Published at 7th of September 2026 6:48 am

Chapter 208. To drown or not to drown

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Peter sat on the bed, his gaze glued to the desk cluttered with books, notes, and even a few bottles of unidentified liquids, the chaotic mess completed by a rapier with a black snake twisting itself around the blade. The sight reminded him of Sam's storage, but much smaller, contained in one part of the small apartment.

You sure Im the one you want to talk to about this?

The female voice brought his attention from the clutter to the speaker. She was an apprentice to the very same man who had proposed drowning him as a way of curing him.

Not sure who else, Peter whispered.

Your mom? Boyfriend? Sam? Ophelia quickly proposed, reciting the people in the know. The cats. Whoever you want. Im happy to help, but

Were not exactly close, Peter finished for her. I know. Its just that My mom, Im pretty sure, is not happy about my involvement in the magical world. The things I tell her and her He paused, looking for a proper description as his gaze jumped over the room. particular brand of faith, he finally added, they dont mix well.

Shes your mother, Ophelia said. She has a right to have an opinion about your life. Peter was about to protest, but the next words, spoken in a rather harsh tone, stopped him in his tracks. And you have every right to ignore her. Be your own man, even if it hurts her. Peter frowned, bringing his gaze back to the woman. Her features, normally relaxed into a neutral, calm expression, had changed slightly as her jaw muscles flexed, giving her a harsh look. If someone gives something to you and then spends every waking moment telling you what you can and cant do with that thing, then its not much of a gift, is it? Just because your mother gave you your life doesnt mean she gets to tell you how to live it. In the end, the decision is yours.

I know, Peter agreed after a few seconds of silence. Its just that I dont have many people in my life. I dont want to lose my mother, and Im afraid that if I become some strange creature, she might be another person gone from my life.

Can happen, Ophelia agreed, earning a wince from Peter.

So how did you deal with it? the boy finally asked. When your life changed. Was it worth it?

Yes, Ophelia answered without hesitation, surprising even herself with the firmness in her own voice. But in my case well, lets say I didnt miss my mother much, nor did I have many people to lose, if any. Although I do think of my parents sometimes, especially around Sam.

Why? Peter was taken aback.

Of all the qualities he would ascribe to the man, being family-oriented wasnt on the list. Sam made him think of serial killers from TV dramas, if anything, not family life.

He didnt tell you about his upbringing? Ophelia asked.

Not much.

Well, you should ask him sometime. For all his secrecy and weirdness, he does like to reminisce about that. He told me about his father teaching him curses and how to hunt and kill. About how he taught him about the gods of his family. And when I listened, it made me think of the people in my own life. All my mother taught me was to fill out online forms for get-rich-quick scams. It was so strange to see a trained killer reminisce about his childhood with a smile I couldnt mirror. And it did hit me at some point. There is no in-between, not if the change is that extreme. As harsh as it might sound, the only way for those in your life to remain in it is for them to accept the change, because there wont be enough of the old you left for them to cling to.

Thats rather harsh, Peter whispered, his gaze on the snake coiled around the rapier.

And there is one more difference Ophelia said, pausing until Peter turned to her, noticing she was waiting for him. The lifespan, she finally said. You will age differently, if at all. You will see them age. Sam usually speaks about it as a benefit, but everyone around him comes from the arcane world. Its just another aspect that will differentiate you sooner or later. Your friends will have lived their lives while youll have barely changed. So I believe its better to have people around who will go on that hundreds-of-years-long journey with you. At least thats how I try to see it.

Peter stayed silent, trying to find an argument, trying to push the truth away, but the words stuck, landing in his mind and taking root. Sam mentioned he would live longer, but Ophelia was right. He sold it as a side note alongside the adventure and power. The reality of not aging didnt really register, with something as drastic as drowning ahead of him.

Cut anyone not flinging spells out of my life? Peter asked, a bit of anger making it into his voice. Tell them Im in a different world now?

No. Ophelia shook her head. But dont lie to them or yourself. I wouldnt talk to you about how it feels to receive a vision from a god, because there is no way you can understand. But I can discuss that for hours with Sam or Myhur. I doubt you will find much relief after a battle in the arms of someone who cant understand what its like, she said, her eyes losing some of their focus as she continued speaking in a lower tone, what its like to see an image of a divine being wrapped around a spire of a dead city, what its like to see a gods messenger stand before you and demand its payment. Its a world closed to those outside.

Peter once again paused, bringing his gaze to the snake, the creature locking eyes with him. He could swear it nodded ever so slightly, as if understanding the whole conversation.

So how much am I willing to give for that change, huh?

Exactly. Ophelia nodded.

Peter stayed still, opening and closing his mouth a few times before his voice finally rang through the room, heavy yet clear.

I did so much to avoid dying, only to drown. He smiled lightly. Funny how that works.

Isaac watched his teacher work, hunched over the old desk while using only candlelight to illuminate the piece of paper in front of him. That was the issue with a place like thistechnology tended to go haywire, not to mention it might just be dangerous. And Father Andrew always taught him the importance of stability and certainty, whether in tools or people.

