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-Moments ago-
As Alastor walked towards the Altar while Arthas and Rhonin looked at the many murals, Alonsus Faol and Uther had also entered the Church.
The Lightbringer had come to find his student Arthas and on the way had run into Alonsus his own mentor who decided to catch up with his student and soon head to the castle together.
"Arthas!" Boomed Uther as he finally saw his student.
"Master? Archbishop!? what are you two doing here?" Arthas turned around surprised seeing the two.
"Light damn it boy! the guests are all almost gathered yet you are still not at the reception? I told your father I would fetch you myself"
"Hahaha cut the boy some slack Uther, it's natural to have some flights of fancy in youth" Faol laughed good naturedly as he spoke in behalf of the Lordaeron prince.
Arthas chuckled a bit sheepishly as he patted Rhonin's shoulder beside him. "Sorry about that, the thing is that my friends, Alastor and Rhonin here had recently arrived and in my excitement I was giving them a tour and may have lost track of time"
Uther shook his head at his protégé and was about to say something more when at the corner of his eye he saw his mentor Alonsus Faol move slightly ahead with a look that was equal parts amazed and shocked.
"Your Holiness?---!!" Uther was about to enquire when his eyes also caught what his mentor saw and he almost choked in shock as well.
Arthas and Rhonin looked bewildered and also turned as their expressions mirrored theirs's soon enough.
There in front of them kneeling on one knee at the Altar praying was Alastor but he was giving out a powerful radiance of Holy light yet it was not at all glaring to the sight.
It almost was like the Light itself was wrapping a cloak of virtue around him, making him look a newly risen Saint.
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"You really can't help yourself can you huh?" Rhonin's lips twitched as he looked at his best friend glowing like a literal saint.
Alastor wanted to retort but he held himself back as he tried to will the light away similar to his magic but instead of dissipating he "felt" the Holy light enter his body and settle within his soul.
Alastor gave them an awkward smile "Grandmaster Uther, Your Holiness Alonsus Faol it's an honour, master Henry talked a lot about you your Holiness"
"And my friend had a lot of good things to say about you as well Prince Alastor but either he didn't tell me or this is truly an auspicious day that I find out you're a Saint as well" The leader of the Church of Light gave him a kind smile.
"I....I'm not so sure about that....you see I'm not particularly pious and all...." Alastor tried to explain as he himself was baffled since he truly was not all that devout when it came to religion.
"It doesn't work like that" Uther shook his head as he explained. "The Light is not something that demands or even need worship, but that does not stop the devout of the Church from giving it, it's due respect and reverence as we practice and spread it's teachings"
Uther had his own misgiving when it came to mages but not to the point that many other Paladins mainly had due to his mentor Alonsus himself having no such distrust but he also understood why no mages were able to channel the Light.
Mages needed study, research and the channelling of the power from the Aether to use their powers whereas priests and paladins channel the Holy light through strong willpower, faith and conviction.
And this was while not threading upon the different philosophies of the groups so he was very much surprised as well seeing a very well known Mage prodigy being made a Saint of the light.
Alonsus nodded at Uther's explanation as he continued from where he stopped to give Alastor some more insight.
"Indeed young prince, The Light is everywhere but it is particularly attracted to those with whose emotions and souls resonate with it deeply, Hope, Integrity, Honour, Serenity, Love all resonate with the Light"
"And amongst a few special individuals who not only possess great willpower but whose souls are pure and just, they themselves become Host of the Light's power and are considered it's Champions."
"We amongst the Church call these figures Saints. Which you are now a part off Child."
Alastor gave the kindly old man a blank look as he looked back at the Altar and as if trying to ask the Light itself WHY?
'....One prayer....I literally just prayed once...'
Yet when all of this was happening and Alonsus, Uther and Rhonin's gaze was on Alastor a complicated look crossed Arthas face as he felt a ugly emotion surge inside of himself which he was quick to suppress.
Arthas plastered a smile on his face again. "Master, Lord Alonsus, While it's a splendid occasion how about we make way to the castle for the venue? You did arrive to bring us there."
"Also as you can see while the occasion is auspicious maybe we should give Alastor a bit more time to get his bearings?" Arthas gave them a tactful look as he glanced in Alastor's direction.
Alonsus eyes widened as he gave Alastor a apologetic look. "Child please forgive me if we came out a bit too overbearing, Arthas is right and you should take your time coming to terms with this"
Uther also gave Alastor a slightly apologetic look. "Can't believe my student showed more tact than me but he's right we should also leave for the castle as well"
Uther gave Arthas an approving nod as he turned and walked out of the Church alongside him not before Arthas looked back slightly with a complicated glance.
