**A Divine Calling**

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 in her sleep, the familiar dream enveloping her once again. The air was thick with a luminescent glow, casting soft shadows against the walls of a grand cathedral. In the center stood a woman cloaked in azure, her features radiant and serene. "You must build a church," the woman beckoned, her voice a whisper that danced on the edge of the night. Each time this vision unfolded, Esmeralda felt a pull from deep within her, a calling she could not comprehend. Awakening with a start, Esmeralda's heart raced, the words echoing like a heartbeat in her mind. She could scarcely shake the feeling of reverence the woman invoked, but each day in the streets of Paris, reality loomed like a dark cloud over her dreams. The struggles of her life—a Romani dancer, a marginalized soul navigating through a city of spires and shadows—caught her in a web of doubt. Why would a divine figure choose her for such a monumental task? The next morning, as sunlight filtered through the narrow alley where she lived, Esmeralda resolved to seek counsel from the cathedral’s Bishop. He was a man of faith, knowledge, and wisdom—surely he would understand the weight of her prophetic dreams. Clad in her simple attire, she journeyed through the cobblestone streets lined with flowers and the murmurs of townsfolk, their lives intertwining with her own like strands of a delicate tapestry. Upon entering the cathedral, the towering arches greeted her with an embrace of cool stone. The scent of incense suffused the air, and the flickering candles illuminated the sacred space. Esmeralda approached the Bishop with trepidation. He was in deep conversation with a few clergy members, but his gaze fell upon her, drawing her in like a moth to a flame. “Esmeralda, my child,” he said, his voice warm and welcoming. “What brings you here today?” She hesitated, gathering her thoughts. “Your Grace, I… I have been having the same dream each night. A woman appears to me, telling me to build a church.” The Bishop’s brow furrowed, a mix of concern and curiosity etched upon his features. “A church, you say? That is quite a vision for a young woman such as yourself. Have you learned anything of her?” Esmeralda shook her head. “No, Your Grace. I feel a profound connection to her, yet I can’t grasp who she truly is. I must understand…” “Tonight,” he encouraged, “when she visits you again, ask her who she is. It is important to know the messenger if you are to heed the message.” As night fell, Esmeralda found solace on her small cot, the world around her quieting down as the moon rose high in the velvet sky. She clutched a small pendant—a gift from Phoebus, a gentle knight who had shown her kindness. Its cool surface against her palm steadied her heart as she drifted into sleep, the cathedral’s towering silhouette etched against her closed eyelids. The woman appeared once more, her presence unwavering as she beckoned Esmeralda closer. “You must build a church,” she urged, her voice somehow almost tangible this time. “But first, you must know who I am.” Esmeralda took a deep breath, gathering her courage. “Who are you?” she demanded, resonance mingling with urgency. The woman smiled, her eyes filled with understanding, and replied, “I am the Immaculate Conception, a promise of hope and purity. I guide the lost.” The revelation struck Esmeralda like a bolt of lightning. The Immaculate Conception—the very essence of compassion, grace, and motherly love. She closed her eyes, overwhelmed by a wave of understanding. “Mary?” she whispered, her heart swelling with reverence. “Yes, my child. This city needs a beacon, a place of sanctuary for the weary and the downtrodden, as you once were. You hold the power to create hope with your hands and your heart.” “What can I do?” Esmeralda implored, her voice barely louder than a breath. “I am but a dancer, a Romani girl with little means.” “But you are more than that, dearest Esmeralda,” Mary replied, her voice a symphony of encouragement. “Your spirit inspires others. Gather those who share your visions, unite them in purpose. Together, you can construct a place where the lost will find solace, and the world can witness the light you bring.” Awakening with renewed purpose, Esmeralda knew what she had to do. The unease that settled in her heart as she confronted the doubts of the world began to dissipate. She would rally those around her—Phoebus, Clopin, and even the hidden spirit of Quasimodo who longed for acceptance. They would be the architects of this vision, crafting a sanctuary for all whose souls wandered the streets without a home. Days turned into weeks as she poured herself into the community’s work, the resonance of Mary’s voice guiding her through every effort, each labor reminding her of the divine embrace she felt in her dream. With full hearts and trembling hands, they began to set the foundations of a church—a haven built from their faith and resilience. Rumors swirled through the city about the strange band of misfits working together for a common goal. Many were skeptical, yet others—those who had felt the sting of rejection—joined their cause, drawn in by the light of hope. Together, they crafted a vision manifesting from dreams into reality, offering refuge to all. As the sun set upon the horizon, painting the sky in hues of crimson and gold, Esmeralda stood before the nearly finished edifice, the air filled with laughter and chatter. Together, they had laid not just bricks and mortar, but the very essence of community, compassion, and existence. Underneath the stars, she whispered an offering of gratitude, knowing that Mary's spirit watched over them, her ethereal presence forever entwined in the cathedral’s walls. They had built more than a church—they had created a home, united not by creed but by their shared humanity, their hearts forever illuminated by the divine calling that had transformed them all.