For three days I laid low at the Inn. I didn''t take any jobs from the Guild; I didn''t head out into the forest to look for drops and magistones. No one seemed suspicious of me. There was nothing connecting me to the bandits and the Red Ravens took credit for their deaths. There was no real reason for my caution, only a force of habit. You do something wrong; you lay low. Let the heat pass on and keep your nose out of trouble.


    By the fourth day I was bored. Bored and frustrated. I needed to get out and power up. The fight with the bandits proved that I was woefully lacking. Yes, I did win. And I won without too much effort. But it proved to me that when it came to facing multiple enemies I was at a huge disadvantage. I was a a close combat fighter without any mid to long range moves. My abilities with magic were beyond lacking as well.


    I had Drogin now and he was a great help. But he was also originally an E ranked monster. Even evolved by his name as he was, he could only do so much. He was a tiny little thing after all. At least his fire power adds some much-needed mid range support. But when it came right down to it, what I needed was to get out there and get myself some more tames. Unfortunately, I had a problem with that too: There really wasn''t anything near town that was worth my time. In all honesty, Drogin wasn''t a smart choice, more of an impulsive one. I needed more power, preferably long ranged.


    I was at a loss as to what to do about it and so I decided to do what Zach had suggested: go to the church.


    I still had no way of knowing weather or not I could even enter the cathedral. When on earth, I always heard people joke that demons, witches, and vampires would burst into flames if they even tried to get close to a church. I had to admit I was a little nervous as I made my way up North Road. The cathedral was on the northwest side of town, just outside the stone wall that kept the nobles all safe and separated from the rest of us commoners. I''d never even tried to enter that side of town and was glad that the church was on the outside of the wall.


    It was a massive building, easily the largest in the city and that was saying something. After all the Guild buildings were rather large too. The cathedral had several tall spires and a great deal of stained glass. It looked a lot like a church I would have seen back on Earth, minus the crosses and statues of Jesus, Mary and assorted angles. It was beautiful and intimidating.


    It was also busy. There were people of all races and stations milling about the place or coming in and out of the open doors. No one paid me any mind as I ascended the white stone steps, and headed through the doors.


    There were no pews. That was the first thing I noticed. There was no seating at all as a matter of fact. No chairs of any kind and a lot of tall, white marble, pillars rising to the vaulted roof. The stained glass made a myriad of colors all over the massive room and as I walked, they shimmered over me too. Once I passed the first pillar, I saw the statues. I don''t know why I assumed there would only be five of them, but I had been wrong. Apparently, there was a statue of every hero since time immemorial.


    I passed several dozen statues, unable, immediately, to tell what the last generation was and what was even later heroes. They were indeed all human however, and all races. It wasn''t till just now that I realized that I hadn''t seen any other race of human besides Caucasian since I got to this world. None except perhaps Sandra who had more of a Sunkissed look about her. But these statues clearly came in every shape and form of humanity that Earth had to offer. Were there no other races of humanity on Hearth? I supposed that it was what it was, but it did make me curious about the world I had been brought to.


    I was about halfway through this revelation when I realized that I was in the church and not dead or in flames. A jolt of anxiety flashed through me before I sighed, and Drogin made a comforting peeping noise. But that made me tense again, as I hadn''t even thought about weather or not, he would be able to get in. I cursed myself for not leaving him behind or maybe summoning him into the grimoire. He could have died due to my carelessness. That was not acceptable.


    "What troubles you, young lady?" The voice took me by surprise. I had gotten so used to my superior demon hearing letting me know when I was being approached that I apparently began to rely on it too much. I had to be more aware. Clearly today was just not my day.


    I turned, trying not to televise that I had been startled. I came face to chest with a man. He wasn''t massively tall; I was just short. He wore white robes adorned with a pale blue sash and a silver, heavy, chain necklace. He had greying brown hair, hard brown eyes and a square chin that was clean shaven. His smile was genuine however and I relaxed a little.


    "I am not exactly troubled." I said to the man. My tail twitched from around my waist, and I hoped no one noticed. "I was just thinking about a mistake I had made is all."


    The man nodded. "Here is as good a place as any for such contemplations." He glanced around the church as if assessing that it was, in fact, a good place to have some deep internal monologues. "I hope you do not find me overly nosy, but do you mind if I ask what brings you here?"


    His question did not disturb me, but I could feel the hair on my arms raise as well as the scales on my tail. After a second, I realized why. There were other robed figures around me, pretending to be minding their own business. I could tell they were watching me, however.


