He Who Fights with Monsters, #1
He Who Fights with Monsters
by Shirtaloon
Contents
95. Punishment
Overview
The Healer descends on Jory’s clinic, exposes and punishes the corrupt clergy by stripping their powers, and blesses the clinic as a sanctuary. Dominion claims those who submit to him, while the penitent remain under Healer’s distant forgiveness. Meanwhile, Jason defeats Jerrick, collars him, and exposes Clementson’s role.
Summary
At Jory’s clinic, Rufus, Farrah, Gary, Jory, and Neil face the Chief Priest and a procession intent on shutting the clinic. As tensions peak, a benevolent, overwhelming aura announces the Healer’s arrival.
Cut to Clementson’s guest house: Jerrick ambushes Jason Asano, who slips away with shadowy evasions. Jerrick wrecks rooms and charges outside in conjured armour and with a chained morning star. Jason drains blood, inflicts retributive afflictions, and shadow-steps to puncture weak points. Dean Truckell restrains Clementson and summons a fergax; Jerrick kills it but collapses under Jason’s repeated “Suffer the cost of your transgressions.” Jason then purges Jerrick’s corruptions, fits a suppression collar, and spares his life.
Back at the clinic, the Healer heals the gathered crowd and confronts the Chief Priest, condemning the temple’s greed and dereliction. He strips the assembled clergy of essences and awakenings, declaring them unworthy, while summoning replacements from afar and publicly affirming Neil Davone.
Dominion appears and offers power without freedom; the former Chief Priest and many others submit and depart through a conjured gate. Those who repent remain; Healer restores but seals their powers and assigns Neil to lead them back to the temple for reform.
Healer then blesses Jory’s clinic as a sanctuary, promises sanctification rituals, and arranges a resident healer. He heals all of Old City and instructs Jory to rest before reopening. In the aftermath, the stunned group processes the divine intervention, with Jory planning new labels for his products.
Who Appears
- HealerGod who appears, heals Old City, strips corrupt clergy, blesses Jory’s clinic, and sets Neil to reform the temple.
- Jason AsanoAmbushed by Jerrick; uses shadow mobility and punitive magic to disable him; fits a suppression collar and spares him.
- Jory TillmanClinic proprietor; receives Healer’s blessing and sanctuary status, promised a resident healer and sanctification rituals.
- Neil DavoneAffirmed by Healer; tasked to lead repentant clergy back to the temple to rebuild proper service.
- DominionGod of rule and subjugation; claims willing ex-Healer clergy, warns of absolute obedience, and departs.
- Rufus RemoreStands before the clinic to defuse confrontation; witnesses divine judgment and the clinic’s blessing.
- Chief Priest (former)Corrupt leader stripped of power by Healer; submits to Dominion and departs through a summoned gate.
- JerrickThadwick’s enforcer; assaults Jason with metal armour and weapon; defeated, cleansed, and collared.
- Dean TruckellWarns Jason, restrains Clementson, summons a fergax to aid; acknowledges Jason’s victory.
- Eustace ClementsonCollaborator who brings Jerrick; cowers as Dean restrains him and Jason wins.
- GaryHelps manage the clinic crowd; stands up under Dominion’s gaze, drawing the god’s interest.
- FarrahStands with Rufus at the clinic during the confrontation and witnesses the gods’ interventions.