"A date? Rei I thought you said you found a way in?" he asked, looking baffled. Well, technically it's not a date but I digress.
"Ophy, to enter the festival you need a partner at the bar I found one." I explained to him, still not too convinced.
"I…I didn't know about that part."
"Exactly, now relax we got everything we need for tomorrow. Give me that robe." I said and took the robe of his hand.
"Okay, but I need you to be careful. I can't use my power in that temple, that means you can't transform.
"Don't worry, I will sneak in and find those swords and walk out before anyone notices."
I spoke too soon. Now the entire city is going out for my neck. With their Pitchfork and the cancer rider swears to kill me. Wait, let's get back a bit and let me tell you how I ended up angering the thousands of cancer followers.
It started this morning, I'm wearing that robe Ophy got for me yesterday. I wait at the gate for Lily. My heart beats faster than it's ever before and I hope nobody hears it. Not only I'll have to find Ophy's swords that will decide my fate in this tournament, but also because it's my first date ever. I mean who would date a loner like me? Anyways it's been almost half an hour before I saw her.
She looks gorgeous in her robe even though it's the same exact robe that I'm wearing, on her this simple white robe with crab embroidery looks fantastic. She lets her short hair flow freely in the air making her look magical, whoever that jerk that's supposed to be her aite, your lost bro.
"Rei!!" she shouted cheerfully when she saw me, I waved back to her signaling where I was. "I thought you won't come and I'm stuck with that jerk."
"I won't miss this for the world."
"Ah…thanks, that's sweet. Let's go. I don't wanna miss the morning prayer." she replied before pulling me into the festival.
The festival is lively and busy as expected, many people gather around talking among themselves, probably about cancer with some using their phones as translators. Many cancer's acolytes walked among the followers with their hood still on, people let those acolytes walk through them, some even pushed through people but no one seemed to care. Those acolytes must carry serious weight in this cult.
"I hate them."
"I'm sorry?" I asked again because that comment came out of nowhere Lily.
"Those acolytes, just because they serve in her holiness temple they think they're better than everyone."
"I don't think you shouldn't be hating people that serve her directly." I replied, trying to sound like a devoted follower.
"I know but we're the same in the eyes of her holiness."
Lily's hatred towards those acolytes took me by surprise, I thought as a cancer follower she would respect those people. Lily now throws her gaze at the acolytes that just pushed several people that look like they are in some serious conversation, and Lily doesn't bother to hide her dislike.
"Hey." I called trying to get her attention. "Let's walk around before the prayer starts, you could show me around because it's my first time in the temple."
"Right, you said yesterday this is your first festival." She replied now brandishing that like I know and love. "Let me be your guide through this majestic place."
We walked deeper into the temple, the black spheres stood tall like a reminder of how I'm just a mere human and cancer one of the twelve zodiac Gods is not someone I should mess with. The festival itself is fantastic with a lot of food stands and merchandise, if not for the fact I know this is a prayer festival I could swear this is a theme park.
"It's different, I thought it would be more…"
"Ceremonial?" She asked and I nodded. "Well, at first it was ceremonial and people who come will walk in a row and stay silent."
"What changed?"
"Her holiness. She hates how everyone thinks this prayer ceremony is a chore that they have to do once a year."
"So she turned it into a festival?"
"Not really, at first she let everyone walk freely and then let people eat in between the prayers. Since some don't bring food, her holiness lets people sell food in between the prayers." She answered with a prideful expression. "One thing led to another and now it's a festival."
"She is always thoughtful."
"I know right, that's why I'm very proud to be her…"
A bell rang across the yards and everyone stopped. It rang several times before its stop, everyone then began to walk towards the inner part of the temple. Leaving their food and merchandise stands without a care, people also stopped mid conversation and began to walk.
"Let's go, the morning prayer is about to begin and I want the front row." said Lily and once again she pulled me, this time towards the inner yards.
