Chapter 98: Fallen from Grace

"W-what are you doing here?" Laurel tries to divert the topic.

Imogen pauses and lets out a smile again, "Shouldn't you know?"

"I-I do?" Laurel nervously laughs. 

"Well… Follow closely, then. Don't get lost," Imogen turns after she eyes at the stall owner.

Laurel quickly gives some copper coins, and the stall owner wiggles her eyebrows, showing her sign of approval. 

Blushing hard, she quickens her pace to follow behind Imogen. She breathes out slowly as she looks at the first line of the book. 

'Okay…' Laurel quickly rehearses in her mind.

"Imogen!" Laurel calls.

Imogen stops and turns to Laurel.

"You d-d-dropped something!" Laurel struggles to tame her nerves.

Imogen looks confused while searching in the ground, "What is it?"

Laurel extends her arm with a fist as if she is holding something, so Imogen opens her hand to receive it. Quickly, Laurel takes Imogen's hand.

"Me," Laurel says with the blush rising on her face.

Taken by surprise, Imogen lets out a quiet laugh. She admits in defeat that she has been fooled and tightens her hold on Laurel's hand. Steam starts to come out of Laurel's ears as they silently walk towards the temple.

Walking past the temple gates, Laurel marvels at the colossal white building stretched far away due to the impressive well-maintained garden. They watch people of all statuses walking in and out. 

Once they pass through the garden, Laurel sees Ian waiting outside, leaning on one of the giant columns. Ian stands back flat on his feet once he sees that Imogen has brought Laurel back. He gives a meaningful glance at Imogen when his eyes land on their hands holding together. 

Imogen looks away as if she does not see Ian's glance. However, Laurel quickly takes her hand off, causing Imogen to turn back her head and pout ever so slightly. Laurel stares in guilt, but her heart can take no more!

They enter the temple, stepping on the gold carpet towards the main hall. Before they could even ask for what they want to do in the temple, some priests block Imogen and Ian from going in further.

"Sorry, Saintess. Today, you cannot access the altar as well." One of the priests voices nervously under the pressing glare that Imogen gives him.

"What now? I have been trying to access the altar for almost two months now, and every time, you block my access. What gives you the right?" The priests shake as Imogen's voice starts to give them goosebumps.

"We have the duty to take care of the properties of Vita. I am sure you know of this, Saintess!"

Imogen's aura starts to slip out but soon extinguishes when Ian calls her name. She clicks her tongue and turns away to leave with nothing done again.

"What happened?" Laurel asks in confusion. The Saintess cannot access the altar? That is preposterous! The Saintess should be given that right without question!

"They have been stopping us from accessing the altar," Ian explains.

"Yeah! I saw that! But why?" Laurel swings her hands up while lifting her shoulders. 

"This temple has fallen from grace," Imogen concludes as she deepens her frown.

"Fallen from grace?" She looks over to Ian for some explanation.

Ian lifts his hand to run his fingers through his hair, "The church has done something that is against the principles that they should abide by, so now, they can't access the Garden of Oracles.'

"Then… How are we supposed to ask about Kyrie's condition?"

"We can't unless the goddess looks for us," Ian explains, but his eyes are filled with uncertainty as he looks at Imogen's back.

Imogen lets out a smirk, but her eyes are cold, "There is another way besides that."

Ian nervously swallows his saliva.

"Which other way?"

"A cleanse," Ian responds, disguising his words that a blood bath might happen.

---

<God realm, present>

Inside the massive hall of the audience room, where most of the light comes from the dozens of candles, Vita sits on her throne, leaning on the side as she rests her eyes. The documents spread on the massive wooden table in front of Vita, and scrolls stack on each side of the table. 

Unlike her carefree way of dressing when she appeared in front of Kyrie for the first time, she wears her empirical hanfu neat and proper. Her gold waves are all put up with delicate and fine hairpieces. The air around Vita has changed since she gives off the presence of how a ruler should give. 

"Your majesty," Vita opens her eyes as she hears her servant call.

"What is it?" Vita frowns as she sits back up.

"The proceedings to relieve the damage from the sudden change of fate for the small gods are done."

Vita nods as she pinches the bridge of her nose, "Summon Yue for me, Uriel."

"Your majesty!" Uriel protested, "Why that troublemaker, your majesty! Ever since she brought that human to another world, fate has been twisting nonstop!" 

"Do as I say, Uriel." 

"Your majesty, I shall be frank in my words, so please pardon my rudeness. Why are we trying to save those incomplete worlds this badly? Those incomplete worlds are meant to collide and destroy each other. Plus, that traitor wants one of those worlds gone!"

Vita slams her hand, and the impact echoes loudly in the hall, "How dare you question me?"

"Your majesty!"

"Not another word, Uriel! Do as I say!"

Uriel pouts and quickly walks away to do what Vita tells her to. After some time, Yue steps into the audience hall. 

She looks towards Vita up on a platform of gold, sitting on a throne of gold. The candles around the throne dimly light Vita's face. She walks on the red carpet towards Vita, and once she arrives close enough, she bows respectfully.

"Yue presents herself to her majesty."

"Rise," Yue lifts her body and looks over to Vita after the given permission.

"Yue, I want you to go back to help wake Kyrie. You are only permitted to wake him up."

"Yes, your majesty. I shall leave to do that immediately," Yue quickens her footsteps as she walks away from the hall after giving another bow. Her lips spread into a smile as she excitedly walks away from the palace.

Uriel returns next to Vita and sadly watches over Vita, unable to take her eyes away from Yue's back. The stiff greeting they give each other now is due to the formality since Vita is in front of watchful eyes. 

"Why are you so silent, Uriel?" Vita senses Uriel's stare.

"It's nothing, your majesty…"

"Any news about Karta?" Vita leans over to the desk and picks up to read another document.

"None, your majesty…" Uriel responds softly; she takes the ink stick and gently circles it over the inkstone to prepare the ink for Vita.

After a long silence, Vita, unable to concentrate, puts the documents down, "Uriel, do you think she is really gone?" 

"I don't know, your majesty… There are rumors that goddess Karta has not died since Fate has never assigned anyone to take her role. However, no one is saying anything more than whispers since your majesty has announced that she died. After all, she is part of your majesty's family."

"I don't understand why everyone doubts my words, but now, I am starting to think that maybe what I have seen could be a lie. Their doubts are not without logic."