Sunset & Anon go to church

>"Hey Anon, do you want to go to Church with me?"
>"It's a lot of fun, there is even a live band!"
>You look up sleepily from your cup of coffee. The fuck is she talking about?
>You haven't gone to church in years. The last time you went, your mother was still around.
>She's giving you a pretty hopeful stare. Is she really that eager for you to go?
>You look down at yourself. You already know your hair is a mess, and your clothes aren't faring much better. You'd have to actually do things and put forth effort.
>On your only day off.
>"C'mon Anon! Pleeeeaaase?"
>She's giving the puppy eyes.
>Those fucking puppy eyes.
>You can do this. Just tell her no. Just a flat out no. You don't want to go to church, you want to stay at home and game until your eyes bleed.
"Alright, alright. I guess I can go."
>Mouth, you're a traitor.
>"Great! Everyone will be so happy to see a new face there!"
>Sunset Shimmer throws her arms around you, giving you a tight, squeezing hug.
>That soft scent of cinnamon that she always has around her hits you and you immediately decide that this wasn't a bad idea after all.
>The hug ends moments later, Sunset pulling away from the embrace to look you over.
>"You might want to go get a little cleaned up. And wear something comfy, we have a bit of a walk ahead of us."
>Nope. No chance of you being lazy today, no sir. You wave a hand dismissively at her statement.
"Gotcha. I'll go get ready, be back in 15."
>You shower and brush your teeth, finally bringing you to stumbling in your closet. The weather's been a bit nippy lately, so you grab some heavy jeans and long-sleeve shirt to go under your jacket.
>You're pretty sure the other church goers are probably going to look the same. It's not like Sunset is wearing anything more formal than her normal clothes anyway.
>Finally you make it out to the living room, dressed and carrying your essentials. Wallet, cell phone, and pocket knife.

>Sunset Shimmer looks over at you from her position at the doorway, clasping her hands together and grinning.
>"You look great Anon! C'mon, lets get going!"
>Sunny Bunny takes your hand, practically pulling you out of the small house you both shared.
>You stumble out behind her, making sure to lock and close the door behind you both.
>The key's stashed in a hollow beneath the steps, so you should be fine.
>Sunset lets go of your hand, smiling cheerfully as she takes the lead, heading towards the outskirts of the city.
>You both don't live close to the center of the city, the pair of you residing in a small home near the edge. Normally, the pair of you commute either on foot, by bus, or using the old bike you both share.
>You and Sunset both go over the usual topics. Schoolwork, regular work, how her friends are doing. After the incident at CHS, you'd taken an interest in her.
>You begin to notice the age of the buildings, as well as their sparseness. You frown to yourself, looking over at Sunset.
"Just how far is this place, anyway?"
>"Well, it's a little ways out of the city, near the woods. They said it was easier to get some property out there, and it's better for worship when the city isn't nearby."
>You quirk a brow at Sunset, but shrug absentmindedly, following her lead and settling back into conversation as normal.
>She continues to lead you out of the city, following a small side road that branched out into the countryside.
>The walk is pleasant, and the cold isn't as bad as you expected. Sunset really seems cheerful about you heading out.
>According to her, the people at the church are pretty antisocial, but they don't mind new people as long as they're willing to listen to the sermon and not cause any trouble.
>The pair of you finally arrive at the church, a small white building bordering a lake. Everything seems fairly quiet, but you take notice of a sign above the door.
>"Esoteric Order of Dagon"
>That's a strange name for a church.

>You look over at Sunset, who looks just as cheerful as when she started the walk here.
>A quick look over the surrounding area shows nothing but woods. No cars or trucks nearby, no people shaking hands. You look at Sunset questioningly.
"Are you sure they're here? The place looks pretty abandoned."
>Sunset gives you a playful eye roll and nods at the door.
>"That's because they're all inside, genius. We're a little late."
>You frown, but shrug as you follow Sunset into the church. The entrance is adorned with various old statues, and a few paintings.
>The place smells strange, but you can't quite place the scent. You wrinkle your nose at it at first, but try to get used to it.
>A long, carpeted hallway leads down towards a set of solid looking double doors. The doors along the sides of the hallway are all shut.
>This place doesn't feel as inviting as you expected a church would. But maybe that's just your apprehension talking.
>Get over yourself, it's just a church.
>Sunset leads you to the double doors, quietly pushing them open. Inside, a quick head count shows roughly 20 people in pews, an assortment of men and women, with only two children.
>At the head of the room, standing behind a podium. is a man in purple and gold robes. Behind him is a large statue of some immense, fish...thing.
>You aren't sure how to describe it, but looking at it makes you feel a bit light headed, so you take care to keep your eyes off of it.
>It's around this time, after you take in the room, that you notice everyone staring at you.
>Fuck's sake they look creepy.
>Sunset gives them a joyful smile and a wave, and they all slowly go back to looking at what you assume is the pastor. He starts to drone on in his sermon, but you aren't one to pay attention.
>Sunset leads you to an empty rear pew, looking at the pastor and listening intently.
>You aren't listening too earnestly, instead letting your eyes wander around the room and admiring the strange decor.

