They walked through the shrine's corridors. It was vast.
"This side" Agatha gestured, walking beside her, "...is the archive hall."
Garima stepped inside and stopped. Massive shelves surrounded the hall walls in perfect symmetry. Towering up to the ceiling. Perfectly divided to hold tablets, scrolls, books, bound records and sealed documents.
"..ooh" she whispered. Her fingers brushed against one of the shelves.
She hadn't written this. "Every world has its own history," she remembered Cosmo's words. Because the world needed a foundation to stand. It's history already existed. Which was both exhilarating and terrifying.
Garima smiled faintly. "Nice"
Agatha's gaze lingered on her. "Yes, of course"
"I am" Garima said "Impressed"
She walked deeper inside. Her eyes scanned everything.
Sections labelled by eras, Records of kingdoms, Battle accounts, Trade routes, History of Ruins. Except for religious doctrines.
She could help but laugh.
A religious shrine without religious principles. It only contained the words of the previous Saintess. No deity was actively worshiped. And this place became something else. Like a hobby. Or people who desired something but are unable to point at what they want. She remembered trying to make a world without God and Goddesses. And now she was trying to start a religion. But people needed hope. Something like a potter shaping clay. That lead people to move from fear and anxiety to worship. Like believing God is in control, and he is working all things for my own good. Anyway she planned to make Cosmo a Goddess like that. And this place was something else. Like icing on the cake. Like Control.
"..this place" she murmured "has potential"
Agatha frowned. "You mean your potential? I showed it because you don't look like you know this kingdom's history"
Garima turned. "Yeah" she said softly. "find me a tutor, I will read these within six months." She has time Till the story starts.
She was an avid reader. She could do this.
"You should be careful, Your Holiness"
That made Garima look at her. "Careful?"
"There are people who will challenge your knowledge," she said calmly, " scholars, nobles and strategists."
She continued "Authority without understanding is broken easily"
Garima held her gaze for sometime. And smiled
"Good, then I will understand everything before they try," she said. "Like information control"
Agatha stilled. Garima smiled wider. "Relax, Agatha, for good purposes only"
Agatha didn't respond. Her gaze sharpened.
But Garima didn't dwell on it much longer. Then suddenly as if she got a new idea. Garima's gaze drifted upward, towards the ceiling. It was white.
"Agatha" she called
"Yes, Your Holiness" she replied.
Garima looked at her straight. "This shrine needs branding"
Agatha blinked "What?" She looked confused.
Garima clasped her hands. Eyes shining.
This was going to be fun. Her smile deepened.
"A mascot too" she whispered under her breath.
It's your turn, Cosmo.
"Your Holiness" A voice interrupted. And both of them turned towards it.
A young, attractive priest stood at the entrance of the archive hall, slightly out of breath.
Agatha frowned "what is it?"
He bowed quickly. "News has arrived from the palace"
Garima's attention sharpened instantly.
"What's the status now?" She asked.
"Princess Danya's party has set off, it's clear there is no sighting of the Devil lord"
Garima's heartbeat slowed. Agatha looked at her
"Your Prediction…"
"will play out," Garima said calmly.
"Also..Your Holiness" the priest continued.
Garima raised an eyebrow.
"What else, Priest Dalyan?" She asked.
"Your Holiness…" the young priest hesitated, then continued " people have gathered outside the shrine."
Agatha stiffened slightly. Garima didn't.
"How many?" She asked. "Hundreds…and increasing"
Priestess Agatha spoke hastily. "They shouldn't have come without permission"
Garima laughed softly and tilted her head.
"Is this private property, Agatha?"
Agatha went still. Garima walked past her.
"People come where they feel hope" she said "And right now, I am their hope"
They stepped out of the archive hall. The corridor was filled with priests and priestesses. Tensed. Whispering. Exchanging looks. Garima gave them a sweet smile and walked forward. Holding her robe up for easy walking.
Agatha walked beside her again. Matching her pace. Despite the long robe. Garima looked at her with envy.
"You are going to meet them?" she asked.
"Yes, I am" Garima replied.
"That is not wise, Your Holiness" she said.
Garima stopped and asked "And why is that?"
"They are unstable," Agatha said. "It's unpredictable, they have turned to faith which can make them worse"
"Exactly" Garima's eyes gleamed.
Agatha frowned
"If handled properly, it can work in our favour" She said and started walking again.
"Agatha" she called. And the Priestess followed her.
"Yes, Your Holiness" she said.
"Tell me one thing" Agatha glanced at her.
"What is it?"
"This shrine…" Garima asked " who does it belong to?"
"Priest Hills family, through generations" she replied.
Garima almost tripped and fell down.
"I didn't mean literally, like this is a shrine so who does it belong to?" She asked, shocked.
"The Goddess?...we never had a Goddess before so I don't know! I apologise"
Garima chuckled "Forget it, it's not the Goddess, nor the previous Saintess, and definitely not me"
Agatha nodded.
Garima looked ahead. "Remember it, it belongs to the people" she continued "And today we open it"
"Your Holiness" Priest Hill greeted. As he stood in front of the massive doors. Closed. But voices could be heard behind them.
Garima stepped forward and stopped just in front of it. Then she felt it. The weight. Of expectations, of lies and of power.
Then she turned her head slightly
"Priest Hill"
"Yes, Your Holiness" he said.
"Open the doors!" Garima's voice was calm. Clear and commanding.
Priest Hill hesitated. Just for a moment.
Then he bowed.
"As you command"
And the doors began to open.
Slowly.