"Whoosh..."
The air was filled with the acrid smoke of burning herbs, as clear water streamed down from smooth skin into the basin, splashing tiny crystalline droplets.
Two of the village's eldest women, too old to work anymore, used their branch-like hands to wipe the girl's body.
Their movements were gentle yet mechanically quick, like the cold water dampening the towels, as cold as piercing ice, making Lilia shiver involuntarily.
Her gaze remained as calm as that night, yet now appeared a bit more vacant.
Like a marionette, she let the two old women beside her manipulate her body.
Once her body was dry, a plain white long dress was slipped onto her.
The dress was coarse, obviously not made of valuable fabric, but its surface was especially clean, spotless, symbolizing the purity of the offering and the villagers' reverence for the Canyon Spirit.
Lilia's hair was neatly combed, cascading over her shoulders, her feet bare.
