A Devil in the Church

Stix arrived at the church, looking at the note Inkwell gave him. He had been working with The Lesser Evil Firm for the past three years now ever since they helped him get out of a situation he fell into. Rather than giving over a portion of his soul, he had offered to work as a mortal consultant, helping gather information that Lucian and his firm couldn’t obtain. He also helped spread the word of the firm, handing Dealing in Interpretation to that poor family when he saw them begging the clergy for help.
It looked like he was about to gain a commission, as he now found himself helping gather information about the case.
Stix seemed out of place within Brishwater. He was a mountain orc within the peasant farming town, towering over most of the residents at 6’6”. He kept most of his muscular body green covered in his blue overcoat, his studded leather armor cuirass and brown leather pants. He tried to fit in with wherever he travelled, but his height always betrayed his actual race causing him to stand out. He wore a basic rimmed hat to cover his well groomed hair, a gift from his employers that alters based on where he is. Finally on his back was his weapon, a basic copper axe that he kept with him at all times.
The orc entered into the church nodding to some of the folks as he did. He was tasked to ask the clerics about recent fiendish events in the area. Obviously, devils entering a church was frowned upon, which is why the orc was the most likely candidate. He walked up to the head priest and bowed.
“Father Enzo, I doubt you remember me, but I am…” Stix began.
“Stix, yes I remember.” Enzo remarked, turning towards the orc. “It is not often a mountain orc visits our church, let alone twice.” He gives a pleasant smile. “How may I help you today?”
Stix returned the smile, and looked around. “Do you mind if we speak in private? I am conducting an investigation, and would rather not speak in public.”
Enzo arched his brow and frowned. “Of course, but it will have to wait until after my sermon? You are welcome to stay for it.”
Stix twitched. “I’m… not really a religious person.” He replied.
“You don’t have to be religious to view a sermon.” Enzo clarifies. “Just because you do not believe in a god or don’t see religion as a salvation, doesn’t mean you would not gain anything from it.” He looks out to the pews of the church. “Of course, I am a religious man, but my sermons have been written to offer advice for all walks of life.”
Stix frowned, but nodded. “Then I suppose I should take you up on the offer.”
Enzo smiled warmly, as he left to continue his preparations. Being in a church caused Stix unease, he would have rathered had been in and out, but it seems like that wouldn’t be the case.
Stix took a seat in the back as Father Enzo began his sermon. Stix always saw sermons as an hour of some old guy remarking how great some higher power was and how all mortals were shit, but to his surprise Enzo offered valuable advice, choosing to lean on each other first before praying to god. He explained that gods were busy beings, and that while they will help when there are no other options, they will only help those who earnestly try to help themselves.
It was cliche, but it wasn’t the worst thing Stix had to sit through. At the end of the sermon, he gave an extra half-hour to allow Father Enzo to talk to his followers. When he was sure Enzo was free, he approached him.
Enzo seemed to expect him as he turned around to look at the orc. “I was expecting you. How did you find the sermon?”
“It was better then most stuff I have been forced to sit thru.” Stix admitted. "I didn't feel like I was going to fall asleep, as it wasn't the same thing I heard countless times."
Father Enzo chuckled and smiled. "I suppose I should take that as a compliment then. Your kind isn't exactly known for their religious virws." he says pleasently. "If you are ready, I can talk now if you want."
"That would be great, thank you father."
The two enter through a hallway to the back of the church. They entered a small office with some bookshelves and desks. On one wall were a bunch of notes pinned to it, which Stix took notice of instantly. Enzo motioned to a chair near the desk as he took the chair on the opposite side.
“Thank you for meeting with me Father… I don’t intend to take up much of your time.”
“It is not an issue. Can I get you something to drink?”
Stix shook his head. “That won’t be necessary.” He said, taking out some notes. “I’m here looking into Brent and Cassidy Woodham.”
Father Enzo released a sigh hearing their names. He poured himself some tea and walked over to the desk. “I should have known this was about that. You were there when they approached me.”
“Yes, I couldn’t help but overhear their plea, so I offered to look into it.”
“You should drop the case if it's not too late.” Father Enzo remarked. “They choose to defy the laws of the land, contacting evil beings to further their agenda.”
“I understand that, but I am currently looking into what led them to the deal that they made. It's my belief that they are not being straight with anyone.” Enzo explained. “Is there anything you can tell me about them?”
Father Enzo hummed. “You understand you are asking me to divulge private information.”
“But at the same time I don’t believe you would allow an innocent child to fall victim due to no fault of their own.” Stix countered. “I’m not doing this for the parents, I’m doing this for that innocent child.”
Enzo looked down at his tea, seemingly in thought, and sighed. “You are right about that. What do you want to know?”
Stix took a breath. “Do you know any reason why a devil would target the Woodhams?”
Enzo took a sip, and hummed. “I can’t exactly think of any specific reason, but at the same time I am not exactly surprised.” He motioned to the wall of notes. “The Woodham case is not the only that has happened in the past month, there have been numerous reports of devils approaching would-be parents.”
“Really…” Stix hummed. “And has it always been for the soul of the child?”
“Everytime.” Enzo confirmed. “Except for when the parent wanted, well, terminate the birth. Then it was the mother’s soul that was forfeited.”
