Chapter 165: Lacking guidance.

Chapter 165: Lacking guidance.

It took a few days for Emeri and me to finally find the church we had been looking for. Agratos had many places of worship, foremost among which was a large cathedral that was only accessible to respected citizens of the city. Rich folk, in other words. A shame, really, because it was quite an impressive building.

When we had arrived at its location near the citys largest square, Emeri hadnt even passed it a second glance before dragging me deeper into the winding streets and alleys of Agratos. We passed by dozens of churches, yet each one was dismissed within instances. The further we walked, the more confused I became with what Emeri actually had in mind. Was she just very picky? I had tried asking a few times, every time we returned to the inn to sleep for the night, in fact, but she had just blown me off by saying Youll see when we get there

For ordinary pilgrims, any odd church would have done just fine, but Emeri had set out looking for one in particular, determined to find it. Now, three days later, Emeri and I stood before a small, yet ornate church. It was so small I would have called it a chapel if it werent for the sign outside. The building was almost entirely made from marble, with depictions of holy scriptures carved exquisitely into the walls.

Fucking finally I grumbled under my breath.

Happy to, at last, satisfy Emeris grueling specifications, I marched up to the small gate of the stone fence that encircled the building, but was held back by two white halberds that leaned down and crossed one another, blocking my path.

I looked to the left and right, inspecting the two guards that held the weapons. I hadnt paid much attention to their presence for some reason, thinking them to be statues. Their armor had the same color as the marble used to build the church, with no accents or details beyond the rough carving. The halberds themselves shared this strange trait. It was as if the guards were meant to be overlooked.

Access denied to ordinary citizens. Move along. One said neutrally, though he spoke strangely, as if his words had been stitched together to form a single sentence. Emeri walked up, having none of it.

Excuse me? We would like to pray inside. Im with the church. Here, my identification. She said, handing over a small gold and white badge. One of the guards accepted it and tentatively inspected it, before handing it back.

Access denied.

I noticed Emeris teeth clench in reaction to the denial but, uncharacteristically for her, she refused to budge.

Why am I being denied? Doesnt it make sense for members of the church to pray near their holy places?

Access denied. The guard repeated with the exact same tone of voice.

So thats what you think, then?! That Im scared?!

I do, yeah. She shot back, eyes wide and face red from anger.

Need I remind you that you were the one to warn me away from that ruin exploration just a few days ago?! When its something I want to do its dangerous and stupid, but when you want to do something five times worse Its some kind of holy mission? Horseshit!

Dont try to compare the two, Arthur! Comparing your gallivant into a deathtrap compared to a request from the god the entire continent worships is ridiculous! You know what I think?

I snorted. What do you think, Emeri? Tell me what blessed thought has struck your mind this time

Youre jealous!

Jealous? I asked, momentarily caught off guard.

Youre jealous you dont have any guidance, as I do! That your affinity had condemned you to a life without meaning, one without anything to direct you!

I admit, that struck a nerve. I had been fighting against the influence my affinity had had on me for my entire life, all to take control of my life, to make my own decisions. For that to be used as an insult I didnt take it well.

I direct my life! No bishop, no king and no invisible, intangible, no-show-ass god can tell me how to walk talk, and shit, unlike you! All I see when I look at you is a willing slave! You know what, go do whatever you want! Break into that fucking church, break a thousand statues for all I care! Im going to do what I want to do! Dont come complaining to me when your own church puts your head on a pike!

When I saw Emeris eyes water, I knew I shouldnt have gone that far. But it was too late, and I was too prideful to take my words back now, even if I hadnt meant all of them.

As she stormed off down an alley without a word, I slumped down and leaned against a wall, putting my head in my hands. Great. Another fuck up.