Sixteen years ago, the temple of the Order of the Sisters of Nazir.
In the order, where the High Matron holds the highest position, there is a special temple - a dark, mysterious sanctuary where light only penetrates through the windows at sunset.
The temple is located on the top of a grim black hill, surrounded by misty thickets and gloomy rocks. Lonely gargoyles stood at the entrance, guarding the secrets of this place from prying eyes. Stone statues depicting ancient gods and goddesses stand on either side of the underground passage leading into the temple.
As the sun sets below the horizon, thick black curtains adorned with silver insignias of the order part, allowing the last rays to penetrate the temple.
The room in the tower is spacious and symbolically decorated. In the center stands an altar surrounded by statues of the order's goddesses, sculpted from black marble. Behind the altar is the throne of the High Matron - tall, adorned with golden patterns, and adorned with precious stones.
On either side of the altar are honorary seats - five thrones made of ancient steel and crowned with helmets of black radiance. Each of them bears the symbolic coat of arms of the corresponding lineage of the order. Signs of the order are scattered throughout the room - golden symbols depicting its glory and power.
"We have seen what your child will do," echoed the voice of the High Matron ominously.
Rebella flinched at her voice, her green eyes looking fearfully at Reira.
Reira's appearance captivated onlookers with its attractiveness and rare combination of elegance and strength. Despite her age, a discerning eye could catch the delicate beauty and grace of a woman around thirty, although Reira herself had already crossed the threshold of sixty.
Her thick hair, sparkling with a dark hue, framed her face, paying homage to her status and power. Reira's eyes, clear and penetrating, looked straight into the depths of the interlocutor's soul, as if revealing all his hidden thoughts and intentions.
"Even if that is the case, you cannot interfere in the course of events," observed Katerina, the Mistress of Martial Arts, and also Rebella's mentor.
Among the multitude of rules and laws of the order, there was one constant: although the Sisters of Nazir possessed the ability to see the future, they could not change the course of events or interfere with it.
"And how do you expect me to proceed?" asked Rebella, squeezing her hands painfully.
"You must kill your child in the womb and never give birth again!" exclaimed another of the Sisters of Nazir, overcoming her convictions.
"He is the heir, I cannot kill him!" the girl said with anxiety in her voice and eyes.
"You can and you will, as long as your children live, millions of other children will perish," said the High Matron with a serious tone.
"The decision is made. If you go against this decision, we will have the right to perform the 'Requiem' ritual."
"You have no right to perform this ritual on a member of the Sisters of Nazir," Rebella exclaimed with fear in her voice, jumping off the throne.
"No, we have the right to do so," spoke loudly Katerina, Rebella's mentor, "We have the right to do so," she repeated more calmly, "You have no right to go against the decision of the High Matron." The order was given and Rebella had nothing left but to obey it.
Jumping up abruptly, she kissed her middle and index fingers as a sign of respect to the heads of the order and placed these two fingers on her heart. Turning around, she left the temple and promised herself that she would never cross the threshold of this temple again.
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Starry Wasteland: The Beginning of the End
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