Midnight drew near.
Normally a time for rest and quiet, the streets now swarmed with crowds eager for spectacle.
On any other night, curfew—strictly enforced by the Light Church since eight—would have emptied these roads. Until four the next morning, only patrolling Church guards and privileged clergy dared walk freely. Commoners, nobles, adventurers, merchants—all risked being branded Demonkind collaborators and thrown into cells for mere steps outside after dark.
Bribes often spared arrest, but most couldn’t afford them. They’d rot in dungeons, waiting for families to scrape together ransom.
Flameglow City had long learned: sunset meant barred doors. Even temporary inns sprang up near gates, sheltering newcomers or latecomers caught by the rule.
But tonight was different—
The Church had announced a public "cleansing" at midnight in the central square beside the cathedral. Citizens were urged to witness. Attendees would receive a precious Indulgence—a voucher to absolve future sins for themselves or loved ones.
Julia stood apart from the throng, clad in nun’s robes. Her fist pressed against her chest near her heart, eyes fixed anxiously on the cathedral. Behind her gathered dozens rallied to defend Alquett.
At dusk, they’d marched outside the cathedral, protesting Alquett’s unjust punishment. Church guards had swiftly broken them up—but not before ordinary citizens, indebted to Alquett or swayed by principle, swelled their ranks.
*Anyone who stands with us is strength,* Julia thought.
"Companions," she turned, shoulders squared, voice ringing clear over the murmurs. Her gaze swept the adventurers, junior priests, and fellow nuns. Some eyes flickered toward her chest; most burned with the same conviction she felt.
"My mouth shall not speak wickedness; my tongue shall utter no deceit.
"We know Alquett is pure. Blameless. No sin stains her sacred flesh."
Her fingers tightened around the silver cross at her throat, rubbing it restlessly. Since learning of this rushed midnight "cleansing," dread had coiled in her gut. It sharpened now, seeing the pyre and towering wooden cross erected in the square’s heart.
A hesitant voice cut through the crowd:
"But… the Bishop himself confirmed the verdict…"
Julia shot the speaker a fierce glare.
"Brothers and sisters in faith—do you recall the Book of Job?"
She watched understanding dawn on their faces and softened slightly.
"When the sons of God gathered, Satan stood among them. Our Lord praised Job’s righteousness. Satan claimed Job served only for blessings. So the Light granted Satan power to test him. Job lost wealth, family, health—yet never cursed God. While his three friends insisted his suffering proved hidden sin…"
Her voice dropped, intense.
"Will you stand with me to aid Job of our time? Or will you be like Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar—blind to injustice, hands folded in silence?"
A ripple of unease spread through her followers.
Julia knew the peril. Comparing Alquett to Scripture’s holy sufferer bordered on blasphemy. If Alquett was proven innocent, her words might be forgiven. But if wrong…
*They’ll strip my robes. Send me to the Heretic Tribunal for twisting the Holy Text. For sedition.*
She could have stayed silent. Safe. Instead, she’d wagered everything on Alquett’s innocence.
*Is it worth abandoning the life I built… for someone I barely know?*
Julia inhaled sharply, gaze lifting to the square.
Torches blazed atop the execution platform, their warm, fierce orange light flooding the night like day.
…Like her first Christmas in the orphanage, years ago.
***
Deep in the cathedral’s dungeon, Alquett had never imagined the Light Church’s gleaming halls hid such a place.
"Time’s up."
Guards entered her cell. Shackled head to toe, Alquett followed numbly as they led her out.
The walk to the square should take three minutes.
Instead, the guards veered into shadowed alleys. Alquett trailed them, hollow-eyed, mind adrift—until they halted abruptly.
She jolted awake.
*This isn’t the pyre.*
Confusion flickered through her haze. Then she saw it: young male guards, blocking the alley’s exit. Surrounding her.
