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You were training to be a priestess.
Growing up, you did not understand how bugs became so devoted to a figure they have never seen. You never understood why mortal bugs believed in an immortal being – the concept was absurd to you.
Why waste your life away for something uncertain? Why would you place your devotion on something unseen? It’s nothing but a way for bugs, specifically those at the Golden Settlement, to be more productive. It’s obviously working with how the crops have always been so fruitful with berries especially during harvest season.
“There’s no fun in believing in a Goddess bugs can see!” Multiple farmer ants would agree with that sentiment.
You, on the other hand, still thought it was stupid, dumb. Religion has always been a touchy subject for you, and it was even more terrible when your mother was an acolyte for this so-called “Harvest Goddess.” She wanted you to follow in her footsteps, but you didn’t have the heart to refuse at the risk of disappointing her. It was… not the best feeling.
The one thing from the religion you liked though is the violence: there was a ritual during the Harvest Festival where bugs fight for the goddess’ approval – you always thought that there were bugs hidden from the crowd that opened the gates to the hills, so that was one more logical explanation against the goddess’ existence.
Going back on topic, you enjoyed the lessons where your mother taught you about combat. It was a bit out of place for training to become a priestess, but it made going through your mother’s daily classes a bit more bearable. It lets you release the irritability boiling inside you towards the training dummies your mother provided, which would be considered sacrilegious when that was because you didn’t like the religion this tradition was for.
Despite that, you wanted to leave. Badly.
These sacred training classes did nothing but bore you so much you’d die and finally confirm if the goddess existed or not in the afterlife. It was making you the opposite of faithful, rather, it just made you want to defy the religion even more. Along with your job at the bar, you really wanted to leave it all behind to do something more worth your time.
You enjoyed your work – it exempted you from participating in most religious occasions, but sometimes your mother’s requests would let you off the clock to watch and study how the festivities worked. It was only rarely though, so you simply accepted it. Plus, it was nice seeing the locals bonding and learning more about them, which helped in coming up with potential conversation topics with them over the bar counter the next day.
…You’d rather work in the bar 24/7 than be in your mother’s classes.
But you didn’t want to disrespect your own mother; that was very much against the filial principles you were taught even when you were just an egg. The least you could do for her was to finish chores around the house and pay attention to her classes; the latter you didn’t take as seriously.
Either way, it wouldn’t hurt to see what happens until the final few sessions of training. You were drawn to the peak of the Golden Hills for seemingly no reason, but it will all end the same anyway: you see nothing up the hill and leave the village to find your calling elsewhere – maybe even outside Bugaria. You wanted to hope there was something else reserved for you entirely separate from religion, but it was a bit difficult to do that when you’ve been surrounded by a culture and bugs completely reverent for something you didn’t fully believe in your entire life.
It wasn’t that you were confident Venus didn’t exist, or that bugs weren’t allowed to doubt their faith sometimes, but yours were… much deeply rooted and longer than the others. There was a period in your life where you fully believed in the Harvest Goddess, but that was during your early years of youth.
Your mind wasn’t as conscious yet, of course you’d blindly follow whatever was thrown to you. Growing older was the biggest roadblock since you could finally think for yourself, and what you think goes against almost everything you were taught before.
This crisis in faith had defined your adolescent years, which was tiring to put it lightly. Spending your free time on the golden grass, reflecting about your own faith and if doubting it was really the right choice; worrying about blasphemy every time you were in your mother’s classes, that you were not meant to be there; imagining the Harvest Goddess – if she did exist – looking down at you in disapproval, shunning you out of her blessings for disrespecting her this much. Then the apex of an autumn leaf stabbing your eye vanishes all your thoughts.
It only brought you stress and anxiety, which is why you needed to leave this religion, your mother, your home. To find yourself outside the boundaries where this supposedly existing goddess could reach. It was… a daunting goal to achieve, but it was possible with your own capabilities. You can fend for yourself against the Lesser Bugs. The main issue was where would you exactly go? That part was still a bit lost to you, deterring you from fleeing the settlement sooner.
“Hey Aria! How’s priesthood treating ya?” Sunny cheerfully greeted you.
“Hello, Sunny! It’s been… nice,” you replied, cleaning a berry cup with a golden leaf. It was nearing morning, making the bar have little to no customers and the inn occupied with sleeping travelers.
