It had been days since Sapphire spoke to anyone, even her best friend. She merely performed her temple duties and recited prayers she now doubted.
The premonition from the goddess through Kalina troubled her deeply. Could Saintess Kalina be distorting the message? Was it merely a ploy? Did it truly mean Sapphire would face darkness? Had the goddess cursed her for some unknowing transgression? These questions tormented her every minute.
It was hard to digest, difficult to accept.
No, it couldn't be, Sapphire would ultimately reassure herself.
"Sapphire? There you are," her best friend, Eloise, exclaimed, running toward her excitedly, clutching a woven basket against her hip.
Sapphire had been cleaning the ritual silverwares. A prayer ceremony would commence in the next hour, and she had started cleaning early.
During prayer ceremonies, women flocked to the temple to pray to Goddess Arachne, presenting their requests. Saintesses would interpret dreams, read symbols, deliver prophecies, or enter dreams to undo misfortunes—Oneiromancy.
Only the saintesses earned praise for these abilities, as they alone possessed such magical powers.
"You've been awfully silent lately. I thought you might have caught the flu or begun your monthly courses—"
"I'm totally fine!" Sapphire snapped, forcing a grin. She returned to her task while Eloise contemplated silently.
Eloise knew Sapphire wasn't one to remain distant or suffer in silence.
Sapphire typically spoke with confidence and wisdom, her radiance and beauty making her stand out.
"Sapphire, come on," Eloise said, setting down her basket and sitting beside her friend.
It was too late for Sapphire to mask her pain; tears threatened to spill from the corners of her eyes.
"Are you okay? I'm very worried about you. This isn't like you..." Eloise placed a hand on her friend's knee, concern etched across her features.
"I can't tell you..."
"You know you can trust me, right? No lies, remember?" Eloise pressed, her free hand over her heart.
"It's awful, I can't tell you, Eloise. It's disgusting..." Sapphire's words trailed off, but Eloise's curious expression urged her to continue.
"Mother Kalina told me something shocking. A premonition from Goddess Arachne. That my fate is tied to darkness, to an underworld trapped god—"
Eloise gasped, covering her mouth to stifle a scream. The air grew still as cold sweat broke across her forehead. The intensity affected Eloise deeply as Sapphire rose to leave, returning the silverwares to the table.
"It truly is disgusting..." Eloise managed to utter.
"I wonder if the Goddess thinks I'm unfit to serve in the temple," Sapphire murmured, her voice thinner than before.
"Don't say that, Sapphire. You're devoted and kind. The women adore you and await your interpretations. Aren't you being too harsh on yourself?" Eloise said softly, gazing at her friend.
"Harsh?" Sapphire scoffed. "I've heard whispers. Every other saintess received fair tasks, so why is mine so brutal? Tied with darkness? I've done nothing wrong—never lied, defiled myself, stolen, or harbored grudges. I've remained faithful to the goddess. Why me, Eloise?" Her voice broke as tears welled in her eyes.
"Sapphire, I don't think this is a curse. Perhaps the goddess is assigning you a task—"
"A task involving darkness?" Sapphire asked with another scoff, her heart pounding faster.
"I'm sorry, I was only trying to help," Eloise replied when the conversation yielded nothing constructive. She crossed her arms beneath her chest, as they were permitted to do, her thoughts swirling in confusion.
No Saintess deserved a premonition tied to darkness.
Sapphire forced a grin. "Of course you were..." She turned to leave as Eloise grabbed her wrist.
"No, wait. I wasn't dismissing or mocking you—"
"You don't need to, Eloise. I know it's bad; let me handle it alone. Please!" Sapphire pleaded as she walked away, leaving Eloise in turmoil.
Before disappearing, Sapphire turned back. "Please keep this between us."
Sapphire stormed off as Eloise swallowed hard. She considered chasing after her friend but refrained, understanding Sapphire's dreadful grief.
Saintesses embodied purity—untouched, unstained, kind, and compassionate. They carried light and reflected it through honesty and truth, but Sapphire's words had shaken Eloise deeply.
Hours later, the Saintesses gathered in the temple garden, each assigned to several visitors seeking guidance with their problems.
The air carried scents of cedarwood, myrrh, and saffron. The atmosphere felt light beneath a blue sky streaked with warm white.
Sapphire had been assigned to assist those needing dream interpretation or resolution of impending dilemmas through dreams.
For her first time as a newly ordained Saintess, Sapphire enthusiastically applied her training—reading strange symbols and revoking bad omens—ensuring her patients left with cheerful faces.
Reaching the final woman on her list, Sapphire drank some water and offered the woman some as well.
