StV: A Favor For Your Mother, Part Three

Julie didn't immediately know what had happened. 

She was lying on her back on the floor, with both her parents crouched over her. Had she passed out? Had she fallen?

"Move slowly," said the Prophet. "It will take some time to adjust to your new strength."

That voice brought it all rushing back: the Prophet touching fingertips to her forehead, the flood of divine power pouring over her, filling her to overflowing. The sudden flash of connection, of understanding, the silent fire of being at one with all things, lost now except for a fading memory. 

She suppressed a sob. 

Her mom looked terrified. Her dad looked over at the Prophet: "Holiness, is she...?"

"You are Blessed," said the Prophet, addressing Julie directly, "but your Blessing is unique, for you among all of us will be able to take the appearance of the Damned."

Oh, you want me to be a spy. Why didn't you just say so? Julie motioned her parents back -- she'd heard tales of accidents at this stage of the ritual -- and then climbed slowly to her feet. It was ridiculously easy, and his Holiness had been right: if she'd tried it unprepared, she would have accidentally hurled herself at the ceiling, or maybe through some of the furniture.

"I rise, ready to serve," she said, completing the ritual, and the Prophet smiled beatifically. 

"Your work will begin soon," the Prophet assured her. "For now, regard yourself in the mirror."

The chapel in their home held mirrors on the wall; she approached one of them, looked at herself, and blanched. Her skin was gray, pebbly, and her eyes were actually glowing red. Her hair, incongruously, looked the same as it always had. 

"Now," said the prophet, "remember yourself as you truly are. Find that connection. Focus on it."

Julie tried, and watched in awe as she felt her skin shiver and reform, returning to her much of her former appearance, only... younger. A little more awkward. She looked like a fucking teenager. 

"Perfect," breathed the Prophet, and she hid her shock automatically. "You will be our agent among the deviant and damned, and you will lead the way to bring them low."

Julie resisted the urge to look at either of her parents, and focused on the Prophet instead. "As you speak, I obey." 

"Now, change yourself back."

Julie looked into the mirror again, blinked, and tried to picture herself as she'd awoken: grey skin, glowing eyes... She felt the change sweep over her. What has his Holiness done to me? She pushed the thought down immediately. Maybe taking a Deviant form brought Deviant thoughts with it; she'd have to be careful about that.

"It will take a few days to fully adjust," the Prophet cautioned her. "Then, you will be ready."