When Oresus woke up, he went straight for the toilet. It was a small room with a deep hole in the floor, he couldn't see the bottom of it so it either went deep in the earth or fell in a tunnel down below.
He didn't see Castiane inside the house. Kali and Maia woke up as soon as he left the dormitory.
For breakfast, Maia used the fragrant herbs to make tea, she peeled a few fruits to make a salad, then placed them on a plate.
They had just started eating when Castiane came back, she held a pot with a magical plant inside.
Oresus gave her a glance, her pretty face was haggard and her eyes often blinked. Even her posture was off, he frowned before asking her what happened.
She went to place the pot in the kitchen before joining them at the table.
[I went out early to stroll in the tunnel, just to clear my head. Then I met a strange man asking me to follow him to the pagoda in exchange for one luxury ticket. I agreed and when we reached the pagoda I left to buy a magical plant who can produce vegetables, I can also gather fragrant herbs from it to make tea.]
She answered with a smile as if she had a great harvest.
He pondered her words, thinking about something before asking her:
[He asked you to follow him inside, not outside. And he let you leave like this?]
She raised an eyebrow at him as if he was implying she was a loose woman.
[He only said to the pagoda. We already reached the destination so I did what he said. He did try to block my way, but he was just a regular mortal, I sent him flying with a kick.]
[Barbarian...]
[You got a problem fatty? Not everyone is a loose woman like you.]
[You bitch! Watch your mouth, I already have a man.]
She glanced at Oresus to watch his reaction. When she saw him with his head down, seemingly in deep thought, she sighed, before continuing to argue with Castiane.
It had already become a habit for him to ignore their bickering during meals.
Rather, ever since Castiane returned, he had been locked in deep contemplation. It has only been one day since they arrived at this place and the influence the temple of chaos had on his group has already proven to be troublesome.
He undid the spirit eye technique to leave his spiritual container. While the girls were arguing, he was examining the talismans and magical artefacts in his treasury chest.
He counted 31 high-grade talismans and 9 low-level ones. As for why there were low-level talismans in his clan's treasury chest, he could guess a few reasons but he did not seem to put importance on their historic value.
His eyes shone when he found the magical artifacts, most were weapons but there were also pieces of equipment and clothes.
However, none shared his affinity so they had limited use for him.
[So what do you think Oresus?]
When his thoughts were swirling in his mind, he was interrupted by Kali's voice.
Looking up, he first saw the empty plate. Kali's cup was cold but still half full. Castiane's, on the other hand, was empty. They both looked at him as if expecting an answer.
Maia watched from the sideline with a dejected face.
Seeing him paying attention to them, Castiane asked him with a proud face.
[Who is the most pleasing to the eye? That minotaur or me?]
Oresus barely paid attention to them. He didn't seem in the mood to tease the girls.
He took out a medicinal bottle filled with tiny blue pills, presenting it to Kali.
[Whenever you feel heat building up in your body, take one. Do not hesitate to take more than one if it's not enough. Remember to always carry it with you when you leave the house.]
Castiane seemed interested at the bottle, sniffing the air as if trying to identify the pills.
Kali hesitated on taking the bottle, she was surprised that he had medicinal pills on him, as they were costly and could only be found in big cities. Remembering his clothes the first time she saw him, she was reminded of her judgement of him then: a rich traveller.
Now he wore the same clothes as the refugees, most were from the town, while his jacket was traded in the village they went to before entering the forest.
[Thank you...]
She took the bottle with delicate attention as if it would break with the slightest touch. Her whole face was glowing with happiness.
[I also received them.]
Maia opened her mouth, taking out a similar bottle from her clothes.
Castiane hurriedly took the bottle from Maia to smell the pills.
After a long moment, she gave a weird look at Oresus, before handing it back to Maia.
Right at that moment, a big commotion came out from outside the building. They could loud bangs as if someone hit a rock against a pan.
[Everyone, gather at the tunnel entrance, the holy ceremony will start soon!]
They looked at each other, before going out to watch what was happening.
A group of cultists were walking down the street, waking everyone and repeating the same words.
They only stopped when they reached the sublimation pagoda.
Then, they escorted the two priestesses: Mindhi and Altheia back to the entrance of the tunnel.
Along the way, Mindhi would urge people to hurry and follow them.
Oresus and the girls didn't know what was happening but they still followed the crowd when they noticed a troop of cultists searching every house from the end of the tunnel.
For the first time since yesterday, they left the tunnel they lived in. They were led into a familiar dark tunnel, barely light by torches.
Kali tensed up when she smelled the familiar scent emanated by the burning torches, she held Oresus's hand to calm her emotions.
