The Nature of Holy Light and a Challenge to the Divine

What, exactly, was Holy Light?

According to the ancients, Holy Light was the omnipotent God’s sole gift to humanity, bestowed during an era of encroaching darkness to combat it. Unlike elemental magic, Holy Light was born from faith, virtue, and the desire to protect others, ultimately receiving a divine response. Its radiance guided and dispelled all darkness, serving as the very materialization of will.

To many others, however, Holy Light was merely another form of energy. Its application, though often shrouded in mystery, was fundamentally no different from other controlled elements. Perhaps prayers were simply another type of incantation, and the complexity surrounding it merely served to conceal this simple truth.

Yet, he understood the fundamental fallacy in this belief. Thanks to Eric’s teachings, he had come to grasp the clear distinction between magical elements and Holy Light. Unlike elements, which manipulated space, Holy Light was a power that emanated from within.

‘This is my power.’ He thought this the first time he felt the light coalesce in his hands. The power of light suppressed all other elemental attributes. Unlike mages, he wasn’t surrounded by swirling elements; he could only feel this warm power originating from deep within his heart, yet it was easier to control than any magic. Light could assume any form, and this inner strength of his simply manifested like fire.

“I haven’t learned any prayers… and I don’t know many incantations.” The young man stood in the plaza, glancing at the bag at his side. Inside lay the only book he had brought with him: his mother, Saint Livia’s, holy scripture notes, and the only book he had never ceased reading.

****

‘…She wrote in it, “Holy Light originates from beautiful things.” If one prays from the heart, He will hear. Yet, I have never managed it. Isn’t it ironic that someone without faith possesses a power others revere as faith?’

‘If deities truly exist, how could they allow this world to become so wretched?’

‘I often visited the slums. There was a time when I was young when I disliked Hillevi, so I secretly ran away from the forest and came here. You should remember.’

‘I lived among the people of the underground city. Never before had I found bread mixed with sawdust so delicious, nor had I imagined people would fight fiercely over a bowl of soup. In this world overflowing with victory, some had to struggle with all their might just to survive. From that moment on, perhaps my faith vanished.’

‘They called this the Golden Age after victory, yet behind the radiant light lay such decay… For a while, after understanding my true identity, I even considered surrendering myself to the Council… Later, Eric told me that this was simply reality: the Holy See wasn’t evil, but people were. The Council wasn’t righteous; they were merely the arbiters of order. You don’t need to be controlled by them; you must make your own choices.’

At this point, looking at the priest before him, the golden-haired youth, who had been bowing his head, now raised it, revealing a face as beautiful as a woman’s.

“I must choose for myself what kind of person I want to be.”

“It seems all these years, my attempts to bring you into the church met with no response because of him, didn’t they? Yet, on this point, he is correct. Anto, your choices determine the person you will become. You can inherit your father’s will, and many will support you. You can choose a different path, and others will follow you. You can even choose to live anonymously; no one will blame you. The Lord believes every choice made by an individual lies within His path, and we will not force you to choose. However…”

“Only when you truly believe in what you are doing will He respond to your aspirations.”

****

At this moment, holding the holy scripture, he recited as if a devout believer. Even amidst the darkness, his figure remained illuminated by the spreading radiance around him. His attire appeared to be just an ordinary shirt and cloak, yet under the light’s glow, the cloak became pristine white, and a sacred aura emanated from his entire being.

Gazg at the youth before him, who possessed such a captivating, maiden-like beauty and exuded a sacred aura, Eric found himself recalling the past within the glow of the light. It was his second year here, back when he was still an eccentric old mage.

****

“What’s wrong?”

“They… they said I’m not a boy, and they won’t play with me… Even though I’ve already changed my clothes… I… I want to be more masculine.”

“Haha, you can’t achieve something like that with just a burst of spirit; it requires a gradual approach. But I don’t think you need to change too much; you’re quite good as you are. Did you know that in ancient times, people believed angels in legends possessed both female and male characteristics? This was because God wished to show He held no favoritism, so His messengers ought to embody both. There’s nothing shameful about it; it’s…”

****

“…It’s a blessing.” Eric lay there, watching the presence suffused with Holy Light before him, chuckling to himself before speaking.

“Anto, you truly are an angel.”

‘To wield Holy Light, you must first believe in Him, embrace His glory, and then miracles will manifest.’

‘Is that truly so?’

“If You love the world, answer my plea.”

“If glory and love truly reside within Your hallowed halls, then reveal them, so Your believers may have faith.”

“Your miracles only appear in legends, so why do You now watch as everything collapses? Do You truly love the world? Can You truly see all this?”

“If all this suffering is the consequence of sin, then why do You have the right to define it all? Why do You close Your eyes and watch as everything steadily worsens? Everyone has a duty, so have You fulfilled Yours?”

“If You haven’t done any of this… what right do You have to ask for my faith, my revered God?” Anto declared, setting down the book as light blossomed in his hands. “Since You cannot accomplish such things, if I succeed, wouldn’t that mean I am more useful than You yourself?”

“Enough, enough. I don’t believe in Your existence, for You have never shown Yourself. Mother was a devout follower, yet You let her die in a forgotten land. I am no believer, yet You granted me this power? Ha… don’t make me laugh. This power does not belong to You.”

“This is my power, my will.” Anto extended his hand, and light bloomed from his arm, gathering to cover the collapsing barrier in the sky.

“And I choose to act in Your stead… to formally assume Your duties and enjoy Your rights. My Lord.”