Brother Michael got back up. His nose was bleeding, and he had another cut on his scalp. Bruises were coming through across his face. He stood swaying slightly, looking around for danger as Rodriguez retreated.

  He moves a step forward but staggers sideways. He supports himself with a gravestone. He is breathing heavily and looks unfocused. He slides down to sit, using the stone as a support. He pulls his satchel around, and we both see his lantern broken and covered in blood. The oil container had not been breached.

  "Fuck!" Brother Michael exclaimed, looking at the ruined lantern.

  Profanity surprised me as the whole time I have seen him and heard him speak, he always seemed so reserved and stoic. It was strangely gratifying to see him being human and expressing frustration.

  He looked to the West and the setting sun, knowing now that he did not have long before darkness covered the whole graveyard and the dangers he faced escalated. The sun was a fiery red to the West as it set behind the mountains. He picked himself up and started walking. He still had some distance to go before he reached the church, but I knew that Rodriguez was still alive, and his hunting grounds were active until he reached his lair. This would give him a brief respite.

  At first, he was not very steady, but eventually, he got back into a good walking rhythm and started to make headway. He made a few wrong turns but eventually reached the church's northern side and the doors. He approached them, reading the word sanctuary above on the archway. He seemed unsurprised by it and opened both of the doors.

  By now, the sun had gone, and the night sky was full of light clouds and a Half Moon. He looked around briefly to ensure no dangers were behind him and entered the damaged church.

  As he entered, the sense of peace and the end of hostilities swept over me. He closed the doors and walked down the aisle between the pews towards the altar. He took everything he could see in the pale light through the ruined windows. It was not much, but he could make his way to the altar without significant problems.

  It was here that he stopped and looked uncertain of himself on the direction he had taken to get here. He spent several minutes standing there looking at the statue behind the altar. Eventually, he reached into his coat and pulled out a handkerchief. With almost reverent and slightly shaking hands, he opened the handkerchief, revealing a gold ring.

  He stood there for several more minutes, looking at it as it glinted slightly in the pale moonlight. He took several deep breaths, focused himself and his nerves, reached into the handkerchief, picked up the ring, and then placed it on the altar.

  [Challenger's offering has been accepted.]

  Images and emotions assaulted me. I saw a woman in a white dress. I saw her again walking in a park, then lying ill in bed. Finally, I saw a coffin being lowered into a grave.

  "Emily."

  The name came to me oddly, as I usually get images and emotions. I looked down at the ring and saw the word inside, inscribed in gothic script. Brother Michael Hodge had sat on one of the pews while I was sorting out the images that had appeared because of the item on the altar. The satchel was beside him, and he had pulled out several bandages and food. He slowly removed his coat, as glass from the Lantern was still embedded.

  Over the next roughly twenty minutes, he treated his injuries. He had not been stabbed or badly wounded in the fights, but it was clear his injuries were taking a toll on him. He was bare-chested, unwrapping his ribs with a bandage to stop the bleeding on his back. He was covered in bruises from the impacts of the fists of my Hunters.

  Eventually, he put this shirt and coat back on once they were free of glass shards. He ate and drank, putting everything away when he was finished. He leaned back on the pew, trying to get into a comfortable position due to his injuries. He sat there for quite a few minutes and seemed to come to a decision.

  "In the name of the Higher and Lower Beings, I, a humble challenger, call on the one who rules to parley." Brother Michael spoke out loud to the empty room, and from his tone, I suspected that he did not honestly believe that he would get any answer. The rules restricted me.….

  …. or maybe not.

  I made my choice as the silence continued. I summoned my avatar just behind him in the gap between the pews leading to the doors.

  "Be careful who you call upon in this place."

  Brother Michael let out a cry of fear as he leapt to his feet, spinning around to face me with his knife drawn. His face was taunt with surprise and pain as he strained his injuries.

  "Do not bother; that will not hurt me.

  I indicated to his blade as I walked past him up to the altar. I reached down and picked up the ring, inspecting it. It took him a few more moments before he could speak.

  "Name yourself. I command thee in his name as a brother of the Way of Athamos." I could hear the fear in his voice. He had used the old convention and not expected someone actually to answer. He was now profoundly unsure of what to do.

  "You have no power to command me here, and it is quite rude that you tried. I have appeared only as a courtesy, but you may call me Keeper."

  My casual tone seemed to throw him as he expected more of a reaction from naming this "Athamos", who or whatever that was. I will give him the credit; he did rally quite quickly.