We Zigzaging through the crowd of enthusiastic followers, some expressing their happiness to finally join the prayers, some already started praying halfway to the inner yards. Lilly guided me with a broad smile, never letting my hands go. I let her pull me mainly because I enjoyed being with her, and the inner yards were probably closer to Ophy's swords.
A sense of unease settled in my stomach as we stepped into the inner temple. Hundreds, possibly thousands of people filled the yards not to mention the acolytes, all of them focused on their prayers, and the idea of "sneaking in" seemed impossible. I had been so preoccupied with the thought of finding the swords that I hadn't considered the logistics of it. How could I possibly search for anything with so many eyes around? I can't let them see through me, I'll be dead in a second.
Lily, completely oblivious to my growing panic, pulled me toward the front. The closer we got, the more I noticed the acolytes. They were everywhere, their dark hoods pulled low, their posture stiff and watchful. They weren't praying with the others. They were patrolling, their eyes scanning the crowd. They were the sentinels of this sacred space, and their presence made my mission feel ten times more difficult. For the first time I noticed the acolytes carrying something in their hands like the hilt of a weapon with the blade hidden in their clothes, those acolytes not only here to guide the prayers but also make sure no one causes trouble. Perfect.
My eyes met the gaze of one of the acolytes for a fleeting moment. I quickly looked away, my heart pounding in my chest. Did he see through my disguise? Did he know I was an imposter? I had to calm down, or I would give myself away.
Lily found an empty space near the front and pulled me down with her. The morning prayer began, a soft, unified hum that filled the temple. As the followers knelt, I saw a subtle movement in the shadows behind the altar. Two of the acolytes had just disappeared into a hidden passageway.
That was it. That had to be the way to the swords. But how could I get away from Lily and into that passage without being noticed? The thought of leaving her behind, even for a moment, made me feel guilty. She was so happy, so proud to be here. I couldn't risk ruining her day, but I also couldn't fail Ophy. I was caught between my mission and my feelings right now, and I didn't know what to do. The biggest challenge I faced was that I had to find a way to get to that hidden passage without Lily noticing and without attracting the attention of the vigilant acolytes.
I couldn't just tell her I had to "go to the bathroom" or something. The acolytes would surely stop me and ask what I was doing, and I didn't have a good reason. I had to be careful with every step I took and everything I said.
I decided that I have to follow along for now, and find my chance later. I follow everything Lily because obviously I know nothing about the prayer, I can understand what they're chanting so I follow along hoping not to cause any suspicion.
As I knelt beside Lily, the unified hum of prayer filled the temple, washing over me. I tried to focus on the chant, to blend in, but my mind was racing. Every glance from an acolyte felt like their into me, like they see I'm not actually a follower of cancer that comes here pray. Lily, however, was in her element. Her eyes were closed, her face serene as she murmured the prayers. I could tell this meant everything to her, and the thought of betraying that trust, of using her to get what I needed, made me feel like a bastard but I needed this and I need those swords.
My eyes kept drifting toward the hidden passageway behind the altar. Two acolytes had slipped inside, and I knew that was my only way in. But how? Lily's hand was still holding mine, I couldn't just shake it away, not only it'll cause suspicion but also hurt Lily's feelings. I already used her to get here, I can't hurt her even more. I couldn't just stand up and walk away. That would draw attention immediately, not just from her, but from the dozens of watchful acolytes.
The prayer continued, a hypnotic rhythm that made the air feel thick and heavy. I started to notice small details. The acolytes weren't just patrolling; they were positioned in specific places, forming a perimeter. It wasn't a casual watch, it was a coordinated guard. The hilts of their hidden weapons glinted in the low light, a constant reminder of the danger.
Maybe I can wait for the prayer to end, but what if they sealed the passage afterward? What if this was my only chance? I had to act now, but I couldn't risk revealing my true purpose. I needed a distraction, something that would create a window of opportunity, however brief.
I slowly pulled my hand away from Lily's . She didn't seem to notice, lost in her prayer, honestly I don't know what God to thank now. What should I do? How do I get there? And then…
BOOM