"Quickly pull that out!' shouted the bishop as she reached towards the stick that Zero was holding, but it was too late. Already the holy basin was filled completely with dark, gooey energy. The contorted faces of the tortured victims began to appear on the water's surface. An eerie shriek blasted through the cathedral and chilled his very bones. The walls, chairs, and tables shook violently from the horrendous screams.
"You fool!" yelled the bishop. "Holy water enrages demons and angry spirits. Like I told you, it's used to bless people and enchant items with. Not to exorcise spirits!" Dark, sticky webs began to inch out of the basin, oozing and crawling towards Zero. Kicking frantically at the black goo, he dropped the wooden stick to the ground. The necklace of toes plopped into the water and rolled deeper into the basin. A blast of dark energy and horrifying screams exploded outwards. A tortured male face emerged and contorted in agony. It wailed, screamed, and struggled as it cried in sorrow.
"Move!" the bishop snapped at Zero. Pushing Zero roughly aside out of harm's way, the bishop stood in front of him. With a loud thump, the bishop slammed her oak staff on the ground. Silvery white wind emerged out from the oaken staff, using a pure holy light to seal the movements of the dark spirits. A rhythmic tapping began as she held fast. The sound of a whistling flute, wind, and bells intensified around them. A solid barrier of sound shielded them from the dark goo. With each tap of her staff, the bishop sang with an angelic voice, a song of ancient hymns that rang clear throughout the halls.
Zero's eyes sparkled as his soul understood the ancient hymns.
Mmmhummmmm~ Mmmmhuummmm~
I am ready now as time is running out.
I have nothing left to hide in your eyes.
I had been so caught up. I have forgotten.
Can you please forgive me?
In the background, the sound of the choir could be heard harmonizing with the bishop as the magic of sound intensified in power. One by one the disciples appeared behind the bishop. They felt the call and the dark powers stirring in the holy cathedral. Together they came forward to sing the ancient praise. Their voices filled with emotion, and they poured their hearts and souls into the song. The stringy, black, tarlike webs lashed out towards everyone, trying to pull them into the basin of dark water. None wavered. Their dedications stood strong.
Give me your eyes so that I can see
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your heart to the once forgotten
Let my Song of Infinity sing its praise.
Let it heal the wounded and the lost.
What would you want me to do?
Where would you want me to go?
Who do you want me to seek?
Once I thought I was worthless.
But I am worth so much.
Who would welcome me back with open arms?
Who would carry me when I'm down?
People started talking,
Saying we will never be whole.
I know I am broken, but you have made me whole.
Tendrils of octopus-like whips attacked furiously, smashing against the sound barrier. A few attacks went through and nicked the bishop's face. Crimson blood appeared on her cheek. A black humanoid apparition emerged from the dark dreary pool. Slowly creeping forward, its body wrapped completely over the barrier.
Zero eyes widened in surprise. His soul shook as he felt swallowed up by darkness. The only thing that was holding it back was the beautiful barrier of sound. Their voices intensified with emotions as the NPCs and players stood together fast and strong. None wavered.
Give me your eyes so that I can see
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your heart to the once forgotten
Let the Song of Infinity sing its praise.
Let it heal the wounded and the lost.
There is an army rising to break every chain in the darkness.
To free the lost for the once forgotten,
To light this broken land,
Let it guide you.
You are here for a reason.
Don't throw it away.
White bolts of electricity shocked the black humanoid core. With piercing screams, its howls ricocheted off the walls, intensifying with the sound of the song. Streams of residents and the disciples joined in to sing the song. Their voices joined in clear unison.
Brilliant sunlight shone forth from the window as the sun ray appeared before the black ooze. Pushing back the darkness towards the basin, the dark ooze got smaller and smaller.
A sparkling glow of light dazzled around the pool. Small fairy-like creatures flew in and danced around it in circles, throwing magical, white lotus flower petals. Each petal zapped and pushed back the black humanoid apparition as it disintegrated into the light.
Give me your eyes so that I can see
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your heart to the once forgotten
As it brings us into an infinite circle.
