The sound of their footsteps on the highway echoed softly, mingling with the occasional whisper of the wind as Tessa and the old lady walked together. They had set out for the church as planned, the atmosphere between them calm yet holding a quiet weight. The road stretched ahead, and although the destination was only about 1.5 kilometers away, it felt distant, hidden beyond a bend and a rise.
As they prepared to depart earlier, Tessa had thought her brother Calix would accompany them. However, just before stepping onto the road, their father, Voltar, called out to Calix, asking him for help carrying something inside the house.
Calix hesitated, glancing between Tessa and their father. "I'll catch up," he promised, though his expression showed uncertainty. Before he turned to leave, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small object.
"Tessa, here," he said, holding out his hand.
Tessa blinked, surprised. In his palm lay a delicate necklace—a green jade pendant encased in intricate, precious metalwork. The jade shimmered faintly in the light, its surface smooth and cool to the touch as she picked it up.
She looked at him, confused. "What's this for?"
Calix shrugged with a sheepish grin. "It was supposed to be for your birthday. You know, December 25th."
Her fingers tightened slightly around the pendant as she realized the significance. "But it's only the 17th," she murmured.
"I know," Calix said, rubbing the back of his neck. "Call it an early gift. Just... keep it with you, okay? Thought you might like it."
For a moment, she was speechless, feeling a swell of warmth and gratitude. Her brother wasn't usually the sentimental type, but this gesture felt genuine and heartfelt. "Thank you, my little Callie~" she said softly, slipping the necklace over her head. The jade rested just above her chest, its weight comforting.
He nodded, then turned and headed back toward the house, leaving her with the old lady.
Now, as Tessa walked alongside the elder, the pendant's gentle weight reminded her of her brother's thoughtfulness. She brushed her fingers over it absentmindedly, finding comfort in its smooth texture.
The highway stretched ahead, lined with sparse trees that cast long shadows over the road. The air was cool but not unpleasant, carrying with it the faint scent of earth and grass. Though their house was no longer visible behind them, a tall tree on the horizon stood as a marker, its dark branches reaching skyward.
The old lady walked with an easy stride, her steps steady and sure. She glanced at Tessa occasionally, a faint smile on her weathered face, but they mostly walked in companionable silence.
Finally, after rounding a bend in the road, the church came into view.
The church stood solemnly against the backdrop of the horizon, its aged stone exterior shrouded in an almost otherworldly gloom. At first glance, it seemed ordinary, but as they drew closer, the air around it grew heavier, tinged with an unnatural stillness.
A massive tree loomed beside the church, its gnarled branches spreading wide as if to shelter the building beneath it. The tree's size was overwhelming, dwarfing the church itself. Its leaves, dark and ashen in color, fluttered down steadily, blanketing the ground in a surreal carpet of gray. The wind rustled through its branches, carrying a faint but chilling sound, almost like a whisper.
Tessa stopped for a moment, her gaze fixed on the tree. There was something deeply unsettling about it. The way its roots twisted and burrowed into the earth felt alive, as if they were reaching for something unseen. She shivered and tightened her grip on the jade pendant, drawing strength from its presence.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" the old lady said softly, her voice breaking the silence.
Tessa glanced at her, unsure how to respond. The tree was striking, yes, but its beauty was overshadowed by an oppressive aura that seemed to radiate from it. She simply nodded and followed as the old lady continued toward the church entrance.
The entrance itself was unassuming, a set of heavy wooden doors that creaked loudly as the old lady pushed them open. A rush of cold air greeted them, carrying with it the faint scent of wax and something metallic.
Tessa hesitated on the threshold, peering into the dimly lit interior. The sunlight from outside barely penetrated the space, leaving much of it cloaked in shadow. It felt as though she had stepped into a different world—one where time had slowed, and the day had given way to an endless night.
The sensation was strange but not entirely frightening. It reminded her of sitting in a small hut, lit only by the flicker of a single candle, while the darkness outside stretched endlessly.
The old lady motioned for her to follow, and Tessa stepped inside, her footsteps echoing softly against the stone floor.