And so Isaac spent a good few hours just standing at attention, ready to light more candles or bring a new pen if need be. But the main purpose was the wait itself. It was a lesson in both patience and control. Those became increasingly common as he tended to lose both his control and his patience around his parents. The wounds in the undead flesh didnt heal naturally and required a necromancers work to mend, adding unwanted complications.

And most of all, his teacher was worried he could lose it in front of his growing congregation. No matter how many times Isaac protested that he would never, lessons in control became part of his daily routine.

Finally, he heard the pen hit the paper for the last time as a particularly pronounced dot made its way onto the white sheet, and the priest straightened in the chair, stretching his back while wincing at the supposedly painful stiffness. Whether it was real or part of the mans elaborate act, by now second nature to him, Isaac wasnt sure. But he was pretty sure the pain couldnt be real. He saw what the man was capable of, after all, and there was no way sitting in the chair could have been anything more than mild discomfort.

Take those and carry them to the office, then wait outside for their approval or rejection, no matter how long it takes, the priest commanded.

Yes, Father, Isaac agreed, going to pick up the papers, tryingand failing miserablynot to snoop as his eyes drifted to the first page.

Regarding the next steps, the document began.

Are you curious? Andrew asked, making Isaac jump.

He was about to protest ut noticed the light, relaxed note in his voice, meaning this was a time to answer questions, not to punish.

Yes, Isaac said hesitantly. What now? The enemy should soon walk into the trap. So once its sprung, what comes next?

The Alhazreds or Sam, to be more precise. Dont call him the enemy. Names matter, and using labels like that only adds to the legend. Call your enemies by their names.

Yes, Father.

And the answer is nothing.

Nothing? Isaac repeated in surprise.

Yes. The FBI, the Alhazreds, or anyone else who might wander in like a fly to a fire are inconsequential. They are separate from our next steps. And we shall do what disease does before being cured The priest trailed off, looking at the young man, prompting him to answer.

Spread?

Exactly.

But Isaac steeled himself. He did not like disagreeing with the old man, but he needed to know. Arent they a threat? Doctor Terry thought so and

Terry focused on personal glory, got blinded by his own meager talent, and paid for it. He was a fool. He did not understand the nature of our work.

But, Isaac continued, seeing his teacher was in a good mood, what if they destroy our laboratories? What if they live through it? Why not kill them when we have the chance? Why not kill the enSam when we have him trapped?

That kind of thinking is what turned Terry into a corpse. And Im not saying we wont try to kill him. But its a mistake to plan on the assumption we can kill someone whos entirely unpredictable, whose entire family history is based on that unpredictability. Its better to base our plan on keeping him busy. Thats much easier than killing.

So well just destroy so much of our work to keep him busy?

No, well do that to try and kill him, but even if we fail at it, well still have achieved our main objective. As long as he makes it to the cells, he should realize how to move around here, and if he does, he should be arrogant enough to press on further ahead. And once he does that, hell either be dead or busy. We win either way, because our main goal here is to

Spread, Isaac answered.

He stayed silent, yet was clearly not happy with the answer. He did not like losing what they had already built, even if it made sense. If they could kill that man, it would be easier and less expensive, surely.

Father Andrew quickly caught on to his mood as a flash of contempt crossed his face, yet before Isaac could notice it, his expression relaxed back into the light smile he usually wore as he continued teaching, deciding to change his approach.

What do you think is the greatest Bible story?

The miracle of Lazarus, Isaac answered quickly.

Yes. And why?

Isaac was left with his mouth hanging open.

Well because. Because

The answer had been taught to him, a central part of the teachings. He could recite many reasons, but he also knew that if he repeated anything without giving it enough thought, his teacher would not hesitate to punish him.

The older man took a deep breath before exhaling, silencing his stuttering answers. When you ask a man about the beast he fears most, he will name a predator, a lion or a bear. Some might try to be more philosophical and say human. Those in the know might think of wendigos and chimeras. But very few will say bacteria, yet despite that, diseases are among the best killers on the planet. Completely invisible to the naked eye, impossible to kill once and for all. But most importantly, they kill you slowly as youre lying helpless, giving you time to reconcile your sins. Andrew paused, his gaze wandering for a few seconds before he came back to the conversation. When Jesus cured Lazarus, it was not simply a triumph over death, but over disease. The story of Lazarus is the reverse of David and Goliath. Its man against something so small it cannot be seen with the naked eye, and yet the Son of God himself had to come to do battle against it.

He got up and gazed around the strange room where metal intertwined with natural stone, creating the strange space around them.

And its not in the nature of disease to fight battles and try to hunt down its enemy. No, thats in the nature of the beast. Disease simply spreads and grows. And its that spread and growth that we should focus on until Gods Son comes to cure the sick. He turned back, looking at Isaac. And its your congregation that is the most important part now. Like a virus in a well.

Mine? Isaac asked in disbelief. He knew his group was big, but it also wasnt the largest in the church.

Yes. A vector crucial to our spread, Andrew said, giving him one of his rare genuine smiles. Keep up your work, and soon we will be able to take the most crucial step yet. One that will secure our victory.

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