The Holy

Introduction: For sin seduces man who is sinless

Harsh footsteps make their way through the tiled floors of the vast temple, in hurried strides as it moves through the giant corridors, the small heels of the light blue colored Victorian slippers clashing against the floors in worry. 

"Almost there," A young woman mutters, her long charcoal black hair moving with her steps, as her emerald green eyes glistened under the temple's enchanting luminescent ceilings.

It is obvious by the way her brows furrowed and how quickly she paced that she had just been privy to some dire news, One the priestess must be informed of. 

The Priestess is a troubling character, strict in her rules, harsh in her punishments, intolerable to the foul stench of sin, and unwavering to emotions. Surely, if she were to find out about this news from anyone but the young woman herself, chaos would be inevitable. 

Increasing her strides, she soon finds herself in front of a large wooden door adorned in gold lining, giant holy relics decorating its exterior. 

In the vast kingdoms of Valos, of which the city of light Aleos resides, holds a rather stubborn little girl. Previously a commoner, she had suddenly found faith in Aleos, the god of light and the defender of Valos. The city of light is said to be located on the very land Aleos had come down to help the former 3 kings defeat Starais, the evil being that had plunged the continent into never-ending darkness almost 5 centuries ago. 

At the age of 15, Eleni Aetos had awakened powers one had never thought possible, she had become the only mortal capable of wilding light. Later rising in power as she becomes the priestess of the largest temple in all of Valos. It is said the priestess can smell sin and absolutely detests its stench. Sin is in all man, for sin seduces man who seems sinless. And up until now no man has ever been able to resist its temptations. However, the more horrible the sin one commits, the fouler the stench.  

And behind these doors sat the now 19-year-old Priestess, probably jubilant at the thought of Aleos' second coming, 

No one quite knows why a commoner wields so much power, and why said commoner has such a strange fascination with the god. But before anyone were to find out, they'd have to make it through these doors first.

Benalia struggles to build up the courage to knock on those very doors. Her worry of the priestess' rage upon finding out what the news she's about to receive is, dissipates at the thought of the horrifying pressure she feels when in contact with her holiness' powerful aura.

The then 14-year-old Benalia had met the then 16-year-old priestess at her Inauguration ceremony. She was but a common cleaner at the temple, kept around just because, before Eleni came into power. She held strong healing powers and yet was always treated as less than by the other chamberlains. But once Eleni came into power and noticed her talent, Benalia has remained grateful. 

She still, however, remembers their first encounter, her piercing gaze from the altar sent a striking chill down her spine. As Elenis spiritual presence had made her feel as though she was a fly being squashed under a polished shoe. 

Soon she built up the courage and knocked on the doors. Attempting to knock again after receiving no response, she almost falls back in fright as the giant doors swung open. Showcasing the humongous room behind it. Equivalent to that of a small house. The lavish paintings on the walls twinkle with the gold adornments that covered the room.

Behind the desk sat right in front of the entrance, but deeper into the room, a young woman with short glistening dark brown hair, an unusual pale complexion, and a pair of stern brown eyes. Her pink lips pursed elegantly against each other. As she interlocked her fingers, her arms resting on the large desk, surrounded by books and a multitude of other things. 

"Can I help you?" Her slightly deep voice asked, her eyes still stuck on the book she had been reading. 

Gulping, Benalia makes her way in, and to her surprise although still present, the priestess' spiritual aura did not suffocate her. 

"WHAT?!" the priestess jumped from her seat, angry at the jargon she had just heard. Her reaction and unpleased expression indicates Benalia had just relayed the worrisome news to her. 

"A random man, especially that from war, shall not reside in my temple," Eleni dictated with an expression so terrifying, Benalia found herself wondering why she had chosen to work here. 

"Forgive me your holiness, but this was commanded by the King Faros,"

"Last I checked Faros wasn't the emperor, so why should I obey him?" Quickly leaving her desk, she ordered Benalia to take her to the man that so much as even dared to think of residing in a place this holy.

"Your holiness," Benalia tried to stop her, to no avail. Eleni was known to be stuck in her ways, and one of those ways was not allowing foul odor carriers to step foot into the temple. After all, what would lord Aleos, the only ordless entity, the bringer of light and her savior say to this?

Her large robe dragging against the floor as she hastily hurried Benalia to show her the insect. She couldn't believe someone would dare, not to talk of someone who comes from war. How dare they carry their filth into the holy residence of Aleos?

"So show me, where is he?"

"Right there," Benalia points to a young man, no older than 20, with striking deep blue hair, almond colored skin, and a strange pair of blood-red eyes. But most importantly, Benalia had just pointed to a young man that looked exactly identical to the man she believed was Aleos that saved her. 

Shocked and confused, Eleni slowly makes her way to the unmoving man, his face filled with so much hate and resentment you would expect him to have carried out sinful acts of vengeance or at least tried. But to Eleni's surprise, not a scent came from him, but that of the Rosemary's that littered across the temple's entrance.