"If you ever have questions about the Light or your Sainthood feel free to seek either me or Uther out" Alonsus after saying that also walked out of the Church.
Rhonin stayed back as he patted Alastor on the shoulder as he gave his friend a look. "Al? are you ok?"
"I...how did this happen!?" Alastor was incredulous and a bit frustrated as he looked at his hands feeling the Holy light right under his skin which he instinctually knew he could summon at any time.
"This isn't the first time I've been in a Church? and I meant it when I said I wasn't pious! Nor do I put much belief or stock in so called "higher" powers so why!?"
"Is it really that surprising?" Alastor immediately looked at him incredulously as Rhonin gave him a genuinely confused look as if he said something which was common knowledge.
"How is this not surprising Rhonin!? didn't you hear what I said?" Alastor gave his best friend a annoyed glare.
"I did but maybe YOU forgot what the Archbishop and Uther just said a few moments ago"
"They clearly stated that the Light is attracted to people who are genuinely good, the more deep their positive qualities the better they would act as it's conduits"
Rhonin gave a chuckle as he gave Alastor a firm pat on the back. "Even before we first met when I got my nose broken-" at that Alastor snorted a bit at the memory as Rhonin's eyebrow twitched.
"As I was saying! I like many others heard about you, The miracle prince of Stormwind, The rising legend of the South, the prodigy who showed brilliance in whatever he touched upon."
"At worst I thought you would be some High and might asshole like many Nobles or at best too high above to care about the ones below you despite some things showing it might not be the case like how you made an effort to spread your tech among the common people"
"Imagine my surprise when I found out the guy who dragged me off to see a healer for my broken nose and even joked and spent time with me after that was in fact this very legend"
Rhonin's annoyance faded as he continued to talk as well as Alastor's amusement.
"For these past 2 years I really got to know you and you know what conclusion I reached after all this time?"
Alastor didn't reply but he couldn't help but give him a slightly curious look.
"That underneath all that Greatness you are a good person Alastor"
It had honestly surprised Rhonin as well when he understood this part of Alastor since he was used to seeing arrogance, selfishness and scheming amongst Nobles especially in the northern kingdoms.
Rhonin knew since he himself was from a noble family of Stromgarde
which had him disowned when he wished to become a mage.
Actual good Nobles and Royals were very rare especially amongst humans, even the "better" Kings like Thoras, Genn and Terenas were all short-sighted in their kingdoms than betterment of their race despite all of them coming from the ancient Arathor Empire.
Honestly Stormwind was lucky to have a King like Llane who was not only dedicated to his own people but almost never refused to help any other human kingdom and ally.
Alastor on the other hand despite possessing talent, power, status, riches and charisma never once tried to lord over others with his achievements, always trying to be responsible with his power.
Taking genuine joy in seeing how his actions helped others and never allowing his pride to become arrogance.
He was a man who was happy with his lot in life and genuinely wished to see his people and loved ones live in peace and prosperity.
His best friend was a good man and that was perhaps one of his best qualities that caused people gravitate to him.
"And if it's you I'm honestly not surprised seeing you become a Saint, hell I guess miracles do exist"
Alastor tried to speak but barely any words came out as he took a deep breath "I.....I'm afraid Rhonin....I don't want to let anyone down and the more these "miracles" and achievements happen I'm more and more afraid of slipping up and causing a mistake"
Especially when he knew "mistakes" from him would never be simple.
"Al you're human, I and a lot of people would sooner put our trust in you than anyone else and if you do make a mistake or fumble than it only proves that you're human like the rest of us"
"And if someone is too short-sighted or too much of a idiot not to see that despite any failure you were trying your best than they can always be in your position and see if they could do any better"
Rhonin snorted after he stopped talking thinking of that imaginary sight, he would love to see some idiot try to show he could do better than an actual Demi-god.
Alastor's lips twitched in amusement as well he felt the gloom disappear from his psyche as the two friends also started walking out the Church to make their way to the Menethil Castle.
Alastor glanced back before he exited through the gate and he couldn't help but feel he like he saw a faint illusion of a glowing, crystalline figure made up of shards of light above the altar before with a blink it disappeared.
For a moment Alastor thought if he actually saw something as he shook his head and followed after the others to the castle.
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