Inside of the church
[]
Inside, the church was sparse but hauntingly distinct. Rows of worn wooden pews lined the center aisle, their surfaces polished smooth by years of use. At the far end stood the altar, but it was unlike any altar Tessa had ever seen.
Dominating the space was an obsidian mask, its surface carved with intricate patterns and glowing faintly with a deep black hue, as if it absorbed the light around it. Beside it stood a knight-like figure—an imposing statue of a guard, its armor etched with symbols Tessa couldn't decipher.
The statue's face was hidden behind a visor, and its stance conveyed both strength and watchfulness.
The air inside was heavy, almost suffocating, and carried a faint hum that seemed to emanate from the mask itself. Tessa's eyes were drawn to it, unable to look away for several moments. There was something about it—something magnetic yet deeply unsettling.
"This is where we pray," the old lady said, her voice reverent. She moved toward the altar with deliberate steps, carrying a small bowl in her hands.
Tessa lingered near the back, unsure of what to do. It wasn't her religion, and she felt out of place, but she didn't want to appear disrespectful. She watched quietly as the old lady approached the altar and began her prayer ritual.
The ritual was unlike anything Tessa had ever seen. The old lady extended her arms, holding the bowl high above her head. Her hands trembled slightly from the weight, but her expression remained composed. She closed her eyes and began to chant in a language Tessa didn't recognize. The words were low and guttural, yet rhythmic, carrying an almost hypnotic cadence.
Tessa observed in silence, her discomfort growing. The dim light, the oppressive atmosphere, the strange chant—it all felt surreal, as though she were in a dream. She glanced at the statue of the knight, her gaze lingering on its visor. For a moment, she could have sworn the eyes behind it shifted, locking onto her with an eerie, penetrating gaze.
Her breath caught in her throat. The intensity of the gaze was suffocating, filled with a strange desire and interest that made her skin crawl. She wanted to look away, but she couldn't. The connection was broken only when the old lady's chanting grew louder, drawing her attention back to the altar.
The mask glowed more intensely, its dark light pulsing like a heartbeat. The air grew colder, and Tessa felt the hairs on the back of her neck rise. She clutched the jade pendant tightly, seeking comfort in its presence.
She didn't like this place. Not at all.
Mystery of the Mask
[]
After the Prayer
Tessa's discomfort deepened, but she remained silent, unwilling to disrupt the old lady's prayer. She shifted her weight uneasily, her gaze darting between the glowing mask and the knight-like statue. Each pulse of the mask's dark light seemed to fill the room with a heavier, more oppressive presence.
The ritual finally came to an end as the old lady's chanting faded, her trembling arms lowering the bowl slowly. She let out a sigh, her expression one of relief and satisfaction. Turning to Tessa, she gave a warm, tired smile.
"Thank you for your patience, my dear," she said softly.
Tessa nodded, managing a polite smile despite the lingering unease in her chest. She was eager to leave the church and escape its suffocating atmosphere.
The old lady guided her out, the wooden doors creaking loudly as they stepped back into the daylight. The shift from the dark interior to the surreal but open outdoors was almost jarring. Tessa took a deep breath, savoring the fresh air and the subtle warmth of the sun.
As they walked down the steps, the old lady paused and turned to her. "I have something I'd like to show you," she said, her tone almost conspiratorial. "It's a place I've cherished since I was a child. Would you like to see it?"
Tessa hesitated for only a moment before nodding. The old lady's demeanor was kind and sincere, and despite the unsettling experience inside the church, she felt compelled to trust her.
The elder smiled, her eyes lighting up with a youthful excitement. "Follow me."
Secret Sanctuary
[]
They walked behind the church, stepping onto a narrow dirt path that wound through a small stretch of rice fields. The path was uneven, flanked by the soft rustle of tall grass swaying gently in the breeze.
The further they walked, the smaller the church and its enormous tree became in the distance. Soon, the only sound was the crunch of their footsteps on the dirt and the occasional chirping of birds hidden among the fields.
After what felt like an eternity, they reached the edge of a forest. The trees here were thinner and younger, their branches weaving together to form a natural canopy. The air grew warmer, more comforting, and Tessa felt a strange sense of calm wash over her.
