The real campaign begins

- Empty…? - Kai murmurs.

Within the gate, a well-cared garden is accompanied by a pond, decorative rocks, and a small red bridge. At the center of the property is a church. Different from the one they saw before, it is in way better shape. Although no one is in sight, the inside of the church is impeccably clean and organized. Carved figures of what seem to be angels and saints decorate the structure, while multiple stained-glass windows tell the story of Christ's crucifixion.

- If there was any doubt before, this confirms it. It’s one hundred percent a Christian building - Nicholas points out.

- Interesting, I lived most of my life travelling the world, and I never saw a place like this before - Lirika inspects her surroundings.

- Asai… - without anyone noticing, her attention is dragged to the altar, as if something was calling her.

- Giovanni… Are you in this world after all? - Pietra wonders, trying to find any clue of her friend.

- Pietra! - Kai suddenly pulls her back, saving her from an upcoming punch descending from the sky.

A teenager, around sixteen years old, attacks the group. He wears a white cut-off hoodie with a cross on its back, paired with sweatpants and running shoes. A dark blue headband keeps his pointy gray hair in place, and his exposed, muscular physique shows his commitment to training. However, his most striking feature is his heterochromia; one of his eyes is gray, while the other is black.

- Intruders! Prepare to face divine punishment! - he exclaims, advancing towards Kai, who puts himself in front of Pietra.

As he was about to hit him, Lirika quickly interrupted him with a fire spell that pushed him away. Not wasting a single second, the young man recovers his balance and tries to deliver a punch at the mage, but is blocked this time by Nicholas.

- Wait, this is a misunderstanding! - he tries to reason with the angry guy.

- No, it's not! - Lirika grins, putting Nicholas aside and punching the stranger with her right fist covered in magical flames.

He counters her with his own fist, now visibly frozen. The friction of the blow creates shiny particles that fall like snow.

With her free hand, Lirika makes a hand gesture, opening a magical circle that shoots a crystal in his direction, aiming at his face. Out of options, he stops the projectile by biting it with his teeth, hardened by a layer of ice.

- Enough. It’s a sacrilege to fight on sacred ground - the man says, instantly changing his mood. His hair cascades down, turning black. His voice, once aggressive and energetic, now sounds soft, almost feminine.

- Eh? - the whole party shares a similar reaction.

- I apologize on behalf of my brother. He can be insensitive when he's worked up - he bows slightly, spitting out the crystal and giving it back to Lirika.

- Eh? - still processing what is happening, they still share the same reaction.

- My name is Xien. The one you just met is Tien, my brother. We are the exorcists responsible for this temple.

- You two share the same body? - Nicholas questions, surprised.

- It’s a long story, but circumstances forced us into our current situation. I beg you not to put much thought into it. Anyway, how may we help you, visitors?

- Xien! They are intruders! Let me handle them! - he screams, suddenly changing personalities.

- Behave. It’s been ages since we last had any visitor, can’t you see this may be our only chance to keep the legacy of Fesolgu exorcists alive? Sorry for that, too - Xien takes back control, apologizing again.

- Have we met any normal people yet? - Kai whispers to his friends.

- Does General Guson count? - Pietra answers.

- We don’t know him enough to be sure.

- Anyway, could you please sign this form? It’s just bureaucracy for visiting the temple - Xien kindly asks, giving Kai a paper and a pen while smiling.

- I can't read any of what is written here, but ok.

As he was about to sign, Lirika stopped him.

- It’s a recruitment contract. Put your name there, and you will be forced to be an exorcist for the rest of your life.

Kai looks at Xien, suspicious.

Xien turns away, whistling.

- We are looking for someone. A friend of ours, Giovanni - Pietra informs him about their business.

- Giovanni? I think our master knew someone with that name. He often talked about a Giovanni, if I’m not mistaken.

- Really?! Can we speak with him? It’s a crucial matter to us.

- Unfortunately, master Chen Gon Wu died trying to protect the emperor. Many secrets of the exorcists perished with him…

- One more reason to hate Tobias, I guess - Kai mentions.

- What?

- Nothing. Is there anyone else we could talk to, if possible?

- No. Shamefully, Tien and I are the only exorcists left… But if you sign here-

- Thank you, but no. Why are there no more exorcists?

- Well, there are not many evil spirits or demons to corrupt this world anymore, so exorcists are not very needed at the time.

- The corruption part is debatable.

- What do you mean?

- I was thinking out loud. Forget I said anything.

- Kai, don't change the subject. With your permission, can we have a look at your master’s room? An office, maybe? - Pietra asks.

- Absolutely not! - Tien takes control for a brief moment.

- Ignore him. If it can help find your friend, of course. I'll take you there. We are here to help people, after all.

- Thank you. I appreciate it.

- You guys can go first. I’ll stay a bit longer here. I can’t explain, but this place is intriguing - Lirika speaks, hinting curiosity.

- Ah, that was my first reaction too. Somehow this building brings a peace of mind that feels almost divine. I’m glad the former emperor let us use it as our headquarters when our order diminished too much in number.

A few seconds of admiring silence upon the aura of this church.

- Now, if any of you could sign-

- Please, take us to your master room.

Xien leads the original trio to a modest office located at the back of the building. After they enter, he steps out to give them some privacy, but not before asking them to treat his deceased mentor's belongings with respect. Despite their thorough search through old documents and equipment, they are unable to find anything that could help them locate Giovanni.

- Dammit! A dead end? Seriously? - Pietra let out her frustrations.

- Maybe we overlook something? It’s not like we understand what’s written on all these documents - Kai tries to reassure her.

When they were about to give up, a small creature came to their rescue.

- Asai! - she tries to give Nicholas a wooden cross around the size of her arm.

- Oh? Where did you find this? I appreciate it, sweetie. But you can’t take stuff without permission. Please, put it back.

- Gio - she insists, whispering in a serious tone a name that makes them all turn their attention to her.

- Asai…?

Once again, she offers him the cross, gesturing as if saying: “Take it, and you will understand”.

With no hesitation, he takes the object. As soon as Nicholas touches it, a somewhat magical projection pops out of it. A human-sized image of Giovanni, wearing his trademark religious robe, when he plays the role of dungeon master. Everyone in the room is out of words, their eyes wide open, focused on their friend.

- It’s on - a feminine voice declares from the background of the projection.

- Wait, will they hear you say that? You could’ve just given me a signal to start, you know? Now I won’t sound as ominous and omnipotent. Can you cut that out later? - he talks with the hidden figure.

- You don’t pay me enough for that - she coldly answers.

He sighs, although more out of acceptance than frustration.

- As you can see, this is simply a message. I advise you to listen carefully because it can’t be played again

After clearing his throat, he continues using a deeper voice. Most of the people in the room recognize this as his usual demeanor when he is about to narrate something important during an RPG.

- I’ll assume you still are a bit confused about your current circumstances. Worry not, I will bring you a few answers. This, my dear friends, is my masterpiece. It will be the greatest campaign of your lives. You may be wondering how I was able to create such a setting, but I won’t spoil all the fun for now. What you must know right now is that you are racing against time. The swords in your possession are draining your lives sporadically. Your main objective should be to purify them as soon as you can. Gladly, I’m a kind dungeon master, so I will guide you through it. Your first objective is sealed within the emperor’s palace. The exorcists of Fesolgu can brief you on the details. Just like in our previous journeys, misery will accompany you. I know this will sound frustrating, but fear not; it will only be a step on your path to glory. I have faith in you. Farewell.

- He wasn’t serious… Right?