Silence. That was all everyone can hear when the screaming stopped. Selene dropped her hold from Aelius and mindlessly staggered towards the door. The priest stopped her before she touched the burning metal. “You cannot,” it said.
She stared at the priest who dared to stop her. There was no emotion in Selene’s eyes, only a blank stare, cold as the dead of the night. There was a knocking inside her head, making her thoughts muddled. With her emotions in haywire, her shaking hands were about to unleash her power when suddenly the area became dim. They all looked at the Solarium at the same time, before a huge burst of light and heat suddenly bloomed around them, blinding them temporarily.
The priests let go of Selene and her brother and slowly opened the door. Four of them entered the Solarium. Soon, they came out, carrying a charred body beyond recognition. They gingerly placed it on the floor outside the Solarium and kneeled before it, their heads bowed down in supplication.
The rest of the group was too shocked to say anything else. Selene fell to the ground, kneeling, unbelieving. The body was obviously their friend, but their minds won’t process it, fearing the truth. One of the priests touched the blacked skin, feeling it. “Burned to perfection,” it said, mesmerized by the state of the charred body.
The priest’s comment made Kai go wild, she shouted obscenities and sprung up to attack the priest. It took both Aelius and Mikael to hold her down, while Selene was still on the floor, staring at the body.
“Burned to perfection,” another priest said. Soon the rest of the priests followed, chanting those damning words like an incantation. Their voices went deeper and deeper with each enunciation, louder and louder with each syllable uttered, their ghastly sounds ringing in their ears. Their non-stop chanting sent chills down the group’s spine.
“Burned to perfection” as the shadows on the walls danced against the light of the sun.
“Burned to perfection” as the tears fell down from Kai’s face and Selene’s stoic eyes, stained the bronze floor, marking their untold agony.
“BURNED. TO. PERFECTION!”
Selene’s mind was going wild. The knocking became a pounding, tearing her mind apart. The dark recesses of her mind shouting, screaming, crying at her to destroy everyone. Her wild eyes stared at one of the priests when they heard a crack.
Sola’s burned body started to crack and break. Small pieces of burned flesh fell from the body. But instead of revolting cooked meat, glowing skin was underneath it. Soon, the cracking intensified, horrifying the group. The priest suddenly sang praises, glorifying the Sun and its marvelous generosity.
“Cyrus, what’s going on?” Mikael asked when he saw Aelius’s face – he looked both relieved and elated.
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“She’s being reborn” he answered with reverence and delight. “She received the Blessing of the Fire!”
Upon hearing his answer, Kai and Selene went towards the body, their terrified and angry eyes transformed into one with happiness. As more of the cooked flesh fell and remove, more of Sola’s original skin appeared. The girls watched with macabre fascination at their friend’s smoking rebirth.
“Get her a robe, quick!” A priest ordered its fellow priest as more of Sola’s body showed itself. The priests scrambled to find her a robe and clothe her so that her dignity will be intact and hidden from prying eyes.
When the new flesh of her face revealed itself, Sola opened her eyes.
--------------------------------
It was a momentous occasion, both for the group and for the Flame Priests, both for the same reason – Sola survived and received the Blessing of the Fire.
“Praise be the Sun!” the priest chanted. “Praise be the Blessed Flame!”
The flame priests offer their congratulations to Sola, glorifying her for being chosen by the Sun. One of the priests begged the group for them to stay at the Temple of the Sun since it was customary to provide a small feast for chosen one and their family. They will even provide their lodging within the Temple of the Sun, to observe Sola as well.
While the group was busy celebrating Sola’s rebirth, Aelius took a priest to the side. “Treat them well” he ordered. “And don’t let anyone know that I was here today, do you understand?” The priest agreed with his request. It was wise not to anger the Sun Heir.
“Give them the best accommodation the temple has. I’ll be back tomorrow”
“And where will you go, your majesty?” the priest asked.
“I have to go back to the Palace,” Aelius said. “So, they are now in your hands. Remember my order”
The priest gave a deep bow to Aelius and went on his way to prepare the group’s rooms. Aelius went to the group and offered his congratulations.
“I knew you would survive,” he said with a smile.
"No, you didn't" countered Mikael, "You almost tried to fight the priests earlier when her screaming stopped."
"There is always the risk of someone dying" he replied.“But given how Seraphina held herself before doing the ritual, I had an inkling that the Sun will see her as deserving. How are you feeling right now?”
“I feel lighter,” Sola exclaimed. “And I also feel warmer, if that makes sense? I also feel a bit flighty and like I can’t stay in one place” she giggled.
“That’s normal. Just rest for tonight and don’t exert yourself further for today” he advised. “The fire within you is settling. You’ll feel normal tomorrow” he said. “Rest well, and enjoy the feast the priests will provide for the whole group. I’ll pick you all up tomorrow to our next destination”
“You’re leaving?” Kai asked, “But you need to celebrate with us. You’re the one who told us about this and inspired Sol- I mean, Seraphina”
Aelius gave the group a sad smile, “My master needs me” he reasoned. His master, the King, does need him at this hour to discuss his imminent marriage.
“Can’t it be delayed a bit longer?” Selene pleaded. “Cyrus, you’re a part of our group now, we can’t celebrate completely without you”
It pained Aelius to see her smile so brightly, unburdened by responsibilities. Envy caressed him while staring at her gray eyes, warmed by the light of the Solarium. He gently shook his head no, disappointing her, curving her lips into a frown.
“I really can’t.” he excused. “But, we can celebrate tomorrow again, if you like?”
A small smile crept on Selene’s face. “Tomorrow it is then, you owe us,” she said. “Be careful”
Aelius gave her a smile, and bid farewell to the group. He hastily went away, willing his feet to create as much distance from the group as possible, fearing that they might see his face, green with envy at their happiness.