2-64 In faith


    <span style="font-weight:400">Erin didn’t know when it happened but as she turned around, everything had turned into one single white space that spanned for a distance way past the limits of her sight’s reach.


    <span style="font-weight:400">A sense of unease swooped over her.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Aedan?” she called out. “Aedan, where are you?” Everywhere she turned, everywhere she looked, it was white. Even shadows existed beneath the sole of her feet. She continued to call out for Aedan’s name but her calls were met with silence.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Pipe down, foolish one. He can’t hear ya.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">A response came.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Erin turned around and found a tall pale man in a three-piece suit, sitting on an elegant chair, with a small round table in front of him. He was stirring a cup of tea as he responded to Erin’ cries. His raven-ck hair was neatlybed and swept back.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Erin’s hands went for her sabre but only now did she realize she was unarmed. She nced over her shoulders and saw no tails behind her. She pulled a few strands of her hair to her eyes and saw they were still of a bluish silver. She looked down and saw a pair of lumps dangling in front of his sight. She wasn’t in her former body but somehow, her tails were missing.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Why don’t you have a seat first? She’ll be here shortly,” the pale man said as he added a few cubes of sugar into his tea.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Who are you?” Erin asked. “Who will be here shortly?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">The man looked up from his tea and stared at Erin. “Haven’t you been here before?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">At those words, those memories came back. Erin frowned. “Who are you?” she asked. This time, it was with conviction.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“You can call me Zack.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Zack?” Erin raised an eyebrow. “Do all gods have weird names?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“I like this name, Zack. It’s not my real name but it’s the only one I’ll give.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Erin’s interest in his name had already moved on. She was already ncing around. “Where’s Nyx?” she asked.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“She’ll be here shortly. She’s handling the affairs of her other Apostles at the moment.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Her other Apostles?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“She didn’t tell you?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Erin stared with a narrowed gaze.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“She didn’t tell you what kind of god she is at all?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Erin didn’t offer a response but her expression told Zack plenty.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Typical of Nyx. She always does have a ir for dramas and mysteries.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“You still haven’t answered my question, Zack. Who are you?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Zack chuckled. “You are indeed different than most. You’re probably the first mortal who is so demanding with a Divine.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Answer the fucking question, Zack.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">The smile on the pale man disappeared. “Now you are overstepping, mortal. I allow your impertinence the first time but there won’t be a second time.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“I’m so scared right now. I’m shaking in my boots,” Erin retorted monotonously.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Zack rose from his seat, veins popping on his forehead. “Perhaps I should remind you of the difference in the levels of our existence.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“You’re a guest, Zack,” said a voice from somewhere. “And a guest shouldn’t be rude. Perhaps you remind yourself of that.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Erin and Zack turned their heads in the direction of the voice. The voice came from an orb of light, floating and gently swaying in the middle of the air. Seeing who it was, Zack sat back down.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Nyx,” Erin chewed her name.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Erin, it’s nice to see you again.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Such audacity,” Zack remarked. “To stand instead of kneeling in front of one’s Divine Guardian.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Erin looked at Zack with a frown before giving Nyx the same gaze.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Ignore his words, Erin. I’m a very generous goddess.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Sure...” Erin rolled her eyes. “Why am I here?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“To reward you, of course,” Nyx said with a cheerful tone.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Erin flinched.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Oi, that reaction of yours hurts, you know?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“You took away my dongle and gave me a twat. Forgive me for being dubious.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“You let him talk to you like this, Nyx?” Zack asked.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“I rather have my Apostles speak their mind than spouting words they don’t mean. But enough of that, we are discussing Erin’s reward here.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“What reward? What have I exactly done to warrant a reward?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Your victory over Ba’al, of course,” Nyx said. “You defeated an Apostle of another Divine.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“You didn’t tell me I would be rewarded for defeating an Apostle.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Nyx tittered. “Wouldn’t have made any difference, don’t you agree? You wouldn’t have believed me if I told you then now would you?