Let the Song of Infinity sing its praise.
Freely given without a price, let it heal the broken.
Mmmmhummmm~ Mmmmhuummm~
The song drifted off into a soft humming lullaby as her staff struck the ground with one last force, dispelling the magic. The once black pool transformed into crystal clear water as white spirits emerged from the necklace of toes. Each and every one bowed with respect towards the bishop and walked out the wide opened door. They sang of praises as all the souls passed on.
Silence filled the air. The bishop let out a satisfied sigh. Zero was awed at the scene. Magic of sound was truly an extraordinary thing; he did not know that music could ring with such clarity as it moved people's hearts with unity. He waited for any possible rewards from freeing the souls, but nothing happened. He was a bit disappointed.
"Ma'am." Zero walked up towards the bishop, feeling much more respectful than he had before. "I was wondering if you could teach me a bit of your song." With eyes brimming with hope, he looked upon the bishop.
With one eyebrow raised, the bishop looked down at Zero. She shook her head as if she was scolding a child. With a quick strike to the head she smacked Zero.
"Ow, what was that for?" Zero rubbed his stinging head. Is she allowed to do that? he wondered. Aren't they supposed to be against violence?
"That is for being an idiot. Don't ever do that again." She poked him hard a couple of times on his chest to emphasize each word.
"Now"—she stopped to rub her hands together—"You can call me Sanya." Her hands folded back into her sleeves.
Zero nodded quickly. "Zero," he mumbled, a bit annoyed. He did not appreciate the smack on his head.
Zero noticed a couple of the disciples were already fishing out the necklace from the basin. He peered over worriedly about the necklace. But his attention snapped back to Sanya's gray ancient eyes, which held him in place. He shuddered as power seeped into him, through him, claiming him without resistance. And when the violent rush of power had invaded his every cell, a strange calm settled over him. His soul felt completely opened to Sanya as her ancient eyes glazed over.
"Child, do not worry about that necklace. It will be buried and be prayed for. Now I see you are blessed by the light, but darkness follows you. You are cursed since birth, and you were even given the choice to pick between two different destinies," she said.
"How did you know I am cursed and how did you know I was given two different destinies?"
"Your soul tells me so." Her voice shook his soul as her eyes scored through his life.
"What?"
"I can read the past histories of your race, child, and the possible destinies that will unfold before you." Her gaze was cast off into the distance as she was looking into something he couldn't see. "It's a generational curse. Even now it still holds fast. How to break it I do not know. Child, I am sorry, but you will never be able to completely settle down and find a place where you call home till you are free from this curse. No land will accept you till then." She looked upon him sadly.
Zero's was curious from the bishop's words and a bit disappointed that he lost his chance to possibly get the main unique jobs. This is actually going to be difficult, thought Zero as he scratched his chin.
"But learning the power of ancient words shouldn't hinder you from your path." The bishop smiled. Just as the feeling in his soul reached its peak it faded away in a manner of seconds.
"My twin brother who guides this church with me should be able to teach you the basics. Go and find him in his study."
"Why are you allowing me to learn after I caused you so much of a headache?"
"Ah," her lips curled into a smile, "because your future and past interest me. It is like a tangled web of fiery red and blue that scores through many lives of different people. How you deal with the new outcome, I do not know. The future changes every second, but especially seeing the choice you have made that brought you to this place. Truly it is fascinating." Her eyes sparkled with luminosity and her voice felt heavy with power.
"Silver will guide you towards where you need to go."
A young priestess moved shyly toward them and gave a polite curtsey. Her porcelain skin and her petite appearance made her look like a small English doll. She wasn't dressed at all like a nun; she wore black from head to toe.
"Hi. I'm Silver. I'm an apprentice training to become a disciple of Infinity." She happily replied.
"I'm Zero."
Bishop Sanya interjected as she instructed Silver, "If my brother says that he's too busy, tell him that I will blurt out all his secrets to the mass. And if he says he'll spill mine, make sure to emphasize that all his favorite 'books' would be donated to a poor city where they might use them as tissue paper or fire kindling." Bishop Sanya angelically smiled. Zero inched away from her.
