True Sovereign

The figure was tall, built with faultless edges like a statue and radiating an aura of terrifying power barely contained.

At first glance she appeared to be a nun, but even at that glance, she didn't look like an ordinary nun. Her habit was unlike any Lucian had seen, it wasn't made with the practical magical wool or pure velvet of the nuns before him, but they looked as though they were made of light in material form.

Just flowing robes of celestial white silk, trimmed and embroidered with intricate, fiery patterns that shone a heavenly gold. The fabric shimmered with its own inner light, cascading around a form that was undeniably, intimidatingly voluptuous.

Breasts the size of two heads, hips that could bear quadruplets, and thighs worthy of taking the life of a willing man.

Her hair was a waterfall of spun sunlight, cascading past her shoulders in perfect waves, framing a face of breathtaking, almost cruel beauty. When her lip curved to a smile, it didn't exactly reach her scary molten eyes but it was genuine. Clearly, she was here to cause some kind of trouble.

In one hand, she held a radiant gold staff. It was taller than she was, topped with a complex, blazing sun sigil that let out glitters out golden energy. Even though they looked pretty, their power made the air hum, promising annihilation on a scale Lucian couldn't fathom.

One by one, the nuns began to turn their heads and gasps left them as they saw the floating white nun in the air.

"She's here…"

"What is she doing here…?"

Marielle and Elaris locked eyes. "She always said that this day would come… and so would she."

Marielle, as stalwart as she was, took an unconscious step back, her hand tightening on her sword hilt. Elaris froze, her scholarly defiance evaporating into pure dread.

Celeste was wide-eyed with apprehension. Ismere watched quietly, Kestra looked ready to faint, and Lilyx stared, her practical mind seemingly overwhelmed. The lesser nuns shrank back, some dropping to their knees, others simply trembling where they stood.

Lucian, unsure of how to act, just gazed at the ethereal looking visitor, who seemed to only care about him as her eyes had not looked in any other direction except his own.

The woman landed without a sound, her gilded slippers touching the black marble directly in front of Lucian, the hem of her white-and-crimson robes settling like settling flame.

Her terrifyingly bright smile remained fixed on him, those molten gold eyes boring into his soul, stripping away his confusion, his fear, his very sense of self. He felt utterly exposed, pinned beneath that gaze.

'Who is this woman?' Lucian thought. 'Why is her aura so strong? I can barely even move.'

She stepped closer, still smiling mischievously as she invaded his space. Unable to react, he watched as her free hand — cool, smooth, and radiating immense power — lifted. Her fingers rested on his chin and tilted his face up to meet her scrutiny fully.

Lucian didn't even know when his gaze had dropped, but could he really blame himself?

He felt a magic in her touch though. It sent a slight jolt through him, like being touched by lightning given human form.

She studied his face for a while before her smile widened so much that Lucian could now see her teeth. It was the kind of white Colgate always advertised but would never deliver. Blinding.

Lucian heard her laugh. It was soft, heavenly but cruel.

"So," she murmured, her epic voice carrying effortlessly through the silent hall, smooth as honey yet sharp as a blade. "It has happened at last." Her golden eyes locked onto his. "The True Sovereign has finally been brought to our world. The vessel who truly holds the heart of the Goddess."

Another round of gasps filled the hall. The nuns were stunned. The Anchors, even though surprised, knew what this meant the moment Lucian's hand caused the Light Orb to glow.

The True Sovereign was a concept, a rumor, a belief that only came from the highest orders in the Conclave. The High Priest, Sovereigns, were only gifted fragments of the Goddess's power. And even fragments were enough to turn one into a demi-god. But, they were never allowed to draw from the Goddess's personal well of power: Light.

Flesh, Force, Flame, and Frost were all given to the High Priest to be master of all. But some Priestesses in the Conclave believed that a 'True Priest' would receive all these powers and still be given the greatest of all, the power of all powers: Exalta's Light.

This was all speculation, theory. Though many Priestesses swore they saw this in visions, and spoke to the Goddess of it in prayers, no one truly believed it could ever happen, but now…

"I wonder what she sees in you." The woman muttered, still holding up Lucian's face with his chin.

With his mouth squeezed, Lucian managed to ask, "Who… are you?"

She paused, then released his chin.

"I am Seraphina," she declared, the name itself seeming to resonate with power. "High Enforcer Priestess of the Conclave. Keeper of the Light. Warrior of the Pearly Gates."

She gauged Lucian's reaction before continuing. "Do you want to see an example of my power?"

"Huh?" his eyes widened.

Not waiting for his response, Seraphina tapped the base of her golden staff lightly on the marble. A tiny crack spiderwebbed outwards from the point of impact, accompanied by a low, earth-shaking rumble that vibrated through the foundations of the ancient hall. Hundreds of nuns flinched.

"This staff," she declared, her voice deceptively light, "has sundered mountains that displeased the Conclave. It has purged heresy that festered in the heart of the Heavens. It struck down many of the demons that fell with Lucifera. The same demons that you and your nuns struggle to destroy."

Lucian frowned. "I'm new here and you're the one who sent them down here anyw—"

Her golden eyes snapped back to Lucian, pinning him again and shutting him up. "A High Priest should know not to over speak."

Then she closed her eyes and when she opened them again, a big smile followed. "But lucky for you, you're not an ordinary High Priest, glorious True Sovereign."

The murmurs continued. Lucian looked around, taking time to gather himself and not to look down at her breasts when he asked; "What does that mean?"

She paced around, completely ignoring the Anchor Nuns that were watching as she explained. "It means that your duties have increased."

"What?" Lucian panicked. "I've barely even started on the ones that I have!"

Seraphina glanced at him before continuing. "To stop the shadow that threatens. To extinguish the blight of dark magic festering in the corners of Altareign. To stand against the legions of the Fallen Angel, Lucifera, and her demons." She leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial murmur that still echoed clearly. "Your duties do not end there because your unique affinity… demands an immediate detour."

She straightened, radiating finality. "…To the Gates of Heaven!" she declared, stunning everyone. "The Priestesses of the Conclave have demanded your presence immediately."