The gaunt old priest sat in his office, sorting through the various reports from the day. A ship asked for a blessing before traveling to the nearby island to investigate some strange lights, another complaint about corrupt guards that he could do little about, reports of a black mage that really should have gone to said guards instead of him... People always overestimated the power of the church these days. Perhaps if he were the high priest in the capitol he would have to power to do what they wished, but the priest of a small church in a relatively small port city just couldn't do much more than offer prayers. Either way, it was his job to respond to these pleas for aid, and respond he would.

The ship could be paid a visit and blessed, assuming the captain made the customary donation to the church. As much as the priest disliked requiring donations it really was necessary for the church to survive. The complaint about the guards would be forwarded to the mayor. Since the one that sent it was anonymous he could not send a reply, but perhaps if he made passing mention of it in his next sermon they would hear him. The matter of the black mage would be concerning, but rumors of such were nothing new to the town. Most likely someone had seen a strangely moving shadow or a traveler in black robes and created a fanciful story in which a Void summoning demon had invaded their town. Still, to keep up appearances if nothing else it would have to be investigated. The lone church knight stationed in the city could go around and ask a few questions, put people's minds at ease by letting them know the church was taking the matter seriously. Of course, it would also be forwarded to the guard captain, just in case there really was such a mage lurking about.

Just as he finished penning his last message his door slammed open as one of the light keepers burst into the priest's office, waving about a small scrap of paper.

"Sir! It's an oracle, a divine oracle!"

The young man was practically jumping about in joy, waving the paper this way and that, his white robes in complete disarray. As much as he wanted to admonish him, the old priest could not. Surely, if he were a few years younger he too would be overcome with excitement. A message directly from the Goddess, words from the divine spoken directly to those in this little church. Such a thing was once in a lifetime, enough to bring fame and fortune not just to the small church but to the entire town. Or ruin, depending on what was said.

With shaking hands the priest took the paper from the incessantly chattering light keeper and unfolded it, his eyes darting across the page. The message was short and simple, but nevertheless the priest almost felt as if his heart stopped as he read and reread it, unable to believe his eyes.

My Champion will visit the church this night. Leave the windows and doors unlocked and the hall empty, do not disturb them.

A Champion, a divine Champion of the Light. In his city, in his church, there would be a new hero! The paper was stained a blinding white with divine power and the words glowed slightly, there was no mistaking that this was a true oracle, but for there to be a Champion coming to his church! The priest's eyes shot up to the excited light keeper, and he began giving orders.

"Tell the others, unlock all the windows and doors, set out the finest tapestry upon the wall and clean every inch of the church. Quick, go! Get started, we have much to do!"

The priest pushed past the light keeper, practically skipping down the stairs as he prepared a mental list of tasks, the usual aches and pains that come with age momentarily forgotten. The high priest must be notified, but that could be saved for later, when the preparations were done. The sunstones would need polishing, of course the finest tapestry saved only for special holidays would be hung upon the wall, and he should take out his special ceremonial robes and... The priest stopped in his tracks, the confused light keeper running into his back and bouncing off. The old priest held the oracle up to his face once more, rereading the last four words again and again. Do not disturb them. Do not disturb them. A Champion would be within his church... and he couldn't meet them. Truly, the Goddess had seen fit to test his faith, telling him that a hero would stand before him and he may not see them. However, the words of the Goddess came before all, he would see them completed without fail.

"Come, child," he said to the light keeper with somewhat lessened enthusiasm. "We have work to do."

Dear High Priest,

I am delighted to write to you today to inform you that the church I have been entrusted with has received a divine oracle. I would ask that you dispatch a senior priest to confirm it, as this is an oracle of utmost importance. It seems that a new Champion of the Light has been chosen.

The exact words of the oracle were, "My Champion will visit the church this night. Leave the windows and doors unlocked and the hall empty, do not disturb them." Following the Goddess's command I was not able to learn the identity of the new Champion, but it does not appear that they were a resident of the city. I shall leave how to proceed in your capable hands.

I would also like to report that...

The high priest set down the now well worn letter and leaned back in his chair, lost in thought. It had caused quite the stir when it arrived four days prior. Agents were sent to confirm everything, others were dispatched to nearby towns and villages to search for the missing Champion, the saintess even went into seclusion to seek guidance from the Goddess. All that trouble caused by the carelessness of a single priest of a tiny church in some insignificant city. If only that damned priest had learned the identity of the Champion, the Goddess's words be damned! Even if he had to pay with his life, such knowledge was worth more than anything he could ever do. The first new hero candidate in two and a half centuries, lost!

Considering that the Goddess had gone out of her way to ensure privacy for her new Champion the saintess would probably not learn any new information, and none of the agents had dug up anything in the nearby towns. However, there was a single lead to follow up on, just one single clue. An unnatural light had been sighted on a nearby island, bright enough that it was said to rival the sun. Either an archmage was practicing light magic the night before a Champion appeared, or that said Champion was testing their new powers before traveling to the city. Considering the rarity of archmages, especially those versed in light magic, it seemed likely that it was the new Champion creating the light.

A boat had set out the very next day to search the island and discover what had happened there, and it came upon two abandoned slaves. The report sent back by the church's agent said that they had been left with ample food and a tent to protect them from the elements, and that they spoke of an elf and an Abyssal demon that had left them there. Such a thing would be worrying, a Champion of the Light being an elf, let alone being led astray by influence from the Void. The former could be worked around, a non-human hero recognizing humanity's supremacy sacrificing themselves for the sake of the Lux Empire made a good story to inspire the people, but the latter... It would need to be confirmed as soon as possible, he could hardly wait the five days until the slaves arrived in Lucet for questioning.