Two days later, the manor buzzed with activity as Lottie and Daisy diligently assisted Isolde in preparing for her visit to the Sacred Hall with Adrith. It marked Isolde's inaugural attendance, and to meet Adrith's expectations, she had to epitomize purity and elegance in her attire.
Lottie carefully secured a pearl hairpin into Isolde's raven hair, ensuring each strand fell gracefully into place. Meanwhile, Daisy donned Isolde's delicate white gloves, her hands moving with precision and care. As Isolde gazed at her reflection in the expansive mirror, a lingering question occupied her thoughts: "Why this insistence on an all-white ensemble?"
The gown she wore embodied pristine elegance, its flowing, soft fabric cascading gracefully to the floor. Delicate lace trimmings and subtle embroidery adorned the dress, enhancing its ethereal allure. Her raven locks were intricately coiled and held in place by a simple pearl hairpin, adding a touch of understated sophistication. Atop her head, a small white bonnet perched, its satin ribbon harmonizing with the dress's hue.
Isolde's captivating violet eyes served as the centerpiece of her appearance, a striking contrast to the purity of her attire. She opted for minimal makeup, accentuating her natural beauty with rosy cheeks and a touch of lip balm. Her complexion radiated a gentle pink glow, rendering her a vision of angelic allure. Lottie and Daisy couldn't help but be captivated by Isolde's breathtaking beauty, a sight they cherished each time they had the privilege to behold it.
"Do you like it, my lady?" Daisy inquired with a gentle touch, ensuring that Isolde's dress perfectly complemented her petite frame, neither too snug nor too loose. Isolde responded with a soft whisper of gratitude, "Yes, I do. Thank you very much."
With a hint of confusion knitting her brows, Isolde ventured to ask, "Why am I dressed in all white today?"
Lottie, apologetically, relayed, "I believe Lady Adrith mentioned that the newest members are to be adorned in white for the welcoming ceremony. Unfortunately, I couldn't quite catch all the details in her explanation earlier today."
She continued, revealing the tradition, " oh! Now I remember, it's a symbol of humility, respect, and loyalty, and after this, they'll receive the priest's blessing, marking them as official members of the Sacred Hall. Of course, this custom might not extend to other Sacred Halls in the kingdom."
Daisy chimed in, checking the time on the clock and prompting Isolde, "I think it's time to depart if we wish to arrive before the ceremony begins."
Isolde left her bedroom and headed toward the Manor's entrance, her gaze falling upon Adrith engaged in conversation with some guards.
She wears a striking ensemble, draped in all black, with the exception of a deep purple gown that flows gracefully around her. Her ebony locks elegantly pinned atop her head, a few delicate curls tracing their way down her back and framing her face.
Adrith spots Isolde's approach and welcomes her with a warm smile. "Isolde, you're here. You look as beautiful as ever."
Isolde, maintaining her customary grace, greets them with a respectful bow before taking her place beside Adrith. Unbeknownst to Adrith and everyone else, except for Isolde herself, she isn't adorned with her usual black rosary.
Lady Adrith, addressing her guards, gives them clear instructions. "Thank you for your service. We shall discuss matters further later. Both of you may depart now." The guards acknowledge her commands and exit.
"Now, Isolde, let's depart," Adrith says softly.
Lady Adrith and Isolde make their way toward the awaiting carriage. They step inside, settling in opposite each other. The servants swiftly close the carriage door as Adrith informs the coachman of their destination. He nods in acknowledgment and sets off at a brisk pace.
Isolde keeps a watchful eye on Adrith, who is lost in contemplation while gazing out of the window. Isolde's brow furrows, and she narrows her eyes at Adrith.
'Once we arrive at the Sacred Hall, you must discreetly and swiftly deploy... thoroughly inspect every nook and cranny, and alert me if you discover anything,' Isolde thinks, referring to her shadow.
The carriage ride was enveloped in silence, with only the rhythmic rumbling of the wheels against the earth breaking the quietude.
At last, the carriage came to a halt in front of The Sacred Hall. Its exterior was a harmonious blend of architectural magnificence and profound religious symbolism.
The facade of the Sacred Hall stood resolute, fashioned from intricately carved gray stone, marked by the weathering touch of time yet retaining an aura of enduring grandeur. Towering columns, adorned with delicate, ornate engravings, flanked the entrance, providing steadfast support to a majestic archway above. This archway featured an imposing rose window, its stained glass proudly displaying the emblem "VIII" in bold, crimson hues.
Above the entrance, a towering spire reached skyward, its pointed pinnacle seeming to pierce the heavens themselves.
