The Lands of Ralosia & Ranuulo (Books 1-3)

Barrier Chapter 5- A Virtuous Soul

~Chapter 5- A Virtuous Soul~

The next morning, Valr and Corri flew to the Goddess's Isle. They came upon the floating landmass in the shape of an eye. At the center of the island was a temple with a sizable statue of the Goddess Ralosia, featuring her in elegant white robes and wearing golden gauntlets pointed to the sky, with bright red hair flowing behind her.

Rojo glided over the island and landed a short distance from the pearl white temple. Thick doors blocked their way. Corri felt as though Valr could've shattered the doors, but he assured her that wasn't possible.

They began walking towards that temple when a great shadow cast over them from above. A massive Owl, far taller than even the phainopepla, landed directly in front of the temple, shaking the ground. Its wings wrapped around itself like a cape.

Rather than cower like any normal person, Corri smiled, "Hi Ool! How are you?"

The Owl spoke, "Corri, I've already told you. This is a sacred place, not for mortals such as yourselves."

Corri flippantly responded, "I remember, but my friend needs something called Ralosia's gauntlets."

Valr tensed up. He hoped she wouldn't be so forward about it.

The Sky Deity Ool stooped down and looked directly into Valr's eyes, mere inches from his face, "Is that so? Why does your friend seek these gauntlets?"

Valr nearly fell back, stammering to speak, "I... I just want them to help see my family," He said, just as he was told to. It was the truth.

Ool left the ground and stood tall again, casting a great shadow over the two, "Ralosia's gauntlets are sacred relics; only those blessed by the Goddess can wield them. They can be extremely dangerous in the wrong hands."

Corri shrugged, "Only those blessed by the Goddess... Can we see them anyways? We promise we won't do anything wrong with them."

--------------------------

Ool stared at the youthful Ralosians, peering deep within them, reading their very souls. When he looked at the young Valr, he saw a troubled spirit, but one that was good at its core. Whatever he wanted with the gauntlets, it was for good. But he was hardly worthy of entering the temple.

But when he looked at Corri, Ool saw a truly virtuous soul.

Over the centuries, many have attempted to lay claim to the Goddess's gauntlets, but either their hearts were malicious, or they were unworthy of wielding them. Ool thought back to that Bonnie woman who came here over a decade ago for the gauntlets.

But ever since Ool came across Corri, she had a resonance about her. A sense of importance, as if the Goddess herself wanted her to be safe. It was why Ool protected her from Lunahreim years ago.

Ralosia's Comet passed over their world recently. Ool thought perhaps it was a sign. The Goddess had assured the deities that she would return one day, and perhaps, this girl was the key? He had considered it for quite some time, and having this girl come forward of her own volition seemed as if it was fated.

Ool spoke, "Very well. You may enter."

The sky deity extended its wing to the temple's doors, and they began to slide apart until they opened fully.

--------------------------

Valr could hardly believe it worked, but the massive Owl took to the skies, leaving the two teenagers to do as they pleased.

"Thanks, Ool!" Corri shouted out as the deity flew beneath the clouds.

"I can't believe that worked!" Valr said aloud.

Corri gripped Valr's wrist, "Come on. Let's get in there before he changes his mind."

The two rushed inside the temple and found themselves within a cathedral with beautiful white walls. Above them were glass paintings of all the people of the land. Ralosians, Densius, Phantine, and Mecarne were shown in various settings. At the end of the hall was another glass painting of the Goddess with her arms outstretched, surrounded by an Owl, Turtle, and Ram. Beneath the painting was a podium with two golden objects laid within it. Ralosia's gauntlets.

The fingertips were a golden mesh, while everything from the knuckles to the forearm was a golden metal, with a bright red gem on the back of the palm. On the podium, they were positioned with its fists down, as if to invite individuals to put them on.

Valr floated through the air to the gauntlets. Looking upon them, they seemed underwhelming. How could these reunite him with his family? He slid his hands into the gauntlets until his fingers slipped to the end, with it covering most of his forearm.

He lifted, but the gauntlets didn't budge. "Whoa! These things are heavy."

Valr planted his feet and yanked up, but the gauntlets remained firmly positioned on the podium. Even with his strength, the gauntlets' weight felt infinite.

Corri folded her hands behind her head, "Well if you can't pick it up, there's no way I'm going to be able to."

Valr remembered what he was told. If anyone could wield them, it'd be her. "Give it a try."

Corri casually sauntered around to the gauntlets and slid her hands into them. She lifted hard, and the gauntlets rose quickly as if she had overestimated how heavy they'd be. Corri wriggled her fingers from within the gauntlet, "...They feel so light!"

"Let me try again!" Valr said.

Corri removed one of the gauntlets and extended it to Valr. But as soon as it left her hand, it plummeted to the ground, creating a thud as it landed. Valr knelt and tried to pick it up again, but it still wouldn't budge. But Corri picked it off the ground effortlessly.

"How is that possible?" Corri wondered.

Valr shook his head, "The Sky Deity said only those blessed by the Goddess could wield it. Maybe you are?"

"I'm not sure about that..." Corri remarked, "It doesn't matter now though. We need to get to the desert and take care of that barrier."

Valr and Corri jumped on top of Rojo while she wore the gauntlets. As long as the gauntlets were on her person, they seemed to be weightless. The two took flight to the south.