The Water-bearer

[Solarstream]

Character Sheet​

Zarya: That's you. A (former) debt-peon now once possessed by a demon an alien.
-"Demon": Formless and shapeless... a glowing unknown mass of bubbles. (An alien in truth!) (Freed!)
-Spiritual Aptitude: Zarya gains access to the following spells after praying to the Water-bearer statue in Antioch, which is permanently infused with a Spiritual Aptitude of 60.
--Spell: Momentum (enhanced movement speed)
--Spell: Dissolution (split apart into a mass of bubbles)
--Spell: Amorphization (transition of body shape between human and alien)
--Spell: Hydration (manipulation of already existing water)
--Spell: Kryation (manipulation of already existing ice)
-Characteristics
--Cautious I: requires 75+% voter approval to interact with any HM or MP without a (+) mark
--Cautious II: requires 75+% voter approval to reveal demon-possessed status on purpose
--Disciplined I: gain (+) with any HM or MP after following a direct order from her
--Disciplined II: gain (-) with any HM or MP after disobeying a direct order from her
--Water I: the more water you are near, the easier it is to use your magic
--Water II: must be near a body of water (or another source) to use your magic
--Water-bearer: Zarya has constructed a statue in Antioch and poured all of the spiritual essence she's acquired over the past few months into it. She must pray to this statue to use spells as of The Moon.
-Additional notes: One of your black eyes has turned blue, as have the tips of your black hair. Currently resolved to control her Demon. Has made progress in suppressing it. Has not yet attempted to manifest it. Currently traveling with Linza, Philippos, Libra Venus, Theodora, and Capricorn Saturn, with the aim of helping Theodora take revenge against the cultists who sacrificed her, and their allies inside the military and the church. Now able to manifest her "Demon" for a up to ten minutes at a time after meditating on JOY or BEAUTY while being around WATER for a few minutes. If in the ocean, the manifestation is immediate and can be held indefinitely. Has agreed to join the church, though it may be was temporary. Currently residing in Antioch. Has learned that her "Demon" is actually an alien being from another world, and is aiming for an amicable separation. Can sculpt ice with her powers, and will learn to work with other materials. Has traveled to Sardis on behalf of the Antiochian Church... and with her mission done, it's time to go! She's returned to Antioch with a warning... a rogue Angel is on the attack! While in Antioch, waiting for the attack, she constructed the WATER-BEARER statue and transferred her spiritual power to it. Not long afterwards, she was separated from The Being, and the two defeated the Angel by working together. Later, she would be instrumental in defeating the Demon known as BELIAL.

Martin Aurelius of Sardis (-): Your former master, who resides in Sardis. He is a wealthy businessman and landowner. He owns several workshops that provide various goods, such as agricultural equipment, weapons, industrial and mining tools, and so on. He's dead, murdered by cultists and sacrificed to a Demon.
-Cornelia Prima (+): His wife, and your former mistress. Despite Martin owning your debt, Cornelia had roped you into her service and not his. She treated you well enough and kept you close. Now the captive of Dione. Was traveling with your group, and left in Ephesus.
-Lucian Aurelius: Their young son. Travelling with his mother.
-Aurelia Prima: Their young daughter. Travelling with her mother.
-Julian Aurelius: Martin's brother, and an artisan. Status unknown.
-Aurelia Prima: Martin's sister, seeking marriage and now possessed by the same Demon that once possessed Theodora. Looks like she wants to escape, so maybe there's an opportunity to work together. Was traveling with your group, having been denied an opportunity to sacrifice avenge herself, and left in Ephesus.
-Mettia Prima: Martin's elderly mother, a widow. Status unknow.
-Fellow former slaves: Linza (+) (she); Eusebius (+; in Ephesus) (he); Philippos (+) (he); Anacletus (he); Hypatos (he); Lucretia (she; in Sardis); Theokleia (she; in Sardis); and many others...
-- Linza and Philippos are currently accompanying Zarya travelling with Capricorn Saturn.

The Holy Maidens: Seven powerful and virtuous women based on in specific major cities.
-Humility (+): Resides in Sardis. Can detect lies, among other abilities. Was in Antioch / Ephesus, aiming to crush cultists. Now resides in Ephesus, having gained firm control over the city and its politics. Has retaken her hometown.
--Spiritual Aptitude: 84
-Kindness (+): Resides in Pergamum. Can heal any injury, among other abilities. Was sent to Sardis on Humility's order. Fled to Ephesus after Dione tried to capture her. Joined up with you temporarily to fight the rogue Angel, and now heading out to Pergamum once more. Has now taken charge of her home.
--Spiritual Aptitude: 57
---Spell: Healing I → Healing II → Healing III (cures wounds)
---Spell: Understanding I → Understanding II → Understanding III (connect minds)
---Spell: Reciprocating I → Reciprocating II → Reciprocating III (shares feelings)
-Charity: Resides in Thyatira. Can grant powers to the Mystic Priestesses. Traitor. Defeated and sent to Antioch, where she lives outside the city in a villa.
-Diligence: Formerly resided in Ephesus. Status unknown. Dead.
-Patience: Resides in Philadelphia.
-Chastity: Resides in Smyrna. Can block magic (?). Murdered by invaders from Antioch.
-Temperance: Resides in Laodicea. Status unknown, probably either heading to Sardis or already there. Found in Sardis, and rescued! Now marching towards Sardis and Laodicea, having just retaken the former.
--Spiritual Aptitude: 51
---Spell: Balanced Mind: Emotion (reduces emotional fluctuations)
---Spell: Balanced Body: Attack (strengthens body when attacking)
---Spell: Balanced Body: Defense (strengthens body when defending)
---Spell: Balanced Soul: Flow (occasionally slips around enemy attacks)

