Little Pink Starfish

“If you’ve got a mouth, answer me!”

Cutting off his sarcasm, Iyu suddenly exploded, yelling loud enough to burst eardrums. The battle priests clenched their eyes shut and shouted in unison.

“We’re sorry! We’ll never commit such sins again!”

“You don’t owe me an apology—you owe it to the Sha.”

“We will beg Sha’s forgiveness in person!”

“Are you joking? Do you have no brains? You mutts who barely guard the tower gate think you’re fit to stand before Sha Nyne? And even if you were, you’d dare let those filthy words reach his ears?”

“We’re sorry! It won’t happen again!”

“Oh? So you won’t offer an apology now? You godless bastards got no shame either, huh?”

Damned if they did, damned if they didn’t—driven to the edge, the battle priests could only keep repeating their apologies. Iyu cursed and berated them until their spirits were shredded, then finally gave a command.

“Go fill those water flasks to the brim.”

The battle priests, hearts pounding in dread, scrambled to fetch the medium-sized flasks—normally used for wine—and filled them with water. What had seemed manageable now weighed as much as a small child.

Iyu checked each flask to ensure it was full, then took pinches of salt and sugar from his belt pouch and added them. Realizing what this meant, one priest’s face went pale.

Dusting his hands clean, Iyu ordered,

“Now, run with those flasks and shout your apology to Sha Nyne until you’re about to drop dead. If you’re not sunburnt and peeling by tomorrow, I’ll tell Seinca Hoan exactly what I heard you all whispering.”

Having them fetch water wasn’t just punishment—it was a rare bit of mercy, ensuring they wouldn’t die of dehydration in the searing heat. The priests answered with trembling voices:

“Yes, sir!”

“Too quiet. You don’t want to atone, is that it, you faithless little shits?”

“No, sir! We are grateful for the chance to repent!”

Bellowing their answer, they hoisted the heavy flasks and ran, already dripping with sweat.

But for Iyu, this was mercy. A superior like Seinca Hoan would’ve cut them down on the spot. A bit of skin burnt in the sun was far better. Watching them run across the shadeless training ground, Iyu let out a sigh.

It was time to return to the sanctuary. Before leaving, he checked the area around the tower gate for suspicious figures or signs of trouble.

Ugh, the place is crawling with zealots, he thought bitterly as he walked down a side path. A broader, better-paved road ran beside him—but it was reserved for Sha, his attendants, and the palanquin bearers.

When Iyu focused, his sharp hearing could pick up conversations from far off. Most were voices worshiping the Sha—endlessly, day and night. It wasn’t uncommon to hear sobbing during prayer gatherings, people so overcome by divine grace they wailed. Though he’d served in the Great Temple for some time, Iyu had never gotten used to the fanaticism that bordered on madness.

Nearly everyone in Trastasa worshipped the Sha. But not all did so with the blind devotion of the Great Temple’s servants. Iyu had been born a commoner, the son of a fisherman. To him, the Sha was no more than a statue outside the temple. Religious life meant the occasional flower or food offering and a respectful bow.

But in the Great Temple, it was different. They worshipped from before dawn until they collapsed at night. More than half their conversations revolved around Sha. They competed to showcase their piety. Many even harmed themselves to draw blood as an offering. Iyu already disliked nobles—and after living here, he liked them even less.

He was always grateful to Seinca Hoan, who recognized his talent and took him in after he lost his family to a magical beast. But his respect for Seinca was separate from his view of the Hoan family. If anything, they were the worst of the zealots. Though Iyu never showed it in front of Seinca, just staying at their estate had sometimes made him nauseous. Even toddlers babbled Sha’s name until they passed out.

Of course, it wasn’t that he didn’t believe. He owed his rise from a lowborn to the position of Guard Captain to Sha Amon. Despite being the second most skilled battle priest after Seinca, he would never have been promoted if not for Amon’s favor. That alone was enough to justify loyalty.

But even though he revered and served Sha Amon, he could never bring himself to like him.

When Iyu was being considered for captain, he’d had the chance to cross blades with Sha Amon himself. The helplessness he’d felt—facing a truly inhuman presence, that suffocating pressure, the gaze that regarded him as little more than dust… The memory still made him tremble.

Despite his speed, Iyu’s thoughts had carried him all the way to the sanctuary.

The sanctuaries of Amon and Nyne were the pinnacle of grandeur. The entrance was marked by towering gate-pillars, the bas-reliefs carved so intricately even someone like Iyu could see their artistry. Eight tall poles flanked the gate, fluttering with blue banners. Glossy black stone panther statues crouched on either side, watching over all who entered.

Even as Guard Captain, Iyu received only a brief glance from the sentries at the gate—never a nod. Only Amon and Nyne were worthy of such respect here.

Beyond the gate stretched a vast open plaza. Paths led to distant buildings, shaded by rows of palms. Thick grass covered the ground to cool the stone, and statues, ponds, fountains, shrubs, and flowers were arranged harmoniously. It was paradise on earth.

He called out to a priest hurrying by with an armload of linen.

“Where is Sha now?”

“They are in the panther garden.”

Iyu quickened his pace and walked for quite some time before arriving. The moment he stepped inside, a lounging panther bared its teeth in warning. But Iyu, who hunted beasts far larger and more ferocious, merely looked at it like a big cat. Recognizing him, the panther quickly lost interest.

Beside the panther, Nyne lay sideways on a pile of layered cushions, resting his head on the back of Nafa the panther. His hand gently stroked the beast’s white, soft belly. Though Nafa seemed annoyed by the attention, she merely snorted instead of moving away.

Nyne’s jet-black hair flowed across the cushions. His face was hidden in the panther’s fur, but his hand and wrist glittered with jewelry as he moved. Seinca Hoan stood nearby, guarding the two with unwavering vigilance. As Iyu approached, Seinca quietly stepped back. Iyu took his place and watched over Nyne.

Sha Nyne.

Within the Great Temple, Nyne’s role was complicated. Some viewed him as a divine figure independent of Amon. Others saw him as a subordinate god. Regardless of stance, there was no denying his sanctity—he bore the divine blood, flesh, and pure spirit of Sha Amon.

So no one dared treat him lightly. Yet it was also true that he always stood one step behind Amon.

And still, he was the most holy, noble being after Amon himself. Despite that… Iyu often found himself pitying Nyne.