Solar Mage

Chapter 9: Pyro

When I approached the temple entrance, I was stopped by two Holy Knights guarding the entrance.

"Halt, this area is off limits to civilians. State your business or leave."

He quickly changed his tone.

"Ha, why am I following proper procedure for a kid? Scram kid, before you get your parents in trouble with the church."

I smirk to myself.

This is going to be fun.

I begin to act like a spoiled bratty son of a noble.

"You low ranking bastards seem to not know who I am."

I hold out one of the letters sent to me by the Church of Pyro with the church's seal stamped onto it.

"I was invited here by the church's executives and now quickly let me pass before I get you all fired."

They were still skeptical of me and looked at each other, wondering what they should do.

"Well? Are you going to let me in or not?"

"Yes young master, I apologize for the way that I treated you prior. I hope that you can forgive this lowly knight for the terrible acts that I have committed onto you."

He said as he kneeled and tried hiding his displeasure of the situation.

"Please come in and I wish you well in your prayers."

That might have been harsh but they are clearly as corrupt as the executives of the church.

After I got a certain amount of distance away from them, they quickly talked about me behind my back.

"Stupid nobles, I wished that I could've grabbed him by the neck and strangled him to death."

The other one had a conscience.

"Hush, you could have your head cut off for that. You never know when someone's listening."

"Alright, alright."

I take it back, I will make sure to remember his face when I cleanse this church.

I confidently walk in a straight line to another doorway that I believe is the area of prayer. Where there were another pair of holy knights, seemingly of higher rank than the previous knights, were guarding.

As I neared the gate, the guards crossed their spears, barring my path but they acted friendlier than the previous guards.

"Hello young master, we noticed that the guards at the entrance let you through. We weren't informed by our executives that any visitors as young as you would be visiting at the time. Could we ask you for your name and the purpose of your visit? An invitation perhaps?

These holy knights seem non-corrupt and competent enough at their jobs. No need to trick them into degrading themselves.

I pull out my letter with the executive seal that I received from the Church of Pyro and show it to them.

"I apologize young master but we still need to see the contents of the letter to let you in."

They say as they show visible signs of being intimidated by the seal.

"Sure, sure. Take a look for yourselves."

As I hand the letter to them and they open it up. Less than a second after reading it, they get on their knees and put their head down.

"We apologize, sir Arthur Ventrike! please come in, the church has been anticipating your arrival for a month."

I grin to myself

Ha, so these corrupt church executives had already expected me to come to them.

"Alright, thank you."

I begin to walk through the gate, and away from the guards as one of the guards grab my arm. Hold on Arthur, I might be speaking out of line but I can't bear to see another kid like you become a puppet of the church. No matter what those dirty church executives are holding against you, you must not accept. You will be forced to serve the chuch akin to slavery and you will have no freedom.

Looks like I was right, there were still some good people in this corrupt church.

I smile happily.

"Thank you for your warning. What is your name? I will be sure to reward you after I cleanse this church."

The guard looked at me like I was crazy. I didn't mind it.

"My name is Lansius Solan, a Senior Holy Knight."

"Lansius Solan, I'll remember that name"

I walk away to the holy circle, the area of prayer in every church/temple of Pyro.

I take off my boots and get down on one knee as I begin to pray to Pyro.

After staying in a prayer position for a bit, I had still not been invited by Pyro.

Dammit, was that myth fake after all? This was my only way to save my father!

I feel the sudden urge to punch the floor with my anger, but I couldn't go against the church, at least not yet.

Okay, let's calm down. In the myth it was said that the apostle prayed. Perhaps I just need to actually pray to Pyro to be brought to her. But... How do I pray? I have never been deeply religious or political because I had only focused on my training all my life. Let's just try it out, god I hope nobody hears me say this.

Hey Pyro,

I've got to be honest—I've never prayed to you before, and I'm not really sure how this works, so I hope this doesn't come off too awkward or ungrateful. I've been given this knowledge from the Sage System, and it's made me realize that what's ahead of me isn't going to be easy. I know I'll have to face some tough challenges, and I'm ready to do that, but there's one thing that really worries me.

Please, don't let my father suffer because of me. He's all I have, my only family, and he's done so much for me already. I don't want him to bear the weight of my struggles or feel any pain because of what I have to do. I can handle whatever comes my way—I'm ready for that—but he doesn't deserve to suffer for my choices.

All I'm asking is that you look out for him, keep him safe, and give him strength. I'm not asking for an easy path for myself, just that my battles don't hurt the one person I care about the most. Let your flame be a light for him, a shield from whatever darkness might come our way.

Thanks for listening, Pyro. I'll do my best to be worthy of your help.

Did it work?

I open my eyes and am in awe of the scene in front of me.

It is just as the myth said, there are flames everywhere and the world of my perception is dyed in orange, but it is not hot. All that's left to the myth is the godde-

As I look up the steps leading up to the throne of flames, as bright as the sun.

When I tilt my head back further and look even higher up, I gaze upon the beautiful figure of a woman sleeping. Radiating light as bright as the sun. Her skin was flawlessly pale, yet radiated with a vibrant, lively glow. Her hair, a brilliant shade of orange-yellow, resembled the warm rays of the sun, cascading down like streams of light. She wore a dress in rich shades of orange, perfectly complementing her sunlit appearance.

I immediately knew that I was looking upon the Goddess of Fire and Light, Pyro.