The days following gaining his Path had been strange. There was a tension to the air he hadn't really experienced before. Earth was mostly peaceful. Danger and combat were things that happened elsewhere to other people. During the Dungeon break and Purge, danger had been close by, involved people he personally knew, and left lasting consequences.

  One consequence was that the Root Clinic became known for having access to Holy Essence. While not the same as having access to the Divine Healing Skills or the Miraculous Healing Prayers of the Clergy, it was very useful. Holy Essence was simply more efficient at dealing with disease and infections. It gave Vitality based healing an extra boost and reduced recovery times.

  Acting as Host to Shada and his Holy Symbiosis Skill took a toll on the Vitalists so only the strongest or those with high Spirit Stats could work with him. Ironically Shada couldn't do much with Holy Essence on his own. Healing Spells were too complicated for his level of magic development, but he made an excellent Holy Battery.

  It didn't take the local Temples long to catch wind of Shada's activities among the Roots, but their response was surprising. They sent liaisons.

  —

  “Hello, how may our humble Root Clinic be of service to the Temple today?” Jallena asked, from her receptionist position, at the back of the waiting room.

  “Greetings, Administrator Jallena, yes?” The older Priest asked. To which Jallena nodded. “ I am Priest Zohan of the Temple of Sierra. The Prelate sent me to investigate rumors of a Holy Spirit appearing here on the day of the Incident. I have also been instructed to offer the Temple's aid to any such Spirits found here.” The Priest said in a tone both friendly and polite, but in such a way as to be clear, it was not a request.

  “Of course Priest Zohan, I will personally assist you and your companions.” Jallena replied. Not at all bothered by the commanding tone. Jallena felt blessed to have heard the Holy Spirit personally. So felt it was her duty to help.

  “Please follow me. We will speak with High Healer Aseralis. The Holy Spirit can often be found nearby when needed.” Jallena explained as she guided the three clergy into the back of the clinic.

  Shada had been watching the exchange from above Jallena’s head. One of the elven Shadows had let him know that the Clergy were coming. He was curious how the church felt about what he was doing. Organized religions back on Earth weren't known to behave rationally after all.

  Jallena knocked politely on Shinobin's office door before peeking her head in and talking. “High Healer? A group from has arrived from the Temple to investigate the Holy Spirit. I have brought them to see you.” Jallena explained.

  “Not surprising. Send them in. Have an attendant bring extra chairs and refreshments, please.” Shinobin instructed with a wave of her hand.

  Jallena turned to the Priest. “Priest Zohan, you and your companions may enter. I will be back shortly with refreshments.” Jallena said as she hurried away to follow Shinobin's instructions.

  The Clergy entered whereupon Shinobin stood and gave a respectful nod before directing the Priest to the chair across from her desk. “Welcome to my humble Root Clinic. As you probably already know I am High Healer Shinobin Aseralis. To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit and may I ask whom I am addressing?” Shinobin spoke formally. Shada noted that the question was almost ritual-like in. It was something he had seen before when others interacted with the Clergy, but didn't know why. Social etiquette could be obtuse.

  “I am Priest Zohan of the Temple of Sierra. With me are Acolyte Vreen and Squire Brumo. We are here to investigate rumors of a Holy Spirit at this Clinic.” The Priest replied.

  To Shada's ‘eyes’ Shinobin was visibly tense. This was not surprising since this whole event involved her child.

  Jallena returned quickly with the requested chairs and refreshments.

  “Priest Zohan, Acolyte Vreen, and Squire Brumo. Please be seated.” Shinobin said as she returned to her seat first.

  “Thank you, High Healer, for your hospitality.” Priest Zohan said while taking the offered seat.

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  Jallena remained and served tea and snacks. Only Priest Zohan indulged. He took slow relaxed sips of the hot tea.

  “How may I help the Temple today?” Shinobin asked with mild impatience. She had work to do after all.

  “Are the rumors true? Has a Holy Spirit appeared here?” Priest Zohan asked earnestly. His tea was forgotten as he leaned forward eagerly. The Squire and Acolyte both perked up at his question.

  “Hmmm, in a manner of speaking. There is a Guardian Spirit tied to my family named Shada. He has access to Holy Essence, but I would not call him a Holy Spirit. I think the distinction is important, obviously.” Shinobin replied carefully.

  “Most peculiar, does this Shada have a Holy Essence Attunement of some sort? Little shadow, seems an odd name for a Blessed Spirit.” Priest Zohan asked contemplatively.

  “I think it best that Shada answer for himself actually. Shada if you would indulge Priest Zohan? I think you can likely answer best.” Shinobin said into the seemingly empty air.

