?It all happened not many seasons after our last meeting. The witch came with her followers. The inhabitants of the moorland were hunting them down, so she took refuge here, in the woods, together with the few survivors. I visited them, and they reciprocated. The witch was kind, but some of her affiliates called me a "monster". I saw what was hiding within her: the nameless, and something more as well. Soon they built their homes and their temples. The witch begged me to hide them from the moor people, but I refused. So she acted on her own?

  ?From that day, the forest began to change. Whispers spread through the trees, animals behaved unusually, and humans changed profoundly. I received fewer and fewer visitors. Those who sought to destroy me disappeared, the others came back to me begging to free them. Unfortunately, there is no escape from the whispers for those who get lost in them?

  ?Over time many animals disappeared, including humans. I don't know where they ended up, perhaps they were devoured by the monsters that lurked in the forest. Finally, the moor people found them. They called themselves Tega Urok, monster hunters. They came to destroy the witch and her people. Her worshippers hid in their stone houses, but it was not enough. Many of them were slain. They prayed to me and the one who whispers alike. No one came to their rescue?

  ?Then, the witch spoke to the woods. It was… fascinating, and terrible at the same time. The forest replied. Birds, wild boars, and deer attacked the hunters. The trees twisted, their roots and trunks slithered like serpents, and enveloped and crushed the Tega Urok?

  ?I hid down here, out of fear of the whispers. Since then, I was visited once by the witch herself. She was holding a cub, and she came to thank me for allowing her people to stay. The one I was speaking to was not the same human I knew. She was different, inexplicable, even for a bizarre creature like her. She apologised for ruining the woods, but she wasn't the one talking. It was the nameless, I'm sure of it?

  ?From then on I no longer dared return to the surface. The one who whispers has claimed this place as his own. The witch, or what remains of her, gathers monsters born of her madness. Nature responds to her command, and I watch powerless?

  Salisander lay on the ground. Despite her expressionless face and inhuman voice, it was clear how those memories tormented her deeply. Kora, ignoring her feelings, knelt before her and urged for more information.

  ?You also mentioned Tuatha visitors?

  ?Oh, right. The cub… Tera, was it??

  Hearing that name, Kora sprinted forward. All her pretence of reverence towards the spirit disappeared.

  ?Tera was here?!?

  ?He was, like you before him?

  ?How long ago??

  ?Let’s see… a few moons, maybe? It's hard to keep track of time from down here?

  ?What?! Where is he now? He should already be back home…?

  The scaly creature got to her feet and trotted towards Adanara. She had a morbid and unjustifiable curiosity for her. Her myriad of antennas extended towards the witch, who backed away in disgust.

  ?Can you really free the witch and my forest from the nameless??

  ?I can, I will, but don't touch me!?

  ?Can you tell us anything else about the witch's followers??, Nene asked.

  ?No. I never saw them again. They are probably all dead. Humans' lifespan is pretty short, you know??

  ?Spirit?, Kora interjected. ?I have to find Tera. Help me?

  ?Uhm…?

  Salisandra shook her curved tail like a rattle. Her antennas reached out towards Nene and touched her silver-embroidered cape. She didn't move a muscle, terrified, praying that that being's curiosity would soon be satiated.

  ?Tera went to look for the witch?

  ?What?! Why??

  ?When he arrived, I told him the same story you just heard. After receiving my gift, he offered to fix everything. He's looking for the witch. I told him that it was impossible to save her, and dangerous to face her, but he didn't listen?

  Kora rushed towards the exit of the cave, but Salisander stretched out her tail and blocked her path. The shaman glared at her, yet she did not dare challenge the object of her people's adoration.

  ?W-why didn't you stop him??, Nila asked.

  ?I tried?

  A deep growl rumbled through the cave, like a wild animal’s. Kora had a frightening, bestial expression as she gnashed her teeth at the spirit.

  ?All you care about is getting your forest back!?

  ?Kora, what are you talking about? Tuatha and I have an agreement, don't we??

  ?I thought you cherished us?

  ?I do, but I also want to get out of here! Do you know how it feels to be locked up, in the dark, all alone? If you save the witch, we will all be happy!?

  ?If Tera is dead, I will hold you responsible!?

  The spirit withdrew her tail. A frantic, hysterical and high-pitched laugh vibrated along with her antennas as she walked towards the deepest point of her refuge. Her little body spasmed, and so did the fungal vines that adorned the vault of the cave.

  ?There are so many Tuatha, why is a single individual so important to you??

