“He dreamt of salvation—of a mortal ascending into everlasting life. In his vision, the act of ascension was both disintegration and formation… the becoming of pure energy.”
A beat of silence passed before he added, “He also foresaw the Stone Plague. The Great Prairie Fire.”
A murmur rippled through the crowd. I wasn’t the only one trying to make sense of this.
Someone shouted, “It’s unnatural!” and several voices agreed in hushed affirmation.
Marcum held up a hand, unbothered. “This building was erected with materials sourced from natural land. This building is not naturally occurring, but does that mean it isunnatural? You are currently being warmed by an artificial heating source. Is your comfort and safety sounnatural?” he asked coolly. “I challenge you to question any preconceived notions you may have traveled here with. Learn for yourself what the truth is.”
When I looked back at Rowan, he was staring at Marcum with a strange, almost wounded expression. Not quite anger. Not quite fear. Something quieter and more personal.
“I’m sure many of you have heard the prophecy,” Marcum continued, “but for those unfamiliar, I’ll read it aloud now.”
He didn’t need to. I already knew it. We all did.
“Death is not the only end. Ascend from ruin and rejoice in being made anew. One must both choose and be chosen. For hidden in flesh and accessed through spirit, a pure soul may find its light at last.”
The words felt heavier. Less like hope. More like a threat.
Marcum’s voice grew smoother, almost reverent. “From Acaelar’s vision, we discovered the path to ascension is simple: purification of body, blood, and spirit. That is why this program exists.”
I swallowed the bile rising in my throat. If it were so simple, how come they had yet to achieve it?
“As participants, you’ll undergo regular blood draws, immunizations, and spiritual evaluations. We have two types of sessions: truth and faith sessions. Truth sessions will target trauma and promote acceptance, cleansing the soul. While faith sessions aim to bring you closer to the divine.”
No one moved. No one breathed.
“You are part of something greater than just yourself. You should feel honored.”
Then, as if the sermon hadn’t ended in the shadow of two dead bodies, “Please report to the infirmary for your initial screenings. After that, the day is yours. I’ll see you all tomorrow morning.”
Marcum stepped down. The room shifted in eerie unison—chairs scraped, feet shuffled. No one spoke. No one looked at one another.
Not even the Veilers. They stood as if nothing had happened.
Only one stayed still.
Rowan.
His eyes found mine again—steady, unreadable. Arms still crossed. But tension coiled beneath his stillness like a snake in waiting.
I tore my gaze away, heart thudding. My stomach churned. Whether from fear, nausea, or the knowledge that I’d be next on the chopping block—I couldn’t tell.
I pushed my tray forward, appetite gone.
And then a hand grabbed my wrist.
I stiffened, my body tensing on instinct, but when I turned, I was met with a pair of wide, anxious brown eyes. Talia. She hadn’t said a word to me since we had met that morning, but now her small fingers trembled against my skin.
“We must leave,” she whispered. “They’re watching.”
I looked around. She was right.
The ones stationed at the doors started herding the culled toward the hallway, directing us like livestock. I didn’t hesitate. I pried my hand from Talia’s grasp and stood, walking with measured steps toward the corridor. There was no reason to resist. There was nowhere to run.
The walk to the infirmary felt longer than it should have, the hallways stretching endlessly under the harsh glow of the overhead lights. I let my feet move forward, step after step, but my mind remained stuck on the prophecy, on the so-called purification process, on the uncertainty of the future.
We waited in a long line for our turn to enter the infirmary. I attempted to enter with Talia, but I was stopped by a Veiler—or sentry—posted at the door. It was a one-at-a-time situation. I gave Talia a reassuring smile and a brief nod before she went in first.
