Enigmas

After gathering the required herbs for the ceremony, Hilia's grandmother went to take a nap and Hilia set off to the village just north from here.

"Will she really be okay?" Hilia wondered, sighing heavily as Yoan walked beside her, the gravel crunching beneath them. It was still early in the afternoon and they would probably return at night.

"If there is anything I know, she's stubborn. So, I'm sure she will be okay, one way or another."

"But...did you see how she looked like? Should I have healed her instead?"

"She wouldn't allow you to, since it would be draining your energy away."

"But…"

"Hilia, don't worry, she won't give in that easily."

Hilia stared up at Yoan, who gave her an encouraging smile and she let out a small smile, nodding reassuringly to herself.

"That's right, she's my grandmother after all."

"The same grandmother that punished us so badly for trampling on her herbs in the garden."

"The same grandmother that didn't allow me to eat my dinner if I whined about being a priestess."

"The same grandmother that kicked me out of her house if I was caught stealing her food to eat in the middle of the night."

Yoan and Hilia stared at each other, before letting out a small chuckle and reminisced fond memories about their childhood life with the stubborn grandmother.

Within hours, they finally reached the neighboring village and the villagers cooperated peacefully with them to complete the ceremony. Holding the staff she carried all the way from her village, in her hands, she inhaled a deep breath, closing her eyes.

The staff looked like an ordinary wooden rod as she stood still, holding the staff in front of her, placing it on the ground.

By Ifnera, goddess of our land, Aeriola.

Grant me the power to help them.

Grant me the power to aid them.

I call upon thee.

Finishing her chanting, the staff in Hilia's hands started transforming, the top part of the staff growing sticks and blooming flowers which were in light pink, while a vine tangled around the staff.

Hilia let out a deep breath, approaching to the herbs in front of her that were laid out neatly in order. She stood in front of the herbs, holding her staff out as she closed her eyes yet again.

By Ridea, goddess of the Afterlife.

Grant me the body to dispel their misery.

Grant me the body to regain their humanity.

I call upon thee.

This time, Hilia stood still and when she opened her eyes again, her beautiful violet eyes changed into a pair of piercing golden eyes. Her body moved on her own as she danced elegantly around the herbs and the petals from the gorgeous flowers on her staff started to drop off, landing accurately on the herbs, as if they were pulled towards it.

Each time the petals dropped onto the herbs, the herbs glowed brightly and by the time she ended her dance, the herbs grew so brightly that everyone who were mesmerised by her were blinded temporarily.

The herbs transmuted into a small sapling, growing out from the ground and eventually, the blinding light disappeared. Yoan, despite being accustomed to the ceremony, still felt bewitched every time he observed it, his eyes never leaving Hilia.

"It will grow on its own and eventually grow into a tree, but please don't cut it down or do anything disrespectful to it. The tree will disappear by itself once it has fulfilled its job, which is to help the trapped souls move on to the afterlife. Every one of you will only need to pay your respect or pray to this tree at least once a day and it'll be fine." Hilia explained, her tone solemn, since it was an important matter.

If they ignore her warnings, the consequences would be more severe than they could imagine.

"Thank you for your cooperation and remember what I said, the consequences are something even I can't help in." Hilia warned the villagers and they nodded obediently at her, thanking her.

Smiling warmly at them, she gathered her belongings and glanced at Yoan, who was already approaching to her side. Together, they departed from the village.

"I can never get used to that feeling." Hilia sighed out, both of them walking side to side but not close enough for their hands to hit against one another.

"What feeling?"

"When the goddess starts to control me, it feels surreal…and disconcerting."

"Is it that bad?" Yoan frowned at her in amusement, a cheeky expression on his face.

"Hmph. How can you say that when you haven't even tried it before?" Hilia huffed at him, crossing her arms across her chest.

"I bet even if I tried it, I'll get used to it in no time." Yoan grinned at her and she narrowed her eyes at him.

"You are always so arrogant about everything."

"What can I say? I'm a prodigy." Yoan shrugged at her and she scoffed.

"I can't wait for the day where you'll be proved wrong."

Yoan only raised an amused eyebrow at her and she growled in annoyance.