D-Day

Despite the bitterness of life, man continues to cling onto it. In comparison to the mysterious but unknown life after death, with a little persistence of maybe life will get better, most would choose to live. More so, for those who have everything, how hard must it be to part from the riches you've worked hard for to maintain all your life.

Immortality is such a sweet fruit, tempting, such a cloying thought.

But one would not be so obsessive to something he had never experienced or once have.

However, it was written in the book, that when man was first created, they were immortals.

But through curiosity, deception, disobedience, and betrayal, they eventually lost the right to own it.

Aging became the process of death, each second that passed means millions of cells undergoing senescence.

At present, billions and more are spent for the study of cells. There are clinical trials related to cell senescence; on how they can remove the limiter which determine the lifespan of cells. In relation to this, cancer cells are of significant importance since it tends to multiply endlessly, it can be seen as a breakthrough for the study. Although right now, its abnormality causes fatalities in human health, but it can prove that human once have the ability to be an immortal.

Emperors of old hoped for it, so here comes longevity pill and philosopher's stone.

Pheasants yearned for it, so they believe in occult faith of false prophets.

But the truth of immortality is long buried, albeit, there are different accounts that sprouted over the long river of time of which will be told in this illusion.

The dawn breaks with the booming sound of drums, welcoming the birth of the new High Priestess.

Yue was already pulled out of bed and dragged to the nine pools for reincarnation for the last purification before assisting Alita in the ceremony later on.

Yue was not informed of how the ceremony will proceed but a maid guided her through the motions until she found herself standing in front of a large door leading to the vast temple courtyard.

It was near noon, and the sun was striking so high, but somehow it cast a gloomy sensation of doom in contrast with the festive atmosphere of the temple.

The door opened dramatically, and the maidens began to enter.

Wearing full white dress with floating sash, they swayed as they do some movements, making sure to ring the four bells hanging on their ankle.

Yue previously learned that it was done to call the higher power to welcome the new High Priestess.

Yue followed along the entourage and she can see the vast courtyard full of people from all walks of life.

People are anticipating, cheering, hoping.

And when they saw Alita being carried by an open sedan at the back, they can't help but feel pious.

Finally, after a full hour they managed to reach the altar hundred steps above.

Yue can't imagine how much chicken blood was injected to other maidens but she just wants to lay in bed. So tired.

Yue watched as the ceremony began, Alita was kneeling in front of the High Priest.

The High Priest was mumbling unknown words, probably anointing, probably blessing, but as the time dragged on, Yue can feel her head buzzing.

Then amidst her confusion, she was given a box and was instructed to hand the content to Alita.

As soon as she saw what's in the box, her spirit was immediately expelled from the body of Anita.

But the ceremony continued.

However, she saw the High Priest looking at her inexplicably then looked at Anita, who was holding the pendant.

Alita also took the other half of the pendant and looked at Anita smugly, with the word finally, written all over her face.

The moment the two pendants joined together; light engulfed the two of them.

And when the light passed out, only one person emerged.

Yue wasn't surprised by the result.

What the pendant can do, she had long suspected.

But somehow its function got tweaked over time since both Yue and her can exist in two bodies at the same time, however, it does not circumvent the fact that Yue has long been dead.

"By the authority given to me by the higher power, I pronounce Alita, the High Priestess, to perform the first sacrifice. May you bless the people of Salhura"

"By all means High Priest" Alita who had gained a whole and healthy body, and who now grasp the power like no other, didn't feel a bit pity about her sister, and began to read the scripture provided to her by the High Priest.

Her voice chimed sweetly, like coaxing a child to sleep, bringing peace to every person on the temple.

However, when she began to offer the sacrificial beast, instead of the light blessing, the sky was immediately swallowed by darkness.

"What!?"

Then immediately followed was the activation of a large magic circle encompassing the whole empire and the screeching screams of terror.

The High Priest laughed maniacally. Alita was aghast, surprised by the sudden changes.

"The High Priest, what's happening, what's happening!!!!" Alita was scared. This was to be her most precious moment, why is everybody suffering? She was supposed to bring blessing and be known as a sacred goddess, why, why is everything so different.

"What have you done!?" Alita can only question and shook the High Priest who suddenly looked like the devil.

"Shut up!" the High Priest pushed her away and she was thrown towards the altar.

The High Priest who was always warm and benevolent on usual days already dropped his vest.

While everyone was panicking, he faced Yue and opened his mouth.

"It took me decades to prepare for this day"

Yue was scared at first, looking at the once pristine temple turning into a ghoulish place, wondering if hell can be compared.

But knowing that she's just a spectator, she calmed down and watched the scene. But she didn't expect that the High Priest can really see her. It seems that he is not just some bogus priest, however, looking at the destruction of Salhura, his corruptions probably exceeded the tolerance of heaven.

"You planned to ruin the country"

"Ruin, no. I just needed to take a part of the spirit from each person and gain immortality. Then all of them will succumb to my power and I will rule this country for eternity"

"I have not heard about you, and this country had perished, lost in times"

"Lies. Look, the spirits are gathering, how beautiful. I've long waited for this moment. Years after years I traveled to places, read millions of books just to realize my dream of being immortal" the High Priest continued his story. Maybe because he felt nearer to victory that he wanted to share it to someone.

"Now to finalize everything" the High Priest placed Alita on the altar.

In order to consolidate the spirit into one, he needed the power of the newly minted High Priestess. He had planned everything, including the abduction of the twins.

For a long time the temple had not found the right candidate for the High Priestess, and when he eventually had a divination, he found the twins.

Unfortunately, he can't determine which among the two had the power of the heavens and had to take both of them.

The parents of the twins won't let them go so he had to annihilate their family.

Later on, he discovered who owned the power, but the body was too weak to contain it.

So, he had to look for ways to combine the twins together, since they originally came from one egg, they should be able to integrate into one.

He started corrupting the relationship between the two to avoid emotional troubles.

Until he finally found the formula to join the two together and engrave it in two pendants.

Step by step leading to this day.

The High Priest is almost suffocated with excitement.