The Mystic Priestesses: Twelve powerful and virtuous women who wander the land.
-Libra Venus / Melina (+): First encountered outside Philadelphia. Skilled with the cithara. Very friendly. Now travelling with Zarya. Now travelling to Laodicea with Scorpio Mars, having met up in Antioch. Will be captured in Sardis unless you step in! Has rejoined your group and evaded capture! Lived with you in Antioch until her encounter with the rogue Angel, at which point she abandoned her old identity and renamed herself Melina. She's also put down her blessed cithara and now lives in a small commune.
--Spiritual Aptitude: 75
---Spell: Song of Roaring Flames (encourages and emboldens)
---Spell: Song of Calm Waters (relaxes and subdues)
---Spell: Song of Magnetism (attracts to a specific target)
---Spell: Song of the Sunshine (inspires warmth and joy)
---Spell: Song of Growth (draws out hidden powers)
---Spell: Song of Affection (draws out tender memories)
-Leo Sun: Deceased. (see also Theodora) Restored!
-Spiritual Aptitude: 85
--Spell: Block! (grow furred armor)
--Spell: Slash! (grow fire claws)
--Spell: Move! (gain super-speed)
--Spell: Strike! (gain super-strength)
--Spell: Roar! (intimidate)
--Spell: Burn! (gain fire breath)
--Spell: Transform! (lion aura coat)
-Sagittarius Jupiter: Resides in Sardis. Can command lightning. Now located in Ephesus and without her powers, aiding Humility. Has her powers once more.
-Taurus Venus: First encountered outside Philadelphia. Resides there.
-??? Pisces Jupiter: Resides in Sardis. Can command emotions. (see Dione)
-Virgo Mercury I / Virginia (-): First encountered in Ephesus. Can command demons and influence people. Searched for the Holy Maiden of Diligence on the orders of the Sovereign Priest of Antioch. Encountered again outside Antioch, and formed a temporary alliance. But the alliance is now broken, and it seems like she can only see Zarya as an enemy over circumstances that were not Zarya's fault. After having betrayed the Church and sided with the cultists in Ephesus, she was captured, brought back to Antioch, and stripped of her position. Is now called Virginia. Possessed by BELIAL (formerly).
--Spiritual Aptitude: 50 0 !?!?!? 0
-Gemini Mercury: Resided in Thyatira. Has some sort of magical hearing ability. Now in custody in Antioch.
-Capricorn Saturn (+): First encountered in Smyrna. Can predict events. Now travelling with Zarya. Heading back to Smyrna. Aiding the attack on Thyatira. Currently helping to restore Church control in Thyatira. Status unknown. Recovered from the rogue Angel's grasp and heading back to Smyrna, but not before warning you of a future disaster! Now on the way to Thyatira to restore that city, having restored Smyrna to a functional state.
--Spiritual Aptitude: 50
---Spell: Forewarn (predicts one upcoming disaster per day)
----Capricorn Saturn does not learn more spells. Instead, the quality of her warnings is improved.
-Aries Mars (+): Resides in Laodicea. Former friend of Theodora. Was in Antioch, now marching towards Sardis and Laodicea. Helped to retake Sardis.
--Spiritual Aptitude: 75
---Aries Mars does not gain her own spells. Instead, her ability to draw out the full might of the Sword of Savage Strength increases.
-Scorpio Mars (+): Resides in Laodicea. Now travelling to Laodicea with Libra Venus, having met up in Antioch. Will be captured in Sardis unless you step in! Has joined your group and evaded capture! Now marching towards Sardis and Laodicea. Helped to retake Sardis.
--Spiritual Aptitude: 51
---Scorpio Mars does not gain her own spells. Instead, her ability to draw out the full might of the Shield of Sturdy Strength increases.
-Cancer Moon (+): Resides in Antioch. Status is unknown. Searching for her. Found her and joined forces to take down the Advocates. Convinced Zarya to join the Church and exorcised the Demon from Theodora. Planning to exorcise the Demon from Zarya as well. Having been made aware that The Being was an alien and not a Demon, she would successfully exorcise it from Zarya. Has been kidnapped by BELIAL, and is now free and restored.
-Aquarius Saturn (+): Was found in a dungeon in Thyatira after having been presumed dead. Was helping to restore Church control in Thyatira, now in Antioch. Can witness the past. Gave you a kind warning.
-Virgo Mercury II: Virginia's replacement. Seems to be loyal to the church. Resides in Antioch and helps the Sovereign Priest of Antioch.

Gaius Helvius of Philadelphia: The son and heir of a wealthy farmer of the same name from the Philadelphia area.
-Ennia Segunda: His wife.

Theodora (+): The former Mystic Priestess Leo Sun. Was used as a human sacrifice to summon a Demon that now possesses her. NO LONGER IN CONTROL. Back in control, and no longer possessed... though her eyes have been permanently changed. Has a small grudge towards Zarya, but is mostly over it. Restored as the Mystic Priestess Leo Sun. Crusher of a Demon of Darkness (with help from her friend and ally Zarya).
-Demon: What must assuredly be some sort of water-dwelling dragon.
-Spiritual Aptitude: 85 0 (see Leo Sun)
--Spell: Block! (grow scale armor)
--Spell: Crunch! (grow fangs)
--Spell: Slash! (grow claws)
--Spell: Swipe! (grow a tail)
--Spell: Seek! (improve eyesight; gain night vision)
--Spell: Move! (gain super-speed)
--Spell: Rampage! (gain strength; lose control)
-Allies: Eugenios, Thais, Daniel (three heretics that Theodora met in a small town near the desert)

The Sovereign Priest of Antioch: A virtuous (?) man in charge of the Church of the Followers of the Way. Currently residing in Smyrna after being chased out of Antioch by an Advocate-led rebellion. Was critically injured and recovered in Smyrna before returning to Antioch. His return has been controversial amongst the people of the city.

!?!?!? Kavouras / Celso Longinus (-): A man formerly possessed by a Crab-shaped Demon. Fought Theodora outside Smyrna and was defeated. However, his soldiers managed to recover his body. Is likely licking his wounds and heading to Antioch. His abilities include growing shell armor, turning his arms into pincers, and transforming into a big crab. He was chased out of Antioch and is likely recovering in fled to Ephesus. Goal: defeat him for good! He was burned alive by Humility in Ephesus and is either dead or close to it. Regardless, he is no longer possessed by the Demon Crab!
-Demon: An otherwise ordinary looking crab, if quite larger than a man.
-Spiritual Aptitude: 85
--Spell: Protect. (grow shell armor)
--Spell: Pincer. (grow pincers)
--Spell: Molt. (shed shell armor healing)
--Spell: Carcinize. (full body transformation)
--Spell: Tidal. (control water)
--Spell: Swell. (increase size)
--Spell: Shrink. (reduce size)

???: A man possessed by a demonic serpent, who is likely near Sardis... if he's still alive. (He's not.)

