第3章 《祭祀》(1/1)

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《祭祀》

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。

而我,是这场祭典上唯一的祭司。

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。

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。

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。

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。

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。

从一开始,我就知道,我是这场祭典中唯一的祭品。

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。

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.