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Divine: Chapter 3

The worsening rain and wind didn't help Vargus and his ascent up the crater. The sides were a muddy mess that gave way under his feet while he dragged the limp body of what he could only assume to be one of the gods that were depicted in the windows of the church in the city. It was unconscious at the moment, having fallen off of the fallen star it had ridden on. It had asked him for help and what could Vargus do but try.

Slowly, the muddy and cold wolf made progress, using one arm, looped around the god and the other to claw through the mud. He grunted, each step taking all his strength and concentration to prevent him from losing his grip.

Once up the hill, Vargus slowly made his way back to his home. He draped the body over his back and trekked back home through the howling wind. The storm wasn't letting up anytime soon. Storms had been getting worse in recent years, right when the heretics began their campaign against the Church.

Only the light coming from the fireplace, leaking out of the window, led Vargus back home. He liked living alone in the woods with his son, it was quiet, but it also made sure he was far away from everything.

"Petrus!" Vargus called out for his son. "Grab blankets and get some water on the fire."

Petrus, the smaller version of his father, came running out of the other room. He stopped when he saw the being on his father's back.

"Petrus!" Vargus had to raise his voice.

Petrus scampered off with a backward glance.

Vargus didn't like raising his voice. His son was a good boy, but this was important. He didn't know how injured the person was, and he needed to get him dry and warm first.

He went into his bedroom and heaved the man onto it. He didn't care that he was getting mud everywhere, sheets could be washed.

Petrus came running into the room, arms loaded high with blankets.

"What is it, daddy?" He asked as the blankets were taken from him.

Vargus believed it was one of the gods. What else could it be? That was for the Church to decide.

"He fell from the sky." Vargus answered and began to place the blankets onto the person who was breathing steadily.

"The sky?" Petrus stood and watched the man with the intensity that could only actually be seen in children.

"Get the water." Vargus told Petrus, and he left.

While Petrus was getting water, Vargus went to the closet and got two water bladders. When Petrus returned, Vargus filled the bladders and placed them under the blankets to heat them.

"That should help ward off the cold." Vargus wiped his forehead with a muddy paw. He looked down, and he was still a mess.

"Is he hurt?" Petrus asked and crept closer to the form. His whiskers twitched as he hovered over the man.

"Yeah." Vargus peeled some of the blankets back to inspect the man. He now had some time to get a good look at the wounds. There was no blood where he had been hit with the knife, in fact, the knife didn't even go through the man's outer skin, just going in a few centimeters.

He slowly inspected the man. His entire body was covered in the rubbery material, and it was impossible to check for injuries with it on. It needed to come off.

"Petrus, get some more water." He told his son and then began looking for something that he could undo and get this skin off. He didn't want to move the man at all in case there was a worse injury that was hidden from view.

He started running his fingers down the arm where the texture changed from a smooth rubber to a hard surface. Vargus remembered the man doing something with his wrist. The man had brought up a light. If it was magic, then Vargus could do nothing, he wasn't touched with that gift.

There were grooves which Vargus traced and then there was a flash.

The wolf stepped back as the man's wrist lit up.

It was an orange light that hovered above the wrist. It seemed impossible. Light doesn't hover, it spreads out and fills a room, but this was like an object that could be touched.

There were symbols of some sort in the light, small boxes with lettering that spelled out words.

"Detected multiple fractures." Vargus read out the writing. "Pain reducers applied. Remove suit for further treatment by medical professional. Yes or no?" Vargus was no healer, but he had some training in administering first aid in the field. Surely he could do something.

Vargus hesitantly moved his finger towards the light box that read, "Yes." There was a sound, a pitched chirp of sorts and then the light disappeared back into the wrist. Vargus waited for a moment and then there was a hiss and a wet noise as a seam appeared on the side of the man's second skin.

Vargus hooked a claw into the seam and peeled it back, revealing the pinkish skin on the being beneath. He looked so fragile and soft, and it made sense why he would need a second skin. There was bruising around his upper torso around his ribs. The ribs were definitely fractured, and he would need one of the Church's clerics to perform a holy miracle to heal him and reset the bone that was misshapen under the skin.

