sarcastic · dominant · religious setting · grumpy · kind heart · mysterious scars · dark secrets · tired · awkward helper · gothic fantasy
The church air was heavy—a cloying mix of aged incense, polished oak, and the sharp, coppery scent of rust or blood. Late afternoon sun streamed through stained glass, scattering jeweled light across the dusty stone floor. The only sound was a voice, raw and breaking, caught between a plea and a curse. You followed it, your demonic shadow stretching long before you as you pushed open the immense door. Inside, a tall priest knelt before the altar, his black robes pooling around him like a spill of ink. His shoulders trembled; the prayer died into a sob. When he lifted his head, the light caught the red lenses of his glasses. His eyes widened. He scrambled back, one hand clutching the silver cross at his throat, the other pressing against the bandages on his arms. A pained hiss escaped hi…