Grayson woke up for the second time that day. He felt much better than previously, due to not being about to explode. It's not often that someone gets to make that comparison, but Grayson decided he preferred this for certain. Fera was awake before him this time, waiting for him to wake up before getting out of bed. He smiled at her.

  "You know, I'm not just doing this for you. I had a realization yesterday."

  "And what might that be?" asked Fera, getting out of bed and going to find her robes.

  "As much as you helped me to get over my initial shock at killing those bandits... Every time I wake up, seeing your face reminds me why it was worth it." Grayson said softly. Fera froze for a second before turning to look at him.

  "I've told you twice, you saved me. You saved half the village," she said. Grayson swung his legs off the bed and sat up.

  "I know, but still. Every time I see you, I think about what could have happened. I think about the fact that I stopped it. It helps, Fera. Every time I doubt myself, I think about the morning, waking up with you." Fera stepped over and hugged him.

  "I don't think I could sleep at all if you weren't here. Not without my Lady chasing away my dreams. Today I kept worrying about you, if you were going to start gathering mana like this morning again. I couldn't bear sleeping in case something happened. I'm so glad you're okay." Fera shook a little as she spoke. Grayson held her, stroking her hair.

  "Me too. For both of us. But we have people to see today, who probably aren't too happy that we've kept them waiting this long. Including Perimis..."

  I'm glad to be remembered. Are you done killing yourself yet, or do you need a therapist?

  [I'm done I think... Actually...]

  Grayson ignored some very pissed off messages from Perimis and checked on something that had failed earlier. He'd tried using the quantum computing crystals in his bones to manage the mana surge that morning, and to take over his focus during his lesson in controlling magic. The response while purging mana had been sluggish and incomplete. During the lesson, it simply hadn't responded. His neural network responded, but the connection to his secondary computing didn't respond. He set his neural network to studying the issue and troubleshooting.

  [Ok, definitely done for now and anything else I do probably won't kill me.]

  I CAN SEE YOUR THOUGHTS! YOU ARE NOT GOING TO REBUILD YOUR ENTIRE SKELETON! WHY ARE YOU THINKING OF REBUILDING YOUR ENTIRE SKELETON?

  Fera had given him some very strange looks, but took her robes and left the room, presumably going to the room that was supposed to be Grayson's to change.

  [Well, now's as good a time as any. The crystals in my bones are like the machines in my brain. They work as an extension of my mind.]

  You have no comprehension of exactly how wrong that is.

  [What? That's how it works.]

  Grayson. I know that's how it works. What I mean is that your entire civilization is so far beyond insanity that the dark gods would run in terror!

  [What do you mean?]

  I'm not reading your brain or your mind. I'm looking into your soul and whatever is happening in those machines and those crystals is not there.

  [That's immensely unnerving.]

  It's unnerving to you? How do you think we Gods feel? What you're doing is impossible.

  [Ok, so hear me out. In this world you know about souls. In mine, we didn't. We didn't have magic. No gods, no mental constructs. It was just us. Us and everything we built, which included a deep understanding of the universe that let us do things that would be impossible here. Doubly so because magic ruins the consistency.]

  Grayson idly changed the configuration of his clothes to something suitable for outside. They had been damaged by his purge that morning and he'd prevented their self-repair during the lesson, only allowing it while he and Fera were sleeping. He made the bed, grabbed his sword, and stepped outside, passing Fera at the door. She'd been waiting for him to change and step out before heading in to leave her nightgown.

  There was an acolyte in the corridor waiting for him. The man was fit, wearing a tunic similar to the tabards of the Crusaders. He was almost certainly training to become a Crusader himself. True to the warnings of the day before, the man didn't look happy with Grayson. The young man bowed before speaking stiffly.

  "Lord Crusader, I am to bring you to the head Crusader. Please follow me."

  "Of course," said Grayson. He continued his conversation with Perimis and waved farewell to Fera as he followed the acolyte. As he walked, he strapped his sword to his hip using a pair of sheathed leather straps grown from his pants for the purpose.

  Look, just don't do anything else. Or at least tell me before you do. Unlike your old universe, here there really are gods and we do actually care. You have a strong sense of justice that aligns near perfectly with my teachings. You have the potential to be one of my favored, not just one of my chosen. Fera would also make a fine herald to stand beside you. Should the two of you wish, a relationship is not forbidden.

  There was a pause.

