The Inside was Monumental. It was in the Purest Sense 'Baroque'.
The Ceiling was huge and dozens and dozens of meters tall. The Intricate carvings on pillars of white, and interconnecting corners that wrapped in a wondrous and awe inspiring way around the building. On arches there was Cartouches, Oval designs with a convex surface. Edged with ornamental scrollwork craved with the gold and the sigil of the Dragon its surface
The Ceiling was Domed in white with golden shiny arches that connected each side. While the domes themselves were braced and lined with white inner strips of material that were carved ornately. But the surface of them was even more, quite literally, Divine.
The Domes of the Santum were coated in paintings and sprawling spreads that showcased intricate depictions of what looked to be the Original 25 Monarch That were said to have birthed the World Government. They all wielded weapons and were in flowing robes of white as a creature which looked vaguely humanoid had large horns and was black and white.
From the whispers around, it was supposedly a depiction of the conflict that the 25 Had to go through. 'Humanities Sins' was what supposedly the Monster Represented.
All around were portraits similar to these, each one of them showing the Gods of the Red Line. And more and more just by seeing this, Leroy and Raven thought to themselves that perhaps those who founded the World Government were in some capacity truly gods.
There were no pews down the middle of the main atrium from where grand stairways lead into upper balconies and cross walks. That which was also ornate
There was also Putti, small sculptures of Babies, Dragons, Naked forms of Man, and the Like all along nooks and crannies. Not a single spot untouched.
And perhaps the strangest of all. Were the Altars
Lining all the walls from the Beginning of the Doors all the way through to the Back were Altars dedicated to Celestial Dragons. There were Dozens and Dozens of them. Some of them were dedicated to families.
The crews Eyes quickly glanced over them. Tudor, Carloman, Augustus. Some were dedicated to individual Dragons who had died and been defied even above others. Rockefell 'Patron Saint of Prosperity'. Many were in front of him. A man with a large bushy mustache and small face and intricate aristocratic clothing that had so many layers and so many accessories. Each of them were. They were all so ornate and absolute depictions in the greatest way of their divine forms.
People in long silk robes and blue sashes. They were large and bulky garments, chain of an incense burner on one hip and a book of scripture on the other. The Scripture was filled with the supposed true history that was not in the history books of the divine rule and creation of the world.
"Oh ye holy dragon, purify my sins and allow me to Serve you with my lifes Devotion…" A man Prayed with a golden and ivory bead necklace with the sigil of the Dragon in between his fingers eyes closed as the incense on the altar burned smoke
"Have you come to worship our eternal saviors?" A man, a priests, spoke to the crew. He was tall but hunched over and seemed incredibly reserved and humble. Head bald of any hair, including his eyebrows. The sigil of the Dragon on the Beaded Necklace on his neck. Canisters of oils each with a different purpose, Sick Oil, Oil used for 'healing' and works if the person devotes themself. Oil of Anointment, Self Explanatory, Oil of Consecration and Purification.
"Uh- No. Thank you. New to the Island and just want to take a look around and- Learn." Leroy spoke confidently. It sounded like he was being totally honest but he was lying straight through his teeth.
"Ah, it is always a good time to become one with our saviors and cleanse our damned souls." He said "Better than being a sinner" The man introduced himself as High Clerich Dominique of The Eternal Celestial Holy Dragons. Despite his threatening words. He was full of smiles and laughlines with crows feet at the corners of his eyes.
"Please High Cleric. Give us a proper lesson. From the top? So that we can hear it from the best source?" Leroy then said.
"Of course. But I must ask for those here to remove their covers." Dominique said pointing to Raven and Dezzi. But Leroy quickly thought on his feet "Ah please Cleric sir, don't mind them. The little one is severely scarred and cannot be in the sunlight.
Leroy gestured around to all the Stained glass that let immense amounts of Light into the Sanctum "And she has taken a vow to keep herself Veiled until she is wedded with her husband."
"Ah a Woman of Piety clearly." Dominique bowed "And I am saddened to hear that such a creation of the dragons to be in such bad shape. But perhaps it is Penance for lack of Service, hm?" He smiled
The Crew then nodded and Followed after the man as he began his rambling. Not even Looking back at the crew as he began "This holy sanctum of the Celestial Holy Dragons was built hundreds of years ago by my ancestors who were graciously brought into the service of our lords. The Isle of Judice was only recently allowed to Exist as a Port for Commoners very recently in the past 300 years. But the having those allowed to Tread up to the Land of The Gods has been around since the Gods birthed the world."
"All of the Faces you see here are merely a fraction of those that are worshiped. This Sanctuary was built to praise only the most holy of holy. Though they are all divine prehehes…" He chuckled to himself
"But to start from the Beginning. A Thousand Years ago the Celestial Dragons were Birthed from the Sea, the Land, and The Air and created the Red Line so that they could have a place to rule over. These 25 Monarchs were the first to come together in a band of Camaraderie to unite as one. Though the History books say that it was not as grand as how I speak, I'll let you be the Judge of their True Divinity"
"But regardless, they formed a Council of 25 and Swore that not one Person will ever rule over the world, and that they and their families and those that rise to the power to become like them, will be the ones to lead the world through peace and prosperity."
"But the Demon did not want this you see?" He looked up and pointed "The Demon, the Manifestation of all the world's sins that had and could be struggled against them. Humans were said to be made by them but also already existed as well. But the population boom was due to them, and because of that the Monster was born"
"But through a grand struggle the Beast was Slain. And as a celebration of their Divinity, they constructed the Void throne. A symbol to no one rules existing."
"And the World and The World Government was Truly Born. And for a thousand years since, they have grown and ruled over us in Benevolence and all they ask for is our servitude and Gratitude. And they are so gracious as to allow many to not be so Piace in belief as I. Such as allowing for the History Books to Sanitize their great struggle into something more…Human."
"Seems like you and the history books have some conflicting information Cleric." Raven said "And I've heard so many different versions of this story, is this the truest and holiest?"
"That is not for me to say my Child. But it is what I was taught. This may not be the grandest or holiest of places, That title would go to Basillica. But rumors say that the Damned Matron has heinously attempted to over take that title…" He grimaced. He then lessened and got back on track
"But if their will is to allow Us mere Humans to think for ourselves and believe what we wish, than I can only be thankful. Though I cannot say the same for the poor unfortunate souls of the Other who have been tainted by straying from the Light or Being born in the mud. It is a deep unfortunate circumstance of birth that their ancestors brought onto them. Perhaps if they had not had children they would not have to suffer…But they are damn fine workers. And natrually their place is there." He then smiled genuinely. Which only came off as Eery to the crew
"Ah Thank You so Much High Cleric Dominique for your Time. It was incredibly…Insightful." Leroy said with a bow "But I must continue, along. I don't want to miss my opportunity to go up to the Holy Land…"
"Shall they be with ye wherever you serve." He raised a hand and bowed his head with closed eyes as the Crew Walked away. "What nice people…"
"I wanna burn this whole place down…" Leroy said