Two Years Ago...
In the outskirts of Bolvan Town, a conversation unfolded.
"Are you here to purchase a house?" asked the shopkeeper.
"Yes, I'm interested in the wooden cabin with a garden," replied Gauss.
"That one's quite expensive, are you sure?" The shopkeeper raised an eyebrow.
Gauss chuckled heartily. "Yes, I've always wanted to tend to a garden, to be relied on by plants."
"Very well. Have you prepared your prayer?"
"Yes, I'm ready." Gauss took a deep breath, his expression turning somber.
"Za, if you look for the dark, that's all you'll ever see. There's no shame in letting those who care for you help," Gauss murmured, a light gently glowing around his chest.
"That's the brightest light I've ever seen! You've certainly paid the price," the shopkeeper said. "Here, take the keys. The house is yours."
"Thank you. Take care."
Upon entering the house, Gauss spoke softly, "You can come out now." The boy revealed himself, his eyes scanning the home. "Thank you, old man," said Baro.
"Don't mention it. I'll tend to that unsightly fence. Make yourself at home, but don't reveal yourself to strangers."
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Present Day...
In the bustling marketplace, vendors called out:
"Holy bread, fresh from the oven, blessed by the priest himself!"
"Blessed meat! The finest meat in town! Eat it, and your holiness will rise!"
In this world, prayers were the currency of society. People's ranks ranged from Blessed, to Righteous, Sacred, and all the way to Exalted.
Though everyone in the town could afford basic food, blessed food or holy water was a rare and costly commodity. A vial of holy water would last only a day, while blessed meat would sustain someone for about two days. Without such sacred provisions, a person would lose their connection to the goddesses, becoming an outcast.
Being an outcast meant severing your divine link, halting progress along the holy path, and being cast out of the village to fend for yourself against beasts. Some outcasts were captured and subjected to experiments.
The priests made their rounds each day, performing rituals in exchange for blessings.
Knock, knock.
"Recite the holy prayer for a vial of holy water, or walk the path of purity to bless your food."
Though receiving blessed food was a significant event for most villagers, walking the path of purity was far more difficult. Failing either task would sever their connection to the goddesses, casting them out as outcasts.
"I choose the holy prayer," said the father of the household.
"Very well. Recite it."
"Right away."
Lef, bringer of light,
Guide us from dark to bright.
Grant us dreams and strength to rise,
From the earth to the skies.
With your hope, we are free,
Lifting all in poverty.
As the father recited the prayer, a faint light emanated from his chest. If a person recited a prayer without truly believing in it, they would lose their divine link. That's why most people stuck to simple prayers to their preferred goddess.
After the priest visited each household, he made his way to the garden of Gauss.
"Gauss, the daily ritual," the priest called.
"Yes, of course. I choose to recite a prayer," Gauss said quietly. "Za, I still believe in you. Find your way soon."
A soft light, just like the father's, appeared from Gauss' chest.
"Here's your vial of holy water," the priest said, handing it over.
Gauss took it, seemingly drinking it in one gulp, then tucked the vial into his pocket and returned to his gardening.
'They don't care if you drink it or not,' Gauss thought. 'I must finish quickly. The boy won't last much longer.'
Just as the priest was about to leave, he noticed someone attempting to ascend the Holy Road.
"Another hopeful climber," the priest muttered.
"If it isn't my neighbor, she's been so nice to me these past years, always giving me cookies " Gauss said while resting his eyes.
Climbing the Holy Road required enduring divine punishment, causing one's holiness to rapidly decrease, with belief as the only guide.
"I'll climb these stupid stairs. I don't want to be nothing. I will become righteous," the girl declared, reciting her prayer.
"Please, Goddess Lef, believe in me. I will follow your lead. I believe in you, and I will become a goddess like you."
The light in her chest grew brighter with each step, but as she ascended, the light suddenly shattered into countless particles.
"Another outcast!" the priest shouted, as the town guards escorted the girl from the village.
"These children have so much hope, yet they are too proud," the priest observed, looking down at the pale girl. "To become righteous, you must truly believe and love your goddess with all your heart, without the taint of envy."