Aldous sat propped up against the headboard, catching his breath. His gsses sat on the nightstand. He had taken them off at some point during things.

  Pame y beside him, her head resting on his upper thigh, completely naked and utterly spent. He could feel the vibration of her purring through his leg, a steady, satisfied rumble that made him grin.

  "You alright there, sweetheart?" he asked, running his fingers absently through her hair.

  "Mmm... yeah..." Her voice was drowsy and content.

  Aldous let his head fall back against the headboard, enjoying the moment. That was when he noticed it.

  A lit cigarette in the ashtray on the nightstand. Still burning, smoke curling zily upward. And on the filter, a deep red lipstick mark.

  He frowned slightly, reaching over to pick it up. "You smoke?"

  "Mm-mm," Pame murmured against his thigh, barely paying attention.

  He turned the cigarette between his fingers, studying the lipstick. "You wear red lipstick?"

  "...No."

  Aldous gnced down at her. Her lips were bare, no makeup at all. He looked back at the cigarette, then huffed a quiet ugh. "Well I sure as hell don't."

  "Mmm... weird..." Pame's purring did not stop, her eyes already drifting closed.

  Aldous stared at the cigarette for another moment, curious, then shrugged and set it back down. He was sitting here with a beautiful, naked, satisfied woman purring against his leg. The mystery cigarette could wait.

  ---

  Aldric sat at his desk in the small office behind the chapel, a half-written sermon on parchment before him, though his attention had drifted to the warm glow only he could see.

  **NOTIFICATION**```Current XP: 9,900/10,000 to Level 10Sanctuary Establishment: 100 XP Required```

  So close. Just a hundred experience points away from establishing the sanctuary, a sacred space that would amplify his prayers, protect his flock, and cement this chapel as a true beacon of the Goddess's light.

  He smiled, mentally reviewing his congregation. Sister Elena's morning devotions had earned him twelve points yesterday. Marcus's charity work, another eight. Thomas had sent five more his way. He was not entirely sure what the man had done to generate them, but the XP had flowed through their connection all the same. Even Marta, halfway across the continent using her newly granted water powers to aid a drought-stricken kingdom, sent a steady trickle of experience his way each time she helped someone in the Goddess's name.

  He felt a brief pang of pride at that. He had encouraged her to go, to use her gifts where they were needed most. That her good works still contributed to his growth was... well, it was not why he had sent her, but it did not hurt.

  Then the notification shifted.

  The comfortable blue glow flickered, and new text appeared, sharper and more insistent. The letters were not the usual soft gold but burned a deep crimson.

  **URGENT REQUIREMENT**```SANCTUARY ESTABLISHMENT PROTOCOL UPDATEDTo establish sanctuary: Gather your five dedicated members within the chapel grounds.All five must be present to anchor the blessing.Time Sensitive: Complete within 24 hours.```

  Aldric frowned, leaning back in his chair.

  All five? Present?

  That made no sense. The Goddess knew his people. She gave them their quests, their callings. Why would she require them all here when Marta was doing such vital work in the southern kingdoms? Surely the Goddess understood.

  The notification pulsed again.

  **URGENT REQUIREMENT**```Gather your five dedicated members within the chapel grounds.All five must be present to anchor the blessing.```

  "Why?" he murmured aloud, his brow furrowing. "Why do I need them all here?"

  The system had never questioned him before. Never demanded justification. But now, staring at that crimson text, a small seed of doubt wormed its way into his thoughts.

  Did the Goddess know what she was doing?

  He shook his head, banishing the thought before it could take root. Of course She knew. This was a test, perhaps. Or a necessity of the ritual he simply did not understand yet.

  But Marta...

  He pulled up his mental roster. Sister Elena, Marcus, Thomas, Brother Cornelius, Marta. Five dedicated souls who had sworn themselves to his ministry, who attended services faithfully, who had received blessings and abilities through their devotion.

  And one of them was over a thousand miles away saving lives.

  Four will have to do, he decided. Surely four dedicated members would be enough. The Goddess would understand.

  He turned to the magic mirror mounted on the wall beside his desk, its ornate silver frame gleaming in the candlelight. He touched the surface and it rippled like water, ready to connect.

  Sister Elena would come immediately. She practically lived at the chapel anyway. Marcus could leave his work for a bit. Thomas would happily comply. Brother Cornelius was already here, tending the grounds.

  Four would be enough.

  It had to be.