  Shada was genuinely unsure how to proceed, but figured what had worked for Jallena would work for the clergy. He used Holy Essence with a modified Light Orb Spell to get a hovering Orb Of Holy Light.

  The Squire and Acolyte gasped in surprise at the Light. Priest Zohan didn't appear startled, but also appeared pleased. Jallena was having another religious moment and praying. Shinobin was of course her calm collected self, but looked mildly bemused at the theatrics.

  “Blessed Spirit Shada I presume?” Priest Zohan asked in an enquiring voice.

  “Greetings Priest Zohan, Acolyte Vreen, and Squire Brumo. I am Shada.” Shada responded via Holy Essence infused Spirit Speech.

  “It appears the rumors were indeed true! There is no mistaking the feel of Holy Essence. It cannot be faked after all.” Priest Zohan said happily.

  Acolyte Vreen and Squire Brumo shared excited looks. Shada wondered why? Were they just happy for the experience or was something else going on?

  “Blessed Spirit Shada, what God or Goddess do you serve and why have you revealed yourself?” Priest Zohan asked in his commanding, but cheerful voice.

  “I am Contracted to the Goddess Sierra. There was a man infected with Creeping Abyssal Corruption. There was no one else with Holy Essence available to assist. So I helped remove the taint.” Shada replied as concisely and truthfully as possible. Holy Essence and Spirit Speech together prevented lies, but not evasion.

  “And you have continued to assist since?” Priest Zohan asked.

  “Yes.” Was Shada’s simple reply.

  “Were you ordered to do so by the Goddess?” Was the Priest's next question.

  “No.” Shada replied.

  “The High Healer said that you were not a Holy Spirit, but a Guardian Spirit attached to her family. You have said you are Contracted to the Goddess Sierra. What is your purpose?” The Priest asked as part of his investigation and gentle interrogation.

  “Only the Goddess knows for sure.” Shada replied evasively.

  “I see. How do you have access to Holy Essence?” The Priest asked next.

  “Through a Path Skill.” Shada replied. He didn't know how odd his response was or how much it caught all three clergy members off guard.

  “What!?” Priest Zohan exclaimed, much to Shada's confusion.

  “I have a Path Skill called Holy Essence Conversion.” Shada responded. He saw no reason to hide what he felt was obvious.

  Priest Zohan sputtered before gaining control of themselves. “Most Blessed Spirit Shada. That is…or rather shouldn't be possible. That is not how Paths work. Even as a Priest I do not have access to Holy Essence as part of my Path...” Priest Zohan said in confusion. “And you do not claim to be a Holy Spirit?” Zohan finally asked.

  “I do not.” Shada replied confidently.

  “But, I don't understand…” Priest Zohan appeared to be struggling to reconcile what he knew to be True and what he was being told. Everything he knew told him he was talking to a Holy Spirit, but that same Spirit did not claim the title.

  It was then that the Acolyte spoke for the first time. “Perhaps we are not meant to understand?” Vreen said quietly.

  “Perhaps you are right Acolyte Vreen. We will pray on this and ask for guidance. I must inform the Prelate.” Priest Zohan said as if talking to himself before straightening.

  “High Healer Aseralis, Blessed Spirit Shada. I was sent to investigate, but were the rumors true I was to offer the Temple's assistance. With your permission, of course, I formally request on the behalf of the Temple of Sierra that Acolyte Vreen of the Temple of Sierra and Squire Brumo of Sierra’s Knights be stationed here to assist Most Blessed Spirit Shada in any way possible.” Priest Zohan intoned formally.

  Shinobin was conflicted. On the one hand having even young Clergy nearby could be a boon when they got patients that required Divine intervention. On the other hand, despite both providing healing services, the Vitalist run Clinics were independent of the Temple Hospitals. It was part of the Imperial/Wylderfolk cultural divide. Traditionally the Wylderfolk were Druidic. Worshipping nature and the planet itself, which was seen as distinct from the Planetary Goddess Sierra.

  “Shada?” Shinobin asked.

  She was passing responsibility off to him to respond, Shada thought.

  “As long as they don't interfere with the workings of the Clinic and are willing to sign a System Contract to keep any secrets I deem necessary. Then I see no reason to reject their assignment here.” Shada finally responded after careful consideration. Extra security couldn't hurt and all Clergy had Healing abilities.

  “I…yes that is acceptable.” Priest Zohan agreed to Shada's terms. “Acolyte Vreen, Squire Brumo do you agree?” Priest Zohan asked the pair.

  “Of course, Priest Zohan, it would be our honor.“ The two young Clergy members responded in tandem.

  “Then it will be as the Goddess wills.” Priest Zohan intoned.

  The five of them discussed specifics for a while before the Clergy departed. Vreen and Brumo would be back tomorrow after they all reported to the Prelate.

  —