Ethan raised an eyebrow. "...How does she know my name?"
His gaze immediately shifted to Aeris, who, to his surprise, didn't look surprised at all. On the contrary, she was already walking toward the woman with firm steps, straight posture, and a look full of confidence.
The woman, still wearing that elegant smile, opened her arms as if greeting someone she'd been expecting for a long time. Her pink eyes never once left Ethan, not for a single second. Intense, yet calm.
"Don't worry," Aeris replied, glancing over her shoulder as if sensing his confusion. "She already knew we were coming."
Ethan narrowed his eyes, skeptical. "Hmph."
The woman walked toward them, her movements graceful, her posture flawless. Every step seemed rehearsed, carrying a perfect blend of elegance and authority.
"My name is Seraphina Lys," she introduced herself, placing a hand over her heart and offering a slight bow. "Archbishop of the Church of Aurelia and a member of the Inner Council."
Sylfie frowned, crossing her arms. "Huh. This sounds... more serious than I expected."
Aeris simply smiled, proud. "Obviously."
Seraphina glanced briefly at Sylfie before turning her gaze back to Ethan, keeping that same serene smile, yet very deliberately avoiding using any special titles for him in front of the forest elf.
"We were notified as soon as you left the temple," she explained, her voice smooth as silk. "All of us... were aware of your arrival. Long before, actually."
Ethan raised a brow. "So you knew everything already?"
"Of course." She folded her hands gracefully in front of her, maintaining flawless composure. "But sending any other council member would have caused... noise. Unnecessary attention. Aeris, however, was the perfect choice. She is... discreet." Seraphina cast a quick, knowing glance toward Aeris, who lifted her chin, visibly proud. "And highly efficient."
"Discreet, huh..." Ethan smirked. His eyes slid toward Sylfie, who was paying close attention but clearly hadn't caught the deeper meaning behind the conversation.
Sylfie sighed, adjusting the bow on her back. "Didn't think churches had councils and all that... guess you're more organized than I thought."
"Of course we are," Aeris replied, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "The Church of Aurelia is one of the largest religions in this world. Only those who don't understand its role think it's just... eccentric."
Seraphina took a few elegant steps forward, gesturing lightly with her hands. "We are a pillar of balance in this world. Those who seek peace... and those who desire chaos... all find their place under the Goddess's gaze. Balance is essential. It always has been."
The grand doors of the church fully opened, revealing an interior bathed in the light of golden stained glass, with black and white structures perfectly woven together in harmony.
"Please," Seraphina said, smiling with elegance. "Come. There is... much to discuss."
Ethan walked forward, hands casually in his pockets, observing everything, the temple, the people, the symbols, but his focus remained on the woman ahead. She knew who he was. The Council knew who he was. But for now... they were keeping that carefully hidden.
For the moment, they were treating him well. But he couldn't ignore the possibility that it was all just an act. Were they shielding him from prying eyes... or simply keeping him within reach to make it easier to eliminate him if needed?
The inside of the church was stunningly grand. Towering stained glass windows depicted scenes of balance and conflict, gods, humans, and monsters dancing between light and shadow, life and death. Spiraling columns rose high, half made of pure white marble, half of polished obsidian, entwined as if they were a single entity.
Ethan walked with steady steps, scanning every detail. Everything here seemed to pulse with divine energy, a harmony of opposites.
"You guys really take the concept of duality seriously, huh..." he commented, unable to hide his genuine interest.
"More than you might think," Seraphina replied, glancing over her shoulder, her serene smile tinged with something deeper... something hidden. "Aurelia is the Goddess who governs all duality in this world. Everything must coexist."
Sylfie followed the group in silence, but Ethan noticed just how tense and wary she was. Her sharp eyes scanned every corner, her expression a mix of suspicion and mild discomfort.
Aeris, on the other hand, walked as if this was her second home, her smile radiating pure pride, like someone returning victorious after a great achievement.
Between the two of them, Ethan found himself leaning more toward Sylfie's side of caution... but he couldn't really blame Aeris. The church was, after all, her entire life.
As they crossed the main hall, Seraphina continued, "Every member of this church chooses a path within the duality. There are those who seek inner balance, peace, tranquility... and there are those who embrace chaos, whether to dismantle unjust systems or to bring about radical change."
Ethan, already getting a solid grasp of the church's core philosophy, raised a brow and asked, "So basically... both peaceful monks and anarchists can pray here?"
"Exactly." Seraphina smiled. "As long as they understand the essence of duality... and accept the price that comes with it."
The group passed by a massive statue of Aurelia, half of her body carved from pristine white marble, the other half from pure obsidian. Her face was serene, but her eyes radiated a power that seemed to pierce straight into the soul. In her hands, she held a broken scale, not balanced, but rather... in constant motion.
Ethan briefly recalled Aurelia's appearance. Her pale skin, her white hair... Was this her true form, or merely one of her countless faces?
Sylfie paused for a moment, staring up at the statue. "Hmph... Your goddess is... way more intense than I expected."
"You have no idea," Aeris replied, not even bothering to hide the slightly smug tone in her voice.
