** Sol'Varen - Temple of Rebirth
The golden light of dawn rested upon Sol'Varen, reflecting off the rooftops adorned with sacred mosaics and scarlet stained glass that captured every ray of the rising sun. At the heart of the city, a massive temple stood as a living monument, its towers spiraling upward in golden spires, symbolizing the ascent of souls toward redemption.
The broad staircases, carved from black marble, were constantly traversed by the faithful, whose white and gold robes contrasted with the scarlet glow of the eternal flames burning on the altars. From above, the sacred bells echoed throughout the city, calling the devout to morning prayer.
Descending through the streets, which were arranged in concentric circles around the temple, the architecture reflected the unshakable faith of the humans. The monasteries, built of dark stone, were adorned with golden inscriptions, and their wide balconies allowed priests to recite prayers for the entire city.
In the center of the squares, statues of a deity named Ah Puch were surrounded by murmuring devotees, while commerce thrived under the arcades and colonnades, where merchants sold everything from blessed grains to enchanted relics promising divine protection.
At every corner, sacred crests were engraved in iron and gold, reminding all that every stone of Sol'Varen belonged to the church and its eternal mission.
At the city's edge, colossal walls of obsidian and sacred steel rose like a divine shield, protecting the people from external threats. Beyond them, vast cultivated lands stretched out, where the faithful tilled the fields.
Along the walls stood the fortresses of the Paladins of Redemption, holy warriors who guarded the city and ensured no heretic would defile its sacred soil. Above all, Sol'Varen was not just a city; it was a living doctrine, pulsating with the unshakable faith that firmly believed in its own rebirth.
The Grand Temple of Rebirth stood at the heart of the capital, an imposing structure of black and gold stone, with stained glass that filtered the sunlight into shades of red, gold, and purple. Inside, the main hall was adorned with towering columns, each engraved with sacred runes that glowed softly in crimson hues. At the center of the hall, a large obsidian altar reflected the light of the eternal flames burning in red and gold embers. It was here that the Holy Mother, the spiritual and political leader of the humans, conducted the sacred councils.
A majestic and serene figure, she sat on an obsidian throne, dressed in black robes embroidered with gold and red threads. Her face was veiled in translucent fabric, and her deep red eyes seemed to see beyond the material world. Behind her, a ring of red fire appeared, floating in the air like a divine halo.
Below her, the three High Priests sat on smaller but still impressive chairs. Around the hall, seven lesser priests, responsible for administering the kingdom's provinces, stood dressed in red and black robes. The air was heavy with reverent silence, broken only by the crackling of the sacred flames.
The Holy Mother raised a hand, and the ring of fire behind her glowed intensely for a moment.
"My children," she began, her voice echoing softly through the hall, "today we gather to discuss matters of great importance. Our god has blessed us abundantly, and our people grow in power with each passing day. Yet, new challenges arise, and we must be prepared to face them."
She opened the meeting with simple words, giving her cardinals the opportunity to speak.
"Holy Mother, the elves have refused our proposal regarding the dungeons. They claim to be in a sacred harvest period, but we suspect there is more behind this decision," said one of the High Priests, an elderly man with a long white beard and piercing eyes.
"Cardinal Adam, the elves have always been proud and distrustful. However, we cannot allow their pride to hinder us from fulfilling our mission," replied the Holy Mother, raising her head and causing the celestial halo behind her to vibrate even more intensely.
"Holy Mother, we are concerned that the frequent oracles are overwhelming you," said a woman with black hair and severe eyes.
"There is no need to worry about my condition, Cardinal Sephira. As long as there is divine protection, my body will remain steadfast," replied the Holy Mother.
"Holy Mother, the dwarves are also beginning to express dissatisfaction with our attacks on the dungeons," said a middle-aged woman with sun-like blonde hair and a gentle face.
"Is this within our capacity to manage, Cardinal Angela?" asked the Holy Mother.
"Yes, Holy Mother Ruby."
"Do not interrupt the growth of the new generation. Continue dealing with the dwarves' dissatisfaction. If necessary, use any tools from the church's arsenal to contain them."
"Yes, Holy Mother," replied Angela.
"And what of the demons' invitation and their new prodigy?" questioned Cardinal Adam.
"Added to the legend, there is also Elian's claim that this Glenn is the most talented mage of the new generation," added Sephira.
At that moment, one of the seven priests who stood at the lower part of the hall moved toward the center of the room and placed a translucent stone that shimmered in various colors on the table.
The Holy Mother raised a finger, and the stone floated toward her back, consumed by the flames of her sacred halo.
An intense, semi-transparent mist covered the chamber, and within it, the flames of the halo began to replay scenes from Glenn's last battle against Aeloria Lunais Argentum. The room fell into minutes of concentration as everyone present meticulously analyzed the scenes.
