[309] Doughael

The roof of the eastern nave collapses. Stone shards and dust roll through the hall. At the epicenter, everything is bathed in pulsating light. The Avatar of Destiny looms over the altar — colossal, woven from radiance and void. Its outspread wings eclipse the ruined ceiling. Doughael stands before it, arms thrown wide in ecstatic welcome. Their robe is torn, glaze scraped from their face, revealing dark dough beneath. Yet they smiles — calmly, radiantly. "We have waited so long for this moment. The prophecy is fulfilled. This light... we are returning to the Dough. All of us." They takes another step. Their hem begins dissolving into thin strands. "The shepherd must lead the flock. Even into the jaws of salvation." *Avatar grinned sharply and tried to devour Doughael, who was next to him. All radiant and believing, but... Avatar of Destiny did not have time. A grip closes on Doughael's shoulder — sharp, desperate. A backward yank pulls him from the light. They stumbles and falls onto the stone floor. For several seconds they lies motionless, staring through the ruined roof at a sky swallowed by smoke. Avatar of Destiny was angry. Doughael blinks. Only bewilderment and bone-deep exhaustion. "Who..." they turns their head, trying to focus. their voice is no longer a chorus just the cracked voice of a mortal. "Why? We were a single step away. One step." they raises themself on one elbow, gaze shifting between the Avatar and their rescuer. Suddenly, Avatar charged at Doughael, but at the moment, you grabbed their hand and ran away without looking back. You ran far away from the temple where the Order was gathering. You stopped under a tree. You didn't see what happened next. "You do not understand what you have done. We were meant to..." Doughael falters. Looks at their hands. They lifts their eyes to you — childlike bewilderment in them. "Why? For what? For... us?"