The village of Eldermere was a quiet, unassuming place, nestled in a valley surrounded by rolling hills and dense forests. Its cobblestone streets were lined with quaint cottages, their thatched roofs weathered by time. The villagers were simple folk—farmers, blacksmiths, and craftsmen—who lived their lives in harmony with the land. To Kael, it was a world apart from the grime and chaos of Veylor, a place where he could disappear, at least for a while.
But disappearing wasn't enough. Kael needed to blend in, to become someone the villagers would trust. He needed to be more than just a traveler passing through; he needed to be one of them. And so, he began to craft a new identity, one that would allow him to stay close to Father Alden and, eventually, earn a recommendation to the Alina Divine Temple.
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### **The First Week: A Humble Pilgrim**
Kael's first days in Eldermere were spent in quiet observation. He attended the chapel's daily services, sitting in the back pew and listening intently to Father Alden's sermons. The priest spoke of faith, compassion, and the divine light of the Sun Goddess Alina, who watched over her followers with unwavering love. Kael didn't believe a word of it, but he nodded along, his face a mask of pious devotion.
After the services, he lingered in the chapel, offering to help with small tasks—sweeping the floors, polishing the altar, or tending to the candles. Father Alden watched him with a mixture of curiosity and approval, though he said little. Kael knew the priest was wary of him, and for good reason. He was a stranger with a hidden agenda, and Father Alden was no fool.
But Kael was patient. He knew that trust had to be earned, and so he played the part of the humble pilgrim, a young man seeking redemption and guidance. He spoke little of his past, weaving a vague tale of hardship and loss that was just believable enough to elicit sympathy. The villagers, kind-hearted and trusting, accepted him without question.
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### **The Second Week: A Helping Hand**
As the days turned into weeks, Kael began to venture beyond the chapel, offering his help to the villagers. He carried water for the elderly, repaired fences for the farmers, and even helped the blacksmith's apprentice with his chores. His efforts were met with gratitude, and soon, the villagers began to see him as one of their own.
"You've got a good heart, lad," said Old Man Garret, the village's oldest resident, as Kael helped him carry firewood to his cottage. "Not many young folk these days are willing to lend a hand."
Kael smiled, though the words stung. He didn't have a good heart—he had a shard of a dark god's power burning a hole in his chest. But he kept that thought to himself, nodding humbly as Garret patted him on the back.
Father Alden, too, began to warm up to him. The priest often invited Kael to join him for meals, and the two would sit by the hearth, discussing everything from the weather to the teachings of the Sun Goddess. Kael listened intently, absorbing every word, knowing that his future depended on his ability to play the part of a devout follower.
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### **The Third Week: A Test of Faith**
It was during the third week that Kael's resolve was tested. A group of travelers arrived in the village, their faces gaunt and their clothes tattered. They spoke of bandits who had attacked their caravan, leaving them with nothing but the clothes on their backs. The villagers, moved by their plight, offered what little they could—food, blankets, and a place to rest.
Kael watched from the sidelines, his mind racing. He knew what it was like to be desperate, to have nothing and no one to turn to. But he also knew that helping these strangers would draw attention to himself, and that was the last thing he wanted.
As he stood there, torn between his instincts and his facade, Father Alden approached him. "Kael," the priest said, his voice gentle but firm, "these people need our help. Will you join me in offering them comfort?"
Kael hesitated, then nodded. "Of course, Father."
Together, they led the travelers to the chapel, where they were given food and a place to sleep. Kael helped serve the meals, his hands steady but his mind uneasy. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched, that someone—or something—was testing him.
Later that night, as he lay in his cot, the shard pulsed against his chest, its warmth a constant reminder of the power he carried. He thought of Chrollo's words, of the trials that lay ahead, and wondered if this was one of them. Was he being tested not just by the shard, but by the gods themselves?
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### **The Fourth Week: A Revelation**
By the fourth week, Kael had become a familiar face in the village. The villagers greeted him with smiles and kind words, and even Father Alden seemed to have accepted him as a member of the community. But Kael knew that his time in Eldermere was running out. He needed to make his move, to secure the recommendation that would grant him entry to the Alina Divine Temple.
One evening, as he and Father Alden sat by the hearth, Kael broached the subject. "Father," he began, his voice hesitant, "I've been thinking… about my future."
Father Alden looked up from his book, his expression thoughtful. "Go on, my son."
Kael took a deep breath. "I've always felt a calling to serve the Sun Goddess, to dedicate my life to her teachings. But I don't know where to begin. I've heard of the Alina Divine Temple, of the training they offer to those who wish to become priests, paladins, or inquisitors. Do you think… do you think I could ever be worthy of such a heavenly path with my himble upbringing?"
Father Alden studied him for a long moment, his eyes searching Kael's face. Then he smiled, a warm, genuine smile that made Kael's chest tighten with guilt. "Kael," the priest said, "you have shown great faith and compassion during your time here. The Sun Goddess sees the goodness in your heart, and I believe you have the potential to walk the path of the divine enlightenment."
Kael's heart raced, but he kept his expression calm. "Thank you, Father. That means more to me than you know."
Father Alden nodded. "I will write you a letter of recommendation. It will not guarantee your much acceptance since am but a low rank priest, but it will at the very least open the door. The rest will be up to you."
Kael bowed his head, hiding the relief that flooded through him. "Thank you, Father. I won't let you down."
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### **The Fifth Week: A New Beginning**
The day of Kael's departure arrived sooner than he expected. Father Alden handed him the letter of recommendation, sealed with the chapel's insignia, and the villagers gathered to bid him farewell. They pressed small gifts into his hands—a loaf of bread, a pouch of herbs, a hand-knitted scarf—and wished him well on his journey.
"You'll do great things, lad," Old Man Garret said, clapping him on the shoulder. "The Sun Goddess will guide you."
Kael smiled, though the words felt like a dagger in his chest. He didn't deserve their kindness, their faith in him. But he couldn't afford to let his guilt show. He had a role to play, a mission to fulfill.
As he walked away from the village, the shard pulsed against his chest, its warmth a constant reminder of the power—and the darkness—he carried. He didn't know what lay ahead, but he knew one thing: the path to the Alina Divine Temple was just the beginning.
The trials of the shard awaited him, and he would face them, no matter the cost.
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**To Be Continued...**