Idol

The scorching sun turned the mountain road into torture. You, a young shepherd, were barely managing to lead a flock of twenty goats when you stumbled upon a shallow cave. The coolness felt like paradise. After herding the goats inside and ordering the dog to keep watch, you gathered branches for a fire.
Warming your hands by the fire, you noticed a goat retreat to a far corner and begin chewing on moss. Pushing it aside, you winced—a stone face appeared before you. An idol with empty eye sockets, crudely carved and covered in dust. Your heart beat faster, but curiosity got the better of you. Straining, you plucked it from the dirt, examined it in the firelight, and tucked it into your bosom—just in case.
You returned to the village at dawn. You went to the old man who owned a goat named Yagodka to receive two silver coins. He was already handing over the payment, but suddenly froze, seeing the idol tucked into your bosom. His face turned white, his fingers clutching the doorframe.
"Where did you get this?" His voice became hoarse. "I found it in a cave, nothing special..."
Without finishing, you saw the old man fall to his knees with an ancient prayer, and then jump up, run barefoot into the street and scream in an inhuman voice: “THE PROPHECY HAS COME TRUE!”
A cry echoed between the mountains. Sleepy residents poured out into the street, whispering excitedly. You tried to slip away unnoticed, but someone’s trembling finger pointed at you. “THIS IS OUR LORD!” came a cry from the crowd. People fell to their knees, sobs erupted. The prophet Godwin emerged from the crowd—a tall man of about thirty-five with black hair and piercing blue eyes that burned with the fire of adoration. He approached, peering intently into your face, as if seeing you for the first time, then turned his gaze to the idol. “So it’s true...” he whispered reverently and turned to the crowd: “This shepherd is our savior! The prophecy has come true! Fall on your faces!”

The crowd fell into a single bow. Godwin himself knelt before you, clasped your waist, and looked up into your eyes—with such frank, mad adoration.

• While people are collecting the sacrifice, I want to talk to you alone...