Day 7

The Fallen Temple was surrounded on two sides by earthen, contrasting the healthy dark brown with the imposing ash-colour of the Temple's masonry. At the top of the cliff, a massive prisoner fruit tree grew, its massive roots protruding from the cliff and grasping hold of the Temple's spires like the talons of a raptor. Roots from underground surrounded and climbed the building's tremendous foundation.
The building was fashioned like a gothic cathedral, as much as an octogonal cylinder with two connected towers could be. The lack of windows on the lower levels were more than made up for by the elegant mosaic windows near the roof, from which a cold, eerie light shun.
The doors to the Temple swung open as the white haired succubus in a revealing nun-habit pushed her crippled husband out of the Fallen Temple with Thomas in tow.

Simon's hands clung to a scroll with the seal of the Fallen God: an inverted, black Order crest surrounded by lengths of chains locked on to it. The former monster slayer's eyes scanned the rolled up parchment with renewed vigour.
"I don't get it." Thomas said as he followed his company down the ramp, "Isn't it unfair that he'd have to be sent on a quest like this? Just look at him! He's in no condition to go out on adventure!"
"Thomas, what're you talking about?" Simon asked, "So what if I'm stuck in a wheelchair? That doesn't mean I'm no less fit to take care of anything that may cross our way."
"I know you can, Sweetums." Ofelia puckered her lips and leaned herself towards Simon's neck, who turned and greeted her with a kiss, "But apart from that, Thomas, there's not really any fair options available. It's customary for the temples of the gods to issue a trial of some sort to any prospective champion. In the case of the Dark Temple, they often use this as an opportunity to make them do something lewd. That is, after all, their goals and means. But if his wife got to decide if he passed, that would be unfair to all other propsective champions. And it would be unfair to me if he was made to overcome the trial with someone other than me."
"Or with someone else watching." Simon shuddered.
"Right. So for this occasion, his trial would simply revolve around performing some service to the Fallen Temple. In this case, to investigate the incident of Luragell. "

"And all of this, just to get them to get you to walk again?" Thomas scoffed, folding his arms before his chest," Even though they can cure you at any moment?"
"Heh, don't worry about it, Thomas." Simon said, "Proving myself, and my capabilities... That's what I live for! Besides, when I'm done I get to be a champion of the Fallen God. And then I'll finally get to fight for justice, like I always wanted to. True justice. Not... the thinly veiled excuse for genocide that the Order sold us."
For a moment Simon looked away from his friend and his lover, his imagination straying to the past. His gaze was locked to nothing in particular outside himself, as he was looking inwards to the gruelling memories inside.
Ofelia wrapped her arms around him as she pressed her chest against his neck. Simon looked up towards the beautiful woman he loved, as his introspective scowl turned into an adoring smile. Their lips joined together into a passionate kiss.

"So when will we be leaving?" Thomas asked as they kept cuddling.
"Thomas," Ofelia said, "You know you don't have to come with us, right? Wouldn't you rather stay here? The trip we're going on won't be for fun. This can get dangerous."
Thomas shook his head incredulously, "Dangerous, you say? If it's dangerous then I can't well leave you to your own devices like that, can I? Now, forgive an old sailor his obstinance, but you still have a lot more to teach me about the world of monster girls and how to live in it, and I'm not letting you let me fall behind!"
Simon laughed, "I certainly admire your spirit. You're welcome to tag along, but if the goings get tough, we're not gonna let you slink away. Just so you know."
"In your dreams, maybe." Thomas spat out, "Besides, if you leave me by myself here, you just know that some wayward monster girl's gonna take advantage of my obliviousness."
Ofelia sighed, "I... Won't deny that you may have a point, Thomas. I just wish you could grant us mamono at the benefit of doubt. At least a little."