    "I was told that I could get an assessment here, to see where my magical affinity lies, amongst other things. Was I told incorrectly?" I made no effort to hide the fact hat I knew that the priests were surrounding me.


    "You were not." Said the priest. "My apologies. We mean you no harm. Its just, by all rights, your little friend there should not be able to enter this place." He said, pointing to Drogin who glared at him. "This place should be fully warded against monsters and demons. So, I am sure you can imagine our alarm to find that one can just waltz in here. Even one as small as this one."


    Ah, so apparently demons and monsters really couldn''t enter churches. I was nervous about myself, but I really didn''t think I would have too much trouble getting in. I had a skill that aloud me entry into all sanctuaries after all: Devine Acceptance. I was ashamed that I hadn''t considered Drogin though.


    "As such, miss, I must ask how you brought a monster in here."


    "I''m sorry. I honestly didn''t think about it when I brought him in. Perhaps because I am a tamer and Drogin is my partner, and that is why I can bring him past your protections."


    "A tamer you say. Perhaps." He sighed and waved a hand. The other priests seemed to just fade back into the crowd. "I also apologies Miss. Theses are trying times, and I thought it best to err on the side of caution."


    "Its fine." I spoke. And it was fine. I could hardly blame anyone for looking out for themselves and others, even if it was at my own expense. "Drogin will not hurt anyone."


    "Well, you came here to commune with the gods, did you not? Then follow me and I will take you to the receptacle of the gods. This way."


    Following a guy who was about to attack me if things hadn''t turned out the way he wanted, seemed a little hazardous. Still, I came here to do something, and my senses were telling me that I wasn''t in danger anymore. Drogin didn''t seem worried either. So, I decided I would follow. No doubt my lackadaisical attitude to danger would be a problem real soon.


    "Some one just left, so there shouldn''t be a problem getting in. If only large sized magistones were easier to come by. Then we could have more conduits to speak with the gods. But they are rare and so it is only here and in the capital that the church has them. Many citizens must travel far for this."


    "What about the other eight kingdoms?" I asked conversationally.


    "Hmmm. I believe each one has at least one Seeing stone. If they didn''t then I would imagine that ours would have been moved to one lacking." We reached the back of the church, and my eyes were caught on the elaborate painting there. It was clearly an array of frescos depicting battles against the Demon King.


    This marked my first seeing of this Demon King, and what a monster he was. Each painting we passed showed him painted a little differently, but everyone showed him as being of an insane size. Like a mobile hillside! In each one he was a dark, purplish color with massive horns and wings that appeared to block out the sky and leave the land in darkness. From him ran fire and blood and shadowy monster attacking all that they could reach.


    "Stirring are they not?" Asked the priest. He hadn''t introduced himself, but neither had I. It was probably for the best. It felt odd to introduce myself as Sin in a holly place... "Each one of these is ancient of course. There are rooms in the cathedral that contain newer renderings of the great battles. The newest being three hundred years old, so even that one is very old."


    "The Demon king is truly a beast it seems." I said quietly. "Yet he does not look anything like any demons I have heard described before. It would be scarry if summoners could call up such a monster."


    "Yes, they say the Demon King is from a very distinguished line of demons. As most people know, each demon family looks different. Most are big, red or black, with massive horns and thick tails. Others are smaller and speedier. But none are as fearsome as the line of Demon Kings. Perhaps we should be grateful that they are so rare a line and one that no one knows how to summon, else we would find our selves having to fight them much more often."


    No kidding. Still, I finally learned something about my people it seemed. So, there were different families in the demon world, and each of those families looked different from one another. I wondered what family I was from then. If I ever found them, how would I explain myself? Well, I didn''t see that being an issue for the near future Sin, so I''d put it on the back burner for now.


    Perhaps more pressing would be the Demon King. I had no idea the sheer scale of the guy. I was imagining some super buff guy at about eight feet tall with massive curly horns, red skin and he could breathe fire or something. I didn''t realize the heroes would have to take on a damn mountain.


    "So that is one of the antient heroes then?" I asked, pointing to a small, man shaped, white smudge at the mountain''s feet.


    "Indeed. This is a battle that happened nearly six thousand years ago, but it is one of the most famous, so we know a good bit about it. It is famous because this battle was fought by a single hero."


    "Just one?" I asked, shocked and rather appalled.


