"Why is it taking so long?" the High Priest asked, her brows knitting together as she stood tall upon the vast ceremonial stage. The heavy folds of her ceremonial robes shimmered under the sinking sunless light while her sharp eyes remained fixed on the distant Teleportation Station.
"It has already been an hour since we received word of the Archpriest's arrival," she continued, "Yet... Where are the ones sent to escort him with devotion?"
The sky above slowly bled from gold into molten orange.
"It will grow dark soon," she muttered more to herself than to anyone else, clicking her tongue, "The ritual must start before nightfall. Guards, go at once and check on them immediately—"
"1! 2!"
The thunderous chant struck the air like a war drum, and the wooden beams of the stage trembled beneath their feet.
Priests, guards, and followers flinched in startled unison, heads snapping toward the source of the echoing rhythm that rolled like distant thunder growing closer.
"1! 2!"
