第3章 《祭祀》

《祭祀》

一

当钟声响起时，我便知道，祭典要开始了。

这是家族的传统，每隔十八年的今天，家族都会召开一场隆重而华贵的祭祀典礼，来供奉家族的无上的神明。

二

而我，是这场祭典上唯一的祭司。

三

我穿上复杂的祭司礼服，在母亲担忧的眼神中坐上了前往神庙的花轿。离开前，我按照家族旧礼，将祭司的祝福送给了母亲肚子里面还未出生的孩子。

四

神庙修建在山上，花轿停在山脚，我怀着虔诚的心，一步一步走上了前往神庙的楼梯。

山路很长，此时的祭司服变得十分厚重，但我感受不到这该有的疲惫。

我从出生起，便被教导要背负起祭司的责任。

五

在到达到神庙后，我看着所有人都饱含希冀、热泪盈眶。他们十分自然地退至我的身后，点燃了我手中的烛火。我知道，接下来的路，只有自己。因为神庙，是不容许除祭司以外的人进入的。

六

神庙很暗，那扇大门在短暂的打开后，又关闭了起来。我举着唯一的火光，慢慢向里面走去。我敢发誓，那些人绝对没有进来过，因为他们一旦走近，便会看到满地的尸骨。

七

在看到所谓的神明后，我没有一点意外。只是解开了衣服，方便“神明”的吃食。

八

从一开始，我就知道，我是这场祭典中唯一的祭品。

九

母亲肚子里面的孩子诞生了。那是我为家族留下的下一个祭品，也是下一个“我”。十八年后，他会同样成为祭司。

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。

。

。

。

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 palanquin 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 palanquin 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.

Seven

Upon seeing the so-called deity, I am not surprised. I merely undress, making myself ready for the \deity's\ feast.

Eight

From the very beginning, I knew I was the sole offering in this ceremony.

Nine

the child in my mother's womb is born. that is the next offering I leave to the family, the next \me\. In eighteen years, he too will bee a priest.

ten

the ceremony will not cease; all will be trapped in the cycle of rebirth. And I, I write the beginning of this tale.