Adam opened his eyes to the sound of quiet hymns.
He found himself standing in a grand church, sunlight filtering through stained glass, illuminating murals of blazing suns and radiant warriors. The arrangement of pews, the solemn choir, and the gathering of people told him all he needed to know: a mass was about to begin.
He analyzed the sacred images on the walls, recognizing the familiar iconography of the Sun God's faith. With calm precision, he excused himself to the assistant of the man whose body he now inhabited, asking to be led to the bathroom. Luckily, one existed. There, alone, he gazed inward at his runes.
They aligned with the Spectator Pathway. A smile crept onto his face as he devised his plan. Returning to the hall, he subtly distorted the minds of those nearby, bending their perceptions. Soon, they would believe the pope, the man Adam had possessed, was truly present and speaking before them.
And so Adam's trial began.
For three days, he played the role flawlessly. His sermons stirred hearts, his presence soothed fears, and with every word, he tugged at the threads of faith like a master puppeteer. The masses adored him. Behind the mask of piety, Adam scribbled in his diary, recording scenarios and weaving plans for every possible outcome.
Then came the news: a dragon was approaching the city.
The faithful trembled, but Adam did not. Fear never touched him, only thrill. Finally, the stage was set for his true performance.
He stood before the congregation, his voice calm and commanding.
"Would you accept such an outcome?"
"Never!" shouted the leader of a scout group. "For we are warriors of the Sun!"
Adam's smile widened. "Then go forth, soldiers of the Sun. Show the beast the wrath of your god."
And they obeyed.
The dragon descended at dawn, vast wings eclipsing the sky. Fire spilled from its jaws, burning fields and houses alike. Its roar shattered the air, yet Adam's soldiers did not break. Fueled by his words, they surged forward with unwavering zeal, arrows piercing scales, spears digging into flesh.
The battle raged for hours. The town burned to ash, screams echoing from collapsing homes. Still, the soldiers pressed on, sacrificing themselves one by one. Adam watched from the heart of the inferno, his silver cross glinting in the firelight, his white cloak blackened with soot.
At last, the dragon faltered. One wing shredded, blood flowing like rivers, it collapsed to its knees. The remaining soldiers cheered weakly, only to fall silent as they realized their homes were gone, their families buried in flame. Victory had come at the price of annihilation.
Adam did not mourn.
He stepped forward, hand raised, threads of distortion ensnaring the dragon's mind. Its movements slowed, its will cracked. Calmly, Adam lifted a fallen soldier's sword and plunged it into the beast's glowing core.
The dragon roared one final time, then collapsed into the ashes of the ruined city.
Adam stood alone, triumphant.
"Perfect," he whispered.
Then came the voice.
[wake up, Adam. Your nightmare is over]
[prepare for appraisal...]
Adam exhaled in relief. Three weeks in the nightmare, and finally, the end.
[You have received a memory: the quill of alzuhood]
[You have received a memory: sun god crucifix]
[Aspirant. Your trial is over]
The world around him dissolved into black void, like the seam between dream and reality. Adam's smile grew sharper.
"Soon… this will be my domain."
[A father of the Sun God church manipulated the hearts of the mass, playing with their emotions like toys. When he learned a dragon was coming, instead of fear, he felt thrill. Once more he bent their hearts, drove them into battle, and emerged the victor at the price of his entire city.]
[You have defeated 1 fallen terror. Name: dragon of imagination, Ankewelt]
[You have killed the unkillable]
[You have achieved the impossible]
[Final appraisal: glorious. Your imagination truly knows no bounds]
[Dreamer Adam, receive your boon]
[You have been bestowed a true name: angel of imagination]
And Adam smiled, not with relief, but with delight.
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This is one of my hated chapters that I wrote but oh well what can I do I gotta stick to the principle of position at least once a week
Edit: I noticed that I accidentally wrote alzuhood except of Ankewelt