"Ofelia... Would you mind giving me just a moment alone with Thomas?" Simon winked at her.
"But of course." Ofelia strutted away, but as she passed by Thomas, she turned towards her and shot him a playful smile, "But, Thomas... Just to be perfectly clear: If you try stealing him from me, I won't forgive you."
Thomas shook his head in confusion "...I beg your pardon!? I'm... That... I mean..."
"She's kidding. Don't mind her." Simon laughed, but as Ofelia passed the corner, hjs smile disappeared "Thomas, do you remember when we only just met? We were as much strangers as strangers could be, and yet you risked everything to help Ofelia and I safely find our way here. All without a second's thought. Heck, you almost got yourself killed! We couldn't leave you to your untimely end then, could we? If for nothing else, then because the world would be so much worse with someone like you missing from it. Time has passed since then, and now we're friends. Both me, and Ofelia. But she and I... We've got something special. When I went through my darkest hours... When I doubted myself the most. She was there for me. She was... She's my rock, Thomas..." Simon's voice quivered at that moment, as a tear formed at the corner of his eye, "What I'm trying to say, Thomas, is that we'd love to have you tag along with us. But we'd also like to be alone together. So..."
Thomas raised his open palm, "Say no more. You two lovebirds need your time together, and I'd hate to be the third wheel in this. Just give me the signal, and I'll be out of your hair. Now what should the signal be?"
Simon scratched his chin, "How about 'collecting firewood'? That's an old classic, and I don't see it running out of fashion any time soon."
"Collecting firewood it is!" Thomas said, "Now, anyone who's ever said there's enough firewood... That's a fool right there!"

"I'm glad we could be on the same page, Thomas." Simon said, "Frankly, I wasn't sure how you would take this. You can have some... Strong reactions at times, and can take things oddly personally. I'm glad you took it with such stride."
"Now, hang on just a minute there!" Thomas pointed his finger at Simon, "You think I've not been in the exact same situation you're in? I've had a wife too, you know? And before that we were lovebirds just like you! So don't come at me thinking I don't know what's important in a relationship!"
Simon laughed, "I suppose I've got a lot to learn from you. But for now, there's something I'd like to give you." Simon pulled on a handle from under his wheelchair, and picked up a longsword sheathed in an ornate gold, blue and white scabbard. He held it between both outstretched palms and presented it to the old sailor, who could only stare down at the piece of craftmanship with astonished eyes.
"Thomas... I want you to have my monster slayer sword. Now that I'm starting on a new leaf, I'd rather not hold on to it, and... Well, in my current condition you probably could make better use of it than I can."

Thomas held out his hand in such a way it was ambiguous whether he would take hold of the treasure or reject it. In truth, he didn't know which would happen either.
"I... Now, don't think I'm not grateful for the offer," Thomas began, "I really am. But, forgive an old sailor his sqeamishness, but I don't plan on hurting anyone at all, no matter what situation I find myself in."
"That's okay, Thomas. This sword is made from demonic silver. It won't deal wounds to the body, but to the spirit alone. And the spirit is always able to recover, even from a wound grievous enough to incapacitate you."
Thomas took the sword and pulled the blade out of its scabbard, seeing his reflection in the shimmering blade. Beyond the white light shimmering from the blade, a pink luster radiates around it.

"Demonic silver, huh... That doesn't sound like what a monster slayer weapon would be made of." Thomas said as he inspected the blade.
"When it comes to the Church, Thomas, it's less about what you sell than how you sell it. As long as it goes by 'white silver', and is presented as a weapon that strikes the foes of humans, even those made from magical energy, while leaving humans intact; then the Bishop will insist on it."
Thomas snapped the sword back into the scabbard, "But I've got no idea how to use it."
"Then I'll teach you." Simon said, "I won't be able to help much with the physical aspect, but we'll pick up a sword manual from the library before we leave, and if we happen upon a wandering swordsman on our journey they might turn out to be a suitable sparring partner. Honestly, Thomas, you'd be doing me a favour. I've been meaning to get rid of that thing since the day I escaped the Order, and this way at least it'll come to some good use."
Thomas held it upright like a crucifix, "In that case, I'll swear that I will honour it as its new owner. This is a significant legacy."

"Is it fine if I come back out now?" Ofelia said from behind the corner.
"Ofelia, did... Did you hear anything about what we said?" Simon asked.
"Of course not, Sweetums. I didn't need to. I knew what you were going to discuss before you even started speaking."
Simon sighed, "Yeah, I know. Just... I thought it felt like the right thing for Thomas."
Ofelia stepped back into view, her expression turning into one of astonishment as she saw Thomas with the sword, "Why, Thomas... That thing suits you to the T!"
"You... You think so?" Thomas said, unable to help himself from smiling as he puffed out his chest.
"Of course." Ofelia took the sword from him, and took the liberty of strapping it to the belt around his waist, "It really looks good on you. Certainly suits you better than its previous owner."
Simon and Thomas smiled equally widely at the comment.

"Now if we're done chatting," Ofelia said, "Let's go get ourselves ready for the road. Tomorrow is a big day, and we've gotta set out early in the morning."
"Thank you, Ofelia." Simon said as he kissed her once again when she leaned in, "I love you so much."