwards, forming a barrier. Yet Jennifer detected neither spell matrix nor mana being used.

[Divine] spells. Just casually breaking the laws of the Arcana.

“The Prince of Fate is not the only one communing with his goddess. We received word from our goddess of the arrival of the trial in this city. And of the first Mark being discovered,” the priest finally answered as he the golden energy of his prayer faded away.

“Then… you know. But how? Did the goddess herself speak? Is she involved in the trial? And aren’t monsters and demons the proclaimed enemy of the church? I've read it over and over, the church is certain Monsters can't possess a mind or levels. So how?” Jennifer stared at the priest.

“Things are never as simple as they appear. The church has its reasons for doing what it does, and it would do you well to keep your friend hidden from prying eyes. He is more special than you may imagine,” the priest said before he turned around. “Now come, the [Oathkeeper] waits. And fear not for your secrets, young Seeker. We are both bound to secrecy. Go ahead, show her your mark. She will help you find your companion.”

Jennifer stared at the priest, trying to process what she’d just learnt. The church is involved, not only that but the gods are as well somehow. Yet they didn’t do anything in the invasion… Why? If they know about the marks, then why don’t they stop the demons?

Jennifer kept her questions to herself, as she allowed herself to be led towards the woman who now stood next to the pool of water.

“Hello, Seeker. Can you show me your mark?” the woman asked, turning to meet Jenn's gaze despite the cloth covering her eyes. Jenn obliged, making her mark visible as she held her hand ahead. The second it was visible, the woman grasped her hand with both of her own, turning it so her mark was reflected in the pool of water next to them.

The woman muttered as a golden spark manifested, running up from the Oathkeeper's hand to her mark. Jennifer felt her Mark pulsating as it began to glow. Tendrils of blue runes ran up Jennifer’s arm, turning golden in color for a brief moment as something began to surge within her.

Her soul trembled as a presence began to manifest, harsh yet gentle. The figure burned like the sun itself as glowing arms touched Jenn's innermost being. She heard a voice call out within her soul as the burns shone with golden radiance.

“[Sera’s Light]” the priestess whispered, and Jennifer felt a rush of warmth flood her chest.

‘[Boon: Sera’s Light] obtained!’

Mark of Time

Counter: 4

Integrity: 97.00%

Tier: Undefined

The system prompted itself once more, and Jennifer felt her link to Xar re-establish for a brief moment.

Jennifer sent the second she felt him. Yet something was interfering with the message.

She turned towards the glowing water as an image started to appear. She saw Xar stuck in a dark room, trapped inside some kind of cage with runes along its edges, keeping him in. She saw Xar’s mark glowing briefly. But dark red runes spread through it, covering his mark as the image flickered.

Jennifer’s eyes widened as she caught a glimpse of Rumina walking nearby, before the image broke, the spell dissipating.

Then the pool itself cracked, the water seeping into the floor. She turned towards the [Oathkeeper] who kneeled next to the pool, clutching her head.

“The Mark of the demon is interfering,” the [Oathkeeper] muttered and Jennifer felt her heart drop.

That thing has Xar. How? There've been multiple resets. It even had Rumina’s form. Can it jump through time as well? Why not come after me?

Jennifer felt her head spinning as her thoughts churned but a hand clasped on her wrist drew her out of them.

“I have freed the Demon’s influence from your bond, which was suppressing the link, Seeker. But the damage that was done to your soul could not be restored. Not completely,” the Oathkeeper said, her blind gaze still locked on Jenn even as she relinquished her hand.

The priest who had remained silent against the back wall took this moment to step forward. “Turn towards me child, and extend your hand.”

Jennifer held her hand close to her chest for a second, but then considered all they'd done to help. Holding her hand out, the man held in securely in his own as he ran his finger over her mark as the crescent containing her link to Xar took on a golden hue.

“This will be enough to break the Mark’s bindings. But you will have to get to your companion to break it fully,” the priest said.

“Why do you guys do nothing to stop this when you know so much?” Jennifer asked, looking back and forth between them.

The Oathkeeper sat at the edge of the pool, staring at the empty surface. And the priest stared at her before shaking his head. “You have a lot to do. You should take care of them first. We have aided you as much as we could, the rest is on your shoulders child. May Sera’s grace be with you.”

Jennifer stared at the man standing in front of her. A desire to kick and scream began to build within her. To demand answers. To help her save… everyone.

But it wasn't her place to drag others into her fights. She'd tried that before, and it hadn't ended well. Yet knowing that did nothing to help with the frustration.

Taking a deep breath, Jennifer gave a small bow. She was thankful for their help, even if wasn't enough. Then she strode out of the chamber, past the stiff paladins.

If I have to do it without them, then so be it.

Jennifer made her way out of the church. She knew where Xar was. And her master was already thinking of ways to prevent the invasion. They would figure it out.

I’m not alone. I have people I can trust. I can do this. I’m coming Xar. I’m sorry I took so long. Just a little longer now. Just a little longer.