I have to say that Morathi is quite good at practicing religion.
During the reign of the Eternal Queen, the elves would only worship in the respective holy places of the gods, either in sacred caves, calm streams, or steep mountain peaks. The elves would go to these places specifically to pray or praise, but as the scope of their activities became larger and larger, Morathi changed the form of sacrifice and prayer. Instead of traveling across mountains and rivers to go to the temples or holy places of the gods, she New temples are built on a large scale in residential areas. Whether it is Asuryan, Kunos, Isha or Lilith, elven temples are dotted across the vast world, and there are many such religious places in various cities.
"Even if it's not for your soul, it's for your power. Religion is good. If you control religion, you will control believers. Make them believe that you have received God's favor, and they will be loyal to you unconditionally." - Morathi .
After Morathi visited Elso Talarian, Helene, who was still a hundred-year-old girl at the time, went to see her. No one knew what they said in the reception room at that time.
The only recorded thing is that when Morathi opened the door of the reception room and "pushed" Heliben out, she said a classic and eternal saying: Morathi is cruel, and he will give you a Mediocre fate, Heliburn, when I wake up tomorrow, I won't even remember your name.
This was what happened five thousand years ago when Darkus visited Esho Talarian. Helibon, who would be forgotten by Morathi the next day, had sent assassins to kill Morathi in the past few decades. Lasse, when the Dark Council was convened, they even pointed at each other in front of Malekith. Sometimes they had to sigh that the world is so wonderful... This also proved from the side that the prophet was indeed not very reliable... He
left alone. Heliben held her head high, wiped the tears from her cheeks, and looked ahead with cold eyes. She cursed the guilt she felt for crying, she cursed her tears for having worked so well in front of her parents all these years, and she cursed herself again for not trying harder to impress Morathi.
However, this was no longer important. Heliben knew that Morathi would see through any trick she could pull off. Although her pride was bruised by the hurt she received during this meeting, Morathi was wrong! She's not weak, she's determined to prove Morathi wrong! She is a princess and she deserves better. Even though she doesn't know how, she seeks a way to get what she believes is rightfully hers. She will go to Tal Anlek as the legitimate princess of Nagaryth, and one day Morathi will remember her name, and Morathi will see her true face.
Even though Heliben disguised herself well, other dignitaries could still see that she had been neglected by Morathi. Although no one would mention it in front of her because of her father's face, she noticed the hidden meaning in the eyes of those powerful men. jeers, and disparaging remarks that subtly belittled her qualifications as a true princess. She never backed down from confrontation, and she didn't shy away from the accusations that were whispered about. She attended every feast and ball, and she held her head high whenever she appeared in public.
Privately, however, it was a different story. Alone, disappointment filled Helene's heart because she could find no way to improve her status. And her identity is also a bit embarrassing. On the one hand, she is in a colony, and on the other hand, she was born into a family that although she is a prince in name, she is not a prince by blood.
In Nagaryth, Iso Talarian is one of the greatest cities in the colony and holds the key to Nagaryth's future. But in the hearts of the elves born in Nagaryth, there has always been dissent in this city, because this city was saved by Malekith. According to the laws and traditions of Nagaryth, this city was conquered. territory. The princes of Nagaryth are happy to wear the gems and gold that flow through the port, but in their view, Azhor Talarian is only subordinate to Nagaryth and is slightly higher than the other kingdoms of Ulthuan. , but the difference is not big.
The sensitive Heliben endured it alone. She had to face those veiled insults and insinuated compliments. As Alandrian's daughter, she had to deal with them with a smile. However, tears would always wet her pillow at night, and the pain made her feel sad. She couldn't sleep.
Until one day, an officer invited Heliben and her sister Liris to a place to witness the ceremony. When she first came outside the city, she thought it was a ceremony dedicated to Anes Lema, the goddess of wild hunting, but it was obviously not the case.
An old elf appeared and walked slowly out of the shadows behind the tree. He had nothing on him except a red cloth wrapped around his waist. The cloth looked strangely hard, probably because it was covered in coagulated blood. His chest was covered in delicate scars, as were his arms. His white hair was tied into wild braids and spread out from his head like a hydra. In one hand he held a serrated-edged dagger, in the other a gold-rimmed earthenware goblet.
The old elf was followed by two rows of servants, who also only had a piece of red cloth wrapped around their waists. Two of them were girls and the rest were men. Their bodies were covered with crimson runes, and each elf held different tools in his hands, including various shapes of blades, hooks, trays, and cups.
The old high priest stopped in front of the flames and turned to face the gathered elves. Against the backdrop of the flames, he raised his arms and raised his head.