Silvina (+) and Silas (+): Two house slaves, currently under the command of the Livius estate in Ephesus. They're brother and sister. Currently Were last seen working with spies loyal to the Antiochian church to break cultist control over the city and end slavery there. They have succeeded.

Dione (-): The former Mystic Priestess Pisces Jupiter. A holy woman who is also a snake, as she's the possessor of a Demon Serpent. However, she seems to be the one in control of the snake... and also in control of Sardis, having wrested spiritual control away from the Followers of the Way. Wants you to be her ally... is not doing a good job of it. Alerted you to a vision of death and despair... could it be true? (You made it false!) Has lost Sardis and fled from this world... to another place, not death.

Apollonia (+): A cultist woman who is knowledgeable about spirits and curious about the Being. Once the Being is free from you, she wants to study it for herself. Hopes that you'll come back to Sardis soon. Instead came down to Antioch to visit you. Now travelling the land with The Being for company.
-"Demon": ZIZ, King of the Birds
-Spiritual Aptitude: 55
--Spell: RAVEN (send messages of bad fortune)
--Spell: CHICKEN (send messages of good fortune)
--Spell: GOOSE (defend self from wickedness)
--Spell: CALADRIUS (treat sickness and wounds)

BELIAL (-): A demon of living darkness and the shadow of the angels. Uses cultists like puppets, and now possessing Virginia. Looking to possess the Trinity. Has kidnapped Cancer Moon. Has been defeated!

There are other characters, of course, but they'll be added over time.


​

Other Notes:
(+) = favored towards you
(-) = biased against you

 

[Nevill]

"I am! Come at me, Mystic Priestess Leo Sun!" you declare, and the crowd explodes into cheers and chants and your name.

Click to shrink...

Missing parts.

[x] Go talk to Apollonia in the morning tomorrow, because today you want to...
-[x] ...have that audience with the Holy Maiden of Charity

 

[Solarstream]

Huh, that second and shouldn't be there. I'll take it out later, thanks.

 

[Eternal_0bserver]

[x] Go talk to Apollonia in the morning tomorrow, because today you want to...
-[x] ...have that audience with the Holy Maiden of Charity.

 

[Solarstream]

hey ya'll no update tomorrow.

my plan is to write up a side-story for the 24th and the next main update for the 31st.

see you then!

 

[Solarstream]

Sidestory: The Star of Shadows​

Antioch outskirts, at night...

By the end of Holy Monday, the news of the Hero of Antioch's defeat by the restored Mystic Priestess Leo Sun had spread all across the city. There was seemingly not a single person who remained neutral to the news. Many were stunned and confused – how could Zarya, who had defeated a mystical beast of rebellion, be herself defeated so easily by one woman? Others who knew the might that Leo Sun once wielded were not surprised by the outcome. After all, she had been slain by a carefully prepared trap and a planned ambush – a head-on encounter would have resulted in death for whoever was foolish enough to face her.

"And that's why we need to do the same once more," said one cultist to his companions beneath the moonlight in the city outskirts. "Now that she has been restored, it's only a matter of time until she hunts us down and wipes us out."

"Hold on, she has no reason to suspect that we're here," rebutted another. "With the defeat of the Great Dragon and flight of Kavouras, she has every reason to believe that we no longer have a presence here. She has every reason to believe that her church has won."

A third spat on the ground and jumped into the argument. "Bah! So what if they've won? They believed they had won before and look what that got them – we almost overtook the city! They will not so easily believe in a total victory from now on – not without evidence."

"And by evidence, you mean our heads?"

"It is so."

"Then you must want us to retreat and surrender!" proclaimed a fourth, and the small crowd's discussion broke down into a cacophony of argument. Perhaps they should retreat to Ephesus or Sardis – no they must stand and fight even if they die – they must sneak around and strike in the dark – perhaps it would be best to be patient and wait – and so forth and so on, words clashing.

"Be silent."
​

The struggle ceased with a simple declaration from a soft voice, echoing around them. In terror, these people huddled together. The darkness shifted around them in the dim alleyway, and coalesced into a bulbous mass that shifted and stretched until it took on a humanoid shape in the shade of pitch. Despite having no eyes, it looked at the dozen or so cultists with contempt.

"You will neither surrender, nor will you retreat. You will do as I have commanded."
​

"But Belial, how can we fight this restored holy woman?" asked one of the frightened cultists. "She could incinerate any one of us."

The darkness shuddered and the cultist backed away from Belial.

"If you know you cannot fight her, then do not. Have you forgotten your mission?"
​

"N-no... but we aren't able to get to where the Trinity is being held. It's common knowledge that they're inside the Great Church of Antioch, but no one is being permitted to see them. They're also being guarded by soldiers, and now those soldiers will have support from a strong Mystic Priestess. S-so..."

The darkness crackled and the man fell silent.

A woman then spoke up. "B-belial, perhaps you can help us. With your power, you could stop her!"

The darkness surrounding the cultists then lurched around them and began encircling them. Belial dissolved its body and joined in the surging wave. The cultists crowded in on each other as closely as they could until they were almost on top of each other, swarmed by the living shadows.

The plan was supposed to be simple. Virginia knew many secrets of the Antiochian Church and had been recently kicked out. Even better, no one else would take her in. She would make the perfect recruit, the perfect offering. After several weeks of buttering her up, she came to them in a moment of dark desperation, walking into the arms of the last few people who believed that she had worth in this world.

That moment was all they needed.

They attached a demonic darkness known as Belial to her – no, it summoned itself and completely took her over. By the time Virginia realized what was happening, it was already too late – the light in her eyes had been completely encased by living shadows.

The shadows that were now berating them.

"If I am to do this myself, then what do I need you humans for!? It is your role to assist me and you shall play it whether you like it or not!"
​

They pleaded for understanding, but Belial had none, for it held that very concept in contempt.

