The young man's battered face twisted in pain and frustration as he stumbled along, the rope around his neck a harsh reminder of his situation. Sister Mayura walked beside him, her expression unreadable.
"You old hag," the young man muttered, his voice laced with resentment. "This is definitely against human rights."
Sister Mayura's expression didn't change, but her voice took on a dry tone. "Human rights? You lost those after breaking my rules. To me, it's just me leading a swine to the slaughterhouse."
The young man's eyes flashed with anger, but he knew better than to push Sister Mayura too far. He kept his mouth shut, his eyes fixed on the ground as he trudged along.
As they walked, the scenery shifted to a less desirable part of town. They approached the gates of an orphanage, the sign creaking in the wind. Suddenly, sirens wailed, signaling a yellow threat had entered the city.
Just then, a petite brown-haired girl in a country dress and black shoes ran up to them, her cheeks puffed up red with indignation. "Marl why did you run off when the alarm went off."
Marl shrugged his shoulders. "I wanted to see what was going on," he said, his voice casual.
The girl's eyes narrowed. "You know better than to go off during a threat alert," she said, her voice stern.
"Especially a yellow threat, you not even enlightened."
"That gonna change after tomorrow."
Sister Mayura handed the rope to Aiko, her expression still unreadable. "Make sure he goes to bed," she said, her voice firm. "He's now your pain in the ass."
Aiko took the rope, but instead of tugging on it, she quickly began to untie the knots. "And you're supposed to be the oldest here," she said, her voice laced with amusement.
Marl's eyes widened in surprise as Aiko expertly freed him from the rope. He rubbed his neck, feeling the relief wash over him.
As they reached the dormitory, Marl saw the other kids sleeping peacefully in their beds. The room was quiet, except for the soft sound of breathing and the occasional creak of the old wooden floorboards.
Aiko leaned in close, her voice barely above a whisper. "The other kids were disappointed you didn't come before their bedtime to tell a story," she said.
Marl's face softened, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "Sorry about that," he whispered back. "I'll make it up to them tomorrow."
Aiko's expression turned serious. "After tomorrow, you're going to participate in the Day of Solstice," she said, her voice low and mysterious.
Marl's eyes sparkled with excitement. "I know," he said, his voice barely contained. "I can't wait. On that day, I'll enlighten." Aiko raised an eyebrow. "You've been saying that since forever." Marl's grin grew wider. "But do you know how many people fail?" He leaned in, a confident glint in his eye. "But not me."
The sun rose over the orphanage, casting a warm glow over the courtyard. Marl stood outside the gates, dressed in his finest attire, his hair neatly combed. Sister Mayura stood beside him, her expression neutral, her voice detached.
"Alright, let's get going," she said, her tone flat. "You have the Temple of Minerva to attend. Don't be late."
The other children gathered around, the little kids waving goodbye, their faces somber. "Good luck, Marl!" they chorused. Aiko smiled and nodded, her eyes sparkling with encouragement.
As Sister Mayura turned to leave, Marl caught a fleeting glimpse of something in her eyes - a flicker of concern, perhaps, or a hint of warmth. But it was quickly masked, and she looked away, her expression returning to its usual indifference.
"Come on," she said, her voice still flat. "We shouldn't dawdle."
As they walked, they traversed through the town's narrow streets, passing by rows of stone buildings, market stalls, and bustling shops. The journey took several hours, with Sister Mayura leading the way through the crowded streets. Marl followed closely, his eyes fixed on her back.
Finally, after navigating through the town's winding streets, the Temple of Minerva came into view, its imposing structure towering above the surrounding buildings. Marl felt a surge of excitement and trepidation. They had arrived. Sister Mayura halted, her gaze fixed on the temple entrance.
"Your destination," she said, her voice still neutral. "And that is my cue to leave, you're old enough to look after yourself."
"Fine," Marl muttered, watching as Mayura turned to leave. "Thanks for nothing, old hag" Mayura just smiled and walked away."No respect for his elders."