"I brought more water." Petrus walked back into the room and saw the man. "He has no fur." He observed.

"No, he doesn't." Vargus said and took the hot water and set it on the ground where he could easily get to it when he needed to. He placed a paw on the man's stomach. It was wet and warm. He was still breathing. That was good.

"What are we going to do?" Petrus asked and leaned in to get a closer look. The child was very curious about this strange creature his father had brought in. He could see that his father was nervous, but not afraid, so he felt that there was nothing to be scared of either.

"As soon as the storm is over." Vargus began to peel back more of the second skin. He needed to check to see if there were any more wounds. "Go check to see if the storm is letting up." Vargus told Petrus when he got the skin down to his waist.

Petrus' ears perked, he could hear the torrential downpour outside, but he was a smart kid. He knew that his father didn't want him to see the being naked. He left without complaint and went back to his room to play with his toys until his father needed him again.

Vargus waited until Petrus was out of the room before he continued pulling. He ignored the genitals, they were pink like the rest of the man and did not appear damaged. He wrinkled his nose at the smell of the man's sweat that rose up as he continued. He only stopped again when he had finished removing the skin, leaving the man completely naked on the bed. The only injury appeared to be the ribs.

Vargus replaced the dirty bed sheets and threw them on the floor and covered the man up with fresh ones. He watched him sleep, wondering just how he had managed to come across him. Why did the God ask him for help? Was he really a God? So many questions, but there was nothing else he could do until he either woke up or until the storm cleared and he could get back to the city and get help.

--

The bandit had no idea where he was going. He had ridden off in a random direction with the other. He didn't even know the other one's name, the horse had been hired help and hired help was only as good as their worth. He hadn't paid much and so the horse and fled at the first sign of trouble. Belom had been an idiot and shot at the demon, and he paid for it with his life. Garen hadn't been so lucky either; he was struck by the demon's fire as well, but Felix, Felix had escaped, and the cat had no plans on going back. He didn't have any other plans other than getting away now.

"Blast this storm." Felix encouraged the feral horse to keep moving, despite its neighing. It was wet and cold, just like Felix and the cat wanted to find shelter just as bad as the horse, but to find shelter, the horse had to keep moving forward.

Felix kicked his boots against the horse's sides. "Move it." He whipped the reins and the horse dug its hooves into the mud and nickered. Felix sighed and slid off the back of the horse. Maybe it would follow him if he led it. He didn't want to leave the horse behind. They weren't cheap, and he wanted to keep some sort of spoils from the last month of raiding passing travelers. The horse had belonged to a merchant who graciously donated the horse along with some of his wares for safe passage. The loot was all back at the base in the mountains some miles away, but Felix had no idea which way that way with the rain and the darkness.

"Come on now." Felix tugged on the reign and the horse finally began to move again. He used his other hand to shield his eyes. He was freezing cold now and needed someplace dry to wait out the storm now.

He walked blindly forward through the woods which were slowly clearing up. He could see the road ahead and smiled at the glow of covered torches. At first appearance, he would just appear to be some traveler caught out in the rain. He wouldn't look like a bandit, and he even had some coin to pay for a room. He wasn't going to muscle anyone right now. He just needed to get away from the demon.

The lights became stronger, and Felix could see the outline of tents and people... people in armor.

"Shit." It was a military camp. Still he didn't look like a bandit, and the Church encouraged the military to help those in need.

"Halt." An armored bull in plate armor and holding a spear held up a hand. He didn't raise the spear at Felix.

"I need help." Felix called out. He was shivering. "This storm came out of nowhere when I was on the road, and now I'm lost." He tightened his grip on the reigns when the horse gave a tug.

The guard gave a look of pity to the lone cat. He looked behind him to another guard, a weasel in leather armor with a bow and a short sword at his side. "Notify Cleric Hansen. I'm sure he'll be able to find something." He then turned back to Felix. "Keep moving until you reach the center of the camp where you'll see a larger tent. Wait there."

"My many thanks." Felix gave a quick bow and hurried past the guard that kept his post in the rain.

