The Dream of the Immaculate

Prompt: Hunchback of Norte dame fanfiction Esmeralda has the same dream every night a woman who tells her to build a church troubled by this she talks to the bishop the bishop tells her to ask the woman who she is the next Esmeralda does this and the woman tells her that she is the immaculate conception that’s when Esmeralda realizes the woman is Mary

Esmeralda stirred awake, her heart still echoing the beats of the dream that had haunted her night after night. In the flickering candlelight of her modest room, she could still sense the presence of the woman who appeared to her—a figure draped in blue and white, whose serene face radiated an ethereal glow. Every night, the woman whispered the same message, urging her to build a church. The words, soft yet insistent, ignited a flame of purpose within Esmeralda that left her both enchanted and troubled. What did it mean? Why was she chosen for this task? The guidance felt both divine and daunting. After enduring another night filled with visions of the exquisite woman and the stony foundations of a grand cathedral rising before her, Esmeralda resolved to seek wisdom from the city’s most revered authority—the Bishop of Paris. She crossed through the bustling streets, her heart racing with anxious anticipation. The sun’s rays streamed down on the cobblestones, glinting off the towers of the Notre Dame Cathedral, an architectural beauty that stood as a testament to devotion crafted in stone. Upon entering the grand cathedral, the soft light filtered through the stained glass, casting colorful patterns onto the stone floor. The air smelled of incense and wax, a comforting presence in a world fraught with turmoil and uncertainty. Esmeralda approached the Bishop, his rich robes contrasting sharply with her colorful skirts, her dark hair cascading over her shoulders like a waterfall. “Your Eminence,” she said respectfully, kneeling. “I bear a burden I cannot understand. I have been visited in my dreams by a woman…she tells me to build a church.” The Bishop furrowed his brow, regarding her with both curiosity and concern. “And what is it that troubles you, my child?” “She is beautiful and wise, but I do not know who she is. I fear I am not worthy of such a grand task. The church is a monumental undertaking!” Esmeralda’s voice trembled as she spoke her fears aloud. “Perhaps you should ask her,” the Bishop replied gently, his eyes gleaming with encouragement. “If she has chosen you to bear this message, it is important to seek the truth of her identity. Pray for guidance, and when next you dream, formulate your question clearly. Ask her who she is.” Returning to her tiny abode once more, Esmeralda prepared for sleep with an unusual mix of anxiety and hope. She lit a single candle and knelt before it, her hands clasped in prayer. “Please, if you truly intend to guide me, reveal your identity. Show me the path you wish for me to walk.” Slumber overtook her, and soon she found herself once again in the dreamland—a world where the air felt charged with purpose. The familiar figure appeared, bathed in soft moonlight, and Esmeralda’s heart surged with anticipation. “Who are you?” she asked, her voice steady yet reverberating with uncertainty. “You tell me to build a church, but I need to understand who you are in order to follow your calling.” The woman smiled, her eyes full of warmth. “I am she who was foretold. I am the Immaculate Conception,” she said, each word resonating with a divine clarity that echoed within Esmeralda’s soul. Recognition washed over Esmeralda like a wave crashing against the shore. The woman, the serene figure she had longed to understand, was not just an ethereal presence; she was Mary, the mother of Jesus, revered in churches and hearts throughout the world. “Oh dear mother,” Esmeralda breathed, a mixture of reverence and awe flowing through her. “Why do you ask this of me? This dream… this calling… it is more than I can comprehend.” Mary stepped closer, her gaze penetrating and full of compassion. “In times of despair and darkness, faith often lays its foundations through those willing to listen to their hearts. You are emboldened by your spirit, strong in your conviction to aid others. A church is not merely a building of stone, but a sanctuary of hope, a gathering place for those seeking solace and community.” Esmeralda felt tears prick her eyes, understanding cascading over her like warm light. “I want to help my people, to create a place where compassion reigns. Yet, what if I fail?” “You will not walk alone,” Mary reassured her, the confidence in her words wrapping around Esmeralda’s heart like a protective embrace. “Trust in your dreams, and let love guide your hands. Together, we will create a haven.” With the dream fading, Esmeralda awoke to find the morning sun spilling into her room, illuminating her face. She sat up, a renewed sense of purpose coursing through her. Inspired by Mary’s words, she made her way to a nearby temple where numerous souls often sought refuge. There, she spoke with those who shared her vision—a place that embraced every heart, a sanctuary devoted to love and acceptance. Days turned into weeks as Esmeralda gathered a community around her. Builders, artisans, and even those who had once been discouraged by the world’s indifference flocked to her cause. They worked tirelessly, bricks and mortar blending with laughter and prayer, each stone laid down for a purpose greater than themselves. In the evenings, Esmeralda often stood beneath the starlit sky, gazing toward the moon and whispering her gratitude for the guidance she felt deep in her soul. The church—a symbol of faith and unity—began to rise from the ground, echoing the dream that had ignited a fierce fire within her heart. As the first stone was laid, Esmeralda knew that her dream was no longer just a whisper carried on the winds of night; it was a living testament to hope, a sacred promise borne from a divine encounter, and guided by the loving spirit of the woman she had come to know as Mary.