  Kora was stunned for a moment. Then, she stomped the ground in frustration and left the cave. Nene stared in disbelief at that dreamlike creature, whose behaviour resembled that of a person, but wasn’t. Did the Emissary also see mortals that way?

  ?Hey?, Adanara blurted out. ?Why don't you just take your gift back? Kora came all the way here just for that!?

  ?She'll need it if you hope to get close to the witch?, the creature replied.

  ?Tch! Those who hold power behave the same way everywhere, it seems?

  ?Oh, but I am powerful... Not as powerful as your patron, though. Am I right? When you needed him, you weren’t so picky, now were you??

  Adanara took refuge next to her sister. Nene did the same, as the darkness slowly enveloped the cave. The flames extinguished little by little. The embers on Salisandra's face glowed brighter and brighter. Cold enveloped them as an ominous hiss howled underground.

  ?Be careful what you wish for, little brat?, the spirit whispered menacingly.

  ?Let's go?, Nene suggested. ?We need to find Kora?

  The sisters nodded in unison. Before total darkness fell on the cave, they entered the tunnel that had led them there, following the light of Kora's torch.

  The sinister monolith that concealed the entrance to Salisander's hideout peered at her menacingly, a hostile signal at the front of a place where they had mistakenly hoped to find an ally. The fungal ramifications felt completely different. At first, Nene had feared that they were one of the Evil One’s creepy servants. In truth, they belonged to the spirit venerated by the Cloud Folk, her eyes and her ears, and made her feel observed by something mysterious, even mischievous.

  Kora stood still for several minutes, balancing on a single foot. Was she about to rush to find Tera? Were they about to once again witness her wild and unstoppable fury? Contrary to Nene’s expectations, the shaman entered into meditation. No one dared to disturb her, sharing the same concerns.

  ?What do we do now??, Nila asked. ?We should go back to the others, don't you think??

  ?What a bitch!?, Adanara complained. ?Why do those who have all the power always use it to their advantage??

  Nila hugged her sister, visibly furious, and managed to calm her down a little.

  ?Not everyone is like that. Dad wasn't. You’re not?

  The witch's eyes filled with tears. She met Nene's gaze, so she nodded. She was finally, firmly convinced of Adanara's good intentions, even though it would have cost her excommunication to say so out loud. Some things needed to change within the Church. Unfortunately, she was not in a position to set that change in motion, and it was not the time or place for such thoughts. She sat down across from Kora and cleared her throat.

  ?It would be wise to reunite with the Tega Urok?

  ?No?, she replied calmly.

  ?Why not??

  ?We must find the witch's hideout?

  ?It will be easier with their help, and safer?

  ?They would be a hindrance. Most people can't resist the whispers?

  The witch they were hunting was a completely different matter than Adanara, to the point that Nene suspected she was the Evil One itself. Salisander's story had accentuated her fears even more. Even if she wasn't, it certainly would have been extremely dangerous to get close to that being. Nene looked at her companions, wondering how she could keep them safe… if even possible.

  ?What do you suggest??, she asked.

  ?Adanara and I should be able to get by. You are protected by your spirit. Let's find the witch and end this?

  ?What about Nila??

  ?We should leave her behind?

  Nene nodded. She was sure Nila would protest that decision, tho. The sisters, not far away, were playing as usual, fighting amicably, while Adanara smiled through her tears.

  ?Are you worried about Tera??

  ?Yes. But I won't lose my temper this time. You have my word?

  ?Are you sure??

  ?I will follow your lead?, Kora stated. ?If I acted on my initiative, I fear I might… My emotions are very intense at the moment. I'll let you guide me. Let's save Tera together, Nene?

  She reached out and grabbed Kora's hand. The shaman opened her eyes wide and stared curiously at that gesture, perhaps unusual for her. Nene smiled.

  ?Okay. Where do you think we should start??

  ?Let's follow your instincts. You can track the witch, yes??

  Nene frowned. Kora's plan was sound, however little it appealed to her. The Archangel's blessing reacted to the presence of the Evil One: the closer they got to the witch, the more her insides would twist in disgust. Like a hound, she could have narrowed down the search area until they found her. It would have been awful, as well as dangerous, but it seemed like the only way.

  ?Fine?, she agreed. ?Let's get to work?

  ?For generations, we have considered Salisander an ally and feared your kind, yet now I feel I can rely on you rather than her. When I go back to the shrine, the elders will not be happy to hear my story. They probably won't even believe me… Thanks, Nene?

