The Fiaferg Square was a magnificent sight in the heart of Glisford. It was surrounded by towering stone buildings and was the center of the cities and its religious life. The square was paved with cobblestones, and at its center stood Saint Mary's Cathedral, an imposing medieval structure with high, pointed arches and stained-glass windows that reached toward the sky. The square was a hub of activity, with people milling about, vendor stands all about the place and musicians playing instruments. Despite the hustle and bustle, there was a serene feeling in the air, as if the church's presence lent a sense of peace to the area. At the edges of the square were stone benches, where people could sit and rest or watch the goings-on. The atmosphere was lively, with the sounds of people talking and laughing, the clip-clop of horse hooves on the cobblestones, and the occasional shout from a vendor. Overall, Fiaferg Square was a lively, picturesque scene in the heart of Glisford.
"Aye, we've arrived, 'tis Fiaferg Square," Guillalme spoke, pointin' towards the grand Cathedral. "And that there be Saint Mary's Cathedral. Mass be startin' soon, so let's find us a good spot inside. It's a special day for us all, ye know."
"It's quite an impressive place. Glisford really does seem like a bustling and thriving town," The Antithetical remarked. "I'm surprised to say the least, it doesn't look like that from the outside."
He'd like to ask more questions about this place. Especially about "Fiaferg” because it's a name that sounds really familiar. He remembered the situation when they were both very suspicious. He had not known about the prayer before meals. It would immediately indicate to them that he was either an outsider or someone who had become struck by madness. So, he decided to wait until later.
"Aye," Guillalme said. "Before ye only saw our farm and a small piece of the city, but once ye're inside it all opens up. Nothin's changed in this city fer a long while now, so I feel right at home. But they won't let me bide within the walls, ye see," Guillalme answered.
He grabbed Finola's hand and gestured forward with his other hand. He approached the church and The Antithetical followed him.
As Guillalme, Finola, The Antithetical and other visitors entered the grand halls of Saint Mary's Cathedral, their gaze was drawn upwards to the towering arches that stretched towards the heavens. The central nave was a symphony of stained glass and stone, with rows of wooden pews facing towards the magnificent marble altar that stood at the front of the church. On either side of the nave, stone columns rose to meet the roof, each one intricately carved with scenes from religious stories and religious symbols.
The stained-glass windows were a true work of art, casting a warm and inviting light throughout the cathedral. Each one depicted a different scene, from the life of humans on earth to the stories of gods above, and the colors of the glass were so vivid that they seemed to glow from within. The visitors couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and wonder as they took in the beauty of the church. In addition to the stained-glass windows, there were also several statues adorning the walls and pillars of the cathedral. These statues were carved from the finest marble and depicted figures and scenes. Some of the statues were larger than life, while others were more delicate and intricate, each one offering a distinct perspective on the faith that was central to the cathedral. He noticed that most of statues were in pairs, holding hands and looking into the sky. As Mass draw near, the visitors were swept up in the grandeur of the cathedral, with its soaring arches, stained glass windows, and intricate stone carvings. The sound of the choir started echoing through the church, accompanied by the sweet fragrance of incense that filled the air.
Finola grasped his hand tightly as she led him deeper into the cathedral. They found Guillalme sitting with a pleased expression on his face, having secured prime seats for the impending Mass. The pews were filling quickly, with those of higher social standing seated and those of lower income standing at the back of the church. The anticipation for the service was palpable, with everyone eagerly awaiting its start. And so it began, the choir grew louder, the organ started playing, and the doors behind them opened as the High Priest entered, accompanied by his fellow deacons.
The High Priest and his fellow deacons, dressed in flowing white albs and girded with a regal red cincture, made their way through the grand cathedral. At the opposite end of the nave stood the towering medieval high altar, a magnificent remarkable sight. The altar table was covered in black marble, with its cover plate, crafted from a single piece, being the largest stone within the cathedral. The dark background on the long and narrow sides of the altar was beautifully contrasted by delicate arcades of shimmering white Carrara marble, within which were placed small statuettes and scenes from the life of Mary. The base on which the plate rested was adorned with intricate filigree Gothic tracery and various figures were depicted on it. At the center stood Saint Mary, who had already crowned the mother of God, facing her in a prayerful pose. Both were seated on a grand throne bench, adorned with delicate Gothic tracery forms. The High Priest and his Deacons finally reached the altar. He stood directly behind the black marble altar table and the servants were arranged in a crescent shape around the altar.
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The Antithetical was torn in his thoughts as he considered the awe-inspiring spectacle before him. Despite his skepticism and misgivings, he could not deny the grandeur and allure of the holy setting. If it weren't for his troubled past and the knowledge he had gained, he would have surely fallen under the beguiling spell of the divine, cast by the illusion of order and unity.
The choir grew louder and louder, singing in the same unfamiliar language as the miners of the church and in the same voice that had been ringing in his head back then. They all folded their hands, joined the chorus, and lifted their heads, looking up with closed eyes. A bell rang in the background and the choir stopped instantly. Two doors at the back of the cathedral opened and all eyes turned towards the back. A procession of deacons emerged, bearing two intricately carved wooden boxes that were suspended from poles on their shoulders. The boxes were ornately decorated with gold leaf gilding and elaborate carvings on their surfaces. At the very top of each box sat a magnificent carving of a woman, her regal features intricately carved and her eyes gazing serenely out into the crowd.