    "Oh yes. Five had been summoned as always, but the other four had died before the final battle in smaller skirmishes. The great hero Jonas, had to defeat the demon king himself! Well, he wasn''t technically alone." Said the priest and pointed to a reddish smudge next to the white one. "He was a summoner of spirits. It is said that he had the power to summon a spirit of every element. As you can imagine only a hero could possibly accomplish such a feet. Between the hero, his spirits, and the efforts of the knights the Demon Kong was eventually put down. They say it took them seven days and seven nights to accomplish this feat."


    Well damn. Seems like Jonas was a bad ass. At least he wasn''t completely alone.


    Show and tell over, the priest leads me farther past more of the frescos, each depicting another mountain and more smudges struggling to take it down. And soon this same scene would be coming about again. A new mountain, and five new smudges... I guess no matter what world you come from, history always repeats itself.


    Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    I was led to an arched hall lined with more stained glass on one side and paintings on the other. We eventually reached the end, and the priest opened a plain looking door, holding it open for me.


    "Take all the time you need Miss. And have a good day."


    "Thank you, you as well." I said before entering the room. He shut the door behind me, and my paranoia thought I would hear a lock click but all I heard was the sound of retreating footsteps. I sighed in relief and examined the room.


    My first thought was that it was plain. It was very plain compared to the rest of the church I had seen so far. The walls, the floor, and even the ceiling seemed to be made of a pearly white substance with out crease or separation. Withing the room were two low couches of dark wood and a dark blue velvet. There was a simple coffee -Veirfir? firvier?- table made of the same dark wood and that was it.


    Confused, I spun slowly on my heel, taking the whole room again, thinking I must have missed something. It was as my back was to the couches that a very familiar voice sounded from behind me.


    "We meet again!"


    Shocked I spun the rest of the way around in a flash, almost dislodging a protesting, Drogin. What I laid eyes on was none other than the child god Kradiff sitting on one of the couches with a small smile. I blinked twice, not because I was seeing him once again, but because what he was wearing was so jarring. I had become so accustom, over the last few weeks, of seeing people in leather armor, magical robes, or actual mail, that seeing a child sitting on a Victorian era couch wearing modern cloths was disturbing. He sat with one sneakered foot tucked up under him, the other dandling over the edge of the seat. He had on tan cargo shorts and a black hoody with a picture of a dragon biting its own tail on it. One arm was flung over the back of the couch and his messy hair stuck out at odd angles.


    "Kradiff!" I exclaimed. "What the heck are you wearing?"


    The boys smile fell, replaced by mild irritation. "I told you before, you are the one who makes me look like this female!"


    "Okay, okay." I laughed. "Sorry. Really though, what are you doing here?"


    "Well, this is a place to commune with the gods is it not?"


    "True. Though I rather thought that was just hypothetical. Plus, wasn''t there supposed to be a massive magistone here?"


    "The room is the stone." Stated Kradiff, like I was the slow child and asked what green was. The walls and such were the same pearlescent color as the magic stones... "This is the size of a stone rather unheard of to be honest. They don''t come this big anymore."


    "I don''t understand..."


    "This, and stones scattered throughout the cities of similar size, are as ancient as the worlds we all come from. Basically, these stones are what is left of us gods when were left our physical forms behind."


    "Seriously?!" I said, weirded out. "Is this your-"


    "No." he said with a shrug. "Well, maybe. I couldn''t possibly remember back that far." He sighed and scratched the back of his neck. "Didn''t you come here for a reason?"


    "In a hurry?" I asked, amused. "Hot date?"


    "Hahaha. Very amusing. I am a god you know?"


    "Alright. I''m sorry." I laughed and decided to take a seat opposite of him. "I did come here for a reason, you are right."


    "Well, what can I help you with?"


    I chuckled again. What would he say if I asked for three wishes or something? He had to be the most ungod like God I had- well not met, he is the only one I''ve ever met... I think.


    "I was told that if I came to the church, I could get some kind of deeper evaluation than the stats listing I got from the Guild. I feel like I am in a bit of a personal growth slump. I figured what I found out here would lead me to the path I should take."


    "Hmm. Troubles already, huh? Well people do come here to discover their magical attribute. Usually, people who are having a hard time getting theirs to surface."


    "Would you be able to tell me mine? Oh. I was also wondering why demons and monsters weren''t aloud in the churches. Like what the heck! Aren''t they- or we I suppose- governed by you guys too?"


    "Well, your first question is easy, and somewhat relates to your second. You do not have an attribute in the strictest sense."


    "What!? Why?" I exclaimed.


    "Calm down. Its not that uncommon to be honest. Though you have a reason for it. You are a demon. Demons have their own magic, unrelated to the natural magic of this world. It is part of the reason why summoned demons can not use magic here. Demon magic requires free will and there fore one under the influence of a summoning contract can''t use their magic."


