Herald of death

The old woman's aura, filled with light Ether, heals Ethan's sores. Russ's damaged pods turn back to their natural gray.

"I am Elowen Windale, this sanctuary's rector. And a servant of Seraphel, the god of light." Her gaze is piercing, focused on Ethan. She motions to Sylas. "Could you leave us? Breakfast will soon be served in the main hall."

Sylas obeys, quickly exiting through the door. As he leaves, the rector motions for Ethan to follow her. They move through stone corridors. Scores of priests and priestesses bow in their paths.

They arrive in a hall devoid of priests. Soldiers guard the hall, clad in silvery plate armor. Two of them push open the heavy door at the end of the hall.

As Ethan passes the doorkeepers, he notices the wyvern engraved on their shoulder. "Who are they loyal to? They do not bear the sigil of any god I know."

"The church is forbidden from having armed forces in this country. It is, in fact, true in many countries." She turns her gaze toward him. "But you wouldn't know that, coming from another world."

Ethan stops, surprised by her words. He glances around, gauging if the soldiers were instructed to harm him. They remain still, as if they heard nothing.

She continues, entering an imposing circular room. The walls rise high, arching into a stained-glass ceiling. Imposing statues rest in alcoves along the edge. Individuals, each wearing different vestments and symbols, tread the marble floor. They restrain their auras, but those still cause turbulence as they collide. A woman emitting dark Ether passes by Ethan, sending shivers down his spine.

Ethan's gaze scans the room, stopping at each statue and their plate. "One would think this place would have omitted a few of them," Ethan says. His gaze stays longer on the statue of the goddess of death, Kaliathra.

"This sanctuary venerates the elder god." She waves at the most central and pristine statue. "By extension, we accept all of his children and all of their followers."

The statue of the elder god is that of an androgyne, naked, and featureless human. As he looks at it, Ethan stops himself from bowing at the statues.

Two guards open another door leading to a garden. "You know that I come from another world. Shouldn't you be more surprised and inquisitive?"

"I was surprised when I looked at your status," she begins. "The titles you were granted betrayed you. Those from our world who carried them are long dead, almost forgotten legends."

"Then I must not be the first to cross over," Ethan says. They stop at the doors of a tall building, waiting for the guards to open. Its interior is filled with shelves and books. The floors are made of open corridors, forming a central well. A few priests are silently copying books on their desks.

She guides Ethan to a staircase, at the top of which they enter a private study. Hundreds of books lay meticulously ordered on marble shelves. Skulls of various monsters decorate the empty spots, along with weapons and items. A globe stands in a corner, displaying a world different from Earth.

"You are not the first to come to our world. Nor is your world the first to mingle with ours," Elowen explains. She opens a tome, turning it toward Ethan. She says, "The first records of otherworldly travelers date back thousands of years. It's how entire species came to be."

Ethan flips the pages that depict dragons, giants, orcs, fairies, and many others. "How is it that we look so much alike? I wasn't expecting to find humans at first. And doesn't all this clash with your religion? Creation outside of the will of your Elder god," Ethan asks.

"We theorized that your worlds are shards of the Elder god. Shards that didn't take the form of a god. The elder god created mankind in their image, a shard reproducing their work doesn't surprise me." Her voice carries uncertainty.

"I know a few great people whose life work would disagree with you," Ethan quips. He turns the globe, taking pictures of its surface.

"We are on the west coast of this continent, near the south tip," she informs. "What I can't understand is why Seraphel's influence is telling me to end you? It's been whispering at me since I laid my eyes on you."

Her words make Ethan shiver. 'How strong is she? Could I kill her here without alerting the entire place?' Ethan thinks. "When I first crossed to this world, I attracted the attention of the goddess of death. She warned me that other gods would try to hunt me for the favors she granted me."

Her gaze is locked on Ethan. She says, "You are telling the truth – at least part of it. You are lucky; in my hundred years of service, Seraphel has never summoned me. Yet, you conversed with a goddess as soon as she laid her eyes on you." Her voice is devoid of jealousy or envy.

"You look younger," he praises. "I've met a paladin who seemingly couldn't resist that influence and attacked me on sight."

She smiles. "If he's still alive, give it a few years. We learn to separate it from ourselves. At least some of us do."

"He's still alive." She nods at Ethan's words. "Sylas mentioned that he inquired about my other problem."

"He did. But I need to know more about the man who invaded your soul. Though you should thank him for saving you. His soul helped restore yours when you exhausted your life energy." She opens another book, titled 'Possessions'

"Maelor Halvern, he was a priest of Seraphel. He died in the depths of the abyssal keep, where I found him," Ethan reveals, conscious that she's gazing.

