The cathedral loomed ahead, its towering spires glittering under the morning sun, gold-tipped and crowned with banners that caught the wind like sails. The closer the crowd pressed, the louder the hymns swelled, priests lifting their voices in rhythmic chants. The scent of incense was heavier here, almost choking, masking the mingled aromas of sweat and fear.
Aelira strode at the head of their group, her voice calm but firm as she beckoned the trio forward. "Come with me. You're not here as ordinary adventurers. You own land, command servants, and—most importantly—you were brought here by the goddess herself. That marks you as her chosen."
Drathan lifted a brow. "Chosen, huh? Funny way to say 'indentured fan club.'"
Kenshin snorted. "Bro, don't gas us up too much. We just tryna chill."
Seme shook her head, muttering under her breath. "This setup is mad wild… feels like we're walkin' into some damn cult concert."
Their banter earned sharp looks from nearby priests, but Aelira kept walking, her composure unshaken. She gestured to the gilded doors as they approached. "Inside, you'll see why."
The cathedral's interior was breathtaking. Pillars of solid gold stretched to a vaulted ceiling painted with scenes of divine battles. Chandeliers dripped with crystals, casting rainbow light across the marble floors. The altar itself was carved from pure gold and inlaid with priceless gems—sapphires, emeralds, rubies—that glimmered like captured stars. Rows of pews filled the hall, already packed with nobles, merchants, and adventurers of every rank. Priests moved like flowing rivers of white and gold, guiding the faithful to their places.
Kenshin shivered, rubbing his arms. "Yo… got straight goosebumps. Not the good kind."
"Whole vibe's creepy," Seme whispered back, eyes darting over the towering statues of Aria that seemed to watch their every move.
Drathan smirked faintly. "Don't get it twisted. This ain't about worship—it's power. Every prayer here feeds her strength. She's milking faith like coin in a bank."
Mira lowered her gaze at his words, conflicted. She had grown up hearing that this grandeur was beauty, holy proof of the goddess's love. But now, walking beside the trio, she couldn't silence the flicker of doubt gnawing at her chest.
They were led past the gathered crowd, Aelira's authority clearing a path with each step. Whispers trailed in their wake:
"Those are the outsiders… the heroes."
"They look so ordinary…"
"Ordinary? Didn't you hear what they did to the Orc King?"
The trio was guided to a separate section near the front—seats reserved for those touched directly by the goddess. Their position gave them an unbroken view of the altar, where priests prepared for the ceremony.
As they settled in, Kenshin leaned closer to his brothers, voice pitched low. "Y'all ever think about the others? We weren't the only ones dragged here."
Seme frowned. "Yeah… wasn't it, like, seven more?"
Aelira, overhearing, turned her gaze on them. "Correct. But you must understand—when the goddess summons her champions, they are not always sent to the same kingdom. This world is vast. Tierwyn lies within the kingdom of Elarion, but three other realms exist across the continent. To the east lies Solvara, known for its blazing deserts and warrior tribes. To the north, Frostholm, a land of endless winter and steel-hearted clans. And to the west, Verdantia, a kingdom of deep forests and hidden magic. Heroes may emerge in any of these lands, chosen for reasons only the goddess knows."
Kenshin raised a hand, pausing her mid-flow. "Hold up, hold up… lemme process this. You talkin' deserts, snow, and magic jungles like this some RPG expansion pack. Gimme a sec."
Aelira sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose before dragging her hand down in a weary facepalm. "If you're finished…" she muttered, before continuing. "The relationships between these kingdoms are… tense. Elarion and Solvara have long traded, but their ties are brittle—desert raiders raid caravans, and retaliation often sparks border skirmishes. Frostholm respects strength above all, but they view the south with suspicion, calling us soft. Verdantia keeps its secrets close, mistrusting outsiders entirely. Each alliance is temporary, every treaty fragile. And yet, against a greater threat, the goddess binds us with her chosen."
She spoke with the ease of a teacher, and though the crowd's chants thundered around them, her words sank deep. "This planet, Arathis, is a jewel of the divine realms. But it is also a battleground. The geography alone makes it both a prize and a curse. Mountain ranges carve borders between kingdoms, seas churn with monsters, and deep within the forests lie ruins older than the gods themselves."
Kenshin whistled low. "Damn… so basically, this whole place a MMO map."
Seme rolled her eyes. "We out here playin' side quests while the goddess doin' endgame grind."
Drathan chuckled under his breath, but his eyes stayed sharp on the altar. Every detail—the shimmer of gems, the flare of incense, the whispered awe of the crowd—wasn't just ceremony. It was a display of control, a reminder of who held the leash.
And as the last bell tolls shook the cathedral walls, the ritual began.