"What do you mean by prophet?"
Anastasia looked with growing confidence at the godly figure.
Interesting…
This girl is far better than most prophets I've had! She's very good at reading people and quickly adapted to the situation, understanding her position in this exchange! She can probably be of use.
"Dost thou not know what a prophet is?" Solatin made a deliberately playful face.
"No, that's not what I meant… Why I'm a prophet should be the question instead." She did not hesitate, even under the Sun God's gaze.
"I thought thou wouldst understand from the color of mine eyes, but I suppose I overestimated thee…" Solatin sighed heavily. "The answer is fairly simple: I do not know." The God's expression was filled with pure intent.
Anastasia's eyes widened.
He doesn't know?
No, that's not right. Maybe He didn't choose me particularly, He simply needed a prophet, and fate decided it would be me. I doubt He has power over my fate or destiny. Based purely on how He presented Himself as the 'Sun God' and not just 'God,' this probably means there are other gods, ones that rule over things other than the 'Sun.' What even is the 'Sun'? Are we talking about that glowing thing in the sky?
Anastasia had the nerve to sigh. She continued with another question. "Why are you here?"
A bold question coming from a mortal to a divine being.
"Hm. Thou caught on quickly. My presence in this world is merely for a divine game, a form of entertainment for other gods to watch, thou couldst say…" He produced a slight grin, one that exuded confidence.
A divine game…
So my theory about other gods was correct… not that it matters. So we really are but small fish in the ocean that is the universe. Who knew I would learn so much today? Should I ask Him about Vlad? He probably doesn't know, but… who knows?
"I have one last question," she said.
Solatin nodded.
"My friend Vlad didn't come to work today, and I have a strange feeling about the whole situation. Do you happen to know why?"
"Couldst thou describe this feeling?" Solatin closed one of His eyes while asking for the details.
Anastasia closed her eyes and tried thinking about her colleague. A sharp pain erupted in her mind, as if something were hurting her in a metaphysical sense. Her body wasn't the one being harmed, it felt as though her very soul was being attacked.
She held her head and reopened her eyes, looking at the tall 'man'.
"I can't tell. Whenever I think about the situation, I feel a sharp pain inside me, a pain that isn't quite being done to my body. It's something akin to my soul, I feel." She looked into the air, as if searching for her answers in the church's roof.
Solatin had a silent laugh.
From an outsider's point of view, He truly seemed like a madman.
The Sun God expressed immense contentment with the current situation, erupting into laughter that was now clearly visible.
This prophet truly is amazing! It seems she has powers under the domain of fate, but I can't be sure. This is but a mere feeling of danger, a sixth sense, in a way. But if she truly has awakened her powers, and in the domain of fate at that… This might just be the one.
"Amazing!" Solatin proclaimed, his face showing an expression the white-haired girl couldn't quite describe. It was like a sense of pride, but not in a human way. It was the look someone might have when instigating a coup d'état, or a politician who had just claimed a high position.
Anastasia wanted to ask more about what the Sun God meant. She tried opening her mouth, but the Sun God cut her off.
"The reason for this feeling thou possessest is something beyond the mortal realm. It seems thou hast awakened powers under the domain of fate. How wonderful!" He joyfully proclaimed.
Anastasia couldn't come up with the necessary words to respond; her mouth simply hung open.
I have powers!? The supernatural actually exists!
Anastasia's eyes went wide.
But under the domain of fate? Does this mean I can see the future? Hmm. Although it seems my powers only consist of some sort of intuition right now, there must be a grand reason for a god to express such joy.
Anastasia felt the air around her change slightly; the mood shifted in another direction.
A voice as low and quiet as a silent breeze flowing through the grand hall emerged. It spoke in a language the noble couldn't quite understand, but she immediately knew the voice came from the other being in the room.
The tall godly figure turned around and sat back on His throne. He regained an expression of calm and control. He closed His eyes for a brief moment before continuing His talk with the prophet.
"Unfortunately, I have used too much of my power. I am not in a position to act as myself in this world. 'Tis why thou shalt become my representative. Know that 'tis an important gambit. Sacrificing most of my powers for this moment was a grand choice, but a mere, unimportant event in the grand scheme of time."
Solatin looked at His left hand, then back at the tall woman. His eyes grew more tender than they used to be, and His voice was melancholic yet formal.
"Only forty percent of my current power remains. Of course, this does not mean I am unable to regain it. This form is only a shell of my true being, after all. I barely have the power necessary to form an angel, it seems." Solatin sighed at His current weakness, He, who was most proud of His strength.
The Sun God left His seat and walked to the front door of the church. He looked back at His only believer.
"Well, I'll have to conserve my power from now on, prophet. Be sure to offer me divinity. Communications shall be done through my soon-to-be angel." He marched forward, not looking back, and disappeared into the air.
What…
Anastasia wanted to call out to the figure, but she couldn't bring herself to do so.
Just who is this guy? Suddenly appearing out of who knows where and proclaiming Himself a god. Was He the one who brought me to this church? Too many questions… not enough answers.
He also said something about angels. Hmm… well, I guess I'll just go with it.
Anastasia looked at the throne of gold in front of her.
It was surprisingly well-fitting for the monarch that was the Sun God. She called Him a monarch because that was the aura He exuded, but she knew well that appearances meant nothing in this world.
People expected her to be a kind and gentle wife and daughter. Anastasia was none of that, and the people at the print shop knew better.
She wanted to break the norms, to become a legend, not remain a regular housewife or her father's princess.
Becoming a warrior…
If this god was truly who He claimed to be, then this was her chance to change her fate.
Anastasia showed a slight smile before leaving the church for good. She halted for a second between the outside world and the realm inside the church.
"Woman, wife, daughter, human, or prophet… it doesn't matter. I am simply Anastasia Fomenko, and I will remain as such."