Armen’s Side
At the Chief Agbazarth’s house in Tatkhion,
“Armen, where are you going?”
The head of the family was surprised because that middle-aged man looked at his eldest son, who had risen from the chair, even though the rest of the family had not finished eating. That young man, whose name his father had mentioned before, turned his head and, from his face, looked normal.
“I want to go to the temple, Dad.”
A silver-haired man gaped when he heard the answer from the other person. Meanwhile, his wife and the youngest, who were originally eating food, now turned their attention to the conversation that was created between the father and his elder son. They seemed to find an interesting spectacle, so missing it would be a shame.
“A temple? Why do you want to go there all of a sudden? Is there a special worship ceremony this week?” asked Lebrazht, probing.
“Does going to the temple need a special reason, Dad? I guess not. I just want to pray there,” replied Armen.
The thirty-five-year-old man still did not want to answer specifically, so suspicion began to grow within his biological father. “Do not be stupid, Son. Everything has a logical reason, but you seem to hide something. You made me suspicious. You must stay at home, because later we will have guests.”
“Why should I wait at home with the excuse of having guests? I do not who are the guests that you were talking about and if I do not know about that people, then they might be your guests. Do not involve me with your business, Dad.”
I feel grateful because I have a mother who always tells me everything, especially about the flirty girl who always tries to attract my attention, so when she has the chance to come here, I can run away immediately, thought Armen, irritated.
“How dare you go against me!”Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.
“No, I do not. It is just your opinion, Dad. Besides, this is not the first time you have always forced your own will on me, so even when I do not want to agree, you always say like that.”
“Anyway, you can’t go anywhere! You have to wait for the guest here!”
“No. I reject it. I want to go to the temple. Why did you insist I to meet with them? Who are they? Are the guests come from the important person?”
Before the father opened his mouth to continue the debate, that burly man continued his speech. “One thing; since when is it forbidden to worship the Gods, Dad? Do humans have to wait for the ceremonial moment before going to the temple? Would not it be better to worship them every day so that our village could be spared from harm?” Armen deliberately suppressed the word for word in the last sentence, intending to intimidate his father.
A man, who resembled his eldest son, was struck by what Armen had said. Unknowingly, his jaw tightened as if he was ready to spill out annoyance. However, the man who liked a strange girl who could fly in the sky chose not to prolong the conversation, then looked at his little brother and his mother, who had been observing their conversation for a long time.
“Mom, Agtheo, I am going first. I will be back later.”
After saying this, the brown-skinned man, because he had a lot of outdoor activities, left his family members. Meanwhile, his father did not restrain or scold Armen. The hazel-eyed man seemed to allow his first son to do whatever he wanted.
Not long after, the handsome man left the house. The scorching sun directly hit his skin, but this was not a problem for the brown-haired man. He continued on his way without looking back. “Thanks, Mom, because you were saving me from that bitch guest,” Armen muttered softly.
***
Thirty minutes later
A man who had a height of one hundred and ninety-two centimetres tall had arrived somewhere. There he could see a staircase that steps before reaching the main door. Without hesitation, as soon as possible, Armen climbed it. When he had finished doing these actions, the first son of Lugthna’s family began to enter the temple.
When Armen was about to go further into the temple, he saw a white-robed man walking quickly. He came from inside the temple, carrying a plate of fruit which would be an offering to God. Before the man passed him, that mature guy greeted him warmly, “Good afternoon, High Priest.”
The white-bearded man stopped walking and then turned his head to the source of the sound. There was already a very familiar young man, so he smiled broadly. “Good afternoon, Armen,” he greeted warmly.
“How are you, High Priest?”
The handsome guy, who was still single, was happy but also relieved at the same time because the situation at his destination seemed so relaxed that no one else could overhear their conversation. The heat was no longer felt because Armen was already in the temple, although he had not yet entered the shrine. In fact, the light breeze began to be felt by the two men who were standing in front of the main door of the shrine.
“I am great, Armen. How about you? Is there anything I can help you with?”
“I want to pray in front of the statue of the Lord Magthant. Should I bring an offering to him?” asked Armen. The doubts began to appear on his face, so as soon as possible, the High Priest understood, and he seemed to know already what would happen next.
“It depends on your intention. If you want to ask for his help regarding a girl, then it is better to make an offering so later that God is willing to help you,” replied the other person.
The green-eyed man was silent for a while. He seemed to be thinking about something. Meanwhile, the High Priest was still waiting for information from the chief’s son, with no intention of disturbing Armen at all. The atmosphere was quiet again because the conversation that had been created had stopped.
To be honest, I came here because I wanted to avoid Atlanta because my mom told me to go. But now I am here and do not know yet what to do. Is it better to pray for something general rather than ask for help approaching the opposite sex? Thought Armen, who was still undecided.
“I guess… I want to do an ordinary prayer, High Priest. If that is the case, then there is no need to make an offer, right?” asked Armen, curious. The man whom the Moon Goddess had saved finally commented after a moment of silence.
The middle-aged man smiled. “If that is the case, then no problem. But I will give you a suggestion to give a small offering to him. Who knows, when you are in the worship room, suddenly, the desire arises to ask him for something. Do not come before a God or Goddess empty-handed. Give them a small yet sincere offering, even though it is just a simple thing. The most important thing is you give it to them with the grateful heart. If you do that, then they will help you.”
Armen pondered for a moment after hearing the advice of the religious leader. He sighed, realizing that it was his own fault that he chose to go there, but it was too late to retreat or leave the temple without praying to God.
“But I did not bring fruit or flowers as an offering, High Priest.” Armen moved both palms, which indicated that man did not bring anything to give as an offering, even though a simple thing to the Lord Magthant.
“Do not worry, Armen. I will help you.”
***