Freed stepped forward, his brow furrowed with worry. Ti had passed, but the sight of Aurianna still managed to unsettle him in ways he couldn’t put into words. She was taller now, almost near his height, but it wasn’t just her height that had changed. Her eyes—those once lively eyes—had beco cold, and more lifeless. Beautiful, yes, but terrifying in the way they seed to suck the soul right out of anyone who dared to et them for too long. There was sothing fundantally inhuman about her now.
"Aurianna, can I ask sothing?" Freed’s voice was cautious, as though afraid of the answer he might receive.
"Of course, big brother!" Aurianna chirped, her grin unwavering.
Freed hesitated for a mont, then finally asked, "Are you really the one who wiped out Shinia Highland?"
A mont of silence stretched between them. Then, Aurianna’s grin twisted into sothing darker.
"Of course it was . Who else would it be, silly?" Her voice was light, but the words dripped with malice.
A murmur rippled through the gathered leaders. Zelnu stepped forward, his voice shaking slightly. "I... I thought those were just baseless rumors. Lies father spread to scare us."
Aurianna’s eyes snapped to him, "Nah, it was all ," she replied casually. "Their king was behind my kidnapping, so I decided to destroy their entire country as payback." She tilted her head slightly, "I gave their people a chance to flee. If they didn’t... well, it’s not my fault they died."
The cold, indifferent way she spoke sent shivers down their spines.
Boara stepped forward then, her expression unreadable but her voice steady. "Glad to see you’ve finally beco a Grand Human, Aurianna. One day, I’d like the opportunity to fight you again."
Aurianna’s grin softened, and for a mont, there was a flicker of the girl they once knew. "Of course! I’d love to see how I’d hold up against you too, Boara," she giggled, the sound sweet and innocent.
From the group of leaders gathered, Valfar watched, his heart pounding in his chest. ’A Grand Human at her age...’ He swallowed hard, feeling the sweat bead at his temple. ’That’s insane.’
______
"Now then," Aurianna began, her voice cutting through the murmurs and filling every corner of the large sanctuary. "You all should know by now—I am Aurianna Vanluad, the supposed Saintess of the Church of White."
A tense silence settled over the crowd, all eyes locked onto her. Even despite the face cover her voice alone was enough to make all of their attention to be on her. And it seed her plan worked because everyone also possessed her mark in their eyes.
"And Jade," she continued, gesturing to the figure standing silently behind her, "is my elected Pope." Her gaze swept over the gathered leaders. "The other roles—oh, don’t worry. I’ve already assigned them over the past few days with the help of my trusted mbers." Her smile returned. "But for you," she addressed the leaders gathered on the platform, "Jade will ensure each of you has a role in our church. You won’t be left out."
She turned her attention to the masses below, her tone softening, "And for the people here, don’t worry. You’ll be guaranteed a place to sleep, good food to eat, and... all sorts of activities to keep you occupied."
A ripple of cautious relief spread through the crowd—until her expression darkened.
"But..." Her cheerful deanor vanished, replaced by a cold voice. Her eyes, those endless voids, scanned the crowd like a predator sizing up prey.
"Training," she announced, her voice now a sharp, commanding edge, "is compulsory for every individual. No matter your age."
The sanctuary erupted in hushed whispers, displeased glances darting between families and friends. Faces tightened with unease, so scowling in silent protest.
But Aurianna raised her hand, and the noise died instantly.
"Enough whispering," she snapped. "This is for your own good."
She stepped forward, her gaze burning into the hearts of those who dared look up at her. "For our peace, you must all be willing to fight for it." Her words echoed against the stone walls. "The goal of the Church of White is to bring world peace to all races." She paused, letting that sink in. "But," she continued, her tone turning colder, "in order to achieve that, we need strength."
She let her eyes drift over the crowd, locking onto faces, watching as her words settle.
"rely sitting down and waiting for the world to change is nothing but a childish dream," she stated, "And I’m not here to indulge in childish dreams."
’Bullshit as if she cares about world peace,’ That’s what most of the leaders thought as they gave Aurianna suspicious gazes.
But Aurianna rely avoided their gazes nervously and continued.
"If you can’t fight and you’re caught again, don’t count on us to save you," she said, her voice calm, "In life, you must always be willing to save yourself first and not wait for others. Others can fail you. So you must have the strength to defend your life, or fight for what you wish for when the ti cos." She paused for a mont before continuing. "The day you fled from being slaves, you all essentially beca rebels. They won’t see you as human. But I do. That’s why I’ve made a beautiful ho for us all. So I hope you would all join there."
A low murmur rippled through the crowd, but one voice broke through asking a question : "Do we get free food?"
Aurianna didn’t even glance in the direction but she answered. "Obviously, but we have to grow it ourselves."
"Free water?" soone else asked.
"Yes, water is free," Aurianna replied with a nod.
The questions kept coming, but Aurianna was starting to lose her patience. Another person called out, "Free communication cubes?"
"Yes, that’s free too," she answered, her voice clipped, the irritation starting to creep in.
"Do we have nice rooms?" another voice chid in.
Aurianna’s eyes narrowed, her patience running thin. "Yes, you have everything there, so stop asking useless questions. I’m opening the portals now!!" She raised her hand, and with a flick of her wrist, several shimring portals appeared before them, swirling and the other side of the church could be seen through them exciting those who were starung at it.
But just as she prepared to usher everyone through, two familiar voices rang out coldly. "Aurianna!"
Dielle and Kairo stepped forward, their hands gripping her head firmly as they glared down at her.
"Why are you both angry?" Aurianna asked, her voice suddenly tinged with nervousness, her earlier confidence faltering under their intense scrutiny.
"How much money do you have?" they both asked in unison, their voices cold.
Aurianna’s eyes darted to Jade and Avriel, who both wore smug expressions on their faces. Jugi, standing a little farther back, was quietly giggling.
’Those bastards sold out!’ Aurianna seethed inwardly, her mind racing.
"I... I have no money," Aurianna stamred, nervously glancing away as her hands fidgeted in front of her.
Vatium, watching from the back of the crowd, couldn’t help but smirk. ’She’s a horrible liar,’ he thought with a light chuckle.
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