The next morning, a series of urgent knocks shattered the tranquility of dawn. Mark immediately jumped out of bed and quickly shook the other two awake. Erin, still a bit groggy, squinted and asked, "What's going on?"
"Didn't Diego Montoro say he would show us the worship process yesterday? This is a great opportunity!" Mark replied as he slipped on his socks.
Erin slowly sat up, feeling the fatigue in her body but forcing herself to stay alert. She knew this chance was crucial for them; no matter how tired they were, they had to seize the opportunity to uncover the truth about the town.
Mark hurriedly clipped a small pinhole camera onto his shirt, ensuring it was discreet and secure. Lisa quickly tidied her clothes and prepared all the recording equipment.
"We must stay vigilant; this could be key to obtaining important clues," Mark said quietly to the two of them, determination shining in his eyes.
Erin nodded, quickly getting dressed and then fixing her hair. Despite her exhaustion, her heart was filled with resolve. "Let's go; we can't keep them waiting too long."
The three of them swiftly gathered their things and headed toward the door. Mark opened it to find a woman in a simple white robe standing outside, holding a lantern with a serious expression.
"Please follow me; the worship ceremony is about to begin," she said coldly before turning to lead them toward the Sanctuary.
The morning air was filled with the damp scent of earth, and the surroundings still appeared desolate and quiet. However, many people were already up, obediently making their way toward the church. The sky was just beginning to lighten, casting a soft morning glow that added a touch of warmth to the tranquil town.
Erin, Mark, and Lisa followed the guiding woman through several narrow alleys. As they walked, they gradually approached the church—a grand structure assembled from triangular shapes that stood majestically at the town's center, exuding an air of mystery and solemnity.
Erin pondered silently, "The Hall of Great Achievements... is this what Great Achievement is?" She felt a mix of curiosity and questions about this church, eager to unveil its hidden secrets.
As they got closer to the church, more townspeople gathered at its entrance. These individuals appeared devout and expectant, seemingly looking forward to the upcoming worship ceremony. The townspeople wore simple clothing and had focused expressions, whispering among themselves and creating an atmosphere that was both quiet and sacred.
Eileen noticed a peculiar gleam in the townspeople's eyes, as if their souls were drawn to some unseen force. A chill ran down her spine; their fervent and zealous faith unsettled her.
"The people here take this ritual very seriously," Mark whispered, excitement and caution flickering in his eyes. "We must seize this opportunity to document every detail."
The church entrance was packed with people, a solid wall of bodies. The townspeople stood closely together, awaiting the upcoming worship ceremony. However, when Eileen, Mark, and Lisa were led to this spot, the attention of the townspeople seemed to shift instantly to them.
Eileen felt an odd sensation as the townspeople's gazes burned into them like a spotlight. Their looks were filled with curiosity, wariness, and even a hint of latent hostility. Eileen struggled to maintain a fake smile on her face while anxiety and tension churned within her.
She leaned closer to Mark and muttered, "What the hell is going on?"
Mark shrugged and replied in a low voice, "How would I know?" His tone carried a note of helplessness and unease.
Lisa clung tightly behind them, clearly sensing the strange atmosphere as well. Fear flickered in her eyes, but there was also a resolute determination. She understood that they had to stay calm and press on, no matter how difficult or dangerous the situation became.
Eileen took a deep breath, striving to steady herself. She realized that the townspeople's gazes were not random; they were filled with suspicion and vigilance towards these outsiders. Every move they made could be interpreted as a threat or disrespect by the locals.
"We just need to stay composed and keep moving forward," Eileen said softly to both of them, trying to offer some comfort and encouragement.
The three of them moved slowly yet resolutely through the throng of people toward the church's grand entrance. The townspeople continued to watch them with burning intensity, making them feel as if they were being scrutinized under a blazing sun.
The church doors were tightly shut, leaving them uncertain of when they would open. Standing among the crowd, Eileen, Mark, and Lisa felt the townspeople's stares searing into them like flames. Just then, yesterday's little boy, Rudy, suddenly dashed up in front of them.
Little Rudy looked a bit shy, with his hands tucked behind him, his eyes darting as he glanced at them. The three exchanged curious looks, not understanding why this little boy had suddenly appeared here.
Mark was the first to crouch down, trying to make his voice sound gentle as he said softly, "What's wrong, little brother? Is there something you want to tell us?"
However, Little Rudy did not speak; he just blushed and continued to hide his hands behind his back. There was a hint of anticipation and nervousness in his eyes, as if he were waiting for something.
Eileen smiled, trying to make him feel relaxed. "Little Rudy, we heard your story yesterday, and we really appreciate you sharing it with us. Is there something you want to tell us?"
Upon hearing Eileen's words, Little Rudy's eyes brightened for a moment, but he still remained silent. Mark and Eileen exchanged glances, and Mark gently said again, "Don't be afraid; we are all good people. If you have something to tell us, we are here to listen."
Little Rudy seemed to muster up some courage and slowly brought his hands out from behind him, tightly gripping a small wooden object. It was a delicate little Wooden Cicada, intricately crafted and lifelike. Eileen looked at the Wooden Cicada and felt a tightening in her chest.
"Is this for us?" Eileen asked gently, carefully extending her hand.
Little Rudy nodded and placed the Wooden Cicada into Eileen's hand before quickly stepping back, as if afraid he had done something wrong. Eileen examined the Wooden Cicada closely, filled with confusion and unease.
"Thank you, Little Rudy," Eileen said softly, smiling at the boy. "This means a lot to us."
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