The last person the man saw was Zane.
And his last words…
"Join the Veil."
Whether the man wanted Zane to join or that was just his mind losing control near his death, Zane didn't know.
And most of all, Zane had no idea what Veil meant in the first place.
But just after the man said his last words…
BOOM!
He exploded to bits and pieces.
The white clothes of the Priest dyed red and right now, he looked just like Zane.
The Altar remained intact at its place and the beam of light slowly returned to its warm yellow glow.
The Priest had his eyes closed as he muttered something all this while and as his lips moved, the ceiling came back to its previous form.
It vanished and now sunlight engulfed the whole church.
The Priest then opened his eyes, staring at the remains of the man.
He joined his palms at those.
"Take him with you, my great flame." He whispered.
Everyone else also stood up from the corner and joined their palms.
All of them then whispered the same thing.
"Take him with you, my great flame."
Zane and the Commoner had to follow suit as dreadful things had already happened because of prayers, he wouldn't want to add to that.
They both whispered the same thing and the next second, the sunlight warmed all of them but more than that, the remains of the hollow-eyed man, they turned to ashes.
Then the ashes were lifted in the air on their own, climbing the beam of light and in that trajectory, it kept going up and up until no one was able to see it.
They went to the sun?
"The First Flame joined him with his being. All his sins washed away."
The Priest bowed towards the sun.
Everyone else followed.
Zane did the same.
The Priest then gestured to the Wardens to go and stand with the other believers.
They bowed and went to the corner where the others were.
Only Zane and the Commoner stood near the seats, and only Zane and the Priest were washed in blood.
Zane stared at the Priest, examining his expressions as the man appeared calmer than before.
At that time of chaos, he was surprised and shocked but now, he wasn't. Someone who was shocked wouldn't become calm so fast.
Or maybe this is just Tuesday for him so his shock was short-lived?
The Priest turned around and walked down the stage.
He strode towards Zane and Zane stood straight.
He let the Priest come to him as he waited with no words.
Soon, the Priest arrived as the two bloodied men stood face to face.
The Commoner was beside Zane and he simply stayed in silence.
Zane kept his eyes on the Priest's chin and the Priest raised his hand.
Zane flinched but the hand went to his shoulder.
The Priest let out a deep tired sigh.
"Did you know that man, son?"
Zane shook his head.
"Use words for me."
"No, father. I didn't know him."
The Priest nodded. "Then he was just here to invoke terror."
Zane remained silent.
"There are some people in this world that serve the devil. They are brainwashed so much that they will laugh in the face of death. Interrogate them, hurt them, burn them, they will keep praising the Devil."
Zane nodded a few times.
"He chose you because he wanted to show everyone that you, an ardent believer of First Flame, are not protected by him. But you proved him wrong, son. You were saved today by the mercy of the First Flame. This man,"
The Priest looked at the Commoner.
"This man is sent by his grace. I don't know how he saw you in danger while praying with his eyes closed but he jumped to save you. Yes, someone else died because of that but this only means you have something to offer to this world. You weren't supposed to die yet, son. There is a purpose for your life. I hope you find it. But promise me…"
The Priest pressed Zane's shoulder.
"You will never stop being grateful to the First Flame. You will never hesitate while answering whether you believe in him or not. You owe him your life. So always be ready to surrender it to him. Will you do that?"
Zane bowed. "Yes. I will always be ready."
The Priest smiled.
"That's all. Collect the food and a statue of the First Flame from the shop next to the church. And get yourself clean. Blood doesn't suit a believer of your stature."
The Priest removed his hand and turned around.
"I.. I…" Zane spoke. He tried. Words didn't come out.
The Priest looked at him again.
"Something wrong? Do you perhaps not want the statue?"
Zane's eyes widened as he quickly shook his head.
"No. No. I wouldn't dare."
"Then?"
"It's just…" Zane scratched his head. "I don't have any money to buy anything."
The Priest paused.
Zane gulped.
I really don't have any money. You should know about it.
A Gutterborn having money was equivalent to a thief. No one would believe them having money of their own. Either they stole it or found it lying.
But Zane's fear was unfounded as the Priest laughed.
"Everything is free, son. The First Flame doesn't need money. So how can we charge it? Everyone present here should buy the idol of the First Flame, keep it inside their house for prosperity. Alright?"
Zane bowed again and the Priest turned around.
"Wait a minute, father."
Another voice rang.
The father rolled his eyes and turned around.
"What is now?"
Zane raised his hands in the air.
"It's me this time."
The Priest frowned as this time the Commoner beside Zane had something to say.
"Speak, son. What's troubling you?"
The Commoner squinted his eyes and touched a piece of intestine hanging to Zane.
Then, he touched the same type of piece on the Priest's body.
He held both of them, lifting them side by side in the air.
"Can you clear one doubt of mine, father?"
"Always."
The Commoner examined both pieces.
"That devil worshiper exploded someone with his blood and then he died by explosion himself. Since two people can't have the same skill, either the First Flame bursted him or the man exploded himself or…"
The Commoner looked around and then stopped his eyes at the Priest's face.
"Someone else entirely killed both this Gutterborn and that man under the pretense of a Veil heretic on the loose."