The Holy Festival, the grandest celebration in the kingdom, commenced under the golden light of dawn. It was held every year during the Month of Radiance, 7th month of the Lumina Calendar, marking the anniversary of the Holy Lord's victory over the Abyss.
From the break of dawn, the streets were transformed into a sea of colors. Long banners embroidered with sacred scriptures fluttered in the wind, while glowing lanterns infused with divine blessings floated above, creating an ethereal scene.
The scent of freshly baked bread and incense wafted through the air as merchants set up vibrant stalls selling everything from holy relics to golden prayer beads.
Elara, now 19 years old, walked through the lively streets with Kael, keeping her hood low. Despite the joyous atmosphere, she felt uneasy.
"It's always the same," Kael muttered, adjusting his sleeves. "The people celebrate, yet they don't see what's truly happening beneath it all."
Elara nodded, her gaze flickering to the towering Luminaries Temple at the heart of the city. The grand white-marble structure, adorned with golden engravings, loomed over everything like a silent watcher. The very place where faith was said to be purified… but in reality, something far darker lurked beneath its holy façade.
---
As the festival continued, the Cleansing Rituals was held near the Luminaries Temple. At the Temple Plaza, devotees gathered in long lines, eagerly awaiting their turn to be "blessed" by the High Priests. Each person stepped forward, knelt before the altar, and had their foreheads touched by the priests' glowing hands.
Unseen to the naked eye, threads of golden energy coiled from their bodies, dissolving into the ceremonial altar. Faith energy, extracted in broad daylight.
The people would leave feeling lighter, euphoric even, believing they had been purified. But to those who understood the truth—like Elara—it was nothing more than an insidious method of harvesting power.
Kael, watching from a distance, noticed that there is not much changes within the devotees who have been 'cleansed'. Gritting his teeth, "They've refined the process," he muttered. "No side effects. No collapses. Just endless siphoning."
Elara who perfectly saw what is happening whispered, "And no one suspects a thing."
Their attention shifted when they noticed a group of refugees entering the temple grounds. Unlike the citizens, they were led through a separate entrance.
Kael frowned, feeling uneasy he exhaled sharply. "It's happening again."
---
For the past year, refugees had been vanishing in small numbers. But in the last three months, the frequency had increased at an alarming rate.
Kael and Elara split up to investigate different routes. Kael trailed a group of refugees being led through the temple's side gates, while Elara followed a lone priest who slipped away from the main festivities.
The priest took an unusual route through the alleys, weaving deeper into the less populated parts of the city. The further Elara followed, the quieter her surroundings became.
---
As she stepped into the dimly lit alley, a sudden cold silence fell over her. The festival's distant noise muted, the lanterns flickered, and an unseen presence pressed against her senses.
She was not alone.
A faint whisper echoed from the darkness.
"The pact was never broken."
Elara spun around, heart hammering. The masked figure stood at the far end of the alley where she just stepped into, partially shrouded in shadow.
She clenched her fists. "Who are you? What do you mean?"
The figure tilted its head, its tone unreadable. "You should have never discarded the Sigil."
Elara's breath hitched.
They know.
She stepped forward, demanding, "What do you want?"
Instead of answering, the masked figure dropped something onto the ground. A weathered parchment.
Elara hesitated before kneeling to pick it up. When she lifted her gaze again—the figure was gone.
Her fingers trembled as she unfolded the paper. It was an ancient map. And at the bottom, written in elegant ink—
"Library of the Lost."
Elara's stomach twisted. She didn't know what it meant, but something told her this place held answers she wasn't ready for.
---
Far away, in the heart of the Demon Realm, a familiar force stirred.
Lucian, seated on a big obsidian stone, narrowed his eyes as a faint, unsettling pull resonated through the old soul pact.
Again.
For the past three months, something had been tugging at the connection between him and Elara. It wasn't the full force of their contract—as if someone was trying to awaken it but failing.
Lucian exhaled sharply, his crimson eyes darkening. "This is no coincidence."
He summoned his most trusted subordinate—a tall demon with piercing silver eyes.
"Find out what's happening in the Human Realm." Lucian's voice was low, but edged with coldness. "Focus on the Order's activities."
The subordinate bowed and disappeared from the sight.
Lucian's fingers tapped against the armrest, his eyes closed as he tried to sort out the plans in his mind.
After a while, he opened his eyes with sighed. 'It seems I need to settle the matters here as soon as possible. The longer I delay, the later I'll return to her side' he thought to himself.