Chapter 232: Survive
Cass knew that they were going for a full show, but he didn’t realise how big of a show until they were at the edge of entrance to the temple. Not quite near the front doors, not quite away from the front doors, Cass was aware that it was probably a priest’s hallway to allow for movement around the temple away from citizens prying eyes.
They could hear how many people were on the other side of the rather thick looking wooden door, and that alone made Cass realise that while they had gotten the news late, no one else had. These slimy fuckers. Cass could tell that Vespertine was pissed about this, as was Lady Ava, though her anger was far less obvious.
Cass was trying to gather himself. Lucian, even though he knew that touching Cass was off the table, had gently touched Cass’ back and infused him with his powers. It hadn’t really helped, but honestly Cass would take anything that he could get right now. Even if it involved Lucian looking like he was about to get his head torn off for trying to help.
The priest who had grabbed the hero party had them go in a particular order. Cass knew that this was a hierarchy thing, he figured that he wouldn’t be able to get away from it given the world he was living in right now, but it was very telling the order that they did have them go in.
Normally, one would think that those who had noble blood would be going in first, but that wasn’t the case. Surprise surprise, Fiona was going first, while Lady Ava followed after. That part made some sense, since Fiona was of noble blood, whether she had known about it or not. Then it was Vespertine, Cass, Lord Ridgewood and Lucian finishing off the line.
That part was a little...interesting. Cass knew that they had to show preference for Lady Ava, but to put her before Vespertine, who was the blood related son of the Head Priest? Cass knew his family was messy, but he hadn’t realised how messy Vespertine’s family was until now. Poor guy.
Too bad Cass couldn’t really feel pity for anyone else right now while he was fighting for his life.
Sir Forsythe was forced to head to the main hall, escorted by a different priest. He wasn’t allowed to join them, especially since he hadn’t even been in the dungeon and was just there for Cass. Cass could tell that some of the priests thought it was weird that Cass had extra servants with him when the rest of the party didn’t. Cass didn’t really care what some priests thought.
Sir Forsythe looked back at Cass while he was leaving like he was a mother having to send their child away to the countryside during a war. Cass wanted to laugh, but he couldn’t. He was too busy trying to make sure he had enough strength to put one foot in front of the other.
So, Cass was staring at the back of Vespertine’s golden head, trying to focus on his surroundings but feeling like he was floating instead. It was hard to focus, but he was doing his best to pay attention to what was going on.
There was a giant fanfare, someone yelled for the crowd to grow silent, and then someone announced the great and honourable hero and her hero party. That was clearly their cue, and Cass made sure he marched in like the rest of them, fanning out so that he was beside Vespertine and Lord Ridgewood as they made their way down the aisle.
The fact that they could do that, all of them walking side by side would tell you how big the main hall of the temple was.
It was like a mega church on steroids. Several layers of seating loomed above them, with rows upon rows of pews. Everything was decorated, elaborate. At least in this part it was more muted, but the money dripped from the rafters. Cass wondered how much of this was done on the backs of the common folk and then had to check himself before he got angry and dizzy.
The carpet underneath their feet was a nice touch. A beautiful red shade and it led all the way up to where the Head Priest stood on a few steps. He had a simple stand before him, with a few lit candles and a magic device that Cass assumed amplified his voice. He would need it given how full the temple was.
Behind him towered statues just like the ones in the temple that they had at home, but there was no true comparison to them. The detail, the way that the gods were carved was unparalleled in detail. Cass hadn’t even seen the faces of these fucks, but he could tell.
Someone who had either met them, or had been allowed to see them to carve them had made those statues. Cass just had a knowing. Probably from the burning mark on the back of his shoulder.
Cass shuddered, each step getting harder and harder. He refused to look anywhere but forward, forcing himself to keep pace with the others. The soft growl from Lucian was the only sign that the others were paying attention to him, keeping an eye. It was fine. Cass needed to make it through this.
He wouldn’t let the fucker who called this see him fall.
