-M29.671. Falmart. Bellnahgo-
Bellnahgo was renowned throughout Falmart as the holiest of cities, a place where the worship of Hardy, the goddes of the Underworld, was held in the highest regard. The city's grand temple dedicated to Hardy was a testament to the devotion of its inhabitants. Pilgrims flocked to Bellnahgo from all corners of the continent to pay homage to their deities, making it a bustling hub of religious fervor.
Rory, now an Iterator of the Emperor's light, was on her way to Bellnahgo with a mission. She was charged with spreading the Imperial Truth, a task that required both tact and determination, especially in a city so deeply entrenched in its traditional beliefs. Her status as a former Apostle of Hardy was well-known, but the nature of her relationship with the deity was often misunderstood by his followers.
As she approached the city's gate, the guards stationed there were visibly taken aback by her presence. Rory's association with Hardy was legendary, yet her current role represented a stark shift from her past. One of the guards, regaining his composure, greeted her with a respectful bow, his voice tinged with reverence.
"Your Holiness, what brings you to our city?" he asked, his posture reflecting the high esteem in which he held her.
Rory's lips curled into a faint, enigmatic smile. The transformation she had undergone under the Emperor's guidance had instilled in her a clarity that set her apart from the religious fervor of Hardy's devotees. She knew the truth behind the gods of Falmart and their dominion over the people.
"I wish to meet your head priestess," she replied, her tone even and authoritative.
The guard seemed honored by her request. "We will be honored, milady," he responded, before gesturing to his comrades, who quickly ran off to alert the city's leaders of Rory's arrival.
Rory nodded in acknowledgment, watching as the guards scrambled. Their reaction was not unexpected, but it brought a twinge of annoyance. She had visited Bellnahgo before, under far different circumstances, and the memories of that time were still fresh and unsettling.
As she continued her approach, the city loomed before her, its towering spires and grandiose temples casting long shadows.
Rory observed the people around her, many clasping their hands in prayer to their gods as she set foot in the city.
Once, this city of devout individuals filled her with happiness and a warm sentiment, eager to interact with everyone, sharing the wisdom and stories she had gathered over centuries. But now, having embraced the Imperial Truth, her sentiments had changed drastically. Rory saw them as fools, surrendering to empty beliefs that would never provide any real reward, only superstition. Yet, she also felt a pang of pity for them, enslaved by these hollow beliefs, sacrificing their bodies, souls, and even their children.
The irony was palpable.
As Rory continued to walk, she noticed the attention focused on her growing with each passing moment, and she disliked it intensely. The adoration and reverence she once found flattering now felt suffocating.
The city, with its towering spires and grand temples, seemed almost mocking now. The gods these people worshipped had no power, no substance, nothing compared to the harsh, unyielding reality of the Imperial Truth she now held dear. It was a revelation that had stripped away the comforting illusions of her long life and replaced them with a stark clarity.
Rory's thoughts drifted to the Emperor, whose presence was a beacon of undeniable power and truth. Unlike the distant, impotent deities these people prayed to, the Emperor was real, tangible, and immensely powerful. Her loyalty to Him was unwavering, fueled by a profound respect for His vision and strength.
"How long will they remain in darkness?" she wondered silently, her steps echoing through the supposedly crowded streets. She felt a deep urge to enlighten them, to tear away the veil of ignorance and show them the light of the Emperor's truth. Yet, she knew that such a transformation would not be easy or without resistance.
Rory steeled herself and fixed her gaze towards the heart of the city, the massive temple where the High Priestess resided. This was her destination. The former Apostle closed her eyes for a moment, severing any emotional connection to the people around her, focusing solely on her objective. Only cold logic and a burning resolve remained.
She quickened her pace towards the main temple, her physiology allowing her to reach it within minutes. As expected, Rory was immediately greeted by dozens of Hardy's priests, who rushed towards her bearing flowers and offerings. It was clear that word of her arrival had spread faster than she anticipated.
They praised her name, offering various foods and services. But Rory, smiling, politely declined all of it and asked them where their High Priestess was. With this request, they quickly stepped back, and a senior priest approached her.
"Allow me to escort you," he said gently.
