When we are all lined, priest Yuro silences the massive crowd. Man, a village of what I guess is less than 1000 people sound pretty small until they turn up in one place like this. I wonder how crowded the dungeon must be.

"Today, these young men and women stand before you and before God, to enter the ranks of the adults..." Yuro starts a drivel of a speech I have heard more less the same version off for many years while I lived in the village.

The premise is basically that we have been given much, by the land, by our parents, so now we have a duty to provide for others, have our own children. I have noticed this before, but the religions here are really hardcore on making sure we have a lot of children.

"And you have received bounty from the land, provided to you not by your own power, but gifted from..."

I kinda zone him out while scouring the crowd for familiar faces. Ah, Jorgen is there all the way in the back. I wonder why Hannah is not very well known or come to the village. Maybe she is just trying to hide her never-aging dryad thing, but she could easily have pretended to age naturally, if I understand their powers correctly.

"And thus we learned not to squander the gifts given to us, but to appreciate them and..."

This guy can really drone on. Oh, there is mother. I try discreetly winking, but some other people give me the stink eye, so I better not cause a commotion. Her hair is grey now. Is that girl next to her my little sister? I have been gone for seven years, so it would be a miracle if she remembers me. She stares at me specifically, mom probably pointed me out for her though.

"So today our young children will take their vows and become adults. They will forsake their indolence and embrace diligence. They will provide the world with more families and spread our kind further, as God has willed it."

Seems the speech is over. Yuro opens the massive doors to the green temple. Those closest to him start following him, so I start following too. I wonder if they practiced this or it's common knowledge? we then enter the room where I was first painted with the weird stuff that made glowed on me. In hindsight, it was probably a way to detect if we had a gift.

We are all instructed to kneel in front of an alter. On it is several statuettes. One shows a pregnant woman, lovingly carresing her tomb. One shows a man with a spear and the last shows a girl and a boy, looking playful. I have thought this before, but gender roles are heavily cemented and encouraged in this world. Kinda glad I am not a woman.

"Repeat these vows as I anoint you" Yuro proclaims. "I will appreciate what you have given me, I will be fruitful as you have commanded, I will work diligently for a better world".

The priest then smears some red paste on our heads. Now each and every one of them glows. Kinda scary, hope this isn't some magical way to enforce our adherence to these wishes, I'd really like to be lazy every now and then. When the priest comes to me, he starts annointing me and I repeat "I will appreciate what you have given me, I will be fruitful as you have commanded, I will work diligently for a better world" and wait for him to proceed to the next person.

When he is all done, he stands before us once again and speaks. "You are now adults. MEN! You will do good by attending the summit, becoming dependable by earning your keep and growing strong! WOMEN! You will do good by finding a respected man, who hunts well, taking care of the home and birthing children. Now, go and enjoy the party, but don't ruin your clothes, we will expect them back after they have been washed!"

Again, as one who was originally brought up with a general idea of gender equality, or at least and idea that one shouldn't be forced to take certain actions because of their gender, it seems a little harsh, but no matter. I want to reunite with my family! Well, my sister and mother at least.

As we exit the temple, I quickly spot the now grey-haired woman, and run up to her, giving a big hug. "Mother, it's been so long" I exclaim. I have genuinely missed her love and care and gentle nature these past years. She also hugs me firmly "Welcome back, Yos. Did you become a good man?"

"I believe so" I answer while separating from her. "And is this my little Vella?" I ask, trying to meet the eyes of the girl hiding behind her mother.

"Say hello, Vella, it's your older brother"

"Hi, older brother" Vella timidly says. When we left she was a cute toddler, but now she is a cute little girl, I seriously want to hug her tightly, but I also don't want to frighten her.

"Hi Vella" I say with a big a smile on my face, which she returns. Ah, what radiance!