All eyes shone sharply, judging every step, every exchange, and every nuance of the fight. Until the mist dissipated, returning the room to its previous peaceful state.
"Undeniably powerful!" declared one of the seven priests.
"Adam?" questioned the Holy Mother.
The wise eyes, along with his white beard and hair, gave Adam the appearance of a legendary mage from the stories. His analytical gaze lingered as he thought of how to respond to the Holy Mother.
"Intensity far beyond that of an ordinary awakened, spell potency comparable to a champion rank, and an abundant reserve of prana," Adam dissected.
"How does he compare to our novices?" asked Angela.
"Superior to all members of the sentinel groups and on par with the heralds."
"And compared to Athena, Priscila, and Apollo?" questioned the Holy Mother.
"Although I cannot analyze with precision based on this short fight alone, I would say our prodigies are better," inferred Adam.
"However, none of our initiates compare to this Glenn's casting speed. The way he controls electricity through his body, his gravity manipulation, and how his magic has almost no delay is truly comparable to champion-rank mages," concluded Adam.
"So Elian wasn't delusional in his claim?" questioned Sephira.
"Unfortunately, if what was intentionally leaked is true—that he awakened just over thirty days ago—then another troublesome demon has emerged," said Adam.
The Holy Mother absorbed her cardinal's words, digesting the precise observations. Unlike those present in the room, who could only contemplate the scene once, for her, it was the opposite.
As one of her most special abilities, in her inner world, the scene repeated endlessly within a great red sun that flickered with vigorous flames.
She could approach as close as she wished, almost walking into the scene. At this moment, the final second of the battle was repeating constantly. A blurred scene of a lightning bolt being shot from Glenn's fingers and piercing Aeloria's impeccable defense.
With a furrowed brow and attentive eyes, the Holy Mother doubted her own inferential ability.
'Luck or incongruity?'
A brief moment of silence settled in the chamber.
"Send one of the three to meet this Glenn in person," ordered the Holy Mother, interrupting the brief exchange of comments among the cardinals. "Angela, you will be responsible for Athena, with the duty of bringing her back without collateral damage."
"Yes, Holy Mother," replied Angela.
"If possible, try to test the waters with a 'friendly duel,'" recommended Adam. "Even if she is not a mage, I am sure her sharp eyes will be far more perceptive than this small recording," he added.
"I will do my best. But are you sure it is wise to send Athena?" questioned Angela. "She has been the most, hmmm... impetuous since her awakening."
"I also agree, Holy Mother. Priscila or Apollo would be much more sensible options," added Sephira.
"No!" Holy Mother Ruby vehemently refused. "The strings of fate have been plucked with the name Athena."
The three cardinals nodded complacently, accepting that this situation was decided according to the Holy Mother's prescience.
The meeting continued for a long time until night fell. All the leaders left the chamber, leaving only Holy Mother Ruby.
The halo was no longer visible, and her body slowly moved toward a painting of herself. Raising her hand slightly, the painting moved, revealing a staircase leading to the temple's underground.
Several spiral staircases provided a long path illuminated by a small flame burning in Ruby's hand.
After an immeasurable amount of time, Ruby reached the deepest point. Before stepping off the last stair, she removed her sandal and, with bare feet, stepped onto the white, soft sand of the temple's depths.
The sound of dripping water guided her to a spot in the middle of all that white sand.
At the center, a small pool of still water shimmered with a cold, opaque light. The water was silver and dense like blood.
As she approached the edge, her face was reflected in the silver waters, which acted like a mirror. Pale skin, red eyes, curly brown hair.
Ruby drew a small sacrificial knife from her waist and cut her hand. Dripping blood into the strange pool, a faint sound of something sliding through the water grew in intensity until, before her, a large mirror three meters tall and one meter wide floated.
"Glenn Carborex, known as 'the queen's pawn,' rumors of being the royal consort," she shouted with intensity.
The mirror before her rippled, similar to the movement of water when a stone is thrown.
"COUGH..." Blood began to seep from Ruby's eyes, mouth, and nose.
Before her, the mirror stilled, yet nothing was projected.
"Illegible!" murmured Ruby. "This is the first time since I became the Holy Mother. What are you, Glenn??"
Retrieving a small silver pocket watch from her robe, Ruby opened it, revealing a childhood photo of herself with words engraved on the inside.
'When the veil between worlds is torn, and the fire of change rises, a chosen one will emerge from the shadows. The one who carries the flame of duality will bring either destruction or salvation.'
The halo reappeared behind her. Flames flickered in the shadows as the mirror silently returned to the depths of the pool