Chapter 394: The Celestial Shrine

The tunnel’s cold, damp walls were small. Stryg had to keep his head down to avoid crashing into a jutting rock. There were no torches on the walls, only a dim light at the end of the tunnel. The rocky path was uneven and slick. He kept staring at his feet, trying his best to avoid tripping. First Mother seemed entirely unaffected. She walked through the tunnel with an unbroken stride, back straight, head held high.

Stryg tried to catch up with Aurelia when he heard Plum cry out in surprise behind him. Stryg spun around worriedly and smacked his head into the tunnel’s ceiling. He flinched back and fell over in an awkward sprawl in the confined space.

“I’m alright, I’m alright!” Plum called out. “I just slipped on a wet rock.”

“And I caught you before your head cracked against the floor,” Tauri said wryly.

“That’s why I said I’m alright,” Plum grinned.

“Glad to hear it,” Stryg muttered as he rubbed his forehead.

Plum narrowed her eyes and tried her best to make out Stryg’s figure in the darkness, “Hey, you okay?”

“Just perfect,” he grunted.

By the time Stryg managed to stand up Aurelia was already at the end of the tunnel, waiting for them. It bothered him that what had taken First Mother only five minutes to walk through ended up taking his companions and him three times as long. The tunnel had been made for goblins and it felt as if the mountain itself was telling him he didn’t fit in with the Sylvan.

He shook the pessimistic thought from his head and pushed on through the last few steps. The tunnel’s exit opened up to the sunset sky, dyed in oranges and pinks, with clouds speckled about. His eyes burned for a moment as they adjusted, but he quickly looked away before his irises expanded and his vision changed into a world of black and silver. The last thing he wanted right now was for others to stare at him or his eyes.

An entire city carved from the stones of the mountain was sprawled before him. The stronghold city of Evenfall stood proud, its buildings carved from the deep stone of the mountainside. Standing torches lined the narrow and winding streets where thousands of goblins strode through and hundreds of giant wolves and their riders walked. Stryg had never seen so many goblins in one place.

The last rays of the sun stretched across the sky and bathed the city in a soft glow.

“Evenfall,” Stryg whispered in awe. He had finally made it. After so many years of dreaming of the city, he had finally arrived at the sacred home of the Sylvan people.

Tauri climbed out of the tunnel and froze in wonder at the sight of the city. “...I had heard old stories of a Sylvan city deep in the mountains, I never thought they were real. This… this is more than I ever could have imagined.”

“What, did you think we were savages?” Stryg said wryly.

Tauri shrugged with a smirk, “No, just you.”

Plum whistled at the sight as she climbed out. “So this is why you wanted to come here.”

“Every Sylvan has the right to travel to this place when they reach adulthood,” Stryg said. “If I had passed my first tribal challenge and not been dragged to Hollow Shade, I would have come here. I’m three years late, but I finally made it.”

“Congratulations,” Plum smiled.

“Thank you,” Stryg smiled warmly, the light of an eager child in his eyes. “Hey, do you guys see that?” he pointed to the cliffside at the edge of the city.

A large fortress stood atop the cliff, overlooking the mountain range and the scarlet trees of Vulture Woods far below. Underneath the fortress, protruding out from the cliff, was a completely flat balcony, almost a quarter the size of the fortress.

“What is that?” Plum asked curiously.

“That’s the legendary Silver Hall Keep. It’s where the Sylvan tribunal, the Lunar Elect, resides,” Stryg said excitedly.

“I gathered that much but what exactly is with the giant terrace?” Plum asked.

Tauri narrowed her eyes, “Some kind of defensive platform?”

Stryg shook his head, “That’s the Midnight Mirror. The balcony’s tiles are made from polished reflective stone. Every night it’s filled with a thin layer of water that reflects the sky. The Mother Moon watches us from the sky above and the reflection below.”

“So an actual giant mirror, huh? And here I thought your people weren’t interested in displays of art,” Plum said in admiration.

“The Midnight Mirror serves as an arena where our greatest warriors do battle to settle their disputes under the eyes of the Mother Moon and the Lunar Elect.”

“Aaaand I take back what I said,” Plum sighed.

“You can go sightseeing later, right now we must go,” Aurelia spoke up. She grabbed Stryg by the sleeve and began pulling him away.

“W-Wait, where are you two going!?” Plum called out and hurriedly ran to catch up.

Tauri took one last pensive look at the city then turned and followed after them.