The Antithetical watched as the procession made its way down the aisle, the weight of the boxes causing the deacons to strain under the burden. The boxes were a testament to the devotion and artisanship of the faithful, symbols of their unwavering commitment to their religion and their queen. As the procession passed by, the Antithetical couldn't help but feel a sense of reverence for the boxes and all they represented. The deacons placed the two boxes on top of the black marble, and everybody shuffled back into their previous positions. The silence was heavy on everyone's shoulders and the Antithetical just waited until something would happen.
"My dear brothers and sisters in Fiaferg," the High-Priest started with a loud voice that echoed through the whole Cathedral.
"We gather here today in this holy cathedral to give thanks and pay homage to our gracious Queen Danielle and Saint Mary, two women of great faith and holiness. Queen Danielle is a shining example of devotion to our Gods, and it only fits that we honor her in this most sacred of places.
As we gather here in this great house of worship, let us take a moment to reflect on the true meaning of this special day. It is the 249th year of the Luchilos Era, a special Era named in honor of the first. It is a time for us to come together as a community, to pray, to sing praises to the Lord, and to be reminded of the sacrifices that our ancestors made to bring us to this moment in time. We must also remember that we are all subject to mortality, a curse we once bore. But we should not despair, for through faith and devotion, we can rise above this curse and achieve everlasting life in this kingdom.
Let us remember that this church, like the Queen herself, is a symbol of our faith. Its walls and pillars stand tall, steadfast, and unwavering, a testament to the strength and perseverance of our Lord. Its stained-glass windows, intricate carvings, and towering spires all serve to remind us of the majesty and power of our Lord and the importance of our faith.
And let us not forget the importance of Queen Danielle, who has led us with wisdom, strength, and grace. Her devotion to our Lord is evident in all she does, and her tireless efforts to better our lives and our world are a true testament to her holiness.
So let us come together as one, to offer up our prayers. Let us be filled with the spirit of our ancestors and the holy power of our Queen and let us be reminded of the important debt that their lives can repay.
In the name of Queen Danielle, Saint Mary, and Father Fiaferg, let us pray and offer."
He now made his way to one of the two boxes. He looked behind him for a short second and then back to the people.
"My dear brothers and sisters," he started again. "There's something quite exceptional that I haven't mentioned yet. As you can see, we have two offerings ready. For this special day, we have not only prepared incredibly special boxes but also have a very special guest. Come my friend, come. Minister Iesos!"
A man came from somewhere behind the priest. He was wearing rich and elaborate robes, made of luxurious fabrics such as velvet or silk, intricately embroidered and trimmed with gold. From the look of his clothes alone, it would be immediately apparent that his attire was an expression of power and authority. The man was neatly groomed, with neatly trimmed hair and beard. His hands were decorated with fine jewels such as gold rings, and around his neck was an intricate gold chain with a small bell at the end. He stepped next to the Priest, in front of the second large box. His piercing blue eyes and sharp, intelligent gaze wandered across the plebeians. Suddenly, however, his expression changed, becoming stern and serious, with a weight to it.
He didn't even greet the people in the church. The Antithetical was unsure whether this was because of his seriousness or because he looked down on every other living human in the Cathedral. Nevertheless, they nodded to each other, and the Priest declared, "Let us begin!"
Suddenly all the doors were closed, the light that shone and broke through the windows, illuminating the room in a variety of colors, was smothered with curtains covering the windows. Blackness swallowed the Cathedral in whole. Next, candles were lit at all four corners of the cathedral and an ominous melody started playing on the organ. Only silhouettes were visible at the altar. A dark looking think stretched out from each black silhouette, grabbing the box in front of them. Grabbing the handle. Lifting the cover.
Light.
Like a star set free, the entire cathedral was bathed in an everlasting light, consuming every ounce of shadow. Blinded by the light, some people groaned as they stared directly into it. On the wall behind the priest, a huge being of darkness formed. It stretched out its arms and, as the priest's robe deformed it, it unfolded devilish wings. He screamed:
"God's ecstasy, pure and sent to heaven.
Heaven is the exit, and the prize is their life.
Drawn by corruption, shadows fell into their souls.
Set them free, consume them, purify them, and let us live.
Take this gift, feed on it, feed on sinners.
Welcome her into your ranks!"
Spheres of pure light emerged from the box, and The Antithetical was familiar with them. They were the same spheres he had seen in the Farahns Forest.
thought to himself, "They're like the spheres in the blossoms. So that wasn't me remembering, but someone else remembering?" What surprised him for a second is, that he wasn’t that shocked at all. It was like he knew it all along.
The spheres began to float, coming out of the box, and hovered over the black marble altar until they formed a whirlwind. The next thing that happened was so unreal that everyone in the cathedral wasn't sure if it had really happened. Some even started screaming, foam flowing from their mouths, as they lost their minds. The only thing that was clear in The Antithetical's mind was that when the priest stepped aside, the great shadow at the end of the cathedral did not change. It writhed, pulsated, and suddenly it seemed as if a huge thing came out of the shadow, grabbed the balls of light, and then... darkness, screams, and prayers.