The Head Priest didn’t look like he had before. While he had been wearing plain clothes still denoting that he was of a higher status, now he was in all glam. Like he was some kind of drag queen, he was quite pretty now. All bedazzled with finery that denoted he was favoured by the gods, and a supporter of the gods.
Cass would have snorted if he wasn’t sure it would offend everyone in the temple with them.
"Look upon our brave heroes! Each day they get closer and closer to defeating the demon king who has been tormenting us! Soon, the age of peace will be upon us! Glory onto the gods who have brought our wonderful hero to us! Glory upon those who worship the gods!" Cass huffed, pulling air into his lungs as his nape grew wet with sweat. He was sure other parts of him were soaked, but he was going to get through this.
Eventually, they made it up to the top, and following Fiona and Lady Ava’s example, Cass knelt down. He almost stumbled, but he caught himself before Vespertine needed to help him. He couldn’t stumble here, he couldn’t stutter.
They knelt, and thankfully the Head Priest launched into a droning speech about the goodness in everyone and more bullshit. It was waxing poetic about their battle, their most recent one, and that only had Cass laughing. How the hell had he heard about it? It had only just happened and all of the priests were still back at the dungeon entrance making sure the common folk were safe.
Cass was only partially listening to what he was saying until he finally came to the grand conclusion.
"Now! Everyone! Come and bow your head and let us pray together for the successful mission of these brave heroes!" Cass bent his head, following along with everyone else as holy power began to pour off of the Head Priest.
It was getting to be too much, and Cass could hear how heavily he was breathing even to his own ears. Fuck. If he’d had some time to come to the Temple beforehand, maybe things could have been better. Maybe like Lady Ava suggested, the gods could have helped out with this whole situation. They obviously didn’t want one of their heroes to be persecuted. It especially wouldn’t do Cass any good, being Lord Blackburn.
Since he was pretty sure his whole mission was to rehab his image and not die. Two things that would hinge on him not being found out to have demonic blood. You’d think making sure he wouldn’t pass out during a ceremony like this would be high on their priority list.
"You okay?" It was soft, and from Vespertine. Cass huffed a small laugh, and left that as his answer. Vespertine didn’t ask again, but Cass noticed how the other man was slightly leaning towards him, as if he would catch him if he fell. Cass hated that he got a better opinion of the man because of it.
The prayer lasted for a long time, with everyone having their head bent. Cass did his best to keep his eyes open, staring at the red carpet as he did so. He didn’t really know why he was so focused on keeping his eyes open. He just felt that it wouldn’t do him any good if he closed them right now.
Then, as if the gods were taking pity on him, the pain in his shoulder faded and the Head Priest finished speaking. Some of the weight lifted off of Cass’ shoulders and relief filled him. That was one of the best things he could have hoped for.
He was slow getting back to his feet, but there were so many excuses for that that Cass didn’t care. It wasn’t as if the others had seen him get up and sit down yesterday or today, so he had plenty of excuses. He could also use the fact that he was staying in an inn as an excuse. He was sore from sleeping in a bed after sleeping on the ground, blah blah blah.
Cass was so focused on the excuses he could make that he wasn’t paying attention to what the Head Priest was saying, so he didn’t catch what everyone was gasping about.
That was until Cass raised his eyes and saw that the Head Priest was smiling at him and pointing at Cass directly. Cass blinked slowly, and Vespertine gave him a look. A rather panicked one.
"Cass! Get your ass up there! He wants to show off how a Blackburn has come to the temple for the first time in decades!" It was a shame, Cass knew it, as did everyone else. Everyone knew who Cass was, and the rumours about his birth.
Everyone knew who his Mother was, and why she was dead. What she had been accused of before her death and how it was completely against what the temple stood for. Lord Blackburn was, unfortunately, living proof that she had been doing what she was accused of, maybe.
Cass took a deep breath in, before he exhaled and began to move towards the Head Priest. He didn’t need to smile, he didn’t need to be good. He just needed to be present.
That was all that was needed of him right now.