I waited for what felt like hours, almost to the point of falling asleep—something I hadn't experienced in a long time, thanks to my godhood.
I was worried someone might enter the church, but I remained resolute in my mission.
Then, I suddenly felt the earth rumbling beneath me. It wasn't a terrifying rumble, but it definitely shook the ground, and I heard it cause panic outside of the church.
The vibrations lasted for roughly ten seconds before slowly subsiding.
What in gods name was that?
Of course, there had been many quakes in my world, due to how closely I'd modeled it after Earth. But perhaps this was for a different reason?
Volo could probably create such a rumble if he wished, but why?
Suddenly, I heard footsteps coming up the stairs from the cellar. I wondered if I should hide in case it wasn't the children, but if I seemed afraid, it would ruin the image I was trying to create.
"We've got your things," I heard Noah call from the staircase as he and his sister emerged with their pouches full.
I could smell the aroma of herbs and flowers.
So they succeeded.
The items weren't difficult to gather. If the herbs couldn't be found in the wild, then a herbalist, apothecary, or traveling merchant would have them.
There were other things they needed to bring as well, and from the fullness of their pouches, I could tell they had everything.
What was most important, though, was the presence of the two children.
They came over and emptied their pouches on the stage, revealing everything I wanted to see. I flashed them a smile, and they both beamed with pride.
"Well done, children. Looks like we can begin."
They sat on the stage as I began to construct the ritual. The stained glass windows told me the sun had begun to set, meaning I needed to be fast.
First, I picked up a small stone slab and a clay bowl and placed the slab on the floor with the bowl on top of it. This would serve as a small altar.
I then picked up the flask of pure water from a natural spring and poured it into the clay bowl until it reached the rim.
I felt the children's gazes on me. It was surely the first time they'd witnessed such a thing. Rituals were spoken of in tales but were prohibited for common people in most nations.
But even if they were allowed, they would never have seen this ritual before. I was the only person alive who had.
"What is your name, magician man?" Olivia asked with her innocent voice. The title made me laugh.
"Adam," I said as I picked up the flowers and herbs and placed them in a wide circle around the altar.
They were all herbs and flowers with different properties, all known to me, as I was the one who created them.
"I'll need one of you to stand inside the circle," I said, and Noah came over and did as I asked.
This was the most important part of the ritual, impossible to do without him. It was even better that he was only a child.
Lastly, I stepped inside the circle myself, went to the clay bowl, dipped my finger in the pure water, and drew a circle on my forehead.
I couldn't see the children's faces as my eyes were now closed, but I was sure they thought I was crazy.
Then, I spoke the words of an ancient language.
"Lantis, bandia iachais, eistig liom."
(Lantis, goddess of healing, hear me.)
It only took a moment for the ritual to take effect. As I opened my eyes, the pure water within the bowl began to rumble.
The two siblings watched in disbelief.
"It's actually working!" Noah shouted, and I gestured for him to leave the circle, which he did.
Then, suddenly, the world began to shift around us. A warmth filled my body and the children's bodies, relaxing me as a bright, ethereal essence began to float around the church.
The essence coalesced above the water, creating a striking humanoid form. I watched its formation, my tiredness fading during the process.
As I had expected.
After a few moments, the form was complete.
Floating impossibly above the bowl of water was the body of a woman, made from the golden-white essence. She was one of the most beautiful beings I had ever seen.
Her golden hair flowed down to her feet. Her face was masterfully sculpted, and her body was statuesque. She wore no clothes, as her body was barely materialized, just pure magic.
Then her eyes opened, and she turned to me, a soothing smile on her face. I saw the siblings' jaws drop as they clung to each other in a mix of fear and joy.
Regardless, I could tell they were pleasantly surprised.
"Blessings, Lantis," I greeted her with a bow, despite being the one who created her. She did not know who I was; I was not in my true form.
"Thank you for calling upon me, my child," she spoke, her voice soft and graceful.
"There must be something special about you. I have been forgotten and abandoned long before your time. How do you know of my existence?"
I had summoned Lantis, an ancient higher god who used to be the worshipped god of Enstead, long before Volo, who worshipped now worshipped the Higher Urbur.
I knew she would ask this, and I had an answer prepared, based on a half-truth.
"You have not been completely forgotten, Lantis. There are still ancient texts written by Malitayse that speak of your time worshipped by Enstead. She mentions how much of a crucial role you played in the prosperity of the region. Her worshipping you was when Enstead was at its best, and now I wish to follow in her footsteps."
The lore I spoke of was all true; after all, I watched it unfold. My memory may not be perfect, but this event played a crucial role in the structure of the southern region of my world.
I considered revealing my true nature to her, but I decided against it. It could lead to many complications, especially if she refused to believe me.
But further down the line, all would fall into place.
Hopefully.