After an eight-hour journey, the city of Riverbend was finally in sight. A much more modern city, with minimalist artistic buildings and surrounded by water. It was also quite busy, known as a tourist and vacation destination, and the people there looked more modern in the way they dressed. Upon arriving at the harbor, Caela and Rieva disembarked from the ship and looked around, noticing just how different they appeared compared to the city's inhabitants.
"It seems like the two of us really look like village folk," Rieva chuckled.
"That's not too important, right? We have to head to the Temple of the Water God now," Caela replied, walking while observing their surroundings and trying to guess the direction to the temple.
Rieva smiled and followed Caela. "As always, straight to the point, huh?"
Caela and Rieva made their way to the city center and asked the city guards for directions to the Temple of the Water God, which was located beside the royal castle. After crossing a bridge, they had to take a small boat to reach the castle. The boatman rowed them toward it, and once they arrived at the castle gate, they were greeted by the guards. Caela remained silent—she knew she wasn't very good with formalities, so Rieva did all the speaking and requested permission to visit the Temple of the Water God.
"We're from Tevira Village. I'm Rieva, the guardian accompanying Caela, a Host candidate seeking an audience with the Water God," Rieva said to the two guards.
The guards looked at each other and asked, "Just the two of you?"
Rieva nodded with a smile, and Caela gave them her usual cold stare. They were then escorted into the castle and brought to a grand hall.
"Please wait here. We'll summon the King," one guard said, staying behind with them while the other went to call the King.
After a few minutes, the King of Riverbend entered the hall with a staff. He wasn't very old, but his face had begun to wrinkle, his shoulder-length hair was greying, and he was blind. He walked with the help of his staff—not because of age, it seemed, but due to some past trauma or dangerous event.
Rieva bowed in respect, and Caela followed suit even though she knew he couldn't see them.
The King smiled and bowed slightly as well, as if returning the gesture. "Welcome to Riverbend, two remarkable women from Tevira, the Host candidate and her guardian."
Rieva smiled and bowed again. Caela stood silently, watching the King seated at the end of the table.
"You may visit the Temple of Varuna tomorrow. Today, please rest and enjoy the palace's hospitality." The King said.
Rieva smiled, but Caela responded firmly, "Pardon me, but we're not here for a vacation."
The King chuckled, "Relax, young one. Enjoy the night at the palace. After all, tonight might be your last day alive."
Caela was visibly annoyed, but Rieva reached out under the table and gently squeezed her hand, smiling reassuringly before replying to the King.
"Thank you, King of Riverbend. You are very generous to allow us a day of rest before the ritual." Rieva said.
"You don't believe in our strength?" Caela asked the King bluntly.
The King laughed again. "Oh no, I can feel a strong magical energy coming from both of you. Even if it's just the two of you, I sense a strong optimism that you might succeed in becoming a Host," he said, addressing Caela.
"... How do you know I'm the Host candidate and not the guardian? Aren't you blind?" Caela asked again.
The King chuckled and smiled. "Don't thinking to much about that. What matters now is: why do you want to become a Host?"
The King had a point, and Caela suddenly felt unsettled by his presence. He seemed like a seer, or perhaps he could see without his eyes? Caela swallowed hard.
"To be honest, I'm not sure. But it feels like a calling," she said, her voice softer than usual.
"A calling?" The King raised his eyebrows.
"Yes… I've never known who I am or where I come from. Every night I dream and hear the same things—chaos, death, and the screams of people. For some reason, I want to be closer to the Gods. It feels like a calling."
The King nodded. "Hmm… dreams and a calling, huh?" He laughed softly, intrigued by her answer. "So… are you ready?"
Caela nodded.
"I mean, are you ready not to be greedy for power?"
Caela fell silent for a moment.
"Have you ever heard of the old myth about the Hosts?"
She glanced at Rieva, then back to the King, and shook her head slightly.
"According to the old myth, the Hosts disappeared because they became greedy for power. The Stargazers, their guardians grew angry, believing that the Hosts were unwise with the Gods' power. So, the Stargazers created the crystals to safeguard the wisdom and virtue of divine power," the King explained.
"Your Majesty…" one of the guards whispered, cautioning the King.
The King laughed, "Oh no! I'd be protested by the people if they knew I was telling this story. But myth or not, divine power must never be abused, you know that, don't you, young one?"
Caela nodded firmly.
"Good, because the Gods will curse any human who becomes greedy. And believe me, power has a way of making humans greedy."
"I understand, Your Majesty. Thank you," Caela replied.
The King smiled, clearly satisfied with her response. Though he couldn't see, he could feel the strength in Caela's heart. Caela found herself respecting and appreciating the King more than she expected.
"Good. If you understand, then you'll depart tomorrow morning. The palace guards will escort you to the temple. For now, enjoy your day."
The King then left the hall, and Caela and Rieva spent the rest of the day touring the palace. If they succeeded in the ritual, they would both become permanent residents of the castle and honored figures. They were shown the courtyard, the library, and finally treated to a luxurious royal feast. Rieva enjoyed the food with ease, while Caela remained quiet, still contemplating the King's words.
**
As night fell, Caela and Rieva were given rooms to rest in the castle. Caela lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling, feeling nervous about the upcoming ritual. On the adjacent bed, Rieva noticed Caela deep in thought.
"Are you still thinking about what the King said earlier today?" Rieva asked.
"Ah… yeah, a little…" Caela admitted.
"It's a bit surprising, isn't it? That people still believe in those old stories…"
"But you said the old teachings are actually the truth?" Caela asked.
Rieva smiled and looked up at the ceiling too. "Yes. And you, Caela? Do you now believe that they might be the truth?"
Caela was silent for a moment before answering. "I don't know. Honestly, I felt uneasy hearing Valia's story about confronting the Fire God and trapping him inside a crystal… It felt like forcing a wild animal into a cage…"
Rieva smiled at that and turned to look at Caela. "Then tomorrow, during your ritual, don't force the God into the crystal. Try asking the God to merge with you instead."
Caela raised an eyebrow and looked at Rieva, who smiled gently. Caela didn't know how to respond. In truth, she wasn't sure what the real truth was. But for now, she would simply follow her heart when she met the Water God, Varuna.
***