Risk asking for help

You leave the tortured dreams, but you still find yourself in hell, even days later. You can't settle your erection down to normal, but you can't reach an orgasm either. You are perpetually in a state of nearly coming, and the increased sensitivity and tension is wearing on you. Your sleep has been fitful, the only solace being that you haven't revisited the demonic planes again to have additional curses and pains levied against you. You are more prone to agitation and emotional eruptions, which is affecting your day to day operations. Working with the children at the orphanage has proven to be adding insult to injury. Teaching and caring for the children is always difficult work, but it's always been something you enjoyed, having been in their shoes your whole life. You've ever been a stern teacher, but a fair one. Today though, that distinction slipped away, to the point that the ArchDeacon saw fit to intervene. It was late afternoon by the time he spoke to you.

"Demetria, I think you and I need to take a quiet moment to talk." He didn't say what, but you inherently knew what it was regarding. You didn't have the patience for this, but you couldn't tell the leader of the church to bugger off, so you go with it. "Regarding what, Archdeacon?" You ask calmly.

"About the behavior in your classroom, actually." Doolyn still skirting around the issue, you try to play the card of innocence, "The children may change from month to month but their behavior is always the same. Rambunctious, chaotic, refusal to listen to basic instruction."

"I know. I remember the same things said of you when you were young. It's actually your behavior I'm here to talk about, not the children."

"What of it?" You ask, a hint of consternation peaking through your studied neutrality

"You made at least three of the children cry." Doolyn let the statement linger for a moment as he propped himself into a nearby chair "That doesn't sound like the Demetria I know. Surely there must have been a mistake, or you're Demetria's doppleganger…"

Your body tenses hearing those words. That is as far away from what you've ever wanted as is possible. "I didn't know that" You reply, quietly

"Well, they seem to have at least gained some of your strength, holding their feelings in tight until they left your classroom, but they ran straight for your fellow Sisters after for consolation." Ironic, you realize, as you're normally the one they turn towards, not away from. You take a seat next to the Archdeacon, and let a long sigh. "I didn't mean for that to happen..."

"I'm certain of that. Don't you worry. Your Sisters and members of the congregation have been walking around you on eggshells as well, so I'm afraid I must ask what's going on? You're hardly the same person you were anymore."

"I know!" You grunt out "Sorry..." You say immediately, exhaling deeply "I had another dream, like the one I shared before."

The Archdeacon's face contorts on hearing the news. It wasn't just a dream, this is all very real "I thought we agreed that you would let me know if something like this happened again. That you wouldn't try to do this on your own."

"We did. She...found out, somehow. I think she's watching me. Been watching me for a while, I'm guessing. She's been punishing me for telling you what happened, and I don't know how to make this stop."

"Punishing you? Like a curse?"

"Something like that, yes Archdeacon"

"That's troubling..." Doolyn raised from his seat and motioned for you to follow him with his free hand "That should not be possible, for her to affect you through the planes that way."

"But it is Archdeacon, honestly!" You start to protest

"I'm not saying that you aren't telling the truth my dear..." He motions for you to be still and quiet "It means that we're dealing with a more sinister and powerful foe than we originally anticipated."

"So, what does this mean?" You ask plaintively, as you follow him into his room, more a study than a large bedroom with the number of books in it.

"This means war" Fergus Doolyn spoke with seriousness and gravity you have not heard from him before. With some struggle, he finds a large, old tome from beneath a stack and pulls it out, thumbing through the pages

"What are you looking for, Archdeacon?"

"An artifact" he replies, his eyes unwavering from his pages "A crystalline necklace said to protect the wearer from all curses. It was buried with its owner, a crusader of impossible bravery and tenacity. You'll need to retrieve it, likely with some help."

You're wary of the help idea, given that's what put you in this position. "Couldn't I do this alone?" The Archdeacon shakes his head "Not likely. The purveyors of evil are not without a sense of irony. The crypt has become a dwelling for the hungry undead, you will need to fight your way through them to retrieve it." Fergus finally walks from his book, facing you "I wish that I could be there with you. I'd charge the gates of Helheim to keep you safe"

"I know, and I appreciate it..." You hold your masters hand, and for a blissful surprise, the tension throughout your body eases. You clench his hand hard "You're more than enough help. I just wish I could always be around you."

"Keep me in your thoughts as you leave, child, and I always will be" He squeezes your hand in return, and slips out, your body quickly returning to its previous state.