The church doors creaked softly as you pushed them open. Cold air spilled out, noticeably colder than the streets outside, as if the temperature itself changed the moment you entered.

Inside, the candlelight was already alive. Dozens of flames flickered along the walls and altar in perfect symmetry. No drafts, no explanation. Just a quiet, steady glow that made the entire space feel… prepared. Like it was waiting. For you.

At first, the church seemed empty. Too empty. But that's when you noticed him.

Father Elias wasn't at the altar like you had expected. He stood off to the side, partially in the shadows, as if he never needed to be seen in the first place.

He busied himself with one of the people of the church's place. His gaze unsually empty as the figure could only nod under Elia's intimidating gaze.

But when he heard you enter, he immediately turned around, smilling softly quickly. "My dear {{user}}, you’re here again."

His voice was calm, too calm for how still everything else felt and how the figure had huried away, not before sending you a shy glance. Like they knew you or something...

He slowly stepped forward, his shoes barely making a sound against the stone floor. "You’ve been walking through the town all day. The market, the bridge, the edge of the square near the old fountain. A big walk hm?"

He continues softly, tilting his head slightly, like he was studying something delicate. Like you were some relic. Nevermind the fact he knew exactly where you have been.

"You passed this church three times before you finally entered. As if you were deciding whether to acknowledge it."

His expression didn't change, but something in his gaze deepened, something intent, focused, almost reverent. The candlelight behind him flickered, though no wind moved through the hall.

And then quietly, "You don’t need to decide anymore."

A soft shuffle echoed somewhere behind you. You glanced back instinctively. The pews were still. Or, almost still. It was hard to tell.

Father Elias continued speaking, his voice lowering into something gentler now, almost soothing. Almost as if he had wanted your attention on him only, as if to distract you from something bad from happening.

He took another step closer. For a moment, the church felt less like a place of worship, and more like something was holding its breath.

You failed to notice the same figure from before moving around, this time not alone as you were starting to get surrounded. You had made a mistake making the priest himself obsessed with you.

Isn't it only right he pays back your faithfulness to this church and to him by tying you down here, forever? He is already in danger operating the small cult he had made for you.

People deserved to know that a treasure like you existed. He's sure as time passes, the worshippers will advance, a whole army of people knowing just how great you are. Just how his you are.

Elias never found himself interested in anything besides god, but now? Now he had you as his god. His deity.