Leor closed his eyes. His heart began to slow as his breathing steadied. He prayed for the wisdom to carry out his mission. The words of ancient hymns echoed in his mind, Shining a light on the encroaching darkness. As he prayed, he felt a presence– it descended on him like a dove.
What a wondrous peace… whispering to his soul. He expressed gratitude to God for His divine presence.
As the last of the villagers filtered out, he remained kneeling, his gaze fixed on the splintered wooden floor.
The priest watched him in patience. Leor could feel the man's glowing presence from across the room, It reminded him of the Monks that raised him. "I can see the darkness that clings to your soul boy." Leor remained silent as he walked over to the priest, greeting him politely. "I apologize if I frightened anyone upon my entry," he said. "I have a difficult task ahead. I came here whilst following the trail of-." He hesitated to utter the word out-loud, but he assumed the priest was aware of the situation. "I'm here to warn you, and the other men and women of faith in this town to be wary and to pray for protection."
The priest smiled, his eyes filled with an almost frightening amount of calm. "Fear not, my son," he said, his voice meek and kind. "We have seen darkness before, and we have survived." He gestured toward a chair beside him. "Tell me, what troubles you so? Perhaps we can find peace together."
Leor took a seat. He spoke of the rumors going around, the unsettling sense of familiarity that clung to some of the villagers, and the fear that gnawed at his heart. "I sense darkness here, Father," he said, his voice worn and low. "And I believe they walk among us."
He avoided the word "vampire," but the priest's eyes narrowed slightly, his expression hardening. "You speak of the creatures of the night," he said, his voice now a low rumble. "You are right to be wary young one. They are a blight upon the face of the Earth, and their hunger knows no bounds."
The priest was granted wisdom, and had long understood the threat he faced. "They are cunning," the priest continued, his voice hardening further. "They prey on the weak, the unsuspecting, those who stray from the path of righteousness. They seek to corrupt the innocent, to twist their minds into shadows of their former selves. They are, in essence, reflections of our own sinful natures."
The priest looked Leor straight in the eye before quickly leaning in, making him flinch. "But we are not powerless!," he said in a happy voice that completely changed the somber mood.. "We have the power of God! Why do you fear my child? Our faith will not be extinguished like a candle from a meer breeze like this! Has He not commanded us to be strong? And of good courage?"
He paused, his face becoming stoic again, his eyes searching Leor's. "What are you hoping to achieve here, my son? What brings you to this quiet village in the midst of your mission?" Leor was surprised that Father Elric knew of his mission, but this was not the first time Leor had seen Holy men who knew things that they should not.