"Wake up, little boy."
A man with a brown beard, slick back brown hair and eyes of the same color. The man leans forward so he can see the sleeping child better. He is wearing a white robe with golden strands on his shoulders and with two golden circles. One on his chest and the other on his back. The strands move from one side to another with the leaning man.
The child grows and wakes up. Again, he woke up; he didn't like to wake up. The only time of the day he would enjoy is right before he heads to bed. Not because he isn't a morning person or anything like that. No, no, that was just a scratch of the whole picture.
The boy sits upright and turns his head to the left. The sun barely kisses the earth. It's too damn early to wake up at this hour.
"I'm awake, Father." the boy mumbles sleepily.
"Good, that's what I like to hear. Come, child, we have a long day ahead of us."
The man leaves the boy's room. The child sighs and gets out of bed.
He takes off his pyjamas and then puts on a black robe that looks too large for him. In his wardrobe, the same white robe the man was wearing. But this one, made for him.
The boy leaves his room, a hall as tall as a few people stacked on top of each other greets him. Marble bricks coat the walls, and golden chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. He makes his way through the hall and in front of him. There lies a wooden, rotted door. He opens it, and what meets him makes his stomach turn every time.
The main praying hall of the Church of Heaven. Countless people kneeling before the altar. Rows of wooden benches fill the place. But no one sits in them. A prayer can be heard from the people.
"God Most High, He who is infinity. He who is boundless. He who is Heaven. He who wears the white helmet. We ask you to guide us sinners to salvation."
Day and night, the prayer can be heard through the Church, which is to the north east of The Graven Keep.
The Father, standing at the top of the altar, watching the people from above, shifts his gaze to the boy and gestures for him to come closer. The boy obeys and walks closer until he is next to The Father.
The man puts his hand on the boy's back.
"A new day arrives, with it. We thank the Lord for another chance at redemption"
The boy nods in agreement.
"Now then, should we start. Our people's faith is wavering. Like yesterday, I will let you choose the number. I trust it would be high this time."
"Yes, Father"
The boys' golden irises change into the number "50". The boy fell to his knees, weak and tired. The man catches him before he hits the ground. Then the prayers start to get louder, clearer and more sincere.
"Excellent, that's your highest number so far. I'm very proud of you. I'm sure your sister is also very proud of the boy her brother became."
The boy gives a weak smile "Where is she?"
"I'm not sure, I'm still searching for her. But don't try to think much about her. She doesn't have any power. And in this world, power is everything. But I do feel bad that I didn't pick your sister, also, when your parents came"
"It's okay, you don't have to be sorry. I'm sure you will find her."
The man gives a polite smile, "Good, now go back to your room and study. Tomorrow I hope you can reach 60."
"Yes, Father."
The boy walks away from the altar and back to his room. There, he opens a book and starts reading.
"At first, there were three gods. The first, The God of Heaven. The one who made the world and it's people. He resides in Heaven. The second is the Goddess of Hell. Who made the people have feelings and evolve. She is in Hell. And lastly, The God of Nature. The one that protects Earth and its people. If, by chance, something or someone disturbs the laws of nature. He would come out of the Earth's core to deal with the threat"
As the boy keeps reading, his eyes start to close from fatigue. Then he falls asleep at the table. He dreams of a time when he was together with his twin sister. Playing and having fun. Now stuck in training for the role of the new Priest. One that would be his once the Father passes away.
He is woken up by thunder and rain, and at first, he is sleepy. Then hears someone talking beyond the door.
"Any luck?"
"Luck for what? Oh, you mean the sister. No, that foolish boy thinks I'm pouring countless hours into searching for the parents and sister. He doesn't have to know that he is stuck here."
The boy's eyes widen in shock.
What? This can't be...Father...I believed in you.
The boy heads to his dresser and grabs his robe. Then climbs on the bed and unlocks his window.
"What was that? Did you hear it? It came from the child's room"
"What?" Screams The Father.
The bolts through the door opening it forcefully. But sees the room empty.
"ELYON, COME BACK HERE!" the father screams in protest.
Elyon wakes up
"Damn, that dream again. I hate it"
He groans as he leaves his bed. In front of him, on the floor, the same robe that was meant for him to wear at the church. He leans down and picks it up.
Why do I still keep this piece of trash?
He sighs, then crumbles the robe into a ball and throws it under his bed. He goes to his dresser and picks up a white shirt and a pair of black pants. His gaze landing on the mirror
What are you looking at? Are you disappointed in me for running away from that place? The same places that brainwashes people into believing in a useless God? Hell, I want to find my sister. But even that is not working. That's why I wear that damn robe. So she can recognise me somehow.
He scoffs and goes outside. Once he leaves his house, he sees Eve swinging her sword.
"Did you sleep?" asks Elyon
"Yeah, a bit. Don't need more. I hate it."
"Have you slept outside by any chance?"
She doesn't respond, just swinging her sword away.
He sighs, "Not much of a talker, huh? Then fine, come here, I will explain my powers so I can train you"