The coachman alighted and courteously moved to open the carriage door for Lady Adrith, who disembarked gracefully. Isolde followed suit, stepping onto the ground below. The sun beamed brilliantly through the clear morning skies, casting a warm glow on the surroundings. As the carriage doors closed behind them, a gentle breeze whispered through, playfully lifting the stray strands of Isolde's long, ebony locks away from her face.
Isolde's gaze shifted to her shadow, which seemed to dissolve like a vanishing serpent.
The carriage's custodian, his dedication unwavering, executed a respectful bow in the direction of Lady Adrith before retreating to his post. Isolde observed his departure for a fleeting moment, her contemplation drifting briefly. She then returned her focus to Lady Adrith, who met her with an expression filled with tenderness and genuine affection.
With an elegant grace, Lady Adrith extended her hand towards Isolde, who received it with a sense of trust and familiarity. This unspoken connection, born of their shared endeavors, led them to proceed together towards the Sacred Hall's hallowed threshold.
As they entered, she observed an eerie absence of people, except for the clergy responsible for this place. What struck her as peculiar was the uniformity among the clergy; they all wore black robes with hoods obscuring most of their heads. Each of them moved in precise synchrony, their heads bowed, and neatly tucked into their robes. Although they didn't exchange words, they exchanged whispered, hushed greetings among themselves.
Isolde couldn't help but wonder, 'Something is amiss here.'
Adrith noticed Isolde's puzzled expression and responded with a reassuring smile, "Don't worry, everything is perfectly fine here." Adrith guided them through a corridor lined with pillars until they reached the grand doors leading to the final hall. With a flourish, Adrith swung the doors open, revealing a vast, magnificent space.
Three colossal pillars supported an arched ceiling that spanned the entire hall. At the heart of it all stood an intricately carved oak podium, where the Priest of the Sacred Hall was expected to preside.
Isolde's shadow whispered, "Mistress, I've found something."
Isolde nodded and turned to Adrith, saying, "I need to use the restroom. Could you kindly direct me?"
Adrith's eyebrows twitched but she replied, "Certainly, follow me."
She then pointed in a random direction, "It's this way."
After Adrith showed her the way, Isolde nodded and headed in the direction indicated.
"Lead the way," Isolde instructed her shadow. As they ventured deeper down the corridor, her shadow guided her until they came to a halt, pointing at a pair of imposing oak double doors. Isolde couldn't help but wonder, 'What could be behind these doors?' Her gaze lingered on the hefty padlock securing them shut.
Her shadow answered her unspoken question, "That's the main entrance to the inner sanctum, with a basement beneath." Isolde's curiosity piqued even further, and a sly smirk formed on her lips.
Without hesitation, Isolde's shadow reached through the padlock, effortlessly unlocking it. Isolde carefully pushed the massive oak doors open, and they closed behind her, leaving her in a dimly lit chamber. She conjured an eerie, electric purple flame from her shadow's hands, revealing a vast set of stairs that led downward into darkness. She began her descent, her shadow closely following. As Isolde descended the first flight of stairs, a musty scent of dust and decay filled her nostrils.
"This is the inner sanctum," her shadow whispered. Undeterred, Isolde continued down the second staircase, her shadow trailing closely behind. Suddenly, the agonizing screams of a young boy pierced the silence, freezing Isolde in her tracks. Her curiosity battled with her instincts, leaving her standing there, uncertain of what to do next.
"Did you explore further when you found this place?" Isolde inquired.
"No, but I sensed something ominous down there, which isn't typical for a Sacred Hall. Although there is a trace of holy magic present, but that forbidding energy stands out," replied her shadow.
They descended another flight of steps before abruptly halting in their tracks. Before Isolde, a scene unfolded: a person knelt in front of a black-hooded figure, seemingly pleading desperately. Muffled voices filled the air as the figure on their knees spoke frantically, "Just don't harm them anymore, do as you wish with me like you've always done, but please don't do anything to them," the person begged, and Isolde's heart raced.
The hooded individual scoffed, removed his hood, seized the person's chin, and yanked it upward. Isolde now had a clear view of a man with long, grey hair tied into a ponytail, standing over the pleading young boy whose face remained obscured. The hooded figure's cornea turned black, and his irises glowed crimson red as he glared at the young boy, saying, "You have no right to tell a sovereign being like myself what to do." A malicious sneer twisted his face as he revealed his fangs and growled. Other hooded figures around him wore evil smiles and praised the sovereign being.
' He's a vampire. ' Isolde thought as the mere sight of those fangs triggered painful memories of her parents' death, igniting a fiery rage within Isolde. Anger surged through her veins, and she yearned to obliterate these wretched creatures.
"They're infuriating my mistress. What should I do, mistress? Shall I eliminate them for you?" Her shadow whispered into her ear.
"Yes, do as you see fit," Isolde responded, her voice filled with anger.