The rest of the crowd also recalled what happened yesterday, fear and anxiousness crawled up their stomach, reaching their deepest part.
After taking 3 different tunnels, they arrived back at the place they least wanted to come.
A sombre hall, large enough to make them look small. Two rows of torches on either side, but too far to light the centre of the hall. The cultists stood in their black robes, a hood covering their heads.
And what they feared most, the outline of a magical beast sitting on the floor, staring at them with two green slits in its eyes.
[The holy ceremony will now begin. Kneel in worship in front of the Chaos Beast!]
All the cultists dropped on one knee, their head lowered in the direction of the Chaos Beast.
The refugees looked restless, not knowing what to do. After a few seconds of silence, a woman dropped to her knees. Those around her followed until no one was standing.
[We beg you, Oh Divine Chaos Beast, please let our souls become your strength, allowing us to return to the eternal chaos.]
At his words, the Chaos Beast rose from his spot.
Not just the refugees, but even those who resided in the tunnel for a long period tensed up as the Chaos Beast neared them.
The Beast circled them, staring at their lowered heads with disdain and pride.
When he took a liking to a prey, he would open his maw and the soul would fly inside.
Oresus became tense when the Chaos Beast neared him. A talisman appeared in his sleeve, his eyes never leaving the Beast's eyes.
As if having sensed something, the creature stopped in his track. His eyes searching the crowd for something or someone.
When the Chaos Beast eyes passed by Oresus, they widened slightly. His maw widened into a terrifying smile.
Their eyes locked into each other, then, without warning the spiritual power of the Beast attacked his mind.
Nobody apart from the two priestesses noticed the contest of killing intent between the two of them, but even them, apart from showing shock and concern on their faces, they did not move.
After a few moments, and not finding any crack in his defence, the Chaos Beast continued his stroll, harvesting exactly 15 souls, before returning to sit on the cushion at the end of the hall.
His eyes were closed but Oresus noticed his spiritual power was still exuding from his massive body, exerting pressure on his mind.
If he didn't use his own spiritual power to defend himself, his mind would be crushed and his soul would be devoured clean by the dark creature.
[Congratulations to the 15 chosen ones. Their souls will forever be part of the Divine Chaos Beast, returning to the Chaos where they belong.]
Mindhi came forward, declaring in a booming voice. Her gentleness was still present on her face and body, it exuded from her whole aura. But she now had the sacred and austere demeanour of a priestess.
[The blessed ones will now be chosen. Antheia, if you please.]
Mindhi returned to the side of the Chaos Beast. While her sister stepped forward. Her expression was bright and the black dress she wore increased her natural charm. If the refugees hadn't seen her wander around naked before, they may have thought that she was a cultured noble lady from a rich family.
[All your dedication to the Chaos Beast and the amount of effort you've invested in the sublimation pagoda have all been noticed by me. I am truly thankful to be graced with such hardworking disciples. Today, the most accomplished ones shall be rewarded directly by the Chaos Beast. As for myself, I think I've already rewarded you enough.]
She gave a wink in the direction of the crowd.
Mindhi gave a cough from behind her but she pretended not to hear it.
[Be sure to come to visit this lonely slut more often, especially the newcomers, I will teach you how good a priestess pussy feels like. Together we shall delve into the holy rite for long hours, to show our dedication to the Chaos Beast.]
She was speaking with a straight face, but sometimes Oresus felt her scorching eyes land on him. When it happened, Kali squeezed his hand harder, as if afraid of losing him.
[Alright, now I shall announce the winners of this week's ceremony...]
Two men and one woman were called by her. One by one they came before her, kneeling and receiving a dark gold cup from her hands.
What was interesting was that the men both had a bulge on their trousers after being aroused from Antheia's words, which made the ceremony looks strange.
They drank the liquid inside before returning to their spot in the crowd.
The Chaos Beast never opened his eyes after swallowing the souls, as if not paying attention to them.
They were then led back to the tunnel they resided in, escorted by the cultists and the two priestesses.
Mindhi stared at the back of Oresus's head, a grave expression on her face.
Antheia, on the other hand, was teasing a young man, her hand deep in his trousers as they walked in the dark tunnel.
When they arrived at their destination, Mindhi openly announced that she would open the clinic and counselling office on the first floor of the Sublimation Pagoda. Everyone was welcome, after each session, they would receive a free food coupon.
From the old residents, they learned that Mindhi was a healer. She could cure any injury, and she was also someone you could come talk to if you had any issue in your life.
She was both gentle and competent so people seemed to like her.