"I tire of this. I tire of waiting. I have never been so close to completion. I need them! I need the Trinity in my grasp! I need their summoned angel! I need to consume it! I need I need I NEED I NEED I NEED...!"
​

"W-we require an excuse! Some reason to get close to them!" declared one of the cultists, hoping to get Belial to quiet down and end its agitated state. "Then, we could surely deliver them to you!" she then added.

This did get Belial to relax.

Two eyes opened up in the darkness – Virginia's brown eyes, with the whites painted black.

The dark demon stared intensely at the speaker

"Oh, is that all?"
​

The darkness contracted and crunched into a humanoid form again. This time, Virginia's. It was even wearing her ragged and worn clothing.

The darkness retreated from Virginia's eyes and she snapped back into awareness.

"H-huh!?"

She looked around in a panic.

"Where am I!?"

She saw the living darkness dancing around her and the cultists sulking in front of her.

"W-what did you do to me...!?"

The cultists did not answer.

The shifting shadows did.

"What you asked for."
​

Her body started moving on its own, walking towards the Great Church of Antioch. The cultists followed behind her, though not too closely. They were in tunics rather than their cloaks, but preferred not to draw any attention to themselves and so kept some distance and hid nearby.

Virginia could not speak, not scream for help. The evil possessing her did not will it.

Virginia could not weep, lamenting her folly. The evil possessing her did not will it.

Virginia could not run away, escaping this. The evil possessing her did not will it.

All she could do was pray that the Mystic Priestess Cancer Moon would see through this ruse.

QM Note: And with that, aiming to write the next update next week. Vote is still open!

 

[Solarstream]

Spoiler: Winning vote

Winning vote:
[X] Go talk to Apollonia in the morning tomorrow, because today you want to...
-[X] ...have that audience with the Holy Maiden of Charity

The Star (IV)​

"Ughhh..."

"Oh good, she's waking up..."
​

​

"I hope I didn't hurt her too bad..."
​

You hear voices in the darkness. Your body aches. Where are you?

"My lady, you tackled her full force into a wall. Not many could survive that."
​

​

"W-well, I guess Zarya's just made of tougher stuff! Must be from all my training!"
​

Voices so familiar. One of them is the Mystic Priestess Leo Sun. The others... are common Followers?

"It's a wonder you were defeated before..."
​

​

"I was caught off guard! It won't happen again!"
​

​

"For all our sakes, I hope not. That was incredible! Truly, you are blessed."
​

​

"Heheheh~! Oh, but I am only a humble servant of the Lord~!"
​

You don't feel blessed right now... did she beat your statue's enchantment out of you?

You creak open one of your eyes.

"Can you keep it down, please...?"

You can only whisper. She knocked everything out of you.

A sheepish Leo Sun laughs and apologizes. She has on her red tunic and leather strip gloves, but is not cloaked in her blazing aura. Warmth dances in her differently colored eyes. "Sorry... I'm just so happy to be back to normal. Well, close enough to normal. Still haven't figured out if I can do anything about this one lizard eye... ah, but I can worry about that on my own. Let me go and let you rest up. Come find me later whenever you want to hunt down those cultists."

"Of course...!"

With a smile, she departs, and you go back a blissful state of sleep.

.

.

.

By the time you're allowed to leave the hospital and return to your usual life, night has fallen.

You're still sore, so the Follower caretakers told you to take it easy and avoid getting into any fights for the next few days. Of course, with the Mystic Priestess Leo Sun restored, they would have no reason to worry about you being needed for any fights against cultists. Not with her level of power, and not with her ability to defeat you, the Hero of Antioch.

But they don't know what you know. They don't know about the vision relayed to you by the Mystic Priestess Capricorn Saturn. That vision of Leo Sun fighting against you...

Then again, you only did this fight to forcefully fulfill it early and on your own terms. You'll have to hope that you've done just that. Otherwise...

...no, best not to think of that outcome.

Besides, you have other things to think about.

Dinner isn't one of them – apparently your body can eat on its own while you're recovering from an injury. Tendrils grew out of you and started grabbing and absorbing any food that was left nearby for some time, startling the men. You don't really want to be in a position where you're relying on that too much though. It seems to you like your body was trying to reconstitute itself after nearby being evaporated.

...you really hope this works out...

What you want to do with the rest of this night is talk to the Holy Maiden of Charity. She should be the former Holy Maiden of Charity for her betrayal, much like how the Mystic Priestess Gemini Mercury has been stripped of her position, according to your Follower caretakers. They think that she's sincerely repented and thus has been allowed to keep her post. You're a bit more skeptical – that old man has his own schemes, and maybe she fits into them. She is the one who hands out Mystic Priestess powers after all.

So, you're going to talk to her about that thing, get her biased perspective, and try to puzzle out the truth using that using her words as some of the pieces. While you're there, you might as well be nice and let her ask you things. She might also let something slip while you're talking.

The Holy Maiden of Charity isn't being kept where you might expect – the Great Church of Antioch. Instead, she's being kept in a small villa just outside the city walls with a few Follower caretakers that directly answer to the Sovereign Priest of Antioch. After taking a few moments to pray at your statue and regain your blessing, Aquarius Saturn has a few Followers who happen to know the way take you there and announce your presence. At first, the local caretakers try to bar your entry, but then your companions argue your case and the commotion gets the attention of none other than Charity herself.

"My, my... what's the occasion, oh Hero of Antioch?"

She's a large woman with light reddish-brown skin, soft brown eyes, and voluminous black hair partially covered with a veil. Rather than wearing her red Holy Maiden robes, she has on a green stola atop a white tunic. ...she's a holy woman and so can't be married, so why is she wearing clothes for a married woman? Is it supposed to be symbolic? The others just wore their robes all the time, so you wouldn't know.

"Good evening, oh Holy Maiden of Charity. I'd like to talk to you in private."

She raises an eyebrow. "At this late hour? Can it not wait until the morning?"

"I... have other business in the morning. If it's not too much trouble, oh Holy Maiden of Charity, then..."

She huffs. "Don't flatter me like that, Zarya. I can guess why you're here, though I don't know what took you so long. You want to know about what happened back in Thyatira, right?"

You nod.

She waves me in. "Come on in, Zarya. The rest of you give us some space."

