Page 57 of He Who Sleeps

Their two nights that year had been...brutal for her. Literally with no idea what it was they were stepping into, they faked it well, and she endured everything they did to her, and there was some freaky shit going on simply because they could, but she had walked out on her own two feet. Afterwards it was a mad scramble to find the priests and figure out what the fuck they were actually doing, and what, if anything, could fuck with their sacrifice.

“Hello?” Emerson called as they walked into the courtyard of the Grecian villa that housed the Oranari, their Order’s scholar priests.

Three men dressed in black robes with silver symbols around the hem filed out of a set of double doors, and stopped just past the stone arches. The bowed their heads.

“They Who Sacrifice,” they greeted them. “Welcome.”

They had made their way to Greece, the seven of them intent on speaking to someone that might have insight on what they just did, and what it meant for their future.

“How can we be of service?” the one in the center asked, his voice deep, but quiet.

"As we mentioned on the phone, a sacrifice accepted the pact and we were woefully unprepared," Finn said respectfully. "We are hoping you can teach us the traditional ways so that we are better prepared when our sacrifice returns to us next year." He paused, uncertain. "She does return to us next year...?"

“He is pleased...but He could be generous,” the one on the left said. “A clock set in motion.”

The one on the right lifted his hand. “Come, we will explain...”

They followed the three Oranari into the inner sanctum, a room with floor-to-ceiling books, with several long tables and stations in the center. They were the three heads of their Monastic order, but there were several adepts and lower brothers that were in residence, but they rarely saw visitors.

“The female,” the one in the center began. “She took the pact, willingly, yes? No coercion?”

"Yes," Finn replied. "The choice was offered, explained and accepted, inasmuch as we knew what to offer, anyway. We only had loose terms from an old document we found."

“And where did you find this information?” the high Oranari asked. “The pact isn’t something that is...common knowledge.

“My father’s journal,” Emerson offered.

“Seems they missed one,” the third said with what sounded like amusement in his voice. Emerson arched a brow.

“Missed one?”

They waved him off. “She agreed to two nights, to endure?” they asked as one. Damn it, that was weird.

“Yes,” Jack offered to them. “And she did.”

“And she is unspoiled as of now.”

Emerson nodded. “Yes.”

“Then what is it you wish to know? As with everything, you are They Who Sacrifice, and we can answer a question for each of you. Be mindful.”

Finn paused, clearly trying to get his words in order before he asked his question. "We are unclear how the transfer to the Dark God works," he explained, very carefully not making it a question. "The book was not clear on any ritual aspect of the pact, just the basic concept of it. We dripped her blood into the well, but that was a guess based on our understanding of other sacrifices we have made. If there is a means and method to maximize the sacrifice given to the God, can you describe it to us?"

The High Oranari looked pleased. “In options past, before the modern age, when He was closer to mankind, and dreams, she would have been branded an eternal sacrifice through devout ritual. Sadly, that is no longer possible, as He has retreated deep.”

“Energy must be transferred through the flesh, though whose is...negotiable,” the second said. He looked to them all. “This day and age is too volatile, and something this precious, it would fall to Those Who Sacrifice in order to ensure potency.”

Emerson looked to Finn. There was information there, but there was also doublespeak. He took his shot. “You are saying we must be the ones to transfer the energy.” He nodded and it was something he figured, as they had the connection to He Who Sleeps. “Were we wrong in having her offer her blood to Him?”

The third answered. “Not wrong, crude, though with your limited information, it was the best you could do. He was not offended, and while there is power in the blood, there is more in the essence.”

"How do we act as channels?" Carter asked, blunt as always. "And cut the bullshit fancy talk, guys. Please. I have all the respect in the world for you, but if you want us to do this properly then you need to speak plainly."

The third looked to him. “As she would have had to be...branded into service, you all will be in her place.”

The second smiled. “In this day and age, a tattoo would suffice, one that ties you all together, it’s also the most optimal way to ensure His essence is inside you all.” Holding up a hand, he went down the hall and returned in moments with a small vessel in his hands.

“Inside resides His essence, bound in smoke and ash,” the High Oranari said. “It will be mixed with the ink to tattoo.”

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