*High Priestess
*High Doyens
*Doyens
Priestesses
This was the hierarchy upon which the Temple of Dorom stood—its entire system functioning from the highest rank to the lowest. Yet, beyond this order, there existed another faction: the "Elders Seat."
Within the Temple of Dorom, the High Doyens held a position of power—second only to the High Priestess, yet formidable in its own right.
"Kismet makes power, Kismet creates access."
This belief shaped Dorom's foundations, proven time and again.
In this world, Mystic Lines existed—threads of spiritual force—and Dorom possessed its own.
These Lines, as they were known, were spiritual abilities visible and accessible only to those who had awakened.
In Dorom, only the High Priestess and the High Doyens achieved full awakening of their spiritual Lines. Their state was not simply completion, but something beyond it. The Doyens reached completion—yet only the High Doyens crossed into awakening.
Dorom had five High Doyens, each bearing distinct spiritual abilities—unique Lines shaped by their Kismets, their fates.
"Understand your Kismet—your Fate. Accept it, and when you confirm the fragments of the Unreached Realms, only then will your Line reveal itself to you."
The gulf between a High Doyen and every rank beneath them is carved by a single truth: only they can fully embrace their Kismet and touch the fragments of the Unreached Realms, a feat that marks the awakened from the merely Complete.
Nine months ago, following the death of the High Priestess, her High Doyens stood in waiting, anticipating the awakening of the next High Priestess.
Four months ago, after the new High Priestess, Morriba, awakened, three of the former High Doyens departed for the Elder Seats—her awakening had called forth a new circle of High Doyens.
And now the Elder Seats had gained three new members. As High Doyens they had already been short on two members and were barely holding out. It seemed their time had truly come to an end; it was time to leave the work to the next generation. Besides, they believed in their Doyens, having been their predecessors.
Upon emerging from those ancient tunnels, Morriba awakened her Mystic Lines and received her spiritual abilities. Unlike her mother's, her Lines bore the nature of "Hear and Show"—granting her the capacity to hear voices from the Unreached Realms and to act as a vessel through which presence could manifest.
With her awakening came the awakening of her High Doyens, those who were to serve alongside her.
After losing her sight, Nicoah never believed she would awaken. Yet hers arrived soon after Morriba's, while she meditated beneath the great tree before her chambers—making her the first of the new High Doyens to awaken.
Her Line, "Insight," allowed her to grasp hidden wills, interpret omens and dreams, and—most importantly—sense her surroundings with a clarity others could not. With it came a calmness she had never possessed before. She reshaped the very meaning of Insight, eclipsing the mastery of her predecessor.
Next was Pemah, whose Line—"Medicine"—endowed her with the power to heal, a gift that harmonized perfectly with her meticulous, perfectionist nature.
After Pemah came Adah, whose Line—"Shield"—allowed her to use beads as mediums to create protective barriers across wide distances, a gift reminiscent of the former High Priestess. Her aloof eyes only cemented her nature.
Next was Hana, gifted with the Line known as "Ears of Wind"—a power that allowed her to hear the wind's whispers and even let the wind carry voices to her. It suited her gentle, reserved nature, for she was a woman of few words.
And then there was Rebi, gifted with the Line of "Earth." She was the liveliest and friendliest among them, bright and bubbling with energy. Her ability allowed her to understand the earth itself, for it spoke to her in ways no one else could hear..
Each of their abilities aligned with their Kismet—their fate.
They shed their former roles as Doyens and rose as High Doyens, taking up the mantles left by their predecessors in accordance with their Kismet.
...
And now, they all stood watching Morriba as she gazed lovingly at the tiny life she had just brought into the world.
Rebi darted forward first, leaning eagerly toward the infant. "She's adorable," she breathed, attempting to lift her.
"Leave the child with her mother, Rebi," Nicoah chided gently, stepping closer to Morriba to steady her—though the new mother hardly looked like she needed the help.
"She seems to be adapting well," Hana observed, her voice soft and soothing, carrying the quiet steadiness of the wind she listened to.
Rebi placed a hand over her mouth, her eyes wide as they glinted. "Are you saying that by touching her, she would adapt to be like me?"
Adah let out a long, weary sigh and shook her head. "You're being overly dramatic. More importantly, Morriba," she said, stepping closer to the High Priestess, her face settling into its familiar detached calm. "Why did the temple tremble again?"
Pemah nodded in agreement, the same question simmering quietly in her mind. "Hmm."
"The earth seems fine," Rebi said casually. "Nothing out of the ordinary."
Everyone gave her the same deadpan stare—as if to say, If this is your idea of ordinary, maybe you're the problem.
Even Nicoah had to admit Rebi desperately needed to spend more time around normal people.
Still, with Insight, she could only vaguely grasp what the quake meant too—perhaps it hinted at a shift she couldn't yet see.
Morriba let out a warm, easy laugh, pulling everyone's attention to her. "Tell me—do any of you believe in fantasy?"
Adah lifted her brows. "Is that what she is?" she asked, her gaze fixed on the infant.
"She's my child," Morriba said, pride softening her features.
Pemah nodded with exaggerated certainty. "Well, that explains everything."
Redi blinked in confusion and shook her head. "No, it doesn't."
Pemah shot her a knowing glance and nodded. "Hmm… exactly."
Morriba didn't bother to respond; her gaze was entirely consumed by the delicate bundle of pride in her arms.