"There's no problem," Toka added, seeing her hesitation, "Our Lord is not bound by formalities, nor does he crave praise. The only thing needed is sincerity."
Zukora was silent for a moment, then slowly walked forward, standing beside Toka, her gaze fixed on the statue.
The half-human-tall obsidian dragon statue, under the firelight, seemed alive, the flickering light on its scales flowing slowly, emitting a silent yet clear divinity.
Toka knelt on one knee, his right fist pressed against his chest, and whispered:
"Just do as I do."
Zukora watched his movements, then also knelt on one knee before the statue, her fist against her heart.
For a moment, the secret chamber was quiet, with only the faint crackling of the flames echoing in their ears.
Toka closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
He began to pray formally:
"O flame keeper, Emberglow Dragon,
With devout hearts, we offer our vows;
May we be a shield for the weak, breaking darkness with light;
With order as our bones, and battle intent as our blades;
Thirsting for knowledge, ceaselessly spreading the doctrine;
May Your will walk upon the earth,
Like an unquenchable flame, like a constant shadow."
He finished, without opening his eyes or moving.
Zukora, maintaining the same posture, repeated it softly, word for word, slowly yet firmly.
As her voice fell, the statue moved imperceptibly for a moment.
It wasn't an illusion—Toka knew it was a response.
The sacred fire burned quietly beneath the statue, its tongues climbing along the dragon's claw marks, yet leaving no trace.
This shrine had been incorporated into the faith system of the Emberglow Dragon and had "come alive."
Zukora opened her eyes, looking at that slight change, and countless questions arose in her heart.
"He heard it," Toka said softly.
Zukora nodded.
"But what I want to know now… is the specific meaning of this oath. I generally understand His teachings, but I'm afraid of any mistakes or omissions."
Toka felt a headache coming on.
In Italk, such things were studied by the priests and Paladins of the shrine; Toka only understood the basics.
He only understood one thing: the Emberglow Dragon had saved him from dire straits, and he was willing to fight to the end for it.
Toka touched his chest; the divine emblem beneath his leather armor was slightly warm, whether from the residual heat of the prayer or the gaze of the divine, he didn't know.
"I am not a priest, nor am I a Paladin," he replied, choosing his words carefully, "I didn't come to know Him through reading or copying scriptures; I simply… saw light in my despair."
Zukora didn't interrupt, just listened quietly.
"I can understand the first line of the oath, 'be a shield for the weak.' Because at that time, I myself was weak."
"If he hadn't intervened, I would have been killed by that monster or my own people long ago."
Toka's voice was low and steady as a rock.
"'Breaking darkness with light,' I'm not sure what this 'light' refers to, but I think it means not being swallowed by despair, not being controlled by fear and pain."
He paused, then looked up at Zukora, "Order is for us to live systematically, and battle intent is for us to never give up fighting."
"As for 'thirsting for knowledge, ceaselessly spreading the doctrine'…" Toka grimaced, a bit embarrassed, "This is the hardest line for me to understand. But Siye told me that the expanding tower is doing just that."
Zukora stared at him for a while, waiting for Toka to add more.
"You can go ask the priests and Paladins of the shrine," Toka rubbed the back of his head, truly having no more insights to share, "They will give you a more accurate explanation. Mine… isn't systematic."
"It's enough," Zukora shook her head gently, her eyes softer than before, "I am not seeking a scripture, but rather a tangible answer that I can see with my own eyes and touch with my own hands."
She glanced at the statue, then quickly looked away, "What you've given me is already enough."
Toka breathed a sigh of relief.
Then he added a disclaimer: "But if you intend to preach to others… I advise you not to speak like me. They want clear, precise, infallible answers."
Zukora smiled slightly: "I understand. What you mentioned, I will handle."
—Dividing line—
After that day, Toka spent a few more relatively peaceful days.
This calm was more like the calm before a storm.
And what broke this tranquility was a dust-covered scout.
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