>There seems to be a lot of old masonic imagery strewn about the place. You don't know much about the whole thing. Your grandfather had been one, but your father had been against you trying it out.
>Old pictures of ships are on the walls. There must be at least ten or twelve of the pictures. These folks really have a fascination with the ocean, or something close to it.
>Alongside all the symbols and pictures of ships, there are two tapestries, each made out of a deep violet fabric. They have symbols stitched in gold that you can't recognize.
>The statue alone had made you feel uneasy, but the tapestries and all that other shit are really putting you on edge.
>This doesn't feel like any sort of church you've been to. You shift in your seat uncomfortably, looking over at Sunset.
>She glances over at you, giving you an encouraging smile. She seems to be at ease and enjoying the sermon.
>How the fuck can anyone be relaxed about this? The more you think about it, the more you get images of those typical b-horror films you used to watch.
>You're shaken out of your thoughts as everyone stands up quickly around you. You jump and quickly scramble to your feet to do the same.
>"I'A DAGON! I'A HYDRA! I'A I'A!"
>They're all shouting that phrase repeatedly and holding their fists in the air. Sunset is joining in with them.
>She gives you an encouraging look, and you decide to do the same before you gather any more stares.
>The shouting continues in an almost frenzied manner, the pastor turning his back to the group and shouting up at the statue along with the rest of the congregation.
>The statue. They're worshiping that giant fish thing. As you look at it again, you feel that same, uneasy light headed sensation. You force yourself to look away again at the stuff on the walls.
>It seems another 15 minutes of fanatical praising goes by before everyone slips back into their pews, the pastor closing up the sermon.
>You have no idea what the hell Sunset dragged you into.

>You feel shaken as the congregation starts to shuffle out of the small church, Sunset hums to herself as she stands, getting ready to filter out with the rest.
>You force yourself up, although your legs feel like jello. As you go to leave, however, you hear the voice of the pastor behind you.
>"Sunset? I see you brought a new member to the congregation. You both should stay back for a few minutes."
>You look over at Sunset, who turns around and then looks at you, giving you a reassuring smile.
>"It's not like we have anywhere else to be, right? Lets stay behind for a bit."
>You have the urge to ignore the request and say something. Just blurt out that you have to meet up with a friend in the city.
>Sunset's smile holds you back though. She doesn't seem frightened or scared. She doesn't look like the other people that were in the pews. She looks as sunny as ever.
"S-sure. Yeah, I guess we can spare a few minutes."
>Sunset seems pleased at the prospect of you staying behind, both of you walking with the pastor. He wordlessly turns around and starts to lead the pair of you towards a door in the back of the worshiping area.
>The door leads to a set of stairs, heading down towards what you can only assume is a basement. Sunset gives you a gentle nudge from behind, and you proceed behind the pastor into the darkness.
>As you all go down, you hear him begin talking, his words accentuated by his footsteps upon the stone stairs.
>"We don't often get new folk out here. Sunset only joined recently herself, and now here you are. A ripe, new member of our fold, should you wish to join."
>The basement opens up to a sparsely furnished room with some shabby carpeting on the floor. A few chairs are scattered here and there, and a heavy iron door leads off into another room.
>The pastor stops in the center of the room, turning to you both with a grin. His face looks sickly, his skin a pallor that evokes a reaction of disgust in the back of your mind.