Enzo frowned. “Has it always been the same devil?”
“It appears so… it appears to have a way to get around really quickly.” he recounts, looking towards the wall. A large map of the country spanned with several X’s on it. “Those are the reported accounts, but very rarely when someone deals with the dark magics they actually report it.”
Stix looked at the wall, seeing the distances between the affected areas. The dates on it did not convey accurate travel times, suggesting other means of travel were utilized. “So you believe they willingly summoned the devil?”
“They could not find an answer to their prayers, so they turned to the dark arts. It is only natural.”
Something didn’t seem right about the situation to Stix. “Father, how often do miscarriages happen?” he asks, looking at the map with the dates. “18 miscarriages in a month seems like a lot for the country.”
Stix was right, for that to happen, essentially half of all births in the past month were failed. With how far medicine and alchemy had come it was inexcusable for this degree of failure.
Father Enzo stammered, being caught off guard. “I… I never actually thought about that, Young Orc.” He admitted, looking back to the orc. “Your insight is exquisite.”
“It isn’t exactly that hard to see.” Stix growls. “Do you have a clue about why these numbers would be up?”
Enzo averted his gaze. “In truth, the church doesn’t keep track of that kind of stuff normally. It's just this is a special case of circumstances.” he explains, looking towards his tea.
Stix frowned, not believing his answer. “Furthermore, I actually took a look at the supposed hellspawn.” He lied, staring at the Priest. “There was not a smudge of taint on that child. Remind me, Father, when someone receives a boon from a devil, does it not leave a black mark upon them? Why did you tell them otherwise?”
“I told them to protect the child.” Father Enzo stammered. “Wait, you can…” Father Enzo caught himself before continuing.
Stix smirked. “Gods aren’t the only who grant their followers a Divine Sense.” He waves his hand in front of him, as his eyes take on a red sheen. “Except, my sense is a little more… devilish.”
Father Enzo nearly fell back in his chair, reaching for a cross and prayer beads on his desk and thrusting them towards him. “But how? How cannot I see it?”
Stix stood up and walked around the desk, standing over the priest. “The devil I dealt with severed the tainted part of my soul, preventing it from becoming further corrupted.” He explained, looking down at the priest. “There is nothing to see. Now, I believe we are avoiding the question I asked… Why did you tell the family the child was marked?”
Father Enzo stammered, clearly caught in his lie… he stuttered and shivered. “Because for all intents and purposes, he was marked.” He finally admitted. “That baby was an incarnation evil, while it was in that harlot.”
Stix crossed his arms, staring at the priest. “And what is that supposed to mean?”
“It means what I said it means. I was able to tell when that witch made her bed with that devil. When she came in for her check up I could see the corruption in that poor child's soul, marred by the actions of his parents.” Enzo spat, getting up from his chair. “Why does a hellspawn like you care anyways?”
The Orc grabbed the collar of the Priest and lifted him up with one hand to look at him. His natural strength easily overwhelms Enzo’s frail body. The cross in his hands clattered to the ground. “You would do best not to insult an orc with such names. We aren’t much of a fan of them.” He growled, before dropping him with a thud. He picked up the cross and examined it in his hands. “It may surprise you, old man, but some devil's work differently than average fiends, just as some priests don’t work in the best interests of their gods,” he explained, placing the cross back on the desk. “It's not all black and white out there, there are many shades of grey in between. Now, are you certain it was the baby that was marked, and not the mother?”
Enzo coughed, and brushed himself off. “Of course I am certain, it wasn’t until after the birth when that stain went away.” He recounted, looking away from the orc. “I was amazed as when I was helping deliver the spawn, to see a pure, innocent child emerge from that witch.”
Stix lowered his head in thought. “And you lied to them, saying that they were stained.”
Father Enzo sighed, lowering himself back into the chair. “With all the knowledge I have, that child was stained until it left that womb. Where that stain went, I could not tell you, but stain or not, that child is still the product of a devil.”
Stix hummed, taking out a notepad and jotting down some notes. “I see, I can understand your stand on this for sure, but at this point you can clearly tell something amiss is happening.” He explains, looking to the priest. “Your further cooperation in this matter would be appreciated in my investigation.”
“Further cooperation?” He stammered, mouth agape. “You’re working for a devil, what makes you think I would be willing to give you anything more?”
Stix hummed. “As a man of god, you would know as much as I would that there cannot be good without evil, and vice versa.” He explained, crossing his arms. “It's not like I am asking you to shed your faith or sell your soul. I need any information you have gathered about this devil, and someone to keep me informed of its movements. Is that so much to ask?”
Enzo looked down at the cross on his desk. His Divine Sense revealed no taint or corruption upon this orc, yet he clearly wielded fiendish powers. He could have just taken what he wanted and left, but didn’t. He doesn’t know anything about this devil he works for, but he could find a lead in the miscarriages across the country, preventing further corruption to the innocent, then maybe the needs of the many outweighs the needs of the few.
Enzo took a breath and sighed. “Let me see about contacting the rest of the churches about what they know.”
Stix nodded with appreciation. “Thank you, father. The help of the church will likely hasten my investigation greatly.”