*thank*
~tap-tap-tap~
*thank*
"tha-tha-thank"
'Wow...'
...
*thank-thank-thank*
"Father, Father..."
...
*tap-tap-tap-thank*
"Yes, Theo. What is it?"
...
*Whooosh*
"She's... beautiful!"
"She is... isn't she‽"
※ ※ ※ ※ ※
"Witness the 49th Flame Priestess of the sacred Flame Temple, she who bears the title of *Temptress Maiden*! Saviour of the Wýrmfyrgeat! Her deeds have etched her name into the annals of our history, as she has now performed her final rites before the sacred flames. Her journey is complete, and her legacy shall burn eternal—"
"Too long."
A pause. All eyes turned toward her, granting even a soft murmur from the crowd. But she, the center of their gaze, smiled, unbothered.
"Ah, yes. No need for theatrics; we've heard this speech for centuries—aeons, really. Isn't that right, people of Brandléah?"
"Bu-but Priestess..."
"Shut up. Ah geez! Same old gezzary talks..."
The crowd remained still, unsure whether to laugh or gasp at her casual interruption. But a quick glance, sharp and firm, silenced those who dared raise their voice!
Seeing the eerie silence, the Priestess stepped forward, her whole demeanor as if mocking the crowd, well-versed but unsuspecting because of their own demands.
She raised her hand, gesturing toward the shadows. The silence stretched, the flames crackling in anticipation.
"Child, come forth."
A figure stepped forward—small, almost swallowed by the darkness. A hushed breath swept through the audience.
"From this day, you will carry the sacred flames. Guard them with your life. Burn anyone who dares threaten our light. This is not your choice, but your duty! Burn them, all who dare raise their head!"
The girl knelt before her. The Priestess leaned down, her voice soft, almost a whisper now, "I bestow upon you the name Mask'd Seeress. Guide us toward a future full of light."
※ ※ ※ ※ ※
*clap* *clap* *clap*
*whispers*
"She's just a child..."
"We couldn't even see her face..."
"I know the Priestess has done a lot for us, we should just trust her judgment but..."
"She is a child. An easy-to-kill child!"
"I heard Lady Medusa of Glēodūn House was available as a candidate! But they changed her position to a shrine maiden at the last moment?"
"Really? Whoa, Glēodūn House must be furiou—"
"KYAAAAAAAA!"
"Oi, what's happening?"
Suddenly, a flicker in the flames. Gasps rippled through the crowd as the fire surged, uncontrolled, wild.
"PRI-PRIESTESS! PRIESTESS!"
"Someone! Put out the fire! Quickly!"
The air thickened with panic. Amid the chaos, a voice cut through, trembling with horror. They couldn't believe their own eyes at what they saw.
The Priestess stood in the heart of the flames, the very sacred Flame, they worship, her figure framed by the roaring fire. Her face remained calm, a smile so serene it was almost ethereal, as the heat began to lick at her robes. The flames climbed higher, consuming the intricate fabric, yet she did not flinch. Her eyes stayed soft, fixed on the child in her arms, as though the fire was merely a gentle breeze.
Slowly, the fire spread, curling around her body, but still, she did not scream. Her skin, once radiant, began to char and blacken, but her expression never wavered. The flames seemed to devour her in slow motion, dancing across her limbs, turning them to ash. Her body, graceful even in its final moments, sagged, her strength fading, until she finally collapsed to the ground.
As her body fell, the flames engulfed her completely, reducing her form to little more than a silhouette in the blaze. But even as the fire consumed her, that haunting, peaceful smile lingered—unchanged, eternal.
Yes!
"Priestess... Sh-she took her own life..."