The First Target

The room we found ourselves in was modest yet cozy, a refuge from the chaos of the outside world. As night descended upon the village, casting its shadows over the land, we sought solace within the confines of the inn.

The walls of the room were adorned with simple tapestries, depicting scenes of pastoral landscapes and vibrant flowers. The soft glow of candlelight danced across the woven fabric, creating a warm and inviting ambiance. Aria moved about the room with purpose, her movements graceful and deliberate as she prepared for dinner.

The furnishings were sparse but comfortable, with a sturdy wooden bed dominating the center of the space. A plush mattress beckoned invitingly, promising a restful night's sleep after a long day of investigation. Crisp linens adorned the bed, their clean white fabric a stark contrast to the dark wood of the frame.

Opposite the bed, a small writing desk sat nestled against the wall, its surface cluttered with parchment scrolls and quills. Aria paused briefly at the desk, her fingers tracing the intricate carvings that adorned its edges. It was clear that this was a place where thoughts were captured and dreams were born.

Near the window, a cozy armchair beckoned, its cushions plump and inviting. Aria sank into its embrace, her weary frame finding comfort in its soft embrace. Outside, the sounds of the bustling village drifted through the open window, a cacophony of voices and laughter mingling with the gentle rustle of leaves in the evening breeze.

 Aria's voice broke the silence, carrying a note of apology as she spoke.

"I'm sorry," she began, her tone soft yet sincere. "I didn't plan for any of this. I didn't expect to be responsible for finding you a new body."

I nodded, understanding her predicament. "I know," I replied, my voice echoing slightly in the quiet room. "But I need a worthy vessel. A healthy one, to fully assimilate."

Aria's laughter filled the space, a sound that seemed out of place amidst the seriousness of our discussion. "Goblins?" she chuckled. "You think they're healthy?"

I raised an imaginary eyebrow, my tone calm yet mocking. "You're not exactly acting like a priestess. Careful with your teasing, or you might anger your shin."

Aria's expression darkened, a glint of frustration flashing in her eyes. She muttered something under her breath before abruptly standing up and storming out of the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts and the gentle flicker of candlelight.

As I sat in the quiet room, my thoughts swirled with questions. Aria's reaction had caught me off guard, but as I reflected on our conversation, a nagging realization began to dawn on me.

"If Aria has a Shin," I mused to myself, "why didn't she use any of her powers? Why didn't she call upon him for protection or guidance?"

Could she not know how?

No, that's impossible...

Or is it?

 It was a fundamental aspect of their being, a source of power and guidance. Yet, Aria had not exhibited any signs of utilizing this connection.

Could it be that she had lost faith in her Shin? Or perhaps there was something more complex at play, something that even she was not aware of? My mind raced with possibilities, each one more perplexing than the last.

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  Eyes of Aria

Angry with the annoying little slime, she was more angry with herself. She pushed her annoyance away as she noticed others were coming up the stairs.

"Get it together girl or everything will be ruined and you go back into chains," she says to herself as if she were having some form of pep talk.

She leaves, heading to the other half of the inn.

As Aria entered the bustling bar area of the inn, she was greeted by the warm glow of lantern light and the chatter of patrons. Her attire, a flowing gown of deep purple and black, billowed gracefully around her ankles as she made her way to the dinner table. Aria's vibrant pink and purple hair peeked out from beneath the hood of her gown, adding a splash of color to the otherwise somber ensemble.

The dinner table was situated in a corner of the bar, separated from the rest of the room by a simple rope barrier. As she took her seat, Aria nodded politely to the other guests gathered around the table. They greeted her in return with a respectful nod, addressing her simply as "Priestess." It was a title she had grown accustomed to, one that carried with it a sense of reverence and duty.

As she settled into her chair, memories of her friends flashed through Aria's mind, threatening to overshadow the present moment. She thought of Rikku, her loyal companion, and felt a pang of sadness grip her heart. But she pushed the thoughts aside, forcing herself to focus on the task at hand.

Taking a deep breath, Aria cleared her mind and turned her attention to her role as a priestess. It was a responsibility she took seriously, one that required her full dedication and focus. Despite the turmoil within her, she knew that she had a duty to fulfill—to serve her community and uphold the teachings of her Shin.

As the evening wore on, Aria engaged in polite conversation with the other guests, discussing topics ranging from the latest news in the village to the upcoming harvest festival. Despite her efforts to remain present at the moment, her mind continued to wander, drifting back to the events of the day.

As Aria engaged in conversation with the guests at the dinner table, she couldn't help but be intrigued by the unique couple seated across from her. The man, with his calico fur and deep yellow eyes, exuded an air of wisdom and experience. The gnome woman beside him, though small in stature, possessed a fiery spirit that belied her size.

"Priestess," the man called out, addressing Aria with a respectful tone. "Do you believe this imp will affect us, Catheo?" he inquired, turning to his companion. The gnome woman shook her head adamantly. "No, no, no," she exclaimed, her voice filled with conviction. "We are not going down that road again. We are both too old to be having kittens. Don't you dare try to fix your erectile dysfunction with some imp!" Her words were met with a chuckle from the man, who seemed unfazed by her colorful language.

Aria couldn't help but smile at the exchange. It was clear that the couple shared a deep bond and a sense of humor that had endured through the years. She observed them closely, noting the contrast in their sizes. The man, being almost double the height of the gnome woman, was a testament to the diversity of the tribes.