It was inspiring to you how Sunny managed to keep such a bubbly personality throughout the night [and day] – it made you think how she has been viewing her own life and beliefs, but you obviously wouldn’t ask her that. The both of you were only coworkers and acquaintances; also, it’d just be odd to ask about her faith and potentially outing yourself as a heretic.
“I’ve always been so curious about what you guys do in your classes, your mother is such a great fighter!”
“Oh, thank you. It’s just the usual acts of worship, but it mostly focuses on the dances and combat.”
“Do you guys train with the buds and vines like during the Harvest Festival?”
“...No, not really. My mother always said that those were reserved for actual acolytes. Our training is usually focused on agility and strategy.”
“Ohh! Interesting,” Sunny’s eyes glimmered in intrigue through the shadow formed by her helmet, and you knew that was a sign that she was going to keep the conversation going until the sun literally rises.
“I’m just, ohh – a bit.. sleepy,” you yawned, exhausted from your night shift. There weren’t usually many customers in the bar so the primary reason for that was due to boredom. You also wanted to ask Sunny how she doesn’t get bored running the inn since bugs do nothing but check in, sleep, then check out, but you didn’t have the energy to hold up an interaction more than small talk at this point.
“Alright! Just wanted to check in, y’know. Rest well, Aria!” the peach-colored beetle sent her farewells and you waved goodbye. She then left the bar to take the wooden lift up the inn, still smiling with her eyes. Her spirit is unwavering, you thought.
You thank whatever was out there (–or simply Venus…) that tomorrow was sabbath and you had no training sessions scheduled. Only this peaceful bartender job where the repetitive movement of wiping cups was one of your biggest sources of comfort.
You were chosen to be the next priestess.
Despite not feeling anything towards the goddess and the religion in general, you couldn’t help but feel an even stronger urge to climb the Golden Hills. It was a sacred place reserved for the chosen priest of the village, and your mind wandered at the theory that maybe the goddess herself was the one calling you, but that would be selfish (and blasphemous) to think about, right?
Still, if that were the case, why?
You have done nothing during training but doubt, and imagine that if you were chosen as the settlement’s priestess, then you would have to act upon the biggest lie for the rest of your life. It was not only potentially sacrilegious, but it was definitely disrespectful to the villagers. You needed to be honest with them before you leave, but you were also starting to become uncertain if that was truly the right choice.
That’s when it clicked: you need to see if Venus was real.
You were already here, holding both the Sun and Moon Offerings, might as well climb the Golden Hills to meet this goddess you barely believed in for most of your life.
You carefully walked off the wooden lift, trying to not trip at the ledge between it and the cliff. You fed both offerings to the Venus flytraps and stood in front of the vines guarding to Venus’ supposed home.
The entrance opened through the vines digging into the soil and you hesitated from entering, not knowing what to expect. The urge only got stronger, and you were starting to believe the Harvest Goddess did exist, your previous plans slowly fading into the void.
Would Venus chastise you for challenging your faith the entire time you’ve trained?
Would she revoke your status as an acolyte and give it to another bug more deserving?
Would she punish you for even being appointed priestess against your will?
You went under a thin, wooden arch with a huge pink flower on top, statues of a faceless Venus at both of its sides – it smelled nice here. You hissed at the cold air hitting your arms, grateful for the headcover gifted to you by your mother for keeping your head warm.
You had your eyes shut, nervous about finally obtaining confirmation on which path your life will take: to work a secular job outside the Golden Settlement, or forever worship a goddess you used to not believe in.
You were ready for whatever hell awaits you as punishment for ever doubting your faith throughout the entirety of your training and being appointed as the village’s acolyte.
You opened your eyes…
then you saw her.
She was much more beautiful than whatever your blasphemous thoughts could have conjured.
Her leaves were evergreen and its apex sharp enough to leave a papercut, her vines also having a dewy appearance caused by transpiration. Her pink petals flutter with the cool wind, her buds dancing along with the convection. The base of her petals diffused the pale yellow color from her head, which contained her wonderfully unimaginable face. It was breathtaking.
She was the definition of the word “Ethereal.”
