As they finally reached the top of the island, the Sun Church branch finally came into view.
A sanctum that stood tall and amidst the foliage, carved into the very island that it stood upon. White stones shimmered under the midday sun, Every curve, every reflection, seemingly arched to light up the giant statue of Solaris that stood at the very centre.
As though light itself was gracing his presence.
Shielding her eyes from the Sun, Kaia could see three main buildings with one of which was radiating an intense amount of Divinity.
Coincidentally, it was also the building that had Solaris’ statue in front of it.
"Do you want to come along while I get my sponsor or do you want to walk around for a bit?" Gwen asked with a smile after seeing Kaia looking around at the architecture.
"Hmm, I’ll just walk around for a bit. Are there like any off limit places I shouldn’t go to?"
If she could get a heads up about these places, she could make sure to steer clear away from them. . . And use her blood to get a grasp of the layout instead.
"Not that I can think of. Most of it are just rooms for priests to do their thing." Gwen shrugged.
As someone who’s seen countless branches, she knew that there wasn’t much going on. Just rooms upon rooms, people praying and some Sentinels training if they’re free.
"Alright. Good luck with your Sponsor and do tell me what we’re going to go kill alright? I don’t want to go unprepared." Kaia chuckled, giving the two a wave before walking towards the nearest building.
"Your friend is certainly carefree." Elior raised an eyebrow.
"That’s one way to put it. She’s someone who speaks her mind even when the person she’s talking to is the daughter of an Apostle." Gwen chuckled, making her way towards the main building.
"And one word of advice. From one Cardinal to another, Kaia’s words aren’t wrong. Power always come at a price, I hope whatever you’re pursuing is worth that price. And I hope I don’t have to turn my blade towards a fellow Cardinal, no matter how much I dislike you." Gwen warned without turning around.
"I’m well aware of that Lady Guinevere. I too hope that we can continue to stand on the same side." Elior smiled.
Seeing him dismiss her warning, Gwen simply clicked her tongue and made her way towards the main building.
Meeting Solaris for a sponsor requires. . . certain requirements to be met. Even for her, she was not an exception to these requirements.
Four requirements, four steps.
Each must be followed before Solaris could be met.
Biting her lip, Gwen took a deep breath and sighed.
With her current. . . beliefs in Solaris, she wasn’t sure if she could fulfil the third and fourth requirement. Her spirit was wavering after all.
Especially with more and more of her dad’s time being robbed from him with Solaris not willing to make a move and instead, wanting to keep up appearances.
As she approached the statue of Solaris, a fire of hatred began to manifest in Gwen’s eyes.
She. . . Wanted to trust the order that her dad has dedicated so much of his life to.
The order where he wasn’t even there when her mother died.
The order where he would not even spend a full day with his daughter.
She wanted to trust the order that promised protection.
She wanted to believe in the Sun that granted a warm embrace, protecting the weak from the evils of this world. A sanctuary in which they could seek refuge and safety.
The Eclipse waged war, the Moon promised false futures of immortality through the abandonment of your mortal shell.
The Sun has always promised protection and preservation.
To withstand the storm of calamity, to defend the people.
Gwen could still remember her dreams when she was younger.
Before she knew of the corruption of this order. The true nature of Solaris.
She wanted to bask in that dream a little longer.
She so desperately wanted to believe, believe that everything was done for a reason.
Making her way to the side, Gwen entered a bathhouse nestled within the island.
Once again, the statue of Solaris was present in the centre of the baths.
The golden baths shimmered like liquid dawn, golden, radiant and ever so beautiful. The statues of Solaris held a pot that poured celestial gold into the baths, granting it a radiant glow along with infusing divinity into the water.
Surrounding the baths were columns etched with the Sun Church’s script, runes that spoke of the requirements needed.
Gwen received a set of ritualistic bathing attire and got changed.
"Thy soul must be cleansed. Let the weight of shadow be washed away in the waters of absolution." She muttered, stepping into the golden water.