Intrigued by their conversation, Aria joined in, offering her perspective. "I have every reason to believe the imp can have an effect on us," she began, her tone confident. "But I am here to offer my assistance. Once the imp manifests, I will banish it, ensuring that it no longer poses a threat to this village."

The couple nodded in understanding, their expressions showing a mixture of gratitude and relief.

Aria shifted uncomfortably in her seat, feeling the weight of the bard's words. "Well, I hear that several priests and priestesses have already fallen victim to the madness from the E-rank class," the bard, Ozzy, remarked casually. "I truly hope your rank is higher?"

Aria's heart sank. She knew her rank wasn't higher. She was ashamed to admit it even to herself. Before she could respond, the Catheo man sitting beside her spoke up. "What does rank have to do with anything?" he asked, his tone challenging. "I thought it was all about battle levels and stuff. Besides, who even are you to butt into this conversation?"

The bard, undeterred by the man's hostility, introduced himself. "My name is Ozzy," he said with a flourish, "I am a humble traveler and singer by trade, sharing my wisdom and the tales I have heard. I mean no disrespect, my Catheo friend."

Aria felt a flush of embarrassment creep up her neck. She knew Ozzy was right to ask about her rank, but she wasn't ready to reveal it. She remained silent, hoping the conversation would move on. However, Ozzy wasn't one to let things go so easily. "Well, Priestess," he continued, his voice more insistent, "the people would like an answer."

Caught off guard, Aria struggled to find the words. She knew she couldn't hide her rank forever, especially not when faced with direct questions like these. Taking a deep breath, she finally spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. 

"I... I am of E-rank," she admitted, her cheeks burning with shame.

As the bard's words grew more vile, Aria felt a mix of embarrassment and anger bubbling inside her. "Well then, how about we save some time? I can start eating you out in my room right now," the bard commented crudely, causing a collective gasp and a few disgusted murmurs from the others at the table.

The Catheo man sitting next to Aria, clearly disgusted by the bard's behavior, chastised him. "That's enough, Ozzy. Show some respect," he reprimanded, shaking his head.

Undeterred, Ozzy finished his drink and stood up, his demeanor smug. "I'm just saying, if she's still E-rank, she either hasn't been accepted by a sect or she is talentless and only posing as a Shinite," he remarked callously. "Regardless of what it is, I do not see her defeating an Imp. Imps, at their weakest, are E+ creatures."

Aria felt her anger flare up at the bard's words. "I will have you know I am perfectly qualified," she retorted, her voice steely. "Every priestess and priest has received a blessing before we were given this quest. I will not only banish this imp but we have been blessed against its tricks."

The bard chuckled dismissively as he walked away. "It's not a trick if it makes silly little priestesses get on the corner and turn tricks, is it?" he called back, his words dripping with contempt.

The others at the table were visibly disgusted by the bard's behavior. Some muttered rude remarks, while others called him vile. Aria sat there, seething with anger and frustration at the bard's disrespect.

Aria felt the sting of the bard's words like a sharp dagger piercing her heart, despite the warm support and encouragement she received from others at the table. The weight of shame from the night before hung heavy on her shoulders, casting a dark shadow over her spirit. The memory of her uncontrollable masturbation now felt like a glaring mark of her failure, a stain on her identity as a priestess.

As she sat there, the whispers of doubt began to creep into the recesses of her mind, like insidious tendrils of darkness. What if the bard's words held some truth? What if she truly failed in her mission to banish the imp, and her fellow priests and priestesses turned their backs on her? The mere thought sent a chill down her spine, igniting a gnawing fear deep within her core.

With each passing moment, the doubts grew louder, drowning out the voices of reassurance around her. What if she wasn't worthy of her position? What if she couldn't live up to the expectations placed upon her? The weight of uncertainty pressed down on her, threatening to suffocate her spirit.

Unable to bear the weight of her doubts any longer, Aria excused herself from the table, her steps heavy with the burden of her emotions. She needed to find a sanctuary where she could confront her inner turmoil in solitude, away from the prying eyes and judgmental whispers of others. She needed a moment to breathe, to gather her strength, before facing the daunting challenges that lay ahead.

The idea of failure weighed heavy on her and the fear of returning to Renteel in chains was being more and more of a reality. 

Unseen by Aria and the others, a specter lingered in the shadows, its presence veiled from mortal sight. It watched with a keen and eager gaze, unseen and unheard, as the events unfolded before it. The specter's thoughts were shrouded in malevolent intent, a sinister anticipation of the chaos and suffering it could sow.

"What fun we will have," the specter whispered to itself, its voice a chilling echo in the darkness. It reveled in the prospect of the pain and torment it could inflict upon these unsuspecting mortals, relishing the thought of the pleasure it would bring to its master.

As Aria excused herself from the table, the specter's gaze followed her, a predatory gleam in its unseen eyes. It knew that she was ripe with emotion, her spirit fragile and vulnerable. The specter could sense her fear and doubt, and it reveled in the opportunity to exploit her weakness.

With a silent and sinister smile, the specter vanished into the shadows, unseen and unheard, its presence a looming threat that lingered in the air. It knew that soon, very soon, it would have its chance to strike, to unleash its dark influence upon these unwitting pawns in a game of shadows and deception.