Lorenzo stepped over the long stairs, and then he saw it.
Brilliant light fell from the dome above, reflecting off the candles hanging on the stone pillars, illuminating the darkness below and lighting up the gray-white robes.
Lorenzo stood in place, dazed. According to his understanding, the Gap was empty, containing only solitary souls. He wandered in this empty Gap, tormented, much like William.
But what appeared before Lorenzo now was a presence far beyond expectations. At least a hundred priests were kneeling on the empty ground at the foot of the long stairs, surrounding in circles, each person cloaked in gray-white robes, completely covering their bodies, their faces hidden in shadow.
Standing silently like stone sculptures among them, if not for the whispering prayers, they seemed dead.
Lorenzo held his breath as he slowly approached. As he passed these priests, he could clearly feel their vitality; they were alive, vibrant souls one after another.
