One evening, as the sun set behind the trees and long shadows danced across the grounds of the sanctuary, there was a new face there. She was tall with very long, flowing hair, and eyes that glittered like lit lanterns in the evening. Attired in simple yet elegant robe, she introduced herself to the congregation as Elysia, a truth seeker and one who worked light.
"I have traveled far to find you, Lily Wren," Elysia said softly. "I have sensed the shadows rising in Graywood, and I wish to help."
Lily felt a sense of familiarity with Elysia that warmed her heart instantly. "What do you know of the darkness?" she asked, curious.
Elysia smiled softly. "I have spent my life studying the balance of light and dark. Those shadows you faced are a part of a greater conflict that has echoed through the ages. But there are some who seek to fight back, and I believe you can lead the way.".
With Elysia as her teacher, Lily could now understand the bigger scheme of things regarding her struggle against the shadows. Together, they would study old texts and perform the same old rituals to get an idea of how the darkness spread across the world.
Lily soon realized that the cult was no simple group of misguided fanatics; they were but a part of a large organization bent on waking an old power buried deep in the bowels of the earth—an old power that would tip the balance between light and dark.
"We must gather more allies," Elysia advised. "There are others who share our vision, who wish to protect the light. We need to unite against this impending threat."