  "I speak for the Way of Athamos and ask that you grant us the right to seek greater understanding of the higher mysteries by learning from this place." I looked at him as he spoke, noticing that he had not lowered the blade and held it ready for use.

  "And what would that entail?"

  "The Way would control access to the gates and ensure that the land around is not disturbed. In return, we will supply you with the means to grow stronger." Even as he made his pitch, he was still ready to act if attacked. I hopped onto the altar and sat on it, looking at him. I placed the ring back up on the altar next to me.

  "You would deny access to any who seek to enter this place you do not approve of?"

  "If they're unworthy, yes." As he spoke, I could see the conviction in his eyes. This would be bad; fanatics were always the worst to deal with.

  Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.

  "Well, there is the problem. My gates are open to all, worthy or unworthy. Any, and I truly mean any, may cross them whether by accident or choice; if they survive meeting the criteria, they are rewarded for it."

  He spent a few moments thinking about what I had just said to him.

  "The Way can be a help or a hindrance to you. Think about it and choose wisely." He started edging towards me. I had taken note of his dagger during his trip here. It was different from before, more elaborate, and inscribed across the blade's flat surface with that strange lettering.

  "You mean to allow you to control access? Then the answer is a hard no."

  "I must ask you again to recon…" he said as he continued forward. I took no chances and dismissed my avatar just as he lunged at me. His blade passed through the air, and he collided with the altar.

  He looked around wildly, trying to see where I was. When he realised I was not visible anymore, he started to name different beings and Gods, trying to have me take form once more to talk to him. I recognised a few of the names he was throwing around, but clearly, none had any power over me, so I could ignore them.

  Eventually, he calmed down and settled into sitting again. He didn't sleep for the rest of the night, having the knife in hand, and watched the church around him for any signs of movement. He had lit the ruined Lantern, as the oil wick still worked, giving him a little light.

  Outside the church, Rigger had settled in to wait for the Challenger to emerge.

  I was forced to spend the night thinking about how to deal with this Way of Athamos group. I realised that I had a multi-layered problem. First, Brother Michael and the group were outside. Next, the group knew of my existence, so they would send more if they were eliminated. Lastly, how far did this group's reach go?

  Questions without answers: what else was new in my life?

  I might have to resort to violence to eliminate the outside group, but I was down at least two Hunters. Depending on how tomorrow goes, I might be down more.

  The hours dragged past.

  I was rather impressed that Brother Michael stayed awake the whole time. He didn't seem convinced that the rule of sanctuary would apply after his little attempt to do whatever he tried to do to me. I had suspected a nefarious ploy, and it seemed I was correct in my assumption.

  About a half hour before dawn, he got up stiffly and walked over to the altar. The ring was still sitting upon it, untouched from when I had placed it. He looked at it for a few more long moments and then reached out and retrieved it.

  As I watched him do this, I was giddy inside. Even if he survived, if you took the ring with him, it would all be for nothing. I watched him pocket the ring, turn, and walk up between the pews towards the doors.

  Once he reached them, he cracked open one of the doors about an inch to allow him to look out. It was still dark outside, and the moon sat low in the sky. If he left now and were not intercepted, he would make it to the gates for first light.

  He opened the doors and drew his knife once more. With a deep, calming breath, he strode out and moved quickly, turning south around the building, hoping to avoid the spirit to the north. Unfortunately for him, Rigger was waiting and started moving as soon as he saw him.

  Over the years, I have noticed that my Hunters have become tougher and more durable as they levelled. Rodriguez surviving that knife in his side yesterday was a clear sign of it. The fact that he made it to his lair and would heal fast from the time counter above it was a clear sign of the changes.

  Rigger was the highest level and most changed.

  It was time to see what he could do.

  The long night of sitting on the pews with no rest had dulled Brother Michael's reactions and instincts. This allowed Rigger to get close to him before he realised he was there. Brother Michael turned to defend himself, but Rigger jumped and clotheslined/shoulder-barged him, knocking him to the ground. Rigger was able to establish a dominant position by straddling him, and his Bowie knife flashed across his throat.

  Brother Michael was a fierce fighter and competent opponent, but not resting killed him. I watched this dispassionately as he drowned in his blood. Rigger stood up after picking up Brother Michael's blade. He was looking it over and was not paying attention to the dying man at his feet.

  [A Hunter has made a Kill]

  As soon as the kill notification appeared, I summoned my avatar.

  "Well, that was anti-climactic."

