While Maya was looking at the statues, the beautiful priestess was quietly observing Maya with an enigmatic smile. Having her eyes set on a living breathing human after intently looking a the statues irradiating with grace Maya found her looking even more sublime. With her platinum hair that shined in the sun and golden embroidery and accessories adorning her body, she truly looked like a descended Greek goddess.
"May the light follow."
She gently bowed her head to Maya and beckoned her to approach.
"Come, little chick. I believe we haven't gotten acquainted yet. I am the Head Priestess of Amellan's Temple of Light. You may address me as Lady Kiana."
Maya greeted her and introduced herself.
"Usually, each newcomer's arrival is blessed by me personally. However, you arrived so late I haven't gotten a turn to meet with you. Inviting you here with the next priestess' candidates seemed like an opportune moment."
The High Priestess was talking while leading Maya through a beautiful garden.
"Call it, sort of, a mandatory theology lesson. After you establish a connection with your Element, you are free to sign up to become a candidate as well. If it would interest you…"
Maya realized her summons for temple work was a pretext. In truth, the head priestess wanted to personally introduce her to the religious system, as Maya had missed the official introduction due to her late arrival. Being personally invited by the head priestess felt like a great honour to Maya.
The day was warm and beautiful. Maya and Lady Kiana sat in a gazebo nestled within a tranquil temple garden, sipping tea with an enchanting sweet fragrance. The wind rustled through the leaves of ancient trees surrounding them, carrying a distant hint of burning incense. As Maya ran her fingers over the weathered surface of the stone bench, its coolness grounded her, connecting her to the unknown timeless history of the place.
"I know this may all seem very strange to you," Lady Kiana began. "After all, it's an entirely new set of customs and rules, not to mention unfamiliar gods and forces that are at play that could make your head spin. I want you to relax. We are just having a chat."
Her relaxed demeanour and empathetic voice helped Maya be more at ease.
"I may be a High Priestess but my role is merely of a messenger," Lady Kiana continued. "I've heard the Headmistress herself is your guardian so I am nothing but a humble existence in her presence." She tilted her head slightly, her eyes shimmering with curiosity. "Tell me, how much have you heard about our gods so far?"
"I know nothing of gods, only that Elements aren't them. Did I disrespect them in my ignorance?"
"Don't worry about gods. To be frank, I doubt anyone who isn't in the role of a priestess fully understands gods, either. They aren't that important, anyway."
Maya was taken aback. 'Did the High Priestess just say gods aren't important?'
Since Maya didn't follow any religion before, she couldn't say she was too inclined to follow a new doctrine now. However, her ability to see ghosts of dead people had her interested if answers could be found with the gods witches worship.
Lady Kiana's gaze was fixated on Maya as if she was carefully studying what kind of reaction her previous statement would unfold.
"Are you interested in gods?"
Maya looked at her, vexed by the question. "What if I said no?"
The priestess laughed. "As I've already said, I invited you for a chat. If you don't want to chat about religion, we can change the subject. But it would be hard for me to believe you don't have any questions. Feel free to ask. It can be anything related to mages that is on your mind."
"If gods aren't important, as you said, what is the purpose of priestesses?"
Lady Kiana smiled. "Ah, perhaps that was exaggerating. It is not that gods aren't important, but they aren't crucial in your everyday life. If you are a priestess, they—and reading their will—are very important. But I don't like to burden students with such concepts if they aren't interested in entering the world of divine will. Witches were always oppressed by other religions in history, it would be very hypocritical of us to enforce our own, wouldn't it?"
Maya thought Lady Kiana had a point. It seems witches value free will.
"Priestesses are dedicated to the spiritual side of the Elements. Because we are closer to gods, we can better read the flow of magic and devote ourselves to Elements, rather than gods themselves," she began explaining. "We also hold rites and ceremonies and are integral in the culture of mages as the only ones with a licence for ritual magic. So it's a prestigious position."
She chuckled, continuing. "Perhaps sometimes you can say we take the role of doctors of the spiritual. Temple premises are sacred grounds. People come here to meditate and strengthen their inner connection to their Element. Rarely it is to invoke the will of gods."
"Oh."
"Are you familiar with the world order of Mellgrah?"
"Do you mean in a political sense?"
"Yes."
"I can't say that I am."
"Mellgrah is a triumvirate, regulated by three main forces and their heads," Lady Kiana drew three equal circles with her finger on the table surface. "One in charge of Civics has the title of Gouverness of Mellgrah; Military is lead by the General of Hunters; and Education is managed by Rectoress of Academia." As she spoke, she poked her imaginary circles with her finger.
"They are this world's highest authority," she continued. "However, in reality, there is one position above," she covered the table with her palm. "Rectrix Suprema."
Lady Kiana looked at Maya intently.
"It has been symbolically left vacant for centuries, to honour the time of peace and prosperity. It is a position only a Prima should take," she said and relaxed leaning back in her seat. "It's not to say no one besides Prima had that position before, but it was only temporary when direction was crucial."
"So, you see," she continued. "Although we are an integral part of culture and rule of magic, Priestesses aren't anywhere on the triarchy. Even though, locally we hold great authority in our designated regions. Priestesses would fall under the direct jurisdiction of Rectrix Suprema. Unfortunately, the time of Primas is behind us."
Maya was very interested in the way Lady Kiana spoke. "What are Primas?"
Lady Kiana smiled as if she anticipated this question. "Have you studied about Lady Anastasia, creator of this world?"
"Not in detail, no—at least not yet."
"She was a Prima. In the past, in great times of need, Elements would choose an all-powerful vessel that we call Prima Maga, the reincarnation of the First Witch. Primas are not constrained by a single element, their power goes beyond our restraints."
"Is Tanya, my mentor, a Prima then?" Maya asked, intrigued.
"No," Lady Kiana shook her head. "Although incredibly rare, people can have a bilateral affinity. Primas, on the other hand, possess all Elements."
"Including Spirit Element?"
"…Yes."
Maya widened her eyes. "Is it possible for a witch to wield only Spirit?"
"I can't say I've heard of such a thing. But as I've already stated, the time of Primas is behind us. Lady Anastasia, in her selfless sacrifice for creating this world, gave up on her ability to reincarnate as a Prima in the future. The price for a peaceful world was the abolishment of Primas, and the so-called element of Spirit."
Maya wanted to slap herself. Listening to Lady Kiana, she almost allowed her head to get big. Her Appraisal Ritual clearly stated her element as Air. And seeing ghosts doesn't necessarily have to mean a lofty ability to 'bend' Spirit. It was only her innate desire to feel special that was pushing that idea into her mind. Her ability may not even be related to elements, but something… different.
"I'd like to learn about gods witches worship," Maya decided.
Lady Kiana smiled.