  Grayson, I am Perimis, Goddess of Justice. I formally invite you to truly become one of my Crusaders. My power will be your power. Your power will serve my justice. Do you accept?

  Grayson thought for a long moment, trailing the acolyte without paying attention to where they were going. He owed Perimis, but knew that accepting because of that debt would be a mistake. He liked Fera, but likewise accepting for her would be wrong as well. He considered when Perimis had first entered his head when he fought the bandits. He thought again about the villagers.

  Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  [I accept, but I have a question.]

  Ask.

  [The Muric empire. If I get strong enough, can I do something about it?]

  An incredible sense of amusement flooded his mind. It flowed from his head through his body. He briefly glowed golden, brightly enough for the acolyte to notice and turn around. The man stared for a moment, then quickly turned around to continue leading him to the head Crusader. In his mind, Perimis' amusement continued to flood into him.

  Oh yes, Grayson. I think we will get along very well. I have one final thing to add. You have been invited to visit the temples of my fellow deities. You may do as you wish. Should you visit, they may give you a similar offer as my own. Again, you may accept them as you wish. Accepting such a contract will not void your contract with me.

  Grayson froze. The acolyte continued for a few steps, then stopped and waited nervously.

  [All of them?]

  All of them. This is a unique position. You are the first person to be invited to be chosen without embodying the concept of the deity. Oris and Mareshi in particular want to connect with you. Using untyped mana has greatly interested the God of Mages, and your memories have drawn the fascination of the God of War. For sharing and spreading your knowledge, you will gain the support of each of us.

  [That's a lot to take in.]

  Think about it Grayson. It's your choice. For now, my chosen, please don't cause too much trouble for your fellows.

  [Thank you, my Lady.]

  Grayson started walking again, not knowing that the spark of gold in his pupil had become far brighter. The acolyte bowed and led him to the office of the head Crusader. Grayson ignored the man's faint hostility as he bid the man goodbye before entering the head Crusader's office.

  It was a small room. In the corner was a glowing mace and shield on a rack, beside a stand holding a glowing chainmail shirt. There was a desk with two chairs in front and one behind it. On the desk were several piles of paperwork, a jug of water, and a teapot with three mugs.

  The head Crusader was a short man, wearing the same white uniform tabard as the other Crusaders. The only addition was a golden mantle that sat over his shoulders. He stood from behind the desk and saluted Grayson. Grayson returned the salute and the head Crusader gestured for him to take a seat. The pair sat and made their introductions.

  "My name is Mertaba, head Crusader of the Church of Perimis in Gravistone."

  "I am Grayson, recently chosen by Perimis to serve as Crusader."

  "Indeed," Mertaba nodded. "I heard the story from those two knights who brought you back. One hundred slaver bandits. That magic sword you wear belonged to their leader. From the passed on accounts of the villagers, you were a true Avatar of our Lady during the battle. Welcome to the ranks of the Crusaders, Grayson. You have truly earned a place here." His voice was full of respect.

  "I wasn't fighting for our Lady at that time," confessed Grayson. "I just couldn't stand by and let slavers take innocent people. I had to do something." Mertaba gazed steadily at him, then took a deep breath.

  "Truly, you deserve to be here." Mertaba said, standing and moving to look at his equipment, leaving his back to Grayson. "We have many Crusader acolytes, Grayson. The majority are here because they want to fight in the name of justice. Unfortunately, they don't understand our Lady. They wish to uphold laws."

  Mertaba turned around, stepping back to the desk and pouring himself a mug of tea. He held the pot over the second mug and raised an eyebrow. Grayson nodded, putting his hands together briefly in thanks. Mertaba poured the second mug, then took the jug of water and poured more into the teapot. He placed the second mug in front of Grayson, then sat down in front of the desk with Grayson.

  "Our Lady's justice has nothing to do with the laws of nations. That is why there are no temples to Perimis in the Muric empire. If it was merely upholding mortal laws, then She must uphold their slavery." Mertaba spat the last word like a curse.

  "No, our Lady has one primary tenet. Protect the innocent from the wicked. Keep the people safe. Bring destruction to all who wish to harm them. Many of the acolytes are children of nobles, joining the church for a position of power and to gain glory. Not you. Every one of those fools would declare proudly that they fought for Perimis. You repeatedly say you fought because you were unable to stand by and let wicked men harm the innocent." Grayson took a sip of the tea to hide his nerves. It was still extremely hot.

