To prevent any further tragedies like what had happened to Gasper Five, or even worse, the information that memetic monsters had begun to spawn was released to the higher-ups of every military operating outside of the ‘protected space’. These weren’t like void monsters that would lose their powers when entering an area protected by the Hyperlane Network. After all, their powers only imitated the effects of the void, rather than originating there.
Furthermore, there was no ironclad defense against memetic effects. Anti-memes could themselves become dangerous if used improperly. Thus, new protocols were created. First, all active exploration ships were ordered to halt their progress and immediately enter networked systems. Afterwards, they would cease any communication with the outside world to prevent possible transfers of existing memetic effects.
While this was ongoing, a new base was being built on a previously uninhabited world, one that would exist to process potentially contaminated groups. Multiple research groups were called in to help with the planning of memetic screening. With most memetic effects, it was incredibly difficult to tell whether or not someone was under the effect before it fully unleashed its power.
When I heard about this, I was naturally unsettled. From my perspective, the invasion had only just ended, and we were already having to deal with a resurgence in a void-related threat? Worse, because these monsters spawned locally, our normal defenses wouldn’t protect us.
Upon my return to Olympus, I sat in my office, thinking of what I could potentially do. I couldn’t look up any detailed information about the monsters in question, as memetic effects were often transferred via information, no matter the format. Although there was only a low risk of infection, that was still substantial when the consequences were considered.
There was only one way that I could think of to allow my power to be used to help those potentially afflicted by these effects without personally going there and painting a great big target on my back. I was going to need more priests.
Priscilla focused, placing her hand over the body of the young boy that was brought in to the temple. His parents were sobbing as he bled onto the temple’s floor, one of his arms missing. Apparently, he had left the city with some friends, and they had encountered a monster. Though it was a weaker monster, it was more than a match for a group of children. This boy had stayed behind to let the others retreat, and had been badly mangled as a result.
Priscilla thought to herself as she examined the injuries. The Page of Life should be able to let him recover. She smiled gently, a faint light emerging from her hand as the image of a book appeared within her mind.
Such injuries were not difficult for healers to fix, and it was indeed a little overkill to bring the child to the temple to receive treatment, when there were many healers throughout the city. Regardless, when she heard the story of the young boy, Priscilla had immediately volunteered to handle his care personally.
The claw marks on the boy’s chest closed up, the bones and muscles of his missing arm starting to grow out to form a fresh limb. When they saw this, the boy’s parents seemed to grasp a glimmer of hope. When he gave a sudden, deep breath, his eyes opening, they rushed over, voicing their thanks to the priestess.
Priscilla stood, taking a step back to allow the parents to hold their son. This was why she had wanted to become a priestess when she was a child, the simple joy of being able to help those in need. Nowadays, there were too few roles for priests to play in modern society, aside from being the agents of the gods. If someone wanted a healer, they could visit a doctor, who was commonly versed in various healing magics. If they wanted advice, they would consult the internet. The most common function that remained for a temple was that of an orphanage.
It was rare for someone to rush into the temple requiring urgent attention, but while others were taken aback, Priscilla stepped forward to offer any aid that she could. Why else had the gods created temples accessible to all?
Priscilla… Her thoughts were interrupted by a voice permeating her mind, her eyes going wide in shock. She was familiar with this voice now, one that she had only rarely heard since accepting her newest role.
Yes, sir Keeper? Priscilla asked, before looking at the parents with a smile. “Your son should be fine now. Be sure not to let him venture out like this again.” She reminded the duo, who thanked her profusely while taking their son away. Moments later, another priest appeared to clean the mess that had been left on the floor.
I have an important mission for you. Priscilla clenched her fists when she heard this, anticipating what mission the Keeper may have in store. A great threat has been discovered in deep space. To aid those that will be afflicted by it in the future, I intend to dispatch my priests to the bases being prepared to receive them.
How may I be of assistance?
After she voiced her question, Priscilla had to wait for a few moments before the Keeper responded. I need you to help me select additional priests. For this, you will need to travel outside of your home realm, as I require two priests from every realm to ensure that the help arrives where it is needed.
Priscilla’s eyes widened once again. If she was being given the authority to recruit priests on behalf of the Keeper, that essentially granted her the highest rank in his church. Still, she was not greedy for rank, more shocked that it had been given so easily. I understand, sir Keeper. Do you have any requirements on who is chosen?
