"Let us receive her light and love, and bless us all. Amen."
"Amen," said the collective.
In front of the marble statue, created in the likeness of the white goddess and all her beauty, the congregation of 10 priests bowed down and offered their prayers. Afterwards, they went on their own ways, biding each brother and sister their goodbyes. Most of those that were gathered had a journey leading to other places, with that being in different parties or different countries all together. The church of Rebecca heeded no place, providing all their love if no matter what. Only three people were left of the group, as they were the ones posted there. Made up of one Player Priest-in-training and two senior NPC priests, these three made up the clergy in this particular oasis.
Still gazing at the beauty of the statue, the level 80 Priest-in-training Pluto addressed the senior NPCs standing at their own corners of the small temple. "Isn't it incredible of how gorgeous this statue is? Its brilliance is already blinding, but imagine how our actual goddess looks!"
The always-smiling-senior named Cassideus quickly gave his reply. "Truly, it is magnificent. Waking up to it, I want to just spend the whole day basking in her presence. I can't even count how many times Brutus has caught me completely entranced in its holiest-of-holy auras, hoho."
Hearing his name mentioned, the always frowning Brutus's sharp words cut in. "Of course you can't count how many times; you can barely remember what you had for breakfast, even though it's the same meal every day!"
"Although that may be true, sometimes I do choose to fast. And that is the problem. That said, I am absolutely confident that I already had my meal today, hm HMM!"
*Grrrrr* his clearly hungry stomach rang out.
"Incorrect! Like always!" Brutus replied with a face palm.
*sigh* "To answer your question earlier, young Pluto: Yes, I do think that the statue in front of you is beauty incarnate. But it is very clear that it pales in front of our maiden in heaven. So as a reply to your question, I will test you with a question of my own."
Hearing this, Pluto immediately turned and gave full attention to the senior. 'This may help me to advance in my training!'
"Here is the question: Why have us humans built these incomplete status, when we are not able to capture the true essence of our goddess?"
"Ahh, nice question, Brutus."
"Quiet. The young one is thinking of this most Important inquiry."
'Why... why create these statues...' Racking his brain, Pluto tried to recall the lore of this world, and specifically the scripture he read from the church during these couple of months. 'Why would they try to recreate Miss Rebecca's likeness? Is it because they wanted to capture just a piece of her beauty down on Earth? No; that conjecture would be looked down at as filthiness. Then maybe it is because... they want us to feel closer to our goddess? So we can gain more divine strength, and also increase our faith at the same time? Yes! That must be why!' Delighted with his answer, Pluto heartedly gave his response.
"Priest Brutus, I think I have come upon the answer."
"Go on."
"I think the reason we have created these statues is to give us more love. The sculptors of these statues wanted us priests, and all of humanity as well, to feel the warmth of our divine goddess Rebecca closer. With that, it will also provide more faith to those on a lost path, walking away from rescue, and lead them back to the light.
Also, it helps us clergymen's Divine power grow. Since most of the statues are blessed with the wishes of goddess Rebecca, they improve our cultivation in our divine powers, as to tell us that our strength will be needed in the future. That is my conjecture."
Thinking over the answer, the space between Pluto and Brutus fell quiet, as if it itself fell quiet as well.
"Approved!" was his response. With that, the air stuck in Pluto's lungs finally came out, relaxing him.
"You mulled over multiple ideas to come to this conclusion, young Pluto. Understanding the truth of our church is no easy task, and I must commend you on that." Although he was always scowling and frowning, Brutus was by no means mean. He was relatively kind to Pluto, who has started his journey of divinity not too long ago. It's just his partner Cassideus's antics always seemed to wail on his mind.
[You have made progress in your training!]
'Yes! I hope it is not too long until I see Miss Rebecca's beauty,' thought Pluto, his face growing a bit red. It seems that he might have an interest in the mighty being that went beyond reverence. It seemed that the reason he chose his path was to get closer to the owner of his affection.
[As a reward, you have earned the skill 'Contemplate.']
[Contemplate]
*Passive Skill
[You have earned enough knowledge about the divine scripture. Now you must understand it.
While thinking over the holy text, you will learn more and more bits and pieces of the church of Rebecca. While contemplating, your Divine energy will accumulate faster.
Skill Cooldown: 5 minutes
Conditions of Use: Complete concentration on the current matter. The skill's effects will disappear once concentration is broken.]
"How great! With this, I will----"
*Knock* *Knock*
[You sense an impure aura.]
"???? Seniors, I think---"
"---Yes. We sense it too." All of a sudden, both men popped up right in front of the church doors, the two's faces grim.
"W-what do we do?"
"We let him in, obviously," replied Brutus.
"What!? Don't you sense the malevolence?"
"It is against our doctrine to turn away from those who knock at our doors." This time, it was Cassideus who replied. Following this, he reached for the doors. Opening them, he finished the conversation with this.
"All I can say is this: Pray to Rebecca for strength. He is not someone we can go against."
With that said, the doors opened completely, welcoming the brilliance of the small but Glorious church. And right behind the doors, the most sinister smile revealed its face.
"Good evening," were Godspeed's words.