  "What ya reckon this is?" He showed me the knife. It reflected the moonlight, and the blade had a blue tint.

  "Place it with the church with the rest of the loot. You will find a gold ring in his coat pocket; bury it with him. Doing it quickly is best, as the sun will be up soon. I will need to deal with the rest outside."

  He ran off to get a shovel. I had them placed near and around the church.

  The timers had started now. The Hunters will be healed tomorrow. I had to deal with the cultists now. Rigger returned and began to dig a grave further from the church as all the closest plots were filled.

  I dismissed my avatar.

  Shifting over to the gates, I could see the sun starting to rise over the horizon. The camp was already awake and watching the gates, awaiting Brother Michael's return. Senior Ahmed was standing beside a fire, drinking from a steaming cup.

  Talking first. I waited for the sun to rise and the light to touch the gates.

  I summoned my avatar.

  My appearance caused much consternation. Senior Amed seemed to have expected something. He put the cup down and walked towards the gates. I waited silently.

  "This humble follower of the Way of Athamos greets you. May I know a name to call you by?" He started as soon as he reached the point just outside the gates. I was inside them, just out of arms reach. I was ready to dismiss my avatar if he made any sudden movements.

  "You may address me as Keeper."

  He nods at my words and takes a moment before speaking.

  "From your appearance, the one we sent in failed the challenge you presented."

  "He did. He failed in ways he did not realise before his death."

  Senior Ahmed frowns at my worst and wonders what I meant.

  "This place has rules. He failed to heed them."

  His frown deepened, and I knew what he was thinking. There was something about that blade that he was using. I suspected it had an ulterior ability that would affect me somehow. If this is all true, then this sneaky old bastard was involved.

  What was up with the way I was talking?

  "A shame. He was a true and devoted follower of the Way." He bowed his head to show respect to the fallen, but I doubted its sincerity. "Did you honour his call for parley if he could make it?"

  "I did. I heard his offer and will tell you this as I told him. Anyone who enters this place, whether by accident or choice, is treated equally. You and yours will not hinder or hamper their access."

  His frown was almost a scowl now.

  "We are old and have many resources at our disposal. We could bring them to bear here, but we seek a detente, not conflict." His features changed to one of openness, wanting to seek a peaceful means before any violence could erupt.

  "I hear the truth in your words. Now, hear mine. I am not without means myself or defenders. Brother Michael learned that to his detriment. Could you win such a conflict? Possibly. But I ask you this: at what cost?"

  I was never so thankful for being so detached from my emotions as I was lying through my teeth here and bluffing like there was no tomorrow. Sure, I had defenders, but I suspected this group could overwhelm me by the sheer weight of numbers and their limited magic resources. I had to gamble on their ignorance of what I truly was due to the length of time since they had encountered something like me.

  My words caused him to pause momentarily, stopping whatever he was about to say. He thought about what I just said to him and then spoke.

  "Yes. I hear what you are saying, and I believe it. That is why I believe we should devise an arrangement so all may prosper."

  "I offer you the same as I offer all who cross these gates. You may send those brave enough to face the challenge of this place to test themselves. As long as you do not interfere with any others who come here."

  "Your offer is generous, but my elders are seeking something more… exclusive."

  "In that you shall be denied."

  "That is a shame, for we of the Way of Athamos could be a great boon to you as you could to us."

  "As I said to you, I am bound by rules, and the rules are very strict. Interfere in my affairs, and I would be forced to take action."

  "I find your threats hollow, Keeper. For we stand at the limits of your domain."

  "Do we?"

  My words caused him to stop and look at me, this time with a touch of fear in his gaze.

  "I am surprised, Senior Ahmed. You do not realise that I own this land through a proxy and that it counters my domain."

  He tensed up. He tried to remain calm and composed, but I sensed the shift. They realised that the Driver family owned the land around here but did not count on me as the true owner.

  "Yes, that's right, Senior Ahmed. I reach further than you think. As are my resources. If you follow my rules, those within your Way may test themselves. Interfere with that, and I will take action against you."

  Senior Ahmed shifted slightly, understanding that the conversation was beyond his control. I suspected he had hoped to bend me to his will with his words and subtle threats if Brother Michael had failed in whatever he was planning to do. He had thought he understood the extent of my reach and power, but I had planted doubt in his mind.

  "Thank you for your words. I will take them to our elders for them to judge and decide on our future relations." He noticed head respectively and turned and walked back to the camp.

  As he walked forward, he began giving orders to the men to break camp and that they were leaving.

  I had won…. for now.