They do so, leaving us alone, and she leads me into a bedroom, doubling as a private chamber. She leaves me there for a few moments and comes back with a jug of watered-down wine and two silver glasses. "You drink?"

"Y-yes, but I'm surprised that you do too. I thought holy women had to be abstinent," you note.

She laughs. "My role is more ceremonial than anything. As long as I don't slip again, there won't be any problems if I indulge every now and then."

"I see..."

You don't, but that's not important right now.

"I actually have some things I'd like to ask you as well... but you first," she offers.

"Ah well, I just have the one question. Why the rebellion?"

She takes a sip from her glass, glaring at you. "You ought to ask the Advocates about that... well, you could if they weren't all dead. That's what they get for going against the will of God, I suppose."

"Aren't you supposed to be an enforcer of the will of God?" you ask. "Or were you secretly on the Sovereign Priest of Antioch's side the whole time?"

"Ha!" she scoffs, at you and at herself. "If only I'd played my cards smarter, I could have claimed I was. No, I broke ranks on my own. They promised me all the luxuries I could want if I stayed out of their way and let them and their pet cultists do as they pleased. Or maybe the Advocates were the pets in the end...? Doesn't matter either way; in the end, they'll just dust."

"Hm... so you were mostly hands off, and Gemini Mercury was the one who was involved in everything. Is that why she was stripped of her powers?"

She nods. "That girl was eager to help out their cause in any way the she could. I was more concerned with my own survival."

You doubt that she was as hands off as she claims nor that her survival was really in doubt – after all she was the main authority in Thyatira up until it was destroyed – but you don't want to confront her directly right now.

"Okay then."

Her expression remains neutral. "Then, may I ask you a few questions?"

You smile at her. "Sure, go ahead."

"Well, then...

(Choose up to four. You may write-in specific points you want Zarya to bring up when she answers as well.)
[] ...I can sense a blessing on you. What exactly is it?"
[] ...tell me, what do you think of our fine Church?"
[] ...who exactly are you and where did you come from?"
[] ...why are you called the Hero of Antioch?"
[] ...is it possible you could have me meet Leo Sun?"
[] ...what do you think about the Trinity?"
[] ...what do you think about the Advocates?"
[] ...what do you think I should have done?"

QM Note: I should be able to keep up regular Sunday updates from here on until the end.

 

[Nevill]

[x] ...tell me, what do you think of our fine Church?"
[x] ...what do you think about the Trinity?"
[x] ...what do you think I should have done?"

 

[Solarstream]

I am travelling this weekend, but can still do a regular update if more votes come in within the next day or so.

 

[Zaealix]

[X] ...I can sense a blessing on you. What exactly is it?"
[X] ...what do you think I should have done?"

 

[Solarstream]

Vote is closed~!

 

[Solarstream]

Spoiler: Winning vote

Winning vote:
[X] ...I can sense a blessing on you. What exactly is it?"
[X] ...tell me, what do you think of our fine Church?"
[X] ...what do you think about the Trinity?"
[X] ...what do you think I should have done?"

The Star (V)​

"...I'll start with an obvious one. I can sense a blessing on you. More importantly, I don't recognize it. ...hmm, no wait." She concentrates for a moment on you, gazing straight into your (probably) softly glowing eyes. "Most of it is unknown to me, but there's traces of blessings from two Mystic Priestesses – Libra Venus and Scorpio Mars." Without waiting for you to answer, she glares at you and finally poses a question. "So then, I must ask what exactly is it, this blessing upon you?"

You nodded all along as she was talking. As the Holy Maiden of Charity, you were long aware that she was responsible for parceling out Mystic Priestess powers. Perhaps she feels that you're intruding on her territory? If so, you can assuage her feelings right now.

And also shock her with your lived truth.

"This blessing comes from my experiences while I was forcefully merged with an alien being by evil cultists."

She blinks, unable to respond to your declaration for a moment.

"I... I'm sorry, what? You mean a Demon, right?"

You shake your head. "No, I mean an alien. They were trying to summon a Demon, but instead called forth a previously unknown type of being. It played along with their ritual, though in truth it was studying me and our world. We were split apart recently thanks to the aid of your companions of the faith, who graciously allowed me to continue using the abilities the Being granted to me."

"I... I see."

You take a sip of your drink as you wonder what she sees as she looks you up and down. What exactly are you to her – or rather, what does she want you to become to her? A new ally, one that can get her to a better position? A secret enemy to oppose and use as a way to regain favor? Perhaps a confidant, now that she's lost everyone else?

You decide not to ask any of those questions, and not just because she speaks up again.

"Well, there's certainly nothing Demonic about you. Demons are rancid... I don't know how the cultists can stand to be around them. It would be like if a fishmonger sold only rotting fish! ...say, if this alien is real, that means it should be around town, right?"

"Right, The Being hasn't left yet since it wants to witness Holy Week. I think it will go wander the land afterwards. I can ask it to come and see you before that happens?"

You know full well that it's what she wants, so you go ahead and pose the question for her.

She blinks, surprised by your offer for some reason. "Well, I could go in town myself, but that would be more convenient for me... sure, go ahead." She then drinks deeply of her wine, lounging on the bed, before looking down at me on the floor and asking her next question. "Okay... next... what do you think of our Antiochian Church? You must have quite a high opinion of us given your closeness with several Mystic Priestesses."

She blinks in surprise again when you shake your head. "Huh? You don't? ...can you elaborate?"

"There are quite a few people within your church that I do have a high opinion of – my friend Melina, several of the Mystic Priestesses, a few Holy Maidens, and large number of your Followers. But that shouldn't be confused with me being amongst the faithful myself. Nor will I forget the things that people in your ranks have done against others and myself."

She nods, giving you a serious look. "Ah, you've had quite the set of experiences I see. And that's made your opinion of us more mixed. Understandable... though it makes me wonder why you're allowed to keep your powers."

"Just because I'm not devoted to your Church doesn't mean that I'm your enemy," you state.

"Hmm... well, if the others are convinced, I guess I can go along with it. Though it makes me wonder what your goals are."

"Eh? I don't particularly have any."

"...huh? You don't?" she asks, more confused now than ever before.

