"No. Off course not, Eli had worked very hard to get her current Level. Make sure you work as hard as her as well." Cleo said proudly.
"I will." Arthur knew Eleanor worked hard. He would always sit and watch as she trained in her magic, sword and spirit skills. And since last year he was also joining her for training. Although he couldn't use skills he could still learn and understand the basic concepts like how to control the two fundamental energies to perform magic and create aura. Still, he couldn't join her when she went to dungeons to increase her level, so had no clue how strong she really was. But increasing 25 levels in four years was very impressive and she was worthy of being the Big sis.
Eli saw the respect in her brother's eyes and straighten her back with pride. She was happy she was setting a good example for her Lil brother.
"Now let's finish our breakfast and leave for Church. That guy would be there waiting for us. I sent him a letter which is why he is willing to meet us a day before the actual date of him coming out. It's best not to make him wait. " Hollis asked everyone to hurry up. Grandpa Hollis was old friend of the Oracle of Church of Sara and had asked him to help with Arc's baptism.
Once the breakfast was over they got ready to leave. Eli pulled Arc with her into one of the five carriages and they were joined by grandpa Hollis and grandma Cleo. Their parents sat in another carriage with grandpa Alban and grandma Beryl. While rest of the carriages were used by their servants and guards.
Eli chatted with Arc as their carriage made its way through the streets which showed the morning rush. Shopkeepers opening their stores, people going to work and kids causing the morning ruckus. There were a lot of people coming from the opposite direction.
Looking outside Hollis announced "Looks like the morning prayed is over. We should be there on time. "
After an hour or so the carriage stopped in front of a giant metallic gate behind which he could see the Church. It wasn't much different from how Church looks in John's world but instead of a cross there was a wooden carving of a circlet made of twigs inside an elipse made of what looked like fire 🔥 balls.
"Look closer those aren't fire ball but souls. " Hollis corrected Arthur when he mentioned it.
On closer look Arc could indeed see three circles made in each fire ball which made it look like they had eyes and mouth.
"This is the symbol of Sara, Goddess of life and death. A circlet of root which she wears on her head representing life and garland of souls which she wear on her neck representing death." Hollis explained to the kids as they walked into the church. Their servants and guards waiting outside for them. Only Sebastian and Sera joined them.
"May you live and die in peace. " Apprentice priest greeted them at the door.
"Die in peace? Very friendly. I am starting to like them. " Arthur joked.
Adults all stifled their laughs and Eli laughed out lightly, earning both Eli and Arc a smack on the head from Hollis who said 'Don't be rude.' while smiling.
The interior was that of typical church. A huge number of benches arranged in front of the white idol. The idol showed a woman wearing ancient toga with a circlet of roots on her head and a garland of fire balls/ souls. She had straight hair which reached her chest and was looking upwards to a side as if searching for something on the walls. This was supposed to be Sara, goddess of life and death.
In front the stairs leading to the idol was an old man wearing black and white priest robes waiting for them along with a young man standing behind him.
"Old man Holis, how have been? " The old man called grandpa Hollis 'old man' even though he looks like he is 25 yrs old. It one of the perks of being an elf.
"Little Patry, how have you been? " Grandpa Hollis hugged him.
"Thanx to Goddess Sara I have been great." Oracle Patry said as he let Hollis go.
Hollis introduced everyone to Oracle Patry one by one and Patry replied with suitable formalities but when introducing Arthur at the end Patry's eyes became serious.
Hollis looked at this and knew it was the right decision to bring Arthur to Patry. As an Oracle to life and death he could see things that no one else could.
Hollis looked at Patry who nodded at him confirming his doubts.
Patry then looked at everyone, smiled and said " Let's sit down before we begin talking."
Adults had guessed what they were talking about.
The nightmares. Finally there will be an answer.
They were lead to a separate room used for long prayer by priests. There were seven chairs around a table which at the centre had a small idol of Goddess Sara. Adults sat down with kids on their lap. Arthur on Hollis and Eli on Julia who sat beside her father.
She and Eli where the most anxious one on this matter as everytime Arthur cried because of the nightmares they where the ones to held him. It broke their heart to see him weep like that.
"Well, Hollis has already mentioned a few things to me in the message he send to me, but I want to here it again. So tell me everything." Patry said once everyone had settled.
Julia was the first one to say open her mouth and launched into the explanation of events that happened to Arthur.
After listening to what she said he thought for a while and turned to Arthur. "Before I explain anything answer one question for me." Arthur nodded.
" Who are you?" Asked Patry
"Arthur Lancelot. Son of Albion and Julia Lancelot." Answered Arthur.
No hesitation, thought Patry. He sighed and smiled while rubbing Arthur's head. "Good l understand everything. You are a boy loved by gods. But that also mean they are expecting something from you."
Julia looked at this exchange and asked " What do you mean? What happened?"
"I will explain from the beginning so you can understand completely." Patry began. " Before we are born in this world. Our souls go through 2 cleansings at the Tree of Rebirth. Cleansing of Dew cleans a soul of its sins and Cleansing of Sap cleans a soul of its memories. All us have gone through both of them before we were born with one exception."