She chuckles. "You are quite honest; that's surprising," she begins. "Then it is clear as to why you struggle for control. Your ideals and morals must be worlds apart."

"There's only two kinds of people you never lie to: lawyers and doctors," Ethan quips.

"I know of a few ways to heal your condition. The best one would be to solve the other soul's regrets." She stops for a moment, hesitating to continue. "You could ask a Necromancer to remove it from you, but I wouldn't trust them. And it would anger Kaliathra."

"Are those my two options? Desperately searching for the Etherlight crucible or angering the only god that doesn't despise me?" Ethan chuckles at the idea.

She twitches at the mention of the Etherlight crucible. She yells, "What do you know about that artifact?!"

Her mood swing takes Ethan aback, switching his posture as he mentally orders, 'Leave it.' Russ growls lightly at his feet. "He showed me the memories of his last moments. Hooded and masked assassins appeared from thin air. They killed Maelor and his cohort before taking the crucible. And after that something… someone escaped from the stone and scorched the place."

Elowen's features soften as she steps back. "There is a third way, should you choose to align with Maelor's ideals. You probably unlocked the Remnants Warden class."

"Class change," Ethan says. A multitude of cards appear – more than he remembers. He searches through them and finds the Remnants Warden card.

Remnants Warden

Remnants Wardens carry the weight of other souls' regrets. They can summon the souls they shelter to their side, freely using the abilities they wielded in life.

Every two levels in the Remnants Warden class will grant you a Willpower point.

Lv. 0: Soul resonance, pact of regrets

Lv. 5: Remnant possession, remnant summoning

Lv. 10: Remnant arsenal

Lv. 15: Remnant seal

Lv. 20: Remnants unity

"In the meantime, you should raise your willpower to resist him." She pries a necklace from a shelf and hands it to Ethan. "Once you succeed in the realm of ascension, you'll be able to pick another path. Or continue on with the Remnants Knight class."

"The realm of ascension?" Ethan asks. Before she can answer, he identifies the necklace.

Necklace of willpower (E)

Willpower +2

Elowen explains, "You will be called there when you reach the highest level of a class. Succeeding in its trials will grant you a class change. And new classes based on your previous ones."

"And what if I keep my current class? It doesn't seem to have a level cap," Ethan asks.

"I have never met a Harbinger in person. But from the stories I heard, I strongly suggest you choose a class. Or you'll be unable to compete with those who unlock the higher ones," she answers.

"Why are you telling me all this? Aren't you compelled to restrain that knowledge?" Ethan asks.

She smiles. "This is what we teach our children. You would eventually know. And I took a vow to help any who enter my sanctuary, regardless of their past or standing."

The door opens, and a soldier enters in a hurry, jolting Russ. "Rector, we received a message from the city of Opal. They request priests to stop the spread of a new disease." He holds a letter in front of her.

She grabs it to read its exact content. "I'll send a group this afternoon. You can return to your station," she orders. As the soldier leaves, she turns to Ethan. "You should go with them," she says.

"I'd rather go hunt monsters for a while. Level up and raise my Willpower high enough to silence him," he says. Opening his status, he raises his willpower to twenty-one.

"The reason I tell you to go with them, is that you'll find something of great value there." She opens a book and displays the image of an imposing crystal embedded in a small stone monument. "There, you'll find an artifact enabling you to return to and from your world."

Ethan Reed

Lv.14 (Harbinger) Human

Class change available

Strength: 23 Charisma: 12

Dexterity: 20 Perception: 16

Constitution: 20 Willpower: 23 (21)

Intelligence: 20

Titles

Dungeon conqueror (D)

First dungeon conqueror (D)

Dungeon conqueror (E)

Dungeon conqueror (F)

First dungeon conqueror (F)

First hunter

Goblin hunter

Slayer of the first incursion

Kin slayer

Kobold hunter

Skeleton hunter

Abilities

Anonymity (F)

Identification (F)

Insight (E)

Piercing shot (F)

Predator's sight (E)

Silent steps (F)

Spell casting (E)

Strengthening (F)

Russ

Lv.4/20 (Ambush predator) Dog

Bonded: Ethan Reed (Obedience 92)

Strength: 10 Charisma: 6

Dexterity: 20 Perception: 23

Constitution: 12 Willpower: 14

Intelligence: 6

Abilities

Bond telepathy

Growth (F)

Poisoned natural weapons (F)

Silent steps (F)