You composed yourself; carefully walking towards her, holding your breath. It felt like sacrilege to even perceive her face, but you couldn’t take your eyes off of it. She was much more gorgeous than how the doctrines and scriptures have described her appearance, how the statues have depicted her – you knew she was an orchid, or that her petals were pink, but you didn’t know she’d look like this specifically. Her beauty transcended everything else.
The Harvest Goddess stayed still and only admired you with curiosity, slightly leaning forward and her eyelashes bouncing whenever she blinked. She could tell you were trying to comprehend what you were seeing.
“May I help you, dear?” She giggled.
You halted your steps and only looked up at her, no words seemed to enter your mind other than “you’re beautiful,” but you had enough self-control to restrain yourself.
“–m..my Goddess…” you instinctively chanted and kneeled down as soon as it hit you that you were in her presence.
“Oh, Aria! No need for formalities. I expected you.”
“My Goddess…”
“Just call me Venus! I’m pleased you’re here, heehee!”
When meeting a literal goddess, you’d never imagine she’d be like… this .
Meant to be intimidating to mortal bugs, but her personality was.. possibly the least intimidating thing. Ever. But the fact she was a goddess still inherently scared you. You stopped entertaining the thought when you realized that she may be powerful enough to read your mind too.
“Aria, please don’t be so nervous! I called you here for a reason,” Venus interrupted, popping all thoughts inside your head away. Her voice was as gentle as the breeze and as calming as the rustling of the leaves. You realized you could selfishly relish in it for as long as you were her priestess and most devoted follower.
But you didn’t deserve her after everything you’ve thought about her.
A much more reverent, faithful bug deserved her. More deserving than you by tenfold.
You were starting to lose your composure at the thought – you stole a role you weren’t a merit for.
You didn’t deserve Venus at all.
Not at all, not in the slightest.
You remembered your diary, full of blasphemous content within; proof of your lack of faith before. This sudden switch-up was uncalled for after everything you have planned for so long. You snapped out of the mental clouds when a cold vine glided on your arm – it was from one of Venus’ buds. Your eyes were still indicating some slight discomfort, but you only looked up at the goddess towering over you.
You wanted to say something, but nothing could come out of our mouth.
“Aria, I hope you’re loyal enough to listen to me – to listen to me say that you were chosen and called here for a reason. I assure you that no mistakes were made in this decision, ehee hee hee!” Venus giggled, raising her vine arm to bashfully cover her smile.
“Venus…” throughout this entire interaction, you were utterly incompetent at saying anything else other than calling your Goddess’ name. You realized how embarrassing that was and felt your cheeks burn a deeper color of green, facing the ground in hopes Venus doesn’t see your physical display of shame.
“...Venus. I… I don’t deserve to be in your presence..”
“There’s no need to be so coy, please. I assure you that as your Goddess, you’re fine to me!”
You couldn’t say anything else as you were worried that you may offend her. She already knew all the thoughts you’ve had though, so why were you still so nervous?
You were still kneeling, but you could feel your legs ache at the blades of grass grazing your knees. You slowly stood up and continued admiring your Goddess.
Venus only looked back at you with a sort of fondness you've never seen anyone done for you. It affirmed that you would not be doomed to punishment, which comforted you a bit. The guilt was still creeping up at your throat though.
You swallowed and finally broke eye contact to stare at the ground. You finally started thinking about the gravity of this entire situation: you were deliberately chosen by Venus herself despite what you have thought of her, and your reply was to stare at her figure for an unsettling amount of time?
“I…” you managed to vocalize before your throat went dry and your mind failed you once more.
“Shhh, there’s no need to worry, Aria,” Venus leaned towards you, her vines growing from the soil to make her come even closer. She placed the tip of her vine on top of your head, which startled you a bit.
“I’m just delighted you’ve answered my call.”
Your breath hitched at how close she was; you could see the tiny thorns covering her stem and the venation of her leaves – they were smooth. She had a unique fragrance on her, something similar to the orchid buds you saw roaming around the Sacred Hills, but it was stronger. It was very much floral, but sweet. It effectively calmed the storm in your mind.
You didn’t know how to react, but you knew you would stay here for as long as you lived. You were safe under her care, and you would never change that.
You would leave your bartender job to devote yourself to her. Everything you do from now on would be for her and only her – to prove that you truly deserved to have met her in your limited lifetime.