After walking through the bustling town, Seraphina and Sophie eventually come to a long-awaited halt. They turn and face a wooden doorway on the right side of the street, belonging to a compact, sandy household. The rest of the group watches from the road as Seraphina and Sophie ascend the two-stepped stairs leading to the entrance.

"Oh, mother! We have returned!" Seraphina knocked on the door as she called out.

     The wooden doorway creaks and swings open. Seraphina and Sophie immediately step across the threshold, their faces beaming with bright grins, and they hurry inside. Then, they leap into their mother's arms, embracing her tightly.

"My daughters! Welcome back!" the mother embraced her daughters.

     The visitors step forward, and the mother's eyes immediately fixate on them. Her beautiful, glistening brown eyes, deep and captivating, reflect the shadows around her, mirroring the tone of her almond-brown skin. Long, dark lashes frame her siren eyes, adding an enchanting allure to her gaze. A turban rests on her head, embellished with braids, elegantly concealing her dark hair.

     The mother wears a heavily embroidered wide-sleeved brown dress that drapes around her shoulders. A vibrant red sash cinches her waist, accentuating her figure with a pop of colour. Nestled against her chest, three beaded and stone necklaces hold their own stories, each one a cherished treasure. Delicate gold bracelets encircle her wrists, catching the light with every movement and highlighting her motherly beauty.

"Aunt Eva!" Bethany waved.

"Bethany...?" Eva squinted, carefully studying Bethany's face. After a moment, her eyes widened in recognition. "...Bethany! Honey! Hello!" Eva's gaze shifted to the group behind Bethany. "Oh, visitors?"

Bethany beamed at her aunt and turned to introduce her companions from behind. "Oh, Auntie! These are my friends!" she affectionately patted each person's shoulder. "Meet Oliver, the Remaining Podeshire and Defender of Asbranne, a highly respected corporal! And this is Gregory, his cousin Edgar, and Sophia!"

"Oh, why, hello!" Eva raised her hand and greeted them with an inviting wave.

"And! This is Sarrah!" Bethany held Sarrah's hand and proudly introduced her. "...Please don't kill me, but she's my spouse," she giggled.

"Through a civil union," Sarrah ventured.

"Yes, through a civil union," Bethany continued.

Eva gasped as her eyes widened. "Such a unique couple I've never seen before!" she grinned.

"Oliver and Gregory are..." Bethany continued, informing her aunt, "...together as a couple, too." She added sarcastically, "...Please, don't kill us."

"Why would we?" Eva shook her head lightly, giggling.

Sarrah reached out her hand towards Eva. "Nice to meet you, Aunt Eva," she said kindly.

Eva shook Sarrah's hand. "It's an honour!" Eva then turned around and invited the guests to enter. "Now, come in! Make yourselves at home and relax. I'll make some soup for you, kids!" Eva paused, then looked at everyone with a playful smirk. "Oh, and! Excuse me. You, kids, smell... oh, quite unpleasant." Eva glanced at her daughters and made a request. "Seraphina? Sophie? Could you give our guests some fresh outfits later, okay?"

"Got it, Mother," Sophie responded.

Seraphina nodded.

     Later, an oak wood chest creaked open, dispelling the darkness that clung to its hidden contents. Within its depths lay a vibrant assortment of fabrics, each colour contrasting against the other. Sophie's hands delved into the storage, rummaging through until she found a selection of clothes. With a smile, she handed them to Sophia.

"Here you go!" said Sophie. "You're going to love these!"

Sophia's eyes lit up with gratitude. "Ooh! Thank you!"

Sophie plucked a long peach veil from the chest. "Oh, and this one! You'll wear it around your head like mine," Sophie said.

"Fascinating!" Sophia thought.

     In the meantime, Sarrah and Seraphina sat closely together, their attention focused on a wooden chest concealed beneath Seraphina's bed. Seraphina pulled the chest out and opened it, revealing its hidden treasures. She carefully selected a variety of garments and handed them to Sarrah, who sat beside her on the floor.