  ?I think I understand. Even "my kind" have... made mistakes, I'm afraid?

  ?Are you talking about the Church??

  ?Yes. Ever since I met the Emissary… or rather, ever since I met Adanara, my entire worldview has been put to the test and torn apart before me. But I also learned that it is possible to build a new one, however difficult it may be?

  Kora smiled. She rested a hand on Nene's. Her grip was unexpectedly delicate. On that rare occasion, she let her gentle side shine through, the same she had shown to Adanara when she welcomed her under her wing as a disciple.

  ?You have become a wise child, Nene?

  ?I'm not a... well... Thanks??

  ?I am now convinced that Jiriel is an excellent guide for you?

  ?I agree?, she admitted. ?Sometimes you wouldn't think so...?, she chuckled.

  ?The infant spirit is certainly one of a kind?

  Then, Kora became serious and thoughtful again. Nene, fearing that she was thinking back to the meeting with Salisander, tried to get her attention again by raising her voice.

  ?Nila! We have a plan!?

  Adanara ran a hand over her face and tried to compose herself. The sisters approached, and Nene summarised the discussion she had just had with Kora. Nila firmly protested the idea of ??being left behind, as expected, and would not listen to reason. Nene put the matter aside temporarily, hoping to convince her once she had located the witch's hiding place, or during the search.

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  Having gathered their small group, Nene led the way. She closed her eyes, trying to focus on her sensations. Unfortunately, the proximity of Adanara and other heretical things was disturbing her. Furthermore, she felt like her senses had partially atrophied, due to lack of training and regularly rubbing shoulders with a witch. Because of the uselessness of her abilities, they had to employ more common research methods, in the hope that the Archangel's blessing would react if they managed to get closer to the witch's den. Kora suggested following a large bundle of fungal veins that ran from the clearing towards the thick of the woods, assuming that they led to a place that Salisander must have considered of particular interest. For lack of better hypotheses, they entered the undergrowth, letting an unnatural fungus be their guide into the unknown.

  The terrain soon became steep. Short trees and thick foliage made the place suffocating. Kora made her way through the vegetation with an agility that the others could only dream of, which forced the shaman to stop several times to wait for them. Nene's cloak was such a hindrance that she considered taking it off but instead opted to twist it and tie it around her waist. Disposing of it right in the vicinity of a fearsome witch, of all places, would have been foolhardy, so she resigned to trudge forward. Soon her breathing became laboured, but out of pride and fear of the beasts that were said to plague that wood, she didn't dare suggest stopping to rest. After several minutes of walking, while Nene was tripping over yet another branch, almost falling on her face to the ground, Kora suddenly stopped. Nila turned towards her and ran over to help.

  ?Are you okay??

  Nene barely kept her balance. With Nila's help, she got back on her feet. She checked her palms for scratches but found only mud and dirt. She smiled sheepishly.

  ?Yes… I'm sorry, I'm slowing everyone down…?

  ?I see something?, Kora announced softly.

  Her serious tone brought everyone on edge. Adanara instinctively crouched among the vegetation, while Nene approached Nila just enough to hear her breathing. Kora took a long step forward, cautiously, like a predator ready to pounce. She craned her neck forward, the top half of her body disappearing into a bush. She resurfaced after a moment and turned to her companions.

  ?There's a human house up ahead?, she reported.

  ?What??, Adanara wondered.

  ?A human house?, she repeated. ?A house made of stone?

  Without waiting for a response, Kora stepped through the foliage and disappeared entirely. Nila urged Nene with a nod, then grabbed her sister by the hand and almost dragged her. They followed the shaman. From there, sunlight found its way through the trees, since the vegetation on that side was sparser. Among the thin trunks of the younger trees, in the distance, Nene recognized the profile of a rather tall and slender building, perhaps a tower, a few tens of metres away. The path gradually became easier, and the structure they had spotted became clearer and clearer in front of them. They emerged from the brush into a field of saplings and tall grass. The entire area was surrounded by a stone wall, partially collapsed and covered with vines, which demarcated the border between the forest and the refuge claimed by humans. Inside the wall, there were several small stone mounds, also mostly demolished and being reclaimed by nature. A path paved with smooth rocks, still barely emerging from the ground and grass, led to the building they had spotted from afar. Nene immediately recognized what was not a house, but looked like a church. It was a three-aisled building of light dry stone. The right aisle had collapsed, its dark grey tiled roof knocked down by a fallen tree, the trunk of which lay slanted and withered on what remained of the northern wall of the church. The bell tower, at least a dozen metres high, was empty, and the entrance had no door, giving a glimpse of the interior, although barely distinguishable from afar. Guided by impulse, she took a step forward, but Adanara held her back by grabbing her arm.