You shake your head, confused at her confusion. "No. I just wanted to be free and now I am. What, do you think I sit around doing nothing all day? I'm a sculptor. Next time you're in town, you should see my masterpiece."

She nods. "O-okay. How will I know which one it is though?"

You laugh at her. "Oh, don't worry. You won't be able to mistake it for anything else."

When she asks for clarification, you laugh harder instead, leading her to denounce you as a rude woman and drink some more. Honestly, you think she's the rude one, but now isn't the time to argue about that. Instead, you wait for another question.

"Hmph! Well, while we're on this topic, why don't you tell me what you think about the Trinity then! I know you had to fight against them pretty recently."

"Well, there wasn't much of a fight against them," you note. "We fought against their summoned Angel, and they collapsed in response. They still haven't recovered. It's too bad, because I don't understand why they would cause all of this destruction!"

"Zarya, they must have had a reason. Did they say anything before they fainted?"

You don't recall anything from them, since you were focused on other things. But the Angel was somewhat talkative, so you tell Charity about what it said to you. She becomes more and more pale the more you speak.

"J-judgement... they were going to end this world... all on their own...!?"

She flings herself off the bed, nearly falling over, but manages to catch herself.

"HOW DARE THEY!? They should know better than anyone else that only God can decide when our time has come! No one else has the right!"

Ah, you don't think God has the right, but now might be the right time to bring that up.

"Those three... that they would do such a heinous thing!? My home city is gone, along with brave Smyrna, and we can only hope that their poor souls know peace. It's almost... almost..."

She stills her tongue. But you know just the word she wants to say but cannot. It's a word that she herself would be quite familiar with.

Heresy.

Something must have shown on your face, as now she's glaring at you. "Zarya!"

Uh oh.

"Ah, um, I..."

You fumble your words to no avail. She lumbers towards you and seats herself directly in front of you.

"You think I'm just like them, don't you? That I say all the right things and act appropriately in public, but that I'll bend my beliefs when it really matters. That instead of following God's will, I'm following my own!"

"W-well, I..."

She cuts you off, exploding at you.

"Well, what do you think I should have done then!? What was I supposed to do in the face of rebellious Advocates and swarms of cultists!? Or do you think I should have gone the way of Diligence and Chastity!? They died pure, unlike me who gets to live all-mixed-up."

She finishes her drink.

"Well!?"

"I..."

You hesitate and that's all the answer she thinks she needs. But in truth, you just needed a moment to think yourself.

She smirks, leaning back, looking down at you. "You don't know what you would have done."

That's not a question, but you'll answer it anyway.

"That's right. I don't."

She nods. "Exactly! I-"

You cut her off.

"But! I... I would know that I have allies by my side, ones that would side with me against these threats. Where were your allies, Charity? It seems to me that you should have had plenty, particularly two powerful Mystic Priestesses in Scorpio Mars and Leo Sun. But you let one leave and the other die."

She glares at you, but you don't care. She remains silent knowing that she has no counter-argument.

So, you continue. "It seems to me that you didn't want to call on those allies... almost like you wanted the Advocates to win in the end. All so that you could live in luxury and abandon your duties. It seems to me that you're just like all those other people who use others for their own gain, whether it's the Advocates, the cultists, or the higher-ups in your own Church."

Or like your dad or former master.

"So, you're right. I don't know what you should have done. But I do know that what you did was wrong."

"..."

She's silent, looking away from you.

"...get out of my house."

"Certainly. Thank you for answering my questions, o Holy Maiden of Charity."

With a roar, she throws the jug at you. You don't bother dodging it, letting it harmless splash through you. Charity shrieks terrified in response.

The commotion draws in her aides, who ignore you and rush to the (supposedly) holy woman. You, meanwhile, return to your companions, who lead you back to the city.

All things considered that actually went fairly well. Though you hope that the meeting with Apollonia goes well in truth, rather than in comparison to an imagined worse outcome.

As you all get closer to Antioch, an odd feeling that something is lurking in the city's darkness come over you.

(This will be what Zarya does for the rest of the night.)
[] You listen to that feeling and investigate. It could be cultists.
[] You file that feeling away, but don't go near it.
-[] Instead, you just go home and rest . Leo Sun can handle things.
-[] Instead, you wander around. There could be other cultists.

 

[Eternal_0bserver]

[X] You listen to that feeling and investigate. It could be cultists.

We know it's them.

 

[Nevill]

[x] You file that feeling away, but don't go near it.
-[x] Instead, you wander around. There could be other cultists.

 

[Solarstream]

I'll note that the 'look for other cultists' vote does actually do something, it's not just there as a joke.

(It is also a joke though )

 

[Zaealix]

[X] You listen to that feeling and investigate. It could be cultists.
Let's just nip this one in the bud if we can.

 

[Wardragon]

[X] You listen to that feeling and investigate. It could be cultists.

 

[Solarstream]

vote will close in roughly six hours from now!

edit: and vote closed!

 

[Solarstream]

Spoiler: Winning vote

Winning vote:
[X] You listen to that feeling and investigate. It could be cultists.

The Star (VI)​

You stop in place just outside the city walls, and only then do your companions notice that something's awry. One of them asks you if something is wrong, but you don't answer. For one thing, you don't actually know if something is wrong yet. For another thing, this is Antioch, a city that has been continuously haunted by cultists well before you showed up. They should already know the answer.

The guards wave you through with no issue and you rush into the darkness. There's a spiritual presence swimming inside it, one that's not familiar to you, one that has a hint of malice and whiff of hatred to it.

It's a Demon!

The brief warning you gave to the Followers before you split off from them will have to be enough. You can't afford to move at the speed of a normal human. You rush recklessly along the winding narrow streets of Antioch at night, with only trace telltale signs of life – drunken revelers, alleyway sex, nightly patrols, and so on. You don't stop to explain yourself. You move as if you're a crashing wave about to hit the shore.

A scream pierces through the night, echoing from your destination.

Your feet are leading you right to the Great Church of Antioch, and as you get close a spiritual fire is lit, followed by a physical one. The Mystic Priestess Leo Sun has sprung into action! And combating her is something made of living shadows, trying to eat up her light!

You need a better view!

