Revelation

I walk inside and enter what appears to be a study. Though this one seems far different from the one Aelbrecht uses. The room is tall, and the many windows have arches like is the theme with this cathedral. There are far more windows than in Aelbrecht’s study, allowing more sunlight to come into the room. The walls are a broken white color, there is a table and some comfortable chairs in front of me and on the far end of the room is a desk. Behind the desk sits an elderly man. He’s got white hair and a nicely trimmed beard and he is wearing elegant white robes.

“Ah, mister Darx. I am so grateful you could come.” The man says. He stands up and walks over to me to shake my hand. When he does, he also stares into my eyes. “By the goddess. They really are red.” I hear him say.

By Imris, why is everybody here so focused on my eyes. I sure hope this doesn’t have to do with the royal line of Zrephia again.

“Where are my manners. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Gabriel and I am the Priest who leads the Church of Imris.”

Just now I realize, I actually don’t have anything to say. I mean, what do you say to the leader of your religion? You can’t exactly ask him some basic questions on the religion that a novice can answer, right? Yet, while I am pondering what to say, the Priest starts talking again.

“You must be wondering why I requested you to visit me like this.”

Requested? I thought I offered to come.

“I believe I can best explain by inviting you to take a look at this painting behind you.” The Priest says. He then suggests me to turn around, to face the door I just came through. Above the door is a huge painting. It fills up practically the entire wall. I need to step back and get some distance to get a good view. The massive painting portrays a beautiful white-haired woman. She is wearing red robes and has white feathery wings. Based on how much significance this one painting has, I presume it is a painting of the goddess.

“That is a painting of Imris.” The Priest says proudly. “And yes, that is what she looks like. Whenever a person achieves S rank upon his awakening, he receives a vision of his goddess herself. So, whenever a human receives S rank, they get to see Imris with their own eyes. Throughout the centuries, the Church has taken testimonies from several S ranks to accurately confirm what she looks like. These days we still take testimonies, but those merely confirm her appearance. So yes, you don’t need to have any doubts. This is the true face of Imris.”

My mouth falls open. So, this is what Imris looks like? No wonder the Church requested such a huge painting.

“Uhm … I didn’t suspect her to have white hair.” I say. “But she I beautiful.”

“She is gorgeous. A goddess worthy to be worshipped.” The Priest says. “But you might want to pay special attention to her eyes. What color are they, Darx?”

I notice it just as the Priest mentions it. I am shocked. It can’t be.

“They’re …” I say, but no other words can leave my mouth.

“They are red, Darx. Just like yours.”

“B-but … w-why … what is this supposed to mean?” I ask.

The Priest then motions to a nearby chair and tells me to sit down. I do so and then the Priest takes out a bottle of wine and two glasses. He pours wine in both of them, hands one to me, then takes a seat in a similar chair.

“Can you tell me how much you know about Imris?” The Priest asks.

“Not much, I’m afraid.” I tell him. “She was friends with some other goddesses. She created humanity. She guards over us and guides us. It is because of her that humans get to be awakened into being adventurers.”

“The same things that a lot of people not affiliated with the Church know. I have often requested the nobles for funds so we may construct chapels at every village in the kingdom. We have had success in the larger cities, as the people there demanded accessibility to a place of worship. Unfortunately, most nobles are worried about their wealth going to personal benefits. Hopefully this can one day change. It would certainly help us to educate the people more about the importance of Imris in our lives.” The Priest explains while staring at his glass of wine. “But there is far more to her and then her contributions to humanity. I am sure that you will understand when you hear the other stories.”

This is where the Priest pauses and takes a sip from his wine. I look up at the painting of Imris and stare at her eyes again. I heard about the Zrephian royals having red eyes and tried to imagine coming across another person with red eyes. Today I actually see a depiction of a red eyed person. And this one is a freaking goddess. Could there be a connection?

“Priest … uhm, Mister Gabriel … sir …uhm … Could you tell me more about Imris?” I ask the religious leader of the Church of Imris.