Samuel reaches the main palace gates, just as a huge crowd of unholy people are lined up in rows, jam-packed. Their clothes were plain, some were dirty, some torn. Their faces looked tired, some excited, hopeful. The air smelled of sweat and incense. Divine guards, wearing golden armor and holding glowing weapons, stood tall beside the gate. Watching the crowd closely.
Samuel moved to the side and scanned the area with his enhanced senses. He could hear everything, the sorrowful prayers, the heartbeat of the guards, even the faint hum of the runes in the air. He traced the layouts, picked the clearest route through the crowd, and moved quickly and calmly toward the center.
The Sovereign-Born kept watching from balconies above, disgusted.
The golden and sliver gates cracked as they began to open. A surge of lights poured out from within, so bright that many in the crowd turned away. A hush fell over the people, followed by gasps and movement. The crowd surged forward, trying to get through the gates.
Samuel hastily pushed between them, dodging their bodies, avoiding contact. He moved smoothly, and efficiently. Once through the gates, he stood in a large open space, with white marble floors, massive pillars, and golden symbols carved into every surface.
At the far end of the altar, stood a girl. She looked young, petite, maybe around sixteen. Her hair was silver and her eyes were bright blue, it glowed. She stepped onto the platform at the center, looking over the crowd.
"Children of IRA, I welcome you here today."
Her words echoed through the main palace.
Samuel waited quietly in line with the rest of the Unholy. Making sure no one noticed his presence.
Then the ceremony begins.
She raised her hand.
A crack in reality opened up. It expanded into a full circle, a portal. It looked like water but held firm in the air.
Through it, was a massive throne room. At the end of it, sitting with her legs crossed and her long pink hair flowing down the throne, was the Goddess of Fertility. Her throne was alive, vines wrapped around its sides.
"That girl," Samuel exclaimed.
"Did she just open a portal to the divine realm?"
Samuel's eyes widened. He whispered.
"Celestial Navigator…"
"The goddess of fertility, her holiness, In the flesh." The people uttered.
Everyone around him dropped to their knees. The Unholy people bowed low, heads to the floor. Except for Samuel. He stood still. Frozen. His eyes weren't on the goddess. They were on the altar.
It reminded him of his past. The sacrificed. His sister. His classmates. The altar.
"Disgusting creatures." He uttered bitterly.
Veins popping, dark squinted eyes.
His jaw tightened.
Then he keenly dashed towards the girl.
"Hey!" one of the guards yelled.
Samuel didn't listen, engulfed by his rage.
He leapt toward the girl, Celestial Navigator.
BOOM!
An explosion went off mid-air. Smoke and debris flew outward. Screams filled the altar. People ran in all directions, panicking.
Samuel lumped back, shielding his eyes.
When the smoke cleared, he saw the figure standing between him and the girl.
Tall Entitie, in white armor trimmed with blue. A golden snake emblem on its chestplate.
A Path-Knight.
Nickname, The muted knight.
Samuel had seen one in Arithmos's visions.
Elite protectors of the Celestial Navigators.
Insanely strong, fast and agile.
The Goddess of Fertility arose from her throne.
Look directly at Samuel, not with anger, but fear...
Shivering, She uttered, "that essence."
"…Arithmos..."
Before she could complete the sentence, the portal evaporated.
Samuel spun around.
The Celestial Navigator gazing in shock.
The Path-Knight stood between them.
The remaining people who had not fled were still kneeling, their heads lowered in fear.
His eyes were locked on the Path Knight.
The Path-knight stood still, his spear aimed forward, anticipating Samuel's next move.
The celestial Navigator turned her eyes toward Samuel. Her voice shook, with confusion in her tone.
"Who are you?"
Samuel didn't give her an answer. Glancing briefly at her, then back at the knight.
"I'm not here to worship," he declared. "I'm here for you."
"Me?" She uttered.
The Path-Knight stepped forward, his spear,
Flowing with divine energy.
The celestial navigator exclaimed.
"You've broken holy order, but it's not too late."
"Stand down."
But Samuel stood tall, eyes calculating.
"Move," he declared.
Samuel murmured. "I well I don't mind a little blood."
Samuel's stance shifted, slowed his breath and focused. He could feel the energy in his body, the divine essence inherited from Arithmos. The instinct of war. The blade. His skin began to ache, syncing with his heartbeat.
Then he called forth.
"Aegirion!
A bust of dark green energy, came, filling the atmosphere.
The Celestial Navigator glanced between Samuel and the Path Knight. Her hands rolled up into fists. "This wasn't how the prayer cycle was supposed to go."
"Stand down," she declared, but the Path Knight didn't listen.
"He's a threat," the path-knight uttered, In an intense tone.
He lunged his spear, at light speed.
Samuel barely dodges, twisting sideways, avoiding the spear by an inch, shredding the air behind him. The ground cracked from the force of the knight's steps.
Samuel drew out Aegirion in the heat of the moment, His movements weren't his own anymore, instinct and ancient memory. Knowledge gifted by Arithmos.
Clang!
His Blade collided with the spear, the impact sending out a shock wave that shattered nearby altar pillars.
The explosion had long caused the people to flee, leaving only the three in the center of the altar, Samuel, the Celestial Navigator, and the Path-Knight.
"He strong," Samuel murmurs in his inner tone.
The knight swung his spear, then attacked again. This time it was, faster. More coordinated.
Samuel parried left, stepped in, and headbutted the knight with all his might. Staggering the path-knight, but he caught his balance right after.
A pulse of divine energy shot from the spear, slamming Samuel through the pillars of the altar.
Dust particles in the atmosphere.
Samuel got on all fours, coughed once and stood again.
Raised his blade.
The celestial Navigator took a step back, a tear in her eyes, uncertain. "Why?"
Samuel's eyes did not leave the path-knight.
"I need to enter the divine realm," he responded in a disrespectful tone. "And you're my key."
" But, Why?" she asked again.
"To kill all gods."
The Path-knight uttered. "You'll have to kill me first."
Samuel's tightened grip on his blade.
"Then I will."