Aquilla knelt before the small pool, its surface glowing with a pale, moonlit radiance. Behind that light stood the statue of Goddess Risvela, her serene face watching over him, her outstretched hands as if granting a blessing.
"Calm your heart," Oriana's gentle voice reached him from behind.
Aquilla drew a deep breath, trying to push away the nervousness tightening in his chest. I… I'm really going through with this ritual.
Oriana raised her hands toward the heavens, her voice weaving a chant in an ancient tongue Aquilla could not comprehend. Yet every syllable pierced straight into his soul.
The water rippled. Moonlight scattered across the chamber, swallowing all shadows whole.
"Goddess Risvela, Virgin of the Stars. We ask for the cleansing of the one who kneels before You. Grant us a sign that he is truly chosen by Your hand."
Aquilla's chest suddenly surged with turbulence. Heat and chill crashed within him, flooding his body in turns. Wh-what is this…?
He bowed lower, sweat dripping down his temples. It felt as though something was flowing into him—yet at the same time tugging his very soul away.
Oriana's chant ended in a firm, resonant tone. "Let the destiny of the stars guide him."
The blinding moonlight slowly receded. Silence returned to the chamber.
Aquilla opened his eyes, gasping. "I–is it… over?"
Oriana lowered her arms with elegance. "Your ritual is complete."
Wiping away the sweat on his brow, Aquilla exhaled shakily. So this is… the cleansing ritual of Goddess Risvela's temple.
But then his hand grew cold. He looked down—and froze.
"Wh–what… is this…?"
On the back of his hand, a crescent moon had appeared, encircled by seven small stars. The mark glowed faintly, as though carved from living light itself.
"Oriana!" Aquilla nearly shouted. "My hand—what's happening to me?!"
Oriana only smiled gently. "That is the sigil of Risvela's temple. Proof that you have been blessed directly by the Goddess. It will never vanish… unless you choose to become a heretic."
Aquilla swallowed hard. "A… heretic… a betrayer of the gods…"
His hand trembled as he stared at the mark. Am I… truly worthy of bearing this?
Lifting his head, he asked in a hoarse voice, "Do you… also carry this mark?"
Oriana's lips curved softly. She turned away, lowering her white robe just enough to reveal her back.
Aquilla's breath caught. Etched upon her pale skin was the very same crescent moon and seven stars, glowing faintly under the moonlight.
"W-wait!" Aquilla flung a hand over his face, his ears burning red. "P-put your robe back on! That's… that's improper!"
Oriana chuckled, glancing back with a teasing smile. "Don't worry. In Esperalza, showing a god's symbol is not shameful. It's proof that we were chosen."
"B-but still!" Aquilla stammered, panic rising. His face was on fire. Do all priestesses here just casually do things like that?!
Oriana drew her robe back up, though a faint blush lingered on her cheeks. "Even so… I still feel shy every time I reveal it."
Aquilla sighed in relief. "Thank goodness…"
But Oriana stepped closer, her gaze settling on the hand he still tried to hide.
"Don't cover it."
"…Huh?"
"You should be proud of it. That mark isn't just a symbol. It means you carry the voice and will of Goddess Risvela into this world."
Aquilla's throat tightened. The voice and will of the Goddess… me?
Oriana continued softly, "People must know. You are now her representative among mortals."
He lowered his gaze, clutching his marked hand closer to his chest. "I… I've never gone through anything like this before. I don't even understand the customs of Esperalza. I was only a border knight in Domeralith… we never had anything like this there."
"That's fine," Oriana replied with a tender smile. "Before they receive a god's blessing, all people are just ordinary humans. Learning the ways of the divine begins from the moment you're chosen."
Aquilla's voice came out strained. "And if… if I fail to meet the expectations of the gods?"
Oriana slowly shook her head. "That is for you alone to decide. The gods do not choose because you are already perfect. They choose because they see the potential within you. Your only duty… is to answer their call."
He fell silent, the words weighing heavy in his heart. Potential, huh…
Aquilla stared at the crescent mark shimmering faintly on his skin. So this is proof… that I was chosen. Not because of luck. Not because I begged. But because the Goddess herself saw something in me.
Oriana stepped closer, her voice soft as moonlight. "Don't be afraid, Aquilla. I once carried the same doubts. But slowly, you will grow accustomed to it."
"…I'll try," Aquilla whispered, nodding. "If this is truly Goddess Risvela's will… then I'll answer it."
