Chapter 30 A Human Sacrifice
"The priests and priestesses gathered around the vicinity as a tall, cloaked figure walked toward the temple, carrying Lord Tristan in his arms. The people squinted their eyes, trying to identify who was dressed in the cloak, as it was already late at night. But as soon as he reached the path toward the temple door, lined with fire torches, a few of them were finally able to recognize him.
He walked with such grace and authority. Even though they could not completely see his face, his aura alone—and the dark, mysterious air around him—was more than enough for them to know that it was one of their Lords who had been away for years.
“Lord Ezra!”
He was the one rumored to be half human and half spirit, the most powerful being in all of Malakh and across the whole earth—so powerful that even demons and evil spirits feared him. The people of the temple feared him more than they feared the High Priest. They saw him as a demigod, one who could rule the whole earth if he willed it. His uniqueness and perfection made everyone drawn to him and curious about him. No one knew who he was or where he came from, but the fact that he had chosen to serve Elyon was all that truly mattered.
The man gently knelt on one knee and placed Lord Tristan on the floor at the entrance of the temple. Tristan struggled to sit properly as he held the man’s arms tightly, too scared to let go. His eyes were wide open, darting rapidly, yet all he saw was darkness. He grew even more anxious as he realized that he was at the temple and that all the priests and priestesses were probably looking at him in pity. He didn’t want anyone to see him this way—helpless and weak—but it was already too late to complain.
"Ezra!" he called out, still holding him tightly, his hands moving up to his shoulders and face to be sure it was really him.
“I am here,” the man replied, his voice deep and calm.
Tristan smiled widely, as there was no way he could mistake that voice for another. ““
" Welcome back, brother… you’ve returned just when we needed you most."
The moment the people heard Tristan’s words, their smiles vanished. The news about Levi being chosen as a sacrifice to Elyon had already spread around the mountain. To say it came as a shock would be an understatement. Now they wondered what Ezra’s reaction would be when he learned of it. In fact, many things had happened within the space of just two days—all caused by a single lie that Evie had told her roommate.
Ezra gazed at Tristan for some time before standing up as he felt the presence of the High Priest, who marched toward him in haste.
“Ezra!” the High Priest called out fondly, filled with happiness. He extended his hand for a handshake, but when Ezra took it, the High Priest pulled him into a tight hug, patting his back warmly.
Ezra did not hug back, but stood still like a statue. Only the High Priest could pull such a stunt on him and go scot-free; any other person who so much as touched him could be beheaded in a second. Physical touch was one thing he hated most—that was his typical nature. In fact, no one had ever seen him smile or laugh. He was always alone and preferred carrying out tasks and missions with no one’s aid or companionship. Although they had seen him angry on a few occasions, it was never a good sight—his anger affected even the weather.
The High Priest stared at the man from head to toe, happy to set his eyes on him. “You have been gone for almost five years now. I was starting to think you had no wish to return and had abandoned the priesthood.”
“I go wherever the Almighty sends me. The years are but a number.”
“I’m happy to have you back, son.” He patted Ezra’s shoulders.
Of all the priests and priestesses in the temple, Levi and Lord Ezra were the ones the High Priest cherished most, like gemstones. To top it all, they were both the strangest in the temple—especially Lord Ezra, who at times made people wonder if he was even human at all, or walking in the same world they walked in.
The Ezra glanced at Lord Tristan, who made a move to stand up upon hearing the High Priest’s voice. “Master!” he called out. It was then that the High Priest noticed Tristan was disoriented and unable to see anything. He rushed over and held him tightly so he would not fall.
“What happened to you? What has happened to his sight?” he asked in terror.
“His sight was taken from him" Ezra replied, "But it will be restored after the sacrifice has been performed.”
The High Priest was taken aback by how Ezra already knew about the sacrifice, even though he had only just returned. But knowing who Ezra was, and the extent of his powers, he was not surprised. The young man held daily conversations with angels and spirits alike and could even look into whatever was happening at any part of the world. So it was no surprise that he already knew everything that had gone on in the temple and had returned to amend their mistakes.
"Did the Almighty truly will a human sacrifice to be carried out?” the High Priest asked, hoping for once that such a thing was never part of the Almighty’s will. Ezra was a great prophet—if the Spirit of Elyon refused to speak with the other Lords, it would never refuse Ezra.
The High Priest had sent a group of highly skilled priests down the mountain to search for a giant deer that the Almighty might provide for the sacrifice. But hours had gone by, and they had not returned with any good news. This could only mean one thing.
To think that he would one day be the one to slaughter the little babe he had found by the river many years ago. He had grown to love and care for the girl as his own daughter. There was no way the Almighty would punish him this way and force him to kill an innocent girl—no, it was not possible.
"The Almighty has sent me here to carry out the rituals meant for the sacrifice," Ezra said at last. “Indeed, the girl is meant to be sacrificed.”