-POV Victor-
Even the civilians used the typical priest outfit that consisted of a cloth hung up on one shoulder as well as completly shaved hair for the men.
One would be feeling cold at this altitude, but as the main temple was nearby all that was irrelevant. Light the oldest and most powerful of the great gods that divided the continent among themselves reseided there, and her mere presence was enought to affect the weather.
Walking on the grand road my excitement was almost boiling over. Today was the day I had waited for ages to happen.
I quickly grabbed the silver pendant that hung on my neck. Valuable as the metal may be, It was strange not to see someone wear an assasouir or weave a little bit of the material into his clothes. After all it was the simbol of the godess.
I arrived at the plaza at the heart of the city. Right before the peak of the mountain everything was build upon.
There were about a thousand young men and women chatting amongst themselves, standing into contrast to the orderly line of quiet knights.
I immediately recognised them, the silver order. Their rows of long spears, kite shields and full plate armour all made out of a gray metal impressed the onlooker.
Today we, young men who had acendet to atleast the first step, were selected. Selected to complet our coming of age at the city that stood at the center of our religion.
We would become priests, a position many envied me back in my hometown.
I anticipated it, but standing next to the other selected, they only ignored me. Although half's were equal by right and the older generation respected us as we fought alongside in the war, our presence was soldemly welcomed.
These pigs.
They had no ambition nor any desire to change something, anything.
Caught in their petty quarrels they would one day grow old and think about their lives only to notice that they were meaningless.
No wonder my human ancostors grew tired of their reing.
Then when the moon was right above us we were escorted towards the old gates infront of us.
Behind thes reliqus of history was an old set of stairs that led up the mountain. Treated upon by generations of acending priests they showed their wear.
After we placed one foot infront of anouther in silence for about ten minuets, I could hear a small gasp of surprise further up. Greeting us was a breathtaking view.
Surrounding a big open mosaik plaza was a see of clouds that spanned endless into the horizon.
Though the sky was still painted in its fammiliar grey, it felt like we were one step closer towards haven.
The place was old from an era before humans even existed, and you could see the impact time had on it.
Marble pillar lined on both sides once supporting a roof but now standing alone like monoliths.
Despite all that, our eyes were drawn towards the small stone hut that was build at the other end of the plaza. Despit not looking nor remarkable or magestic, we could all feel it. The might.
"Praise light"
Chanting the we fell to their knees not daring to look any longer. For different reasons.
"Herby I shall bestow upon you the privilege to ascent;" We all heard a beautiful but burning voice filling the surrounding space. One day I would sit there.
Cursing myself for my toughts of defience cold sweat formed on my forhead. There were lesser reasons men were burned to ashes.
"Go into the world and prove yourself as messager of light. Then you shall return."
As the sound subsided I could feel something in myself changing, all the hours spent praying, suffering and studying the scriptures cumulated to advance me to the third step. It was exhilarating.
Two weeks later I was on my way to The bay of tears. It was a good place to make some contributions. On my way there I could also help a high priest who was sent recently for a mission.
"Why are you practising in the middle of the night, I only ever see you pray read the scriptures and read. Make some music, have fun or even just sleep for the love of light."
Despite the fact that I honoured him a glans I could not help but look down on him. He was part of a large group of Eclia, or worship how my father used to call them, that saw the steps of ascension purely as a tool to live a longer life and maybe honer their god.
"No wonder the humans almost annihilated all Eclia, different than the likes of you the took their fate seriously"
A look of horror and disbelief plastered all over his pompous face.
"Victor. How dare you speak about us like this."
Hah he wouldn't do anything anyway. We were together in the capital and while we were both at the third step of ascension I surpassed him by a large margin by both the usefulness of my ability's and combat experience.
The next morning we arrived at a small camp amidst the road. In its centre a group of 20 people sat around a barbecue.
The brainless fool that was my companion immediately wanted to throw shit at them of getting in our way, luckily I was there to hold him back.
Their cloths might look shabby but one look at their weapons showed that they had serous capability's.
I went forward and drew a circle on my forehead. "may the light guide you"
Standing up was what I presume was their leader. He had grey and dirty robes that were ornamented by washed out silver accessories that hung all over his body. He didn't have the typical yellow skin that was common and although his head was shaven he had a black beard. It was understandable how my peers didn't recognise them.
"As it guides you stranger" The man had a deep and rough voice. "You are the rookies they send us right."
The Priest I held back previously came forward, clearly realising that these oddballs were the superiors we were meant to meet here.
"Let me introduce myself, we are..."
"Cut the chase obviously I know who you are why would we be waiting here otherwise. It seems like most of you are pompous fools with arrogance making up most of the brain."
Okay this man has my respect, I think we will get along well.
"So the thing is we have spotted a false god, a monster that has already started attracting believers. We are here to eradicate it.
You will not be much use in the fight against the monster, but we are pretty confident in beating it as a team. All you have to do is eliminate all outside influence.
That's it, we will depart tomorrow so relax a bit and prepare what you need to prepare."
Silently setting up our tents we all had allot to think about. The fact that he was confident in taking down a false god meant that he himself was a five step ascended, an absolute monster.
But he was right getting rest was important. As such I put my training schedule to rest for the first time in years.