The three young exorcists rose from the table and departed, each taking a section of the inn to explore along with their familiars. Any decent exorcist had to have a familiar, a spirit they controlled through a specialized bond and seal. They provided a constant force of spiritual energy used by the exorcist and a type of protection. Most also were great hunters of other spirits, ghosts or demons in the vicinity. In order to possess a familiar, an exorcist had to go through rigorous training and preparation to perform such a spell binding a spirit to themselves. Those that failed could face severe repercussions, and many often did so under the supervision of their teacher as a safety measure.  

Zeri’s familiar was a mass of vines, entwined into a loose representation of a person. They produced a pleasant floral aroma that could calm an agitated mind. A spirit of nature, known as a Lule, they often a rose from a flowering plant, becoming sentient after absorbing spiritual energies. Most were harmless, sometimes granting small favors to a mortal if they did not pick their petals. But on occasion if a mortal foolishly trampled their flowers, or harmed them in some manner, a Lule could infect a person with some minor ailment. For a familiar, a Lule was regarded as a lower familiar, possessing little powers a proper exorcist desired but for a disciple, a Lule was sufficient until they graduated into binding a more powerful familiar.  

And as someone with great ambitions, Zeri wanted a spirit of more power and might, his little Lule was inadequate but Lady Sybil did not feel his powers were up to the level where he could safely bind another. Not yet. She had promised when they returned from their sojourn into Dunna Ri and he had proven them, then she would promise they could attempt in binding a new familiar for him. Patience was not Zeri’s strong suit but he was clever in presenting himself in a manner that appealed to his teacher. Showing constant deference to her teachings, her orders, he never stepped out of bounds in her presence. He was in essence the perfect student; always listening, learning and obeying.  

However, that was all for show. In secret he was compiling and studying texts and scrolls on spells, rituals, and talismans beyond what he was given permission to study. He understood the dangers completely that he was meddling in things beyond his skill level but he did not want to wait years as many disciples did in order to get to the powerful spells. Zeri believed his intelligence merited exceptions but he knew Lady Sybil did not, and she was one of the best exorcists in the business. Respected, Lady Sybil was highly sought after for her talents but she was overly cautious and never used her skills to her full potential. To someone like Zeri, it was almost a waste really.  

She could serve the Royal Family if she wanted to, like Zeri did, but she was content with her life as it was. A real shame in his opinion. But being taught under her was just a stepping stone on his way upward Zeri reminded himself. Once he could learn all he could from her, he would take leave of her, and find another more powerful master.  

He had his eyes set on becoming the apprentice of the Royal Diviner himself, a powerful former exorcist, he was now in charge of the Ministry of Divinity in the imperial capital, and served the Emperor himself on all spiritual matters and concerns. While the Royal Guard protected the Imperial family from physical threats, the Royal Diviner or sometimes called the Royal Sorcerer, he had the duty of protecting the imperial family from supernatural threats. 

 Power was what Zeri wanted, growing up as he did, Zeri wanted to gain the highest position the empire had available to him, and being born with the Sight as he was, Zeri believed this was his path to attain the most power someone like him could have. Then he would show his family, he would show them all how superior he really was to them.  

First, he needed a better familiar, and from the feeling he was getting about the presence at the Mountain God Inn was any indication of the spirit currently residing here at the moment, it would be a powerful familiar. Catching it alone was extremely risky but Zeri had been studying for months on a mighty sealing spell and incantation. He had memorized and practiced performing the spell and laying out the sigil but doing so without an enraged spirit attacking was quite different than merely going through the steps alone.  

“The spirit is from the room of the young gentleman this morning Master,” Melantha, his Iole familiar whispered to him as they explored the western wing of the inn.  

“Is that so?” 

Earlier that day, Lady Sybil’s ugly familiar, a hairy creature but of immense spiritual energy told them a man had seen them. It was correct as a young man ran out of the garden looking absolutely frightened. Sometimes people could develop the Sight from interacting or being infected by a spirit like a demon leeching off of them or a powerful spirit merely revealing themselves to a mortal or whatever reason whether it be benign or otherwise. And then there were some just born with it as all exorcists were, but choosing to live a relatively normal life, but most never did or could, going mad, or being attacked by spirits unable to defend themselves and being killed. Whoever this young man was, he was clearly spooked by seeing their familiars.  

Or perhaps he was just disturbed by Lady Sybil’s familiars, grotesque spirits, Zeri did not understand why she did not choose more, appealing spirits. Melanthe, his Iole while strange was rather easy on the eyes. He was not that vain but felt it said a lot about an exorcist by what they chose as a familiar. His Iole was just temporary for now, he knew such a weak spirit did not say much good about him at the moment.  

Zeri approached the door and gave it a firm knock.  

Kaeso was still trying to figure out what to do next, ask Lord Isaru to leave? How could he, he cured him, helped him, and it felt immoral to ask a god to just leave him alone when there was a knock at his door. Expecting Emiri, Kaeso walked to the door knowing he could not see the mountain god standing in their room.  

