Bloodcurdling screams echoed through the heavy double doors of the church sanctuary.
A sacred space, now desecrated by the sounds of agony and despair. Those trapped inside wailed with unrestrained horror, their cries piercing the silence of the hallowed halls. Outside, two guards stood at attention, their expressions etched with confusion and unease.
"What's happening in there? Should we check?" one of the guards whispered nervously, gripping his spear tighter. His face was pale, his voice trembling with apprehension. Whatever was causing the screams inside, it was beyond anything he could imagine. The church was supposed to be a sanctuary of peace and divine strength, yet the cries from within spoke of tornt far removed from anything holy.
"Are you out of your mind?" his colleague snapped, his tone harsh but laced with underlying fear. "You know how this place works. If we step inside without orders, it's our heads that'll roll. What if this is so sort of test? A trap to see if we'll disobey their commands?" He shifted his stance, trying to appear indifferent, but the tension in his shoulders betrayed his unease.
"But those screams... They sound like..." The first guard trailed off, unable to finish his sentence.
"Like what? Like the heads of the church screaming in pain? Don't be absurd!" The second guard scoffed, but his eyes flicked nervously toward the doors. "Just rember the bishop's orders. Do not, under any circumstances, open these doors."
The first guard hesitated, torn between his curiosity and the strict command. The weight of his decision pressed down on him like a physical burden. He glanced at the imposing doors, his imagination running wild with what might be happening on the other side.
"Look," the second guard said, his voice softening slightly, "I get it. This is... unnerving. But think about it—if those inside can't handle whatever's going on, what makes you think we'd stand a chance? Stay put, and keep your wits about you."
Reluctantly, the first guard nodded. The two n resud their posts, the screams continuing unabated. Explore new worlds at My Virtual Library Empire
The orders from Bishop Carlos were clear:
"Do not let anyone enter this room, and no matter what happens, do not co inside yourselves."
Carlos had his reasons for such strict asures. The source of the church's power was a closely guarded secret, and the bishop intended to keep it that way. If the doors were breached, even for a mont, it could expose truths that would shatter the empire's perception of the church's divine authority.
But none of Carlos's calculations accounted for the arrival of her.
The sound of asured footsteps echoed through the corridor, sharp against the polished marble floors. The two guards snapped to attention as a woman approached, flanked by a small entourage of trembling attendants.
"Miss Maria, please wait! Don't go any further!" one of the attendants pleaded, his voice cracking with desperation. "The lords will co out to et you soon. Please, just—"
"Silence," Maria Gunham said coldly, her tone sharp enough to cut through steel.
The guards outside the sanctuary stiffened. They exchanged uneasy glances, beads of sweat forming on their brows. Everyone in the empire knew Maria Gunham, the Fla Overlord. Her reputation preceded her, and her presence radiated an oppressive heat that seed to sap the air of its coolness.
The attendants trailing behind her faltered as she continued her stride. None dared to touch her, let alone stand in her way.
Maria's piercing brown eyes locked onto the two guards blocking the sanctuary doors. The air grew heavier, the temperature around her rising unnaturally.
"Step aside," she commanded, her voice unwavering. "I demand to see Bishop Carlos. Now."
The guards hesitated, their loyalty to the church clashing with their instinct for self-preservation. They tightened their grips on their spears, sweat dripping down their temples.
"Miss Maria," one guard began, his voice quivering, "I'm sorry, but we have strict orders. No one is allowed inside—"
"Orders?" Maria cut him off, her tone laced with disdain. "Do you think your pitiful orders can stop ? Do you even know who I am?" Her eyes burned with fury, and a faint shimr of blue fla flickered at her fingertips.
"Miss Maria," the second guard said, trying to muster courage, "we don't wish to offend you, but this is Bishop Carlos's command. If you could just wait a little longer—"
"Wait?" Maria's voice rose, the flas around her hands growing brighter. "I've already waited long enough! Your so-called bishop has insulted the Aldermond Kingdom for the last ti. Do you have any idea what resources we've wasted because of his delays? And now, you dare to tell to wait?"
Her flas flared, the intense heat forcing the guards to step back instinctively. The polished marble beneath her feet began to blacken and crack.
Lord Aldermond still gave face to the church by sending her in his stead, if he had co with how infuriated he was, that would as well be the end of the church.
All the other kingdoms were already angered as well, they wouldn't bother coming to the aid of the church!
"Miss Maria, please!" one of the attendants begged from a distance. "This isn't necessary—"
"If you take one more step toward ," Maria said without looking back, "I'll incinerate you where you stand. Not just your body—your very soul will be erased."
The attendants froze in fear, unwilling to provoke her wrath any further.
The guards exchanged a final, desperate glance. They were out of options, caught between the wrath of the Fla Overlord and the orders of Bishop Carlos.
If they didn't move, their deaths was certain!
"Move," Maria commanded one last ti.
When they didn't respond fast enough, the blue flas surrounding her roared to life. The heat was unbearable, and the guards braced themselves for what seed like inevitable death.
But just as quickly as the flas surged, they disappeared. A voice, deep and commanding, echoed through the corridor.
"No one will be burning today."
The air shifted, and the oppressive heat dissipated in an instant. Maria's flas flickered out as she turned sharply toward the source of the voice.
From the shadoes erged a figure clad in dark robes, her eyes obscured by a blindfold. The aura she exuded was cold and suffocating, a stark contrast to Maria's fiery presence.
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