A searing pain filled her body but she ignored it.
Continuing into the baths, Gwen submerged her entire body minus the head and closed her eyes.
She could feel the fires of Solaris infusing into her flesh.
Every lie she spoke, every act of rage, every memory that she buried inside her mind felt as though it was attacking her at this moment.
Her muscles tensed and she choked on her own breath, finding it hard to breathe.
But little by little, her body began to relax. Her own fire started to grow from within, a purifying flame. A flame of defiance, a fire that represented her will power.
Then the pain completely disappeared and Gwen felt her body relax in this golden bath of divinity.
With the pain disappeared, Gwen stood up and stepped out of the bath, getting changed into her previous uniform.
Then came the next requirement.
A walk through the fires of purification.
The chamber was located just behind the baths.
A flaming chamber with the script of the sun church etched onto the entrance.
"Thy flesh must be pure. Let no corruption cling to the vessel that enters the light."
This was by far the easiest requirement for Gwen. After all, she has kept her body clean with the purifying flames and even using it during her purification against the sinful.
Walking through the chamber, the flames didn’t hurt her at all. In fact, it even felt warm and gentle.
After the chamber, Gwen had to step towards an altar. A sacred pyre that burns with no smoke.
"Thy will must be revealed. Speak thy purpose before the flame and let it judge the truth within." Gwen spoke the script and kneeled in front of the fire.
This was the step that worried her.
The reason for her being here was for the sponsorship.
But this fire didn’t care for the current purpose. No, it judged the truth within the one trying to seek an audience with Solaris.
It responds not to words, not to empty promises but the unfiltered truth. If her mind was filled with lies, ambition and. . . false piety, the trial would have failed.
Closing her eyes, Gwen relaxed her body.
The fire flickered and grew, looming over Gwen.
The heat that seared against her skin caused her to flinch.
Her purpose. . . Was to receive the sponsorship of Solaris. Her desire was to ease the burden of her father.
And her piety. . . it faltered but it was not false.
Gwen’s eyes snapped open as her pupils constricted. She could feel a fire clenching her heart and she buckled over.
She held her chest in pain as sweat dripped down her face. But after a moment, it disappeared but she received no comfort.
She passed, albeit barely.
Pulling herself up slowly, she stumbled towards the fourth trial.
The final requirement. . .
She stood before a mirror located at the top of the altar. The highest point in the main building with sunlight filtering through and illuminating the top.
A worried nun stood by the mirror. In her hands, she held a tray with a single flaming orb.
"Thy spirit must burn with light. Let thine inner flame answer to his or be cast into shadow."
Reaching towards the orb, Gwen’s finger flinched for a moment but she resolved herself.
"You can step back now." She smiled towards the nun who bowed and stepped away from the altar.
Holding the flaming orb, Gwen closed her eyes and opened her mouth.
Placing the orb into her mouth, Gwen swallowed without hesitation.
Then she burst into flames.
Gritting her teeth, she collapsed onto her knees as fire began to sear her flesh.
Across her body, the icons of Solaris and ritualistic patterns appeared on her body. Glowing marks that shimmered with the power of divinity.
It was not a matter of endurance, it was not a matter of power. It was a matter of proving oneself to be one of his many retainers.
Only then, would she be worthy to stand in his presence.
The markings burned, it seared and pain filled Gwen’s mind.
She collapsed in front of the mirror, her vision blurring. She felt as though she’ll lose herself. . . Lose herself in the fire.
"Guinevere o Guinevere. I knew you were rebellious but this. . . This is new even for you. Arax would be sad if he heard that his daughter died while trying to prove her piety." A voice rang out as Gwen glanced up at the mirror.
A flaming figure slowly stepped out from the mirror as white fabric wrapped around his body, leaving the right side of his chest exposed with his arm.
Solaris, God of the Sun.
"Whatever am I to do with you."