Chapter 26

It’s said that the Celestial loves flowers, no matter the shape or size she has an affection for all that blooms, it’s believed this is why she seeks to help people ‘bloom’ by giving them the light.

The child with her hands folded in the large field knew this and thus she always prayed to the celestial within the the field of flowers outside of the town.

“Sika.”

A voice caused the girl to open her eyes, she turned to see a woman in a long green dress approached her. Long wavy red hair fell to the bottom of her back, and a crown of flowers rested on her head, a gift from the child just a little bit ago.

“Mommy!”

Selika stood and running over embraced her, she loved how warm her mother was and that she always smelled like cosmos, one of her favorite flowers.

“I figured I would find you here…it’s almost time for the service.”

“Sorry mommy I lost track of time.”

The woman offered a gentle smile and ran a hand through Selika’s hair, she opened her mouth to say something to her beloved daughter when another pair of footsteps stopped her.

An older gentleman approached the two, dressed in black clergy robes, the grey haired priest offered a small bow, the many wrinkles along his face forming multiple paths, all a sign of his time wandering the earth.

“Praying to the Celestial as always…you’re such a good child Selika, but it’s important you attend service as well. I believe Celine is in charge of the songs today.”

Celine offered a nod to the pastor and kneeling down put her hands on Sika’s shoulders.

“Run home and change your clothes and I’ll meet you at the cathedral okay.”

“Okay! See you soon Pastor!”

The old man waved and Celine walked back to the cathedral with the pastor.

So long as one followed the Celestial, happiness would always follow, that was an undeniable truth. However there was also another truth that Sika knew all too well, a truth she was reminded of as she stood in the entrance way of the cathedral, gripping her new white dressed with clenched fists.

Crimson splattered along the walls of the once white walls, painting them a dull red. Bodies hanging over the benches like broken dolls, faces distorted in pain and horror.

The kind baker who always offered her extra bread, the gentle grandma who snuck her candy, the nice brother who always played with her…and his little siblings.

She recognized each person, every person in town always came to the service. Her body trembled as she noticed the pastor standing amongst the bodies, gripping a familiar flower crown in his hands.

The blood that lined the walls and floors all flowed towards him, going up his body until it slipped inside his clothing and entered his body, his grey hair soon shifting into a dark akin to a Raven’s feathers. The wrinkles on his face slowly faded as a pair of green eyes rested on Sika.

“Ah Sika…you’re late. You missed the service…to the real Celestial. Lady Kasia.”

Dark wisps rose off the priest body as his lips slowly curved upwards into a cruel sadistic smirk.

“I’m fine repeating the sermon though.”

A very harsh reminder that just as the Celestial brings happiness, the Despot of Dusk brings only despair.

Sika’s eyes opened and sucking in a breath she rose from her dreams.

Her eyes met an unfamiliar wooden ceiling, raising her arm she wiped the wetness that flowed down her cheeks only to realize she was in a bed, a reasonable comfortable one.

“What the…”

Sitting up she brought a hand to her head.

“It’s been a while since I had that nightmare…” she mumbled before looking around. “I…was in the forest right…why am I-”

Sika cut herself off as her memories came rushing back, eyes wide she started patting her body, checking herself before climbing out of the bed.

“I’m…okay?” she questioned giving herself one more look over.

Looking towards the door of the room she shook off her exhaustion the best she could and slipping her shoes on walked out of the room.

“Some guy dropped you off here.”

Sika’s inquiry to the lady at the desk gave her a surprising answer, she gave a general description of Naro and the woman nodded.

“Yeah he carried you here, paid for your room and said you’d wake up on your own. He paid for a few days so you’re okay.”

“A few days…wait how long have I been out?!”

Hearing the answer Sika immediately excused herself and ran out of the inn, she was late reporting to Lito. Finding a quiet place and calling out to him was the most important thing right now.

Closing her eyes, she searched for her connection to him, finding it she reached towards and tried to speak to him, however she felt herself be pulled and when she opened her eyes, she was within the Great Cathedral again, Lito’s back to her.

“Sikali…how did your mission go?”

He wasted no time trying to figure out what happened, Sikali stayed silent searching for the right words, in the end she knew she just had to be honest.

“I apologize Mentor. I…failed to defeat the Shadow Mage. He was smarter than I thought and-”

“Sikali…Shadow Mages are known for their trickery, you know that better than anyone. You’re homeland was taken twice by them after all. You of all people should know better than to underestimate them.”

“I…yes Mentor.”

“...it’s truly unfortunate Sikali. I had high hopes for you, but in the end you fell short.”

“Mentor I’m truly sorry! Please give me another chance to.”

Lito turned to Sika causing her to stop talking and bow her head, she could feel her mentor’s gaze on her, her fist clenching as she tried to come up with something to explain what had happened, a way to excuse her failure.

“You failed not only me but the Celestial. It’s regretful…but you have lost the right to your Deityhood.”

“What…” Sikali slowly raised her head.

Lito extended his hand towards her, a pentragram formed at her feet, chains wrapped around her wrists and ankles keeping her from moving. She tried to struggle against them to no avail.

“Your faith is why you were chosen, so I know you believed in the Celestial…but you reverence was not enough. Her blessing is wasted on you.”

Light enveloped Sikali surrounding her body, and she felt parts of her being stripped way, ripped away from her without mercy and pulled into the seal under her body. She screamed in pain as even her Mana was twisted and pulled apart, burning her insides like a branding iron.

“Farewell Sikali. Know that the Celestial still loves you.”

The pain overtaking her Sika found her consciousness fade before the ground itself opened under her, she felt her body plummet towards a dark abyss as she closed her eyes falling into the darkness both inside and out.