Heliben recoiled in surprise as a horrifying scream came from the priest's throat, unlike any sound she had heard before, like the wail of a wounded animal or the roar of a wild beast. Servants joined in the ritual, each elf screaming in a different pitch, and the screams echoed throughout the forest. Dozens of elves in the crowd who had come to watch the ceremony also joined in, letting out meaningless howls that reminded her of pain and hunger.
"Praise be to Cain!" the High Priest's screams ceased, and he lowered his hands and crossed his arms over his chest, silencing the crowd. His voice was as dry as dead grass, but it carried across the clearing.
"Let us give thanks for our past victories and seek His divine hand to guide our future conquests. Praise the God of Bloody Hands for delivering our enemies to our blades in victory. Give your praises tonight and
Kane's tomorrow A curse befalls your enemies. Let Caine drink in tonight's sacrifice, for we promise to sate His thirst for blood on the battlefield!"
Hurley Benlon felt dizzy, in her thoughts In the haze, she realized that what was burning was not just wood and flesh, but also some kind of anesthetic. She was no stranger to some leaves and roots, often from colonies further east, but she tried them only occasionally, and always with people she knew well. Deep down she objected to being drugged without her consent, but any protests she might have lodged were kept deep inside, muffled by the effects of the psychedelic gas she was inhaling.
The high priest's words became meaningless, and the heat of the flames was like burning ice on Heliben's skin. It's a pleasurable feeling, both relaxing and exhilarating, like a languid dance with a handsome suitor that promises something more intense to follow. She felt the weight of the cloak on her shoulders, compressing her body, and she threw the cloak to the ground, freeing herself from its restraints. She shivered with excitement as her hands touched her skin. She scratched her throat with her long nails, reveling in the process. Every one of her senses was heightened, the chants of priests and servants, the diffuse smoke, the crackle of fire, the feel of the breeze and the softness of the earth beneath her feet.
Eager to intensify and extend the feeling, Helene took off her boots and tossed them aside, reveling in the feel of the bare earth beneath her feet. Her clothes felt too tight, restricting her, a barrier between her and the world. She grabbed the collar of her loose shirt, and just as she was about to break free from the braided restraints, she felt Lyris's hand on her shoulder. The sudden intervention jolted her out of her trance, and although still intoxicated, she felt no embarrassment or regret at her actions, as her sister also joined in the fun.
In the darkness beyond the fire, there were bursts of roars and roars, which frightened Heliben, and she squeezed next to Liris. Her sister also held her arm tightly. Her sister's eyes were wide open and a thin blood mark was bitten on her lips.
The roars got closer and closer, and the elves became quiet, focusing all their attention on the approaching creatures. In the silence, heavy breathing echoed around the clearing. A horned beast about the same height as the elf came out. Heliben's body trembled instinctively, but the other elves didn't care. After calming down in shock, she saw that the horned beast's arms were tied. Behind him, several soldiers followed closely to drive away the horned beast.
The horned beast frowned and glared at the onlookers with red eyes. The sound it made was filled with anger and confusion. It exposed a row of sharp teeth and rushed towards the onlookers. The soldier closest to it reacted and struck its hind legs with a spear, causing it to fall to the ground and knocking it unconscious. It was pulled in front of the high priest, and the surrounding servants grabbed its horns and hair, forced it to kneel, and pulled its head up, exposing its huge chest and vein-filled throat.
The high-ranking priest did not attack the horned beast, but gently drew the tip of the dagger across his chest, cutting a thin wound. A drop of blood oozed from the wound and dripped into the goblet in his hand. He turned towards the flames and raised his goblet in greeting to the surrounding elves.
"I will sacrifice myself, because all blood flows in your name, the great Kane."
"Praise Kane!" The elves onlookers whispered in agreement.
Heliben's eyes were fixed on the horned beast. The high priest's dagger flashed in the firelight, and a red line appeared on the horned beast's skin. The dagger struck again and again, and soon, blood poured out from the wounds on the horned beast's body and arms. The cuts were so tiny she thought they looked like bright red spider webs. The blood seeps into the rough skin of the horned beast, sticks to the horned beast's body hair, and accumulates in the wrinkles of the skin.
"Praise Kane!" the high-ranking priest shouted before piercing the dagger into the horned beast's belly.
Amidst the shouts of the onlookers praising Kane, the horned beast roared crazily, but it was thrown to the ground, and some servants pierced its wrists and ankles with spikes to fix it to the ground. Other servants began to operate with daggers and bayonet blades, cutting into its skin, fat and muscles, exposing bones and organs. It was dissected and presented to the onlookers.
Helleburn was mesmerized, drawn to the complexity of the work, the caressing application of each cut with a deadly, intoxicating beauty that she loved.
