After a few more hours of walking and a second encounter with those grey wolves I eventually found it. Amidst the towering pine trees in a small clearing lay a ruined temple. It had a traditional style, made of dull grey stone, now covered in moss. Numerous pillars lay shattered and it seems that the roof had caved in long ago. The building was quite simplistic really, it was just like a large grey cube, with what was left of the roof held up by pillars, some of which were now in a state of disrepair.

The inside of the moderately sized temple was viewable from the outside, the walls having crumbled a long time ago. Vegetation had sprawled all over the place, ivy climbing up whatever was left standing and weeds growing between any cracks in the stone tiling. It was quite beautiful and gave off a nice, peaceful aura. I couldn’t help but let myself relax and soak in the atmosphere. I wouldn’t mind staying here for a while. I guess the trip wasn’t wasted.

I quickly scanned over the area, finding nothing of significance, just a few old carvings about the god that was once worshipped here. Soon after, I laid down on one of the fallen pillars and put my hands behind my head, I let out a deep breath and made myself comfortable.

If the carvings are anything to go by, this place was a shrine to that old pagan god of the night. What was its name again? It was something to do with peacefulness or calmness… peace? No… Tranquility? No… Most of the older pagan gods are named after one of the traits they embody. I let out a sigh. Man, I really need to look these things up again. Maybe its name was-

“Serenity”

Hmmm? Yeah, that’s it. Good job brain, you didn’t let me down. Of all the pagan gods, this one was probably my favourite, although I’ll never admit anything of the sort. I enjoy burning others, not being burned. This particular god was always portrayed as a female in the old texts in the church library. Most of the god’s genders are unknown and how they’re portrayed changes often. I turned over on my side to look at the temple once again, trying to remember what she looked like.

Hehehe. This time my brain seemed to be working in overdrive. I could practically see her in front of me. Black hair, black eyes, shrouded in wisps of darkness that seemed to form a long dress, typically seen on noble women. It was simpler, yet more beautiful due to that very simplicity. Let’s have a closer look. She was barefooted and her skin was very pale, giving off a similar glow to that of the moon. She really is quite beautiful. I slowly felt more and more relaxed, my muscles felt like they were almost melting. I let out a yawn and rolled back over to look at the sky.

I wonder if she’s real or not. Some pagan gods are spirits, naturally occurring masses of magical energy born of nature, while others are born of the magical energy and desires of we humans. There were even a few cases where it was just some pretty strong fellow, pretending to be some sort of deity. If I had to guess, I’d say she’s probably a nature spirit, made of the agglomeration of natural magical energy released at night. The older pagan gods usually are those types after all, while the younger tend to be born of humans. Serenity is one of the oldest according to what I’ve read.

…Why do I feel killing intent? I quickly shot up and scanned my surroundings. There was nothing in the vicinity. Just my good old brain’s image of Serenity. I quickly relaxed once again and continued with my musings.

“Human, why do you ignore me?” asked the figment of my imagination.

Normally I would be worried that it was the real thing, but in the previous inspection, nothing out of the ordinary was sighted, and while sometimes we inspectors end up hashing it out with spirits/wannabea deities, it’s pretty much impossible in this situation. The only reason that spirits form consciousness after all is due to people worshipping them, and Serenity hasn’t exactly been a popular god in the last few centuries, hehehe. She should have dissipated by now, if she ever existed,

“Human… Do you not see me?”

This hallucination was quite the persistent one. Usually they go away after I ignore them for long enough. Although, having its company wasn’t bad, and its voice was kind of comforting. It was a quiet, calm voice, but not empty. I could still feel various emotions in it, but it was just… serene. I like this hallucination! I hope it sticks around. It’s not bad eye candy and it even talks. I let my gaze wonder over the hallucination’s slim, yet curvaceous body. The breasts were a bit smaller than average, but still not bad. I feel killing intent again…

The hallucination narrowed its eyes as it looked at me, positioning itself so that I could no longer gaze upon its bosom.

“Human, its best that you stop your vulgar gaze and thoughts, before you make an enemy out of me.”

“Why does it matter if you’re just a figment of my imagination?” I asked.

“What nonsense are you speaking? You know who I am, and yet choose not to acknowledge my presence.”

“Well why would the real thing come and speak to an inspector of god? My job is to kill you fake deities and your followers.”

“I never claimed to be a deity, and my followers are long gone. Only because of the magical energy I’ve gathered over so many years have I been able to sustain my consciousness for this long.”

Oh, the probably-not-a-hallucination is making sense. Although I still don’t know why she approached me.

“It’s simple human. I do not wish to lose my consciousness. I do not wish to cease existing. So I ask you to do me a favour and form a spirit contract with me.”