Relief brightened Oriana's smile. "That is the answer I had hoped for."
The chamber grew silent once more, broken only by the faint ripples of the pool. Aquilla looked at her briefly, then lowered his gaze again. Beautiful… and strong. She's unlike anyone I've ever met.
Clenching his hand, the faint glow of the mark shone through his skin.
Suddenly Oriana placed a gentle hand on Aquilla's shoulder. "Come. Someone is waiting for you."
Aquilla blinked in shock. "W-waiting… for me?"
They stepped out from the ritual chamber. As the grand temple doors swung open, sunlight poured in, forcing Aquilla to squint. At the base of the temple stairs, a woman stood tall and unyielding. She wore gleaming azure armor, and on the back of her hand shone the same divine mark that now adorned Aquilla's.
"Lunara," Oriana called softly.
The armored knight dipped her head politely. "Priestess Oriana. Is this the one who has received the blessing of Goddess Risvela?"
Oriana smiled, nodding. "Yes."
Aquilla's chest tightened. She… looks important. He quickly lowered his head in respect. "My name is Aquilla Elvanir. I'm a knight from the border garrison of Domeralith."
The woman's gaze sharpened. Her voice carried a calm authority. "I am Lunara Servia, Captain of the Stellari Noctis Order."
Aquilla froze. "C-captain…?" His mind reeled. Captain? Just like… Commander Zenorius?!
Lunara continued without pause, "The Stellari Noctis is one of Esperalza's elite orders."
Aquilla's breath caught in his throat. E-elite…?! She's on the same level as Mortarii Bellum under Captain Zenorius?!
Lunara studied his uneasy posture, her eyes narrowing slightly. "There's no need to be nervous. From today forward, you are part of Stellari Noctis."
Aquilla nearly stumbled. W-what?! I'm… part of an elite order?! That's impossible!
A crushing weight pressed down on his chest. His knees threatened to give way. I'm just a garrison knight… how can this be real…?
Lunara's eyes narrowed. "But it's clear you still need plenty of training. And judging from your expression, I'd wager you rarely prayed during your time in Domeralith."
Aquilla's tongue caught in his throat. Sh-she's right… I never truly prayed. My life was just patrolling the fortress, fighting monsters every day…
Oriana chuckled softly, stepping closer. "Captain Lunara, don't be too harsh on him. It is rare enough for a knight to be blessed directly by Goddess Risvela. That alone is extraordinary."
Aquilla stiffened, heat rising to his face. Oriana! Please don't say that in front of an elite captain!
Lunara sighed, turning back to him. "Come. We're heading to the Stellari Noctis headquarters. You will be officially introduced there."
She bowed slightly toward Oriana. "My thanks, Priestess Oriana."
"May Goddess Risvela's blessing be with you both," Oriana replied with a serene smile.
Aquilla glanced at her one more time, his face growing warm. So beautiful…
Before he could linger on the thought, Lunara pivoted sharply and strode down the stairs. "Follow me."
Aquilla hurried after her.
Their footsteps echoed as they descended. Lunara's stride was firm and commanding, while Aquilla—unable to help himself—kept glancing back. Oriana still stood at the temple entrance, lifting a hand in farewell, her smile gentle as moonlight.
Like the moon itself… Aquilla thought. If she keeps smiling at me like that, I—
"Stop looking back."
"Eh?!"
SMACK! A sharp, heavy slap landed square on his back.
"U-ugh!" Aquilla staggered forward. "C-captain?! Why—"
Lunara folded her arms, snorting. "I know exactly what's on your mind. Oriana is indeed a beautiful woman. A temple priestess. A sacred maiden."
Aquilla's face went crimson. "T-that's not—"
Lunara smirked faintly. "Trust me. You're not the only one charmed by her beauty. Your rivals may very well include every knight in Esperalza."
His body froze, his face burning hotter. E-every knight?! I don't even stand a chance against them… how could I—
He lowered his head, drowning in his spiraling thoughts. First Esperalza throws me into an elite order, and now… this…
Lunara glanced at him sidelong. "Don't overthink it. Soon you'll have far more pressing concerns—training, examinations, missions. Focus on surviving Stellari Noctis first."
Aquilla clenched his teeth, forcing his chest to steady. She's right. I have to focus. I carry Goddess Risvela's mark now. I can't keep wavering.
Even so, his heart still pounded wildly—whether from the crushing weight of joining an elite order… or from the memory of Oriana's gentle smile that refused to leave his mind.