    "But I have used magic-"


    "Yes, you used taming magic. Despite the high mana cost, most taming spells are simple at their core. I am sure you, and any free demon could manage the simpler spells of this world. Especially if used in the old tongue."


    "Huh? You lost me again."


    Kradiff sighed and rolled his eyes. "I am sure you have noticed by now. Some people cast words in the common tongue while others cast in a different spell language." He pointed at my satchel. "Your grimoire is written in the old speech."


    I nodded. I had noticed that though I didn''t really pay it any mind. Zach had used the ''force'' spell, hadn''t he? But also, he used spells like ''Scuro'' to clean things.


    "Well spells are naturally better in the original language. And it is in this language that the demons still speak. They cast their spells and even talk to one another in this language. Or at least the purest for of the language still around."


    "Why doesn''t everyone use the old spells then? If they are better that way I mean."


    "Mostly because they can''t. Especially for the weaker magic races. The more simplified spells and languages that the other races use were developed for them to use magic at all. The elf races, some of the fae races and the demons are the ones that can make full use of this magic. The more powerful the spell the harder and more dangerous it is for the less magically inclined races to use."


    "As for demons specifically. Well, they have immense power in the demon realm but can barely use the magics of this world at all."


    "Then why did you say I could be this race when you were laying out my options?" One of the first questions he had asked was weather or not I wanted to use magic. Shouldn''t demons have been ruled out if I couldn''t even access the full magical potential here?


    "Because you said you wanted to be a tamer." He stated. "Had you said you wanted to be an elemental mage or a healer I would have taken demon off the table. But you wanted to be a tamer. Tamer magic is simple, expensive magic. And I gave you the grimoire because it had the spells you needed in the old language. Plus, the other benefits of course." His eyes flicked to Drogin.


    "So, I can only use tamer spells in this world then?" I asked. "Or other super simple spells? No elemental magic at all?"


    "Nope, not with Harthian magic anyway. You cold always use demon magic though. Besides the limiters placed on demons in this world, demon magic should work fine for you. You just need to find a teacher. Which I admit, will be hard. Free demons are not exactly common. And the ones that do come here usually do because they are so weak in magic that their lives are horrid in the demon realm and so they come here where their physical strength is an asset."


    Oh. So that is why Demons come here of their own accord.


    "Okay. At least I know now. What about my second question then?"


    "Ah, yes, about the church. For demons it is a two-fold problem. The first I already mentioned. Demon magic and Harthian magic are not entirely compatible, and churches are sort of focal points for that magic. An interesting fact is that, as much as demon abilities and such are limited on this world, it is even worse in the opposite. Literally no non-demon native things can enter the demon realm! If you were to go there right now, even the cloths you are wearing would rip off your body and you would appear in Demonia as naked as a baby."


    I resisted the urge to say, ''like when I came here.'' As I didn''t want to distract him farther. This god really was scatter brained. Could he not go more than ten minutes without going off on a tangent?


    "You said something about two-fold?" I prompted.


    "Right. The other reason is for the same reason monsters normally can''t get in here: Because the general belief of the people is that demons and monster shouldn''t be able to get into churches and other sacred places." When I looked confused, he smiled. "As proven by the way I look every time I appear before you, the power of belief is a big thing. It is a magic all on its own that can change the world and the hearts of the people. And I don''t mean knowing. You can know something and still not believe it. For instance, I told you earlier that I was once a creature that had a magistone big enough to build a room in. you now know that, yet I am still a small child to you. Because you believe that is what I look like. It would take an awful lot of work and convincing and time to change the mental image you already hold of me."


    "So because the masses believe that there is no way evil beings like demons and monster could possibly enter a place as inherently connected to the gods, they made it so that they cant?"


    "That''s it, you got it." He smiled happily. "You can enter here now because of your connection to me which gave you the title: One Blessed by the Devine. You can get into any place considered sacred. As for your new little friend, he can get in because you gave him a name."


    "A name? Really?" I said disbelievingly. Seemed fishy to me.


    "Really. You didn''t just look at him and say ''hey, you are Fred now'' did you?"


    "Well, no. I did what the grimoire said, and I sealed our contract in blood and named him that way."


    "Yes, that was a spell with two purposes. To bind your pet to you and the book as a bonded tame, and to give him a name, thus increasing his power. Think of most people''s names more like nick names. What you did was give him a true name. And when you have a true name then you know yourself fully, and when you truly know yourself then you inevitably evolve and gain power. Its why the spell is so draining Sin. It is literally a divine act. By naming him you did something that normally only divine intervention can accomplish. Very few in the history of this world have ever been capable of this."


