Eun-Ji's heart was racing as she went through the grand entrance of the temple. The cool marble floors felt foreign against her skin as she followed her parents up the long staircase. Towering statues of the goddess lined the hallways, their stone faces looking stoically into the affairs that unfolded beneath them. The air was heavy with anticipation as other children and their families collected for the annual Awakening ceremony. She felt the eyes of all the noble guests on her, following each of her movements.
The closer they got to the ceremonial chamber; the heavier Eun-Ji's chest felt. Her palms were all sweaty, and she had to wipe them discreetly against her dress.
Stay calm, she told herself, but the panic bubbled just below the surface. She was about to witness the pivotal moment that put Selene onto the path of downfall-her Awakening as a Dark Priestess. Every fibre in her being wanted to turn tail and run, but she was helpless, trapped in the body of a girl who was doomed from the start.
Just as they approached the large chamber doors, Selene's father, the Duke of Ravencroft, laid a heavy hand on her shoulder. "This is your moment, Selene. Do us proud."
She forced a smile and nodded, though inside she was anything but confident. The only thing that filled her mind was the inevitable disaster awaiting her.
The great doors leading to the chamber opened, and a sea of gold light poured out. Priests and priestesses stood in ranks, shining white-and-gold robes catching the brilliance of the enormous chandelier hanging from the ceiling. At the far end of the hall, the high priest stood tall, his long white beard flowing in the still air as he regarded them with piercing eyes. He beckoned the children forward.
Eun-Ji's leaden legs joined those of the other twelve-year-olds as they went to the center of the room. They lined up in front of the high priest, silent and still, as he called them one by one up to the altar for their class-a gift given by the goddess herself. Nervous energy filled the air as the ceremony began.
First, a young boy was called forward, his eyes showing traces of nervousness. He walked to the altar and the high priest began the chant, calling on the goddess for her blessing. A soft glow enveloped the boy and in moments, the high priest announced his class.
"Knight.
A murmur of approval tumbled across the sea of people; the boy's family beamed with pride as their son made his way back through the crowds, now standing a little taller with his new class.
Eun-Ji swallowed hard. This was it; there was no more escaping it. All she could do was stand in line, her mind racing with her survival strategy over the coming disaster.
And the more classes came: mages, priests, knights, archers. Quiet murmurs of approval and joyful whispers spread in the air as each child returned to their families, his or her future set upon promising paths.
Then it was Selene's turn.
Her legs were jelly as she stepped forward, her throat tight as she approached the altar. The high priest's gaze bore into her as she stood before him; the crowd watched with rapt attention.
Selene Ravencroft," the high priest intoned, his voice echoing off the chamber. He raised his hands, calling to the goddess as he began the rite. The room seemed to hum with energy and Eun-Ji's skin prickled as the light around her began to shift.
This was it. The moment that would seal her fate.
The light began to intensify, wrapping her in its blinding hold. She screwed her eyes shut tight and steeled herself for what next was to come.
"Dark Priestess.
The words sounded across the room like a death sentence. The murmurs of approval that had accompanied the other children's awakenings were not to be heard. A stunned silence now fell upon the crowd. Eun-Ji could feel the eyes of every person in that room upon her, their judgment clear as day.
Her heart sank. It was it-the title that was to be her downfall. Within the game, this marked the beginning of Selene's descent into despair-the moment when her family would turn their backs on her and society shunned her. Ruin was set upon its course.
"There must be a mistake," Duke Ravencroft scream, "There must be. Check again!"
The priest frown, then sternly said, "Duke Ravencroft! Please show some respect to Goddess Erma. She was the one to give the gift to her. Once a gift is given the person should be thankful and accept it."
After the priest send this, the temple became silent then he continued by calling on the next child.
Turning around with weak legs, Eun-ji walked back to her parents, who stood frozen with unreadable expressions.
Duke Ravencroft's eyes were cold and distant. "Selene." He paused a moment, his voice hardened. "You have brought shame to this family."
Eun-ji winced, though she knew she should have expected this reaction. She had hoped foolishly that perhaps her new awareness of the situation would change things; instead, it was playing out just as how the game stated.
Her mother, Duchess Ravencroft, didn't say a single word. Her face was cold, unreachable, as that of her husband. She merely turned away, as if even the sight of her daughter was repulsive.
Eun-Ji's hands clenched into fists at her sides, trying her best not to cry. Even though she is a 21-year-old college student, she is in the body of a 12-year-old so it understandable that she would want to cry in this situation.
Damian's stare was the most unsettling of all. Not a word slipped past his lips, but the slight curl of them said enough. He had always hated his sister in the game, but now Eun-Ji realized that he celebrated her downfall. Her degradation was nothing but an opportunity for him. And if his face was anything to go by, he just about couldn't wait to exploit it.
Her mind whirled. What now?
She had finally transformed into the Dark Priestess-the most hated character in this game. And this was all acting just like in Saints Chronicles, and she knew what awaited her-mockery, shunning of the crown prince's rejection, and eventually her downfall.
Eun-Ji gnashed her teeth as became fearful of the future.
No. Not like this. I want to live; I don't want to die. I need to find a way to survive.
As the investiture proceeded, Eun-Ji stood up, lost in her thoughts, while ideas of any form of escapes ran through her mind. There has to be a way out from this.
But every time she went deep in thought the loud shout from the priest kept distracting her.
Jesus, the man's loud. I gonna have to wait until we get home to make a plan.
With the last child being given his class, the high priest finished the event and people started getting up to leave the chamber. Eun-Ji trailed after her mother and father in silence.
The ride home in the carriage was silent, with nobody uttering a word. Damian kept smirking at her from across the carriage, the gleam in his cold eyes speaking volumes of the amusement he felt. Her parents simply sat in stony silence, neither even acknowledging that she was there.