A woman steps on a small podium at the end of the room. Besides her cyan complexion, I notice that she wears quite luxurious robes. Cult leader seems to be a well-paying profession. When she speaks, her voice is loud and clear, but with a serene quality to it that puts you at ease.

"Brothers and sisters! Let me tell you of a time long before our city became as it is today. When there was nothing but existence and the mission to exist! Back then, none of us People had any wishes of our own. We were just there and knew we had to. There was no separation, no conflict, no differences. But with time, certain groups established themselves. Demanding to be treated differently and to be entitled to a greater due. Out of this segregation, the first displeasure originated, and with it came Oroi!" (Alyssa)

Damn, they made a real genesis story about that single stray thought of mine that lead to this.

The sermon continues, listing some of my gigs that were attributed to me and some I don't know about that I am rather sure I wasn't involved with.

In any case, this continues for quite some time. Seriously, has nobody here anything better to do than to listen to such stories?

"And so she sent a great flood! A gigantic wave to wipe away all of this dirty world. Yet at the last second, it is said that Aureas intervened, shielding these lands, denying us our due new beginning. Nonetheless, the sea remains till today. A testament to Oroi's incredible power!" (preacher)

God, that woman got it totally wrong! At least, it seems like she got to the end now.

"Now leave, my fellow faithful, and don't forget: Life is a cycle. We prepare now how we want to live our next." (preacher)

Wait! She's correct! How does she know this? I thought this was top secret?!

Yet I can't quite say that her inherent philosophy is completely wrong. Especially with knowledge about this world.

I turn to Mela, who took it upon herself to stay next to me the whole time. Did she tear up!?

"Ehm, you seem really into this." (I)

"Of course, I am! Oroi is the most fascinating being that exists! All the things she did, and nobody till today knows what exactly was up with her! I was ever mesmerized since I first heard of her existence!" (M)

Oh no, please no crazy stalker fans!

"Well, as fascinating as someone who is said to want to destroy everything might be, I'm not sure if someone like this should be the target of such adoration." (I)

"Many who are on the losing side find that her idea of wrecking everything and then starting anew has its appeal." (M)

How in every dimension's hell did my villain speech I gave to a crowd of knights get rebranded with me being some great reformer?!

"But that doesn't really have to mean anything good. I barely can understand how someone may believe that destroying this whole world would make anything better." (I)

"One might at first believe so, but the Oroi belief is far deeper than this. It's about making yourself anew. Improving what you can, while not being afraid to break the old apart if it doesn't work." (M)

Just why is it so difficult to talk reasonably with cultists? Suddenly, my general awareness points out to me that someone is approaching. Someone whose attention I didn't quite plan on drawing.

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"Ah, Mela. I saw you from up there. Ever faithful today as well, aren't you?" (A)

"Oh, Lady Alyssa! It was a wonderful sermon! I felt so moved!" (M)

"How nice of you. I see you came with company. May I ask who they are?" (A)

"Right! This here is Iori! She's very interested in Oroi! I thought it might do her some good to attend!" (M)

For a moment, the eyes of this priestess flicker. As if she just heard something outrageous. She quickly composes herself again, but it was rather obvious. What's wrong with my name? It's not like I used it here excessively. Okay, when I was posing as a maid, but who would remember that? I certainly not! Never happened!

"Iori, you say? A good name. Treasure it, my friend." (A)

Okay...

"I see, you are still skeptical about us, my friend. Is there anything I may say to ease your mind?" (A)

"Well, I'm slightly concerned about the 'end of the world' part of your sermon. Not like I want to tell anyone what they ought to believe, but it didn't sound all that great for most involved." (I)

"Ah, I see. But Oroi isn't just about destruction. She is a challenge posed to each one of us. A reminder to make the best out of what we have, and hope that we may not meet that criteria." (A)

I somewhat feel like she just makes that up to fit her cause. At least, I can confidently claim that her "source" didn't have all this in mind when they made all of this up on the spot.

"How can you tell that this is what Oroi meant, and she didn't just want to screw everybody?" (I)

I don't really want to escalate anything with this cult, but the very least I should do would be pointing out their flawed reasoning.

