The face of the oni changed, going from gleefully sadistic to strangely empathetic and regretful, and then suddenly she was not the one at all, she was the priestess, a huge version, but the priestess nonetheless.
Questions race through your mind as everything changes quicker than your mind could hope to fathom.
Her foot raised off of you, and then your entire reality changed. It was like waking up from a dream, as you found yourself standing before the priestess, right where you had been standing in the doorway.
Questions still raced through your mind as you stare at the priestess with wide eyes.
"My apologies, I, ah, had to explore your mind, to make sure it was really you." The priestess said awkwardly, rubbing the back of neck. "Anyone could have answered that signal I sent out, you understand. And glamours are common among magic users."
"What the hell was that?" You demand, rage seething out of your words as you start to realize what she did.
"Necessary, I'm sorry. In order to make certain that I knew who I was talking with I had to explore your mind. Glamours change the aesthetic of the body, not the soul," The priestess answered, clearly guilt-ridden and understanding of your rage, "If you have any questions, I would be happy to answer them. Anything that will gain your trust. Trust being essential in our relationship, if we wish to achieve our goals."
"Did that have to be that long, couldn't you tell earlier?" You ask, still skeptical and angered with the priestess.
The priestess sighed, "The incantation works as a form of hypnotization, like a dream shared with the spell caster, me, in this case. During this time, you fall into a deep trace, while I remain perfectly conscious, sharing your "dream" from an outside perspective, and in this case, took the form of your tormentor," she said, almost defeatedly. "So time feels much longer for you, your minutes were my mere seconds," She said as she opened the door further to welcome you inside.
You hesitate from entering to ask one more question, "Did it really have to be that scenario?"
The priestess looks down at the ground and then back up at you, "Your mind creates the scenario, not the spell caster, although once made a part of your nightmare, I had to keep up the illusion, if not, the spell would have failed. That and I have yet to master this particular spell, so it was, admittedly, flawed in it's casting and for that, I sincerely apologize." She stared at you a moment longer, conflict in her eyes, "And I am also half monster, and my own desires may have influenced the outcome, but I can assure you, I never meant for... that."
"Your half monster?" You ask.
"Yes, and that is not information I normally volunteer. But for you, it is an offering of good faith."
"How do I know, you are not just using a glamour?" You ask one final question before making your decision whether to follow her or not.
"Can you read my thoughts?" She asks, showing a bit of impatience.
"It's not likely," you shrug.
"Well, your just going to have to trust me," She says, beckoning you to enter the temple.
You sigh, you know you hadn't come all the ways up here to just walk away. You decide to follow her inside.
The door closes shut behind you as you stare up at the large cathedral ceiling and intricately carved statues.
"Before you ask the obvious," The priestess begins, glancing over her shoulder at you, "I am half oni, but I maintain human form due to a combination of magic and genetic "defects". And I decided to become a priestess after witnessing first hand the horror the monsters inflict on the humans."
"Is that why there are no other priests or priestesses up here with you?"
"Yes, it is also why I am not formally trained. I knew in most places I would be killed on sight unless I could figure out a way to blend in. So, when I came up here on this mountain, I found this temple, ruins overrun with wildlife when I first came upon it, but full of knowledge. I used this knowledge to teach myself to use magic, now I use this wherever I can, to help whoever I can," The priestess said as you and her walked through the halls.
"I am also sure your wondering why I would send for you, a lowly village boy. What could I possibly need from you?" She asked.
"May have crossed my mind." You reply.
"There is a task I need done, one you have an infinitely better chance of pulling off than I. But I knew you wouldn't stand a chance charging off into the unknown in your state, you'd be nothing but a piece of meat among wolves," She said, chuckling a bit.
You feel a bit insulted as-.
"Don't even start in feeling that way, I was just going to tell you that you have greatness, er, the potential of greatness. But charging off blindly would just be a waste, one far too many make. And after what happened when you were young, well, I feel a bit responsible for you. So, I want to start you off right."
"And how is 'right', exactly?" You ask.
She turns around to look at you as you come to a fork in the halls, "Depends on you," she says as she begin to point to the right hall. "That way is the arena, I can teach you in the art of combat, and before you tell me that you know how to swing a sword, let me tell you that I've watched you train and in a real fight you'd more likely hurt yourself than any foe."
Once again, you are insulted, but really, the more you think about it- on second thought-, no she really was right.
"On the left is the mage tower and library, I can teach you to use magic and can enchant you and your weapons, armor, exedra. But-, let's just say, you won't like what some of that entails."
"Why, what does it entail?"
"To learn fast, like you need to. Pain, disgust and fear, a lot of pain, disgust and fear. And trust, I'm big on that."
You wipe your hand over your face, "It's just lie one of those 'choose your own adventure' books," You lament.
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