The hissing of snakes filled the chamber as censers dangled above in the small chamber’s ceiling. Stacks upon stacks of candles littered the rather enclosed space, their lighting the only thing keeping this temple’s most sacred chamber from falling to utter darkness.

That and the steady glow of the eyes overlooking him.

Chew Chew calmed his heart even as one of his master’s snakes closed in on him, their glowing eyes locked on him. He looked at the creature before his gaze moved past it and to the man currently lighting up the last of the new candles he’d brought with him today.

And, as he did, the image of this temple’s patron, Vuul-khan himself, became visible in the chamber’s singular stained glass window. It was framed by the candlelight and the pitch-black night outside. The sight made Chew Chew immediately lower his gaze away from the mere depiction of his lord, instead casting his gaze to the ground as his hands clasped.

It was as any worthy venerite should do, a strict pose for prayer and a reverent gaze that paid respects to the magnitudes of divine power cast between the shark servant and his lord.

But he did see the perfectly black, lightly shiny feet of the wolf before him as he turned his way.

Barghest hummed approvingly the moment his eyes refocused from the inner chamber’s altar to his pupil. Pride bubbled in the Magistrate’s chest as he stepped towards the kneeling venerite. He remembered when he’d first gotten to know the shark on a fateful day, a man strong of body, but desperately weak of mind.

Yet he saw that no more… Barghest did not sense such fragility from the one he’d taken under his wing. The days and nights he spent coaxing the shark towards his, and as such his lord’s, ways of thinking weren’t in vain.

Temple work bolstered Chew Chew’s already impressive physique; Devotion lifted his spirit and strengthened his mind; And the creeping tinge of Vuul’s blessed colours proved how fast the shark was progressing through his lessons.

“I am proud of your progress, my pupil,” Barghest spoke at last, breaking the silence with a tone that boomed around the inner chamber. “You’ve come so far in such a small amount of time… And I promise to take you so far still.“

Golden and orange eyes looked up at him as Chew Chew allowed himself this moment to gaze at his master and teacher. A smile slowly dawned on his face as one of Barghest’s snakes slithered around his wrists, binding his hands together in prayer.

“I am but the echo of your own devotion, Magistrate Barghest.” Chew Chew replied, feeling excitement build up. Doubly so as Barghest’s hands moved to rest on his snout. “It is your blinding faith in Vuul-khan that grants me the power to follow.”

Barghest smiled back at his pupil, at the one he’d - sooner rather than later - would have the delight to call his disciple.

Alas, dreaming of the future would not take the shark to his destined position as one of the Inquisitors under their lord’s command. As such, Barghest took a deep breath, Vuul’s scripture coming to him like second nature as his free hand drifted behind his back.

“Shall we start tonight’s teachings, dear pupil?” Barghest said, a second snake slithering free from his back, their gaze trained directly into the shark venerite’s eyes.

Chew Chew smiled, feeling their gaze drill into his mind.

“Yes, Magistrate…” He said before Barghest’s ‘tutoring’ fully took hold in his mind, his eyes growing wide and unfocused as scripture began to spew from his mouth.

---

Barghest sure is happy to have such a promising shark devotee as his pupil :)

An absolutely amazing piece I got alongside  chewchew17 from the talented  Flaba! Be sure to check her stuff out here here and here (her profile here is still not fully updated yet)!

I'm in love with how pretty this piece came out!