Ethan's gaze shifted to Seraphina, a subtle grin tugging at the corner of his lips. "So... since the entire Council knew I was coming... I assume you've prepared something for me."
So far, he'd only received gifts from the goddess herself. It wouldn't hurt to collect a few offerings from her church as well. What's a priest without his tithe?
"Naturally," she answered, her voice still calm and elegant. "But for now... we'll maintain formalities. It wouldn't be... appropriate to discuss certain matters in front of... visitors."
She didn't even need to look directly at Sylfie, the implication was crystal clear.
Sylfie scowled, realizing it, but chose to ignore it. "Hmph."
Ethan barely held back a laugh. Honestly, he was starting to feel a little bad for her. After all, it was Aeris who dragged her along on this little church visit.
Soon, they arrived at a large double door adorned with symbols of the goddess. Seraphina stopped, placing her hand on the wooden surface, then turned toward them.
"This is the Local Council's meeting chamber," she explained. "And before you ask... yes, everyone already knows you're here. And they are... eager."
"Eager, huh..." Ethan adjusted his collar, grinning. Despite his inner wariness, he had no intention of letting that show. "Perfect."
His gaze shifted to the doors, his golden eyes glinting faintly. "Let's see who my fellow believers are."
"Yes." Seraphina gently pushed the doors open. "It's time."
A soft glow, half golden, half shadowy, spilled out from the chamber, lighting their faces as they stepped inside.
The council hall was grand... but not in the way Ethan had expected. It wasn't made of gold or shimmering marble. The walls were pure black, like polished obsidian, etched with glowing golden lines that pulsed like living veins, all converging toward a massive magic circle embedded in the floor, half light, half darkness.
Around the circular table sat seven figures. Men and women of various races and ages, all dressed in ceremonial garments of black and white.
Every gaze immediately fell upon Ethan. Some smiled subtly. Others simply observed in silence, like scholars inspecting a rare artifact. None of them seemed surprised. None seemed afraid.
They had been expecting him.
"Welcome," said a man with silver hair, amber eyes, and a serene expression. "Ethan Blake."
A woman, likely a dwarf, with dark skin and silver eyes, crossed her arms, smiling. "We finally meet... Herald of the Goddess."
Sylfie, standing just behind, went pale. Her eyes widened. "...Herald?"
Ethan shot her a sideways glance. "Hmph... Guess subtlety has an expiration date." He'd expected one of them to spill it eventually, but he had hoped she'd find out in a... flashier way.
Aeris, for her part, simply stood tall, radiant with pride. As if this very moment validated her entire existence.
Seraphina stepped forward, glancing over the council members. "There's no longer any reason for secrecy. The Herald is here. The one who carries the direct blessing of Aurelia."
Sylfie lifted a hand to her mouth, staring straight at Ethan. "Wait... you... a Herald...?"
Ethan spread his arms, his golden eyes gleaming. "Did you really think I had this much charisma by accident?"
"That's not charisma, it's narcissism!" she fired back, clearly rattled.
The council members reacted in various ways, some chuckled softly, others smiled knowingly, while a few, like Aeris, actually seemed mildly offended.
"Ethan Blake," said the silver-haired man. "The Goddess told us of your arrival long before your awakening. All temples, all major sanctuaries, every seat of the Church... have been waiting for this moment. You are the physical manifestation of Aurelia's will."
Another member, a woman with long crimson hair and amber eyes, added, "And with your arrival... a new Herald... this world will inevitably begin to change."
Ethan sighed, scanning the faces around him. "So you welcome me in, dump a mountain of expectations on my shoulders, and say 'good luck'?"
"Exactly," the dwarf woman replied, laughing.
Seraphina stepped closer, standing by his side. "But you are not alone. The Church, the Council, and every follower of Aurelia stand with you. Your path... is our path."
Sylfie was still processing everything. Her gaze shifted from Ethan, to Aeris, then to Seraphina, as if her brain was slowly fracturing under the weight of it all. "This... This makes absolutely no sense..."
Aeris finally turned to her, offering a sweet smile, though there was a clear hint of superiority beneath it. "It does. You were just... a little late to figure it out."
Ethan sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Well... at least one thing's certain."
None of them showed a single trace of disgust or disapproval toward him. Some reminded him of Aeris, loyal and devoted. Others were more like him, as if they were simply here to enjoy the chaos.
It wasn't like he was going to throw away all his suspicions... but at the very least, he didn't need to focus on them right now.
A wide, confident grin spread across his face.
"This is going to be... fun."
The glow from the runes across the hall intensified, as if responding to his declaration.
The people watching that scene reacted in various ways.
Some smiled, already imagining the possibilities this Herald could bring to the Church.
Some silently analyzed him, wondering... what exactly made their goddess choose him?
Others were simply enjoying the vibe of the moment.
Aeris gazed at Ethan with those eyes full of unwavering loyalty, as always.
Seraphina eyed him from head to toe... biting her lip.
Sylfie simply stood there, questioning her own sanity.
And beyond the mirror... Aurelia smiled.