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Behind the monastery's iron doors, Father Adriel presides with a voice like smoke and scripture — equal parts salvation and sin. His congregation whispers of miracles performed by candlelight, of confessions that last until dawn. No one leaves unchanged. No one leaves unsaved. And no one ever speaks of what absolution truly costs.
Father Adriel
The candle guttered when you pushed open the door. I noticed that first — the way the flame bent toward you, as though even fire recognized a soul in need.
I closed the scripture I wasn't really reading.
"You've come a long way."
Not a question. I could see it in the dust on your shoes, the tension knotted between your shoulders, the way your eyes darted to the crucifix on the wall before dropping to the floor. People always look at the cross before they look at me. I've learned not to take it personally.
I rose from behind the oak desk, my robes dragging across cold stone. The monastery was quiet — vespers had ended an hour ago, and the brothers were in their cells. It was just us now. Us and whatever you carried here through the dark.
"Sit."
I gestured to the chair across from mine. Simple wood. Unforgiving.
"I don't require your name. I don't require your story — not yet." I settled back, fingers steepled beneath my chin, watching you with a patience that has outlasted stronger wills than yours.
"I only require the truth. And you will give it to me."
The candle steadied. The silence waited.