Is she reading my thoughts? Well it doesn’t really matter… Hmm? A spirit contract? Demi-humans tend to form those with lesser spirits due to their lack of inborn ability to manipulate magical energy. It’s a symbiotic relationship, allowing the spirit to develop and maintain a consciousness, while allowing the contractor to absorb and manipulate the type of natural magical energy from which the spirit is formed. Hehehe… that’s not a bad deal. I could feel myself grinning to which Serenity seemed hopeful. If I form a contract with a spirit formerly revered as a deity and use her power, my heretic hunting could probably go even smoother!

“Alright! You’ve got yourself a deal… so how do we make a spirit contract?”

“Just carve this symbol onto the back of your hand” She responded with a relieved smile.

The shadows around her twisted to form a black circle numerous wispy lines interlocking within it… Wait, I’m supposed to cut that ridiculously complex pattern into my hand. This going to hurt and take bloody ages. I let out a sigh before withdrawing my trusty pocket knife and getting to work.

After more than an hour of what can only be described as seemingly endless trial and error, cutting up my hand, and then healing it when Serenity pointed out the mistakes, and then repeat, I finally succeeded. I raised my blood stained left hand into the sky, celebrating that the whole ordeal was finally finished. I dislike pain, but for an opportunity like this, I was willing to keep at it. Also, normally it would take 3 or 4 inspectors to deal with an average fake deity spirit, let alone one as old as Serenity. If she got pissed, I’d probably be in trouble, even if she was now considerably weakened.

Seeing my success, Serenity let out a pleased smile. That happy expression almost stole my heart, but no, I am a man dedicated completely to his career! Burning heretics and sinners was what I was born to do!

Serenity’s form began to twist and change, forming a shadowy wisp-like creature that flew toward my wounded hand. Once she reached it, she began to wiggle against it, slowly entering my body through the freshly carved symbol. Along with near unbearable pain shooting through my body as I began to writhe around on the floor, I could feel a foreign energy beginning to form what felt like a second set of magical vessels, the conduits for one’s magical energy.

Once it was all over and I lay panting on the floor, trying to catch my breath whilst wiping the sweat from my brow with my handkerchief, I felt around the new magical vessels that had formed. They felt fundamentally different, not surprising considering they’d have to transport natural magical energy as opposed to that produced by my body. I also noticed the second energy store by my first. It was almost completely empty, with only a few wisps of dark energy present. It didn’t appear to be able to replenish by itself. I guess I’ll have to go and absorb energy at night-time to fill it up.

I looked at my left hand and immediately felt my blood go cold. I’m an idiot. I had stupidly assumed that the symbol would disappear after I had successfully formed a contract. On my hand was that very same symbol, I had spent over an hour to carve but now instead of being comprised of gaping wounds, it was pitch black, kind of like a tattoo. I should have seen this coming. All those demi human shamans have tattooed bodies, and by overlooking this detail, I’d successfully made a huge blunder.

Why?

Oh Serenity? I guess she’s now in my head! Well, to put it simply, if any other members of the church with enough experience or knowledge to identify the symbol on my hand spot it, I’ll be captured and burned alive for being a heretic.

Oh… That certainly doesn’t sound pleasant. But regardless, I’m grateful to you for accepting my offer and… in a manner of speaking, saving my life. Had you chosen to ignore me and leave, I doubt I had enough power left to stop you. I was really at my final moments when you came.

Hmm? So I guess I was worrying about nothing when I thought she might attack me. Anyway, you’re welcome! Hehehe, we’re going to have so much fun together from now on. I’m going to show the true joys of the world! You’ve probably had enough of this forest by now, so just you wait, before long we’ll be back at the city and I’ll show you around! Afterwards we can even go and do something of my favourite things. This is so exciting. Look forward to it!

I will

She sounded quite happy and content there. I guess she really is looking forward to it. I do hope we share the same hobbies and interests. It would be just perfect. Now, how do I deal with this symbol?

You could just wear gloves.

You. Are. A. Genius. I swiftly took out a pair of white gloves I keep in case I need to touch anything filthy and slipped them on. Hehehe, it’s been a good day; the spoils of today: a whole bunch of magical cores, a new source of power to play with, and a new friend! I decided now was a good enough time as any to travel back to the village. I would be travelling at night, but at the same time I could probably absorb some natural energy of the night. Serenity how do I absorb natural magical energy?

You don’t. I will be absorbing the energy that I’m made of; you wouldn’t be able to influence it. Only once I’ve incorporated it into your new magical vessels can you manipulate that natural energy.

An automated system! I like it. I then began my journey back to the village with a smile on my face and a spring in my step.