A black bus rolled off the highway, following the national road toward the coastal city ahead. Inside were Anna and her companions, who had just returned to the country.
None of the Futan believers on the bus spoke, making the atmosphere feel oppressive. They were fanatically devout, but not so much that they couldn't read the room. Their Lord Priest was clearly in a foul mood. Speaking up now would be asking for trouble.
Hilda, a blonde, blue-eyed woman and one of the original Futan believers, opened her laptop. She began searching the map for well-known goldsmiths. She planned to melt down the pendant on her chest to forge a new icon of the Futan God: the beautiful, magnificent, and splendid tree of flesh and blood.
This was the first time she had seen the true form of the Great Power. The sight had sent her into a state of cerebral ecstasy, further fueling her fanaticism. Hilda wanted the Great Power to be with her forever.
