As the last notes of the choir faded away, Rancent felt an unexpected wave of dizziness wash over him, as if the very air around him had thickened. He blinked, trying to shake off the sensation, but the world around him began to blur. The stone floor of the chapel seemed to ripple like water, and before he could grasp what was happening, everything faded into darkness.
“...”
Rancent found himself standing in a vast expanse of shadows, filled with an eerie silence that felt heavy and alive. He instinctively reached for Finn’s presence, but the boy had vanished along with the chapel. He was weirded out, due to the dream like area he was enveloped in. Any sound he made was swallowed by the black shadows that surrounded him.
Taking a deep breath, he steadied himself. This had to be part of the baptism—it felt like a trial, though he hadn't anticipated anything like this. In the distance, a faint glimmer flickered, pulling at him with an invisible thread. He began to walk toward it, each step echoing as if the darkness itself scrutinized his movement.
“Whatever I touched made me come here, but I’m a little confused. The best thing to do in this situation is remain calm.”
As he approached the light, it transformed from a mere glow into a radiant beacon. But the shadows writhed and pulsed with a life of their own, reaching out to him with tendrils that whispered doubts and fear. He stared at the light, stopping again to gather his thoughts. The warmth of the thread threw him closer, but as he advanced, frustration bubbled within him. The closer he got to the light, the more elusive it seemed. It was getting more and more annoying; each time he thought he could reach it, the light flickered away. It felt like a test of resolve and mental endurance.
“Why can’t I figure out how to leave?” he muttered.He felt a moment of despair, a deep-seated belief that perhaps he didn’t deserve this light at all. It felt like a cruel game, one where the rules shifted with every step.
“...”
He took a quick stop. At this point, you couldn’t count how many times he had to stop and think
about the situation he was in. He squatted down, scrunching his nose and rustling his fingers aggressively through his hair while watching his black reflection ripple and distort his image. Suddenly, he opened his mouth, and air travelled through his nose as he took a deep breath.
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“Stay calm..”
…
Finnian stood among the rows of choir boys, his attention fixated on the tall figure of Priest Romani, who stood at the front, radiating an air of solemnity. The atmosphere was thick with anticipation, the sweet scent of incense wafting through the air as the congregation prepared for the ceremonial blessing. In this moment, Finn felt a swirl of gratitude and seriousness weave through him, a reminder of the importance of the day.
As the priest lifted the ornate artifact—an ancient relic said to channel the blessings of Igdur—Finn’s heart raced. Energy crackled in the air, and light shimmered against the elaborate designs etched into the artifact’s surface. As they looked around at one another, a wave of gratitude washed over them. What an honor it was to be part of something so sacred. Each note they sang felt like a prayer, a connection to something greater.
Finn’s thoughts drifted back to Rancent. He had sensed the boy’s uncertainty earlier, his overwhelming nerves about becoming part of the choir, and now a knot of worry tightened in Finn’s gut. Had he overwhelmed him with too much information? The poor kid had looked slightly dazed during their earlier conversation; uncertainty hung around him like a thick fog.
He glanced around; the ceremony was about to commence, but his instinct prodded him to act. He didn’t want to leave Rancent alone in a place where the unknown could spiral into a frightening experience. He needed to check on his new friend.
Quietly, he moved through the lively sea of choir boys, keeping his head down and pretending to pay attention to the ceremony. The choir's beautiful sound rose around him, but Finn's mind was elsewhere. With each step, he felt the weight of his own responsibilities.
As he got closer to the back of the chapel, the glowing light from the artifact pulsed with energy, casting long shadows that danced on the stone walls. Finn's heart raced; he needed to escape and find Rancent. Sensing urgency behind him, he dashed past the last pew, breaking free from the crowd.
Outside the chapel, a quietness enveloped him. The still air was a stark contrast to the lively ceremony, and he quickened his pace as he walked down the dimly lit corridors. Each step echoed in the silence, but Finn felt a strong need to move forward despite his worry.
“Rancent!” he called softly, hoping his friend could hear him.
He strained to listen, his heart pounding. The thought of finding Rancent lost in the church made him anxious, motioning him to hurry more.
In the stillness, Finn listened closely, his senses sharp, trying to catch any sign of a response—a whisper or a shuffle. His desperation nudged at his calm exterior. If he had found anything that belonged to the saint or priest, he would surely be in serious trouble. As he reached the end of the corridor, a strange feeling washed over him, a mix of fear and hope that he might still find Rancent.
Finn paused for a moment to gather himself, taking a deep breath and focusing on the warmth of the chapel in his mind.
“Stay calm,” he whispered to himself.