“I will dedicate myself to God, and use it heal,

I will dedicate myself to God so you can be healed.”

A priest chants while using his magic on me,

A feeling of euphoria washes over as the feeling of pain is finally gone.

My hair begins to regrow and my flesh reformed

All this free of cost? -

-Since entering Soterra I’ve never met such polite people before, the guard led me through the bustling streets to the Royal Cathedral, where I was immediately attended to.

This place isn’t half bad.

~~~

“You need to dedicate yourself and quit doing drugs.” the priest instructs me after healing.

“Drugs?” I ask

“I detected A high concentration of magic-stone dust in you,

Dedicate yourself and stop using.”

“I don’t,” I protest, “what are the effects of this drug?”

“In small amounts it sends all your magic to the brain causing feelings of bliss,

In high concentrations it puts your body’s magic in a constant state of flow numbing all other senses, it can even restart a stopped heart if used exactly at that moment,’

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“Then that must explain how”-

- “Please stop using” the priest continues cutting me off,

“Dedicate yourself to God.”

“I will Sir,” I say trying to avoid further confrontation with the priest,

“I will be taking my leave,” grabbing my stuff I head out.

…

Soterra’s streets are all clean and well kept, most of the buildings are painted white with a goldish tint,

It feels like I’m walking through the most peaceful place in existence.

“Good day sir,”

“Good afternoon,”

“May god be with you.”

Everyone I pass greets politely,

For the first time in while I, don’t know what to do next

Where do I go from here?

Should I leave and risk more pain and suffering out there?

What about the blue flame, the warning?

Should I dedicate myself?...

“Do not dedicate yourself!” A voice shout almost immediately as the thought crosses my mind.

There’s some sort of commotion happening in a nearby park-

- “Don’t dedicate yourself!” a short girl with pale blue hair in disheveled clothes shouts

“Excuse me,” I say making my way through the people crowded around the girl,

“It’s their way to control you!” the girl continues

“Are you lost little girl?” someone asks,

“Dedicate yourself and you may get helped” another person adds

“Come I’ll show you to the priest,” someone grabs her,

Pushing them away she jumps backward

“Don’t touch me!

Do not dedicate!” she cries

Her eyes meet mine, I can see both the sorrow and determination in them,

“You sir please you must believe me!”

“What other option is there if I don’t dedicate?” I say beseechingly then walk off leaving the commotion behind me.

*Back at the cathedral*

“Are you ready to dedicate yourself?” a priest asks seeing me enter

“I am willing to but first you must answer my questions”

“Ask away, God teaches us to be honest after all”

“Question one; what does it mean to dedicate yourself?”

“It means you will become closer to God and never be sad or unfulfilled ever again in your life,”

“Question two; I thought this was a kingdom, not holy city?”

“It was but ten years ago the King chose the path of righteousness”

“Wasn’t there a civil war ten years ago?”

The priest demeanor changes.

“There was a minor squabble from the non-believers but that was settled quickly” the priest says agitatedly

“Question three what happened to the former government?” I press

"King Flint unfortunately passed due to er illness and his son,

Prince Omari went missing since.”