The blood gradually flows out of the horned beast's body and becomes the essence of life. The blood vessels and strange organs were pulled out by the servants, and a skilled servant used a sharp thorn blade to cut open its ribs one by one until the heart and lungs were exposed. Meanwhile, the high priest filled the goblet with its blood.
"Praise to Kane!" the high priest screamed.
The elves watching also roared.
The high priest completed the ritual and handed the goblet filled with blood to a servant so that he could sever the horned beast's violently beating heart.
"Praise to Kane!" the cry echoed again, and Heliben realized that her own voice was also included in this cry.
The high-ranking priest threw the blood-stained heart of the horned beast into the flames and looked at the sky. Heliben also looked up. It seemed that the stars in the sky turned blood red at this moment. She could feel the energy swirling around her. In the air, on the ground, and in the spirits around you. She realized that this was power, something she could touch, control, and shape into her own. The goblet filled with blood was passed to the hands of the onlookers, and each one took a sip. When the goblet was being passed around, Heliben was a little restless. It was not that she disliked it, but that she wanted to enjoy it eagerly and feel Kane's blessing eagerly.
The goblet was passed to Liris's mouth, blood moistened her lips, and a brief unhappy expression appeared on her face. And Heliben almost snatched the goblet from her sister's hand. She was the last one to drink. She drank all the blood in the cup in one go. She tasted the taste of iron and hunger. , the thick liquid rolled down her throat, filling her with warmth, but not the warmth of blood, but something else. She wiped the rim of the cup with her fingers with a look of enjoyment on her face, and licked off the last sticky residue on her fingertips.
With a look of enjoyment, Heliben suddenly noticed that all the eyes in the room were turned towards her. Uneasy whispers spread among the crowd. She glanced at the elf who brought her here in confusion.
"The last blood is dedicated to Kane, and it must be poured on the flames."
"I am not disrespectful, I really don't know." Heliben became at a loss, and she looked at the senior officer with some fear. Priest, she said aggrievedly.
The high-ranking priest didn't say anything, but a servant walked up to Heliben and snatched the empty goblet.
"Wait!" Heliben roared, snatched back the goblet, and pushed the servant aside. She walked to the center of the open space with the goblet, stopped in front of the high priest, put the cup back into the high priest's hand, and said, "Take it." The high priest
took the goblet, but He Liben had no intention of letting go. She pulled the goblet back. She grabbed the wrist of the high-ranking priest with her other hand and pulled the hand holding the sacrificial dagger over.
"I apologize to the great Kane with my blood!" Heliben looked directly at the high priest with oppressive eyes. She forced the high priest's hand to move down, and cut her chest with a dagger, and the blood flowed from it. The wound gushed out and dripped into the goblet. The feeling was almost overwhelming, a burning sensation burning through her heart.
"Praise to Cain!" Heliben screamed and pushed the high priest away.
The high-ranking priest was confused by Heliben's actions, and he looked at Heliben in confusion.
Heliben snatched the goblet backhand again and walked towards the fire. She turned the goblet over and threw her blood into the flames.
"Accept this sacrifice, the great Lord of Murder! Bless me with your holy wrath and grant me eternal wrath." Heliben raised the goblet on her head and turned to the elves who were watching. She was heartbroken. The ground roared, then she fell to her knees, tears of joy streaming down her face.
The elves watching were shocked. They did not expect Alandrian's daughter to be like this.
"Praise Kane!" The elf who brought Heliben to the ceremony responded. He shouted loudly, and other elves who responded also responded.
Hriben was writhing in agony on the ground, screaming and praying to the Bloody Hand God. She didn't know how long this went on, but eventually the red mist that obscured her vision subsided. All the onlookers left, and only the elf who brought the ceremony and her sister were waiting. She felt a sting in her chest and dried blood stained her shirt. Visions kept flashing through her mind, of the dying horned beast, the rising flames, and the dagger stained with her blood. She simply couldn't believe it was all real.
Heliben stood up, dusted off the ashes on her clothes, and turned to the high-ranking priest who had been staying there to look at her.
"I beg you, Priest of Kaine, teach me more. Let me serve Kaine with my life, otherwise I must sacrifice my death to Kaine." As Heliben said, he grabbed hold of him again. He stopped the high-ranking priest's hand holding the dagger and pointed the dagger at her chest, pointing at the location of her heart.
The high-ranking priest smiled and touched Heliben's cheek with a hand full of blood. Heliben stared deeply into his eyes. Just when Heliben thought he would pierce the dagger, his murderous expression filled his eyes. His eyes faded and he withdrew the dagger.
"You have been touched by Him in a rare way, my child. Come to me tomorrow and I will see if you are willing to stay on this path," said the High Priest.
