The citizens crowded together as tightly as possible, their umbrellas forming a sea of white bubbles floating over ebony rainwear. Today was the holiest of days, the day when the True would be rewarded and the Unworthy would be cleansed, and all were in attendance.
As soon as the statue of Lord Kamo rounded the corner at the end of the thoroughfare, a deafening roar erupted from the crowd. Having been expertly made in the likeness of their Lord, their savior, the mere sight of it evoked a fervor unlike any other. And as the statue was rolled along the congested street, the crowds' cheers reaching a fever-pitch, Lord Kamo released a deluge of holy rain upon them.
The first of the Unworthy was a young man not far from where Christopher was standing. The moment the man's umbrella began to change from white to crimson, the crowd descended upon him. Christopher was grateful he couldn't hear the screams. While he held no pity for the Unworthy, those who clearly did not love Lord Kamo as they should, he also took no joy in their punishment.
He turned his attention back to the statue as it rumbled along. He could feel Lord Kamo smile upon him as the holy rain poured over his umbrella and splashed off of the sidewalk, delighting Christopher and all of those around him. He reveled in the energy of the ritual, but only for a moment. His smile faded and his heart began to race as he noticed those around him grow quiet and still.
A mistake! Surely, a mistake!
He felt his blood turn cold as he gazed up at his crimson umbrella.
This image prompt was created by @marinaart and used by @mariannewest. The prompt page can be found here.