They passed through the forest, the dirt path narrowing and winding through clusters of trees until they emerged into an open grass field. The sudden transition was breathtaking.
The field was serene, surrounded by the forest's natural boundary. The grass was soft and lush, its blades glinting faintly in the muted sunlight. At the very center of the field stood a single flower—a vibrant crystal blue, its petals shimmering as though they were made of glass. The flower seemed to emit a faint glow, casting a subtle luminescence on the ground around it.
Tessa stopped in her tracks, captivated by the sight. The place felt like something out of a dream, a hidden sanctuary untouched by the outside world. The breeze was calm but carried a gentle warmth, and the atmosphere was so tranquil that it was almost surreal.
"This," the old lady said, her voice barely above a whisper, "is my favorite place in the world."
She stepped into the field and made her way to the flower, her movements careful and reverent. Tessa followed, the cool grass tickling her feet through her shoes.
"When I was a child," the old lady continued, "this was where I came whenever I felt overwhelmed or needed a moment to escape reality. It was my sanctuary—a place where I could be alone with my thoughts."
They reached the flower, and the old lady knelt beside it, her expression soft and nostalgic. Tessa stood beside her, gazing at the delicate petals that seemed to pulse faintly with life.
"It's beautiful," Tessa said, her voice filled with quiet awe.
The old lady smiled. "It's said that this flower only grows in places where the air is pure and untouched. Perhaps that's why it's so special."
For a moment, they both remained silent, simply taking in the serene beauty of the field. The breeze stirred the grass gently, and Tessa felt an overwhelming sense of peace, as though all her worries had been left far behind.
They lay down on the soft grass, staring up at the sky through the canopy of the forest's edge. The old lady shared stories from her youth—memories of simpler times and the solace she found in this hidden haven. Tessa listened intently, her heart warmed by the elder's recollections.
The sky above shifted in hues of pale blue, with streaks of light breaking through the sparse clouds. Tessa found herself closing her eyes, letting the warm breeze and the old lady's gentle voice weave together into a tranquil lullaby. For the first time in days, she felt an inexplicable comfort—a fleeting sense that this place was untouched by the creeping unease she had started to feel since arriving in Dilopog.
When the old lady fell silent, they rested in the quiet embrace of the field, the distant sounds of rustling leaves and chirping birds filling the stillness. Tessa turned her head slightly, watching as the elder's weathered face softened with a mix of contentment and nostalgia.
"This place," the old lady said, breaking the silence, "reminds me that even in the darkest of times, there's beauty to be found. You just have to know where to look."
Tessa nodded, her gaze drifting back to the crystal-blue flower. Its ethereal glow seemed to flicker in harmony with the light breeze. The longer she looked at it, the more she felt a strange sense of connection to this place—as if it was meant for her to see, to feel, and to remember.
As the sun began its slow descent toward the horizon, painting the field with a golden hue, the old lady finally sat up and stretched. "We should head back," she said with a smile. "It's getting late, and your family might worry."
Tessa reluctantly stood, brushing stray blades of grass from her clothes. She felt a pang of longing as they walked away from the field, the flower's glow fading into the distance behind them.
The journey back was quieter, though the air between them felt lighter, as if the field's serenity had followed them. By the time they reached the highway near Tessa's house, the sky had turned a deep purple, hinting a nightfall.
The old lady stopped and turned to Tessa, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Thank you for spending the day with me," she said warmly. "It's been a long time since I've shared that place with anyone."
Tessa smiled and stepped forward, giving the elder a soft, heartfelt hug. "Thank you for showing it to me. It was… beautiful."
The old lady's expression softened, and she nodded. "Take care, my dear. I'll see you again soon."
With that, the old lady turned and began walking back toward her home. Tessa watched her for a moment before heading toward her own house, the memories of the day lingering in her mind.
The day's surreal beauty had left a deep impression on her. But as the shadows lengthened and the warmth of the sun faded, Tessa couldn't shake the feeling that something unspoken lingered beneath the surface of the old lady's serene words.
"A peaceful moment before the calamity..."