Favoured By Goddesses

The world snapped back into Myhra's focus, a brilliant flicker of light appeared near the cemetery stairs. It grew in intensity, illuminating the entire area in a soft, otherworldly glow. It was then she found herself standing at a distance from Brina. "What took you so long? Hurry up!" Brina's voice pierced through the mist of confusion, and Myhra's heart leaped as she rushed towards the girl.

As she drew closer, Brina grasped her arm, practically dragging her up the hill with surprising urgency. The sudden movement left Myhra breathless, her senses heightened, every sound magnified by her nerves. "What's the rush?" Myhra managed to ask, a note of anxiety creeping into her voice.

Brina glanced at her, offering a reassuring yet hurried smile. "I didn't have you dress up before sunrise just to stroll around!" Her tone was light, but the urgency in her actions suggested otherwise. "Look at the sky—it's almost dawn."

A melodic bell chimed from the shrine atop the mountain, its resonance filling the air with an ethereal beauty. Myhra's eyes widened as flocks of birds soared into the sky, their wings catching the first light of morning. They circled the shrine in perfect synchrony, as if performing a sacred dance.

"Oh no," Brina muttered under her breath, her expression tinged with worry. "We're late for the first day. The ceremony's already begun." Another bell echoed in the distance, its sound intertwining with the chants that now filled the air, creating a symphony of divine reverence.

Myhra's heartbeat quickened in response to the growing anticipation, the shrine's radiant glow drawing her in like a moth to a flame. She could feel the importance of this moment—its weight pressing on her shoulders as they hurried toward the sacred grounds.

When they reached a clearing, the towering trees parted to reveal a simple shelter made of corrugated sheets. Within this makeshift structure, resting on a raised concrete platform, was a stone idol. Anyone could see it from outside, everything seems to revolve around that form of one stature as it was the center of the whole universe. The idol of the Goddess—majestic and fearsome, yet deeply revered. The stone statue was adorned with garlands of bright marigolds, their vivid orange petals contrasting starkly against the dark, weathered stone.

At the Goddess's feet, lamps flickered and incense burned, sending curling tendrils of smoke into the air. The heady mix of marigold, incense, and earth filled Myhra's lungs, grounding her amidst the growing storm of her thoughts. A large metal trident lay behind the statue, its polished surface gleaming faintly in the soft light, a symbol of the Goddess's might.

The Goddess, in her iconic form, was carved in a way that sent shivers down Myhra's spine. Her skin was as black as midnight, a representation of the void from which all creation emerged. Around her neck hung a grisly necklace of demon heads, their contorted faces frozen in terror—reminders of her victories over evil. Her skirt, fashioned from severed human arms, added to the fierce, primal nature she embodied.

Her hair, wild and untamed, cascaded down her back like a dark river, a reflection of her chaotic and destructive power. But it was her eyes that captivated Myhra the most—wide and intense, they seemed to pierce through time itself, holding the secrets of the universe in their dark, fathomless depths. There was power in those eyes, a promise of protection but also the capacity for untold wrath.

The atmosphere around the idol was charged with divine energy, vibrating with both destruction and preservation. The dancing shadows cast by the flickering lamps only enhanced the powerful aura of the place, adding depth to the fierce expressions carved into the stone. Myhra felt the weight of the Goddess's presence, as if she were being observed, tested, and maybe even judged.

Brina tugged at Myhra's arm gently, pulling her from her reverie. "We should hurry. The Goddess won't wait forever."

Myhra nodded, still entranced by the statue. The gravity of the moment weighed heavily on her, as though she stood on the cusp of something monumental. She felt the Goddess's power thrumming through the air, offering both solace and a warning.

They stepped closer to the altar, their movements slow and reverent. Myhra's earlier unease began to melt away, replaced by a sense of purpose. Whatever awaited them beyond this ceremony—whether it was answers to the mysteries of her past or something entirely new—Myhra knew that she was exactly where she needed to be. The Goddess's eyes seemed to follow her every move, watching, waiting. Myhra felt the sacred space of the temple was outwordly, though humble in its construction, resonated with her divine energy, offering solace and strength to all who sought blessings.

Myhra moved involuntarily, standing reverentially before the idol, her hands folded as her body sank into a full prostration. She could feel the ancient energy of the shrine seeping into her very soul, grounding her in the eternal, sacred space. The overwhelming presence of the Goddess enveloped her, making time feel suspended. Myhra didn't know how long she was lost in the majesty of the moment. Rising to her feet, she slowly left the inner sanctum, her senses heightened as she searched for Brina and went to back side of the shrines outer sanctorum.

There was also an idol of Goddess, which Myhra didn't know about much. Nevertheless, she steadily gazed at it, this idol was completely different from the idol of inner sanctum. The Goddess here was seated on lotus flower, her stone was white in complexion which shined on its own as if her form was carved from a slab of diamond. There was a giant five headed serpent behind the idol covering her head. The Goddess has four arms of gold plated complexion, and holds a citron, a club, a shield, and a vessel containing nector of immortality.

Myhra stepped towards the idol and spotted her friend standing at the base of the shrine's steps, a serene expression of quiet contentment on her face. Yet, Brina's eyes were focused elsewhere—intently watching the lush canopy above, where interwoven branches formed a verdant tapestry that danced gently in the breeze. As her gaze shifted, she took note of three elderly women draped in traditional attire, their presence almost as ancient as the shrine itself.

