A Matter of Faith

Elliot didn't stop moving until he reached the farthest corner of the lavishly decorated room. Not that there was anywhere to go. The walls were smooth stone, the heavy wooden door locked from the outside, and the windows—if they could even be called that—were thin slits carved into the rock, allowing only a sliver of moonlight to filter in.

Great. Just great.

He was trapped. In a cult. Wearing ceremonial bridal robes. With a creepy kid who may or may not have been in on whatever messed-up ritual was about to happen.

"Okay," Elliot exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "Let's just… process this rationally."

[Processing…]

"Not you," he snapped.

The system fell silent.

Sahir, however, was still watching him. His hands were neatly tucked into his oversized sleeves, his posture as still as a painting. The dim lanterns cast strange shadows across his face, making his delicate features look softer—almost gentle. But his dark eyes held a depth that unsettled Elliot, like staring into deep water and realizing something was looking back.

"So," Elliot started, crossing his arms. "Do I get an explanation for this whole bride cosplay situation, or do I just have to accept that cults are into weird roleplay?"

Sahir's expression remained unreadable. "It is not a roleplay."

Elliot deadpanned. "Yeah, I got that part."

"You seem troubled."

"Oh, do I?" Elliot let out a dry laugh. "Sorry, it's just—usually when people give me clothes, it doesn't come with a free property of [Insert God Here] tag."

Sahir's lips parted slightly, as if about to say something, but then he stopped. His gaze flickered downward, studying Elliot's robes with quiet intensity. His small fingers ghosted over the golden embroidery again, tracing the woven symbols with almost reverent care.

Elliot resisted the urge to step back.

"...You really don't know what it means?" Sahir finally asked.

Elliot frowned. "I literally just said that—"

"It is not just a title," Sahir interrupted softly. "It is a bond."

Elliot blinked. "A what now?"

Sahir took a step closer. "A vow. An unspoken promise between the chosen and their protector."

Elliot's stomach twisted. That sounded way too close to something permanent. "You mean, like, a contract?"

Sahir shook his head. "No. Contracts are written. This is…" His dark eyes flickered up to meet Elliot's again. "It is something deeper. A claim that cannot be undone."

Elliot's pulse kicked up a notch.

That sounded worse than a contract.

[Correction: This is an oath of devotion. A mark of one who has been acknowledged by a god.]

Elliot's breath hitched. "Acknowledged?" His voice came out drier than he intended. "As in…?"

[As in, you are under divine protection.]

Elliot's first instinct was to laugh. The only problem was—nothing about this situation felt like a joke.

He forced a swallow, shifting uneasily. "...You mean ownership."

Sahir's expression didn't change. "Does it make a difference?"

Elliot stared at him, dumbfounded. "YES?! It makes a huge difference! Protection means, I don't know, getting a holy bodyguard. Ownership sounds like I just signed myself away to some ancient eldritch entity!"

Sahir tilted his head. "You dislike it?"

Elliot scoffed. "Oh, no, I love being marked as divine property. Totally my aesthetic." He threw his hands up. "What kind of question is that?"

Sahir blinked at him, as if genuinely confused by Elliot's reaction. Then, after a long pause, he murmured, "Most would be honored."

Elliot exhaled sharply. "Well, I'm not 'most,' okay? I don't do well with the whole 'worship and obedience' thing."

Sahir was quiet for a moment. Then, unexpectedly, he smiled.

"Yes," he said simply. "I know."

Elliot froze.

Something about the way Sahir said that—like an unshakable certainty, like he knew him—sent a chill down his spine.

He swallowed. "Okay. Weirdo alert. You're being even more weird now. Dial it back, yeah?"

Sahir only stared at him, his small smile unfaltering.

Elliot scowled and turned away. "I'm done with this conversation. I'm gonna go sit in that corner and rethink my life choices."

Sahir didn't stop him.

Elliot stormed over to the mattress, flopping down with a huff. He barely had a moment to breathe before the system pinged again.

[Ding! New quest unlocked: A Bond Unshaken.]

Oh, hell no.

Elliot squeezed his eyes shut. "I swear to god—"

[Would you like to review quest details?]

"NO."

[Understood. Quest details will be provided when conditions are met.]

Elliot wanted to scream.

Sahir, meanwhile, stood in the same spot, watching him with quiet amusement.

"You should rest," he said after a moment.

Elliot shot him a glare. "Rest? After that conversation?"

"You will need your strength," Sahir continued as if he hadn't heard him. "Tomorrow is a day of offering."

Elliot's irritation was immediately replaced with suspicion. "...What kind of offering?"

Sahir smiled. "Faith."

Elliot did not like the sound of that.

Not one bit.