There was another pause, before the Keeper finally answered her. They must be a devout believer of at least four members of the Greater Pantheon. When you are doing the final screening, you can ask the ones they worship if the person has left any significant impact on them. If they are only pretending to be devout, you can expose their corruption. However, if their devotion is true, and they have performed admirably by the gods they worship, you can grant them the title of my priest.
Priscilla gave a firm nod, a wide smile blooming on her face. There were many priests that served multiple gods, though it was hard to say who among them could be called truly devout. I understand, sir Keeper. I will strive to achieve results that you can be proud of. Do you have any other instructions for me?
Priscilla knew that it was rare for the Keeper to personally initiate contact, so she wanted to make sure that she understood everything that was expected of her before the conversation was concluded. Inform those that you intend to recruit… they will need to establish powers related to dealing with memetic effects.
Priscilla blinked in confusion, having to take a moment to recall what the term meant. When she understood, she let out a soft gasp, startling the priest that was still cleaning the mess on the floor. Sir Keeper, is there another void threat? Should we inform the people?
Those that need to know have already been informed. This isn’t a recurrence of V-Day. Instead, similar monsters have started to appear in deep space. These monsters could be affecting travelers without them ever being aware, and it is these travelers that I wish to offer aid to.
Priscilla gave a small nod of understanding. I see. In that case, should I assign an additional priest from Deckan? I do not have any powers assigned that would be able to clear memetic effects, and many of the books that would offer such things have been used for other abilities.
The Keeper naturally agreed. That’s right. I won’t say that you should remain at the temple after finding those to assign this task. You may go where you wish to help people in your own way. I’ve seen how you used the power that I gave you, and know that the temple may not be the best location for you to assist those in need.
Priscilla bit her lips, but ultimately nodded her head. She had known herself that there was little that she could do from the temple, aside from educating those that came to learn. The few times that she ventured out to small villages, she had been able to do far more to help them.
I understand. Once I have chosen the two from Deckan, I will begin my travels to other worlds. To be clear, will I need to acquire priests in the game worlds such as Fragments of Acidia, World Seed, and Vision Expanse?
This time, the Keeper’s response was almost immediate. No, those worlds should be spared from these monsters, as they had been forcibly taken down during V-Day.
Priscilla gave another nod. Immediately turning on her heels, she ignored the confused look of the priest before her, and walked towards her room. Surprisingly, she didn’t look for any of the priests from this temple. While there were many good seedlings there, they did not quite match up to what Priscilla wanted to find for the Keeper’s priests, especially not when told their future missions.
The priests at these temples served as educators and spreaders of the doctrine, but rarely left to handle other matters. Thus, for the priests that would help from Deckan, Priscilla planned to visit those remote villages or smaller cities, where the church played a more active role in helping their communities.
The Keeper hadn’t given her a specific deadline for the mission, but she wanted to get it done as swiftly as she could. The memetic entities would not be waiting for her to finish before they began launching their attacks, so there was no reason for her to wait, either.
As she was packing her belongings, there was a knock on her door. “Sister Priscilla, may I come in?” The familiar voice of the cardinal sounded out. Despite technically being the highest ranked official in the church, the man still needed to address Priscilla as his equal, due to the fact that Priscilla was the only priestess personally chosen by the Keeper.
“Of course, cardinal.” Priscilla answered, though she did not stop grabbing clothes and other necessities to place in her inventory.
“Is something the matter?” The cardinal asked as he entered her quarters, seeing how she seemed to be hurrying to leave.
“The Keeper has issued me a mission to find additional priests to serve him in an upcoming endeavor.” Priscilla explained simply, the cardinal’s eyes widening slightly. “I am preparing to leave immediately to fulfill this mission.”
“Why not choose some of our own?” The cardinal asked, though Priscilla knew what he really meant, wanting to be the one chosen himself. “If this is such an urgent mission, then surely selecting talents closer at hand would be wise?”
Priscilla turned to look at him with a small smile. “You’re right, it would. Then, would you like to volunteer to go to a remote space colony, tending to those afflicted with memetic blights capable of turning their bodies into writhing horrors, knowing that one wrong move, one wrong thought could lead you to the same fate?”
When the cardinal heard this, his eyes went wide, his face drained of color. He reflexively retreated a step. “I-I was obviously not referring to myself, Sister. However, it seems that you already have a target set in mind. I won’t disturb your preparations further.” After he said that, he backed out of her room, and she could hear his footsteps retreating down the hall.
Priscilla simply chuckled to herself, knowing that someone with so little conviction would not be able to complete the mission set forth by the Keeper.