  ?Wait!?, she ordered. ?Seems fishy?

  ?Looks like a very old house?, Kora observed.

  ?It's no house, it's a church! What is a church doing here??

  ?A church??

  ?A sacred place?, Nene explained. ?It should be built on land sanctified by a priest, blessed by the Archangel...?

  ?M-maybe it's just a coincidence??, Nila speculated. ?Maybe it just looks like a church?

  ?Oh, come on!?, her sister freaked out. ?You've seen how the Tega Urok live, haven't you? No way one day they decided to build something identical to a church by chance!?

  ?I'll go check it out?, Nene announced.

  Ignoring the sisters bickering and Nila telling her to be careful, she approached the wall. It was just over a metre high, in places where it was still intact, and would not have been difficult to climb over, but something held her back: a sense of uneasiness, fueled by Adanara's correct observations. Why had they found a church in that remote forest? Who had erected a sanctuary of God so far from the Principality, in the place that, ironically, had become a den for the Evil One and its agents?

  Her thoughts were interrupted by a noise behind her. She jolted and turned around, finding herself face-to-face with Kora.

  ?I'll accompany you?, she said. ?But first, could you explain why they are so scared??

  ?Well... the Church... has been hunting Adanara for many years, I think...?

  ?Maybe I misunderstood. You said this is a sacred place for humans?

  ?Yes… I guess? The Church does not approve of the existence of Adanara. According to the teachings of the Archangel, she…?

  ?I still don't understand. She is human too?

  ?You're right, but the Church doesn't approve of her witchcraft. It’s derivative from the Evil One, the sworn enemy of the Archangel, our guide?

  Kora surpassed the wall and looked around. Then, she glanced at the sisters, still crouching in the undergrowth, before offering a hand to Nene.

  ?I remember you telling me about it. But you two are not enemies. A sanctuary should be a refuge, a place of welcome. If Adanara does not feel safe in your sanctuary, then this “Church” has failed in its purpose?

  Nene accepted the hold, pulled herself over the wall and landed in the tall grass. She heard Nila whispering something incomprehensible behind her, probably begging her to come back. She waved at her but immediately went back focusing on the surroundings, intrigued and disturbed by those inexplicable ruins. A church was the last thing she would have expected to find in that unnatural forest in the middle of the moor. She approached one of the stone heaps to inspect it. They were made of simple stones stacked in small vertical piles, nothing special about them.

  ?Are these signals??, Kora asked. ?I saw some near Kumhar. They use them to mark paths?

  ?I doubt it. Maybe…?

  An intuition struck her. She bent to the ground. She picked up the stones that had tumbled among the grass, which presumably were originally on top of the mound. Kora imitated her, although not knowing what she was looking for. They rummaged for a few moments until the shaman patted her back.

  ?Were you looking for this??

  Kora offered her one of the stones from the heap. What had attracted her attention was a sign engraved in it, in a crude manner, perhaps with a simple chisel. The cross of the Church was carved into it, the symbol of the Archangel, the definitive and irrefutable proof that they were inside the courtyard of an ancient temple.

  ?My God…?

  ?What does it mean??

  ?That… that this really is a church. In the past, people from the Principality used to bury the dead, and cover their graves with these piles of stones?

  ?Bury??

  ?Yes, this way the living could "visit" their dead, in a certain sense. The Church abolished the practice decades ago because cemeteries require a lot of space and maintenance, and according to scholars they risk spreading diseases?

  ?I see. There are many rules in your Church?

  ?You have no idea…?

  ?Do you think we'll meet other humans, then??

  ?Everything seems very old here, and abandoned?

  Nene stood up and Kora, after pocketing the engraved stone, did the same. They both looked at the entrance, or what was left of it. Among the tall grass lay some rotten wood, what remained of the ancient door. From the courtyard, they could peek inside, into the room partially illuminated by the light that filtered through the collapsed roof and the glassless windows.

  ?Shall we check inside??, Kora asked.

  ?I would like to but… will they be safe??

  She nodded towards the sisters, who were still arguing with each other. Nila cast constant, nervous glances in her direction, while Adanara protested, adamant about not wanting to get closer to the church.

  ?Give us a minute?, she said.

  She left Kora in the courtyard. The shaman began to search the ground as if looking for something. Nene climbed over the wall and returned to the edge of the undergrowth, where the sisters, crouched among the bushes, waited anxiously and restlessly.

