Backlund, Rose Street.
It was a rather quiet night. The smog from the surrounding industries covered the full blood moon like a blanket, while orange-lit lamps and windows illuminated the stone streets faintly.
Near a certain small church of Earth Mother, a bearded man with a brown coat and top hat nonchalantly stepped down from the carriage—completely unnoticeable.
He adjusted his glasses as he tapped the ground with his cane, signaling to the carriage driver that he could've left.
Clop! Clop!
As the running sounds of the horse faded along with the vibrations coming from the wooden wheels, the bearded man slowly walked towards the entrance of the golden cathedral.
He then stopped for a moment, staring at the Sacred Emblem of Life that was engraved on its outer wall. After feeling a surge of nostalgia that he couldn't quite place due to its surrealist nature.
He stepped inside of the cathedral, phasing through the main entrance.
It looked very similar to how he first entered this place. Rows of pews were arranged neatly, there was a large Sacred Emblem of Life at the front, lit candles orbited the sacred emblem.
And…
There was an extremely tall man, likely in his forties, sitting in the front pew. He had a bishop's attire, including its bonnet.
He had his wrinkled eyes closed tight as his hands were clasped together. He pressed them to his chin. This entire action looked pure and holy, a stark contrast to his oppressive aura due to his build.
The bearded man however, kept stepping through the walkway as pews were lined to the side of him. His steps were soundless, despite the entire inside of the cathedral being empty.
As he approached the tall bishop, he said softly, "Are you Father Utravsky?"
The bishop's eyes then opened suddenly, revealing light blue orbs.
He looked to his side and saw a bearded man who had quite a soft and scholarly temperament. He looked similar to a private detective.
Bishop Utravsky's eyes widened slightly, as if he was a little shocked. Then, he narrowed his eyes softly as he replied, "Yes, I am."
"Have you come to me to appreciate the Earth, to accept the faith of life; the Earth Mother? 'She' welcomes all who repents and confesses their sins."
The bearded man only smiled as he responded, "No. I already have my faith in my Lord."
Without hesitating, he continued, "I would like to know why a Feysacian like you would believe in Earth Mother."
Bishop Utravsky paused for a while. But after looking at the man's warm expression, he then began to explain his backstory.
He explained how he committed a serious crime, how he was a ruthless, powerful pirate. He explained how he converted to Earth Mother before he truly fell into despair, how he is working tirelessly in his faith to make amends for his ruthless past…
Then, he locked his gaze on the bearded man as he asked, "Why are you here?"
"You have a request right? And the reward is the Apothecary formula?" The bearded man replied.
Bishop Utravsky paused for a few seconds before affirming the question. "It's true. I'm not sure where you got that information from, though."
The bearded man chuckled.
"Heh. And, is the request that you have involves a person killing the old you?"
Bishop Utravsky's eyes widened once more. This time, his shock was even more apparent. All sorts of questions appeared in his head, with each of them involving one main subject:
"Who is this man exactly?"
As if the bearded man wanted to ease the bishop's emotions, he merely said:
"I'm able to fulfill your request. I don't want the reward either."
Bishop Utravsky paused again. He closed his eyes as he said, "I don't know who you are, or if you have any ulterior motives. But if you truly are able to fulfill my request, then so be it."
Soon after, he then began to explain how he had tried and failed to kill his old self, one that was tainted by crimes and bloodshed. He even mentioned how he was able to find a suitable method to solve his problem, but without someone to execute it.
The bearded man, despite already knowing all of this information, didn't interrupt the Bishop. He only smiled as he gazed warmly.
Then, after Bishop Utravsky had finished explaining this, he said, "I take it that you don't need any help or any extra information to execute my past self?"
The bearded man praised the Bishop in his head. "Father, you are quite observant as always…"
Immediately after he had such thoughts, he nodded, affirming Bishop Utravsky's assumption.
He then added, "I don't need you to use your mystical item also."
Bishop Utravsky only smiled faintly. It was one of excitement, relief, and anticipation.
Then, in Bishop Utravsky's eyes, he saw the bearded man smile as the entire cathedral succumbed to darkness, as if the candle-lit flames had finally given up.
Then, just as quickly, everything had returned back to normal. The bearded man still stood there, and the lit candles were still present around the Sacred Emblem of Life.
His wrinkled face had a shocked expression as he finally began to process everything. Then, in an instant, sweat began to form on his face as he suddenly went down on the ground, with only his knees supporting him.
He then leaned forward with a bent back. Then, his hands were clasped as he used them to hold his dripping tears.
It was as if each tear and symbolized his spirit being freed.
"I don't know what you did…but thank you."
The bearded man only held his top hat.
"It's no problem. This is only the work of my Lord."
While still looking at his hands, Bishop Utravsky muttered as he asked, "What is your name? And who is your Lord? Is it one of the orthodox deities?"
"My name is Sherlock Moriarty." The bearded man said softly. "As for my Lord, 'He' is not one of the orthodox deities."
"Instead, 'He' is the mysterious ruler that rests above the Spirit World."
"As for 'His' name, you can call 'Him' The Fool."
Bishop Utravsky then stood up gently after a silent pause. His towering figure turned towards the bearded man as he repeated his words.
"The Fool?"
The bearded man nodded.
Bishop Utravsky stayed silent as he pondered on the mysterious man's words. He wiped his tears in the process. Then, he said, "Thank you for coming here. Even though my faith will eternally rest within Earth Mother, I will have to thank The Fool."
The bearded man smiled in response as he slowly walked away, leaving Bishop Utravsky to walk up to the Sacred Emblem of Life. At that moment, he spread his arms out wide as he chanted, "Praise you, Source of Life!"
"Praise you, Mother of All Things!"
…
In a particular basement below the Harvest Church.
A man sat quietly on the somewhat hardened bed, his legs crossed in an almost feminine manner. His face was illuminated slightly by the flickering candle light placed by the mirror.
His red eyes stared with a frustrated expression at the stone door. This was apart of his routine—something he had found comfort in knowing that he couldn't have made or interacted with his dolls.
Along with his red eyes were black hair that was parted 70/30. He looked cute yet handsome at the same time, giving an almost feminine aura.
This was none other than Emlyn White.
"How long is this going to take…does that damn Bishop truly think that I'll be in here forever, hoping that I'll convert to Earth Mother?"
"Ha! He wishes! My faith will always rest with the Ancestor!"
Of course, he had learnt to talk to himself to cope with being trapped in the basement.
Then, as he continued to stare at the stone door, he suddenly saw a figure appear, leaning in front of it.
Confused, he raised an eyebrow as he leaned forward slightly.
"Am I seeing things? I'm certain that door was never open…"
Then, as the figure became clearer, he saw a bearded man with a brown coat and a top hat. He looked like a private detective—a little unkempt and messy but still giving off a scholarly demeanor.
His glasses gleamed despite there being no source of light.
With a smile, the man pointed his cane at Emlyn as he said, "Friend, I can help you get out."
"But there is one condition."