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Erin clicked her tongue and indignance steered her gaze away.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“This person here is Zack, he is the Divine Guardian of Ba’al or in mortal terms, Ba’al’s patron god.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Erin’s eyes immediately shot towards Zack. Anger spread over her face.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“What’s with the hate?” Zack questioned obliviously.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Your Apostle tormented a dear loved one of mine,” Erin said with her voice raised. “And he was building an army. On your orders, I presume.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Whatever my Apostles have schemed together, I am not involved. As long as it isn''t a scheme against me, I do not interfere.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“You expect me to believe the words of a person whose intentions are shrouded in mysteries?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">The Divine’s brow creased. “If it wasn’t for the rules among us Divines, I would have crushed you right here and now.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“I don’t expect any less of you,” Erin retorted with a grin.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Nyx burst outughing. “See this, Zack. Isn’t it great to have a fearless Apostle like her?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Stupidity is easily mistaken for courage or fearlessness.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Alright, enough of this.” Despite being a mere orb of light, Nyx made a sound that resembled a p of hands. “We all have our duty to return to. Erin, per the agreement among us Divines, I hereby grant you any wish you oh-so desire as long as the wish does not borderline absurdity.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Borderline absurdity? What does that include?” Erin asked.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“You cannot wish for a Divine’s death,” Zack said.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Then I have nothing to wish for,” Erin jabbed.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Nyx stifled augh. “My dear Erin, I know you have desires. You only need to ask and I shall grant them. This is only a just reward. The price has already been paid.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Can I ask to be left alone by the other Apostles?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“If that’s your wish, it would only be limited to my Apostles,” Zack pointed out. “The others will stille for you.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“The return of my strength and power in my prime?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“That’s not possible,” Nyx answered.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“You won’t allow it?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“You misunderstood me, Erin. The System would not allow it.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Why?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Not even the Divines know the reason. We’re not the creators. We’re just the concurrent caretakers of this world. We are not omnipotent, as many tend to believe.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“You sure you should be telling me this?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“You earned it, Erin.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Quit stalling now, mortal. Say ya damn wish already.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Erin was hesitant. It wasn’t as if she had no wish to be fulfilled but rather, it was how the wish would be granted. The first thing that came to her mind was Celia’s wellbeing and safety. She wanted to make such a wish but she didn’t trust Nyx enough to wish for that. By wishing that, it might even give Nyx a greater hold over her. Erin also desired power but she was dubious of what kind of condition Nyx would instil. So to say, she didn’t trust Nyx enough to wish for anything.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“How about this,” said Nyx, suddenly. “You can hold this wish off until you are sure of your desire. See it as a favour, if you will.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Erin was relieved but she didn’t show it. “Very well,” she said. She was just d she wasn’t forced to make the wish now.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“I don’t believe this,” Zack said. “You mortals are always so quick on saying yer wishes; power, wealth, girls or men, to bring a loved one back to life… but you, you are different… What’s wrong with you? How do you have no greed?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“I beg to differ, your eminence,” Erin retorted. “I do have greed. But I already have everything anyone could ever ask for; love, respect, power. Even if I want more, I use my own hands to get more.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Isn’t she just the loveliest Apostle any God could ever ask for?” Nyx said with a giggle following at the end.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Are we finished here now?” Erin asked.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Ah, not quite. Zack still has a few things to say. Don’t you, Zack?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Zack grumbled.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“His Apostle had done the unspeakable and he’s here to apologize in the stead of Ba’al.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“What unspeakable things?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Demon summoning,” Nyx said and Erin felt a chill going down her spine.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Erin raised her brows. “Are you being serious?” she asked inplete disbelief. “Out of everything he has done. Desecrating the dead and more, those are allowed but not Demon summoning?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Demons, at their core, are beings of malice and destruction. They have no other desire than to propagate and consume everything in their path. Imagine if a Demon managed to get a hold of divinity, even if it’s only a small amount. You can’t fathom how devastating the oue would be. Let this also be a warning for you, Erin.