Rory nodded and followed the senior priest. They passed through various corridors adorned with candles and statues of Hardy, depicted as a wise yet strong and neutral guardian of the underworld. This stood in stark contrast to Hardy's true nature, which was far more lascivious and indifferent.
As they walked, Rory couldn't help but reflect on her former devotion to Emroy. The memories of centuries spent in the service of a god who ultimately cared little for the mortals worshipping him were bittersweet. But now, with the clarity of the Imperial Truth, Rory's path was clear. Her purpose was to enlighten those who remained in darkness, to bring them into the light of the Emperor's truth.
They finally arrived at the grand chamber where the High Priestess resided. The room was vast, with high ceilings and elaborate decorations, a testament to the grandeur of the temple. The High Priestess, a regal woman with an aura of authority, stood at the center, surrounded by her attendants.
"Rory Mercury," the High Priestess greeted her, her voice echoing in the chamber. "To what do we owe the honor of your visit?"
"Just want to chat a bit," Rory said with her usual playful tone, a trait that had made her known as the easy-going Apostle.
The High Priestess nodded, smiling gently. "Then let me prepare a place and some refreshments for our talk."
"No need, this is just a casual conversation." Rory responded with a small smile, though she knew it was a lie. The High Priestess's demeanor and the look in her eyes revealed her true nature. Rory had encountered hundreds of priests in her life, some corrupt and others genuinely devout. But there were also those who humbly and wholeheartedly accepted and worshipped their gods with gratitude, and the woman before her embodied this perfectly. Moreover, being a woman, she suited Hardy's preferences.
"Alright then. How about we talk by the pond, Your Holiness?" The High Priestess spoke softly, her white face adorned with a serene smile.
"Of course." Rory agreed to the suggestion and walked towards the pond, made of marble and adorned with various aquatic plants, creating a beautiful and exotic setting.
As they strolled to the pond, Rory took in the serene surroundings, contrasting with the turmoil in her heart. Once they reached the pond, they sat on a stone bench, the gentle sound of water providing a soothing background.
The High Priestess turned to Rory, her eyes full of curiosity and kindness. "So, Lady Rory, what brings you to our temple today?"
Rory fell silent for a moment, choosing her words carefully. She reflected on the many lessons from her experiences and conversations with the Emperor, understanding the complex dynamics and implications of faith in anything.
"Have you ever doubted the power of the gods, High Priestess?" Rory asked lightly, her gaze fixed on the pond, her expression pensive yet neutral to mask her true emotions.
"Is this a test, milady?" The High Priestess hesitated, struggling to respond to Rory's unexpected question.
"Relax. I won't send you to Hardy or anything like that," Rory replied playfully, eliciting a sigh of relief from the High Priestess.
"Thank goodness," the High Priestess responded before regaining her composure. "But may I ask, what is the meaning behind your question? Because... forgive my boldness, but isn't an Apostle supposed to believe in and never doubt the power of the gods?"
Rory paused, contemplating the implications and context behind the question. She recalled eons past, witnessing the rise and fall of beliefs countless times—a constant change that seemed chaotic. But one thing the Emperor had shown her transformed her perspective. The Emperor revealed an ultimate truth that never wavered, yet harmonized with the unpredictable changes of the universe. An Ideal Truth representing order.
Since connecting directly with the Emperor, Rory felt the warmth of humanity in her heart, a desire for freedom but also control. A profound sense of gratitude and a thirst for knowledge. A beauty beyond compare now resided in the depths of the former Apostle's soul.
"Perhaps I have found true enlightenment," Rory said slowly, her eyes still gazing into the pond.
The High Priestess watched her, intrigued. "Enlightenment? What kind of enlightenment if I may ask?"
"What is your name?" Rory asked gently, like a mother speaking to her child.
"Aeris," the High Priestess replied slowly, still unsure of the purpose behind Rory's question.
"Aeris... a beautiful name," Rory mused. "Tell me, Aeris. What do you think of the gods?"
"All-powerful and capable of everything, wise and understanding the true meaning of creation," Aeris answered with complete conviction, her hands clasped together as if in prayer.
Her answer reminded Rory of the response she had once given to the Emperor, a response that was more or less the same—nothing more than a cheap answer born of ancient doctrine.
Rory sighed inwardly, feeling a pang of pity for Aeris. "And do you ever wonder if there is more to existence than what the gods offer us? More to creation than what we've been taught?"
