The Divine Feet

The journey had been long, but Eirlys's determination never wavered. As she guided her horse along the worn forest path, her thoughts turned to the mission that lay ahead, investigating these rumored manifestations of divine power. The high priestess did not consider the matter urgent enough to dispatch a full expedition party. Instead, they entrusted Eirlys alone with unraveling the truth behind the stories trickling in from this remote region. Her decades of experience as a healer, combined with her profound faith, made her the ideal emissary. As the humble village appeared through the trees, Eirlys felt a wave of relief. After days of travel, she would finally have a chance to regroup and seek guidance before venturing into the wilderness. True to the church's communications, a woman in modest robes awaited her arrival.

"Sister Eirlys?" the woman called out warmly. "I am Anora. Your brothers and sisters sent word of your coming."

Eirlys returned Anora's smile as she dismounted, favoring her sore muscles with a stretch. "It's a blessing to meet you, sister. I must admit, my journey has left me quite ready for rest."

"Of course, of course," Anora replied, taking Eirlys's rein. "We've prepared a chamber for you at the church dormitory. But first, you must regain your strength with some hearty stew."

As they crossed the village square, Anora's kind hazel eyes studied Eirlys with a mixture of deference and curiosity.

"I can scarcely believe the rumors that brought you here," Anora went on in hushed tones. "A fount of divine power, manifesting so close by? It seems the stuff of legends."

Eirlys chuckled at the woman's sense of wonder. To her it was just another routine mission, but she realized it might be Anora’s first experience with such a thing. "I too am quite anxious to uncover the nature of these stories." She said with a disarming smile.

"I've made arrangements to guide you to the site once you are ready. Though I must warn you, the terrain is quite rustic where the alleged power dwells."

"Do not trouble yourself on my account," Eirlys assured her with a warm smile. "I am no stranger to hardships in pursuit of my callings, both spiritual and medicinal."

"Oh of course, Sister." Anora gave a dutiful nod.

As they entered the church dormitory, the two silently acknowledged the tradition of keeping the sanctuary free of outdoor dirt and grime. Without hesitation Eirlys unlaced her traveling boots and Anora did the same. She couldn't help noticing Anora's own feet were quite well-tended, the toenails neatly trimmed and polished.

"A wise practice," Eirlys remarked. "Though I fear my humble feet may not be fit for such polite company after days on the trail."

Anora waved a hand dismissively. "Think nothing of it. You've journeyed far in service to the divine. That is mere surface concerns." Eirlys was starting to feel at home already.

After a satisfying meal, Eirlys felt reinvigorated and ready to seek out the source of these rumors. Anora had been an attentive host, ensuring Eirlys was well-rested before their journey into the wilderness.

"I appreciate your offer to allow me more rest," she said. "However, I must beseech you to guide me to this place of power with all haste. I would be deeply remiss if any artifacts or phenomena were to go unobserved or, Gods forbid, be a threat to the village."

Anora considered her words carefully before giving an understanding nod. "I shall lead you there directly, so you can discern the truth for yourself."

Leaving the church, the two women set off along the worn trail, the dense wood closing in around them. There was no way for a horse to navigate it. The trail wound deeper into the verdant forest before finally opening up to a small clearing. What lay before them, however, caused both Eirlys and Anora to pause in surprise. In the center of the glade stood what appeared to be an enormous stone altar, or perhaps the base of an ancient monument. Except it had been curiously overgrown with vines, branches, and scattered debris from decades, maybe centuries, of neglect.

Eirlys felt her healer's sense of duty take over as she surveyed the disheveled scene. "Regardless of what this...structure is, we cannot allow it to languish in such disrepair. We must tend to it at once."

With a firm nod, Anora rolled up her sleeves and set to work. Eirlys found a stout branch amid the litter that could serve as a make-shift tool to begin raking away the undergrowth. For long hours, the two women toiled diligently side-by-side, slowly uncovering the weathered stonework beneath.

"You have remarkable stamina," Anora said between gasps. "The trail was taxing enough, yet you remain undaunted in your dedication."

Eirlys flashed her companion a compassionate smile. "Do not try and match my pace, I have faced many trials such as this. There is no shame in resting, you have already done so much in welcoming me and leading me here." Anora gratefully plopped down on a nearby stone propping herself up with her arms behind her. “However, if you do wish to help,” Eirlys continued, “I could offer you a blessing to enhance your ability of endurance.”

“Oh no, I couldn’t”

“It is not a problem.” Eirlys tossed aside a particularly large branch she was holding and placed her hands on her fellow worker. The woman beamed as strength filled her body once again. She cast Eirlys a stare filled with wonder.

“Unbelievable. I feel totally refreshed.” Eirlys couldn’t help, but giggle at Anora’s awe. Anora cast her an embarrassed glance. “I suppose these things are common for you though.”

“I’m sorry,” Eirlys said, “But believe me, my reaction was the same the first time I experienced the blessings.” She held out her hand and helped Anora on her feet. “Shall we?”

As the day wore on, the two women worked side by side and more and more of the altar's curious shape became visible beneath their efforts. That's when Eirlys noticed something strange - defined curves and ridges adorning the surface, almost like...

"Sister, tell me..." she began slowly. "Does this not bear an uncanny resemblance to a pair of... feet?"

Anora squinted at their handiwork, then blinked in surprise. "You're quite right. It does appear to be the architecture of toes and soles we've been unearthing. But how can this be?"

Eirlys ran her fingers along the grooves as realization set in. This was no mere altar, but a monolithic effigy, a colossal representation of feet, carved on a scale that defied comprehension. Her own humble appendages would scarcely amount to the size of a single toe.

As she gingerly traced the grooves and contours of the towering feet before them, an unsettling realization took hold. Despite their aged, weathered appearance, the surface did not have the cool rigidity she expected from carved rock. Instead, the gargantuan toes and soles yielded an almost...fleshy give beneath her probing touch.

"Anora..." the seasoned healer breathed in a hushed tone. “I need you to confirm what I'm sensing here. Does this structure feel more like..."

Tentatively, Anora extended her own hand, running her fingers along the heel of the nearest foot. Her eyes went wide at the malleable warmth she encountered.

"You're correct," she said, barely above a whisper. "These are no ordinary sculptures. They're as soft and pliable as living skin!"

The two women exchanged an apprehensive look. Just what manner of divine power - or being - were they confronting here? As if responding to their shared wonder, a subtle tremor coursed through the massive appendages. The delicate motions of tendons flexing and skin stretching sent a visceral thrill up Eirlys's spine. This was no inanimate object, but clearly a living, breathing entity of some kind, many times taller than even they were.

"Unbelievable..." Anora mouthed, rendered temporarily speechless by the awe-inspiring sight. "What do we do, Sister?"

Eirlys remained silent, contemplating their discovery.