"At long last, you are here, my Bright Master. This faithful servant welcomes you, O Bringer of Light!"
Such shocking words had completely eclipsed any chaos that was about to erupt within the temple as absolute silence descended upon them all. This was the Holy Saintess of the Lux Holy Land, the one who bore the great responsibility of leading the worshippers of the Light. And yet here she was, supplicated before a man whom she claims to be their god. Can there be anything more absurd?
This was the man who was named the Divine Blade of Finality. His creed was that of death, an end to all things. How in the world could he ever be their god? How could he ever be the one to bring them the Light of Salvation? They could not understand, but none of them dared to even make a single sound. Their thoughts and opinions were decidedly unimportant in this moment in time. History was being written right before their very eyes, unworthy as they might be.
The deafening silence was broken as Galeon turned around to face the woman who knelt to him. Behind her, he could see Shine looking on in just as much confusion and shock as the rest, unable to do anything but watch. Galeon shook his head lightly. This was not what he intended. To be brought to the limelight like this was not something he cared about. What concerned him was the image that these worshippers had of the being known as Lux, the Bringer of Light.
Because for all intents and purposes, he was the Bringer of Light. But at the same time, Galeon was not their god. He did not believe himself to be nor did he ever want to be such a thing. Faith is a fickle thing. To have faith in someone else is a surrender. And the responsibility to meet that faith or disappoint it would rest on the shoulders of that someone. Galeon had no desire to claim such a burden.
He came to the Lux Holy Land because of the Saintess' invitation, but also because he wanted to learn about this prophecy that they had. He wanted to know how it related to him if it even did. For all he knew, the Vernal Bloom had only named his skill in such a way because it found such memories in him, knowledge of the Lux Holy Land and their beliefs. He might not exactly be the god they worshipped. But all of that was a moot point now with the Saintess' words.
"Stop. Don't call me that. I did not come here to claim that name. I'm only here, at your invitation, to seek answers."
"And yet the very fact that you've come for answers already proves who you are, my lord. Is it not the prophecy you came here to know?"
The Saintess looked at him, assured in her belief and faith that the man before her was her god though he yet remains a mortal. Her closed eyes, blind to the world around her, could see far more than anyone. It is due to this that her faith is unshakable, that her oblation was necessary. She was in the presence of the one who would save them all. The least she could do was offer her everything to him just as she was born to do.
"Enough of this. Do not confuse me for your saviour or your god. I am neither. If you've no intention of giving me answers then I might as well leave."
Galeon felt an unbearable discomfort as all around him, the gazes of the people began changing. Some seemed to believe the Saintess' words wholeheartedly and began looking at him like a divine being. Others were sceptical, watching him with judging gazes as though they had any right to dictate his way of life. And others still seemed to see him as less than a person and more of an object, a tool that might grant them their wishes. He hated all of it to the very depths of his being. It was disgusting and the farthest thing from holy.
He took hurried steps toward the doors of the temple, intent on leaving entirely and to be away from that quagmire. He wanted to know what the prophecy was about, how it related to him, but it was not so important to him that he would suffer that detestable feeling. It was like he was being drowned in a pit of snakes hissing and licking at every inch of his flesh. But just as he was fully out of the temple, the Saintess spoke once more.
"Please wait! Your Trial of Ascension has begun and your seed sealed! This has already come to pass, has it not? Allow me to help you, to show you what lies ahead!"
Her words put a stop to Galeon's feet as he stood there processing what she had just said. His Trial of Ascension has begun. As far as he knew, there was no such thing in Corrin. Before he received the notifications alerting him to it, he did not even know that such a thing existed. And then his seed, as she called it, was sealed. Others may not understand what the Saintess meant by that, but Galeon certainly did. The Vernal Bloom, though it might not carry the word in its name, its appearance when he found it was that of a seed. And it has been sealed for the Trial of Ascension.
Galeon turned to face the Saintess once more. His gaze was heavy as he observed every detail about the woman whose eyes remained closed even as she faced him. Even now, she remained knelt on the floor as though she had no right to stand above or at equal to Galeon. This was the woman who was supposed to hold some answers that he sought, but never did he expect to hear such words from her.
"How do you know these things?"
His voice came out heavily as he felt vulnerable in that moment as though he was an open book that could easily be read. He hated the feeling as it reminded him of that unfathomable eye-like entity that seemed to know everything about him.
The Saintess smiled brightly as she finally had a chance to prove her worth. Galeon's reaction to her words informed her that she was correct, that the prophecy was correct. All she had to do now was to continue being the most loyal and devoted servant she was always meant to be. She lowered her head once more as her hands reached out toward Galeon.
"There is more to the prophecy than what the people know. It is more than just a prophecy. It is a message. It would be my greatest honour to finally deliver it to you, if you would allow me to."
Galeon sighed as he walked back toward the Saintess. He really could not stand being subjected to the gazes of so many people. He wished he could hide behind his suit again, but doing so now would do nothing. When he reached the kneeling Saintess, he pulled her to her feet before walking toward the hallway that they arrived from.
"Let's talk somewhere more private."
He wanted to tell them to stop any word about this incident from leaving the Holy Temple as he did not want any more of this uncomfortable attention, but he knew it was pointless. Even if they did take his words seriously, there would still be a leak somewhere. It was impossible to keep this incident hidden, especially not when it came with the news of the Saintess' return.
The Saintess hurried after him and began leading him to her office. Shine followed as well, though still unable to shake off the shock she was feeling. She had thought that the surprises regarding this man had ended with the beast tide, but now, she wondered if there was even more coming.
After a few minutes of walking along the silent halls of the Holy Temple, they finally arrived at the Saintess' office near the heart of the temple. It was smaller than one might expect, but this was because over many years, she had conducted her duties from her bedroom. Upon entering, the Saintess offered her seat to Galeon. It was on the more luxurious side, showing off the grand status that she held. As Galeon just wanted to get down to business, he accepted quietly as the Saintess began her duty.
"I shall begin by recounting the prophecy, my lord."
As she said that, the Saintess brought out a crystalline rock the size of a fist. She had been carrying it with her all this time, kept hidden by a strange magic. It took Galeon a single glance to know that it was a Prisma Core. How it came to be in the possession of the Lux Holy Land was a mystery, but it was not impossible. If he himself had managed to acquire a Prisma Core, why could the Lux Holy Land not?
With the Prisma Core in her hand, the Saintess began syphoning Prismana into it, letting it overflow as the surroundings began to change. This Prisma Core had a unique quality to it that created some kind of illusion when given Prismana. It was a strange thing considering that Prisma Cores were supposed to be the ones that provided Prismana. Regardless, the illusory images manifested within the office, and Galeon watched with utmost attention.