Viva la Vida

Praise be to the Revolution

High Priest Monico Monoki, a 15 year old who earned his rank by being the best versed in their religion and best fit to lead, observed those who listened to him. The belief of Arteah, the first religion established in Alurn, was now frowned upon, the royal family outlawing it's practice. Little did the kingdom officials know that there were still those that practiced it in secret, those aware of its existence referring to those believers as the Cult of Arteah.

The boy put his hands together in a way to say he was praying as he closed his grey eyes. "Let Arteah hear our thanks for giving us such a member of the revolution in an answer to our prayers." He said before returning to his usual stance. He walked up to the now revealed queen before bowing a bit. "Greetings your majesty. It is lovely to see even you dislike the way things are in the kingdom." He straightened his posture as the other 3 people in the alley followed as he had done.

He and his siblings were surrounding the rebellious queen, her against a wall. While the only tall one there was Westia, Monico's other siblings were both intimidating in their own ways. Kidred wore a black fox mask with glowing cyan/lilac eyes. The color itself was hard to identify, but the shade only added to their ghostly appearance, matching well with their long dirty blonde hair and shabby grey clothing. Floren, on the other hand, was armed with blades, her lack of height allowing her to move quickly and freely.

"We have heard of the revolutionaries in the tavern, and on behalf of Arteah, we wish to join your ranks and offer our assistance," the priest claimed. He watched as the previously terrified queen became skeptical.

"Arteah? Practice in his belief is outlawed. Didn't Ralton command execution of those who refused to convert to Christian beliefs?" There were traces of venom in her voice throughout her sentence.

The tallest of his siblings, Westia, nodded. "We were only able to escape by hiding. Since then, we have converted at least 3 to our ranks. We look not to convert you nor any in the revolution, but we would like to join. We were hoping you, your majesty, could give them forewarning of our actions and put in a proper word for us."

Arulet's skepticism didn't leave her features as she once again looked over the group. "Who are these other 3 members of yours?"

Monico looked to his siblings, each of which, after a moment of hesitation, nodded at him. He sighed and took the woman by the hand, pulling her further down the alleyway, his siblings following close behind. He took her into a building that, from the outside looked abandoned. Inside, however, the building became a decent house. In the main room, he and the queen watched as 3 other people looked up. Ambrel, while her features were hidden by an olive cat mask, she was clearly female based on her hair and figure. Varlin, who looked fairly feminin, wore lots of gold and fuchsia, the same shade of pink in his eyes, and was sitting in the lap of his best friend. Lialin, the one who had Varlin in his lap, was 7 feet 7 inches tall, unruly hair a dark chestnut and eyes a pitch black, save for his almost glowing white pupils. A black ooze ran halfway down his cheeks from said eyes. He had cuffs around his neck and wrists, long chains attached to each cuff. "These are Ambrel, Varlin, and Lialin, the rest of our more dedicated followers," he explained to her. "They along with Westia, Floren, Kidred, and myself, are the only praisers of Arteah left that openly follow him." He had no idea if anyone else in the kingdom still secretly practiced the ways of Arteah, so this was essentially all he had. He watched as Arulet observed them all, as well as the somewhat-decent living space they all had. She frowned a bit before looking to him and nodding.

"I'll be sure to send them a letter about you joining. It's good to have you apart of this," she said, determination in her eyes. He smiled, bowing his head to her.

"Thank you, your majesty. May you forever be blessed by Arteah." He looked back up as she smiled. She soon left the home, and Monico found himself smiling in excitement. He truly believed his heart that with the blessing of Arteah, they would easily win this fight for freedom. He turned to all in the room. "Come, my friends, let us pray in the name of our lord, so that he may grant us victory."

He lead the others into another room, beginning a session of prayer. They would win this revolution, Arteah told him so.