The way their voices fell into perfect unison, no hesitation, no uncertainty, almost like it was muscle memory, made the hair on the back of my neck stand up.
Malachi’s gaze swept over the congregation, and for a heartbeat, I swore it lingered on me. Just long enough to send a pulse of heat down my spine. Then his eyes turned back toward Elior.
“The Vessel sits among us tonight,” Malachi said reverently.
“The Vessel of Light saves us.”
Elior didn’t move, but a faint tremor passed through the room, like the words themselves carried power. Some of the congregation bowed deeper; others whispered prayers under their breath.
Malachi continued, “Look upon him, children. Behold him. He does not cry, for tears are for the impure. He does not laugh, for laughter is for the lost. His silence is the will of Heaven. Doubt him, and you doubt the Light itself. Doubt the Light, and the fire shall take you. Stand fast, obey, and follow, for the Light shall lead us to the Kingdom.”
“Amen.”
Malachi lifted his hands again, looking directly at me. “The Light has brought us a new brother on this joyous day. Do you see him, children?”
“We see him,”the congregation answered, making me swallow down the discomfort rising in my chest.
“We welcome our new brother with the story of the Vessel,” Malachi announced. “The miracle birth and the omen. Nineteen years ago, I received a message from the Lord. When his holy messenger of Light appeared before me, I was told I would father the Light-Born Son, who would act as a Vessel to hold our sins, who would vanquish our shadows with his heavenly Light. The Mother conceived only days later through the divine seed. As her belly grew, she faded, eaten up by his Light. On the night of his birth, a star shone brighter than any other in the night sky. The Mother may have given her earthly body for us, but Heaven rewarded her tenfold, allowing her to always watch over ourflock from above. The Vessel did not cry as he was born, because he shall not speak as the many speak. No. His silence shall strike the earth, and his purity will cleanse us. He will lead the faithful to the New Kingdom when the Day of Burning arrives. He will shepherd us to the promised land, guiding our way with his brightness. For he is our salvation!”
The congregation rose, almost as one, and began to chant—a soft, rhythmic pattern that looped and built, a wordless hum that seemed to vibrate in the air. The candles flickered as if the sound itself disturbed them.
I stood too, mimicking the others, my pulse ticking faster as I tried to decipher Malachi’s words.
Around me, heads swayed. Eyes closed.
Elior remained still in the Seat of Light, gaze distant, lips moving silently. Malachi’s expression turned rapturous, his arms open as if to catch the sound.
It was mesmerizing—in a“holy fuck these people are insane”kind of way.
When the chant finally broke, it was sudden. Everyone bowed. Malachi’s voice filled the space again, soft but commanding.
“Go in Light, and serve in peace.”
The people murmured, “Amen,” and began filing out quietly, heads still bowed.
Gabriel put a hand on my shoulder. “Beautiful, isn’t it?” he said, almost dreamily.
“Yeah,” I said, forcing a faint smile. “Beautiful.”
5
Elior
When the chapel emptied one by one, I stayed in the Seat of Light until Father gave the slight nod that meant I could move. My legs ached a little from staying so still, but I didn’t mind. The ache always felt right, somehow. Like proof that I’d done what I was supposed to.
Father stepped closer, resting a hand on my knee. “The Light shone so clearly tonight through you,” he said.
His praise made my chest warm. “Thank you, Father.”
He smiled faintly, though his eyes were already moving past me—toward the doorway where Brother Gabriel was talking quietly with someone new. I followed his gaze, and the moment I saw who it was, my breath caught.
Jace!
He was standing half in shadow, but I could very clearly see it was him.
And he was wearing a robe!
Father’s hand squeezed lightly before he withdrew it. “Rest well tonight, my son. Tomorrow will be another full day.”
