“…How long has this child been under this shadowy influence?” asked a robed man in gold plating, while carrying a tome in hand.

“M’Lord Inquisitor…” began the frightened mother huddled within the protective arms of her concerned husband as they both stood behind the armored priest under the archway of their child’s room, “…About a week, I-I suppose…He has spoken such appalling and dreadful things…No little boy should-“

“Speak such sinful words?” the Inquisitor interrupted with a raspy and powerful voice, keeping his gaze locked on the child whom blankly stared back within the softening confines of his cotton bed, “It is a wonder where he had come across such things...”

“Listen Sergei, you-“ the boy’s father interpreted the priest’s statement as a vile insult and nearly broke into a justifiable outburst were it not for his wife tugging on his old leather vest, silently pleading him not cause trouble with the robed man; the same golden plated priest with a warhammer in the other hand. The husband gave a quite sigh and stepped down from his chest baring stance.

Their son however seemed to have enjoyed the brief instance of hostility looking at his father with a gleefully smile no child should manifest. The Inquisitor though retained his observation of the child whom soon mimicked the man and glowered back. With his eyes narrowing on the child’s ever changing expressions influenced by the fierce harmonic resonance in the room, the Inquisitor brought his tome up and opened it up at a specified index. The boy’s expression began to show color as he watched the priest with new concern.

“I suggest you back up and remain out of the room until I say so.” Sergei said bluntly to the couple without facing them. The husband and wise hesitated but eventually complied with the priest wishes and eased back, still holding on to each other.

It was clear that the two cared deeply of their son and his well being. But at the same time, their worry had staked with the presence of an Inquisitor, a missionary whom everyone rightly feared and a judge who damns the wicked and monstrous to the cleansing flame. And now this Inquisitor was about to perform an exorcism on their son to rid him foul tainting influence. However knowing very well what the priest could do, they had little choice but to watch and hope.

The crimson golden priest suddenly began to chant aloud, speaking the holy texts of his sacred tome. Restrained by sheets interlocking his hands and feet their adjacent bed poles, the boy’s torso unnaturally shot up into their air as he howled in anguish, unable to down the Inquisitor’s voice out. The mother, naturally fearing for her tormented child nearly left the embrace of her husband only to be comforted by her caring life partner.

As the chant progressed, Sergei slowly brought his warhammer into the air, now glowing with a fiery aura while he stood up with his tome still in hand. The priest’s words rang with power, further tormenting the now screaming child whose body squirmed violently against the bed sheet restraints and his own voice tearing at reality with furniture and objects being thrown aimlessly at the Inquisitor who continued his holy preach as the hammer grew brighter and radiant, filling the room with warm and soothing light. More screaming ensued in presence of the light, causing the boy’s body to lash out and leap into the air

“In the name of thy Lord and Architect Pelor, I beseech thee in this dark hour…” Sergei chanted aloud over the child’s demonic screeching, “I call to thee to lend me thy power so I may smite the evil that dwells cowers within this innocent vessel…”

The room shook as the force that resided within the boy slowly manifested its dark shadow across the wall facing the Inquisitor. The dark silhouette’s face contorted in rage and fear, yelling in the most unnatural and scarring of sounds to intimidate and frighten. But the Inquisitor remained stagnant of any weary or unease thoughts and continued the incantation with more light blooming from his warhammer.

“I summon thee, spawn of Tharizdun, relinquish this innocent vessel from thy grasp and leave this plain of existence. My power compels you!” shouted Sergei as a pulse of light sprang out form the hammer, apparently harming the demon shadow as it’s cries echoed though the possessed child as a conduit. “My power compels you! Leave this plain of existence forever!”

The house seemed to shake apart as the shadow entity resisted the Inquisitors empowered demands but soon it could no longer maintain its control over the boy as light burned and pried the demon’s clutches apart. In one final act of desperate defiance, the demon emerged from its shadowy from and took physical shape, lunging at the Inquisitor. But the priest was already well prepared with his hammer raised high before bringing the heavenly fire induced warhammer onto the demon. The harsh connection between sanctified heavy metal and otherworldly flesh sounded off as the demon’s body instantly became limb and evaporated in cleansing light.

“Be gone foul creature…” the Inquisitor hissed.

With the dark essence now completely dissolved from the house hold, the many objects telekinetically thrust into the air fell harmlessly to the ground. The boy’s bedroom was littered in wooden debris but when the Inquisitor motioned for the parents to finally enter, they quickly closed distance with their boy and gripped him tight within their loving embrace. The child eventually came to and understandably cried in despair of his horrific trial.

With his work now complete, the Inquisitor blessed the house hold and gathered his belongings before making his way to the door before being intercepted by the mother’s relieved voice. “Th-Thank you so much M’Lord Inquisitor! How can we ever repay you for your blessed deeds…?
The priest stopped inches from the door and gave a silent grunt before turning to the boy’s mother; clearly he didn’t like his name being said in association  “Give your thanks to the holy church as they have sent you their missionary to cleanse your humble abode…”

Suddenly, the Inquisitor quickly turned his attention to a well sculpted idol placed neatly center on the dining table across the room, an ebony-like aura emanating from its deceptive form, the same aura as the demon’s. Giving a quick chant and channeling this magic through warhammer, a condensed surge of fire erupted from the ignited steel, disintegrating the idol in an instant.

“And for Pelor’s sake! Don’t accept cheap idols from shady street merchants!” he bellowed in irritation before making his leave from the home.

Closing the door gently, Sergei sighed; easing his tenseness from the entire ordeal. The family had apparently been tricked by a merchant whom claimed the idol was an item of good luck which turned out to be nothing more than a vessel for an evil spirit wanting a host to feed of. Luckily, the couple had identified where they had last saw the merchant…Or Witch as Sergei believed this shady salesman to be. With a provided course, Sergei set out to locate the merchant, looking forward to end yet another bloody heretic.