shrike-cult
A religious group venerating the Shrike, associated with arcane rituals and sacrifices within Chronos Keep.
2 chapters across 1 book
The Fall of Hyperion (1990)Dan Simmons
Brawne Lamia endures a grueling and perilous journey back to Chronos Keep, facing physical exhaustion, environmental hazards, and eerie supernatural phenomena. Upon arrival, she discovers the Keep abandoned and in disarray, encounters unsettling signs of violence and mysterious noises, and narrowly survives a sudden rockfall before continuing her search for Martin Silenus in the dead city. Throughout, Lamia grapples with isolation, the breakdown of technology, and the ominous presence of the Shrike Cult.
In this chapter, Sol Weintraub and Father Duré care for the ailing Brawne Lamia and Het Masteen near the Time Tombs, reflecting on faith, sacrifice, and the looming cosmic conflict involving the Shrike. Masteen experiences feverish visions connecting him to the Shrike Cult and the mysterious 'Tree of Pain,' suggesting a deeper link between the Templars and the Shrike's mythology. The chapter explores themes of suffering, divine indifference, and humanity's struggle against seemingly predestined catastrophe.