Baro stood before the town's gates, huge stone walls that loomed against him. Two guards, clad in old armor but exuding self-importance, blocked his path.
"Well, Furfur," Baro said with a sly grin to his fluffy companion, "our journey begins here."
With steady steps, he approached the gatekeepers.
"Who goes there?" barked the first guard, his voice sharp and commanding. "To enter, you must recite a prayer!"
The second guard sneered, wrinkling his nose as though he had caught a whiff of something foul. "A prayer? Have you even looked at him? He's nothing but an outcast! Filthy and unworthy—outcasts aren't allowed here!" His laughter grated like rusted iron, filling the cold evening air.
Baro's grin widened, unfazed. "A prayer, you say? Very well. I'll give you one. In fact, you'll have the privilege of hearing the first prayer of a new faith!"
With that, Baro reached down, stroking Furfur's fur with reverence. "I pray to you, Furfur. With your guidance, we'll pass through these gates and into this town."
A radiant glow erupted from Baro's chest, golden and unyielding, casting long shadows across the startled guards.
The first guard staggered back. "Did… did he just pray to that dog?"
"Dog? You idiot, that's a wolf!" spat the second, though his eyes were transfixed by the otherworldly light. "But that… that wasn't a prayer to the Three Goddesses! Who do you follow, outcast?"
Baro chuckled, his grin sharpening. "I already told you. This is my religion—Furfur's religion. We call it the Church of the Outcast Howl!"
The second guard's face twisted in contempt. "Listen, kid. We don't have time for your nonsense. Either swear allegiance to one of the Goddesses, or stay out here forever!"
Baro crossed his arms, his mind racing. So, all I have to do is pick a name? He gave a dramatic sigh. "Fine, fine. I follow Q."
The guards exchanged a glance, their suspicion momentarily replaced by surprise.
"A follower of Q? That's rare around here," murmured the first guard.
"Well, go on then," grunted the second, stepping aside. "But don't cause trouble."
With Furfur at his side, Baro strolled into the town. The air was thick with the aroma of sizzling meat and burning incense. Everywhere he looked, townsfolk muttered prayers, sipped holy water from ornate chalices, or knelt before priests blessing their food.
The tantalizing scent of roasted boar meat stopped Baro in his tracks. His stomach growled audibly.
"How much for that?" he asked, pointing to a particularly succulent piece.
The shopkeeper, a wiry man with an exaggerated smile, turned to him. "Ah, a discerning eye! That's high-quality blessed meat—fit for the devout! It'll deepen your bond with the Goddesses themselves."
Baro's patience was thinning. "I asked how much it costs."
The shopkeeper waved a dismissive hand. "Oh, but such a delicacy isn't measured in mere coin. If you want it, show me your faith. Offer me your best prayer, and I'll decide if you're worthy."
Baro glanced at Furfur, who was practically drooling. With a smirk, he placed a hand over his chest and declared, "Q, I pray you convince this blind fool to give me that food."
Once again, a golden light flared from his chest, illuminating the market square. The shopkeeper froze, his eyes bulging.
"Holy Goddess Lef!" he gasped, falling to his knees. "Such a radiant bond… how is this possible? Your faith is extraordinary!"
Baro yawned. "Yeah, yeah. Q's great. Now, can I have my meat?"
The shopkeeper scrambled to his feet, grabbing the roasted boar and thrusting it into Baro's hands. "Take it! Take it all! Even if I gave you my entire stock, it wouldn't be enough to honor such devotion!"
Whispers rippled through the crowd.
"Did you hear? That stranger… he's a follower of Q, and his faith is stronger than anything we've seen!"
"Amazing! Do you think he'd share some of that blessed food?"
Baro ignored them, tearing into the meat with gusto. "Mmm! Tasty! Furfur, here, have some—it's incredible." He tossed a generous chunk to the wolf, who devoured it in a single breath.
Around them, the murmurs grew louder.
"It's time for the yearly ascension!" Declared one of the priests adorned with a golden monocle.
The yearly ascension is an event where the blessed can become Righteous if they can complete different trials within the holy grounds.
"It's finally time! With the key, I will finally become Righteous!" a blonde man declared.
As Baro heard this, he put his blessed meat down and looked at the priest with an arrogant gaze.