"Z-Zarya, is something the... OH MY GOD!?"

You ignore the bystander, turn one of your arms into a tendril, fling yourself up to a rooftop, and dash forward, fast, faster, as fast as you can! Up here you can see them both clearly – Leo Sun who lights up the sky, brighter than the full moon yet dimmer than the full sun, slashing with fury and roaring against the darkness – the Demon, a contorted darkness and extended entity, emanating out of someone's body, laughing loudly and...!?

It has in its grasp the Mystic Priestess Cancer Moon!

And in flashes you can see it clearly – this Demon has taken over Virginia!

"So, that's what she's been up to..." you mutter to yourself darkly. "But is she a tool or the master... I'll find out right now!"

It's too warm for there to be any ice outside of someone's cellar or your enchanted statue, but there's plenty of water in this seaside city. You pull on some from nearby buildings just before you reach the Great Church of Antioch and let it flow around you...

You leap from the rooftops!

Below you are the demon, the two Mystic Priestesses, and several Followers, both living and dead.

"VIRGINIA!!!"

You and your water crash down like a wave upon them!

Viriginia, Cancer Moon, and Leo Sun all gaze up at you, surprise entering their eyes only when they see your attack. Of course, they must have sensed your approach. It's not like you're hiding your spiritual presence.

And so has the Demon, which didn't react in a way you would have liked.

"Virginia is not here."
​

The Demon's voice echoed from seemingly everywhere, but especially in your head. Rather than try to contest you or counterattack, it flowed away from you as you crashed into the ground in a half-retreat, still maintaining a firm grasp on its hostage. Rather than break your legs and body, you shifted into a bubble-like mass, gaining a safe cushion against the ground, and rolled over towards the demon-possessed Virginia. Leo Sun followed your lead, having already shifted into her flaming furry form, launching a stream of fire... but to no avail, as the demon escaped into the darkness.

"I shall return for the Trinity later..."
​

The Trinity!? That's who the Demon is after!?

"Oh no, you don't!"

Leo launches herself at the dark demon, but it fades away into the night with a panicked Cancer Moon in tow! And like that, both of their spiritual presences are simply gone, like they're magically transported themselves to another place.

"AAHHHHHH!!"

Leo Sun roars flames and anger into the night sky.

"WHERE IS SHE!?"

She searches the nearby area, but you know her senses are just as sharp as yours, if not sharper. That demon, Virginia, Cancer Moon... they're all gone.

The commotion draws in more Followers, non-Follower townspeople, the two other Mystic Priestesses, and the Being. Leo Sun is too agitated to explain herself, so you have to fill them in based on what little you know from just what you saw. Only Aquarius Saturn has any clue what's going on, and you didn't realize that she could get more pale.

"T-that Demon... perhaps it's Belial...!?"

Everyone around you freezes, eyes wide. You have no idea what that means, but it must be bad as they then immediately explode into a flurry of action and shouting. At the end of it, Aquarius Saturn asks you to accompany her to try and find this Belial, while Leo Sun and Virgo Mercury go another way and the Being stays behind to guard the church.

"So, what is this Belial, this Demon made of shadows?" you ask as the two of you search the city for clues in the night.

She shudders as she speaks. "Belial is a shadow of the angels... indeed, it used to be an angel. It is incomplete, and seeks to complete itself and return to its prior status. It does this by consuming not just light, but also holiness, whether it comes from a holy woman like us or an Angel. Once summoned, it will not stop unless it is destroyed and returned to the darkness from whence it came."

"Does that mean we have to kill Virginia?" you ask.

She shakes her head. "No, an exorcism will work. But there's a problem. We can't let it get near the Trinity, but they're in the Great Church of Antioch, which is where we'll need to do the exorcism in the first place."

"Well, if we find her, we can...!?"

You're cut off by a sudden flaring of spiritual presences – one of darkness and one of fire!

"Zarya, do you- eep!?"

You don't wait for Aquarius Saturn to finish, instead picking her up and carrying her across the city to where Belial and Leo Sun are engaged in pitch battle...

...but you arrive too late, and Belial has vanished once again by the time you arrive, seemingly for good. The only consolation is that the Demon seems to have left a bunch of cultists behind for the Followers to interrogate. With any hope they'll know something. It's for their sake as much as yours, since Leo Sun looks like she'd rather just kill them all where they stand (or rather, cower like frightened children).

Between you and Virgo Mercury, you manage to get Leo Sun to hold back long enough for Aquarius Saturn and the Followers to take the cultists away. You and Virgo Mercury then follow, holding up a raging and weeping Leo Sun all the way back to her church.

.

.

.

Belial, Virginia, and Cancer Moon have all completely vanished from Antioch.

It was true on the night of Holy Monday, and its still true now on the morning of Holy Tuesday.

In the night, you agreed to stay at the Great Church of Antioch for a nightly vigil so that Leo Sun could run around town and try again. You left, the Being and Aquarius Saturn taking over for you before she returned, but based on chatter in the city, it looks like she failed and everyone knows what happened. The panic that people would have felt melts away when you draw near. They're expecting another miracle from you.

You hope you can deliver.

(But for now, Zarya is going to talk with Apollonia. Do you have anything you'd like to discuss with her?)
[] Let the conversation flow as it may.
[] Yes, bring up something specific.
-[] (write-in)

QM Note: As a reminder, Apollonia met a nature spirit and wants to come to Antioch and see the Being.

 

[Nevill]

I forgot. Do we have any standing obligations to Apollonia? Something we want from her?

 

[Zaealix]

I forgot. Do we have any standing obligations to Apollonia? Something we want from her?

Click to shrink...

Honestly at this point not really buuut…
I wouldn't mind asking her about the history of the followers of Nature Spirits and why the Church came to reject them. We read the books but that's not the same as hearing it from the horse's mouth so to speak.
I would meet with her mostly to ensure she doesn't do anything untoward to the Being, while she meets with it. And from there, ask her how she feels about the Church…
Given the need for rebuilding their ranks maaaybe she and hers could come back in from being disfavored.
Edit:
[X]What are her plans. You were willing to back her claims of Nature Spirits because you could feel the difference and it didn't seem as pinned to the success of one person like Dione's cult.

