十

祭典不会停止，所有人都会沉溺于轮回，而我，为这个故事写上开头。

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the offering

one

when the bell tolls，i know the ceremony is about to begin.

it‘s a family tradition，held every eighteen years on this day，where the family hosts a grand and luxurious sacrificial rite to honor our supreme deity.

two

and i am the sole priestess in this ritual.

three

dressed in the intricate vestments of a priestess，i board the panquin bound for the temple under my mother‘s worried gaze. before departing，i follow the old customs of the family and bestow the priestess‘s blessing upon the unborn child in my mother‘s womb.

four

the temple is built atop a mountain，and the panquin stops at the foot of the hill. with a devout heart，i ascend the stairs leading to the temple one step at a time.

the path is long，and the ceremonial robes feel exceedingly heavy，yet i do not sense the expected weariness.

from birth，i was taught to shoulder the responsibilities of a priestess.

five

upon reaching the temple，i see everyone brimming with hope，tears welling in their eyes. they retreat naturally behind me，igniting the candle in my hand. i understand that the path ahead is mine alone to tread，for no one other than the priestess is allowed inside the temple.

six

the temple is dark; the door opens briefly before closing again. holding the only source of light，i slowly make my way inside. i swear that no one has ever entered here，for if they did，they would witness the bones strewn across the floor.