The Church of the Twin Gods

Melvin and his team had finally reached the capital, the Lemorio city. It was held surrounded by tall walls, with soldiers of plated armor roving the ramparts.

They were riding the carriage which took them a few days. He estimated that the distance was around 20 kilometers. He had no idea if he was far from his country but he had to try. Every kilometer farther would weaken the radio signals being picked up by his phone.

The city had barely any vegetation in its areas. The dirt was barren and dry. He even wondered why they built a city in this location.

There was a portion on the walls that were in poor condition, a minor earthquake might cause it to crumble. There were two walls of the great city, the inner was newer and sturdier. It surrounded the upper district where the nobility resides. The outer wall, the lower district was resided by the commoners.

The city gave them a medieval vibe. Their technology mirrored that of an ancient Rome.

After saying goodbye to Lexa and his grandfather they went on their ways.

Passing through the iron gate they were inspected. Though the guards raised their eyebrows at him. "What are your intents in coming to this city?"

To Melvin's surprise, he could understand him. Unlike the town, they were speaking the mendovian language, which back on earth was called English. "We are just here to visit."

"How many are you?"

"Only four of us."

"A noble adult costs about 20 silvers, 50 bronze for a peasant, and 10 bronze for a slave. According to the national decree of Lemorio, you should pay the mandatory entrance fee of the city."

Melvin had the money to spare but he was puzzled. It was acceptable since even in their world, they would give fees to the tourists. He identified himself as a noble, thus he was given a yellow badge on his chest when he entered. Rederick and Celine were given a white badge which signified the position of a commoner, peasant or servant. And Shira who had a brown badge as a slave.

They entered the city. Melvin was surprised to see that the people in this place have various hair colors, taking all the colors of the visible light. He felt like he was in the anime world. "This is nice, eh?"

Rederick nodded. "Definitely!"

Celine gulped. "I'm not gonna lie, those hairs look nice. If only I can get white hair."

Melvin laughed. "Don't, you will look old at those."

Celine lifted her lip. "Sir, old people have grey hairs, not white."

Looking around the architecture, it was decent. He tried touching the walls and inspected these weren't cement but clay concretes. The buildings were made from a combination of rocks and clay bricks.

He asked for Shira's assistance to explain to him what she knew about the city. First, he took his diary but he was stunned after he couldn't find his pen.

For now, they were heading to the tallest tower of the city. It was a majestic tower with its walls were designed with great detail.

Though, there was something off about the tower. It was tilted slightly to the right. But it was unnoticeable unless you focus on it very well. But if it were to fall it might kill several civilians.

"Hey Shira, why is that that tower tilted?"

"The bridge to heavens is the hope of our country. The pope demanded it be built as high as to reach the heavens, but the masons gave up eventually since according to them if they built further it might fall over."

Melvin inspected the building. It reminded him of the tower of babel. It was indeed high, but not as high as the skyscrapers. Perhaps, the masons in this place needed the help of the civil engineers from his country.

Without further ado, they decided to visit the church. The team was looking around.

"Out of our way!" A nun yelled at them, to which they stand back.

A nun with a bird mask was assisting a man who was coughing heavily. She was guiding him to the infirmary of the church. There were also injured being carried by a bed.

Melvin asked Shira for further information.

"The church is responsible for healing for those who fall ill in this city. It has been a common occurrence, especially for those who live near the slums. Not only the sick but there are those people who were a victim of the magical beasts during their travel."

"Heal, huh? What are their methods to help the patients?"

"Praying routines, blessings, and charms by the Pope, mountain herbs and sometimes forced surgery."

Melvin stroked his chin. He did not like the sound of that. If people were to be subjected to those kind of treatment, then only a few would get actually treated.

Celine butted in. "So they rely on superstition to treat them, huh? Sir, I'm concerned for the civilians. We need to talk to them about this."

"Celine, hold on. We can't just enter the church and confront them about it." Melvin smiled. He placed his arm inside his pockets. "For now, let's learn about their beliefs and traditions."

But before they could enter the chapel, they were blocked by a nun. She was a young and pretty woman. She was wearing a necklace with the sun and moon symbol. She smiled at Melvin seeing his yellow badge, indicating his nobility status.

"Sir, before you enter the church, we will ask you for fees."

"Huh?! Fees." Melvin winced. "You serious?"

"It is mandated by the King." The nun nodded innocently. She then counted how much for the nobles, peasants, and the slaves. He then handed a gold coin to her. He sighed. "There, keep the change."

The team walked into the church chamber. They stopped after the nun called out to them. "Wait my Lord, but as for customs the church officials should lead the visitors."

Melvin shrugged. "Alright." They followed the nun. They then sat on the long chair, the nun was smiling to make them comfortable. The chairs inside lined up and in front was an altar with two nude statues of muscular and good-looking men.

