As centuries passed, the Church of the Golden Raven grew not only in stature but in influence. It wasn't merely a place of worship anymore—it had become a guiding force for the people, a beacon of hope, and a symbol of protection. The worship of the Golden Raven, and by extension, Javier, had evolved into a well-structured religion, with sacred rites, traditions, and a deep reverence for the teachings left behind by the immortal god. The belief in the Golden Raven had permeated through every facet of life, becoming a central pillar for the communities that lived near the sacred ground.
One of the most powerful and sacred objects within this religion was the Golden Feather Locket, a revered symbol of the divine connection between Javier and his followers. Crafted by the very hands of the high priests who devoted their lives to the raven's cause, the locket was imbued with a piece of the essence of the raven itself. It contained within it a single feather of the Golden Raven, forever preserved, and encased in a frame of pure gold. The locket was said to hold not only the physical representation of the divine messenger but also the power to protect and guide those who wore it.
The golden locket was worn by the most devout of the faith. It was a sign of one's unwavering loyalty and belief in the legacy of Javier. To wear it was to carry a piece of the god's eternal power, and it was said that those who bore the locket could communicate with the raven in times of great need. A glimpse of the raven's golden feathers could bring clarity to troubled hearts and guide followers toward the righteous path.
Over time, the locket became a symbol not just of devotion but of responsibility. The highest priests of the Church, known as the Raven's Keepers, were entrusted with the sacred duty of guarding the most precious of all relics—the Golden Feather Locket. Only the most loyal and pure-hearted individuals were chosen to wear it. And it was these Keepers who became the religious leaders, overseeing the Church's activities and guiding its followers in the ways of Javier's teachings.
At the heart of the Church's practices were the Sacred Books of the Raven, a collection of texts believed to have been inspired by the words of Javier himself. The books were written by the first followers, those who had witnessed the divine presence of the Golden Raven and who had chronicled the teachings passed down through the ages.
The books were divided into several volumes, each dedicated to different aspects of Javier's journey and the doctrines of the Church. The first volume, The Eternal Path, detailed Javier's arrival on Earth, his time as an immortal god, and his sacrifices. It was filled with poetic descriptions of his struggles, his interactions with humanity, and his relationship with the raven. The second volume, The Legacy of the Raven, explored the powers of the raven, its connection to Javier, and its role as a divine emissary. It was said that this book held the secrets of how the raven carried Javier's essence into the world, and how it served as a bridge between the mortal and the divine.
The Raven's Code, the third volume, was the guiding principle for the followers of the Golden Raven. It contained the moral and ethical teachings of Javier, focusing on justice, kindness, and the importance of protecting those who could not protect themselves. The final volume, The Prophecies of the Golden Feathers, spoke of a time yet to come—when Javier would return through the descendants of his bloodline. This prophecy was sacred, and it was this very book that kept Elena's hope alive for centuries, as she watched over her descendants, waiting for the day that Javier's soul would be reborn.
These sacred texts were passed down through the generations, carefully preserved by the priests and scholars of the Church. The books were written on parchment that had been enchanted to withstand time, and their ink shimmered with a faint, golden glow, as if touched by the divine. They were studied with the utmost reverence, and the teachings within them were considered sacred truths, never to be altered or taken lightly.
One of the most extraordinary gifts given by the Golden Raven was Infinitium, the indestructible metal born from Javier's divine power. This metal, though not of his body, was the physical manifestation of his eternal will. Infinitium's properties were like nothing seen before. It could not be destroyed by any weapon or force known to humankind. It had the power to resist magic, to repel psychic manipulation, and it could even neutralize energy blasts. However, its true significance lay in its ability to accelerate civilization's growth—without corrupting it.
The priests of the Golden Raven knew that Infinitium was too powerful to be used carelessly. Under Javier's watchful eye, they crafted only a few small artifacts of the metal—symbols of the god's protection and power. These artifacts were used to protect the sacred ground of the burial site and the Church of the Golden Raven itself. The metal was also used to fashion the sacred Raven's Scepter, a ceremonial staff that the High Priests wielded during important rites and ceremonies.
Javier had entrusted them with this power, knowing they would use it wisely and only for the greater good. Infinitium was never to be used as a weapon of destruction or for personal gain. The priests, knowing the sacred responsibility they bore, guarded the metal fiercely. It was kept hidden, only revealed during times of crisis or in moments of profound need.
Though Javier had died, his influence was not gone. His spirit continued to guide the Church, and the raven, which flew tirelessly above the sacred land, was the ever-present reminder of his divine nature. Through the Raven's Keepers and the faithful followers, his teachings and legacy lived on.
Javier's final promise to Elena—that he would return through her descendants—hung in the air, unfulfilled but not forgotten. The Church, with its Golden Raven and sacred texts, remained a symbol of hope, a beacon that one day the god of the Golden Raven would return to the world.
The priests knew that their role was to protect the legacy of the Golden Raven and to ensure that the descendants of Javier were prepared for his eventual rebirth. And so, they continued their sacred duty, knowing that as long as they kept the faith and upheld Javier's teachings, his spirit would never truly fade from the world.
And all the while, the raven circled above the Church, its golden feathers glowing as a reminder of the god who once walked the earth.