Prayer at High Noon

It was well after dawn before you returned to the Cathedral of the Lost, the place you knew as home until your life changed so frantically within the last fortnight. It was Gilzra's doing. She had started off by coaching you into realizing how your sudden return would have been highly disruptive, no matter how innocuous and furtive it was. Beyond that, your mother had been obsessing over her appearance in a way you hadn't seen before. Even as you walked to the Cathedral in the midday sun, she was still checking her clothing and fiddling with her hair. There were a few wandering eyes and even a gasp or two as congregants leaving the Cathedral passed by, recognizing you. Even if some knew of your disappearance, you doubt any of them would have known why.

"Oh fuck!" She let out anxiously, as the gray walls came in view "Khalee help me, I haven't felt this out of place since my first date"

"What's got you so nervous?" You asked "You're not the one who did anything wrong. He won't judge"

"This isn't my first rodeo hun" She said coldly "I'm about to meet leader and holy man who has been raising my daughter her entire life because I left her at his door with nothing but a note explaining why. That and I haven't exactly been a good girl in the past 18 years. I"

You cut her off, stopping her as you put your hand in front of her. Standing in her way, you looked straight eye to eye "Mom, it's going to be alright. Phoenicia forgives all. Both she and Ferghus will understand."

"I hope so." She nodded slightly and smiled slightly with a sigh "look at you, being the big adult, trying to talk me down." She raised her hand to your cheek "he turned you into such an amazing young lady, so I guess I should probably trust him than."

"Guess so" you replied faintly, raising your hand to hers for a second and holding it before you continued on your way.

The last bit of the way to the Cathedral of the Lost was several flights of stairs going up a large hill. It was a hearty walk, one made all the more significant with all the people walking the opposite way as the last sermon of the day ended. The weapon you found, wrapped conspicuously in burlap, was strapped to your back wasn't helping either. That paled to the weight of nervousness you were starting to feel, in spite of what you had just told Gilzra. She had nothing to fear, but you had a lot to answer for. How could you begin to tell him? Whatever thoughts you had blew away once eye contact was made. The ArchDeacon had stood in the archway of the Cathedral as always, a rare pride of strength to stand for so long without the assistance of his cane. That strength began to falter, as his hand reached out to his side, stumbling to the wall to keep him upright.

"Demetria!" He said through hard breaths "Phoenicia heard my prayers and brought you back"

You rushed towards him to help him get back on his feet, off the walls "I'm so sorry Ferghus. I didn't listen to you, and I was being tricked by Rosita and a de-"

The Archdeacon loudly and defiantly talked over you, waving his hand infront of you "Shush shush shush. There's nothing you could have done that you have to tell me about." You embraced each other tightly, as raw emotion began to pour out of you both "You have been a child of Phoenicia all your life, you stumbled, and learned, and you came back to her, and to the church."

Your face tightened, fearing breaking the old man's heart again. "I'm sorry. I can't stay"

The embrace loosened, and Ferghus searched through your eyes, and saw the truth. "I understand. I've borrowed enough of your time. It will always be my greatest blessing that I had the time that I did. Just, do this old man one favor, and tell me why you can't stay."

"Because I found her," you turn to the side so he can finally see Gilzra. "I found my mom". Tears had long since been falling down her face, dark stains across her crimson face. Ferghus slowly moved away from you, determined to meet this woman on his own weight.

"I am glad to finally meet you. You have a remarkable daughter, though I'm sure you know that." Gilzra simply nodded through her tears.

"You gave me a gift bringing her here. I've loved every child and every orphan to have come through these walls, but she was always something special. I apologize that I had never been able to find a suitable home, to find a normal life, and the parents she needed."

"Oh shut up!" Gilzra's harsh words were a mix of tears and laughter "You were the father she needed. If she hadn't stayed here, she never would have gotten tangled up in her adventure, and I never would have found her." She began to reach to hug the old man, but pulled back, perhaps fearing of hurting his frail figure. "Thank you taking care of my baby. For everything"

"I assure you madame" He reached to clasp her hands in his "It was my honor. I would do so the rest of my days."

"I hope I could bother you for one last favor" You pulled their attention as you finally remove the weapon from your back, leaving it in the burlap. "We found this, and stopped an evil necromancer from getting his hands on it. If someone were to use this, they could summon and control nearly any demon, including half-bloods like us."

"That's terribly frightening. I have an old friend among the Eternal Flame. Colonel Dilancia. She and her troops will find a way to destroy it."