As Li Hua advances down the hallway of the Supreme Temple, the Silent Sister trails beside her. Her movements are graceful and silent, subconsciously reminding Li Hua perhaps of the Legonites, though there is a less... insidious... feeling to the subtlety of her presence.
Regardless, as Li Hua makes her wishes, her heart feels a little lighter, perhaps a sign they have been heard, or maybe just the fact that traditional prayer like this (though without any available incense) allows her to relieve some stress.
At the end of the hallway, the full central space of the Supreme Temple is shown in it's full glory!
itchy...
The ceiling is domed, and the four curved archways leading into the place are a marvel of architectural engineering, unlike anything else seen across the rest of Kalatoria.
The mysterious centerpiece turns out to be a tremendous sphere, somehow affixed to the ceiling, and hanging about fifteen feet off the floor.
The room is filled with many priests and some commoners, as well as a number of noble-looking folk. Overall, there are actually not that many present, but there seems to be no explicit trend on who is allowed inside or not...
Somehow, this place feels like it should be more popular.
The decorations of the room are quite interesting. There is no incense, but a number of colored sticks of wax are lit, giving off pleasant-smelling aromas (
OOC: scented candles) but little smoke.
Huge tapestries line the walls, and a number of interesting, but broken, armaments can be seen on small, hand-made altars that have been constructed impromptu. These altars are usually carved blocks of wood, or slabs of marble, some with streaks of blood (perhaps human or animal)
There is also a flower bed present, with an assortment of flowers. Hundreds of trinkets are placed in alcoves along the walls.
A large pot (directly beneath the center of the sphere) contains sparkling pieces of silver and gold
Li Hua also notices a couple people sleeping, or resting. Nobody seems to mind. One of these people even has some food and a scroll with them, as well as some wooden pieces on a wooden board... clearly a game, but the game is unfamiliar.
The man looks like he has been here a while.
it feels strange...
As Li Hua enters the central chamber, a few glances are spared her way, and some linger briefly, but overall they quickly disappear... How relieving... and strange... it seems that the inside of this temple is by far the friendliest place she has been in the city, so far.
It seems like it should not be so, but then the Silent Sister speaks up.
"
You may not understand why it is, but you have felt this place does not... judge... , yes?"
If Li Hua affirms this, the priestess continues, "
Honestly, I am very surprised. It is not much that people can enter this place."
The priestess explains her words further, being careful to use simple language, and being better at it now that she has had some time to practice with Li Hua. The Silent Sister explains that the pressure of the Supreme Temple is very heavy, and most people find it impossible to willingly enter.
For that reason, the Silent Sister explains that it is their tradition to show the minimum level of respect to anyone who can enter the Supreme Temple on their own two feet, without any aid.
The Silent Sister finishes her explanation by informing Li Hua of something incredible, "
Because you visited here by your own power, you are free to remain forever. If you leave, you can always visit again, too."
The woman opens her mouth with a slight smile, to say one more thing, perhaps congratulating Li Hua or saying a fond farewell... but her words trail off... her face goes slack. Her eyes open wide in terror.
! Who _s It..?
Despite the serene atmosphere when she first arrived, the hair on Li Hua's neck now stands up...
Something... has been... to her... she has heard... what was it?
When did the ringing in her ears change to... the words?
!! What Are!? __*_
Her heart races, for no apparent reason.
Looking up unconsciously from her prayers, the entire room is staring in terror at something... in the middle of the room.
Eyes drawn helplessly towards the center, Li Hua realizes the nature of the anomaly.
The sphere has changed.
Before, it was a sphere with mottled colors within.
Now, the colors have solidified.
Into an iris and pupil.
The whole sphere is an eye.
And it is staring directly at her....
Unimaginable!!! HOW!?!? An E__r__l Exists Here???
Why Have You Come...!? WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY W--!?!?!?
The beautiful colors have all disappeared from the pupil... All that remains is an ambiguous crimson gold...
---
The color of hard-earned wealth and luxury
The color of a treasury drowned in vermillion jealousy
The color of dignity and glory
The color of a royal scepter, refashioned into a thirsty blade
The color of passionate ambitions
The color of a king's throne stained with blood
The color of a sacred sacrifice to the one you are devoted
The color of a terrible war for the crown
The color of the rising sun over the land of plenty
The color of a fallen empire
The color of ten thousand warriors, ready to die for their country
The color of an army of ten thousand burning souls
The color of a rosy, beaming smile
The color of a vessel occupied by devils
The color of the heart of the world
The color of a sunset over the land of death
---
As Li Hua stares into the pupil of the eye, absolutely transfixed and unable to avert her gaze...
Her soul trembles.
She doesn't know what that means. Who has ever felt their soul?
But in this moment, it is clear. A fundamental part of her is shaking... being crushed under the monumental pressure of this existence.
It is inherently obvious. This being is a God. A Divine Existence.
... And what is Li Hua in the face of that?
A mere mor-
Wait.
Why...?
The Eye of Ader Is Terrified Of You.