Kuro: A Land in Eternal Night

Chapter 15.3: The Growing Darkness

I nodded. Though I had known this day would come, I must admit I was rather surprised at the suddenness of the summons. Searra took my hand excitedly. "Come, the guides are waiting to take us!"

As Searra and I followed the priestess guides toward the Chambers of the High Priestess, I tried to recall all I knew of her. Ozen-Oo von Talthys was the oldest and most powerful priestess in the Order. Ancient in years, if the stories were to be believed, putting her at a hundred-and-fifty years old, and yet spry still – years of exposure to the Goddess Essence and the art of forming seals had given her exceptional longevity. In the history of Talthys, only the Niji no Miko, the Rainbow Priestess, had been more talented and powerful. Known as the Phoenix Priestess for her ability to bring dead seals back to life, Ozen-Oo's power was renowned throughout the land.

We crossed a connecting path that went from the temple proper to the Chambers of the High Priestess. We walked slowly, unhurriedly, admiring the ornate balustrades that lined the sides, visible in the glow of braziers that burned brightly, illuminating our way. I looked beyond them, down into the sea of Kaito below, the roaring waters black and angry.

The Chambers of the High Priestess were very much like the Inner Sanctum. Scrolls lay everywhere, and artifacts of every form adorned the walls. Though filled with priceless objects of knowledge, the room itself was far from opulent. Indeed, take away the scrolls and the artifacts and all that was left was a spacious but rather sparse octagonal chamber with bare wooden walls, framed on every side by windows that looked out to sea. Talthys was an order that took a vow of poverty. We took what we needed, no more, no less. Books and knowledge were our only extravagance, the only distraction in an otherwise ascetic life.

I noticed Searra's gaze linger over various seals, no doubt cataloging them, trying to determine their significance. I focused mine on artifacts, remnants of another day and age. There was a sextant, used in the days of the deities for tracking the stars in the sky. The stars pointed to the location of the Boshi, great warriors that guarded Amaterasu in the days of light. They were of little use now. There was a beautiful bamboo flute, with ornate carvings of demons and deities.

"You like these trinkets?" said the voice of an old woman.

The High Priestess stepped out from the shadows of the chamber.

Searra and I fell to the ground instantly, bowing down to her as was the custom, our foreheads touching the bamboo floor, our hands above our heads, palms down on top of each other on the floor.

"Nonsense! Get up from there this instant!"

I was taken aback. I had pictured Oozen-Oo as a strict disciplinarian. After all, she ran a tight ship.

We lifted our heads slowly, and I wondered if it was a test. I looked up to see the smiling eyes of an old woman. She was short, barely five feet tall, healthy though not overly stout, spry despite her age. I got the impression she smiled very often. Not at all what I had pictured the Hou-ou no Miko to be. In our many years at the temple, this was our first meeting with the High Priestess.

"You were expecting something else?" she said, beaming, her hands at her waist. "Perhaps I am disappointing no?"

We shook our heads, and kept them down. Oozen-Oo took our hands in hers. She had warm hands. Just like Searra's.

"There is a time and a place for everything. Yes, our order calls for discipline above all else. Here in the chambers of the High Priestess, if I say so, you may be at ease."

Searra and I both smiled. We relaxed our shoulders. I worried about how stiff we appeared to Oozen-Oo at that moment, but didn't want to risk appearing lax. I took a few glances at my sister and I knew she was thinking the very same thing, her body was unmoving.