A Soul Rewoven

Prologue

One by one, flickering candlelights slowly filled the nave of the great cathedral of Aureum with a warm glow. Intricate divine symbols, crafted with meticulous care, glimmered near each candle, their magical ink sparkling like stardust. These symbols of divinity crept throughout the cathedral's nave and sprawled across the intricate, mosaic-covered walls and the breathtakingly crafted marble pillars stretching up towards the high arched ceiling, as if reaching out to the heavens. Incoherent mumbles suddenly filled the space as the Slivers of Light - monks and priests who had offered their souls to the merciful goddess Menera - began to chant. They were preparing to ask their guardian deity of the great Empire, the goddess of light and wisdom, the flawless Radiance, to save her people once again in the most ambitious ritual ever attempted.

The great door of the enormous room opened and closed as the last three people entered. The first to enter was draped in a luxurious dark blue cowl embroidered with gold spirals, cradling a golden staff with a gem known as the Tear of the Goddess levitating at its tip. His name was Quintas Sylvinius, and he had been leading the Church of Menera for nearly forty years, but in this moment, he felt like a child once again. Turning slowly, he smiled at his colleague who wore a similar outfit typical of high-ranking members of the Church of Menera.

"Isn't this just beautiful?" He asked the younger and slightly chubbier Sliver named Caeos Livvis.

"It truly is, Your Radiance," the man replied with a genuine smile, which then froze and gave way to a slight ironic chuckle. "If only we didn't have to spend nearly a quarter of our yearly budget to prepare this."

"It's a small price for salvation," the older man said without a second thought, as he quietly admired all the work that had gone into preparing this divine work of art.

"Now, we pray for the light to lead us on our journey." Subconsciously, he repeated one of many prayers, and as always, he felt the gentle touch of Menera in his soul.

The second man quietly repeated his prayer and looked back at the last of the three men that had just entered the nave. Aurelios Quintas Tiberio. He was tall, wearing gold-plated armor that didn't make a single sound as he walked behind them. His bodyguard looked curiously at his superiors, expecting orders.

"Was there any problem with security?" Caeos asked nervously, his eyes darting around the room. "Have your Templars secured the roof?"

"Everything is taken care of," Aurelios replied quietly, his voice heavy and rough yet gentle at the same time.

The chubby priest nodded, but he still seemed unconvinced. After all, they had put so much effort and money into this, and there was always someone trying to prevent good from happening.

"We are prepared." Noticing the uneasiness of the priest, Aurelios reassured him once more.

Caeos looked up to the knight with a weary smile. His words seemed to soothe him; after all, knowing he was being guarded by the strongest Templar of the church and likely the deadliest warrior of the entire Empire was a comforting thought. "If you say so," he said.

"We are but slivers of light." The huge man in armor answered, and as they neared the center of the cathedral, he excused himself to take up his post with a nod of his head.

"Nothing but slivers of light." Caeos replied in kind, with a stiff smile, and bowed his head as well. Turning back to follow Quintas, he tried to steady his breath, and with a silent prayer on his lips he rushed to catch up.

The deep voices of the Slivers echoed through the cathedral, singing ancient words of divine prayer. Dormant magic in the air began to pulse, and the candle flames flared with a bright gold light, dimming, and rising with the rhythm of the chant. The scent of the magical flames filled the air, sweet like honey and spicy like cinnamon, entrancing the Slivers and captivating the souls of all who were present, and the singing Slivers hypnotically raised their voices as one. His Radiance Quintas stood tall in the center of the nave, raising the treasured staff high in the air, and a ray of light appeared. The domed roof of the cathedral began to rumble, shaking the foundations and echoing through the nave. He looked to the night sky to see the goddess they had entrusted their existence to. The dim light of Menera slightly flared as she heard the call of her children, and she reached out to the staff, to the cathedral, to her Slivers of Light. As her light touched the ground, the magical symbols erupted with a bright golden light, and night in the cathedral turned to day.