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm orange glow over the city, the streets surrounding the Temple of Minerva were bathed in a soft, golden light. The air grew cooler, and the crowd's anticipation seemed to grow thicker, like a palpable mist.
Marl, standing amidst the crowd, felt his determination burning brighter with every passing moment. This was his second attempt at Enlightenment, and he knew it was his last chance. He thought of the orphanage, the only home he had ever known, and the faces of the children he had grown up with. He wanted to prove himself, to show that he was worthy of their admiration and respect. Most of all, he wanted to secure a better future for them, and for himself.
As night began to fall, torches and lanterns flickered to life, casting a warm, golden glow over the crowd. The High Priestess Elara's voice carried across the sea of faces, her words infused with an otherworldly power.
"All those who have fulfilled the requirements may enter the temple," she declared, her voice echoing off the temple walls. "Or you'll regret it."
Marl's eyes locked onto the temple entrance, his mind recalling the sorcerous barrier he had witnessed last year. He had seen it with his own eyes - a shimmering aura that repelled anyone above or below the age range, dealing a painful and potentially crippling burn to those who tried to bypass it. He steeled himself, knowing he fit the criteria, and prepared to take his chance.
The crowd seemed to hold its collective breath as the selected few stepped forward, their eyes fixed on the temple entrance. Marl took a deep breath, his heart pounding in his chest, and joined the line of hopefuls...
The temple grounds were heavily guarded, with mortal guards stationed at the outer perimeter and a dozen Enlightened ones patrolling the inner areas. A few initiates, still in training, stood watch as well, their eyes scanning the crowd for any signs of trouble. The presence of so many prominent families from the city and neighboring regions had drawn a large crowd, and security was tight.
As the High Priestess Elara's declaration echoed through the air, the crowd began to stir. The children from prominent families, adorned in their finest attire, were escorted to the front of the line by their well-dressed parents and guardians. They were ushered into the temple with ease, their privileged status evident in the way they were treated.
Meanwhile, Marl and others like him, without special backing or connections, were forced to wait at the back of the line. Marl's eyes narrowed slightly as he watched the disparity, but his focus remained fixed on his goal. He had come too far to let a little inequality deter him. He took a deep breath, mentally preparing himself for the trial ahead, and waited for his turn.
As the crowd surged forward, Marl found himself swept up in the tide of bodies, all pressing towards the temple entrance. The High Priestess's words still echoed in his mind, "Let them prove their worth, if they can." Marl felt a surge of determination course through his veins. He had come too far to turn back now.
As he stepped into the temple, the cool darkness enveloped him, but instead of the expected chamber, he found himself in a serene courtyard. The moon was high in the sky, casting a silver glow over the space. The High Priestess Elara sat on a rock at the far end of the courtyard, her eyes closed in contemplation. In front of her was a small pond, its surface calm and reflective, with the moon's image mirrored perfectly on the water.
The High Priestess opened her eyes and gazed at Marl and the others. "The trial is simple," she said, her voice calm and gentle. "You must dip yourself in the pond. But be warned, once you enter the water, you will face your heart demon. The darkness within must be confronted and overcome."
Marl took a deep breath and waited, along with the others, for his turn. A young girl, with beautiful golden locks and face, was called forward first. She walked with an unusual confidence, and Marl sensed that there was something special about her. As she dipped into the pond, the water seemed to react differently, rippling and churning in a way that Marl hadn't expected.
The girl emerged from the pond, her eyes shining with an otherworldly light. The High Priestess gazed at her with a look of deep interest, and Marl sensed that this girl was more than just an ordinary applicant. She was special, and Marl wondered what secrets she might hold.
As the hours ticked by, Marl watched as others took their turn, each facing their own heart demon and emerging changed. Some were triumphant, while others were broken. Marl's anxiety grew as he waited, his mind racing with thoughts of what lay ahead.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity - at least two hours had passed, Marl's name was called. He stood up, his heart pounding in his chest, and walked forward to face the pond. The High Priestess gazed at him, her eyes piercing and intense. Marl took a deep breath, and with a sense of resignation and determination, he dipped into the water, deep down already knowing what he might find but he didn't want to think about it.