Chapter 86

Aurelia, Tang Sai, and Ayasu stared at the great cathedral. They had temples back home, but this mountain of stone and glass was a marvel of architecture. The trio donned religious robes and slipped past the guards with ease. Aurelia scowled at the death moth banners. Why would the bishop continue to worship the living darkness? The inside was almost a replica of Carmen's temple on the island, except it smelled better.

People lined the pews with their heads bowed in prayer and said nothing to the heroic trio. They padded toward the rear entrance. They were ten feet away when the bishop entered the main chamber. He stood behind the twisted Pulpit and cleared his throat.

"What should we do?" Ayasu hissed.

"We need a distraction to clear the building," Aurelia watched the door, "I don't want to hurt innocent people."

Tang Sai grinned wickedly and rubbed her hands together, "I have just the distraction, and you won't have to hurt anyone."

Aurelia sighed, "I suppose because we have no other option. What are you going to do?" She dreaded the fox woman's plan.

"I'm going to reveal my true form to these people."

Ayasu put her hands on her head, "This isn't your true form?"

"Isn't that risky?" Aurelia kept her eye on the bishop, who leafed through a large book.

Tang Sai shrugged, "Of course, there is a risk. It wouldn't be fun." She tossed her robe aside and marched to the front.

The bishop looked up from his reading, "Excuse me. I was about to speak...," The bishop pointed to Tang Sai, "Guards, take her to a room of reflection."

"Stow it, grandpa. I am about to steal this show," Tang Sai's robe shifted to snow with fur with crimson markings around her three sets of eyes. They glowed with the fires of a kiln. Nine crimson-tipped tails fluttered behind Tang sai, like some macabre cape. The mouth elongated and sharpened fangs greeted the assembly. "Bow before your new goddess," The tips of the tails glowed. Balls of fire hung above the writhing appendages, "Or I shall burn you all to appease my anger."

"Do you regret trusting the fox now?" Ayasu asked in a small voice.

"You have no idea," Aurelia growled, "Prepare some magic of your own," she gripped the hilt of the Lion's Fang.

Ayasu scanned the room, "Let's give the fox more time. The guards are hesitating, and the people are still in awe. If they try to stop her, we'll stop them."

Aurelia sent her displeasure across the room right at Tang Sai, who waved excitedly and gave them the thumbs up. "I present my High Priestesses who have received my blessing." She pointed right at Aurelia and Ayasu, who put their face in their hands, "Notice how they have to shield their faces from my majesty."

"You have to admit it's clever," Ayasu said with a straight face.

"We are lucky it worked," Aurelia spoke between clenched teeth.

The bishop stepped away from the book and knelt before the Huli Jing, "Oh great goddess, I am your humble servant and willing slave. How may we assist you?"

"You have another of my priestesses locked up somewhere in this sad excuse for a temple. I demand you free her," The fire on the tails flared up, and the bishop bowed his head to the floor.

"We have many people in rooms of reflection. Which one do you speak of?" He stuttered and blubbered.

"She claimed to be a queen of a place called Shadowfen. She is one of my oldest and treasured subjects. Her devotion is an example to all my worshippers," Tang Sai stomped her foot next to the bishop's head.

"Guards, bring the newcomer to me at once. We have angered a goddess, and we have come too far to lose everything now."

Aurelia marched forward and stood in front of the bishop, "Oh beautiful and wise goddess, this man took my mother prisoner. It is only fair he becomes my servant for life."

Tang Sai pretended to think about it, "I am inclined to grant your request," a singular tail lifted the bishop, "Tell these people the truth. Tell them you worship the false goddess Carmen."

The assembled group of people gasped and pointed angrily at the man in elaborate robes, "Carmen ruined our last home. Why would I..."

"I've seen the shrine," Tang Sai bellowed. "Did you think you could hide your dirty little secret from me? Tell me why I shouldn't burn you to cinders?"

The guards came in with an angry Sophie, "History will tremble..." Sophie stopped dead in her tracks. Her finger trembled as it pointed to the Huli Jing, "I don't want to be supper for that thing."

Aurelia and Ayasu took Sophie from the guard, "Relax, mother, it's all for show."

Sophie opened her eyes wide, "Aurelia? I thought I was going crazy when I saw you earlier. Is that thing an illusion?" she pointed to the fox again.

"No, the fox creature is just as real as you or I, but she is a friend," Aurelia took two steps back toward the exit. "Are you ready to run Ayasu?"

The old lioness nodded, "I have the sudden urge to leave."

Sophie refused to move, "Where have you been, Aurelia? I am eager to enjoy my golden years, and you are off gallivanting across the world. Shadowfen needs you."

Aurelia shoved her mother toward the door, "I will explain everything once we get Zinjo and Nian back to the ship." Tang Sai looked over, and Aurelia nodded.

"I must confer with my true believers before I decide your fate. I suggest you confess all your sins to the flock before I burn them out of you," Tang Sai shifted back into a beautiful woman and marched toward her companions. "We better find your groom and best man."

"You'll get no argument out of me on that one." Aurelia and Ayasu barred the door to the cathedral, "That should buy us some time," Aurelia grabbed her mother's arm and yanked her toward the ship, but she refused to move. "Mother, we don't have time for this."

"I suggest you make time," Sophie put her hands on her hips and stared Aurelia down, "Why did you leave without telling me?"

"We felt it best if no one knew what we were doing," Aurelia spoke in a terse tone.

"Don't take that tone with me, young lady...," Anger was the mask for the pain in Sophie's eyes. "You hate me, and I don't understand what I did."

Aurelia embraced her mother and held her for ten long seconds, "I promise to explain everything, but sooner or later, these people are going to realize Tang Sai is not a goddess."

"Please, Pride Mother of Shadowfen, the tale will fill you with pride. I am proud to meet the woman who brought Aurelia into this world," Ayasu bowed in front of Sophie.

"Whos is she?" Sophie whispered.

"Zinjo's mother," Aurelia whispered back.

"Let's get out of here," Sophie headed toward the docks.