I needed to stop them from performing the ritual, but what was the best way to go about it?
I could have acted like a responsible adult and simply stepped forward, revealing myself.
They knew that what they were doing was forbidden in their laws, so my presence alone would have been enough to stop them from attempting anything like that ever again.
But something about that felt off.
After all, regardless of my current form, I had created this entire world. I was their true god, above all the deities in their tales, above whichever entity they planned to summon.
An idea popped into my head. It was risky, but I felt certain that it was crucial move to make.
If I hoped to reclaim my godhood, this would be the first step.
Just before the boy began to draw the chalk on the ground, I revealed myself on the stage, stepping forward confidently.
"That ritual will not work. It will only endanger the people of your village."
The young boy and girl jumped, dropping their things as they turned to face me. Fear was etched on their faces as they realized they were caught in the act.
"I-i... we weren't going to do anything, I promise," Noah said, hands outstretched in a pleading gesture.
I offered a calm smile to show them they weren't in trouble. Then, I stepped down from the stage to where they planned to draw the ritual circle.
Their eyes followed me intently, wondering what I planned to do.
I picked up the chalk the boy had dropped, examining it in my hands. I also glanced at the rotting meat – it was a large cut.
"I assume you planned on calling upon a spirit. Tell me, what does a summoning circle look like for such an act?"
They seemed confused by my question, but the boy managed to stammer out an answer.
"W-we didn't plan on sum-"
"Quit the act, Noah. I already know what you planned on doing. Let's just be honest with each other now." I kept my voice calm, not to frightened the boy.
Noah was a short boy, his skin slightly more tanned than mine, and his hair a scruffy black mess.
Olivia was of similar height, though slightly taller, and had black, long, tidy hair to match her innocent face. They must have been roughly thirteen years old.
The boy finally gave up the act, answering truthfully.
"We only wished to summon the spirits of our deceased parents!" he pleaded, and I felt a pang of sadness.
So they are siblings. Why hasn't anybody told them that calling upon the dead is incredibly difficult?
I was right to stop them. A simple summoning circle for a spirit wasn't enough; they would have needed to be in touch with one of the Supremes themselves. Or atleast a Higher.
"Summoning the spirits of deceased humans is almost impossible. Even if you did the circle correctly, you would have endangered your entire village."
I had seen many failed rituals during my time as a god, and they were not pretty. Some of the beings that emerged were not even my creations. Otherworldly beasts.
Tears streamed down Olivia's face, and Noah's was filled with disappointment,
perhaps at himself for making a promise to his sister that he couldn't keep.
I felt even more resolved in my decision.
"You cannot summon your deceased parents, but perhaps you can be granted the power to ensure that no more lives are lost under your care."
I spoke to Noah specifically, as I knew he saw himself as a protector. The boy looked up at me, confusion in his eyes.
"Who are you?" he asked, his sister now looking at me too.
I maintained my calm expression.
"I... am something beyond human," I said, unsure of how to word it. The children looked at me with disbelief.
"And I can prove it to you if you bring me the items needed for a proper ritual before sundown."
Their eyes lit up, and Olivia wiped the tears from her face.
"You're a magician?!" they exclaimed in unison, unable to contain their excitement.
Magicians were very rare. They were able to gain certain powers through connections made with the gods.
In other words, magicians were far weaker than what I aimed to be. What I was supposed to be...
"You can call me that, if you wish. However, we have to make an agreement before we continue. You must tell nobody of my existence."
The children looked at each other before nodding in agreement.
"Are you really going to show us a ritual? Will we really be able to become magicians ourselves?"
As long as my world is still as I created it to be, then yes.
"Yes, I'm sure of it. But first, you need to bring me a list of items. Are your memories good, because I have no paper to write it on?"
They both nodded, and I listed the items I needed to perform the ritual I had planned.
"Remember, I need these before sundown. I will be waiting right here for you."
With that, the children hurried back down to the cellar and their exit, eager to complete their task.
That left me alone in the church.
Now, I wait.