756 Grand Mass (1/2)
After waiting nearly ten minutes outside the prayer hall, Klein and the other believers who were here to join the Moon Mass entered under the priest's lead.
In the dark and serene atmosphere, they heard uniform and ethereal chanting:
”Full-faced above the land stood the crimson moon;
”And sweet it was to dream of themselves,
”Of child, and wife, and parents; but evermore…”
Holy and rhythmic voices echoed in the prayer hall as the believers involuntarily quietened down, as though they had forgotten all their frustrations in life or the different challenges they faced in the real world.
Under the guidance of a few priests, they found their seats. In front of the altar, Bishop Elektra, who was in charge of celebrating the Mass, held The Revelation of Evernight and began preaching.
As this segment came to an end, the priests held up water and bread, and they began handing them out to Klein and company. This was the loving grace of Evernight, food that people both alive and dead could share.
Having not had dinner, Klein naturally didn't waste the bread of average quality and the water in the cup. Then, he saw candles light up on the altar, and under the darkness, they appeared like stars in the night sky, emitting light and warmth that eased one's heart.
At that moment, Bishop Elektra led the few priests and everyone in the choir to chant in unison:
”We look upward into the night sky,
”We tenderly say her name: 'Evernight Goddess!'
”We know no other words, except 'Evernight Goddess,'
”May the Goddess draw out from the angel chorus
”With the silence sweet to gather,
”And hold both within 'Her' right hand which is gentle.
”'Goddess!' If 'She' heard us, 'She' would surely agree,
”Smiling with purity at the dead:
”Come, rest and sleep well, my children!”
The empty voice filled with holiness drilled into every believers' ears. It felt as though all the spirits present were resonating in unison. As a Sequence 5 Beyonder, Klein felt as though his Soul Body was being cleansed as his spirituality naturally flowed out in comfort.
Following that, a tranquil darkness seemed to appear before his eyes, a darkness without any sound.
In the darkness, corpses lay there; their faces calm and at peace, as though they weren't dead and were actually in a deep sleep.
Klein calmly traversed the darkness in a staid manner when he suddenly stopped and looked diagonally ahead.
At a spot where moon flowers were silently blooming, there were a few people sleeping.
They were the hatless Dunn Smith in a trench coat; Old Neil, who still wore his black classic robe; and the short Kenley, who worked hard to save up money.
They closed their eyes in a relaxed manner as a faint smile appeared to show on their lips. Around them were erected tombs, each of them having the same word written on them: ”Guardian.”
Klein instantly closed his eyes as a holy and ethereal voice resounded by his ears:
”Cross your hands humbly,
”Over your breast!
”Make the silent prayer,
”And shout from the bottom of your heart:
”The only escape is tranquility!”
Klein lowered his head, closed his eyes, and raised his hands up before crossing them before his chest. He then repeated silently, The only escape is tranquility!
The only escape is tranquility!
…
This repeated again and again until the prayer hall reached a state of extreme silence. Only then did Klein open his eyes again and rubbed the corners of his eyes.
He slowly exhaled and glanced around him. With the light from the candles, he discovered that most of the believers were covered in tears without realizing it. Even his valet, Richardson, was constantly tearing up without wiping his tears.
The Moon Mass is akin to a ritual, a ritual with Beyonder powers involved. Its effect is likely to make everyone's spirit resonate, allowing different people to see the deceased who they share deep relationships in the darkness. It relieves one's grief in order to obtain tranquility… Yes, this isn't an abnormality that's targeted at Beyonders, so I can be at ease… To ordinary people, this might be an illusory outlet that's instantaneous. They would only believe that it's a result of the Goddess's greatness, and not some extraordinary powers… Sequence 5 Beyonders of the Evernight pathway seem to gain a significant enhancement in their control of spirits… Klein withdrew his gaze as he made a judgment.
Right on the heels of that, he recalled the darkness and the deceased that lay amidst the moon flowers.
Closing his eyes, Klein allowed his thoughts to drift.
That dark plain filled with moon flowers, night vanilla, and slumber flowers is a manifestation of the Goddess's divine kingdom?
What does the source of danger in the night time inside that battle of the gods ruin correspond to then?