Chapter 107: The Miracle
Several priests, clad in black vestments with ornate silver crosses gleaming at their throats, stood at the church's entrance, their faces a mask of solemn welcome. The believers here were a steady stream, far more numerous than at the grim fortress we had just visited.
The church itself was a study in contrasts. A magnificent, rectangular cathedral with thick pillars and magnificent stained-glass windows depicting various mythological stories, it stood silent and closed, a fortress of faith waiting for some grand occasion. Beside it, a much smaller chapel buzzed with activity, as priests guided the faithful toward its modest doorway. Perhaps the main cathedral was only opened for important ceremonies?
“Right, this is the place.” I looked at the church, and in my eyes, the entire building was wreathed in a dazzling, holy light. It was so brilliant it outshone the sun, making all the other buildings seem like pale, forgettable ghosts in a black-and-white photograph. The whole world was muted, but the church shone with a sacred gold. It gave me the same visceral, soul-deep feeling as Jared, and I knew we had found our destination.
“Brother Jared, go on. Um, can you handle them on your own? I’ve already taught you what to say several times,” I said, turning my head.
Now that I was a witch, getting too close to the Church felt like dousing myself in oil and standing by an open flame. Though I wanted to help Jared, I was afraid that this time, he would have to go in alone. I hoped he would succeed. I didn't think there would be a problem. He could already summon holy light; he was surely one of them. All he had to do was fill in the gaps, learn the proper etiquette, and his future would be assured.
I had been like a nagging mother, drilling him on what to say and how to behave. “Put away your thieving habits,” I had told him. “Be polite, be humble, and do exactly as you’re told.” It all seemed worth it. Jared was on the verge of leaving the slums, leaving the ranks of the poor to become one of the elite. In a world with nine different churches, where supernatural power was a tangible force, the status of a clergyman would be a key to a new life.
I was lost in this beautiful fantasy of a better future, but Jared didn't move. I turned back in confusion. “What is it? Didn't we go over this? You said you remembered everything.”
“Well, I… Parula, I don’t want to go over there.” He hesitated, his shoulders tensed.
“Why? What's wrong?” I asked, my voice as calm as I could make it with a reassuring smile. “Tell me, and we'll figure it out together.” I hadn’t expected Jared to get nervous before the event. It was a normal thing though.
“It’s… up there, on top of the church, it feels like someone is watching me. It’s terrifying. I don’t want to go,” Jared said, his voice a low whisper.
“Someone? Where?” I scanned the church, but saw no one. Was a powerful master observing from a high window, a presence so potent that Jared could sense it?
“Right on top. It’s a person made of light, wearing a cloak. His face is covered by a hood, so I can’t see it, just a patch of darkness. Even though he has no face, I feel like… he's watching me,” Jared said, a tremor running through his body.
A man of light?. I saw nothing but a blinding, golden aura over the church, a presence that felt warm and reassuring. Once again, our perceptions were utterly different. Now I could finally understand how Jared had felt before, I could feel the maddening frustration of not being able to see what he saw, of trying to build a complete image from his terrified words.
But we had a pact. What Jared and I could see were different, so we had already decided that we would never deceive each other, and no matter how bizarre the other said their world was, we would choose to believe that what they said was real.
“It's alright,” I said, trying to soothe him. “That might be a manifestation of the Church’s power. As long as he’s not targeting you, you don’t need to worry. Just pretend you don’t see him.”
Jared was still hesitant. I gave him a gentle push. “Go on. You can do it.”
He cautiously followed the crowd to the church entrance. The priests didn’t notice him at first, thinking him just another believer. But Jared, mustering his courage, walked up to one of them and bowed slightly, the most polite gesture he had likely ever made.
“Hmm?” The priest’s eyes, which had been scanning the crowd, fell upon Jared. My heart sank. Although I had made him take a bath and taught him some manners, his demeanor and clothes still revealed the fact that he was not a child from a wealthy family. This was also impossible to hide. It would naturally be discovered after spending some time together. So when Jared didn’t want to buy new clothes, I agreed. Buying something not good enough would be useless, and buying something too good would seem pretentious and give a bad impression. It was better to be honest.
“Child, what do you need? The cathedral is closed today, and there will be no mass. If you wish to pray or confess, please follow the crowd to the chapel,” the priest said, his voice kind but condescending.
“No, I want to join you,” Jared said, a little stiffly. The nervousness was back, and I watched from a distance, my hands clenched in helpless anxiety.
“Oh? You wish to be initiated and converted? Then I can be your guide,” the priest’s eyes lit up, and he asked with a smile. “Do you know the meaning of spreading the Lord’s glory? Are you willing to dedicate your life to the great Father?”
“Uh, well…” Jared immediately stammered. Just say yes! Whatever they say, just agree first! I screamed in my heart from my hidden corner, but he seemed too flustered to remember anything I had taught him.
Seeing that Jared couldn’t answer, the priest’s face immediately hardened. “Since you are not yet clear on the Lord’s greatness, I suggest you go to the chapel first, listen to the pastor’s sermon, and understand the basics before you return.”
It was clear. He had mistaken Jared for a common beggar, a scoundrel looking for a free meal. And in fact, there were many such people.The priests all knew them by sight.
“Wait, that’s not what I mean. I can… I can perform miracles, that’s why I came!” Jared finally blurted out.
“Ah? Hahahaha!” The priests burst into raucous laughter, their booming voices turning every head. “This kid is talking nonsense without even drafting it! You don’t even know the Lord’s deeds, and you're talking about miracles?”
Jared’s face flushed with embarrassment. “Wait! I can prove it!” he cried, pulling out the old, worn Bible. It was the only consistent way we had found for him to summon the holy light, and now, in a moment of public humiliation, it was his only proof.
Comments (1)
Please login or sign up to post a comment.