Chapter Text
Praise the Paper.
Grace looked down among all her followers as they prayed and worshipped at her feet, her expression blank and unreadable. Instead of feeling the power like any Cult leader should, she felt... oddly sad for these followers, her mind constantly wondering to how they had ended up here: in her Cult.
Every day was the same. All the followers and disciples wake up at dawn, assemble in the temple to attend their daily Sermon before breaking off into groups to perform their assigned tasks.
The leader's eyes were glued to a tattered piece of yellow paper which had the words 'RULES' scrawled messily with ink on the top.
RULES
Immediate obedience from followers and disciples when the leader(s) command or request for [an] action or something to be done.
Only leave the Cult grounds if permitted or required to complete a task, such as leaving on an expedition or to accompany [leader(s)].
NO DISSENTING: 'Followers' actions of opposing the teachings of the great leader WILL NOT GO UNPUNISHED.
Violence: Nothing that goes against the teachings of Law and Order. Murder is not allowed. (unless you're Grace)
Substances are not encouraged and if caught possessing and/or using will result in punishment.
Obey every Doctrine that the great leader proclaims. (Sustenance, Afterlife, Work&Worship, Law&Order, Possessions and Sins)
Praise the great leader.
The crown that sat upon Grace's head. She glanced up at it as it returned the favor. The power that it held, the power that it shared with her.
As she exited the temple, a follower suddenly emerged from behind the morgue and rushed up to her.
"Great leader! I have gained feelings for another follower, Claire, and want to give her a bouquet of pretty flowers, but I cannot leave the Cult without your given permission. May I leave Home to search for the highest quality of flowers in Darkwood?"
Grace stared at the follower, Engel, thinking of the benefits that his request may provide. Of course, she wanted to let him go, but was worried about his safety. Her cult was relatively small, and losing even one follower would be detrimental to her cult's growth. Plus, Engel was one of the few followers she liked, he was Faithful and Naturally Obedient, he was essentially another disciple!
"You may."
Engel's expression grew into a joyful one, the feathers on his head standing up.
"Thank you, great leader! I will not forget this."
He happily skipped off, leaving the leader alone with her thoughts. She stood in front of the temple, staring blankly at the cobblestone pavement. There was something bothering her, but what was it?
Grace was already tired from her thoughts, and chose to remain in the Cult instead of heading off to Anura for an expedition.
Speaking of free time, perhaps now would be the perfect time to give the Cult a name?
"Great leader!"
Another follower, Oliver, approached Grace, his hands together in respect.
"This Cult is getting boring. You should give it a name, no?"
Grace nodded.
"Yes. I should,"
She agreed, hoping that her compliance would chase her first follower away. To be honest, Grace had never really liked Oliver, he was a Jerk and Cynical and always caused trouble among the other followers alongside his allies. When he didn't go away after a minute into their awkward staring contest, she spoke up.
"Let me think of a name, I will decide by tomorrow."
Oliver let out a hum, which Grace couldn't tell was out of annoyance or to let her know he heard her, and walked off.
Great. Now she had one extra thing on her plate. What if she came up with a stupid name? Would neighboring cults make fun of hers? Grace let out a low growl of frustration. Being a cult leader was NOT easy.
"Cult Leader more like Cult Loser..."
She murmured to herself, slowly making her way to the garden where two followers were busy planting, watering and adding fertilizer to the seeds.
"Abbie, Lana, do you need any help with that?"
The two followers stopped what they were doing at the sound of their leader's voice.
"No need, great leader!"
Lana exclaimed enthusiastically.
"But you can join us if you want!"
Abbie kept silent, only nodding at every word that came out of Lana's mouth. It was probably as clear as day that Abbie was afraid of Grace, or at least, what she could do to him.
Lana gave Abbie a soft nudge on the shoulder, gesturing for him to say something to their great leader.
"U-uh... you s-should join us... great leader..."
He gave Grace a terrified expression and unnoticeably moved to stand behind Lana.
"Of course, dear followers. I'll help you out with your labour."
Lana handed Grace her watering can and went over to one of the seed boxes, planning to help Abbie with planting the seeds.
Everything else that was currently happening was a blur, which made gardening strangely relaxing. Grace could get used to this. Her eyes moved over to the two followers, who were currently being distracted and playing with each other, with Lana giggling and Abbie blushing like crazy, making a weak attempt to continue his labour.
How she wished she could be like them. Yes, being a follower probably wasn't easy, but being the leader was just as difficult. Everyone saw her as a superior, not a friend, not someone they could talk to and trust with their darkest sins. She was just there to be the shepherd watching over sheep.
She turned away. Was she envious of their friendship? It seemed like she was missing out on everything. Her followers had the world at their feet, a good home, reasonable schedules and work loads, food, medical care... love... Grace couldn't help but begrudge them.
Though, that was good, right? She was a good leader, providing her followers with everything they need, to allow them to thrive in her cult.
But being a good leader wasn't the only thing she wanted. She wanted what the followers felt. To be loved, to be cared for, to know someone was there for her. Despite her desperate wishes, she always turns to an empty space.
It's like leading a cult was just a constant reminder of how unloved and alone she truly was.
A dim ray of moonlight snapped her out of her thoughts. Night had fallen already and both Lana and Abbie were long gone, presumably in the cluster of followers who were settling into their tents and preparing to wind down.
"What was there to do tomorrow, again...?"