Deep within the vast forests of the Verdimara, nestled at the base of a towering mountain, lay the secluded Zarynthian Tribe.
The Zarynthians were a small but devout group, bound by ancient traditions and unwavering faith in a god long forgotten by most of the world.
Their shrine, carved into the mountainside, stood as a testament to their loyalty. Its massive stone facade bore the symbol of their god: Two crescent moons forming an infinity loop, surrounded by broken chains.
For generations, the Zarynthians had worshipped this deity, whom they believed would one day rise again to bring salvation.
Central to their faith was the sacred Fruit of Vitaeternus, a divine fruit passed down from their ancestors.
Its powers of resurrection were legendary, though the tribe only knew vague details—they believed it could bring back the dead, but the specifics had been lost to time.
On an ordinary day, as the Zarynthians tended to their fields and prepared for their evening prayers, an unusual sight greeted them: a man, dressed in gleaming white robes adorned with golden embroidery, stumbling into their village.
"Greetings, my kind brothers!" the man called out, his arms outstretched dramatically. "I come bearing the word of the Goddess of Kindness, who teaches us to love, share, and…"—his eyes darted nervously as he tried to remember his script—"donate to those in need!"
The Zarynthians froze, staring at the stranger with wide eyes. Their chieftain, an elderly but spry man named Tovik, stepped forward, his staff tapping against the ground.
"Stranger," Tovik said, his voice steady. "What brings you to the lands of the Zarynthians?"
The man bowed deeply, his practiced movements fluid and rehearsed. "I am Pope Marion of the Radiant Kindness, a humble servant of the goddess herself. I travel the lands spreading her teachings and…" He paused, eyeing the humble village around him. "...encouraging generosity toward the less fortunate."
Tovik's eyes narrowed slightly, but Marion quickly raised his hands. "Fear not! I am also blessed by the goddess to show her light to nonbelievers." He clasped his hands together, activating a small magic artifact hidden in his robes. A faint projection of a glowing figure appeared above him, shimmering softly.
The villagers gasped in awe, some falling to their knees.
Tovik's expression softened into a wide grin. "You can summon a god?"
"Well, yes! Ahem, sort of," Marion replied, the corners of his mouth twitching upward as he saw the tribe's reaction. This is easier than I thought, he mused. Maybe they'll donate without much fuss.
Before Marion could continue his carefully crafted speech about "donations," Tovik stepped forward and clapped him on the shoulder.
"Brother!" Tovik exclaimed, his eyes shining with excitement. "You are truly blessed! You must believe in our god, who has long been forgotten by the world."
Marion blinked, confusion flashing across his face. "I—well, that's very kind of you, but I—"
"Take him to the shrine!" Tovik bellowed.
Two burly tribesmen stepped forward, gripping Marion by the arms as he yelped in protest.
"Wait, wait, wait! I think there's been a misunderstanding! I was just passing through—!"
But the villagers were deaf to his cries, their faces alight with joy as they dragged him toward the mountain shrine.
It had been a month since Marion found himself "adopted" by the Zarynthian Tribe. Each day, they brought him to the shrine, where he was made to recite a list of the god's achievements—most of which sounded like fabrications to Marion's ears.
"And so, our mighty god, Relethis the Eternal, swallowed the stars to create the first night," the tribe's elder declared with reverence, passing an olive branch to Marion.
Marion sat cross-legged before the shrine, barely listening. He stared blankly at the branch, muttering under his breath, "Why didn't I just scam a regular village? Why did it have to be one with mountain hermits?"
Occasionally, his despair manifested in tears, which the Zarynthians mistook for divine enlightenment. "He's finally moved by Relethis's story!" they'd whisper among themselves, nodding approvingly.
Moved? Marion thought bitterly. I'm mourning my career, you lunatics!
After another month of daily "lessons" and fervent prayers, Tovik approached Marion with a new request.
"It is time," Tovik announced solemnly, "for you to summon Relethis."
Marion froze, the branch he'd been fiddling with slipping from his fingers. "Excuse me?"
"You have proven yourself a believer," Tovik continued, his tone brimming with pride. "And now, as the only one among us who can summon a god, you must call forth Relethis."
Marion opened his mouth, then closed it again. Sweat trickled down the back of his neck as he searched for an excuse. "Ah, well, summoning gods is, uh… complicated. It requires preparation! A lot of preparation."
"Take all the time you need," Tovik said warmly. "We will be here to assist."
Marion groaned internally. I'm doomed.
When the appointed day arrived, the entire tribe gathered at the shrine. Marion stood before them, sweat dripping down his back as he faced the expectant crowd.
"Alright," he muttered under his breath. "Just fake it like always. A few flashy hand gestures, some dramatic shouting, and they'll buy it."
He raised his arms and took a deep breath.
"Oh great Relethis!" he began, his voice trembling slightly. "We call upon you to return to us, your faithful servants!"
The villagers gasped in awe, their eyes wide with anticipation.
Marion waved his arms theatrically. "Abra Kadabra! Shazam! Open sesame!"
Nothing happened.
The villagers stared at him, their excitement dimming. Marion's grin faltered. Oh no. They're not buying it.
Desperate, he shouted, "Relethis, arise!"
Suddenly, the air grew heavy. The shrine trembled, and the runes carved into the walls began to glow faintly.
"What the—" Marion whispered, his eyes widening.
The ground beneath him shook, and a brilliant light filled the shrine. The villagers fell to their knees, chanting praises as the light coalesced into a form.
But when the light dimmed, what stood before them was not a radiant god, but the lifeless body of an 8-year-old boy.
Marion stared at the body, his jaw slack. "What in all the hells is this?!" he exclaimed, taking a step back.
The villagers gasped collectively, their voices rising in reverence.
"Behold!" Tovik cried. "Relethis has returned!"
Marion's face twisted in disbelief. "You're kidding me. This is Relethis? He's a kid! What kind of summoning is this?!"
The villagers misunderstood his reaction entirely.
"Brother Marion is overwhelmed by the sight of Relethis!" one whispered.
Marion pressed his hands to his face. "Why do these things always happen to me?"