Grassland.
Sakaze.
Outside the magnificent temple in the center of the city, the square was packed with people kneeling densely across it.
Beneath the white jade statue of the god stood an altar, where a shaman dressed in red sacrificial robes was casting a spell.
His entire body was covered in colorful patterns. He danced wildly, muttering incantations under his breath.
A dazzling halo of multicolored light spread outward from the altar, sweeping over the believers in the square before continuing farther still.
Centered around the temple, people knelt all along the streets throughout the city.
This was a citywide ceremony, a funeral held for Huyan He Tai, the First Warrior of Sakaze Temple, who had already died!
Across the grassland, the greatest religion was the Fulfillment Wish Sect, which worshiped the Man God.
The Grassland Royal Court ruled under a system in which religion and politics were one, with religious authority above royal power. Every successive ruler had to be crowned by the Grand Man of the Fulfillment Wish Sect.
Therefore, for the funeral of the First Warrior of Sakaze Temple, every citizen in the city had to participate.
Woo--
The deep sound of a horn rang out from the temple and spread throughout the city.
When they heard the horn, the people kneeling in the streets straightened one after another. Holding up white cloth, they raised it toward the sky and cried out in grief:
"Tengget, Yawula--"
"Tengget, Yawula--"
"Tengget, Yawula--"
This was a grassland phrase meaning, "May the soul return to the heavens."
The cries of more than a hundred thousand people gradually merged into one, forming a mournful song that struck straight at the soul and drifted toward the highest heavens!
Outside the temple, atop the altar.
The First Shaman of Sakaze Temple, Huyan Pushan, lowered