Game of Gods: NPC Awakening

Chapter 4: The Day God Answered

My name’s Eri, and I am a priestess in training. I live in the Holy Church of Theyra with my little brother, Ethan. Our parents were killed in the war between the Holy Empire and the Norabic Kingdom. 

Life in the church is not as good as people say. Ethan and I were treated harshly by the other priestess. Ethan and I are considered lowly compared to the nobles who come to receive the training to become The Saintess. 

I am also in training to become the Saintess, but due to my background, I was treated like a slave, not like a priestess in training. Ethan went through the same thing. To tell the truth, he went through worse; he has a Crimson Ash Plague. 

Crimson Ash Plague is a curse inflicted upon those with frail bodies when exposed to dense mana. If you have it, your blood turns into ash and chokes you from within. No healing magic can cure it, the church refuses to even try. Calling him impure and not worthy of their sacred healing magic. So, I must be chosen as The Saintess. The Church didn’t refuse my proposal, but on the campus, I was tormented for being a commoner.

The worst one is Miss Isadora Langley, who is the youngest daughter of the Langley family. Their house is full of holy knights, so it is normal for her to become a top candidate of Saintess. 

She sometimes says that as a commoner, I should know my place and serve her as the future Saintess. When I refused, my torment got worse. But I have to endure. If I lose myself here, Ethan will be helpless. With his curse, he won’t be able to survive outside. Miss Isadora found amusement in my suffering. But I have to endure; I must.

“Sound like you are having a rough time.”

This is Father Joe. He’s the only person who treats me and Ethan well. When Ethan is coughing blood, he heal him, even if it was temporary. Sometimes, he give us some breads when we didn’t anything to eat. He helps us a lot. I owe him an unpayable debt.

Even this time, he gave me a fruit.

“Th-thanks you”

“Don’t mention it. Training over, right? Go to Ethan.” 

“He probably wants to see his sister.”

Father Joe is always like that—his kind smile, silver hair, and warm presence feel out of place in this cruel church. He feels he doesn’t belong here. And he is a devoted follower of Theyra. He is like a brother to me.

Listening to Father Joe’s words, I come back to our room, my and Ethan’s room. Ethan welcomed me with a smile on his face. But I can see it beside the bed, towels with blood stains. He coughs blood again and tries to hide it. I hug him tightly, tears running down from my eyes.

“I’m sorry, Ethan. I’m sorry to leave you alone”

“It’s fine, sister. You are doing your best.”

Hearing his words made me cry harder. I can tell he is in pain. He’s trying to endure it with a weak little body. O’Theyra, why must we suffer like this? What sins have we committed to suffer like this?

Today’s 4th day of the imperial calendar it’s Ethan’s birthday. But we couldn’t celebrate; the curse hit again, and it hit hard this time. He coughs not only blood, but also ashes this time. My mind is clouded. Priests are trying to save him, but most of them are not putting in any effort.

“Hey, low life. Rare to see you here. Should you be with your pathetic little brother?”

One of Miss Isadora’s followers talked and questioned me, but I didn’t hear it. No, I hear it, but I don’t have time to care or answer. I have to pray, even though Theyra has abandoned me. I must pray for my brother.

“Or are you trying to show Father Joe that you are devoted, so you can win him over?”
“Give up, low life. He is for Lady Isadora.”

So, that is how they see my relationship with Father Joe. How pathetic.

“Hey, lowlfe. You dare to ignore me?”

They are furious with me for answering. But I don’t have time for this.

Slap

The slap stung, but the worst part was their laughter—high-pitched, cruel, full of amusement at my suffering.

"Praying won’t help you, lowlife. Maybe if you bow a little lower, Theyra will finally pity your pathetic excuse of a life," one of them sneered.

Another strike. Then another. The pain blurred. My vision swam. But I stayed on my knees. I prayed. I must pray. I have to pray. I will pray. I will pray, until my words reach the ears of Theyra, until my brother is saved.

The strike from those women didn’t stop, and neither did my prayers. And a miracle happened.

A golden light erupted from it, washing the entire room with divinity, like a dawn light breaking through the eternal night. The air, it vibrates with pure energy, untainted—undeniable holiness.

I know it, I felt it, not just around me, but within me. It is from Theyra. My prayers have been answered. My soul burns, but I feel no pain. The voice comes from it, not harsh but absolute.

[The host’s determination has been acknowledged]

[By the host’s intentions. Saintess’ path has been chosen.]

[May Theyra be with you]