"What is your name? Tell me a little about yourself," Sapphire asked, her silky, unhurried voice gently breaking the silence between them.
The woman, in her late thirties, smiled. "Acacia. I'm married with two children. I live in western Utopia where I farm vegetables and grains," she explained, mirroring Sapphire's contagious smile.
Western Utopia housed common people, while eastern Utopia was reserved for elites and nobles.
"How interesting. May Goddess Arachne's heart answer your needs," Sapphire said as the woman gently bowed.
"Thank you, Saintess. Actually, I've done something terrible to my husband," Acacia confessed, fidgeting with something satiny in her hand. Sapphire raised her silver brows, listening attentively.
"I sold my husband's land to a government official in the capital to save his life. He'd been sick for six years. That land meant everything to him—it was to be our firstborn son's inheritance. I've lied to him for over a month since his recovery. What can I do, Saintess?" Acacia sobbed into her palms as Sapphire took her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.
"Acacia, you acted out of empathy and desperation to save your husband. I understand why you lied, but you shouldn't have. Go home, confess what you did, and plead with him. If he loves you, he'll understand eventually. Should matters worsen, bring him to the temple. For now, return to your family—don't live a lie," Sapphire advised as Acacia nodded calmly.
"What if he leaves me? He might never trust me again," Acacia's voice dropped.
"Oh, Acacia, don't worry. The goddess is always compassionate; she'll protect you. Remember, I'll always be here to guide you," Sapphire reassured her.
When they rose, Sapphire embraced the woman until her sobbing ceased. Once calmed, Acacia departed, finally relieved.
Sapphire sighed deeply, grateful all had gone well. She tidied up and returned to the temple where the Saintesses knelt in prayer.
During their collective prayer, a subtle bell rang in the background amid lingering sweet fragrances.
Suddenly, a whirlwind burst in. Sapphire's vision blurred until she saw nothing. When her eyes flickered open, she found herself in an empty hall.
Her heart pounded against her ribcage as she looked around the vacant temple. Hushed noises emanated from the corners, making her breath hitch.
"Who are you?" Sapphire managed to ask, unable to discern the whispers.
Before she could speak again, a bright light materialized. A glowing woman in a golden cloak stood seven feet tall before her.
The woman's eyes gleamed like seaside orbs, her long hair adorned with golden pins unlike any Sapphire had seen. She exuded beauty and enchantment, her scent mild yet unfamiliar. This being surpassed anything in Sapphire's experience.
"I am your mother, Arachne. Don't be afraid, child," she said with slow, gentle elegance.
"God-goddess Arachne?" Sapphire's eyes widened as she fell to her knees, hands spread on the smooth floor.
She never imagined seeing the goddess herself. They'd been told they would hear from the goddess but not see her. Sapphire couldn't control her anxiety, fearing she had already disappointed the deity. Given the premonition, her heart sank heavily.
Had the goddess come to expel her from her home? Was she angry with Sapphire's service? Was she here to curse her?
Sapphire's thoughts spiraled as Arachne spread her arms, her glowing skin emanating light.
"Sapphire, my devoted servant, I have seen the threads of fate, and they are tangled. You are bound to a path not of your own making, one that will test your heart and will. Seek out Alecaneros, the god of shadows, in the Underworld's depths. He holds the key to unlocking the ancient ones' secrets, and the world's fate hangs in the balance..."
Arachne's voice echoed softly, reminding Sapphire again of her connection to darkness—but for a reason.
"Beware, Sapphire, for Alexandros is cursed, his lineage doomed to end with him. His darkness will consume him and all who approach. Yet, I see hope, a spark of light in the shadows. If you awaken the forgotten power within him, he may save us all—
"Be warned, the cost of this power is steep, and failure risks much. The threads of fate are fragile; one misstep will unravel reality's fabric. You must be brave and true to your heart, regardless of cost.
"Seek Alexandros, and remember my words: the world's fate depends on it."
Sapphire couldn't believe what she heard. What god and what danger threatened to destroy them all?
"Dear goddess, how do I meet this god of the underworld? What if he rejects my visit—"
"I am your goddess, you are my servant and daughter. I will guide you. Go to Alexandros, tell him all I've said... for the world's fate rests in your hands, Sapphire."
With those final words, the goddess vanished into thin air, and Sapphire jolted awake in the temple's prayer hall.
"Thank the goddess, you're alive!" Eloise exclaimed first. "Are you okay?" she asked again.
The goddess's message remained firmly rooted in Sapphire's mind. She had a task to fulfill, and failing Arachne would mean rebellion against her deity.
How well could she carry out this task?