The groups soon arrived at the shrine—a grand temple adorned with numerous white blank masks hanging from ropes. Outside, several females wearing white robes moved about, engaging in conversation and enjoying their meals. Younger members chased each other while an older member watched over them, offering advice to curb their recklessness. With a warm smile, the Priestess turned her gaze toward the silent girl who had accompanied her. "You should return to your station, Alasito," she gently advised.
Alasito remained silent, bowing in acknowledgment before making her way towards the temple. Before entering, she tugged on one of the mask ropes, causing them to unravel. She then placed a mask upon her own face and proceeded inside. Priestess Masuolga shifted her attention to the students. "She is about to commence her prayer. Everyone who comes to the shrine must wear a mask before entering, even our sisters," she informed them.
Ruhe couldn't help but notice the contrast between Alasito's silent demeanor and the conversations among the other sisters. Now curious, he raised his hand, drawing the Priestess's attention. "Yes?" she inquired.
"Why doesn't Sister Alasito speak?" he asked.
Priestess Masuolga let out a giggle before explaining, "She was originally a commoner whom I purchased, but she had already been defiled. I was quite disappointed, considering the amount of money I spent to acquire a levitation user. In our religion, sisters who aren't pure must remain silent, speaking only during prayer. Alasito is the only defiled one among us. Those who are born into the sisterhood are sewn shut once their magic manifests. Those who join the sisterhood later are also stitched shut." Her words held an unsettling emptiness.
Ruhe couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine. He wanted to ask the Priestess to clarify what she meant by "defiled" and what exactly was being sewn shut, but his curiosity mingled with a growing sense of dread.
Glancing at Rasta, whose face still bore the earlier expression of anger, Ruhe couldn't help but feel a deep unease. The Priestess instructed them to enter the shrine while wearing masks. She retrieved a mask from her robe, noticeably different from the ones hanging on the temple ropes. Some group members chose to remain behind, mostly older students who appeared disturbed by the practices. Mr. Raseclysis and Dr. Airskhearl also decided to stay behind, ensuring the well-being of those who opted not to participate.
Rasta was reluctant to enter the shrine, while Ruhe's curiosity made him want to enter, so of course Rasta would now. Both Visto and Achel felt obligated to watch over Rasta but had no desire to enter themselves. Those who chose to proceed into the temple placed on their masks. Ruhe was pleasantly surprised by the comfort of the mask, which had a soft cloth-like interior.
Achel urged Rasta to move to the front of the group, and surprisingly, he complied. The temple revealed its vastness as they entered, with rooms dedicated to children learning prayer, resting areas, and an intriguing room adorned with spools of thread on the tables.
From behind, Ruhe overheard Achel's distressed voice as she engaged in a hushed conversation with Visto. Despite her low tone, Ruhe managed to catch her words. It seemed she was expressing confusion and frustration about Alasito's demeanor. "Alasito is the same age as me, Visto. We were here just a year ago. Back then, she had already been here for months. What does Auntie mean by her not being pure? Alasito used to talk to everyone. I don't understand," Achel lamented, her distress growing with each word. She then turned her attention to an open prayer room door, catching sight of Alasito, although her back was turned, her demeanor spoke of who she was. Achel began to speak again, but her oldest brother's voice interrupted her, cutting her off.
"Go," Visto told Achel, not even looking her in the face, "be back before she notices."
Nodding silently, Achel proceeded to sneak off to the prayer room she saw Alasito in.
Ruhe's became once more curious and wandered away from the group. As the priestess paused to showcase religious artwork in one of the rooms, he seized the opportunity to slip away unnoticed. Whenever he heard footsteps approaching, he would quickly find shelter in an unoccupied room. This happened quite frequently, as the sisters roamed the temple in a constant rotation. Regardless, he eventually reached his the room
He cautiously peeked inside the room. He saw Achel, her mask now removed, in tears, while Alasito knelt before her with an empty expression on her face.
"Come on! Talk to me! You promised we could be friends! Best friends! I even said I would join the sisterhood for you when I grew up!" Achel cried out, her emotions intensifying. Alasito slowly raised her fist to her own lips, tilting her head before dragging her fingers across them. This gesture only served to escalate Achel's distress, prompting her to deliver a forceful slap to Alasito. The impact knocked Alasito off her knees, causing her to fall to the ground. Stunned, Alasito looked up at Achel, her hand pressed against her face in complete shock, The bottom of her mask had shattered. Achel, now filled with anger, grabbed a fistful of Alasito's hair near her nape and shouted at her, provoking a pained squeal from Alasito.
Alasito's eyes suddenly widened in terror, they filled with tears, she clasped both hands across her mouth, beginning to hyperventilate. Blood began to leak from her balled up fist, as muffled screams came from her mouth, she began flailing helplessly, as though someone was harming her. Achel became panicked, she grabbed Alasito's hands, urging her to uncover her mouth.
With great effort, Achel managed to pry away Alasito's hand, but her horror amplified when she saw Alasito's tongue detach from her mouth, accompanied by a rush of blood.
Ruhe, witnessing this horrifying scene, tried to cover his face, accidentally knocking off his own mask. He heard footsteps approaching from his left and slowly turned to see his classmates and the head priestess. "Ah, there you are," she calmly remarked. "You might know something about another girl from your group. It appears she...got lost too?" As she began walking towards him, Ruhe noticed something odd — when she stopped, so did his classmates, moving in perfect unison. Even Rasta, whom he expected to rush over and call out his name, stood motionless. The priestess continued to speak, "I think you know by now, she's my niece."
Something...wasn't right.
YOU ARE READING
The chronicles of embodiment
FantasíaThis is a original story by the creator, It starts with a god, that is told to have created the first world. It continues with the conquerer, known as Larop Summimtatem. After his reign, years later, things have appeared to have gotten worse, a clea...
