Chrysalis

A Divine Mission! A Holy Order!

Beyn found it difficult to contain himself as he made his way into the city, leaving the warehouse compound occupied by the Great One, his family, and the rest of the trade mission.

Such was his energy, he found himself trembling from head to toe. His feet were on the ground, but his spirit soared into the air. With every stride, he longed to declare the truth, to speak of the New Way, unveiled through the grace of the Great One upon the world!

However, such an action would assuredly result in his death, and it was not proper for him to martyr himself at this time. There was too much to be done. The great labour, laying down the new Path atop the false, was painstaking work and needed to be completed brick by brick. For all of his flaws, of which there were many, Beyn was aware of his position. His task lay not only in placing bricks, but in recruiting others to the cause, rallying the people around the Great One.

So, he must live on, which meant the many unbelievers around him went unenlightened. Each person who walked by without hearing of the New Way sent a shard of pain directly into his heart, but he held firm, as was his duty.

What the passers by thought of this twitching man, frequently brushing tears from his eyes with his one hand, is probably best kept a mystery.

Eventually, he reached the grand cathedral that formed the centre of the Church’s power in the Silver City. Atop a grand staircase, the shining, silver edifice was a marvel to behold. Huge in scale, impressive in artistry, it truly was an incredible sight. However, Beyn found it didn’t move him as perhaps it once might have.

The statue, fifty metres tall, of the smiling, wizened figure who represented the Path, looked down on the streams of people moving in and out of the compound with benevolence. Where once the robed figure, with his large hat and luxurious beard, had seemed so wise, almost all-knowing to Beyn, now he knew of the deeper Truth. There was another way.

With a set of priestly robes the brathians secured for him, Beyn shrugged his shoulders and walked up the stairs. Before him yawned the wide open entrance to the cathedral itself, the booming words of a stirring sermon echoing out from within. He didn't enter; instead, he turned to his right and moved to the side. Less of the public moved here; instead, it was mostly priests and staff, carrying books and other documents, going about the work of the Church.

It had been so long since he’d worn the traditional robes, and he felt quite uncomfortable without the antennae on his head, but he pressed on, determined to learn what he could.

can I assist

to himself, the man who accosted him was clearly not a normal

been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent.

“Oh. Yes, one moment.”

robes until he found

he said, handing

“A moment, father.”

disc in one palm and placed the

long way from your flock, father,” he noted

Beyn nodded.

caused much destruction,” he said sadly. “My people have gone through a great deal since the destruction of

to the fourth stratum. Regardless, you are allowed entry. You can access the index at

“... And yours.”

to enlighten this man as to the True Path, but with

you holding

“Thno reethon. Ethcuthe me.”

built up by the Church for over a thousand years. Although it would have been impressive to see all the texts in a single, open space, that wasn’t

books, each tended by a robed Priest or Priestess. After some discussion and consultation of the texts, he was given a list of books, rooms and shelves to find what it was that he sought. Thankfully, there was precious little speech within the Library, so Beyn felt safe, believing none would engage him in conversation as he