The Oblivion Sanctuary was a massive, imposing structure. It was a beautiful piece of architecture, of that there was no doubt. However, it was also rather intimidating as well. How many people had stood in front of it, peered up at the ceilings and the doors, and hesitated before even walking into the house of worship? Probably the majority, Ebalia thought, as she, too, stood in front of the gates. Yet she wasn’t afraid like others had probably been, and was more so taking in the sights of everything. Never before in her life had she entered the hallowed halls of Soudana’s house of worship. Today was a special day, and she wanted to make sure she would remember it. Today was the day she would be turning in the dragon souls she had obtained to Draco Verrano, leader of the Oblivionite people and one of the apprentice’s personal heroes. She wanted to be sure that she was ready.

Sucking in a sharp intake of air, Ebalia straightened herself up, squared her shoulders, and then double-checked to make sure the two dragon souls were in her hands. Yes – they were still there, good. Now that she was sure she had everything, she flashed the building a look of determination and then headed on inside the building. It was now or never, and the sooner she turned in these dragon souls, the more she could relax.

The inside of the Oblivion Sanctuary was, of course, no less grandiose than the outside had been. Depictions in the darkened stained glass windows were easier to see from the interior of the building and hundreds of candles and magical orbs provided eerie, yet appropriate lighting to the place. Ebalia could have stayed there for hours, if she really wanted to. Hearing about Soudana and the teachings of the Goddess would have been wonderful to listen to, but she couldn’t do that today; she had a job to do. Instead, she flagged down the nearest clergyman, an old, bald Oblivionite, and held up her dragon souls to him. She didn’t even need to say anything, for he knew the exact reason she was here for. “Follow me,” was all he said, before leading the young girl to the personal quarters of Draco Verrano. Once he had led her to her destination, the clergyman then excused himself with a polite nod of his head. He had other duties to attend to.

Draco had been sitting at a lavish desk in his room when Ebalia had let herself in. Despite trying to be as silent as possible, her prescience did not go unnoticed, and the Oblivionite leader paused in his writing to look back at her. The single eye on his forehead blinked before it narrowed. “What do you want,” he demanded, a twinge of irritation in his voice. “I'm busy, kid.” Instead of responding verbally, the young girl just held up her two dragon soul orbs. She was too in awe to speak. There, in front of her, was Draco Verrano – one of her all-time biggest heroes! Of course, she had lost her words. Yet when he saw that the apprentice had dragon souls for him, he seemed to calm down a bit, his lone eye softening. “Ah, right,” he said, waving a hand dismissingly over at a small table in the middle of the room. “Set them there and be on your way. Though, thank you for your contribution, child. I appreciate your help.” And with that, he turned back away from her.

Not wanting to linger or overstay her welcome, Ebalia did exactly as she was told, setting down the dragon souls quickly. She then excused herself, but not before giving the leader of her people one last look before she left. Wow! She still couldn’t believe it. She had actually met Draco Verrano! With a sensation of pride and happiness, Ebalia bound out of the Oblivion Sanctuary and made her way home. Next time she saw Naita, she would have quite the story to tell her!
(Word Count: 673/500)