"I'll be your guide towards Bishop Etran. Leave everything to me, Bishop Sanya," said Silver as she happily waltzed towards their destination. Zero followed right after, excited about what he would learn.
Will I be learning how to sing? Vocal practice? thought Zero as his mind raced with questions about the possible training. Possibly I'll learn some new pitches, skills, or maybe I'll learn how to play an instrument? No. That's not right. It should be learning the score sheet. I do know a bit of music.
Silver cleared her throat to catch his attention. Throughout the whole walk, she was explaining the history of Church of Infinity, but Zero was too engrossed in his thoughts that he did not hear a single word she spoke.
Zero snapped out of his deep thought. "Hmm? We're here?"
"Yes, Bishop Etran is waiting." Silver smiled as she opened the giant wooden door for him. Comparing Silver's size to the door, she seems dwarfed in comparison. Zero thought her small body couldn't handle such heavy doors. She struggled a bit, but was able to push the door with all her might.
Upon entering, Zero saw that towers of books were littered around the office floor. Warm fire light brightened the room as crumpled paper was thrown into the fire. Crinkling, the page slowly caught on fire, and black smoke rose up through the chimney. Bishop Etran was working in his study with his head hunched over a book, his glasses and bishop hat tilted, his hands scribbling away in rapid succession. His clothes were identical to Bishop Sanya's. Peeking over his book he noticed Zero and Silver enter through the door.
"Yes?" Bishop Etran looked up and said with an annoyed tone. He put down his pen.
"Bishop Sanya asked that you teach Sir Zero the ancient arts of words." Silver bowed slightly as she gave him her respect.
"I don't have time to teach. Send him away," said Bishop Etran with a gruff voice as he went back to his writings.
"I'm sorry, sir, but Bishop Sanya said she will spill out all your secrets to the masses if you don't." Silver stood up straight as if she was bracing herself to get hit by storms of words from Bishop Etran.
"Tch. Tell her I'll spill her secrets if she does." Bishop Etran rolled his eyes as he put down his pen again. He fixed his glasses.
"I am sorry to say this, sir, but she specifically stated for me to tell you that she will donate all your books to poor cities where they might be used as tissue papers or firewood." Silver's eyes gleamed deviously.
"Wait. Wait. Wait. Did you just say tissue paper?" Cold sweat appeared upon Bishop Etran's face as the thought of his favorite books being used in such manner. Bishop Etran thought deeply.
Bishop Etran's books were his life. Through them he had spent his days deciphering their god's language. It was his joy and happiness to learn new things. "Just this once," he said. "Bring him in."
Silver bowed and walked out. She winked and gave Zero a thumbs-up. "Good luck," she whispered as she left the room.
"So what brings you here?" Bishop Etran set his books and pen aside. Folding his hands, he looked upon Zero with curiosity.
Zero cleared his throat. "I was told you could possibly teach me the way of the words." Zero walked forward in excitement. He was ready for the possibility of obtaining one of the main unique jobs. In quick strides, he pulled out a stool that was near the wall and sat in front of Bishop Etran. Bishop Etran looked down upon him with doubt.
Ruffling papers, Bishop Etran shuffled around stacks of loose paper and sat them next to him. Bishop Etran handed him a feathered pen and a well of black ink. Blowing dust off an ancient book, he passed it to Zero with stack of blank papers on top of it.
"Copy this book from beginning to end," replied Bishop Etran as he went back to do his work. He didn't even look up at Zero once.
Ding!
Learn the ancient art of words
Copy the ancient text from beginning to end. It looks like a dictionary and the history of Noriene.
Difficulty Level: E
Requirements: Granted by Bishop Sanya.
Reward: Depends on how Bishop Etran feels.
Failure: You will not learn the art of words. Bishop Etran and Bishop Sanya will not help you.
Would you like to accept the quest?
Zero was speechless. Already the thickness of the book was overwhelming and the reward was even stranger. He didn't know how long it would take for him to finish it, but the chance of getting a unique job from this request spurred him forward.