In the Cathedral
In Mintaka Village, the heavy toll of a church bell echoed. Instead of registering as an auxiliary hunter, a young woman named Xurien Wrez walked straight toward the cathedral. She entered the sanctuary, noticing the yellowing stains on the walls and the pungent scent of ancient incense hanging in the air.
"Is the silence of the entities in Thallerion a sign of abandonment, or a challenge to our resolve?" she whispered as she stepped inside. She felt the cold aura of the pillars, adorned with angelic statues. "Or perhaps the King is right—that Thallerion has no need for a shepherd to watch over it? Yet, why do they wait for nothing, while the Crux of Cypriox is here to guide them?"
"How long will the heart of Thallerion remain hardened? How long will this race act as a messenger of violence? If they would only place their faith in the Crux, peace would reign." At the front, a large black cross was fixed to the wall—a symbol of the influence of the religious nation of Cypriox.
Xurien sighed, as if she were too weary to ponder such things. She glanced at the corners filled with urns and plants.
"I truly cannot understand the minds of kings. When money is involved, when an offer is made... why does their tone change so suddenly? Are they possessed by some spirit?" Xurien scoffed under her breath, her eyes scanning the surroundings before she looked up at the ceiling.
In the spacious hall, fluorescent lamps adorned with floral relics hung, casting a moderate glow. Xurien noticed tiny white dust motes glistening in the golden light filtering through the stained glass; a sliver of sunlight pierced the shadows of the cold room.
"Wait, I've been walking these aisles for a while now. Why is the cathedral empty? Don't tell me they all went to the border for the mission? Heavens! That's extreme! They were blinded by the money so quickly, weren't they? Just like that, they abandoned their prayers here?" Xurien's feet felt heavy as she stomped toward the altar.
"Why is the jingle of money so sweet to the ears? Do they not realize their lives are like mere feed in the eyes of monsters? Why not just leave this mission to the true Awakened?" Xurien's heart grew heavy with the questions her mind threw into the silent space.
In front of the altar, she slowly sank to her knees. She raised her hands, fingers locked in prayer; she closed her eyes, and fresh tears—like dew gathered by the mist—crept down her cheeks and dripped onto her chest. She felt the heat of her own conviction when an astral halo suddenly appeared above her head, crowned by a glowing cross. This iridescent halo manifests only in those of Cyprioxian blood, a reflection of their faith in the Crux entity.
"Hallelujah.... hallelujah...." she chanted. Her soft lips trembled faintly as she sang into the air.
The incense smoke swirled, smelling of fragrant sandalwood, leaving a sense of lightness in her weary soul. The great light of the candles served as a silent witness to her unbridled kneeling before the cross.
As she kept her eyes closed, visions suddenly flashed through her mind. Though the events passed in a blur, she felt the agony of warriors bathing in their own blood, wailing, screaming, and begging for mercy before their final breath. She recoiled in shock. "Is that the fate of the people after their mission? Was that a premonition from the Crux entity?" she whispered, her lips quivering. From there, she began to pray.
"Oh, merciful Crux, I beseech you, pour your glorious light upon the land of Thallerion. Guide the warriors of Thallerion; help them succeed in this mission. Grant strength and resolve to the non-awakened who are prepared to sacrifice their lives. I also pray that you cleanse the heart of the Sovereignty. They are the reason Thallerion must step beyond the barrier to fight the biopunks."
With every word, her knees shook, and her weary palms were soaked with fresh tears. Her prayer became music in the silent sanctuary. "Oh, holy Crux..." She pressed her hands together even tighter. Her astral halo glowed brighter. "Hear my plea—for my people, for my country, and for my race. Thallerion's ability to awaken their power is fading, and we have no defender. Please, we are in need of your guidance. Amen."
The Storm Within the Sanctuary
A deafening silence followed her prayer. Yet, during her intense supplication, the candle flames suddenly bowed. The incense smoke swirled in the air like a storm raging within the cathedral. In an instant, a circle of light floated, accompanied by lightning crawling across the walls.
Xurien felt a gentle, sacred heat surrounding her, as if the cacophony of energy was calling her name. She opened her eyes to see a blinding star, accompanied by a rhythmic sound like an angry hornet. In the blink of an eye, the light fell like a meteor in front of her, and the silhouette of a being emerged. It was a man, undeniably shirtless.
"Who are you?" Xurien's eyes widened, her muscles stiffening as her gaze locked onto the man's body; her astral halo flickered like a candle in the wind due to her terror. "Identify yourself, stranger." Her voice trembled, and goosebumps rose on her skin when the noise outside suddenly ceased. She glanced at her watch, and miraculously, the hands stopped moving. "What is happening? Why did my watch stop ticking?" she cried out in horror. The scent of incense vanished, replaced by the man's aromatic aura—a fragrance of onyx and lotus, as sweet as ancient wood. "That scent. It's like the traditional perfume of Thallerion. Is he a..."
The maiden's angelic face was like a rose blooming in the sunlight. Pure sweat trickled down her face. She witnessed the muscular man emerge from the light. She saw his sculpted physique, a perfect warrior with rock-hard abdominals. But suddenly, his clothes materialized, wrapping him in armor as if sand had hardened into iron. It was as tough and durable as adamantine, and his posture was that of a king brimming with glory.
"I cannot believe it; am I truly witnessing a god?" Xurien's voice faltered in fear, like a frightened rabbit.
With every step the man took, the room seemed to shrink, while five crystal spheres—each representing an element: fire, water, lightning, earth, and light—bowed before him. They orbited around him like loyal planets.
The five spheres then merged into a belt around his waist. The stranger's aura surged, accompanied by a wave of air that rippled through the room.
"This man is truly powerful!" Xurien gasped. Her nose bled as the wave of his aura hit her, feeling like breathing electricity. "I cannot let my vision blur. I must witness this miraculous day in my life."
Xurien dared to look at the man's muscular frame. She first noticed silk that seemed woven from the cosmos. On every corner of the golden armor, diamond reliefs shimmered, while a cape hung from his back—not made of fabric, but of aquamarine energy from a galaxy, adorned with gold at the tips.
"Is he like a god of war?" Floating daggers danced in the air, each with a unique blade shape. The diadem he wore shone like a newborn sun.
Hairline cracks appeared on the cathedral pillars, and even the dust in the air froze, as if the atmosphere itself had hardened. Only one thought crossed the maiden's mind: "Wait, is he a Constellar-god?"
From her awe of the heavenly armor's transformation, she lifted her gaze, courageously following the movement of his face, and there, she witnessed eyes that shimmered as deep as the cosmos. However, her spiritual strength was overwhelmed. She immediately bowed her head in terror. Her cold hands trembled bitterly, and for the first time, she prostrated herself on the floor. Tears flowed instantly before the man, like a slave begging for one last chance. "Forgive my insolence; I did not mean to look upon your face."