CHAPTER 16

Date: October 31st through November 2nd, 110 P.A. / 2114 C.E.

Without any knowledge of the revelations revealed by their God to their Priestess, tradition went on as usual, the Festival of Reborn Souls much anticipated and cherished by the people. The preparations had been made, and now the time had come for the three-day celebration to be underway. Arei watched it with irony the opening day. It was all a sick joke to her, a lie upheld by ignorant people. A part of her wished to scream her outrage, to scream the truth, but she knew she could not, least she be slain as a heretic even as she told the truth. So, she bit back her words, for cynical humor, and took Abaddon's advice, departing from the Temple to enjoy herself.

She went with her Attendant to visit his family. His mother and little sister greeting them with a low bow, before embracing Byron and giving Arei a wide smile, welcoming her. The little girl was far more enthusiastic, taking her Priestess's hand and leading her out into the streets, to the vendors and their booths, trying some of the traditional candies, Haunters made of sugar, skulls drizzled with honey, sweet bean paste buns for them to snack on, and candied applies. Arei savored these delights, and in her conservative cloaks, making her barely distinguishable from other citizens. Her amulet was cold against her breastbone, reminding her of what awaited when she returned to her place. But for now, she let herself be lost in little Amy's delight, playing games with her, dunking willing citizens in vats of watered-down wine by hitting a target with a stone; knowing down a pyramid of bottles; tossing a ring around some bottles are various beverages to be won; tossing a pebble into a bowl contained various prizes to be won.

The first day went swiftly, and many ended it by leaving offerings out on their porches for the returning souls of loved one. Of course, though it was something of a misdemeanor, many children snitched the candies and milk, or various Beasts did, though the latter was perfectly acceptable. There were no graves, only memorials—cremation was the funeral of choice, not burying the corpses. Byron's family left traditional flowers out for their lost one, Byron's father and Byron's twin sister—who, Arei was shocked to learn, had been Kara! But they barely talked about her time as a priestess. It was as though she had died before then, which, essentially, Arei realized, she had been. So Arei listened with interest, finding herself mixing curiosity with aggravation. Their prayers to Abaddon only made this worse. After they had said grace, Amy looked up at her curiously, and asked:

"Priestess Arei, who don't you pray to God Abaddon?"

Byron and his mother shared amused looks, and the older woman explained, "Amy, Priestess Arei does not have to pray to God Abaddon. She may speak with him personally, and she had his favor. Isn't that right, my lady?"

Arei paused at the expectant gaze…by all that was holy, this was sick! The woman prayed to a mere Beast…he was no god at all. It was a lie. This was all some screwed up lie!

Yet, in wry humor, Arei responded, "Indeed…and it's not as if I would pray to him anyhow."

Shock…that was the emotion they shared as they gazed at her. She quickly realized her fumble, and smiled reassuringly. "It's just…if I'm going to pray to anyone, it would be to Goddess Mew, of life. That makes more sense to me, but I suppose it's a personal preference."

They relaxed, and with a slightly nervous smile, Byron's mother, Clarice, brought up a different topic in the same subject. "You are quite close to out god, aren't you a Priestess? Byron speaks fondly of it."

"Mother—"

Arei interrupted. "I suppose we are. I know him better than I know myself. I know him better than many could claim."

And she didn't have to life, when concerning either of those things.

Two more days passed, and Arei realized another truth: the people and her were happy in their ignorance. And in her newfound knowledge, she would never again be one of them. And that is why a Priestess is said to die the moment she is chosen. They can never again be who they were after touched by the God. They turned into someone new, someone different. The soul is reborn in its own body.

No matter if Arei learned about who she had been, she knew now: She could never again be that person without those experiences…. And Abaddon had wiped those memories from her. She was Arei now. Only time could tell if that would remain the same. And worse, even with that knowledge, came the conflicts aroused during the final night, when she returned to Abaddon's side.

Things were only going to get more complicated from here on out.