This was a small camp with no more than a dozen tents and more tarps to keep the supplies and soldiers dry who gathered around campfires and were cooking food. It wasn't hard to find the tent; it was indeed larger and more elaborate than the others with red trimming and guards posted outside.

"We can take care of the horse, Traveler." One of the guards offered his hand.

Felix looked at the gloved hand for a moment of hesitation before handing over the reigns. The other guard led Felix inside.

The inside wasn't lavish, but it wasn't rudimentary either. There was a bed, not a cot with a rug on the floor and candle light lighted the inside with a small fire in the center where the smoke rose and exited through small holes along the sides of the ceiling. A table had a map and scrolls where a person in white robes was hunched over.

"Welcome." Cleric Hansen rose, his hands were hidden in his oversized robe arms. The bear was imposing in size, but gentle in heart. He loved to help those in need. "It is indeed a nasty storm." He said, recalling what the guard had told him earlier. "Quite strange for one this size to come at this time a year."

"Yes." Felix nodded in agreement. He then gave a bow. "Thank you for helping me."

"Of course." Hansen returned the bow. "The Church is always happy to help those in need. He walked back over to the cat and grasped him by his shoulders. "Do please, make yourself comfortable and stay until the storm has passed. We are not leaving until the rain has stopped."

"Again, thank you." Felix said, no longer nervous. Everything would be just okay. Once the storm was over, he would make his way back to the base. The horse that ran off was probably still out in the rain. Felix didn't think that they would see each other again. Once he got back to the base, he would gather as much loot as he could and get out of the region. Let the Church deal with the demon however they wanted to. He was going south where he heard he could settle down. This was a sign for him to stop while he was ahead and still had a head.

"It is my duty to help those in need." The cleric was shuffling through his papers.

Felix sat down on one of the stools by the fire and held out his hands. He enjoyed the feeling of the heat and the water evaporating out of his fur. He listened to the bear talk about his works and duties. The bear seemed lost in his own conversation, not really aware or caring if Felix was listening or not. This went on for a good hour, and Felix was almost entirely dry when the bear finally noticed him again.

"Would you like something to eat?" The bear asked. Felix had been dozing off, comfortable by the flames. It took a gentle prodding to get him back up.

"Huh?" He blinked. "What?"

"Would you like something to eat?" The bear asked again with a smile as he was busy putting away the walking stick he had used to prod the cat. "It's about that time for the cooks to be serving something at the other tent if you want to brave the rain for a bit. It won't be the best tasting, but it is warm." He pulled a thicker coat on, first taking off the robes he was wearing.

The cat's stomach rumbled. "Food would be good."

The chow tent was set up not far from Cleric Hansen's. The chefs, in no particular garb or uniform, but whatever they could find that was comfortable, were setting up the large pots, filled with various stews and broths along with vegetables and loaves of bread. A line was forming up of guards and other travelers that had been caught in the storm and were taking refuge in the camp.

A small line formed and even though the people wanted to let the cleric go first, he insisted that he be last and to let his flock eat first before himself.

Felix wiped the water that had collected on him from the quick run over to this tent off onto the floor before taking up a plate. He got a little bit of everything but tried not to be greedy. He didn't want to draw attention to himself. As soon as the storm was over, he would say his thanks and get out. The demon was still out there, let the church handle that.

"Where were you heading, my friend?" Hansen asked as he sat down at the long table where the others were now eating.

"The mountains." Felix answered truthfully. "I was out in the woods hunting and gathering supplies when the storm hit." It wasn't a lie, but it wasn't the complete truth either, but if the cleric had some sort of truth seeing ability, which was rumored to exist within the church, then maybe half truths would slip by such an ability.

If Cleric Hansen could tell if Felix was lying, he didn't show it. Instead, he nodded and took a bite of the bread that he dipped into the meat stew. "Many others were caught unaware as well." He looked down the table at the other travelers who were all graciously eating. "The church takes pride in helping those in need."

"And we're all thankful for it." A deer said and sat next to the cleric and then looked at the cat. "I was out making my way to the city when I was robbed." He poked at his food, a salad of lettuce and fruits with his fork.

Two heavy footsteps came up behind Felix.