Aurelia ignored the countless shocked looks from the other goblins and led her small party around Evenfall’s streets and up the mountainside until they reached a long winding set of stairs that seemed to go on forever. Dozens of small groups were standing at the base of the stairs with even more already having begun the climb.

“Please, gods, tell me I don’t have to climb that,” Plum said, horrified.

“These stairs lead to our first and final destination of this journey,” Aurelia said.

“Let me guess, the Celestial Shrine lies at the top,” Tauri said.

“Yes,” Aurelia said. “I take it Stryg explained to you the details of this journey then?”

“No, but some of the hunters mentioned something about going to a temple when we’d arrive,” Tauri said.

“So Stryg failed to tell you the details. Why am I not surprised,” Aurelia noted.

“I was going to, eventually…” Stryg tried to explain, but it sounded like a poor excuse. He gave up and waited for First Mother to explain.

“The Celestial Shrine is our most sacred temple,” Aurelia said. “Every Sylvan who visits Evenfall must first go to the temple to pay their respects and they must go once more when they leave the city.”

Plum groaned, “But we just climbed up the freakin’ mountain! Can’t we just put this off until the morning and get some sleep first? Find a nice tavern and some hot food maybe?”

“It is not simply tradition, it is law. If you wish to live, you will climb. Mark my words, I will not have you embarrassing the Blood Fang tribe,” Aurelia bared her fangs.

Plum paled and nodded repeatedly, “Yes, ma’am.”

“Still, doesn’t this seem a little harsh? Forcing travelers to climb to the top of the mountain without any rest,” Tauri said.

“There is a reason why only adults are allowed to make the journey to Evenfall. They understand the consequences of being unable to finish the climb,” Aurelia said.

“Only the strong can survive among the Sylvan,” Stryg said in agreement.

“Tauri’s right, that’s harsh, cruel even. Forcing people to live with such a mindset,” Plum frowned.

“You are mistaken, drow,” said Aurelia. “We did not choose this lifestyle, the world forced it upon our people. Now climb.”

Stryg didn’t need to hear any more encouragement. He walked ahead of his friends and began to climb.

The marble steps were steep and worn, having been trodden on countless times by the tens of generations that came before. The air was crisp and it grew colder the higher he climbed. Snow began to pile at the edges of the steps where travelers had avoided. With each step, the clouds grew closer.

A small gasp drew his attention. Stryg tore his gaze away from the expanding view and finally noticed the other goblins climbing the steps alongside him. They were all staring, outrage and confusion clear in their eyes.

Some of the goblins had drawn their weapons but they held off from attacking at the sight of the silver crescent brooch hanging from his cloak, Blossom.

Crestfallen, Stryg suddenly realized it didn’t matter if his lilac eyes hadn’t changed shape. Everyone already thought he was strange. Were they like the Frost Whisper hunters guarding the mountain pass? Did they even think he was a goblin? Or did they just see a drow or some strange wide-eyed creature?

Stryg opened his mouth to explain, to justify why he deserved to be here like the rest of them, but as he stared at their confused and fearful expressions the words died in his throat. He nodded stiffly and brought his attention back to the worn steps in front of him. He kept his eyes down and focused on climbing, one step at a time.

As he walked, the wind grew louder and louder until it howled around him, but he didn’t notice, his mind elsewhere. Suddenly, a figure rushed past him.

“What’s got your pointy ears drooping like that? I mean, they’re always drooping, but this time more than normal.”

Stryg looked up in surprise, “Plum?”

The drow was grinning wide from atop Tauri’s back a few steps ahead of him.

Plum adjusted her glasses and winked, “Tired already?”

Stryg cocked his head to the side, “What are you two doing—?”

“She gave up ten steps in,” Tauri sighed. “I didn’t want to leave her for dead so I decided to carry her with the help of some brown magic.”

“In other words, I’m too precious to let die, haha! Now onwards my steed!” Plum yelled triumphantly.

“...I’ll throw you off this mountain,” Tauri growled.

“Ah, Stryg save me!” Plum gasped.

Stryg laughed and chased after them.