"I have made up my mind. I will become Kane's bride and serve Him wholeheartedly in every way." Heliben's words were full of determination.
"Tomorrow, when the sun rises and your body cools down, I will see if you still have the same idea. Don't let me repeat it again."
Heliben didn't say anything, but took a step back and nodded. , her steps as she turned away were full of lightness, she had found what she was looking for, she had felt Kane's touch on her soul, it had always been there, it was only now that she was awakened, she knew what she had to do .
Helliben had found what she had been looking for, and she would travel to Tal Anlek as High Priest of Khaine, receiving all the respect and awe she deserved. Except for the first Phoenix King Aenarion, no one will become a greater servant of Khaine than her, not even Malekith!
The next day, Heliben found the high priest without any surprise. After a brief trial of a hundred days, she became a student of the high priest. The high-ranking priest made further demands, asking her to follow the army that was about to set off. She felt the pain of indecision. The high priest forced her to make a choice, but this choice was not that simple. If she did so, she would give up her inheritance. She didn't know if she could bear to leave her current comfortable life and follow the army. Traveling back and forth across the world.
But Heliben remembered what attracted her to worship Kane. In addition to the strong and abundant sense of power obtained from the sacrificial ritual, there was another thing: power! The High Priests wield great influence, and Cairne is a powerful tool in connecting with Nagaryth's armies and Aenarion.
If Heli had not been able to become a high priest, her alliance with the current high priests would have done nothing to help her cause, and it would have been meaningless to Morathi. She would become only one of many high priests and priestesses, for Morathi's visit brought not only the Bloodhand God and Khaine, but also the Goddess of the Wild Hunt, Anes Lema, the Pale Queen , Erth Haiai, etc., she must do more, she must bring the power of Kane to Erthor Talarian.
Moreover, in Heliben's view, although the current high priest is a real priest, he is too traditional. The current high priest is her treasure house of knowledge, but it is only for now. She has learned everything she can. After getting things done, she charted her own path.
Heliben had studied the history of the kingdom of Nagaryth in her father's collection of books, reading the legends of Aenarion over and over again. However, many elves have now forgotten that story, and instead pursue pleasure and indulge in the orgy of drugs. She is a princess, and her father is Malekith's lieutenant and one of the most powerful elves in the colony. . It was her duty to remind the elves of their great history and to be true to the traditions of Nagaryth and Aenarion.
Heliben needed an army that would pledge its fealty to Kane and obey her orders at any time. She remembered the grand reception Morathi had received when she came to Eshor Talarian, and she dreamed that one day she too would be welcomed with cheers and songs passed down by the bards for generations.
Alandrian agreed to Heliben's request to accompany the army, and thought that Heliben's sister should also go with Heliben, so that they could greet each other. It may be that when Malekith was around, the people's spiritual comfort was suppressed for a long time. During his reign, the religion of Esho Talarian began to get a little out of control due to various factors and promoters. After all, the priests of these religions were the sand that Morathi mixed into the colony. Those priests were all Morathi's lackeys. .
Heliben's dream began with Atho Talarian, and then she began her dream-seeking journey. She was confused, painful, and frustrated. However, these emotions disappeared after she turned her thoughts to Morathi. Always remember Morathi's mocking expression and the contempt in her words. In its place was a rage inside her, as angry and hurt as she had been when she walked out of the room.
Hurley didn't want to please or impress Morathi. She realized that she was not looking for recognition or praise and that the life she had chosen was far beyond that. However, she still hopes that Morathi will know the harm she has suffered. Morathi will regret her arrogance and be forced to recognize her greatness.
With this conclusion, all other thoughts disappear. Cairn would be the key to Heliburn's power, and anything less would be a complete failure for her, admitting that Morathi was right to hold her in contempt. She would never feel so small, so insignificant again.
Heliben began to reform the Cain sect and became more extreme on the original basis. Her so-called mentor always adhered to the tradition, and eventually died indirectly in her hands. She and Alandri reacted and began to suppress religion. The relationship between An broke down and she turned from father and daughter to an ally. With the support of Alandrian, she purged all the priests of other sects brought over by Morathi. Atho Talarian established a huge temple of Cain, and then A civil war broke out between Malekith and Morathi in the Kingdom of Nagaryth, and her mother, who never supported any religion, died under her sword.
As Heliben's influence in the army continued to increase, Alandrian lost control of the army in a sense, but it did not become a puppet-like existence. After all, she was not seeking her father's rights. And what her father needed was control over Erso Talarian.
That’s it… the destruction and the follow-up are finished in three or two sentences. This chapter is the beginning of a chapter. After the protagonist returns, he has to deal with Morathi, Hellebore and the Shadow King...and Hellebore is the key point. I hope I can write about that.