    "I have heard of named monsters before." I disagreed, a little panicked. Who was I to have this power? I wasn''t even all that strong in the grand scheme of things. Surly most if not all the Red Ravens were stronger than me. Zach exempted of course. And there were, what, eight other squads full of people just as strong. I was better than average. That''s it. "Some elves in the past..."


    "There have been other named monsters. But most that get the names get them naturally. They get them the same way the churches became demon and monster proof."


    "People believed them?"


    "Yes. Say there is an incredibly powerful dragon, it has been terrorizing people for ages and some of the greatest champions have fallen before it. Eventually the people give it a name. eventually they use that name in fear, in rage, in awe. And so, eventually, all that turns into power directed at the dragon. And that is how named monsters come to be. Incidentally, this happens with dragons a lot. They are big and scary, and they live a long time."


    "So, naming one in a matter of minutes... that would be pretty crazy right?"


    Kradiff laughed. "Quite."


    I placed a hand on my bag where the grimoire sat. "Who was the writer of this book you gave me that they can make such spells?"


    "Who knows." He said with a shrug.


    "You have to be the single worst liar ever." I huffed, crossing my arms. Now I was acting like a small child.


    All he did was laugh louder. "I am glad you appear to be doing well Sin. Please continue to grow. Become happy and content. Live a life full of adventure."


    His genuine well wishes pulled me out of my pout. He looked so calm and wise at that moment. So much gentleness in his eyes that I really did believe he wished that for me. A warm feeling filled me that I was unaccustomed to. Its very strangeness made me uncomfortable while at the same time filled me with a happy sort of buzz.


    "Ugh, what ever. I''m leaving." I said jumping to my feet and heading for the door, shoulders stiff. As I stepped through the door, I could hear Kradiff''s laugh, but when I looked back the room was empty. Not even the furniture was in the pearly white room anymore. Was it all a fabricated construct of my imagination? At this point, if the easter bunny popped up, and told me Santa Clause caused it all and the Gingerbread man was the real Demon King, I would take a second to consider it...


    Shutting the door behind me I looked down the hall. I was confused at first but not entirely sure why. Then I realized that it was much later in the day than it should have been, the light coming through the stained glass looking more like the warm rays of sunset rather than the brightness of mid day. Did time flow differently in there? There was no way I had spent half a day chatting it up with a god was there?


    I began walking past the artworks, only half serious when checking to see if the depictions of the Demon King were in anyway shaped like any sort of cookie. I was just about out of the hall when I heard hurried footsteps and froze.


    "-imagine what would have-!" The priest had been mid sentence when he rounded the corner and nearly ran into me. "Miss!"


    "Sorry about that." I said, holding out a hand to steady the guy. "What''s the hurry?"


    "You apparently." Sighed another voice, this one I knew to be Commander Rice. Sure enough, he and Wells had been hurrying just behind the priest.


    "Oh?" I guess I was in there for a bit. "I wouldn''t have thought a girl losing track of time was something the city guard needed to be involved in, however."


    "Well-"Began Rice when Wells piped up and interrupted him.


    "Its not true, is it?" He asked, eyes narrowed but a look of concern and even panic on his handsome face.


    "Enough Wells." Rumbled the Commander. "Not now."


    "Is what not true?" I asked, now alarmed and confused.


    "I told you that such a rumor is impossible sir." Huffed the priest, clearly annoyed. "I was concerned for the length of time she was communing, hence why I came to get someone, but these foolish rumors- now! She is in the church!"


    "Someone want to tell me what is going on?" I snapped, now also annoyed. What rumors? Was it such a huge deal to spend a couple hours in a room? For all they knew I fell asleep while praying or whatever it was I was supposed to be doing in that room.


    "Best we discuss this some place else." Said Rice. He reached out a hand and put it on my shoulder causing Drogin to glare.


    "How about you just tell me what''s going on?"


    "Damn it!" Snapped Wells, irritated. "Stupid Vincent has been running around since noon, flapping his gums."


    "I have barely seen hide nor hair of Vincent in weeks." I said, now angry. What the hell has the little shit been up to now? Did he somehow find out about the bandits?


    "He has been shouting out to the whole city, anyone who will listen, that you are a Demon!" Snapped wells.


    I froze. I knew that Rice would be able to feel my stiffness through his hand on my shoulder. Drogin growled, his little claws digging into my other shoulder.


    Oh no...