"Here it is," Seraphina smiled, presenting the outfit to Sarrah.

"Gee, thanks!" Sarrah exclaimed, her eyes scanning the intricacies of the garment as she stretched her arms out, envisioning herself wearing it.

"These clothes are unlike anything I've seen before! I'm genuinely excited to put them on," Sophia giggled.

"I can assure you, you'll love it!" Sophie beamed with excitement.

"I already do!" Sophia hugged the clothes tightly to her chest.

     The azure sky gradually deepened into a rich indigo. From the west, streaks of orange and red intermingled, projecting a warm glow across the horizon. The once-gentle breeze turned into a howling wind, rustling through the trees and stirring up the remnants of the humid day. As darkness settled, the town's flickering candles emerged as beacons, their gentle light peeking through the windows of every building. Yet, above them all, a bright crescent moon and a tapestry of sparkling stars painted the sky, casting their ethereal radiance on the land.

     Along the streets, only a few figures traverse the paths. Among them are Oliver, Gregory, and Bethany, strolling through the city. Their heads tilt upward, gawking at the towering buildings with majestic domes. Suddenly, a haunting sound pierces the air, reaching their ears and catching their attention.

     A horn's blast echoes through the streets, resonating like a deep and mournful trumpet. Its chilling chime reverberates, travelling through the ground—as if the very earth trembles in response to its call. The sound continues until it stretches beyond the horizon before gradually fading into a faint echo.

"What is that?" Gregory wondered aloud, his brow furrowing in curiosity as the haunting melody played.

"Where is it coming from?" Bethany inquired, her eyes scanning the sky in search of the source.

Oliver arched his neck and directed his gaze upward, spotting a tower with an elegant, curvy dome on the right side of the street. "Perhaps from there," he speculated, pointing to the tower.

"Let's find out!" Gregory marched forward and strode down the street, closing in on the towering structure ahead.

     Soon, Oliver, Gregory, and Bethany arrive at the steps that lead to the grand entrance of a colossal pearl-white building. Its roof boasts an array of domes, with a majestic centrepiece dominating the sky. Towers surround the foundation with pointy roofs tapering to sharp points that resemble spears.

"Wow..." Oliver's jaw dropped as he stared at the domes atop the building.

As Oliver, Gregory, and Bethany approached the entrance, they met a spacious interior that stood before them.

"Remarkable architecture," Gregory whispered, impressed by the design.

"I believe..." Bethany pondered, her gaze sweeping over the interior from the entrance. "...It might be a place of worship."

"A place of worship?" Oliver questioned, raising an eyebrow. "But where are the chairs? The pews? Is there an altar, too?"

"I'm not sure," Bethany shrugged. "Those porcelain statues over there might serve as their version of an altar, perhaps."

"...May I enter?" Oliver asked, his gaze still captivated by the building's interior.

"Sure!" Bethany nodded.

     A smile widens on Oliver's face as he steps inside through the broad, tall doorway. His eyes widen, taking in the blood-red carpet that blankets the floor. Towering pillars grace the room, standing tall and reaching for the heavens, while porcelain statues of men in short togas stand in the rear of the chamber. Oliver's gaze is immediately drawn to the concave surface at the centre of the ceiling, nestled beneath the massive dome. Vibrant geometric paintings grace the walls, imbued with precision and sharpness.

     Suddenly, the echo of approaching footsteps interrupts Oliver's reverie. He spins on his heels, finding himself face to face with a gathering of bearded men, donning thick veils and loose hoods, dressed in robe-like garments. The men stride into the room, filling every corner and encircling Oliver in a sea of strangers.

     Oliver's heartbeat quickens, and he can feel his frantic heart pounding through his chest. He hastily walks towards the entrance with his head down. He exits the building swiftly, finding solace and familiarity as he reunites with Gregory and Bethany.