 

[Solarstream]

I forgot. Do we have any standing obligations to Apollonia? Something we want from her?

Click to shrink...

As far as I'm aware, she wants things from you rather than the other way around.

 

[Solarstream]

If more votes come in within the next couple of hours, then I'll write the next update tomorrow as usual.

 

[Eternal_0bserver]

[X]What are her plans. You were willing to back her claims of Nature Spirits because you could feel the difference and it didn't seem as pinned to the success of one person like Dione's cult.

 

[Solarstream]

hey ya'll, no update today, see you next week

 

[Solarstream]

Spoiler: Winning vote

Winning vote:
[X]What are her plans. You were willing to back her claims of Nature Spirits because you could feel the difference and it didn't seem as pinned to the success of one person like Dione's cult.

The Star (VII)​

You can't truly put your concern over the fate of the Mystic Priestess Cancer Moon to the side, but you can recognize that there's not much you can do for her at the moment. Without a way to track Belial or Virginia down, as you can do it wait until one or both of them show up again, probably at night, aiming to invade the Great Church of Antioch. With that in mind, you can go see Apollonia. With any luck, she'll be willing and able to help you all out.

You stop by your statue to pray and then head out of the city.

You're allowed outside without any issue, though one of the guards warns you of an odd woman who tried to sneak in, probably one of those foul cultists. Without revealing anything, you accept his words and thank him, an act that puts a wide smile on his face, leading to teasing comments from his companions, and at that point you make your unnoticed exit.

Apollonia didn't tell you where she was. You wander around for a while aimlessly, appreciating the nice day, looking for any signs as to where she could be. She travelled alone, quite dangerous. It's getting warmer, but would she really spend the nights out in the cold? You doubt it... perhaps some of the more hospitable locals might have let her stay with them.

Along the way, you pass by Melina's commune. It's been a few days since you've last talked to her. Has she heard the news out here? She'd probably want to be informed, even if there's not much she can do as an ordinary human.

[][Melina] After talking to Apollonia, go talk to Melina as well.
-[][Melina] (optional write-in for anything you'd like to discuss with her)
[][Melina] No, let's keep her out of this. (Lose (+) with Melina)

But you'll have to talk to her later.

You have a place to be... but if only you knew where it was...

Cluck... cluck... cluck...
​

Hm? What's this?

Cluck... cluck... cluck...
​

Looks like three chickens are running up to you, clucking at each other and towards you. Once they get close, they circle and hop around you and start pushing on your legs! Looks like they want you to follow them.

"Are you with Apollonia?" you ask out loud to... a bunch of chickens.

Before you can feel embarrassed, they cluck in unison and start running away.

"Ah! Wait up!"

You follow the chickens to another villa, and it looks like this one is home to an extended family, or maybe a few living together. In any case, there's a few people working outside who greet you, wave you inside, and then get back to their own business. Once you get inside, the chickens continue leading towards a room where...

"Zarya! It's good to see you again!"

"Oh Hero of Antioch! It's an honor to welcome you to our humble home."

...Apollonia is chatting with three older people, two men and one woman, dining upon a light breakfast of bread and honey. While Apollonia seems to always be in a good mood, you can't help but notice how the others immediately relaxed upon your arrival, one even letting loose a sigh of relief. Well, you can relieve them even further by taking Apollonia away from here, since you'd rather not talk to her in mixed company.

"Ah, I am honored by your invitation, villa-keepers. I have business with this woman Apollonia, so excuse as I take her away from here."

The trio, understanding what you mean at once, immediately agree and accept your excuse, hoping to make your acquaintance another day. Apollonia, confused, comments about how you could talk here...

"Huh? Don't you want to eaaaaaa-!?"

...but you ignore her, grab her with one of your summoned tendrils, and lead her away from the villa to the sound of happy purring chickens. Once you're a good distance away from the villa and on your own in the wilderness, only then do you let her go. She glares at you, but her companion raven who was flying behind you both perches on her shoulder and softly warbles, getting her to soften her gaze.

"Well, I was going to suggest we leave after you eat, but I suppose we can talk now," she notes, choosing to take a seat at the seat of a tree. You join her on her right side. "I take it the chickens found you? I saw them by your side."

You nod. "That was your doing? I also can't help but feel a familiar spiritual presence coming from you."

She grins widely. "Yes~!! I found that nature spirit you mentioned before and bonded with it. Its name is Ziz, and it called itself the King of the Birds."

"Ah, so now you can communicate with birds? Will you turn into a bird too?"

Apollonia's raven croaks out something that she rolls her eyes at.

"No, I won't be turning into a bird, but I will be flying freely. That's my goal – I snuck out of Sardis to see how you and your alien friend were doing, and when I'm done here, I'll travel the land. I'm glad that I can. You must have taken out that rogue angel already?"

"That's right, though not without complications. The Trinity are all still in a coma and Melina gave up her powers and identity as Libra Venus."

"Gave up her powers!?"

You nod.

"But she has a replacement, I assume?"

You shake your head.

"How odd. Oh well, if there's no other problems then it's not like it'll matter."

You grimace.

"...did something happen?"

"Yes, a new demon emerged – Belial. It's after the Trinity. Failing to capture them, it instead snagged Cancer Moon. That all happened last night, so the people are a bit on edge. It'll be hard to get a cultist like you into the city to see the Being, and-"

She cuts you off. "Hold on, the Being is in Antioch!? But you're here!"

"Yes, we separated. It's-"

She cuts you off again. "But you still have your spiritual presence!"

"Yes, I made an enchanted statue. Anyway-"

She cuts you off a third time, this time leaning in close, eyes sparkling. "An enchanted statue!? You made your own holy relic!? That's outstanding! Amazing! Incredible! I have to see it! Can you take me there now!? I'll help you with your demon problem if you do! Please~!!"

...

Well, if she's offering, then...

[][Apollonia] Accept her help and take her into Antioch. She'll need to be on her best behavior, however, or else.
-[][Melina] (optional write-in for anything you'd like to discuss with her)
[][Apollonia] No, you can't do it. You can come back with the Being when this is all over though. (Lose (+) with Apollonia)


QM Note: We're back. Apollonia and Zarya will talk more on the way back to Antioch.