The morning sun was beginning to rise, soft golden rays of light spread across the holy academy. The air was cool and silent.


    Loir was sitting quietly on a old wooden bench near the edge of the training ground. His back rested against the wooden bench. His face was half bandaged and his left cheek was still swollen from what happened yesterday.


    Kyren was sitting on the other side of the bench,hunched with his elbows resting on his knees. His face was covered in bandages and plasters.


    Kyren:- "Mmmhp mmhpp mmmphhh"


    Loir:- "Yeah yeah, I know. But unfortunately Miss Jennifer got food poisoning. Someone fed her rotten eggs. We can do nothing, she is the only healer in this academy for now. Others are on missions"


    Kyren:- "mmmphh, mph mph mpppphhhhh!"


    Loir:- "stop screaming buddy. It ain''t gonna help you. The morning prayer is gonna start, just pray that we don''t get tangled up with any women anymore"


    Kyren sighed and then both of them started to walk towards the Grand cathedral. Foot steps echoed across the stone path as many acolytes walked towards the massive iron gates of the Grand cathedral. Even this early in the morning, the crowd was quite large Filling the courtyard with quite chatter.


    The grand cathedral stood at the center of Paradise, next to the Holy academy of Paradise. Towering over the city like a mountain of white marble and gold, its tall spires reached the sky and he massive stained glass windows reflected the morning sunlight. The building was large enough for the entire capital to pray inside it.


    The deep and loud bell rang from the tallest tower, it''s low and heavy sound carrying through the city. The crowd began to quite as the gates slowly opened. White robed priests led the way inside, their golden staff clicking against the marble floor.


    The crowd poured into the vast hall, where towering pillars lined the sides and a vaulted ceiling stretched so high it seemed to disappear into shadow. Thousands of acolytes filled the rows of long, wooden pews. The sound of soft murmurs and shifting robes echoed through the sacred space.


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    At the far end of the hall, a raised platform stood beneath a massive golden mural of Elos , the Sacred Light. His outstretched arms shone with soft light, and his face was calm and peaceful.


    Loir sat down in one of the pews near the back, his eyes trailing toward the front of the hall as a tall figure in silver and white robes stepped onto the platform.


    Bishop Aeron stood beneath the golden mural. His long white hair looked magnificent , and his white robe shimmered faintly in the dim light. His piercing blue eyes swept over the crowd as he raised a crystal sphere, the relic of sacred light between his hands.


    The sphere glowed softly, the light pulsing like a heartbeat.


    Aeron lowered his head. The hall fell into complete silence.


    Aeron: "Let us show our gratitude to him, who died for our Sins. Let us pray and remember his name and deeds forever in our minds."


    The acolytes crossed their hands over their chests, fingers forming the shape of a cross. Loir did the same, bowing his head as Aeron’s deep voice filled the hall.


    Aeron: "Sacred Light, guide us through the dark. Grant us strength in weakness, peace in fear, and hope in despair. May your light shield us and keep us whole."


    The crowd repeated his words in unison.


    Crowd: "Sacred Light, guide us through the dark…"


    Loir’s eyes remained closed as the prayer continued. The crystal sphere in Aeron’s hands began to glow brighter, the soft pulse quickening.


    Suddenly, something sharp jabbed Loir’s arm.


    Loir’s eyes snapped open. He glanced down to see a small bee perched on his sleeve. It stung him.


    Loir gritted his teeth, holding back a cry of pain. His hand twitched, but he forced himself to stay still.


    Then he noticed the light.


    The crystal sphere was glowing brighter too bright. It was nearly blinding now, like looking into the sun. Loir’s breath quickened as his gaze fixed on the light.


    A shape appeared inside the sphere.


    A dark shadow.


    Loir’s eyes widened. His mouth opened to scream but no sound came out. His chest locked up as the shadow’s eyes met his. Cold and piercing.


    The shadow opened its mouth. Slowly. Its black form shifted and stretched toward him.


    Loir’s breath stopped. His muscles locked. His vision blurred as the shadow seemed to pull toward him, stretching through the light--


    Darkness swallowed him whole.


    Loir collapsed.


    Gasps filled the hall as the acolytes turned toward him. Blood trickled from his left eye. His head lolled to the side as his body hit the cold marble floor.


    Kyren: "mph"


    Aeron’s eyes widened slightly as the light of the crystal sphere dimmed. He lowered it carefully, his gaze steady as the crowd erupted into panicked whispers.


    Aeron: what happened to him?


    Kyren dropped to his knees beside Loir, shaking his shoulders.


    Kyren: " mmmphh! Mmmphh? "


    Loir’s body remained still. His hand twitched slightly as the last echo of the crystal’s light faded from the hall.


    Aeron slowly lowered the crystal ball and put it into his bag.then he moved towards Loir.


    Aeron:- "What are you doing? Take him to infirmary, Immediately."


    Kyren and some other acolytes picked him up and started to run towards the infirmary.