Eileen looked at Little Rudy and gently said, "The Wooden Cicada is beautiful, isn't it? But why did you give us the Wooden Cicada?"
Little Rudy shyly lowered his head, seemingly pondering how to answer the question. Eileen observed the adorable little boy before her, who appeared especially pale in this sun-drenched rural town. She noticed that there didn't seem to be many children around; Little Rudy felt like a rare species in this place.
Sunlight streamed through the church's large doors, illuminating Little Rudy's golden curls as if wrapping him in a warm glow. His clear eyes sparkled, as if he had many things to say but dared not voice them.
"This is... what my mom told me," Little Rudy finally spoke, his voice barely audible. "She said... you came from outside and need to know some things. This Wooden Cicada is important; it will tell you many things..."
Eileen's heart tightened, realizing that the Wooden Cicada must hold significant information. She gently took Little Rudy's hand and smiled, saying, "Thank you, Little Rudy. We will cherish this Wooden Cicada."
Little Rudy lifted his head and looked at Eileen, his eyes shining with gratitude and trust. "I also want to thank you Three Saints for coming here to fulfill the prophecy."
Eileen was taken aback and curiously asked, "Prophecy? Three Saints?"
Little Rudy nodded and then whispered, "Mom said that you Three Saints would come here to fulfill an ancient prophecy..."
Eileen's heartbeat quickened as she felt an inexplicable tension. "What is this prophecy? What does it mean that we are Three Saints?"
Little Rudy seemed hesitant, as if he wanted to say more, but just then, the church doors swung open suddenly, and a deep, sacred chant echoed from within, interrupting their conversation. The townspeople began to enter the church in an orderly fashion, and Eileen, Mark, and Lisa followed the flow into the mysterious building.
Once inside the church, Eileen noticed that the atmosphere was completely different from outside. The interior was spacious and grand, with enormous stained glass windows hanging from the ceiling. Sunlight filtered through the glass, casting colorful shadows on the floor. The walls were adorned with various religious carvings filled with mysterious symbolic meanings.
Eileen, Mark, and Lisa were led to a corner where they could clearly see the entire worship ceremony taking place. The townspeople sat orderly on the benches with devout expressions, waiting for the ceremony to begin.
"This place is really strange," Lisa whispered, her eyes filled with confusion and caution.
"We need to document every detail," Mark said softly, adjusting his pinhole camera to ensure it could capture all the actions.
The leading woman brought Erin, Mark, and Lisa to the front of the church, closest to the elevated platform. She coldly stated, "The High Priest has specifically instructed that in order for you three to better experience His presence, you must sit in the reserved seats we have prepared."
She gestured for them to sit down before silently leaving. Erin, Mark, and Lisa exchanged glances, understanding what this special arrangement implied. They settled into the reserved seats, feeling the gazes of the townspeople around them—filled with curiosity, vigilance, and a hint of barely concealed hostility.
Erin felt the weight of those stares, as if invisible chains bound them tightly. She struggled to maintain her composure, wearing an appropriate smile while her heart was filled with unease.
They looked around and noticed that only three of the Four Martyrs were present on the platform. Raphael and Sophia Esteban sat on either side, their expressions serious and stern. Raphael resembled a cold statue, his gaze penetrating everything, instilling immense pressure and fear. His arms were crossed over his chest, embodying a silent fortress guarding some sacred secret.
Sophia Esteban looked down at her booklet, occasionally jotting down notes as if engaged in some mysterious research. Her uncovered eye was focused and sharp, seemingly able to pierce through all appearances to reach the truth. Her fingers glided quickly across the pages of her booklet, pausing occasionally for thought before continuing to write.
Isabella stood at the front of the platform, holding a conducting baton as she spoke to the choir before her. Her voice was soft yet passionate, and the choir members listened intently to her guidance. Her figure appeared incredibly sacred and solemn under the lights, as if she were the soul of this ritual. Her golden hair shimmered in the candlelight, exuding warmth yet an air of inviolability.
However, Carmen was nowhere to be seen. Erin's heart tightened with concern over his absence. Everything about this town and its cult was shrouded in mystery and eeriness; every detail might conceal crucial clues.
As Erin pondered this, Isabella waved her baton, and the choir began to sing a deep and solemn hymn. The sound echoed throughout the church like an invisible force drawing everyone's attention. Erin felt her heart race as all her senses heightened in preparation for this mysterious and unknown ritual.
The choir led by Isabella sang hymns that resonated deeply within the church. Erin, Mark, and Lisa listened to this sacred melody as they gradually became enveloped by a strange feeling—both unfamiliar and chilling.
Initially, they struggled to comprehend the specific meanings of the lyrics. However, as the singing continued, Erin was astonished to find that these words she should not understand inexplicably revealed their meanings within her heart. It was more than comprehension; it felt like a shared resonance as if these words were being interpreted directly in the depths of her soul.
"Light descends, darkness fades, our souls are reborn under His protection. Holy Angel guides us toward the light, His radiance is everywhere..."
These words vividly emerged in Erin's mind, and she felt a strong shock. She turned to Mark and Lisa, only to find them wearing equally astonished expressions.
"Did you... understand it too?" Erin asked softly, her voice trembling.
Mark nodded, his shock beyond words. "This is so strange... We couldn't understand anything before, but now..."
Lisa then whispered, "It's like... it's like those words went directly into our hearts, rather than through our ears."
The three of them were covered in goosebumps, feeling an inexplicable chill. This shared sensation made them feel immensely uneasy, as if an invisible force was manipulating their thoughts, directly instilling these sacred words deep into their souls.
"What on earth is happening?" Erin wondered inwardly, feeling a wave of intense unease.
The sound of the hymn continued to resonate, filling the entire church with a sacred and solemn atmosphere. Erin, Mark, and Lisa sat in the reserved front row seats, feeling that invisible force growing stronger. Every word, every melody resonated deep within their hearts, making them feel as if they were in a completely different world.
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