  ?Let's get out of here!?, Adanara begged.

  ?Have you f-found anything??, Nila asked.

  ?It's a church, no doubts?, she explained. ?Those piles of stones are funerary mounds, and are marked with the cross?

  ?A cemetery? Master Ezio s-said they were banned back when he was still a child?

  ?Exactly. It must be a rather ancient church... I can't explain it?

  ?The Lightbringers, perhaps??, Adanara surmised. ?I don't want to deal with them anymore!?

  ?But…?, Nene protested.

  ?“But” my ass! We are here for the witch, not to visit churches! We are wasting time!?

  ?I'm... curious to find out what it's about?

  ?Why? Why can't you be yourself this one time? Where has the Nene of the past gone? The one that would have said "This must be the Evil One’s doing", and...?

  Adanara's state of agitation was excessive despite that bizarre discovery. Nene turned to Nila, hoping she would be more reasonable.

  ?I would feel safer with you watching my back?, she said.

  ?A-are you sure you want to go??

  ?Yes. It is... important to me?

  Adanara grabbed her sister by the shoulders and yanked her as if to awaken her from a stupor. Her face was red, her eyes were bugged and she was even trembling.

  ?Nila, no! Let's run! Please…?, she whimpered.

  ?Ada, wait!?, she blurted. ?Let me think…?

  ?I don't get it?, Nene said. ?This church is abandoned. There is no one here who can persecute you?

  The witch was on the verge of tears. She hugged Nila tightly as if to pull her away from her. She looked like a lost and furious child. Nene regretted speaking, being unaware of the emotions that were vexing Adanara.

  ?Of course, you don't understand! You don't know what it feels to be afraid of your neighbours, your friends...?

  ?Ada, everything's fine?, Nila reassured her and caressed the back of her neck. ?You are safe?

  Adanara pressed her face against her sister's chest and began to sob. Nene stood back.

  ?I don't wanna…?

  ?Shh, everything's fine. Y-you were brave, back in Dena. You overcame your f-fears to help others. You are my heroine?

  Adanara's determination to continue her father's research was admirable. In Dena, her home village, she had broken into the church to steal some holy water and, given the terror she was expressing at that moment, it must have been a monumental feat of courage for her. Nene knelt before the sisters and rested a hand on the witch's back.

  ?Forgive me?

  ?Fuck you!?

  ?I spoke out of turn. I'm sorry?

  ?Nene…w-why do you want to go in there so badly??

  ?Because I want to find out how a church ended up in this place. Isn’t that weird??

  ?Definitely, b-but what are you hoping to find out??

  ?I don't know. Since I met you, however, I have learned that the Church is very ignorant of the world, and... well... I would like to fix that. Even if it were only me, I don't want to be anymore...?, her voice trembled, and she almost whispered. ?I no longer want to be... who I was...?

  All of Adanara’s insults came back to her mind, hurting her more than ever. If in the past being called "nun", "bigoted", or "murderer" had annoyed her at most. Over time, however, those words had started to hit her from a different angle. After all, it was the truth. Out of ignorance, she had accepted a lacking dogma. Out of ignorance, she had preached said dogma and even acted in its name, going so far as to take someone's life. Questioning the teachings of the Church and discovering the truth had turned into a life purpose, and perhaps her only hope of one day feeling redeemed.

  ?Was about time...?, Adanara grumbled.

  ?I'll go alone?, she added, getting up. ?Could you wait for me here? It’ll be quick?

  ?No?, the witch replied.

  ?Ada??

  Adanara stood up. She looked at the bell tower, then took a step toward Nene. She frowned, furious. She seemed about to strangle her but suddenly sighed.

  ?I'm going with you?

  ?What??

  ?I said I'm going! Let's move, before I think again!?

  ?Ada, but... but... are you s-s-sure??

  ?Oh, come on! Quit acting! You're worried about her. And then... well, I'm curious to see what's in there too?

  Nila smiled and came out of the bushes. Adanara lost her bravado in an instant and took her hand, her lips trembling. Fearing that by hesitating further, the witch would change her mind, Nene led them into the courtyard, where Kora awaited them.

  ?Salisander's mushrooms don't dare come closer?, Kora explained. ?There is no trace of them. Something scares them away?

  ?The land on which churches are built is s-sanctified, right??

  ?That's not possible?, Nene said. ?To do so, a priest is required, someone who has received the Archangel’s blessing?