Aeris looked puzzled, her faith unwavering. "I don't understand. Are you saying there is something beyond the gods' power?"
"Not beyond, perhaps," Rory replied thoughtfully. "But different. Something that embraces the potential within each of us, something that encourages us to strive for greatness on our own terms."
Aeris frowned slightly, clearly struggling to grasp Rory's point. "But we are taught that the gods guide us, protect us. Without their wisdom, how can we find our way?"
Rory smiled softly, a mix of sadness and hope in her eyes. "What if I told you that we have the strength within ourselves? That we can find our own way, guided by our own wisdom and the truths we uncover?"
"I apologize, Lady Apostle. I don't understand your meaning," Aeris said slowly, a creeping fear in her voice at the thought of possibly angering the Apostle.
"Relax. I'm not going to chop off your head or anything!" Rory replied casually, laughing softly at Aeris's flustered demeanor. "But honestly, your answer is textbook. It's good, but I want an answer from you, Aeris. As a human with free will and a priestess who bears the faith in Hardy."
Aeris was silent for a moment, clearly grappling with her thoughts to find the right answer. Rory suppressed a laugh and a smirk that had already formed within her. She remembered how the Emperor had used the same tactic to defeat her so easily. When she learned the technique, she realized how effective it was in dealing with the dogmatic thinking of the devout.
"I think the gods are kind and loving beings. When I was a child, an Apostle came and blessed our land, making it fertile with their prayers. Because of that, my village didn't starve... unlike what happened to my mother," Aeris said, her voice trembling as she fought to keep her emotions in check.
Rory's expression softened, her own experiences and newfound perspective mingling with empathy. "I see. Your faith comes from a place of gratitude and personal experience. That's understandable. But what if I told you that we, as humans, have the power to create that same prosperity? That we don't need to rely on the whims of the gods to thrive?"
"You could say that," Aeris replied softly, her voice strained by the emotions swirling within her.
Humanity's most fragile sentiments are anger, sadness, and happiness. In Aeris's case, all these emotions merged into a storm haunting her past, leaving scars that anchored her to the one thing that brought her solace: her faith in the gods.
The Emperor used visions of memories to convince Rory, but the former Apostle had a different approach for Aeris. She was too young and naive to see the true faces of the gods she worshiped. Rory smiled gently at the head priestess before sitting down by the edge of the pool.
"Sit with me," she said softly.
The head priestess nodded and followed the former Apostle's request. They sat in silence for a moment, seemingly trying to understand each other without error.
"Aeris," Rory began, her voice calm and soothing, "I know it's difficult to question what you've believed your entire life. Faith is a powerful thing. It shapes us, gives us strength, and sometimes, it's the only thing that keeps us going.
"But that can only happen if we understand the true intentions of what we worship."
Rory's revelation caused Aeris to widen her eyes in shock. "W-What do you mean?"
"We admire the gods and worship them, but we don't know who they truly are or their actual intentions. Can we entrust our entire fate to something we don't even understand?" Rory explained calmly, her eyes now fixed sharply on the pool.
"T-That's why we have you, the Apostles, who have a direct connection with the gods and convey their messages to us," Aeris protested. Rory, the former Apostle, looked at the High Priestess with a hint of anger, perfectly masked behind her calm expression.
"Do you think any mortal truly understands our relationship with them? They are nothing more than indifferent children granted immense power. Egoistic, for one," Rory spoke sharply, her eyes narrowing dangerously.
"That... That can't be true! Blasphemy!" The High Priestess shouted, realizing her mistake as she faced Rory Mercury.
"You address an Apostle in that tone," Rory chuckled slightly, though there was irony in her sharp eyes. "If I'm wrong, then what about the god you've been—no, we've been worshipping all this time?"
The question struck deep, a lance piercing Aeris's heart. The High Priestess stood silently, biting her lip. Rory knew well that Aeris's innocent sentiment and fervent faith in the gods had fueled a burning devotion, driving her to serve them with unwavering zeal. Aeris's charisma and piety had earned her a position of reverence and influence.
"Then how about I show you a true reality, one that the gods themselves can't grasp?" Rory asked with a simple smile. "A place where you should place your faith."