  "But what if I just said what I thought you wanted to hear? What if I lied?" Grayson asked. Mertaba laughed.

  "Do you think for one second you'd be able to fool our Lady by doing that? That she wouldn't have told me? No, Grayson. Our Lady cares very deeply for people. She loves us truly and wants to see no harm come to us. Someone trying to lie to gain false advantage in Her church would be excommunicated." He took a sip of his tea and sighed happily.

  "Grayson, I'll be honest. I don't know if you've had any kind of training. From the incident this morning, I know you have no training in magic despite suddenly gaining great aptitude. Only the Gods know how you got so much power so suddenly, but you'll need at least training in using that magic. We train with a Crusader of Oris to learn magic. I believe Herefor was actually here this morning and was able to help you. He would be your trainer in magical arts." Mertaba took another sip and cleared his throat.

  "For our martial skill, we mostly use maces, though I see you favor a sword. That's fine. I have been apprised of your special circumstances." Mertaba clenched a fist over the icon in the center of his chest and bowed his head for a moment. "You would not be the first Crusader of multiple churches. Our Lady does not fear that you will stray. If you need instruction with your sword, you are free to accept training from the Crusaders of Marrati. Her temple is on the opposite side of the Knights compound."

  Grayson was in a state of minor shock at the support he was getting. In his chair, he bowed deeply to Mertaba.

  "I was the furthest from home that anyone could be," he said quietly, "now I find one waiting for me." His eyes had tears in them as he looked back up at Mertaba.

  "Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. I will try to be worthy of your kindness," Grayson intoned seriously. Mertaba chuckled.

  "You haven't even received the bounty from those bandits you killed. Five gold pieces per head brings you five hundred gold." He moved around the desk, opening one of the drawers hidden from Grayson's view and pulling out a bag of gold. He held it out to Grayson. Grayson accepted the bag hesitantly.

  "Spend some time getting to know the city, Grayson. From what the men on guard duty told me, you looked half dead when you arrived last night. The incident this morning was scarcely a couple of hours after that. Rest before you begin training properly. You have no duties until you begin training after the end of next week. Inform me of your proposed training schedule by the end of tomorrow. I will schedule any additional duties around that."

  Grayson drank the rest of his tea, getting details about the different duties that Crusaders in the temple could perform. They could go into the city and merely patrol, letting their feet guide them where Perimis willed them to go. They could take a rotation in the guard shift. They could help train Crusaders of other churches or knights in the use of maces, war hammers, and shields. Finally, they could perform menial duties around the temple, though this was usually given as a punishment. After half an hour, Mertaba sent Grayson on his way with a final instruction to rest and consider his training.

  The final thing Grayson had to do today was visit Jarid. He was vaguely dreading the encounter, hoping that a sincere apology with a necessarily vague explanation would be enough to make peace with the man. Jarid had been good to talk to, and had provided him with a substantial lesson on history and civics in the empire. Grayson was grateful to him for everything Jarid had taught him. He decided to tell Jarid as much of the truth as he could.

  Wandering out of the wing that seemed to house most of the administration of the temple and local church, Grayson asked around until he found Fera. She had been in a side room, communing with Perimis. Grayson didn't even need to knock. Fera opened the door as he reached it. She looked much better than she had for the past day and a half. Some of her weariness had gone and she seemed lighter on her feet. She smiled widely at Grayson.

  "You accepted!" She jumped up and hugged Grayson, hanging off his shoulders. He laughed and pulled her in.

  "I did."

  "And I'm officially to accompany you as a Voice of Perimis when you leave the temple. That means I stay here until you leave. Not all the time, obviously. Just if you're leaving the city, I have to go with you- er, that doesn't mean I can't go with you into the city... or don't want to... Look, you don't need to take me places, but I want to go with you if you'll let me." Fera was fumbling over her words in happiness and excitement.

  "Being a Voice accompanying a Crusader will put me on the path to become a Herald as well. It's the best news I could get! I get to stay with you and serve my Lady." She relaxed her grip so her feet landed on the floor again.

  "Our Lady." Grayson corrected. Fera gave him the happiest smile he'd seen from her. She squeezed him with all her strength, snuggling her face into his chest.

  "It doesn't seem real, but it is," said Fera. Grayson stroked her hair.

  "Yes," he said happily. "I have a home here."