A girl with long, flowing golden hair knelt reverently at the altar, her gaze fixed upon the grand statue of Goddess Anathara. The goddess stood tall, her divine form etched in marble, the humble priestess, lowered her head and closed her eyes in deep reverence as she clasped her hands before her, the flickering candles casting soft shadows across the sacred chamber.
With a heart full of devotion, she whispered her prayer.
"Goddess Anathara, divine protector of this kingdom, I, your humble priestess, Sarina Valis, kneel before you in unwavering devotion. Hear my prayer, O Guardian of Light, Keeper of Divine Order. Grant protection to this kingdom, your children who walk in your light, that they may be shielded from the storms that threaten their peace. Let your divine will guide our rulers, that their decisions may reflect your justice, your mercy, and your wisdom. Let your order reign supreme, unfaltering, as you guide us all toward harmony and strength."
Her voice rose softly, like the wind whispering through the temple's high arches, and she lifted her hands in a gesture of surrender.
"I pray that your strength may fortify us, your wisdom may enlighten us, and your protection may shield us from all that would seek to harm this kingdom. May your divine order and blessing bind us together in unity."
She bowed her head, her golden hair spilling around her like a halo. The air around her seemed to grow still, as though awaiting the goddess's response.
"Goddess Anathara, let your grace flow through. In your name, we shall endure. In your name, we shall rise."
The silence lingered for a moment, and Sarina stayed on her knees, her heart brimming with the peace of her prayer.
Sarina exhaled, her breath steady and calm as she slowly opened her eyes and stood before the towering statue of Goddess Anathara, her golden hair flowing gracefully around her shoulders, catching the light as if woven from strands of pure sunlight. Her white robes, embroidered with intricate silver and golden patterns, rippled gently around her form. A thin, beautiful layer of golden aura enveloped her entire body, radiating warmth. The air shimmered faintly as her amethyst eyes glowed, flickers of gold dancing within their depths as she looked up to the sacred image before her.
Her aura swirled softly around her, flowing in harmony with her movements. She straightened, her robes fluttering in the faint breeze of her aura, before lifting her chin slightly.
Her gaze shifted, turning to a man standing at the far end of the hall. He was dressed in a crisp white suit, the golden tie glinting against his chest. A large golden axe rested in its case at his side. He bowed low, a respectful gesture.
"Do I have... anything important to do today?" Sarina asked softly, her gaze shifting toward the man standing at the door.
"You're free to do as you wish for the rest of this month. Next month, however, you have a few meetings scheduled with the king and several nobles. But for now, that's all." He spoke with the practiced tone of someone who had delivered this same information countless times, before turning and walking away, the soft rustle of his suit fading as he exited the grand chamber.
Sarina let out a quiet sigh, the golden aura fading as her amethyst eyes turned to a pair of large golden doors of the chamber before she walked toward them.
The doors were majestic, framed in intricate gold leaf patterns that seemed to shimmer faintly in the light. With a soft push, the doors creaked open, revealing a staircase that spiraled upward, leading to the higher levels of the temple. She ascended with a serene grace, her low golden heels making only the slightest sound against the polished marble steps. The air here felt slightly cooler.
At the top of the stairs, she found herself on a vast floor, flanked by nine towering white pillars, each carved from flawless marble and etched with delicate symbols of protection and divinity that only she could walk through. The floor beneath her was polished to a mirror-like sheen, reflecting the soft golden light that streamed in from the grand windows. A bright red rug stretched across the floor, its intricate patterns woven with silver thread, leading the way down the hallway to her personal quarters.
Her footsteps echoed softly against the cold marble as she walked, her eyes scanning the architecture, finding beauty in every detail—the gentle curve of the walls, the warm glow of sunlight dappling the red rug, the soft hum of the temple's energy that seemed to pulse through the very stones.
As she reached the door to her room, she opened it with a smooth gesture, stepping inside to the familiar sanctuary she called her own. The room was expansive, a harmonious blend of simplicity and elegance. The single, grand bed was draped in silks of gold and white, its canopy overhead giving it a regal quality. Nearby, multiple shelves lined the walls, filled with books and sacred records dating back hundreds of years, a few ancient texts, relics of old tucked neatly among the volumes, their pages a treasure trove of forgotten knowledge.
The floor beneath her feet was soft, covered in a carpet so fine it felt like walking on clouds. The design was a beautiful blend of flowers intertwined with golden orbs that seemed to shift and glow faintly as her feet moved across them. She slipped off her low golden heels, placing them gently by the door alongside the other pairs of shoes and slipped off her long white socks before placing them onto a small desk near the door.
With a light sigh, she walked further into the room, her bare feet sinking slightly into the plush carpet. She moved toward a bookshelf and pulled down a book, the leather cover worn with age but still rich with the weight of knowledge. "Perfect for the time being," she murmured to herself, her voice barely a whisper in the quiet room.
She made her way to the large windows, pulling back the heavy velvet curtains with a single graceful motion. The soft fabric brushed against her fingertips as she opened them to let in the soft, golden sunlight. The view outside was serene, a sprawling landscape of lush gardens and the distant horizon where the sky met the earth in a wash of pale blues and greens.
Sarina settled into a plush velvet chair near the window, the fabric cool against her skin. Her feet rested comfortably on a soft leather footstool, perfectly positioned to support her as she sank into the chair. With a small sigh of contentment, she opened the book in her hands, the soft rustling of pages the only sound in the room as she began to read, her eyes tracing the ancient words that held the wisdom of generations long past.
The silence enveloped her as she read, the distant sound of wind whispering through the windows and the occasional creak of the building settling adding to the peaceful atmosphere. Time seemed to slow in her private sanctuary, the outside world faded away as she lost herself in the world of sacred texts and knowledge. It was a moment of rare stillness, one she cherished deeply.
Three months had passed since the battle between Ashgrave and Zay.
Outside the small hut Renzo sat in silence, his right elbow resting on his knee. He spread his fingers wide, pressing his face into his palm as he stared ahead, lost in thought.
Inside, Lily stood beside Zay, her gaze shifting over her shoulder toward Kazren. He sat at the wooden table, surrounded by stacks of books—over thirty lay scattered across the floor, already read, while five more remained open before him as he pored over their pages.
"I've been searching for any mention of that damn wolf—or anything remotely similar—for over three months. And I've found nothing," Kazren exhaled slowly, closing another book before placing it on the floor. He grabbed one of the remaining four and immediately started reading.
Lily remained silent, watching over her younger brother. Zay hadn't opened his eyes once in the past three months. She had believed Kazren's words about needing only a few months of rest, but now… she was feeling a sort of doubt building. She closed her eyes and took a slow breath.
She turned walked to the door before opening the door and stepped out.
Renzo sat where he had been for hours, staring into the distance. Lily lowered herself beside him.
"Do you think he'll actually wake up?" She asked plainly.
Renzo took a moment before answering. "If you want my honest opinion, yeah. And probably soon." He glanced at her. "I know you didn't see the beast—at least, not until all that blood and flesh were left behind. But it was huge. Taller than the trees. It was… something I know I wouldn't stand a chance against." He exhaled sharply. "But Zay? He won. Somehow. I just don't know how."
The two sat in complete silence—aside from the wind that blew past and the rustling treetops—before Renzo shifted into the meditative position Zay had shown them and began to meditate. A thin layer of red aura flared around his body.
Lily glanced at him before following suit, joining him in meditation as a light blue aura coiled into a thin layer around her body.