Lekan squinted as the sunlight hit his face, his eyes needing time to adjust after so long in the dark. But what he saw next left him stunned.
A vast medieval city stretched out before him, alive with motion and color. Cobbled streets shimmered cleanly under the sun, lined with tall, ornate buildings made of white stone and timber. Flags and banners fluttered in the warm breeze. Merchants called out over market stalls, children ran past laughing, and knights in shining armor patrolled the roads with practiced vigilance.
Lekan had expected it to smell like rot and horse manure. After all, back on Earth, medieval settings weren't known for cleanliness. But this place? The air smelled faintly of lavender and incense, carried by wind through magical air-purifying runes glowing faintly on street corners.
"I thought this place would be filthy," Lekan muttered under his breath, amazed. "But it's so... clean."
"Don't lag behind," Leo called over his shoulder. "We have an important place to go."
A sleek black carriage awaited them at the curb, gilded in gold trim and pulled by two magnificent white horses with runed barding. The door swung open on its own, and they climbed in.
As the carriage began to roll, Leo turned to them. "We're heading to the cathedral to meet the Saint. When we arrive, you will both show respect. Do not speak unless spoken to, and—"
Suddenly, a bright flash of light surged outside the window. In an instant, the world outside vanished.
Lekan jerked upright in his seat. "Wait—what just happened? Did we teleport? Why don't I feel weird? Where are we now? Is that the church?"
"Can you calm down and let me answer?" Leo said, glaring at him.
Lekan immediately fell silent, eyes wide.
Leo sighed and explained, "The carriage passed through the city's transportation magic circle. It's a long-distance teleportation array embedded in the main street. Because this carriage is protected by layered enchantments, you don't experience the usual nausea that most people feel after teleporting."
Rowan said nothing during the entire ride, simply watching Lekan with a faintly amused expression, one that said, "You talk too much."
Leo pulled back the curtain and nodded toward a towering structure outside.
"We've arrived," he said simply.
Outside stood a grand cathedral of radiant white stone, its spires reaching toward the heavens like fingers made of marble and gold. Stained glass windows shimmered in the sun, casting multicolored lights across the pristine courtyard below.
Lekan gulped.
Something about this place felt… holy. And dangerous.
They approached the grand cathedral just as the afternoon sun bathed its white-stone towers in a golden hue. Ornate carvings of celestial beings and holy flames adorned the massive double doors. Two armored guards stood at attention, halberds crossed.
"Halt," one of them said firmly. "State your business with the Church of Solara."
Prince Leo stepped forward, his posture confident but respectful. "I'm here to see the Saintess," he said calmly. From beneath his cloak, he withdrew a polished silver medallion engraved with a phoenix wreathed in sacred fire—the emblem of his royal house.
The guards recognized the symbol immediately. One nodded, stepping aside as the other opened the doors. "You may enter, Your Highness."
As they crossed the threshold, Lekan felt it—an overwhelming presence, thick and ancient, like unseen eyes watching from the stained-glass windows above. A shiver crept down his spine, and a cold sweat broke out along his neck.
"You alright?" Rowan asked, glancing at him.
"I'm fine," Lekan muttered, though he wasn't. Something powerful was here—something divine, maybe even terrifying.
They passed through a long, quiet hallway lined with golden and softly glowing crystals until they reached a smaller sanctuary at the back of the cathedral. It was quiet here, sacred. A single woman knelt before the altar, cloaked in white and gold, hands folded in prayer. Light pooled around her as if drawn to her presence.
Prince Leo paused respectfully, waiting for her to finish. When she rose, he spoke.
"Saintess. Did you receive my letter?"
The woman turned to them, her voice gentle but commanding. "Yes. The items you requested are ready and are already being delivered to your residence."
Leo gave a satisfied nod. "There is one more favor I must ask. Can you heal him?" He gestured toward Rowan.
The Saintess looked toward Rowan with a calm, evaluating gaze. "It shouldn't be a problem."
But then her eyes shifted and landed on Lekan.
She stared at him longer than necessary. Her face didn't move, but something in her expression shifted. It was brief, but Lekan saw it: a flicker of shock.
"Where did you find someone like him?" she asked, her tone too casual to be genuine.
Leo didn't miss a beat. "He's from one of my border territories."
It was a poor lie, and everyone in the room knew it. The Saintess glanced at Lekan's strange clothing but let it go.
"Very well," she said, turning back to Rowan. "Come. Kneel before me."
Rowan stepped forward without hesitation and knelt.
The Saintess raised her hands, her voice ringing out with divine clarity.
"Shine through me, Solara, and burn away all pain."
A dark, smoky aura lifted from Rowan's body, evaporating into the air like ink spilled in water. His face changed subtly—lines fading, weariness lifting. He looked younger. Much younger.
Lekan's eyes widened. He looks like he's in his early twenties now. Just how old is he really?
Then the Saintess continued.
"By your flame, I bring healing to the wounded."
Golden light flowed from her palms and enveloped Rowan's arm. In moments, his missing hand reformed—bone, muscle, skin—all of it restored as though it had never been lost.
Lekan could hardly believe what he was seeing. Why two prayers? he wondered silently.
The Saintess turned her head slightly, answering as if she'd read his mind.
"The first was a purification—a curse removal. The second, a strong healing prayer."
"So, you need different prayers for different kinds of healing?" Lekan asked aloud.
"Sometimes," she replied. "It depends on the healer's holy power. A novice may need to repeat the same prayer multiple times. But a master may not need to pray aloud at all—they simply will the healing into existence." She smiled. "Though only one person in recorded history has ever achieved that level."
She turned back to Lekan, eyes narrowing slightly in amusement.
"Any competent healer in this world knows that," she said teasingly. "You must've forgotten."
Lekan laughed nervously, realizing once again how out of place he was.
"Don't neglect your studies and training," she added, half stern and half playful.
Leo stepped forward and gave a polite bow. "Thank you, Saintess. We'll be on our way."
As they turned to leave, the Saintess called out one last time.
"Lekan," she said, her voice echoing slightly in the hallowed space. "Don't forget to return during the Solstice of Grace—the holy festival of Solara. It will be held ten months from now. You'll want to be here."
He blinked but nodded. "Right… I'll remember."
Back in the carriage, Prince Leo let out a long, weary sigh and leaned back into the seat, relaxing for the first time all day.
Meanwhile, within the cathedral, the Saintess stood still, her gaze lingering on the door long after they had gone. A knight stepped forward from the shadows.
"Follow the one called Lekan," she said quietly. "From a distance. Do not interfere—only observe."
"Yes, my lady," the knight replied, bowing.
Back in the carriage, the mood shifted again as Leo straightened in his seat.
"We'll be arriving in the Valoria Kingdom soon," he said. "There are duties ahead. You both need to be ready."