Aurelia followed behind them in a quiet pensive mood.

~~~

Several heavily armored wolf riders stood guard at the top of the stairs, disarming each goblin traveler before allowing them past the towering pillars behind them, where several priestesses were welcoming the travelers into the temple.

The moment Tauri reached the top she dropped Plum unceremoniously. The drow yelled in pain and began to complain as she rubbed her backside.

One of the riders shouted in alarm when he spotted Stryg and his companions. The rider raised his spear and was about to attack when Plum hurriedly pointed at Tauri’s Lunar Crescent brooch.

“They are special guests of the Guardian,” Aurelia said.

The rider glared at them suspiciously while the other riders began to encircle their group. The guards kept their weapons low as they tried to ascertain the validity of the brooches.

After a few tense minutes, the captain of the guards finally nodded reluctantly. “...They’re real. Somehow, they’re real.”

“Maybe they stole them?” another guard said.

“Steal from the Guardian? Impossible,” the captain shook his head. “Still, this is unprecedented. We cannot allow outsiders inside the grounds of the Celestial Shrine.”

“They are with me, they are not our enemies,” Aurelia insisted.

The captain noted the scarlet-ebon wreath on her head, then bowed, “I am sorry, but I cannot let them pass, First Mother. As a priestess, you are free to enter, of course. Your companions will be here unharmed when you return.”

Aurelia frowned, “That is not good enough.”

The captain stood his ground, “I’m sorry, I cannot allow them to—”

“What is going on out here?” a melodic voice called out. A woman dressed in a flowing white robe strode out from the open temple doors. A silver-ebon wreath was wrapped around her mute-black hair and a golden necklace hung around her shoulders. Her yellow eyes glanced at the scene with a calm gaze.

Every traveler waiting outside suddenly stopped what they were doing and dropped to their knees and bowed their heads in silent awe. The captain and the other riders quickly dismounted from their wolves and bowed low, while keeping their eyes on the outsiders.

“Silver Mother, a thousand apologies. We did not mean to interrupt your meditations,” the captain said humbly.

Stryg froze in shock. This was the Silver Mother, the high priestess of all Sylvan people. He had never thought he’d be lucky enough to see her, let alone meet her.

The Silver Mother raised her eyebrow and stared at the captain of the guard as if he was an idiot. “Did you really expect me to continue my meditations when outsiders arrive at our temple gates? You should have told me about them the moment they arrived. I shouldn’t have heard it from some breathless acolyte.”

“Your humble servant begs for your forgiveness,” the captain asked pleadingly.

“We’ll discuss this later. Now, move. I wish to have a good look at these outsiders.”

“But Silver Mother, it isn’t safe!” the captain said worriedly.

“Yes, yes, now step aside already and command your wolves to do the same,” the high priestess waved them away.

The captain grimaced in helplessness but nodded nonetheless. He motioned to his guards to move aside and for their wolves to follow. Stryg and the others stood alone, glancing about with uncertainty.

The Silver Mother narrowed her eyes and smiled, “My, oh my, they really are outsiders, fascinating. Oh, and they are wearing Arden’s Lunar Crescents. Curious. Now, why have a pair of drows and an orc come to visit our sacred shrine? Arden wouldn’t have given you those brooches without a good reason—” She suddenly froze in mid-sentence and slowly looked past Plum to the goblin Mother standing behind her. “Aurelia…?”

First Mother winced, “Hello, Virella.”

“Auri!” the Silver Mother screamed giddily and tackled her with a bear hug. “Praise the Mother Moon, you’re back!”

Aurelia tensed up at the hug and grimaced. “Yes, yes, I missed you too, Virella. You can let go now.”

Virella laughed and gave one last squeeze before stepping back. “I see you haven’t changed. Your heart is as ice cold as ever,” she grinned. “And gods, just look at you! You barely seem a day older. But what did you do to your beautiful hair?”

“We’ll have time to talk later, I’m sure.”

“I hope so,” Virella wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. “After all these years I was worried you’d never come back. I’m glad I was wrong.”

“You seem to be doing well without me,” Aurelia smiled half-heartedly. “High priestess, eh? Impressive.”

“Oh, please, as if I ever could have made it this far without you,” Virella rolled her eyes.

“Um, I’m sorry, I don’t mean to interrupt, but how do you two know each other?” Stryg asked with a meek but curious tone.

“Who are you—?” Virella glanced at him and did a double take. Her eyes widened to saucers and her jaw went slack. She began jumping up and down, giggling like a little girl, and turned to Aurelia with a giant grin. “Auri, is this who I think it is?”

“Don’t,” Aurelia snapped.

“Oh, right, right. I got this,” Virella nodded while trying to suppress her giddiness. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and cleared her throat, “Ahem. Ah, yes. What was your question, young man?”

“Uh, how do you know my tribe’s First Mother?” Stryg asked nervously.

“Oh, that’s easy, I’m Auri’s bestest friend in the whole wide world,” she grinned. “You can call me Auntie Vi!”