Chapter 27

                                    

                                          
Vilia may be famous for its cobblestone roads and ancient yet stylish architecture, but it is also known for its cathedrals. Like the one in Saria, the cathedrals here rise up like ancient beings touching the clouds. Back when Halo Island was yet to be discovered, people still worshiped the goddess through traditional song and dance. Although practices like that have long died out, the cathedrals have stayed as iconic sites for tourists to visit. 
"Let's head to the most famous one," Princess suggests. "It's right by the main government building." 
We follow Princess' lead. Mist attracts stares as always, but the light of his presence dims in comparison to the news about Nathaniel. Apparently, people have found out that it was the brother god's doing. People whisper rumors of his name, and I feel his presence tug on me like a latch around my heart. I distract myself from that image and from the sickness by thinking about my night with Juno. 
Cheer up, Hope, Mist tells me. I have a feeling that things will turn around very soon. You know what they say. Dragons are bringers of good fortune. 
"I didn't know that saying..." I say weakly. 
The famous cathedral rises up like a tower, piercing the sky with its biggest spire and the main icon of the goddess, an ancient tree. We enter through the gates, and I lose myself in the wonder of the artwork in the opening hall. So many oil paintings and sculptures that try to capture the likeness of the goddess, comparing her beauty to things of nature. 
The cathedrals in Vilia are usually filled to the brim, as Princess often remarks. But today, it echoes with silence as we take our steps through the artwork of the main chapel. Only a few stand at the front of the altar, raising their hands. Someone cries out for the goddess to save them—to save us. Once the shock wears off from Nathaniel's death, the cathedral will be crowded with people asking the goddess to bring justice. To restore peace in Blossom World during the turmoil. 
"We can talk in one of the private rooms," Princess says. 
Mists waddles his way into one of the rooms, declaring it empty. Usually, people use these rooms for study of the goddess, or for discussing the ancient myths of Blossom World, including the times when the goddess used to walk among the earth. 
The room feels much like a library, with shelves of manuscripts and candles that have been unlit for a while. It holds a table with six chairs, and we take the side nearest to the closed door, looking out the window to the sunlit Vilia and its government offices. 
Mist tries to clamber up to the chair. He falls down, almost breaking the chair in two. He looks at me apologetically. Sorry, Hope. 
"It's okay," I say, trying to smile. It hasn't left me that Mist is still only a few months old. He needs my support during this time, even though he knows so much thanks to his roots. 
"We should figure some things out," Avery says. "Like what exactly should be our next move." 
"How about lying low?" Princess suggests, although I can tell her suggestion lacks conviction. 
Juno tsks and all but slams his fists on the table. "We can't do that. Hope knows something that no one else does. The essence of the brother god. We can use that to our advantage to join the hunt." 
"That doesn't change how we're sorely unprepared," Avery says. "We barely know four skills each, with the exception of Hope who knows six. But even so, the brother god can use that against him. We don't know the extent of how much he can take from us." 
How much he can take from us. I gulp, trying not to dwell on those very words, even as their reality threatens to choke me. 
Mist closes his eyes, using all of his willpower to speak into all our minds at once. I can tell by the way my party members give him their attention. Why are you doubting my abilities? I can not only fight against the brother god, but I can be the key to winning. Didn't you hear that dragons are not under the same rules? The brother god can't take my soul!