Chapter 17: Heretic
A Joyful Feast
Everyone ate heartily, unrestrained before true delicacies. Weng felt genuine joy as the plates were cleaned. The meal was so delicious that conversation stayed light. Afterward, familiarity grew; they tidied up together. Brewing floral tea, Weng let the mountain breeze sweep through. Rila had to leave early for a sharing session and Church matters. Vey had no pressing tasks but couldn’t contribute much, so she joined Rila to learn. “You’re not going?” Vik eyed the tea, reluctant to waste it. “I don’t believe.” “Heretic.” Weng teased, her mood lifted. No big deal—advancement materials were clearer now. She had some confidence, better than being helpless. One monster or two, she’d fight. Relying on others wasn’t her style. Though laid-back, she never slacked on decisions. Otherwise, why cross half the dynasty for a quiet life?
Plans and Doubts
To grow stronger, strong enough to survive, and then… Then what? “Staying here forever?” Vik asked. “Me?” Weng realized her delay, shaking her head. “Not leaving yet.” Betting she wouldn’t trigger events, meet kind people, or have smooth travels? She didn’t dare, not soon. Yet, she didn’t believe in fate. “Won’t you get bored?” “There’s plenty to do—fishing, farming, cooking. Fun enough, right? Try one.” Pushing the fruit tray, she took a Meijian fruit. Sour-sweet, her preference leaned toward sour. “I ask merchants for oddities—seeds, mostly, since food doesn’t last. Some grow, though the taste isn’t always great.” “Not bad,” Vik said, biting into one, juice nearly spilling. “Tastes like the original.” “You’ve had it?” “Plenty on the west coast, long ago with friends.” “So far… no sea in the kingdom, right?” “Croatia Empire’s coast.” “…”
A Casual Chat
Their talk meandered, time slowing like a full stomach. Weng learned Vik had traveled widely in his youth. Politely, she didn’t ask his age. Curiously, time hadn’t marked his face. His features were refined, eyes clear, aura vibrant. Catching his gaze, she turned away, embarrassed. The large moon was an obvious distraction. Vik looked, nodding in agreement. ‘An eccentric powerhouse,’ she thought, puzzled. But a stubborn, slow person like her had no right to judge.
Sacred Serenity
Moonlight filtered through stained glass, falling on the revered statue. Rila’s loose robe erased worldly desires, her black headscarf framing her as she led prayers. Her frail figure seemed towering in the gospel’s words. Her gentle gaze, touched by divinity, soothed the crowd’s fatigue. “The Lord will protect us…” Mid-sentence, the door opened, admitting two rare visitors. Vey, daydreaming on a bench, noticed Rila pause subtly before continuing. Suddenly, a hand tapped Vey’s shoulder, nearly startling her. Weng pressed her down in time. “Shh…” Mischievous, Weng lacked an adult’s composure despite her usual seriousness. Sitting quietly, they joined the sermon. Weng’s eyes drifted to the banners—four hands forming a square, a cold eye at the center. Not eerie, it calmed her in the church’s ambiance.
Heretics at the Back
Three “heretics” sat in the back, passing time. Weng’s evenings were mundane—meditation or sleep. Uninterested in faith, her life felt bland. Without a whim, why would two nonbelievers join? Unconsciously, she slipped into meditation. Vik noticed her aura shift, stirring fragmented memories. A mage once challenged him: “Draw your sword.” Young and brash, he’d spar anyone. His presence awed most, but that girl, balancing scales and wielding a borrowed sword, struck fearlessly. Years later, he recalled her white hair and playful tone. Finding her was tough—clues were scarce, the promise hasty. He’d won, so why agree?
Mysterious Meditation
In meditation, Weng’s world differed. Two statues appeared in her dark vision: Lerysus, Lord of Silence, and an unnamed harvest deity. Odd, as this hadn’t happened before. Tensing, she grew alert. Yet, nothing stirred; her meditation deepened. External sounds faded; only her presence remained. Curious, she tested an idea. Before the statues, neither prayers nor chants worked. Touching them yielded no response. Lerysus stayed silent, true to his name. Disappointed, she tried the unnamed goddess. Turning, she found Lerysus’s statue gone, only the female deity remaining. Touching it felt real, cool, and solid. Observing, nothing happened. The statue wouldn’t come alive. “Sigh, what’s this about…” No miracles appeared. Clearing her mind’s space, she sat cross-legged, refining her spirit. Unnoticed, a crystalline tear fell from the goddess’s eye.
A Quiet Observation
A bored child yawned as the session reached hymn-singing. Vey, restless, glanced at her teacher meditating. But why was Vik staring at her?