Divine Decree

Early morning, April 26.

In a prosperous city more than a thousand kilometers south of the capital, Muse City, the local Church of Our Lady had established its principal convent in a slum known as Lasoga.

A young woman dressed in a black nun's habit, with a silver-plated broken-circle cross hanging from her chest, was walking briskly toward the church.

The nuns she passed along the way all saluted her and respectfully called out:

"Mother Superior Aurora, may Our Lady show you mercy."

"Good morning, sisters."

Aurora stopped when she saw this and returned their greetings with a radiant smile.

"May Our Lady show mercy upon you as well."

She then left beneath the nuns' respectful gazes and entered the church.

The moment she stepped inside, an elderly nun who had been quietly waiting by the door approached her. Lowering her head, she said softly:

"Aurora, Mother Superior Battalia asked me to remind you that the Church of Our Lady's Bishop Council has arrived at the convent. They are waiting in the prayer room behind the church and asked you to go over quickly."

"Sister Corti, thank you for telling me."

Aurora smiled and saluted her before continuing deeper inside.

She proceeded along the passageway beside the church wall, then entered the corridor through a side door.

After walking a little farther, Aurora stopped outside a prayer room at the rear of the church.

She took a deep breath and knocked on the door.

Knock, knock.

"Is that Aurora? Come in."

An aged woman's voice came from within.

Aurora answered yes, then pushed the door open.

Creak.

As soon as she entered, she saw that the dim prayer room was filled with white candles of various sizes, their flames flickering.

There were only four long benches inside, facing a lectern.