  ?Maybe there’s another way??, Adanara hypothesised. ?We were just saying a moment ago how the Church taught us lots of bullshit?

  ?Whatever it is, the flame spirit also seems interested in these ruins, but she has no eyes here?

  ?Good, I feel safer?

  The unnatural silence that dominated the grove made the ruins feel even more disturbing. Nene's footsteps, muffled by the tall grass, echoed in the ancient cemetery. The trees were watching her as silent judges, concealing an unknown threat of indefinite origin. Was she supposed to beware of the Evil One, or perhaps of Salisander? She sought comfort by turning to Nila, but both she and Adanara were on edge. Only Kora appeared relaxed. Still, she was staying behind her. Nene sighed and resigned to cross the threshold first. She peeked inside the church.

  Inside were some wooden benches, old and rotting, overgrown with moss and other plants, but mostly still arranged in neat rows. She climbed over the wooden door, which lay on the ground, its hinges rusted and torn by time, and passed through what remained of the entrance. A huge, thick spiderweb stretched across the top of the doorway, the only sign of life there. Nonetheless, she saw no spiders nor their prey, which further fueled the impression that the place was completely barren, abandoned even by the smallest of creatures. The church was rather modest. The three naves were separated by square-based columns, a couple of metres apart from each other. The branches of the tree that had knocked down the right aisle were reaching into the central nave. Daylight entered through the demolished roof. It almost looked as if it were a painting. The floor was covered in rubble and scattered tufts of grass and mould. Some areas had been hollowed out by the rain and small pools of filthy stagnant water had gathered there, spreading a marshy stench all around.

  Nene looked down the aisles before pressing on. She didn't notice anything dangerous. The central nave was full of benches, from the entrance to the altar. The lateral ones however, or what remained of them, were almost entirely bare, except for some iron candelabras being claimed by rust, and what remained of ancient shelves, reduced to little more than piles of mould. Her attention shifted to the altar, at the end of the central nave. The pulpit, reachable via a few stone steps, dominated the entire church. The lectern from which the priest used to deliver their sermons was still distinguishable, and behind it, against the stone wall, still stood a large cross, at least three metres high, made of grey, porous rock.

  ?See??, Adanara whispered. ?A church?

  Kora pointed to the cross peeking out behind the altar. Her voice echoed in the bare building, unlike that of the witch who, frightened, was whispering.

  ?It’s the same symbol from the heaps?

  Her lack of caution startled the others. Nila ordered her to be quiet. She too was frightened by that ghostly place, which represented the cause for which her family, for years, had to split and hide.

  ?Yes, it is the symbol of the Church?, Nene explained. ?I'll go check?

  She raised a hand, telling the others to wait. She advanced slowly along the walkway between the rows of benches, occasionally tripping over some debris. When she got halfway there, she looked up and gasped.

  The stone ceiling was adorned with frescoes which, unlike the rest of the church, had resisted the passage of time almost perfectly. The colours were faded, and some parts were peeling, but overall the drawings were intact. She recognized the figure of the Archangel, from the books of the Church’s libraries, His white and golden tunic with long sleeves, decorated with cross motifs, and His long silvery hair. He was depicted with a placid expression while holding a little girl under His arm. Her face was unrecognisable due to erosion but, whoever that little girl was, she was hiding in the folds of the Archangel’s clothes who, with a solemn gesture of His hand, ordered the third figure to keep its distance. In front of the Archangel's hand, curled up and dying, was a monstrous creature, a hybrid between a human being and a tree, a man with igneous features, whose face carved into the bark revealed a grimace of pain. The Church prohibited representing the Evil One. After all, its physical form was unknown, but seeing how monstrous it looked, it had to be it. Whether the author had imagined it or met the Evil One in person, she could not know. However, she found comfort in observing that the artist, albeit a heretic, had chosen to depict that very subject.

  She turned to her companions and pointed upwards. Adanara looked first and gasped. Nene continued walking towards the altar, towards the cross, eager to discover more about that inexplicable church, undeniably built and adorned by someone who knew about faith.

  It was then that her blood began to boil. Adanara's proximity had blinded her but, by putting distance between her and the witch, her senses managed to distinguish what she had trained them for all her life. Her insides twisted and she began to sweat, as she sensed the unmistakable presence of a servant of the Evil One. She looked hard but didn't notice anything. What caused her to shiver and turn her sweat cold was a noise coming from the altar.

  Deep, slow, laboured.

  Someone breathing.

  Someone… or something was hiding back there.