"Can you tell us, who they are?" Melvin said to the statues.

"Huh? You're not from here I presume?"

"Yeah."

"That's odd, because everyone in this land knows who Helios and Lunos are. You lower ranking nobles are hopeless."

Melvin forced a chuckle. "I was living in a cave lately. Then pardon my ignorance."

"Helios and Lunos were twins. They were the son of a God named Cosmos. Helios was a seeker of power and fame while Lunos just wanted his father's recognition. Cosmos loved Lunos more since he was more humble and accepting while Helios was full of hubris. Thus, Helios wanted to kill Cosmos and take his powers."

"Since the twins were always with their father, Helios told Lunos to hunt and capture the stars of the abyss in order to earn their father's recognition. Lunos set out for a journey and that left Helios alone with his father. In Cosmos' sleep, Helios grabbed the oppurtunity to kill him in cold blood. At the same time, instead of hunting and killing the stars of the abyss, they became his friends. Lunos had the charisma to turn them into his subordinates. When he heard the news, he was enraged and he took commands of his army to chase Lunos to the ends of the world. That's why you will always see the moon and stars constantly chasing the sun."

Melvin was amused. "That's quite interesting."

"The sun and the moon are the manifestations of the two twin Gods chasing each other. Thus, the pope wanted to build the tower so that the humans can reach the moon and escape these chaotic lands. As long as we stand here we are living in danger."

Melvin sighed. "That's a good thought but what if I told you that you can never reach the moon or the sun. The moon would be around 300,000 kilometers from the surface. The sun is much further about a million kilometers away."

"Sir, this is a different world." Celine mentioned.

"Ah, oh yeah but there are some resemblances."

The nun frowned a bit. "My Lord, let me tell you that talking heresy inside the church can costs you about 1 silver per word. Another heresy can get you arrested by our agents."

Melvin winced from worry. "That's problematic. Then can you let us climb your towers?"

Pope Meldario the 2nd appeared in front of the altar, he was holding his golden staff. He had a white hat and long sleeve robe on. "Sister, who are these people?"

"Visitors who needs education, Father."

"The moon and the sun are the hope of humanity. Once we can build a tower high enough yo reach the heavens, there would be no sufferings like wars, pain or starvation. Only joy and peace." The pope approached them. He looked him straight into his eyes.

"Hey, aren't the sun and the moon trying to kill each other?" Melvin said.

"The issues of the gods don't concern us. The place that we want to go, Rana, the higher plane of existence, is an ideal place for believers like myself. Wars, plague and famine no longer exists in there."

Melvin understood how important the moon and the sun were for them. It was like heaven, their only salvation.

"You're a leader a presume. Not just a leader but a ruler." The Pope said.

"Not bad, how did you know?"

"I've known a fairshare of the rulers and leaders. So which land or territory do you overseer?"

Melvin was glad that the Pope was easier to talk to. "I currently rule a country called Vesna, but I'm still looking for it. If you let me climb your tower maybe I can find it."

The pope chuckled after seeing his clothes. "Hmm never heard of that place. But I will take up your offer in one condition. Only the blessed ones are allowed to climb the holy tower."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Allow the church of the twin Gods in your country."

Melvin asked Shira on what it meant, she answered. "The church will take control of the education and religious beliefs in your country. Like ideology, history and such. They are also allowed to instill the taboos and the culture to your people. The priests would be given authorities to be your proxy and your advisor--"

"Basically, the church will take over the state." Melvin was somewhat annoyed. "I'm sorry, but I'm not too stupid to agree with that. Besides my people are not so naive. We are done here

"He turned around and walked away slowly. "Rederick, Celine, Shira, let's go."

The pope sneered. Usually, the lord and the kings of the Silians would be glad for the pope to become their hand. They would even beg for him to do so, but this noble or lord just disrespected him. "It doesn't matter anyway since you probably just overseer a small village right? I'll make sure to curse your territory."

Shira was somewhat worried since walking away to the pope was an insult. She bowed. "Father, I apologize."

Shira went to Melvin. "Master, I mean sir, why did you turn down that offer. Some Lords would gladly accept it."

"Hmm? What are the advantage anyway besides your country being controlled?"

Shira pointed at the red gem affixed on her staff. "This is what we call the magic stone, it allows us Silians to turn our stamina into mana. Allowing us to cast our magic. If your country is controlled by the church that means you have an endless supplies of these stones."

The three assessed the magic stones. They were curiously gazing at it. "I see."

Rederick touched the stone. "Mr. President, it would be cool if the people of Vesna will get some magic."

"Don't be ridiculous. I won't let the church of the twin gods to step inside our country with their traditions."