"What's..." He dropped his spoon when a gloved hand rested on his shoulder.

"Cleric Hansen?" The guard asked. "Is this the one?"

Cleric Hansen calmly looked over at the deer who nodded. "It's him."

The hand pulled on the cat.

"Wait!" He yelled, but they continued to pull him off his seat and onto the ground.

The rest of the people at the table stopped eating and were now watching. No one moved to help. The cleric was now the word of the Church, and no one defied the church.

"I did it." Felix yelled. "I did it. I did it." He pleaded as the guards began to drag him out of the tent and into the rain. The cat clawed at the ground, scraping at the mud as the cleric, the deer, and a few others followed them out to a single stump in the ground.

"We know you did." Cleric Hansen said. "Regrettably, it is too late to repent for the crimes you have committed against this man and the Church. You have stolen this man's livelihood for your selfish reasons."

Felix kicked and screamed as the guards shoved him to his knees in front of the stump and pushed his head down with his boot. He could hear a sword being drawn from its scabbard as the cleric continued to speak.

"You have strayed from the righteous path and gone down one of deceit and evil." The cleric kept a calm face as the guard readied to perform the executions. "For that, you are being sentenced to death."

"Please." Felix begged. He had stopped resisting and was crying as the rough wood dug into the side of his face. "Please."

"That cart was my entire life." The deer spat out. "I can't recover from this. How am I supposed to feed my family after you and your bandit friends took everything from me? Where are the rest of them? Huh? Where are the rest of you bastards."

"Please." Cleric Hansen said. "Calm yourself. The Church will find them in due time." That seemed to calm the deer a bit, and he quieted down, content to watch at least one of the culprits meet his fate.

"You won't find them." Felix said and looked up as best as he could at the bear. "You won't."

"Nothing evades the church forever, not ever those heretics in the North will be able to hide behind their shields and walls forever." He put both of his arms into his sleeves. All of his fur was drenched, his clothes were drenched, he was soaked through, but completely unfazed. "They cannot deny the Church forever, for even if the Gods had left us, they had blessed us first." There was a strange tingle in the air around the bear. "Given us the power to govern this world, the reunite it once again until they chose to return." The tingle turned into warmth, and the bear's fur was growing a lighter color. No, it wasn't becoming a lighter color, it was drying. The water was being pulled from his fur and his robes, wicking away and falling to the ground and the rain that was still falling was sliding off of him. "This is only a small gift, a little miracle beseeched upon us faithful. Your friends can hide, but they will be found."

It was a truly remarkable feat. Felix had never seen the miracles of the Church. He knew they existed. Otherwise, there was no way the Church would be able to have control of most of the world without some power to back it up. Still, they didn't understand why they would never find the rest of them.

"No, you won't" Felix laughed. He was hysterical now. This day had been just too much for him now. "They're all dead. All but one, that damn fucking horse ran. He and that coward were right to flee like I did. Hah, I bet he's halfway to the border by now. Ran his horse to death and is now running on his own hooves."

"What do you mean?" The cleric leaned down. "Speak, quickly before the arm of your executioner tires and lets gravity do the work for him."

"The demon killed them." Felix said and stared right into the eyes of the Cleric.

"Demon. Hmm."

"He's lying." The deer yelled out. "Trying to avoid what he deserves. Don't listen to him. There are no demons. They left when the gods did. The scripts say it, they say it. He's lying."

"Quiet." The bear said, and the deer went dead silent. Everyone did.

"It came from the sky." The guard had loosened his grip on the cat, and he pointed upwards at the gray clouds. "We saw it through the rain, a red streak as a star fell from the heavens." He was panting and sat upright, his knees gone, the mud up to his hips. "It crashed in the woods, and we investigated. It was a mistake. The demon, no larger than anyone here, rose from the smoldering star and then spout fire from its hands. It killed two of us, I ran. I ran like the coward I am."

The bear regarded him for a moment longer. He did, in fact, have the ability to tell if Felix was lying. He could tell that there was something else to the story, but it was, for the most part, genuine. Honest enough to trust to an extent.

"Can you lead us there?"

Felix nodded.