Of all the four churches, each designated to a Nymph, the Church of Spring was a beacon of light to the rest of the world.
The Church of Fall was still a growing one, technically an extended one to Spring as they helped build up their community and own citadel.
And the Church of Summer and Winter, well, let's just say they only thing they truly cared about was how much control they possessed. Many generations ago, they'd formed an allegiance, against the wishes of the current Holy Ruler at the time, and used their magnificent followings to slowly seep into each of the nine remaining Kingdoms shadows.
In the night, they committed unspeakable acts. In the day, they condemned the innocent. All in the name of righteousness. Just so they could use the envy of the Kingdoms against each other until they all fell apart.
But the Church of Spring remained the rock. The backbone of religion. Many kingdoms didn't even practice the worship of the Nymphs, but they still believed in the Church to be their saviors from oppression.
It remained this way for generations. The Church of Winter and Summer would try to destroy. And the Church of Spring would rebuild and fix the cracks starting to appear in the foundations.
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
No one inside the Church of Spring knew exactly when things started to change. But it happened. And drastically.
At least, for the followers and believers for Spring. Those on the outside, or people just searching for hope wouldn't notice.
Unless they chose to look more closely. And the higher ups made it their life's mission to prevent that at all costs.
Sure, they were still against the other churches actions. Against their attempts to gain control over the rest of the world.
But not for the same reasons anymore.
After all, wasn't the Church of Spring the best religion of all? Their beliefs superior to the rest?
They should be able to share their views more than anyone else! After all, their way was the only way to true love and salvation.
But somewhere along the line it became cloudy and twisted. Their sense of salvation became something of a nightmare.
If you didn't get with the program... Well, let's just say it wasn't pretty.
They especially didn't take well to murderers. At least, when it was for personal gain and not for salvation of the people.
Because only people taken by Corruption could do such a thing. And that was unexcusable if they wished to prevent a war like the one thousands of years ago before the New Age was formed.
But Spring didn't form her following to do such a thing. Even in some folklore she was quoted as saying: "Look after this world. Preserve all life and dwell in peace."
If only the Church still felt that way, Harry wished as he drifted off to sleep under the stars. Memories he'd have forever playing in his dreams.
That way you could still be here...
"Hayato..."