Chapter 93: Chapter 93: The Church
The trio stood in front of the courtyard, looking at the front of the church.
The church was closed down for a long time. Its windows were barricaded from the outside and the main doors were blocked tight with big boulders.
On the front wall of the church were writings.
"False God..." Bas mumbled.
"The Outsider is dead." Quinlan said.
They were reading the writings on the wall.
"Who is the Outsider?" Siderius said.
Unfortunately, Snow did not have any knowledge and memory about this religion at all. He only had information about the religion of the Mother Trees, which was the main faith of Eldoria and what the witch endorsed.
This religion basically said that every life was brought to existence thanks to Mother Trees. They also granted magic to the witches and made them who they were. The Tree of Woe on the silver coin was one of them. The Golden Delight in Everia’s capital was also a Mother Tree.
The Outsider, however, was a concept that never showed up in Snow’s memory.
Siderius found this rather surprising also. He knew the witches well and thought they would never allow another religion to operate in their territory. Another religion meant another way of thinking. It could very well become a seed in the minds of the commoners and turn them against the witches.
"The Outsider is an ancient god. Much older than the witches of this kingdom. He is also a prominent figure in Everia."
Just as Quinlan finished talking, Bas did a motion with his hands. He clenched his left hand into a fist then placed his right hand onto the back of his left hand.
Bas then raised his hands to touch his forehead.
"The Outsider above as my witness. I condemn this act." Bas mumbled.
Siderius turned toward Quinlan and didn’t hide the surprise in his voice. "Bas is religious?"
"And so am I. But I worship a different god than him.
However, showing respect to another god is nothing to be ashamed of."
Quinlan didn’t pray like Bas, but he did kneel down and bowed at the church.
At the top of the church was a statue of the Outsider. A tall slender man with his hands behind his back. The Outsider wore a simple suit with a standing collar. He looked like an ordinary human and not a religious figure Siderius imagined.
People were afraid of higher powers. They didn’t know what gods were and what they were capable of. For them, reality was shaped by gods and they were only pawns on a board.
Siderius had followed the Truth-Seeking Path for a long time to know that it was true.
There were beings unexplainable by the hearts of mortals.
He also knew that most of the gods were more or less indifferent toward mortals. But if they held a grudge, that mortal life would be hellish.
Siderius was not the type to be arrogant in front of a god. At least not until he also became one.
Siderius followed Quinlan’s lead and kneeled at the church to show his respect. The Outsider wouldn’t have any reason to be angry at him now.
"Are you sure this is where the core will be, Sid?" Bas said.
"Pretty sure."
"But it looks abandoned. And from the outside, the place seems to be locked tight." Bas said.
"It is common for witches to bend the rules of reality." Siderius said.
Bas didn’t quite understand but he quickly did after Quinlan told him about the door disappearing the previous night. Bas widened his eyes at the truth. He now knew that witches were capable of such trickery.
Siderius slotted an Explosive Projectile into his sling and threw it at the large door.
The wooden doors exploded and fell apart, revealing the large hall with two aisles of chairs on each side.
On the podium was a large bronze statue of the Outsider with his two hands raising slightly on either side, palms facing up.
In front of the statue was the Mother Reverend. Her body was covered under the black gown that completely shielded her appearance.
"Stay alert." Siderius stepped forward.
The hunter grabbed an arrow and placed it on the bowstring, ready to fire at any time.
Bas clenched his short sword tightly and followed Siderius.
Quinlan was at the back, holding the wooden pole with two hands.
The trio entered the church slowly, looking around to spot any ghouls.
"Remember. There are at least eighteen ghouls alive." Siderius said.
"Got it." Bas said.
Quinlan nodded in silence.
When they were in the effective range for the bow, Siderius didn’t try to communicate with the Mother Reverend. He shot an arrow at her at the first given chance.
Mother Reverend had her back turned against them. When the arrow screeched through the air, her head turned back 180 degrees. Her neck twisted like an owl.
The face of the woman was revealed. She had no eyes, nose nor ears and she opened her mouth.
There were no teeth in that mouth either.
Her hands twisted backward in an unnatural way and grabbed at the arrow right before it would hit her.
"A living puppet. Tch!"
Siderius had loaded his draw hand with five arrows. After the first failed shot, he immediately connected the strike with the next five shots.
Five arrows screamed through the air, each aimed at a different part of Mother Reverend’s body.
Mother Reverend’s body split into several parts. Each connected with the other by a thin black strand.
Her body moved unnaturally to dodge all the arrows. Some even pierced through the thin strands but phased right through it like the strands were made of smoke.
"What in god name is that?" Bas shouted.
"The witches of your kingdom are ugly, Siderius." Quinlan said.
"That is no witch. That is merely a puppet."
Suddenly, a high-pitched laugh filled the hall of the church. From above, a woman slowly levitated down and stood on the head of the Outsider.
Right at that moment, Siderius’ eyes flickered slightly. A silver light came from the Light Aether he had absorbed.
It allowed him to see another strand of Light Aether leaving the statue and tied a knot on the neck of the woman.
The Outsider was real and he had noticed the commotion happening in this secluded area of Eldoria.
"Fuck..." Siderius normally didn’t curse but he had to this time. Disturbing a higher being never brought anything good.
"You?!" Bas exclaimed.
Standing on the statue was Nora, the nun that Bas thought he had a good time with.
She’s no longer wearing the discreet outfit of a nun. On her instead was a piece of dress with minimal fabric, exposing large complex tattoos running all over her body.
Nora raised her hand gently and her tattoos lit up in pink. The puppet of Mother Reverend rushed below her, moving and standing like an ape on all four. Its head shook without end, like the head of an insect.
"Long time no see, my champion. Why are you betraying me and siding with them?" Nora purred, her voice was sweet like honey.
"What are you talking about?" Bas furrowed. He could feel something wasn’t right.
"Do you already forget our night together? We had such a good time." Nora smiled wickedly.
Writings appeared on Bas’ body and his hands trembled for control. Veins bulged on his neck and his eyes darted around uncontrollably.
Bas had fallen into a spell.