The Ascension Of The Celestial Priest

The carriage hurriedly trudged downhill, under the rising sun. With wild trees growing beside the well beaten road and exotic insects fluttering amongst the greenery, it would have been a very pleasant ride if Lukas wasn't in such a hurry. He was on his way to The Golden City, this time intending to arrive earlier than the time limit given.

The missive he had received a few days ago was sent by someone he hadn't expected to hear from quite so soon. It was a hunting mission that specifically requested for him. At first he was quite puzzled but after he read the follow up letter, it all made sense in the end.

The Official Missive came from Mira, the proud and beautiful fire mage from the House of Fyre, which is the associated noble house to the Tabernacle of Flames Sect. She had proved terrifying more than once during the catacombs mission and after they experienced a moment of life and death, respect grudgingly formed between them, he of her overpowering offensive spells while she of his spell casting and formidable shields that saved them from their previous pinch.

Reading the letter revealed a sense of urgency from her, as she only explained in very few words. Basically she needed him to be her Priest for a very important mission of hers that she couldn't elaborate on the small parchment of paper.

When he had checked the rewards offered, his heart almost jumped in fervent excitement but when he later calmed his emotions and came to logically think about it, he couldn't help but feel a trace of caution. The more generous the rewards, the more dangerous the designated quest will be and it will probably be better if he was thoroughly prepared this time.

After imploring countless times in her missive that her quest was needed to be done as fast as humanly possible, Lukas took only a few days of preparation before ordering a fast carriage directly to the Golden City.

To be honest, he had multiple reasons for accepting such a bizarre request. The ample rewards was definitely the main one, as it would allow him to push his training even further in preparations for the Annual Contest marked to happen in the Cathedral of Light within a few weeks time. The other reason was that the Missive couldn't have arrived at a better time. He just had a breakthrough and barely mastered his new skill. In addition of all the new runic spells he had learnt, suffice to say he couldn't wait to try them out and this was a perfect opportunity to do so.

Besides, he and Mira were familiar with each other so it would have left a bad taste if he had outright declined. The invitation was a gesture of respect and friendship especially coming from a Descendant of the Great Noble House like her. Definitely there was another reason cropping up in the back of his mind but it was squashed out so fast it could barely materialize.

It didn't take long for the carriage to arrive to the Golden City in a short while. Usually it was more than a day's journey, with enough rest in between but all of that time was halved when Lukas paid the driver some extra gold coins to rush him through without stopping. Under such reckless driving, Lukas was able to arrive on time, just a day before the said deadline. Battered and exhausted, he took a room in his favorite Inn fully taking a much needed rest before the eventful day tomorrow.

Next day after fully resting, he packed and double-checked everything he knew he needed for the journey. This time he had enough potions, and he didn't forget to equip his Ring of Protection. It had come quite handy as the simple enchantments on the ring was what saved him the last time he was careless in that dungeon so he definitely wasn't stupid enough to leave it behind.

Some dry food and well pressed robes were all fitted right into his bag of holding his sister had given him. Fastening his Star-Marked Badge onto his c.h.e.s.t, he checked himself in the mirror as the part of his ritual before he made a direct beeline for the Adventurers' guild as it was chosen by Mira as their rendezvous point before their official journey began.

** ** **

The moment he arrived, he swiftly saw them secluded in one of the corners within the Adventurer's hall, though it wasn't enough to stifle the attention they were getting. Mira was bequeathed with another regal red robe, this one decorated with a more flamboyant design than the last one while Geoffrey was still clad in full body armor, the previous kinks brushed off, and his shield now repaired, gleaming under the brilliant sunlight.

But what made his steps nearly screech to a halt, was a mirror-like image of Mira standing on the other side of Geoff. Lukas made sure to blink more than once, reaching a conclusion that what he was seeing can only be another twin, who looked exactly like Mira but with such a different disposition that if it wasn't for the same looks, he would have perceived her as a different person entirely.

She was dressed in a white-silver gown, which positively shone even under the sun. She seemed to form her own glacial world, with a beautiful face, subtle and graceful body that if Mira was seen as warm, arrogant and positively vivacious; her counterpart was the polar opposite. She was cold, distant, aloof and it made all of the surrounding adventurers want to take a glance but never dare to advance within 5 feet of her presence. Both of them were able to effortlessly attract everyone's attention but they paid it no heed, treating it almost as something they were already used to

"You are finally here," Mira was positively excited. She took a few quick steps clearly about to hug him which Lukas obliged. "I'm just glad that I barely made it on time." Lukas said, not missing a whisp of a surprised look on the Mira's twin. Geoff greeted Lukas in a muted tone which made him feel a little distant but before Lukas could think further on it, Mira introduced her twin to him.

"This is Moira, my twin sister who is currently training in the World of Ice Sect." Mira said. Lukas immediately had a strange gaze on his face. For a house to birth two twins of fire and ice and both of them ending up on the opposite sects could only be attributed to fate. It wasn't exactly new knowledge that the Tabernacle of Flames and the World of Ice sect might have one of the most intense competitions between them but when perspectives are shifted, they were both intertwined in ways that most people who don't belong in their sects can't fathom. So most times they are usually regarded as partnered sects for all intent and purposes which might explain why Mira and Moira were presently together.

"It's my p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e to meet you, Miss Moira. I never knew Mira had such a stunning a sister." Lukas opted for a simple flattery while Moira barely show any response. An awkward moment passed between them before she finally spoke.

"So you are the one my arrogant sister kept talking about…" she said softly, her voice indifferent and almost rhythmic as she fully observed him. "…a Late Mortal Priest from the House of Raydore."

Lukas was taken by surprise for being seen so clearly while Mira's beautiful face twitched in response.

"Late Mortal?" She looked at Lukas in surprise. It wasn't that long ago that Lukas had the lowest strength amongst them but the prowess he exhibited in the catacombs was high enough to catapult him to a higher stage. Now that he had also advanced a rank higher, the likelihood of what they were about to do would have higher chances of succeeding than before.

While Mira was inwardly washed with relief upon hearing that, Lukas increased his guard, while he politely smiled. It seemed that Mira's twin sister had frightening perception to gauge his strength so clearly but it can also mean one thing. She was much stronger than he was and considering his cultivation, that meant she was surely a Peak Mortal Mage, a full stage higher than him.

Geoff congratulated him while Mira gave an appreciative smile."Well the stronger he is, the better our chances are. After all, we are about to do undertake a very a dangerous task…" she mysteriously said.

Moira only gave a glance at sister before her attention returned to Lukas. "With how she had praised your abilities, I can only hope that what had happened in the Catacombs wasn't a fluke." She softly said, before she added, her tone laced with innate arrogance. "Do not disappoint and do not hold us back."

With that she took a step back, almost as if she was done speaking about the matter. Lukas only gave a soft confident smile, making a decision to not let out a word and let his abilities speak for himself.

Sensing the weird tension, Mira prompted everyone to do a last minute check up before they began their journey. After everything and everyone was assured of their gears and potions, she led them outside while Lukas finally deigned to ask the very question that was on his mind ever since he received the missive.

"So what is this hunting quest all about" he asked as he followed the team of three making their way towards an elegant carriage clearly waiting for them at the doorway exit of the Adventurer's Guild.