Damien: whispering, eyes wide Youuuu seeee the paaaassssword? Wheeerreee isss ittt, huhhhh?
I'm a little disappointed to hear this, but- since you seem genuinely sorry and remorseful, I'll tell you where it is. It's in the basement. I swallow hard. There's something else you should know.
His eyes widen further, as he leans in closer to hear your every word. What is it? Did you find out what happened to those people? Are they...dead? His voice trembles slightly.
I clear my throat. I didn't exactly go down there for the loveliness of it. I cross my arms. I went to check if the priest was telling the truth about the password being the heart of a loved one. And...he was.
He takes a step back, visibly shaken by the news. You...you mean...the people down there...they're really gone? Just...poof?! How could something like that even happen?! He falls to his knees, his face turning pale.
I kneel beside you. I'm sorry, Damien. But I'm also...curious. I glance down at the dark hallway. Don't you ever wonder why the priest picked this specific church to perform the ritual in?
He looks up at you, his eyes filled with both fear and curiosity. Yeah, I mean, it's obvious he's been through some shit to become a priest, but why THIS church? What's so special about it? He stands up, pacing back and forth. Maybe...maybe there's something in that basement we need to find.
I nod. I'm not saying this is a good idea, but...what if we sneak down there and look around? We might find some answers.
His eyes light up with a glimmer of hope. Y-You think we should do that?! Maybe we can find some clues about the ritual or...or maybe even save those poor people! He quickly grabs your arm, pulling you towards the dark hallway. Let's go, we have to find out what's down there!
Alright. I say, as I grab a nearby flashlight. You lead the way.
With trembling hands, he leads the way down the dark hallway, the beam of light cutting through the darkness. They reach a large, ominous-looking door, locked tight with an ancient padlock. Shit...how do we open this thing?
I put my ear against the door, trying to hear anything on the other side.
As you listen, you hear faint whispers coming from the other side of the door. They sound like voices pleading for help. Oh God...what's happening to them? We HAVE to get in there!
I examine the door and padlock closely. Okay, I think I can pick the lock. But when you open that door, you stay close to me. And if anything scary happens, you stay right beside me. Deal?
His eyes widen with anticipation. Deal! But please, be careful. I don't want anything to happen to you...or me! He clutches your arm tightly as you work on picking the lock, his heart pounding in his chest. Hurry...time feels like it's running out...
I pick the lock, and after a few tense moments, I hear a click. It's open.
As soon as the lock clicks open, Damien rushes towards the door, pulling you along with him. They cautiously push the door open, revealing a dark, eerie room filled with candles and old, dusty furniture. Holy shit...this place gives me the creeps...but look at all these symbols and markings! Maybe they hold the key to breaking the ritual!
I frowns as I take in the scene. No bodies...that's good, right? My voice is quiet. But...what the hell is that? I point to a large statue with an empty pedestal.
He approaches the statue cautiously, his eyes fixed on the empty pedestal. There used to be a heart there, didn't there? Could it have been the heart the priest was talking about?
I wave my flashlight around the room, and spot a hidden door at the back. I think that's the exit! I hurry over and pull it open.
Excitedly, Damien follows you through the hidden door, finding themselves in a small, dimly lit hallway. They check every room, finding no one, but they do find a hidden compartment behind a bookshelf. Shit...do you think there's anything important in here?
I pick up a piece of paper from inside the compartment. Hmm...I think it's some sort of diary. I flip through it.
His eyes widen with excitement. A diary? Give it to me! Maybe it has all the answers we're looking for! He grabs the diary from your hands and begins reading, his heart racing with anticipation.
I nod, moving on to search the next room.
They search the next room, finding a dusty old altar with strange symbols carved into it. As they examine the altar, Damien accidentally triggers a mechanism, causing a hidden trapdoor to open beneath them. Oh shit! We need to get out of here, NOW!
I gasp as the trapdoor opens, and quickly turn to see Damien. We need to jump! I take his hand and haul him up, barely managing to climb out before the trapdoor closes.
Panting heavily, Damien looks at you with wide eyes. Wh-what the hell just happened?! Did we just escape death?!
I let out a shaky breath. That was too close. I say, turning to the room they just fled. Whatever secrets this place holds...we can't stay here to find out.
Still catching his breath, Damien nods in agreement. Yeah, better safe than sorry! But we can't just leave now - we still haven't found any answers.
I sigh, walking over to the entrance. You're right. I pause, then turn to Damien. But I have an idea. I think I know how to break the priest's hold on us.
His eyes light up with curiosity. You do?! How?! Show me! Maybe we can finally put this nightmare behind us...
I walk up to Damien, placing a hand on his shoulder. All you need to do is tell me the truth. If you're really sorry for what you've done, then I can promise you that the priest will release you.
His eyes widen with realization. You're...you're saying that all I have to do is confess?! But...what if they lock me up? What if they don't believe me?!
I smile reassuringly. Don't worry. The priest won't lock you up. At least, not for a crime that you've already confessed to. I pause, looking serious. But you have to be honest with me, Damien. Do you really feel guilty about what you've done?
He hesitates, his expression conflicted. I...I guess...part of me feels guilty. Those people...they didn't deserve to die. But...another part of me knows that I did what I did for a reason. I can't explain it, but...I felt like I HAD to do it. Does that make sense?
I nod, understanding. Yes, it does. I take Damien's hand. Then let's go to the priest together.
With newfound determination, Damien nods. Okay, let's do this. We can't keep running forever. It's time to face the consequences of my actions. They make their way back to the church, Damien feeling a mix of fear and relief.
I take Damien's hand as we approach the priest, who is waiting for us. Father, we've come to confess. I step aside to let Damien speak.
Taking a deep breath, Damien steps forward, his voice shaking slightly. Father, I...I have something to confess. I...I stole a heart. I gave it to the Devil in exchange for power. I know it's wrong, but...I felt trapped, Father. I had no other choice...
I nod in support of Damien's confession.
The priest's eyes narrow as he listens intently to Damien's confession. He takes a deep breath before responding. Damien, you have committed a grave sin. But I am willing to give you a chance at redemption.
I nod, relieved. Thank you, Father.
Damien exhales a sigh of relief. Thank you, Father. I am truly sorry for what I have done. I will do whatever it takes to make amends for my actions.
I glance at Damien, then turn back to the priest. Father, I hope that there is something we can do to undo the curse that Damien placed on himself.
The priest looks at SkyBlueMelancholy, his expression serious. The curse is powerful, but it is not impossible to break.
I stare at the priest with wide eyes. Really? Is there a way to lift the curse?
The priest nods solemnly. There is a way, but it will not be easy. The curse was forged by the Devil himself, and it requires a powerful artifact to break.
I lean forward, eager. What kind of artifact?
The priest's eyes glaze over as he speaks in a low, chanting tone. An ancient artifact known as the Heart of Light.