Why am I here? For a vacation? I wish. I need to figure out my time manipulation techniques… and what really went down before Switch-Rewind.
"Lord Viktor, let me take those!" Cyrun said, taking my bags.
I nodded, trying to look composed. I have to act like a saint.
We went up the long flight of stairs, the temple was submerged in the clouds, cold and foggy. The golden top was visible, it reflected the minimal sunlight like a lighthouse.
"Lord Viktor, wait!" Cyrun stopped me, I looked at him in confusion.
"The last step is sacred," he said, donning his best devotional face before kneeling and pressing his forehead to the gold.
You know what? I'm done.
I let out a 'Tch' and hopped over the step, continuing on like it was a mildly inconvenient speed bump.
Cyrun gasped like I'd just kicked a holy relic.
"I won't save you when they throw you out!" Nyx chirped through the bond.
"Please don't!" I replied with full excitement.
"God forgives those who ask for it, Lord Viktor!" Cyrun said, quoting me with a stern look.
"I am bonded to the phoenix, you worship her, I know better, let's move on already," I replied in a bored tone.
He looked annoyed, he got up and led me through the garden filled with medicinal herbs. A small plant was planted in the center, which emanated a sparkly aura; it was like it was covered with diamonds.
"Wow!" I said, mesmerized.
"It is the divine tael plant; scriptures say, worshipping it is the gateway to heaven," Cyrun said, taking a deep bow in front of the plant.
"Nyx, can I pluck a few leaves?" I asked her through the bond, unable to control my curiosity.
"That kid will either kill you or die with a heart attack," Nyx shot back.
I circled the plant like an excited child, trying to sniff it.
"It is a sin to even breathe next to it." Cyrun closed his eyes, completely done with my antics.
I opened the temple doors with a bang, and Cyrun took a deep breath, chanting prayers under his breath.
Everyone in the room flinched and turned to me, while I gave them a wave greeting.
Cyrun ran in front of me, bowed to apologize, and pulled me inside with him, muttering something along the lines of 'blasphemous brat' under his breath.
The room was filled with priests who were kneeling down, praying before a golden phoenix statue, studded with diamonds. Who is funding all this?
The priests turned to my direction, and whispers started as they put their foreheads down, as if they were submitting to me, then started chanting 'Bless our souls, Holy Phoenix'.
Nyx let out wisps, being her dramatic self.
She circled the room, which made the crowd go crazy. Is this a temple or a concert of sorts?
"Welcome, Lord Viktor," I heard an old voice. I turned to see an Old man with silver hair and green eyes. Cyrun took a deep bow upon his arrival.
He looked at Nyx like he was evaluating her. So-called devotee showing devotion.
"Hello," I cleared my throat.
"I am Franc, one of the five high priests of the temple," he said, with a smile.
Four more people entered the room, and the crowd fell silent and bowed to them.
They greeted the crowd and turned toward me.
The brown-haired man at the front bowed to Nyx with tears streaming down his grey eyes. He got on his knees as Nyx let out wisps, I swear I am NOT exaggerating.
"That is Esmer, the high-priest who manages the prayer halls," Cyrun bent down next to me to whisper. I nodded as Esmer came over and shook my hand with too much enthusiasm.
A silver-haired lady with icy-blue eyes followed him, her appearance screamed 'Voltaries'. She took a deep bow before Nyx, who gave her a haughty look.
"Lady Lux, the only head priestess, manages all the priestesses." I heard Cyrun as she walked past me, side-eyeing me.
Did Viktor not get along with his gran?
Lastly, a set of identical twins, with black hair and eyes. They walked in and looked at Nyx with curiosity, more like an animal in the zoo than a divine being.
I like them!
"Randall and Richter, the high priests who manage the scriptures and the library," Cyrun finished, moving away from me.
Randall tilted his head, blinking at Nyx like she was a riddle. Richter simply said, "So she's real, huh?" before giving me a nod.
"Can we proceed with the trial, Lord Viktor?" Franc asked, with a glimmer in his eyes.
Trial? What trial? That is exactly what I conveyed with my eyes.
Cyrun sighed deeply and said,
"The trial to decide if you are worthy to serve the deity. If you are not, you can dedicate your life to the temple by forgoing your name, family, and titles, earning the right."
This is a cult!
"So I have to complete a challenge or pay up?" I said as the crowd gasped, while a few priests fainted.
"Okay, what should I do?" I asked, trying to calm the chaos.
"You shall traverse a path filled with the divine embers, burns shall envelop your feet if your heart is void of the divine spark." Franc said, with that reverent tone that screams 'I just quoted scripture.'
Walk through fire without getting burned. I know there will be some follow-up verses about not using aura.
"You shall be guided by your heart alone," Cyrun finished it for me.
They can rather put up a board outside saying, Pay up your inheritance for a membership.
I am in too deep, there is no backing now.
I took a deep breath and nodded.
"Prepare for the ceremony and give me a copy of all the scriptures and texts," I said, determined.
Cyrun looked at me with an expression of shock and happiness.
I should read all of them. Just to throw it back in their faces.