A Prayer

We stand there watching the waves crash against the shore.

“Did you always live in Freehearken Momo?”

She stares for a while without acknowledging my question. Maybe I shouldn’t have asked about her past.

“I didn’t mean to–”

“Cyclopes are a private people. We live far up in the mountains in tiny villages. Rarely do cyclopes ever leave their village of their birth. It is why most people aren’t used to seeing us.”

She looks sad. I wonder what made her decide to leave and come here. It's best I don’t ask.

“I’m far away from my home too. I don’t think I will ever be able to go back…it was scary at first. I am out here all alone and I have no clue what I am doing.”

I probably shouldn’t say too much more.

The look of concern in her eye is worrying me.

“Meeting all the nice people in this town has made me less afraid about my future.”

“Yeah this place is special. I want to warn you Tai. Not every place on this continent is as welcoming as Freehearken. If you ever leave it is best you don’t tell people it is where you have come from.”

I did not expect to hear that. I’ll have to keep that in mind.

She slaps her large hands on the stone wall.

“I need to head back and prepare for the dungeon run tomorrow.”

“You’re right, getting a good night's rest is important.”

“I need to stock up on some potions so I am going to head back now.”

Momo begins to walk away and stops turning to face me. She yells out.

“Hey Tai, don't forget to be up bright and early tomorrow morning!”

I give her a thumbs-up.

Momo walks off with a large smile and a wave.

She towers above all the people in the streets.

Did she just skip a little?

There is still time left in the day and I am curious about this old church.

It is the oldest looking building in town. The construction is simple in detail and made up of colorless stones. The roof is weathered violet with a large steeple on top. It appears that there have been some small renovations over the years.

The large wooden doors have black metal hinges and giant black metal hoops for handles. It takes a lot of effort to push open.

The halls are silent. A whisper would sound like a shout in these halls. Each footstep echoes continuously with each stride I take.

The floors are decorated with an intricate tile pattern. Church pews line up rows on both sides leading towards a center altar. The smell of incense fills the air.

The room is dark lit only by the burning candles on sconces.

I see a few worshipers doing their daily prayers and a nun attending the shrine at the center behind the altar.

The light shining through the stained glass cast a multitude of colors over the pews. It depicts the winged creatures a dragon, a dove, and a raven. Maybe it's a crow? This craftsmanship seems out of place in Freehearken.

Most of the town is old buildings that seem to suit the cultures of the people who call them home. Like Momo said, the church here is clearly from another time.

I feel drawn to the statue in the center.

The marble figure is wrapped in robes. Large wings adorn her back. Her eyes are closed and she is casting a gentle smile.

I feel like I’ve seen her before.

“She is the Goddess of Light, Thia.”

The nun glances at me for a moment then continues on with her duties.

“I have not seen your face around here before. Are you seeking guidance or are you just here to simply pray?”

“Is it okay if I said I am not exactly sure?”

“That is perfectly alright child.”

Her task done, she smiles at me. I guess I have her full attention now.

“Could you explain to me the imagery in the stained glass?”

“Hmm...Truly I wish I could. The knowledge of the old kingdom is somewhat lost to time.”

If it isn’t related to her faith then I suspect the church maintains the glass for its historical value.

“What little we do know is that the old kingdom viewed dragons as omens of change. A dragon usually signifies that a massive upheaval is about to occur. It is speculation on my part but the two birds signify the possible outcomes of change. While not a tenant of any religion it has become a widely accepted opinion amongst the people.”

So people are superstitious in this world too. I wonder how big dragons are. They probably are pretty big going off of the image on the glass. The dove and raven are an interesting addition to have in the same scene as a dragon. 

"Are dragons a common sight?"

"Traditionally they are not. They nest high up in the Frost Drake mountain range. Although there have been sightings of one recently. They do not usually attack without provocation so there is no need to be alarmed." 

I guess dragons are more docile than I imagine them to be. I still have more question but I should be careful. If they realize I'm not from the world no wonder what will happen to me. 

“If it isn’t too much, could you tell me about where we are in relation to the rest of the world around us?”

The nun stares at me blinking in confusion. I probably should have worded that differently. I really do sound out of place here.

“Well we are a small township that borders the Empire of Lux. They occasionally will trade for dungeon items from time to time but they mostly leave us be. Most all human settlements on this continent fall under the purview of the Empire.”

From the way she describes the Empire it sounds human dominant. Might explain the lack of affiliation here in Freehearken with the Empire.

“I want to thank you for everything today.”

I put a copper coin in the offering chalice.

“May the Goddess of Light bless you with the sight to see so you may realize your vision.”

I take a moment to bow and a thought comes to my mind. I turn back to the nun.

“Could you answer one more question for me? How do others outside of Freehearken view this church?”

“Well we do not have an established bishop from the central church based out of the capital in Valo presiding over our parish here. While the Goddess of Light accepts all. I find that people are not so equally accepting.”

I had a feeling that was the case. The Empire must not really want to bother with the town here.

I thank her again and leave.

If one Goddess exists there must be more. I wonder if there are more gods and goddesses? That probably is not a good question to go asking a nun dedicated to a Goddess about.

Thinking back on it the Goddess statute looked nice in the glow of the light piercing through the stained glass. It had an oddly familiar feeling to it. The whole shrine felt like a painting came to life.

Why did that statue look–

“The angel!”

My shout draws eyes from people walking by. Oh now I feel embarrassed. My cheeks fluster.

That wasn’t just any angel. The person who brought me to this world was Thia.

“Hmm..What would the Goddess of Light even want with me?”

It’s probably pointless to try and understand the divine but I kind of want to try to.

I wonder if I pray about it would she even give me an answer? She did send me here after all.

“Run. Reset. Renew.”

All I do is run. I’m not really sure that I can reset things. This isn’t a video game where I can reload a savepoint.

But what needs to be renewed?

Is it the town? The people? The land?

Maybe the dungeon?

That doesn’t make sense because it renews every new day.

“Goddess I really wish you were more clear with me.”

“FREE SAMPLES! Out of mana? Give my mana potion a try!”

I have heard about this elf. The Guildmaster assured me he isn’t a shady individual. He recently had a falling out with the local master alchemist and is trying to start out on his own.

“I guess it couldn’t hurt to try one?”

I know I do not have mana. I have tried numerous times to cast basic spells that Janice mentioned to me. Maybe it's because I wasn’t born into this world that I have no ability to use magic.

I reach down and grab a small sample of mana potion. It has a light blueish hue unlike the ones sold by his former master which are much darker. The mages around me all seem to be enjoying it.

“Bottoms up!”

Wait.

What is this?

It just tastes like…an energy drink.

This can’t be serious.

Mana potions in this world function like energy drinks for people without mana?

I need to be careful. I don't want to repeat last time's mistake.

I couldn’t hurt to have a few on hand though. I could give them to Silence if they need one. Yeah that makes sense.

“I’ll take three sir!”

“Here you go. Enjoy!"

I need to get back to the dorm.

With all this extra energy. I feel like running the whole way back.