The Dark Mass (Part 2)

Her bare feet touched the crooked stairs made of wood. They felt soft and warm, different than the floor in her chamber.

Stepping out of her room was like a breath of fresh air. She could feel the summer was here, because the evening air was dry and warm, brushing past her ankles.

She had now realized she was indeed living in a tower. In the small circular space right under the roof. As they were descending lower, she could see that right under her chamber, three massive metal bells were hanging on the thick wooden beams, now quiet. They never sounded to announce the time. Since being reincarnated, she didn’t even know she was living above them. Were they used only before masses to let the believers know they needed to gather?

But weren't masses held every week? Why was she hearing about this just now?

After they descended multiple stairs, Selena was pitying the men who had to bring the big wooden bathtub up to her chamber regularly and then fill it fully with buckets of water. And then, of course, draining it out again and getting it back down. She looked behind them, her eyes trailing over the wooden stars, realizing Elias was not there. Werent he going to go to the church?

“Where is E–my servant?” she corrected herself.

The high priest stopped at the bottom of the stairs, looking at her. “What would a mere human do during the mass? Hurry, the bells stopped ringing, we will be starting soon.”

She continued after him, confused. Were the masses here intended only for the priests?

The round tower was at its root connected to the church. The whole structure was circular, and Selena was not able to see even one corner of the building. The room where the masses were held was one big, rounded space, with tall white walls and glass windows colored in blue and silver. The dark wooden benches stood around its walls. In the middle, there was a big pedestal built out of white stone, with a statue of a saintess standing, her hands spread out.

Even the statue was fully covered. The skilled sculptor hid the saintess in the long cloths, only her bare feet peaking out. The long veil made out of stone was so delicate, Selena thought at first it was made out of cloth. It was depicted swaying slightly, showing only the part of the saintess' face, her round chin and small, soft nose, and her slightly open lips.

The priest let go of her hand but guided her to the middle of the pedestal. Only then she realized, even though the statue was standing, her clothes and legs were skillfully folded in such a way, she was able to sit in her lap. It felt strange, but she let herself be seated in the embrace of the saintess statue and peeked under the veil into the faces of people gathered in the church. She could see only priests dressed in black habits, but no villagers or servants. So this mass was really only for priests.

There were only a few candles lit in the tall candle holders near the walls, but the whole church was glowing in an eerie light. Raising her head, she realized the whole circular roof of the church was made of glass. The full moon was shining right above them, and its light fell straight through the glass roof, filling the whole church with its milky white rays.

Several young priests gasped. She was trying to find the reason behind their awe. It took her too long to realize that she was the source.

As she was fully dressed in black clothes, she did not realize this at first, but now, under the bright moonlight, her skin was glowing softly. Her white hand peeked from the sleeve, and she couldn’t believe her own eyes. It was as if she were the moon mirror, reflecting its light.

“No matter how many times I see it during the monthly gatherings, I am still surprised,” one of the young priests whispered, his words traveling even to her ears.

So this mass was held monthly. Seeing now the moonlight falling around her, it all clicked into place. They called her Moon Princess. Of course, their religion had to be connected to the moon itself.

The high priest, now looking much younger than weeks ago, stood up before her on the pedestal, turning his back to her, facing the priests waiting to hear his sermon.

“Faithful ones, attend and hearken well! We were blessed to be able to live in the age of peace and abundance almost our whole lives. But this is why the Shrouded One warns us to stay diligent and humble, as the world is not as constant as we wish, and the ages of wealth are often rich, but short.

Just as the lunar phases wax and wane, so do the world shifts and changes, and along with it, the fortune of men rises and falls. And in these recent nights, we have witnessed the very heavens themselves shifting and stirring. The north star is shining brightly with its holy white light changed. The prophecy says that when the North Star turns red, it foretells the coming disaster, calamity. A trial that no unfaithful and the unprepared can endure.

Therefore, let us remind ourselves of the words of the Shrouded One, as written in the Book of Nox, Part the Ninth.”

The priests clasped their hands, their heads bowed.

“Let's hear the words of the Shrouded One,” they all echoed.

The high priest continued: “The Shrouded One said: The Blood Star brings suffering and despair. But fear not, my children, as only I can guide you through the darkness. When the moon wanes and the cursed north star threatens to fill the earth with its blood, I shall send you a moon, directly from heaven, to guide you with its light. The Moon princess, the holy saintess, will light your path, and she shall protect you until her last breath.”

Selena could feel her stomach dropping. Yes, the holy saintess, the salvation of the Lunaria kingdom. But… what exactly is this calamity everyone is talking about? And how is she supposed to prevent it?