"How did this world come to life?"
At the beginning of time, many questions arose in people's minds, and the most discussed question was, how did this world come to life? What was the meaning of their sole existence?
Humans love to make different conclusions about everything they do not understand. They needed to understand something in order to live and to know the meaning of their lives. They feared the unknown. Hence, they cling to what they comfortably knew, and that was an existence of a god.
It was a plausible explanation that was accepted by many. They thought that someone was up there. Someone high and mighty that he was able to create everything people can see and touch.
And with the discovery of magic, it became a shred of specific evidence that, indeed, someone powerful existed. Perhaps behind the clouds and sky or outside the world, He was out there in their universe, observing life and keeping order.
Hence, humans, with great fear, thinking their purpose was to give glory and praise, created different religions based on their knowledge. They compiled everything to their beliefs and traditions that were deemed to be worthy of giving glory and recognition.
However, with religion being introduced like a plague, people with different beliefs strongly opposed them. Soon, a dispute erupted, making another way for another religion, and the cycle continued.
In the empire of Vresea, there were three gods that people worshiped. The first was Elohim, the second was Rhaione, and the third was Amiru.
The most popular god was Elohim.
He was known as the god of life's beginnings and creation. He also owned the cathedral of grace and sinned. According to his scriptures, he gives life to those worthy and forgives those who sinned after atoning their sins. He was known to be a merciful god who cared for his subjects.
The second was Rhaione. She was known as the god of blessings. Her priests introduced her as someone who was bountiful and magnanimous. As long as her believers had done something worthy of praise, they will be rewarded. Hence, most of the time, her believers offer numerous offerings with the expectation that they will receive the guidance and blessings of their gods.
The third, Amiru, was a god without any title. His believers rather live a normal life without any greed at all. Most of them are commoners. They were told that as long as they lived a life they could be proud of, their god would be pleased, and they would be glorified.
The teachings of Amiru introduce a simple way of living. They will be rewarded if they're satisfied with their lives and continue the path of discipline without malice. In some aspects, it was regarded as an honorable way of living. However, some people condemned his teachings thinking that it was impossible to live by.
These three gods have their cathedrals inside the Empire of Vresea. Still, the only one with its cathedral in the capital of Devonshire was the god Elohim. It was rumored that before the capital of Devonshire made its name, the cathedral was already there protecting and guarding those who lived in its vicinity.
"Your grace, we are here."
Neirin heard the coachman say as it stopped in front of an enormous cathedral. Eliane was fast to move as she opened the carriage door, climbing down as she offered her hand to escort Neirin into the role of the knight who was already beside her.
Neirin was a little bit embarrassed by the enthusiasm of Eliane, but she gladly accepted her hand. The knight didn't seem to mind.
"Please be careful of your step, my lady," Eliane added.
"Thank you," Neirin said as she looked up at the massive cathedral in front of her. The carriage went on its way to park somewhere.
Although Neirin already saw it in her memories, visiting the cathedral in person does indeed question one's faith and living.
In front of Neirin's eyes, she saw the large stained colored glass that reflected different colors of light when the sun's rays passed through it. There were pointed arches blended well in its architecture, and sculptures formed in the pillars supporting the cathedral. Most of the sculptures were in the form of angels and animals worshiping solemnly without any distraction.
The atmosphere surrounding the cathedral was quiet and solemn. People passing by were even bowing at the cathedral, and some were kneeling to utter their prayers.
"People believe they were not worthy of being inside; hence, they pray here," Eliane answered Neirin's question inside her mind.
She glanced at her lay in waiting and the knight escorting them. Their attitude changed. It seemed that the faith spreading by the priest of this cathedral had a significant influence.
'If I told them that it's such a useless form of devotion, would I be stoned to death?' Neirin joked before withdrawing her gaze and looking around the cathedral's surroundings.
Neirin tilted her head slightly and smiled, expressing her curiosity and amusement. There was a small built altar on the left side of the cathedral. There were a book in the middle of it and some gold necklaces that looked like properties of the cathedral. Surrounding it were lit candles. There were even offerings of clothes and shoes. Some offered money, and others were pieces of jewelry.
"They are giving respect to those who passed, your grace."
"Quite so," Neirin answered. Without much thought, Neirin walked to the altar. She clasped her hand and offered a little prayer. Eliane was surprised about this. She thought that the lady did not believe in god. Hence, why so?
Without asking, Eliane offered the same prayer.
Neirin does not believe in gods, but she respects the dead. Besides that, she died once. She knows that the person being prayed here was one of the victims of the serial killings.
"Buy some candles and offer them here."
"Yes, your grace," Eliane answered as she went on her way to buy some candles while Neirin and the knight following them were left alone at the altar. Some people were glancing at her, but she did not care.
Her eyes went to the cathedral, looking, observing.
One of the killings happened in this place. There were priests and servants around. How come they weren't able to report anything about the death of one victim?
It's odd.
--
"It's early in the afternoon. We are not open yet. Why are you here?"
A pair of brown eyes shot daggers at Adlen. He had his arms crossed over his chest and was standing at the door of a fifth-story building. Adlen shrugged, pushing the man to make way for him to enter the establishment.
"Calm your ass down, Adam. I am here because of the headmaster's order."
"What order?"
The man with brown eyes pursed his lips as he closed the door and watched Adlen make himself comfortable inside the room. He poured himself some alcohol and leisurely sat on one of the sofas. He crossed his right leg over his left and smirked.
"Have you heard about the recent victim?"
Adam leaned on the wall. His arms were still crossed over his chest.
"Arthur Liden?" He asked. He remembered the news he had read in the newspaper and the headmaster's command weeks before.
Adlen nodded, confirming his guess.
"Yes. Yesterday I was with the headmaster investigating this matter. It was known that he was with a friend before his death."
"And?" He raised his brow as he scoffed. "I do not understand why come here in my guild out of all places?" Adam sarcastically said.
Adlen sipped his drink. He was smiling confidently. "Thomas Martinez. The eldest son of Viscount Martinez was seen here a few times after his friend's death. It was odd thinking that his friend just died, but he was not grieving at all, and instead, he was here, gambling his ass and playing with pleasure."
Adam deepens his frown. He glared at Adlen. He clearly was not liking anything that was happening.
Adlen raised both of his hands as though he was in the act of surrender. "I am not here to cause some commotion or even harm. I am here because of the headmaster's command and orders, which you are obliged to follow. I won't cause any trouble. I'll just have a little talk with him later after you open your guild. The headmaster's order is our top priority, isn't it?"
Hearing the reason, Adam can't argue anymore. He sighed in defeat and walked towards Adlen.
"You better not steal anything here, you thief." Adam sounds serious.
"I'm hurt," Adlen shrugged it off as he laughed. "Oops, can't promise that."
Adam rolled his eyes and left. Adlen watched his back disappear into one of the guilds' corridors. Right at that moment, when Adlen was alone, he took a gold astray and some cigar left on the table and put it inside his pocket, smiling.
"I'll be able to sell this for a few gold pounds." he chuckled.
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