When our eyes met that day in the courtyard, I felt as if the Kaiser herself had ordained our meeting.
I cannot explain it precisely, but there was something that radiated from her eyes at that time, something far different than the looks of respect and admiration that the others around me would give. Yes, there was just more to it, like a sort of longing, almost as if she had found exactly what she was looking for.
The serene smile she sent my way is something forever burned in my memory. I rushed through my business that day, trying to get free even a moment earlier so I could search for the woman who had captivated me so easily.
She was still waiting there in the garden, and when I approached she beamed at me once again.
“I knew you’d come.” She said wistfully.
Yes, I am certain some unknown power was behind our meeting. What followed were months of unbelievable bliss. To think an older man such as myself would garner the affections of one so youthful and beautiful… It was almost too good to be true.
But it was true, she assured me. She told me of how since joining the church, she highly respected and looked up to me, in awe of my lofty position as keeper of the Shroud of the Saint King. It had interested her, so she begun to secretly watch me and eventually fell for me.
I could not help but melt as she leaned in close to me, pressing her young, supple body against mine as she whispered words of love in my ear.
It did not take long for me to begin to desire her as well. I may be a pious man, but before such words of devotion from her I could not help but crumble. Nothing in the Saint Church doctrine prohibits affairs between priests and nuns, so there wasn’t anything unfaithful in it.
Occasionally we would come close to giving in to our carnal desires, but she would always pull back.
“I want to wait for it to be really special.” She would always tell me. I respected her wishes, so we never went that far. It mattered not, for our bond was all that was needed to sate me.
However, one day she appeared to be out of sorts. When I questioned her, she attempted to pass it off as nothing, saying it wasn’t a big deal and I shouldn’t worry about it. Naturally I kept prying as it was obvious something was troubling my beloved. She eventually broke down and explained the situation to me.
Her father was an avid gambler with little luck, so he had amassed quite an amazingly large debt. Paying such a debt was no longer feasible by regular means, so when the collectors came for him, he offered the only thing he had of any value: his own daughter.
I was appalled by this, but she was even more devastated. Tears welling in her eyes, she told me that if she didn’t go, her father would be killed. She didn’t want that to happen, but she also didn’t want to be given away to some strange men, as she was sure she’d be sold off to be some person’s plaything. She was saving herself for me, she said, so the mere thought was revolting, but she couldn’t leave her father to die.
Running up to me and putting her body against mine, she gingerly put a hand to my cheek and looked into my eyes with her watery ones.
“Please, you have to help me.” She begged in a whisper.
Of course I wanted to help her, I would do anything for her, but what could I do? Even if I were to put her and her father in protective custody, apparently this organization had ties everywhere, so even the church might not be safe. I would have to eliminate the debt itself, but how? When I took my vows I gave up all worldly possessions, so I had no money of my own.
If only I could get that money quickly some how…
The image of the holy item flashed through my mind. Yes, if we sold that, it would certainly be worth more than enough! But what was I thinking? Was I honestly considering stealing the holy relic? Looking into the pleading eyes of my love made my heart constrict. Yes, if it was for her I would do anything, even betray my god.
“… I have an idea.” I told her, explaining what it was. My words took a moment to register before her face showed shock.
“You can’t do that.” She tried to reason. “Even if it is for me, to do such a thing…”
“It’s the only way to save you!” I assured her. I wasn’t going to lose her like this, so I would do it.
Using my clearance I easily made my way into the chamber which held the shroud. I hesitated momentarily, a sliver of doubt appearing in my resolve. Clenching my teeth, I reassured myself that it was the only way. It was for the sake of my love, so surely the Kaiser would understand! Would she not be pleased to know that her legacy had saved others and brought them happiness?
I took it and then made haste to our rendezvous point. I had become a criminal, but I was prepared for it. It was all for my beloved’s sake!
We met up and made our way outside the church walls. We ran quickly and it appeared as though we would get away with our crime. Suddenly, she stopped and turned to me.
“Let me hold on to it.” She asked, gesturing to the cloth I carried. Nodding, I handed it to her. “So this is…” She muttered, examining the ancient fabric before folding it up and tucking it under her arm.
“Quickly, we must go!” I urged her, but she just smiled at me.
“I must thank you for all that you’ve done.” She said. “And now your usefulness has ended.”
“W-What?” I gasped in shock. What was she…?
“IS: Liar’s Mask.”
I felt something sharp and hot pierce into my belly. The sensation was nearly secondary to the shock I felt seeing her lovely brown hair lighten in colour and her habit dissolving into some sort of blue jump suit.
The burning in my gut spread horizontally and I heard something fall with a sickening squish. Wondering why I suddenly felt so much lighter, I peered down to see what seemed to be intestines piled onto the ground. Following the organs, I noticed they climbed up into the slash across my stomach…
Oh, so those are my intestines…
I made to voice my disbelief, but I only choked on the blood that had flowed out of my mouth.
“It’s been fun.” She said, running her tongue across the crimson stained claws that adorned her fingers. “But this is where we part ways.”
The last thing my mind registered was her bladed hand swinging at my neck.