Valerian, The Legendary

303 Junior Acolyte.

Valerian was standing under the mural. For some reason, he felt someone was calling him and asking him to lift his head. However, when he raised his head, this around him changed in a blink. The young man found himself standing in a garden.

This place was something that he could not describe in his words. He was astounded by the sensation of calm and peace that came over him. This place wasn’t anything he had ever seen before. He looked around him but did not see anyone else. Valerian opened his mouth and said, “Is anyone there?”

There was no response. This left the young man wondering what this place was. He looked around, but upon finding no clue, he sighed and sat down on the ground dejectedly. Then it suddenly clicked to him, “Am I dead?”

Just then, a chuckle echoed in the surroundings. Valerian was startled and jumped back on his feet. He detected the source of the sound and found that a tree had grown out behind him. The young man did not even know where this thing came from. Surprised, a silhouette appeared when he was about to move toward the tree.

The silhouette’s lines were soft and gave off a mysterious vibe. The young man had no idea who it could be. However, the tree looked the same as the one where his mother was lying. His heart began to beat with a flutter.

Some glitter surrounded the silhouette. Valerian was on guard, but he was not agitated. Instead, he was calming down as the outline took complete human form. He heaved a sigh mixed with remorse and relief. He was relieved it was not the person he had hoped to see. In his heart, Valerian had died, and he was about to meet his parents. He did not wish to face them until he had avenged them or died trying.

However, he also regretted that he did not get to see his mother. The person under the tree canopy was someone he did not recognize. He was clear that it was a woman. One was endowed with such beauty that the most beautiful flower was not worth being compared with her. This lady had such a calm and simple charm about herself that Valerian was worried about disturbing her.

The lady was also watching him with a gentle and motherly gaze. After a few moments, she took a few steps to cover the distance and appear in front of Valerian. Only now did the young man see that this person was wearing a loose white robe dress with a crown of emerald leaves. Recalling his previous situation, Valerian shivered and bowed his head as he said, “Greetings, Your Holiness.”

The lady smiled and said, “You are a wise child, Valerian.”

.....

Valerian did not raise his head and said, “You exaggerate, Goddess Vita.”

This person was Vita, the goddess of life and the patron of the temple of mercy. The lady smiled and said, “Stand up, straight child. I need to talk to you.”

Valerian raised his head, but his gaze was focused past the goddess’s shoulder. He did not dare to look at her face. He would have failed the trials by such a charm. Vita noticed this and nodded. She smiled and asked, “How have you been?”

The young man replied, “I am fine.”

Vita nodded, and with a wave of her hand, two chairs appeared in the clearing. She gestured for the young man to sit across her as she said, “I apologize for the delay. The dragon god blesses you, which is why I could not help but wish to come and see you. Unfortunately, however, that is also why I was delayed. He is very arrogant, you know.”

Valerian was surprised and asked, “Was it not you who created him?”

Valerian gulped at this. He could not imagine one of the strongest entities in this world acting like a child. He wanted to ask a few more questions, but he could not decide whether the goddess would reply to him or not. He did not wish to offend her in the least.

Vita nodded and said, “I am the creator but love my creations. Why else do you think he acts like a spoiled child? Also, you seem to have some questions for me.”

Valerian nodded and asked, “May I know where this place is?”

The goddess nodded and replied in her ethereal voice, “This place is called the astral plane. It exists between the world of souls and the mortals.”

Valerian nodded and said, “Thank you for telling me, Your Holiness. Please tell me, what did you want to talk about?”

Vita smiled at his humble reaction and asked, “So, why did you walk down the aisle?”

The young man sat up straight and said, “I wish to join the temple of mercy and earn some merit.”

The goddess nodded and asked, “Why earn merit?”

“To meet the saintess,” replied Valerian.

Vita asked, “Why do you want to meet her?”

Her tone was still filled with a hint of teasing. However, Valerian did not know how to answer this and questioned, “Your Holiness, do you not know all this already? Pardon me, but are you not a goddess who can watch over the world from your divine abode?”

Vita was stunned, and then she cleared her throat. She sighed and said, “I do know all that has happened. However, I want to know what will happen in the future. What do you intend to do when you find out the truth? What would you do if I told you that your actions would change the world and that this would burden many innocents?”

Valerian shrugged and said, “I do not know what effect my actions will have on the future. Please allow me to be blunt, but I do not care about the world. It never cared about me. I will ensure that the people watching for me do not suffer much. I am a human endowed with blessings, but when all the things were turning into a mess and gods could not stop it, how could I do it?

In my eyes, humans make mistakes as they are not perfect. However, gods should not help them when facing suffering. After all, these sufferings will remind them not to make the same mistake again.”

Vita gave him a prolonged gaze and said, “You can leave. I hope you do not try to drag innocent people in plans.”

Valerian stood up and bowed to the goddess. He said, “A wise person taught me that Vita is mother to all those who roam the planet. She looks after them all. I think she was correct. You are indeed like what she taught me.”

Vita smiled faintly and said, “Farewell, Young Valerian.”

Valerian bowed, and the scene around him changed once more. The young man appeared back in the high temple of mercy and was standing under the mural of the goddess. He looked at the deity and found that she was indeed just like the mural was painted.

Golden hair, blue eyes, a beauty that could not be described or measured, and graceful. Solaria and Altamash stood a few steps away, and the former joined her hands as she said, “By the grace of Vita, he passed the trial. He has been reborn and washed away all his sins.”

Valerian woke up from the cheer he heard behind him. Turning around, he found that the crowd from earlier was still there, and they were cheering for him. The young man did not know what happened after he was surrounded by the flames and walked closer to the nun and the guardian.

Altamash nodded to him, and Solaria smiled. Then, Valerian asked, “Your Grace, did I pass the test?”

Solaria nodded and said, “You have done well for yourself. I pronounce you, Valerian, a junior acolyte of the temple of mercy. May Vita bless you.”

Valerian bowed, then was surprised and asked, “Why am I a junior acolyte?”

This sounded to be the bottom of the food chain. Solaria smiled and said, “You will need to finish your tasks and learn the ways of the order for a month. Then you will be tested in a comprehensive exam where you will answer the questions related to the temple’s order and rules.

Only when you can pass the exam will you be promoted to an acolyte? Then you can go out and help the people. The more merit you earn will be the criteria to enable.”

Valerian thought about it and asked, “How will I know my collected merit?”

Solaria said, “When you put on the habit of a clergy, you will know then.”

Valerian nodded and Altamash cut in, “Master Valerian, my task here is completed and I would go back to the dragon temple. I have a lot of work to do.”

The young man nodded and thanked the person before seeing him out of the temple.

...

Somewhere in a sea of stars, a lady was sitting with a smile on her face and her eyes closed. She woke up when she found someone approaching her. She found a folder dragon rushing towards her. She sighed and said, “Why do you pester me?”

The dragon came to her side, and said, “Why did you do this to me? I have no image left now.”