"Huh? What? Don't tell me your father never mentioned this to you?" Gehrman scratched his head, looking utterly baffled, as though this family was the strangest he'd ever seen. Something this important, and not a single word left behind?
In the Fractured world, stepping onto the Transcendence Path is not uncommon.
Bloodline, potions, insight, training.
And of course, the most straightforward, and most prestigious method: being directly enlightened by a higher lifeform. This type of transcendent is the "rich and beautiful" of the extraordinary community, the so-called God-blessed Heroes.
This type of transcendent is born one step above the rest.
They already have one foot on a pre-ordained Path.
With divine favor from gods, fae, or the World Tree, the bottlenecks and accumulations that normally trouble transcendents are easily brushed aside. Not that they have no flaws, but compared to their overwhelming advantages, those flaws are negligible.
From Gehrman's observations, Felia seemed to belong to this category.
"She carries a very pure and unusual aura. Clearly the imprint of a god. But… it feels a little broken, a little weakened." Making sure the little sprout in the room couldn't overhear, Gehrman lowered his voice, almost amused.
"Any idea which god?" Maria immediately connected it to a certain cruel deity.
"That's beyond my knowledge. And besides, that god hasn't walked the mortal world in a long time." Referring to the gods, if it weren't simply Gehrman's temperament, free of any concept of blasphemy, lightning bolts would already be raining down from above.
After all, this was the Luminous Cathedral, one of the eleven pillars upholding divine authority.
From a certain perspective, if the Sun Gods chose to interfere in the mortal world, their commands would be issued through the eleven pillars. Likewise, mortals' messages were received through them. After all, the divine realm of Lordran was an exceptionally unique place, detached from normal time and space.
"Talking with you is both nerve-wracking and thrilling."
Maria discreetly wiped away a sheen of sweat from her forehead, only relaxing when she confirmed no signs of divine punishment crackled in the sky.
To be struck dead by divine retribution just from chatting with Gehrman would truly be tragic.
The gods of the Fractured world are notorious for their tempers. Spit at a statue, and they'll kill you on the spot. Holding grudges? Doesn't exist. If they're offended, vengeance comes immediately.
"Heh, if they don't like it, let them fight me." Gehrman wasn't afraid of divine punishment or descending angels. He had hunted even Legendary sorcerers, there were few forces in the mortal realm that could threaten him now. If some god, enraged over such trifles, sent angels to descend… well, who killed whom was still up for debate.
Might makes right.
"Anyway, let that god come for the little sprout in due time. No need to worry too much."
"I understand." Adjusting her posture slightly, bathed in moonlight.
"Maria, you're clever and kind. Think more for yourself. And… don't get too entangled with the Church." Perhaps tired, Gehrman pulled out a bottle of liquor from who-knows-where and began openly drinking inside the cathedral, strolling away. Hopefully the patrolling Temple Knights wouldn't catch him, or he'd be in for a beating.
…
Rustle, rustle. Huddled under the covers, Felia felt her sister Maria's familiar cold body slip in beside her. She bit her lip, suppressing the instinctive urge to cling closer.
Such a strange feeling.
Every time she was near Maria, she felt irresistibly drawn to her. An urge from the heart to hold her tight. At first, Felia thought it was Maria's cold body temperature that made her want to cuddle, but over time, she realized it wasn't the cold, it was Maria herself.
Sleep, sleep… keep your eyes shut and pretend she's not there!
Torn between wanting to hold Maria and wanting to resist, Felia squeezed her eyes shut, willing her sister's presence away.
But the next instant, she was pulled into a cool embrace. Out of habit, Maria had taken her little sister as a pillow, tucking Felia's head against her noble chest. Soft, warm, full, Felia felt despair creep in.
Damn it! So unfair! Mom, why did you give her so much more?!
Thinking of their mother Ruth's equally impressive noble proportions, Felia could only wail internally.
Still, remembering that if Maria had such a figure, then she herself had plenty of future potential, Felia couldn't help giggling.
"Hm? What's so funny?" Maria noticed her sister trembling with laughter against her chest, propping her head lazily, silver hair spilling down like a waterfall. Her dazzling eyes carried mirth, her slender neck and delicate collarbone composing a beauty hidden from the outside world.
"N-nothing."
Flustered, Felia struggled free of her sister's embrace, staring blankly at Maria's refined elegance.
"I'm going to sleep!"
When she came back to her senses, Maria's exquisite face was nearly touching hers. Felia could even feel her breath. Affection and revulsion surged together, and she quickly pulled away. As expected, she still couldn't completely suppress the cold, nauseating sensation.
And with it came the memory of that blood-soaked day, Maria mercilessly cutting down their parents.
She killed Father and Mother. She killed them. Unforgivable, unforgivable, unforgivable…! The venomous thought coiled through Felia's mind like a snake.
"Sleep now, dear. Sleep early and grow strong. Sleep, sleep…" From behind, Maria gently held her sister, softly humming the lullaby their mother Ruth once used. The clean, lilting voice carried a magic that slowly pulled Felia's eyelids shut.
So warm…
"Even in dreams, I'll protect you."
Maria's eyes too grew heavy. The moonlight tonight was unnaturally bright, bright enough to make one wonder if they were dreaming.
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