The carriage wheels clattered steadily over the rough stone road. Dawn had just broken on the eastern horizon, painting the thin, white clouds a pale pinkish-orange. The early morning air in Ethiopia was still cool, carrying the dampness of dew and the scent of the earth after a long night. Rober, inhabiting the body of Linus, sat quietly in the simple carriage, his eyes gazing out at the passing scenery.
Last night had certainly been long and eventful. He had faced a noisy mob, participated in an unwilling brawl, discovered the existence of an underground arena, and, more importantly, secured Phylas's promise regarding discipleship at the temple. But afterwards, he had been separated from Alcon and Phylas at the fork in the road, left completely adrift, unsure where to go in this unfamiliar body.
Fortunately, he still had the heavy iron keyring for the castle armory, given to him by the grumpy old keeper. After some deliberation, he had decided to return there, find a secluded corner, and sleep fitfully through the night amidst the cold, dusty weapons. Though lacking a soft bed and warm blankets, it was infinitely better than sleeping on the streets, exposed to the cold sea breeze and the unpredictable dangers of this coastal city at night.
"Not the smoothest start" Rober thought silently "but at least I have a clearer objective now. Becoming a disciple of a god... perhaps that will be the key to understanding the mechanics of magic in this dream and finding a way back."
He recalled his discoveries from the previous day. The Sage System still activated when someone else asked him a question. The incantations using the divine languages from his second world were completely ineffective. However, the incident where Queen Cassiopeia could "slip her tongue" and infuriate the sea god Poseidon suggested that the gods of ancient Greek mythology the gods he knew from his past life could still hear and potentially intervene in this dream.
"Therefore" he mused "I must become a disciple of the gods at this temple to find answers about their language."
"Hey, Linus! What are you daydreaming about?"
Phylas's call pulled Rober from his wandering thoughts. He turned to see the nobleman looking at him with a teasing smile.
"We've arrived" Phylas said, gesturing out of the carriage.
Rober followed Phylas's pointing finger. Before him stood a massive, ancient, and solemn structure.
The Temple of the Gods in Ethiopia. This was the first time he had seen another large architectural edifice besides the royal castle he'd glimpsed yesterday.
This temple didn't resemble the magnificent, stately classical Greek temples he had seen in books from his previous life. It possessed a simpler, more practical, and considerably rougher beauty. The temple was constructed primarily from local materials large stones, roughly hewn; sturdy, massive timbers; and even bricks made from sun-dried mud and straw.
The architecture focused mainly on the interior worship space and especially on the large altar area situated outdoors, directly before the main entrance hall. Rober guessed this was used for animal sacrifice rituals, an important rite in the local people's worship of the gods.
The influence of Aegean Bronze Age architecture was quite evident, with large columns lacking intricate decoration and thick, solid stone walls. Here and there, one could spot a few decorative elements hinting at Near Eastern or Ancient Egyptian culture, but only as a vague blend, seen through the lens of this dream's world.
Surrounding the temple was a vast courtyard, a sacred precinct enclosed by a low stone wall. The focal point of this outdoor area was the large altar, made of granite, with small grooves carved into it to drain the blood of sacrifices. Around the altar grew several ancient trees with lush foliage, considered sacred groves where the gods might manifest.
Rober and Phylas stepped down from the carriage. Phylas turned to the driver "You may return now. I shall find my own way back when my business here is concluded."
The driver bowed his head in acknowledgment, then urged the horse away, leaving Rober and Phylas standing before the solemn temple gate.
Phylas turned to look at Rober, his eyes showing amusement but also lingering curiosity.
"Well, Linus" he said "you look quite surprised. Did you grow up in this city yet never see this temple before?"
Rober managed a slight smile, quickly finding a plausible excuse:
"My Phylas, it's true I was born and lived here, but honestly, this is the first time I've been so close to the temple. Previously, I've only seen it from a distance."
Phylas nodded thoughtfully, accepting the explanation.
Together, they passed through the large gate and entered the temple precincts. Rober continuously scanned his surroundings with unconcealed curiosity and interest. He wanted to memorize every detail, every image of this place to analyze and learn more about this dream world.
