The first thing Elias felt upon waking was the warmth of the sun filtering through the thin curtains, casting pale golden streaks across the ceiling. Normally, the rhythmic snores of his five roommates would fill the small, shared bedroom. But today, there was only silence.

Frowning, he pushed himself up, his muscles still heavy with sleep. Had he overslept? That was unusual. He reached for his water bottle, taking a slow sip as he gathered his thoughts. Then, bracing himself for the cold, he placed his bare feet on the tiled floor, shivering at the sensation.

Pushing open the door, he stepped into the long, dimly lit corridor. The air was thick with the scent of burning incense, mingling with the faint aroma of wax from the ever-burning prayer candles. Lining the walls were framed portraits of their prophet, and towering paintings of divine figures, their eyes seeming to follow every passerby. Between them, sacred scriptures were written in delicate golden calligraphy:

"Obedience is purity. Purity is salvation.""To stray is to sin. To sin is to suffer."

Elias had walked these halls every day of his life, yet something about them always made him feel small. Insignificant.

He turned the corner toward the prayer room, expecting his usual moment of solitude before morning duties began. But as he stepped inside, he stopped in his tracks.

The room was full.

Dozens of members stood shoulder to shoulder, heads bowed in reverence, their robes a sea of pale beige. At the center, on the raised platform, stood the leader James Hanson himself—his long white hair almost glowing beneath the candlelight.

A sudden wave of unease washed over Elias. An unexpected gathering like this could only mean one thing: judgment. He had witnessed it countless times—poor souls dragged before the congregation, their sins read aloud, their punishments swift and merciless. His stomach twisted at the thought.

Then, amid the murmuring crowd, he spotted someone unfamiliar.

"Welcome our newest member—a seeker of truth, now reborn in the light of our faith. May he walk the path of purity, may he reject the temptations of sin, and may he find salvation among us!" The leader's voice rang through the chamber, his arms raised as the congregation erupted into polite applause.

Elias felt his breath hitch. His gaze settled on the newcomer, studying the curve of his face, the way his presence seemed to shift the very air in the room. His heart gave an unexpected jolt.

It's just excitement he told himself. A natural reaction to meeting someone new.

But deep down, he knew that was a lie.

After the crowd had quieted, and the new member was being shown the usual rituals of welcome, Elias found himself standing near the back of the room. As the crowd slowly dispersed, leaving him alone in the emptying room, he didn't want to talk to the newcomer, still confused about the feeling he felt earlier in his chest. But his curiosity got the better of him.

Taking a deep breath, he hesitated for a moment, then moved toward the newcomer. "Welcome to the community" Elias said quietly, keeping his tone neutral, as he stepped closer.