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“For me?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“I will allow every single one of your whims but should you invoke assistance from the Demons, I will not be lenient.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“I will never,” Erin said, shooting Nyx a resolute re.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Now Zack, if you will.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Zack gulped down his tea in one breath and rose from his chair. He approached Erin and syed open his palm as if expecting Erin to take his hand.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“On behalf of my emissary, I apologized for the heresy he hadmitted in my name.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Um… what?” Erin blurted out in confusion. Out of everything Ba’al had done, she couldn’t believe the Demon invocation was the one he was chastised for. To the Divines, it was a serious crime. But to Erin, it was the least severe out of everything he had done.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Compensation,” Zack exined but that was all he said.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Your hand?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Zack looked confused by Erin’s reply and turned to Nyx.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“This is her first time. She doesn’t know what your gesture meant,” Nyx said.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“And you didn’t mention this to me because?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Nyx bobbed up and down as if she had just shrugged. “I forgot,” was her excuse.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Zack looked to be on the verge of exploding into a fit of rage but after a heave, his facial expression softened. He turned back to Erin. “Mortal, touch my palm.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“What will happen if I touch your palm?” Erin asked.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Something that will benefit you in your ventures,” Nyx answered.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Enough with your doubts and suspicions, mortal. You will regret this if you pass on this chance.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Erin sent a glimpse towards Nyx’s way, who nodded, or at least that was how Erin interpreted her gesture of swaying up and down. Gathering her courage, Erin touched the palm of Zack with two of her fingers. At that moment, information and power surged into her. She stumbled back as if someone had yanked the leash on her.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“W-what the fuck was that?!” Erin red at Zack. “What did you just do to me?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Congrattions, Erin,” Nyx said. “You now possess the affinity for dark magic.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">The crease on her brow deepened. “Why would I need that affinity for?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“My work here is done, Nyx. I paid my dues. I will be taking my leave,”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Wait a minute, you—”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Turning a deaf ear to Erin’s words, Zack disappeared the moment after.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Erin drew her re to the only person she could seek an exnation from.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“As I have said, Erin. This could help you.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Help me how?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Having the affinity for dark magic means that you are now unhindered by the presence of miasma. You will no longer feel like you’re swimming in a sea of trash in the presence of miasma. Also, creatures of miasma origin, like Undeads, would not show hostility towards you unless you strike first.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Hmm,” Erin murmured dubiously.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Another very good example is that your Mana Harvest would now be able to absorb miasma and convert it into Mana. Isn’t this extremely beneficial?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Erin narrowed her gaze. “Beneficial? What do you think I would look like to others if I absorbed dark essence as Mana?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“I’m sure your circle of friends would understand. As for others, unless they have the means to perceive miasma, they would never have the slightest notion. Besides, dark magic isn’t forbidden by the Divines.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Erin heard something strange and she raised an eyebrow. “Isn’t forbidden?” she repeated.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“It’s just unsavoury but you won''t be condemned by the Divines for using them. You will be admonished by your fellow people though. Somehow, they treat dark magic on the same wavelength as Demonic invocations.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“They’re not the same?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Not even close to being the same. Dark magic, despite its ominous nature, does nothing to the bnce of the world. Unlike Demons.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">To the gods’ eyes, there was a difference, a huge difference, But to mortals, such as Erin, they were just as evil as one another but Erin didn’t feel like arguing. She just wanted to be done with Nyx and return to the present.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Fine. If what you said is true, then I have no qualms but just don’t expect me to use any dark magic.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Looking forward to that.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Now, if that’s everything, I would like to return to reality.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“We’re not done yet, Erin.”


    <i><span style="font-weight:400">“There’s more!?”</i><span style="font-weight:400"> Erin screamed in her mind.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“It’s time that I introduce the others to you.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Others? What others?” Erin had a premonition.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Why your fellow brothers and sisters in faith, of course.”