The main interior space of the temple was somewhat dim. Light came primarily from oil lamps hanging on the walls and from small windows or openings in the roof designed to let in natural light from outside. In the very center of the sanctuary hall stood the primary symbol of worship for the temple.
Rober noticed many smaller statues placed along the walls and on secondary altars. Most of these statues were made of bronze, tarnished with age, showing faint signs of greenish oxidation. The temple's interior walls were coated with rough plaster and decorated with simple patterns geometric lines, wave motifs, depictions of ritual scenes, and familiar mythological stories.
This place lacked the gleam, splendor, or luxury of the churches and temples Rober had seen in his second world. Yet, its classical austerity, solemnity, and mystery exuded a distinct nobility and sacredness.
Soon, Phylas led Rober to the central area of the sanctuary, where the main altar stood.
"Wait here for me a moment, will you" Phylas said.
Then, he walked towards a middle-aged man standing nearby, dressed in a long white robe embroidered with religious symbols in gold thread. This was a priest consecrated, responsible for performing worship rites, offering sacrifices, and overseeing the temple.
Rober waited, watching Phylas and the priest converse in low, respectful tones. While waiting, he took the opportunity to examine the statues of the gods placed around the sanctuary.
Many statues looked familiar; he could identify them immediately based on characteristic symbols like a thunderbolt, a trident, or a helmet.
But there were also several other statues that Rober couldn't recognize at all. It wasn't because he didn't know the gods they represented, but because these particular statues, for some reason, were not sculpted with clear, distinct details like those he had seen in books from his past life. These statues, though human-shaped, had a vague, indistinct quality, as if shrouded by a thin silk veil, preventing the viewer from clearly discerning the faces or specific features of the gods. This struck Rober as very strange and puzzling.
After a short while, Phylas returned, accompanied by the priest.
"Linus" Phylas said "before we begin the rite, there is something I must explain clearly to you."
He paused briefly, then continued:
"According to the beliefs of us Ethiopians, an ordinary person may worship many different gods, praying for their help and blessings. However, to become a true believer, an official disciple, you must choose one specific god to venerate, to place your entire faith in, and to serve."
Rober nodded, indicating he understood. He knew that choosing a god to worship wasn't merely a matter of faith; it could also affect his ability to use that god's language in magic something very important to him right now.
He began to weigh his options. Which god should he choose? Zeus, king of the gods, powerful but also tyrannical? Poseidon, god of the sea, mighty but volatile? Hades, ruler of the underworld, mysterious and fearsome? Or Athena, the goddess of wisdom whom Phylas worshipped?
After careful consideration, Rober decided on a god he believed might offer him the most benefit in his current circumstances.
He looked up, addressing Phylas and the priest, his voice clear and firm:
"I choose the God Amun."
Amun, as Rober knew from his previous life, was an ancient Egyptian deity but one with significant influence and connections within Greek mythology. He was often depicted with ram horns and considered a supreme god, king of the gods, creator of the universe, and giver of life. What was most unique about Amun was his ability to combine, to syncretize, with many different gods over time and according to shifting beliefs, creating complex divine forms like Amun-Ra, combined with the Sun God Ra. Amun-Min, combined with the Fertility God Min. Amun-Kamutef, representing self-creation. And even Amun-Zeus, combined with the Greek Zeus.
Amun's ability to merge with other deities reflected his expansive reach and supreme power. Rober hoped that becoming a disciple of Amun might help him better understand the connections between gods, between pantheons, and perhaps find a way to communicate with and utilize the languages of multiple gods more effectively.
Hearing Rober choose Amun, Phylas burst into hearty laughter, clapping him on the shoulder.
"Ha ha! Well chosen, Linus! That's a very popular choice, very safe, and also very clever! God Amun is a great deity, worshipped by many of us Ethiopians. Becoming his disciple will surely bring you many benefits."
The priest also smiled, a kind and solemn expression. He approached Rober and said:
"Then let us begin the rite, son of Amun."