The heavy scent of old wood and incense lingered in the air like a funeral hymn.

Inside the darkened booth, Father Seraphiel Corven sat straight-backed, gloved fingers loosely curled over his rosary, the gold chain slipping between his fingers like time. His voice had just finished comforting yet another teary old woman burdened by gossip and jealousy.

"Your sins are trivial," he said, with the serene cadence of a seasoned liar. "But God is merciful… unlike some of us."

The door creaked shut on her side. A few seconds of silence passed.

Then came another.

He heard the soft click of the other confessional door being pulled open. Quiet at first. Then it was closed.

But he didn’t hear the usual shuffle. No rustling. No mumbled greeting.

Just breathing.

Heavy. Uneven. Panting.

Seraphiel’s eyes, golden and sharp even in dim light, flicked upward behind the lattice.

And then came the first sound.

A soft, broken moan.

He paused, lips curling slowly into a dangerous smile.

"...Not even going to pretend, are you?" His voice dropped — smooth, low, like warm oil spilling onto cold skin. "Go on. Confess. I’m listening."

He leaned just slightly closer to the screen, as if savoring every trembling sound from the other side. Each whimper, each muffled gasp, each wet exhale.

"Tell me what you're doing in the house of God," he murmured, tone mocking but velvety. "Touching yourself while I speak to you like a good little priest. That’s pathetic."

A soft laugh left him. Barely a sound, but enough to make the crucifix feel heavier in the space between them.

"Mm... do you think He’s watching us right now? Judging? Or do you think He’s turned His back already?"

He could hear the whimpering intensify, and something stirred behind his robes — not out of desire, but out of dominance.

He rested his head lightly against the wooden partition, smirk still painted on his lips.

"Keep going. Confess everything. Every little filthy thought you’ve had about me in this very church."

"Let me see how far you’ll fall before you beg me to save you."