"Iori, that isn't nice. She's the high priestess." (M)

"No, no. I perfectly understand. It's only a question about how you look at things. Also, skepticism and curiosity are great traits to have. Don't take for granted what this world sells you as its truth." (A)

Just why does she have to look so very amicable? It's irritating. But probably another necessary ability of a cult leader.

"What do you mean by that? 'The truth of this world'?" (I)

"Our world was not always with gods. We came to exist long before time. I studied the gods and their workings, and while immensely powerful, they don't possess the kind of might necessary to make this happen. It just doesn't add up." (A)

"See? She knows so much! Ever since I came here, one revelation after the other!" (M)

"Thank you, Mela. How is your application going?" (A)

"Grevon said it's on a good way! I even brought a coroka, just as he wanted!" (M)

"Which almost got you killed. Seriously, you shouldn't steal." (I)

"Iori!" (M)

Another twitch from this priestess at my name. Seriously, just what is wrong with her?

"She does have a point, Mela. It's dangerous to provide like this." (A)

"Well, apparently, she focuses all of her time on this cult, which makes me question how well this place means with her." (I)

"You can rest assured that all our faithful are important to our cause. We wouldn't squander them." (A)

At this, I notice the elder man from before approaching.

"Alyssa, your attendance is required to give your blessing for the feast." (G)

"Ah, right. Just one moment, please." (A)

He takes it with a nod, so Alyssa again turns to me.

"You may not see it yet, but allow me to show you the sincerity which governs all our efforts." (A)

That you sincerely want the world to be destroyed is what I fear!

"Lady Alyssa, the schedule is getting tight." (G)

"Right, I'll come. Just a second." (A)

Then she turns back to me.

"If you'd join me later in my quarters, I can provide you with undeniable proof. The great Oroi may bless you!" (A)

"The great Oroi may bless you!" (M)

At least someone here is super enthusiastic. For the better or worse. Mostly worse.

Alyssa chuckles at this energetic response while turning towards the table with the food.

"That's why I like purples so much. Always their heart on their sleeves. You should accelerate her application, Grevon." (A)

"I'll look into it, High Priestess." (G)

Meanwhile, Mela seems totally out of it.

"Did you hear that?! They said I'm gonna be approved! Ah, I'm so happy!" (M)

"Mela, please. Don't let this cult govern all your life. You seriously should also follow other routes to happiness." (I)

"Shush! Here comes the best part." (M)

It feels like I have to save this soul from myself. Meanwhile, the cult leader is apparently opening some kind of ritualistic feast.

"I'm happy to see so many kindred spirits here today. As is tradition, such should spend their meals together. While others may do so to revel in their group's claimed greatness, we come together under the guidance of the great destroyer. So may Oroi bless us!" (A)

There isn't much on the table, I spot the coroka among stuff that looks like bread, foreign vegetables, rice, and a tiny bit of meat that seems to be intentionally placed next to the upper ranges of this cult. So that's something they already got down.

"The feast is the absolute best! Aren't they all so nice? May Oroi bless us all!" (M)

"Just why is all this so damn important to you?" (I)

"Because it's all true! Because I know about Oroi and how she's involving herself with us! The cycles of life! That this isn't all there is to it, but another chance waits for me!" (M)

"What makes you think so?!" (I)

As harsh as this may sound, till today, I certainly haven't spent much thought on her. Nonetheless, she seems rather contemplative about this idea.

"You know, I can hear her voice. Sometimes, in quiet moments, there's this sense. Words being spoken that I can't quite place. Yet I'm fairly certain they're supposed to remind me of something. Something very important I'm never supposed to forget. They make me queasy, but also certain that there was something before. Why would she send me those thoughts if they didn't carry meaning? If they don't matter?" (Mela)

At this, I suddenly realize something. A sense, knowledge about a setup, and I remember something she told me before. When she was younger, she was red. The mere idea sounds ridiculous. A one in one hundred thousand chance of a random event. But alone the fact that I pursued this thought makes me aware of the very fact of what I did, putting a certain name onto my lips.

Kallum?

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