[Edanian Journey] Aal

Chapter 4: Abstinence and Fasting

Abstinence and fasting. They taught the faithful to restrain their desires and conserve food and water in order to survive.

As whispers of hunger, thirst, and the desperate will to live filled the air, spirits emerged from the smoke. At the altars of greed, fear, gluttony, and lust, I fought alongside the Hashashin to drive them back. Then Amaru, still facing the remaining enemies, suddenly froze.

"Brother..."

The moment Amaru reached toward the familiar voice, the spirits seized him and closed in around him. We tried to save him, but it was already too late. With his final breath, Amaru entrusted us with uncovering the truth of paradise.

Urku demanded to know what sins they had committed, and whether reaching the truth could ever bring their fallen brothers back. Zaidan shouted that the divine will must not be questioned. But I was finding it harder and harder to dismiss the thought that this was more than a trial. Perhaps it was a <b>selection</b>.

"Rise again in the sandstorm."

With those words, I laid another brother to rest. Wariyana pressed on, saying that perhaps even their doubts were part of the trial.

The next commandments were <b>purity and sincerity</b>.