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They stabbed their dagger into the dirt, teeth gritting as they dragged it across the ground to form their ritual. It wasn’t too complete, without a blood sacrifice nor chalk and all that, but it was enough to compromise.
They were grateful the demigod had left. Spawn knows what she’ll think of them when she sees them finishing their ritual. In fact, Two Time had crept off the roof and dragged themselves off into the woods with their stupid, stupid wings and that heavy tail of theirs so as to make sure she wouldn’t see them completing their ritual. They don’t need another person who thinks they’re crazy for believing in the Spawn.
They’re not insane. The Spawn is real, no matter what that fallen god thinks.
Come think of it. That fallen god should know of the Spawn’s existence. Why he still isn’t aware is…strange, to say the least; he’d called Her worshippers “cultists”, even. They don’t know why, but that name did not settle well with them.
Or maybe they really were stuck in a cult, and they’re just too brain-dead to figure out who was behind it.
They jabbed the candles back into the dirt, around the Spawn’s holy symbol on the ground. They found themselves silently begging the Spawn not to suddenly throw them into whatever strange place they were in when they saw him, but once the ritual was set and the matches were lit, the previous prayers blended away and out of their mind.
(They ignore the fact that they don’t have anything to give the Spawn. Surely She won’t reject them because of this?)
They find themselves already mumbling prayers to the Spawn, a continuous stream of praise, thanks and their doubts running like a waterfall. They were nothing out of the ordinary, though they had left some things out intentionally because they didn’t feel like talking about it.
They receive no acknowledgement. Of course they don’t.
(What are they doing, this is pointless.)
A sigh escaped their throat, and they abandoned their kneeling position by sitting down. Their wings jabbed themselves into the ground and pushed them upwards onto a log, their tail flicking and curling up.
(It’s not going to work. She can’t help you.)
Did they do something wrong? The ritual should work, they should be able to contact Her now! Was there something they missed when setting up the sigils?
(She won’t answer your prayers. She might not even be real.)
They should not doubt Her. They should not be doubting themselves. They should not be doubting the Spawn herself.
This is blasphemy. All of it.
They groaned, and slumped back against the log. Their eyelids were already feeling heavy, from the many countless nights they spent awake, praying.
Ugh, they don’t need rest. The Spawn provides all they need.
“Saviour Spawn, if it comes to the decision we must make, must I stay in this purgatory to repent for my sins or rejuvenate our mortal forms to make it all…right once more?” They mumbled to themselves, eyes shifting upwards to stare at the starless, voidlike sky. “To right what we have done wrong, to repent for mistakes we have made?”
Only silence answered their question. Like it always does.
They closed their eyes, and heaved another sigh.
Answers, answers to questions that would never be solved. They really do hope they would not have to turn to the ██████ for help again.
“—r child? Are you awake?”
Darkness still greeted them as they blinked open their eyes, groaning. Among the pitch black void of emptiness, a clear source of light stood emanating from the symbol of the Spawn, one they know all too well. Clothed in white robes, cloak rested on Her shoulders, a peaceful and relieved expression hung on Her face.
They couldn’t believe their eyes.
“Saviour Spawn!” Their knees hit the ground before they could fully process themselves and everything around them. “I–I thank you for listening to my prayers, and I must ask you to forgive my doubts and blasphemous thoughts—”
Her bright, light-hearted chuckle interrupted them before they could continue their ramblings. “Oh, dearest Two Time. Always so fervent and devoted.” She smiled. “You must understand: I do not blame you for your misgivings, and I never will. You will always be forgiven, because it is in a mortal’s nature to doubt, to question whenever things go astray. You must have known, from your oath and your wish, must you not?”
They caught themselves stuttering, unable to form a proper sentence. They cursed themselves for embarrassing themselves in front of their goddess, face flushed red as they attempted to avoid eye contact.
It reminded them of the first time they begged Her for Her assistance.
Her smile didn’t falter the slightest. “Now, tell me, what is this you seek?”
“T–this place.” They finally mustered up the courage to speak once more. (They facepalm themselves internally. They’ve done this many times before; why do they have to be such an embarrassment now?) “Is this a place of righting mistakes, or is this all a test? I have fulfilled my oath, rid the world of those…disgraces to your name, yet…have I done something wrong? I seek relief, from knowledge that I have completed what must be done, so why am I still standing, these gifts of yours now a burden that weighs me down every step I make, every decision I make?”
She stared at them, eyes widened. “You have completed your side of the oath, yes!” She said. “I can only suppose your unfortunate arrival to the Spectre’s realm was all but…Her drawbacks of the oath. As for your appendages, the Spectre has simply modified them to fit their gain, though…they must have reasons I do not know of in their actions. They are more of a…ah, how shall I put it? They are a complicated figure, holding the best of intents yet being ever so careless. It is their duty to bring redemption, to let sinners face their past and repent.”
“I–I do not wish to kill anymore, Saviour Spawn. Please. It–It brings back the memories. All of them.”
She sighed, smile still hung on their face as they approached to caress their face. “Dearest Two Time. This will all be over soon, when you have faced your actions and their consequences. When you, all of your brethren have made up for their sins, you will be able to be brought back, from whatever method you have died from. You are not at fault, but trust me, it will all be over soon.”
They don’t know what to answer with. Their brain was still blank, an empty piece of cloth with all its patterns bleached. They managed to gather themselves enough to mutter a simple, “how?” in their smallest voice.
“It is just as I have told you. Face your past, repent your actions, forgive yourself. Only when you have let go of all that weighs you down can you forge onwards back into the waking world.” The Spawn said. “Bear my word in mind, and spread my message. To all those awaiting redemption, they must do exactly as I have said to make their escape from this place.”
“A–are you certain, Saviour Spawn?” They asked.
“I am most certain.” She replied. “Now scurry along. I am sure they would love to hear what help you are able to offer, my child.”