The Grand Cathedral loomed over the ridge camp like a wounded giant. Cracks spiderwebbed across its stone walls in jagged patterns that exactly matched the glowing fractures on Aiden's skin.
He walked through the heavy gates still bare-chested, armor half-unbuckled, white hair matted with sweat and dried blood. Isolde marched on his left, Catherine on his right, both women silent but tense.
Sabrina followed close behind, her face flushed. Flora and Luna trailed at the rear, eyes downcast, the fresh bond echoes still humming through their bodies.
Two figures waited on the wide steps in full ceremonial white-and-gold robes. Saintess Bela stood on the left, slender and pale, her long silver-blonde hair braided with prayer beads. Her face was pure, almost childlike in its sincerity.
Saintess Calipso stood on the right, darker hair, fuller figure, eyes sharp with something hungrier than faith. Both women's gazes locked onto the pulsing fractures across Aiden's chest and arms.