>"I'm sure this must all seem new to you, but Sunset hasn't fully joined us either. You both are quite new."
>You look at Sunset curiously, who returns your look of slight confusion. It appears she isn't fully aware of what he means either.
>"There's a very special guest that I'd hoped that Sunset would be able to meet today. But since you're here, perhaps you both can meet him. It would certainly save time."
>Sunset looks genuinely surprised at the pastor's words. You keep yourself silent, trying to avoid looking at the pastor again.
>"If you both would be so kind as to wait here while I go wake him? He has been on a very long journey to get here, and has been quite tired since his arrival."
>Sunset smiles nervously and nods, heading to one of the seats nearby. You follow her as the pastor leaves through the iron door, shutting it tightly behind him.
>As soon as he leaves, you begin fervently whispering to Sunset.
"Sunset, we need to leave NOW. This place isn't right!"
>Sunset looks both shocked and slightly offended, giving you a look of incredulity as you speak.
>"Anon, what has gotten into you? These people are as nice as ever! Sure they're a bit less talkative, but the pastor has been nothing but nice since I've been here."
>You groan slightly in frustration. You hadn't wanted to simply blurt it out, but you might as well.
"Sunset, this isn't a church. There's no live band, there's no hand shaking. This is a cult. Didn't you even think about that when you looked at the giant thing upstairs?"
>Sunset frowns at you and shakes her head quickly.
>"There normally is a band, they just aren't here today. And why does this church need to be christian anyway? The pastor has been nothing but nice. He's harmless."
>You sigh and rub your temples in frustration. She just wasn't getting it. This is some bad horror movie shit right here, and she's completely oblivious to what's going on.

"Look, what about the sermons? Do you listen to them? They can't be normal."
>Sunset rolls her eyes and huffs.
>"Yeah, okay, they're a little weird sometimes. But most of it is just like a history lesson. Just talking about the history of Father Dagon and Mother Hydra. That's all."
>You both hear the heavy thuds of footsteps on the other side of the door. Sunset looks at you with an air of triumph.
>"There he is, right on the other side of the door. I'm sure everything will be just fine, and whoever he's bringing out is going to be able to explain everything."
>As the door opens, the pastor steps out slowly. His skin has an eerie shine to it. It looks unnatural and altogether unsettling.
>"He's come quite a long way to see you, Sunset. I'm sure he'll be happy to see you as well."
>The pastor nods at you as he continues, the door opening wider. You hear a sloshing thump behind him, as well as the loud scraping of something against stone.
>Your body tenses up as that odor hits you from when you first entered the church, now in full force. You recognize it now that it's much stronger. It's the scent of fish.
>The door behind the pastor opens, claws wrapped around it and digging into the metal.
>As it pulls open, the dim light shines through the threshold to reveal an abomination. Scaly, murky skin tinged with hues of dark greys and blueish-greens. Bulbous, black eyes over a large, hanging mouth full of spear-like teeth.
>The thing must loom at least 2 heads taller than the pastor, and was ducking to enter through the doorway. But you can see a bulbous belly of pale white bulging from it's gut. The stench of rotting fish comes from it's maw along with that of seawater and guttural growls. The fishy appearance is only furthered by a large fin-like frill on it's head.
>You feel lucky for being in decent shape, considering how fast you manage to reach the stairs upwards.
>You hear Sunset screaming, but also the sound of her shoes hitting the stairs behind you.

>A loud roar erupts from behind the pair of you down the stairs, as well as the sudden, pained shouts of the pastor.
>You don't even consider stopping as you both start up the stairs and into the worship hall. You can hear the sound of growls and heavy panting behind you, coming up the stairs.
>Sunset is having a breakdown as she gets beside you, the pair of you running for the double doors near the front. You manage to get them both open, looking back to see the thing coming up from the stairs.
>Blood drips down it's body, torn flesh and robes hanging from it's teeth. It lets out a howl of what you can only assume is rage as it sees you both.
>You've never felt more fucked in your life than you do at this point in time.
>Sunset leads the way down the hall as you both tackle open the exit doors. You hear those heavy, quick footsteps sloshing in the carpet behind you.
>The pair of you start towards the woods, towards the direction you can only hope the city might be in. You can feel that thing following you as you both run out into the trees.
>What happened afterwards is practically a blur. Shouting, screaming, growling, the heavy scent of blood and fish in the air.
>You both managed to make it back to the city and lose the thing. The more likely explanation is that it simply chose to stop following you instead.
>The thought of that doesn't comfort you in the slightest.
>Sunset and you both had deep gashes that require treatment. You claim that it was just some wild dogs in the woods that caused it.
>The doctors don't question it as they take you both in for treatment.
>You don't think you'll ever be able to shake off the thought of that thing. The look of those people, the symbols on the tapestries, they all seem so strange.
>You aren't sure whether it was just some strange dream or not. But you do know that it'll be hard to ever get you near a church again.