Lord Isaru blocked his way.  

“Do not answer that.” His eyes grew darker if that was even possible.  

“It’s likely my man-servant--” Oh and then he realized Lord Isaru could sense it was not Emiri. But who was it then? 

Turning to face the door, Lord Isaru seemed to look past the physical door and wall and was seeing what was beyond it.  

“One of the exorcist stands at your door. I believe my spiritual aura has caught their attention, foolish of me not to hide it. My mind was preoccupied with other things.”  

“Should we pretend we are not here?” 

“Too late for that his Iole has told him we are inside, although she smartly refuses to enter sensing my power.”  

“What then should we do...” As Kaeso spoke Lord Isaru transformed into a large white...cat? 

“I thought you were like a wolf?” 

“If I appeared as a white wolf or hound they might recognize who I truly am. Nobody would suspect Lord Isaru, God of the Mountains walking around as a common cat. If they question the source of energy play ignorant. My aura is now hidden, they will sense it has gone and will not know the cause. You may now answer the door.”  

The powerful spiritual presence vanished.  

The door opened and Zeri was confronted by a young man, gaunt, in fine clothing showcasing his high status as a man of means. Unsure of how to exactly proceed now that the purpose of him being there was gone along with the spiritual energy, Zeri merely smiled and bowed apologizing for his disturbance of the young man. 

“I must have gone to the wrong door, I apologize.” 

“Um, it’s fine.”  

The door then was promptly closed before he could inquire further about the young man. Zeri thought about sending Melanthe into the room. Although she was a mere Lole, all spirits had the ability to “hide” themselves and if he did indeed have the Sight, he was most likely untrained in his gift, allowing for a mere Lole to disguise herself and remain hidden from his Sight. Zeri could not imagine going through life being able to see the things they could and remain sane without the training he received since he was only seven years old.  

His parents had discounted his Sight since he was able to speak, claiming it was his imagination, or dreams. Nightmares. It took the family priest to inform his parents he had the Sight, rather than be proud or accepting, his family shunned him, treating him less than their servants as they were of the mind that having the Sight was a curse. A burden that reflected poorly on their family’s reputation. He was promptly shipped off to a monastery where he was effectively disinherited from his family, denied his dues as the eldest son of the family.  

There at the monastery he was given a proper education, and eventually sent to the Ministry of Divinity. For the common person, the Ministry of Divinity oversaw the spiritual and religious well-being of the empire. Temples and shrines of the Divine Mother, and her Children, twelve deities each representing aspects of human life or experiences were all funded and managed by the Ministry of Divinity. It was also the place where a person could study the art of sorcery or exorcism under the careful eye of the upper ministers. Some believed the ministry was created in order to control those with magical abilities such as having the Sight to see spirits and control them. Early times showed a paranoia about those with supernatural abilities and the former imperial dynasties all sought to harness such people to themselves. That tradition continued although now under a bureaucratic system.  

Zeri like many with the Sight was immediately drawn to the path of an exorcist, viewing the vocation as a means of attaining what he believed was wrongfully taken and denied to him; power and status. However, some might say including Lady Sybil that the time of prestige of an exorcist was long gone. Although yes the Imperial Diviner or Imperial Sorcerer was a position of importance, many ministers, government officials, and even among the Royal family viewed the role of an exorcist with increasing skepticism. Times were changing the role of an exorcist or any spiritualist was becoming rather outdated in the eyes of a growing public who no longer firmly believed in spirits roaming freely, demons or even ghosts of deceased persons.  

The world was growing less mystified and thus an exorcist could become obsolete in the near future. Many exorcists were seeking other occupations and their trade was diminishing.  

Zeri returned to Lady Sybil and the others who also had sensed the aura had left the inn.  

“It could have hidden itself, perhaps it sensed we were looking for it,” Teos suggested.  

Zeri disliked Teos who he considered to be a rival. Teos had the full support of his noble family who had for several generations been ministers and exorcists within the Ministry of Divinity. Their illustrious reputation among the spiritualist community was well-known and Teos by virtue of being born into such a family had advantages Zeri could only dream of. He was undeniably envious and jealous of him. However, Zeri felt he did not possess the natural gifts he did. Teos he felt coasted through his tutelage knowing he never really needed to excel or work hard given he would be granted a lofty position in the ministry regardless of his actual merits or skills.  

Smugly, Zeri informed his mistress the source of the aura came from the room of the young gentleman from this morning, “It was gone by the time he answered the door, I was unable to question him further as he promptly shut the door on me but I noted he was extremely nervous or anxious. A powerful entity could have attached itself to him as he definitely has the Sight and being untrained in self-protection against spirits may be a target.”  

Lady Sybil nodded agreeing with Zeri’s theory, “I concur. Dunna Ri is notorious for travelers becoming unwary targets for spiritual possession or attachments especially those with underdeveloped Sight. It is why this place is important to us exorcist who wish to hone our abilities to exorcize spirits from mortals. This place funnels people in for fodder for such spirits.”