Brina recounted her own experience, she leaned in close to Myhra, her voice filled with hushed excitement. "Under these ancient trees, where the flowers bloom from the highest branches, it's said that if you pray to the Golden Goddess before sunrise, she will send you a sign—a divine acknowledgment of your wish."

Myhra listened, her curiosity piqued. "When I prayed for a Thaal," Brina continued, "I received an autumn leaf, red and thorned along its edges. At first, I didn't understand its meaning, so I sought the priestess's wisdom."

Myhra's eyes sparkled with intrigue. "What did the priestess tell you about the leaf?"

Brina recounted with quiet reverence. "She told me the thorns represented the challenges I would face, the trials I needed to overcome to reach my Thaal. Each thorn was a blessing in disguise, a reminder that the path to true fulfillment isn't easy."

A soft smile played on Myhra's lips as she absorbed Brina's words. "That's beautiful," she whispered, moved by the deep spiritual meaning. 

Brina's eyes gleamed with the fervor of belief as she gently took Myhra's hand and guided Myhra towards the sacred shrine."Let's see what the Goddess has in store for you. Her guidance is often unexpected, but always a blessing."

Myhra hesitated, her humility rising to the surface. "But Brina, I already feel as if I'm surrounded by the Goddess's grace. I don't know if I can ask for more when the dark-one has encompassed me by blessings, abundant in her grace more than I deserve."

Brina's voice carried the gentle insistence of faith as she countered, "Yet, the Golden Goddess's blessings are limitless, and her wisdom knows no bounds. Myhra, who knows? There may be a gift awaiting you that surpasses all expectations." 

They moved closer to the cluster of ancient trees, the air thick with a mysterious fragrance. Myhra felt a twinge of apprehension, but also a strange sense of purpose. She knelt before the idol once more, folding her hands but as she closed her eyes and sought the Goddess's guidance, Myhra found herself at a loss for words. What could she possibly ask for? She had everything she needed in life, and yet a nagging sense of restlessness gnawed at her soul. What could she ask then?

Frustration mounted as she struggled to articulate her desires. With a sigh of exasperation, Myhra opened her eyes, only to be greeted by the fleeting image of the mysterious stranger. His earnest expression tugged at her heartstrings, and a sudden impulse seized her.

Ignoring her own, Myhra silently beseeched the Goddess to fulfill the stranger's wish. It was a selfless act born of empathy and compassion, a gesture of kindness towards a fellow soul in need. And as her prayer echoed through the stillness of the shrine, Myhra felt a profound sense of peace wash over her.

The first light of dawn began to pierce the darkness, Myhra remained still, her heart pounding slowly. The sunrays fell on her feet first and travel up engulfing the entire frame of Goddess in a blood red radiance. Suddenly, she felt a soft touch on her palm. Opening her eyes, she saw a delicate flower glowing with an ethereal light, resting gently in her hands. A sense of awe washed over her, and she felt the Goddess's presence more strongly than ever before. 

Brina, observing the scene with a knowing smile, whispered softly, "Truly, you are favored by the both Goddesses."

Myhra gazed at the luminescent blossom, its petals aglow with a celestial light, her mind wandered back to the young stranger. What had he wished for? What were his silent prayers? As the question formed in her mind, a sudden and violent surge of energy swept through her body. The crimson marks on her wrist flared to life, blazing with fiery intensity, engulfing her in a torrent of searing flames. A heart-wrenching cry escaped her lips, the once peaceful air now alive with chaos. She felt herself being torn from the sanctuary of the shrine, her soul crying out as the sacred space dissolved around her, a pang of longing echoing in her being as she yearned to linger in that sacred space forever. But the pull was irresistible, and with a final pleading glance at the idol, she was drawn away, her vision fading into the radiant glow.

The flower in her hand began to fade, its light dimming as warmth lingered in her palm. Myhra's heart swelled with a mixture of hope and sorrow, knowing her prayer had been answered but uncertain of what it all meant. What was the purpose of this divine gift? Why had the Goddess chosen to show her this path?

Slowly, consciousness returned, and Myhra found herself once again in the cold, echoing halls of the Redstone Castle. The distant toll of temple bells still rang in her ears, as though they had followed her from her vision. She blinked, the remnants of her ethereal encounter still lingering in the recesses of her mind, and a heavy heart. Gradually, her breath steadying as she realized she had been in a trance. The crimson glow of her magic slowly faded, and her body, which had been suspended in midair, gently descended until her feet touched the cold stone floor.

She glanced around, her vision adjusting to the dim light of the castle's chamber. That's when she saw him—the vampire. His body lay twisted on the ground, his flesh rotting as dark energy gnawed at him. His own magic, turned against him, was slowly eating him alive.

Myhra's brow furrowed in pity and confusion. "How cruel," she whispered, stepping closer. The irony of the situation wasn't lost on her—his malevolent power, now his undoing. She watched with a mixture of sorrow and compassion as the vampire writhed in torment, a prisoner of his own darkness. Compassion filled her heart, and for a moment, she watched the vampire's tortured form writhe.