Loki POV
Looking at the young woman, I said, speaking the same language she spoke"Unless you have information it's none of your business."
The girl frowned.
"Maybe I do, maybe I don't." The girl said, she then crossed her arm over her chest. "What is someone like you doing all this way east?"
I almost laughed. "Someone like me? You should be answering that question."
"You're from Mein right?" The girl said taking a seat opposite of me. I wanted to ignore her so badly, but the fact that she knew the the pendent was called Primstone, was enough for me to let her have her way, for now.
"I was born here." Loki said.
"Immigrant parents?" The woman asked.
"These questions are getting a bit personal, coming from someone who hadn't even introduced themselves." I said simply. I was trying to hurt her pride. She seemed to be a bit of a noble lady all in all. Or at least someone from a higher ranking than a commoner.
Hearing this, an expression of shock appeared on the woman's face, then, slight embarrassment.
"Forgive me..." she said, trailing her words. "My name is Astrid."
***
I didn't like using my power. And for the most part, I tried my best to hold back but my abilities were swayed by my emotions and they were something I never completely learned to control.
While conversing with Astrid I only used it once or twice but for the most part, I could easily tell lies from truth.
"So, the Primstone, how do you know of it?" I asked.
Astrid paused for a second. "Primstone is made only is Mein. A stone for the sorcerers, said to be forced by Demi gods."
"So you're saying Primstone is a myth." I said with disappointment dripping from my tongue.
Astrid shook her head.
"It's surrounded by myth. But that's because it's rare." Astrid said as she tapped a finger on the table.
By then, I had gotten my liquor and so I drank it responsibly. Knowing Cecilia, if she found out I was drinking, she'd probably kill me. A smile almost drifted to my lips due to this thought but I held back.
Astrid: "Why are you seeking the Primstone?"
I paused.
"Someone I love has experienced a bind. I want to free then." I said. My voice did not crack when I said this, but I realized I was letting my anger seep out of me.
Astrid nodded.
"Ah I see. Many working class people get bound without knowing or against their will..." Astrid's eyes glazed over slightly then, she whipped that look right off her face and turned to look me deep in the eyes. "Seeking the Primstone is a risky choice. Only strong magic users can have one without dying."
I nodded. "I'm just looking for someone who has one so they can break the bind my friend has..."
"And what do you have to offer?" Astrid said.
"Anything." I replied.
Hearing this, Astrid laughed. To stop herself from being too loud she put her hand on her mouth.
"Has anyone ever told you you're crazy?" She said through giggles. "I doubt your lover would be happy that you're doing this for her."
"Not my lover." I said.
"Then your sister?" Astrid said with a smirk.
"My friend." I answered without hesitating.
With that said, Astrid listed herself up from her seat and then turned to walk out of the bar. She looked back at me, and said, "come with me."
I did as she was told but I made sure to keep my body on guard, just in case she was trying to scam me or jump me. I wouldn't allow that to happen.
Following Astrid, I found myself analyzing everything. Every sign, street, person who walked down the street, etc. I had never been to this part of the slums and so, everything had to be taken in.
"Do you live here?" I asked as we continued down our path.
Astrid didn't answer, she just kept leading me from winding path to winding path. Endless.
I never knew the slums were this big.
It was quiet between the both of us, but that was fine by me. I immersed myself in the surrounding areas. At first, I saw many people which I knew for a fact were from Kenelm. Their bright coloured hair made this obvious, but the more we went forwards the less people there were and the more black haired people I saw.
I didn't react physically in any ways, but my heart palpitated slightly.
Was this a part dedicated solely to the Meinnese Refugees? I wondered but I didn't ask Astrid the question. She was too focused on leaving to say anything to me.
It was not until we entered an alleyway which led to a single wooden door, did she speak.
She whispered something Meinnese which I couldn't quite hear. The the door opened before us. Inside was only darkness like a black hole.
Astrid entered the darkness and submerged herself in it until I couldn't see her anymore. Then, I heard her call from it.
"Come." She said.
After a moment of hesitation and did as told.
Inside, was dark but this was only for a moment and once I entered the true building, I saw it covered with silver and onyx walls and pillars.
It was a church.
And inside, there were only the people of Mein.
Some people were smiling and laughing without holding back, while others were discussing things seriously, I even saw some children running around. The atmosphere was calm and bright. The complete opposite of the slums I knew.
"How long has this been here?" I asked Astrid.
Astrid shrugged. "I'm not sure, it's only my third year here."
Hearing this, I wanted to frown but I forced myself not to. But the bitterness inside became apparent to me. Mostly when my eyes laid upon the children.
I was in these slums for years when I was a child... and yet, never had I even had the chance to be as happy as these kinds were. Never had I had community. And now, I saw a possibility. I could have had this. But why didn't I?
I wanted to ask questions. Many many questions but Astrid could not answer them and I knew whomever had the answers wouldn't tell me since I was an outsider.
With that thought in my mind, I finally realized the small nervous aura that began to form. Some had already noticed my presence.
"Is it okay for me to be here?" I said, finally realizing the predicament I want in.
Astrid nodded. "If you were here to do any of us any harm, the darkness would have killed you."
Ah... it wasn't clocking after all.
"A magical beast?" I said slowly.
Astrid shrugged. "I think it's more like a god."
Hearing the word God I cringed. There was no such thing.
"Now come," Astrid said, grabbing my forearm.
She dragged me towards a man. A tall muscular man which reminded me of a barbarian but I didn't speak to him. Only Astrid did.
The two spoke for a while. They said simple things and it didn't take me long to understand that it was a small argument.
"Come on, he said he would de anything..." Astrid said with brightness. "He can—"
"He's an outsider." The man said.
"He's from Mein. Just like you and I. He's in these slums just like you and I!" Astrid said as she became more and more heated.
"What is this truly about?" The man said calmly despite Astrid's rising emotions.
"He can do it. I know he can. I can feel it!" Astrid almost screamed.
"Him? I doubt it. Your feeling is wrong this time around. He's small and weak looking," The man said, then he sniffed the air for a moment, "And he doesn't have a strong ability."
Hearing this, Astrid's teeth clenched and she looked like she was about to pounce on the man but before she could do anything, I spoke.
"Sorry for eavesdropping but but what exactly do you want me to do?" I said, getting tired of their bickering.
The two turned to me as if they'd forgotten I was there.
"Nothing." The man answered.
"Fulfilling a prophecy." Astrid said at the same time.
Hearing her words, the man turned to glare at Astrid.
Seeing this, I felt myself frown. For someone who had only been here 3 years, Astrid sure had a lot of leeway to do whatever she wanted.
"A prophecy?" I almost scoffed.
Hearing my mocking tone, Astrid frowned and said, "Yes, a prophecy! A prophecy to change the world as is!"
Without my consent, my eyes suddenly turned red.
There was no lie in Astrid's words. This confirmed it.
A strange feeling swept upon me for a moment. Though as soon as it did I felt the man grab my collar.
I looked to meet his eyes. They were twisted in complete confusion.
Astrid was unsure what brought up it his sudden rage and so, she tried to separate the man from me but I was just calm.
"You... who... what are you?" He growled.
He had seen my eyes.
I brought my hand up to cover one of my eyes. My mother used to do that. I wasn't sure what it meant but it was the best description I could give.
And with that, the man let go of my collar and stepped back.
Astrid looked between us with confusion.
I brushed off my collard.
"I don't care about your prophecies or your problems. I just need to help a friend and for that I need a Primstone Pendent. I don't plan on being a bother to any of you. I just need information." I said simply.
By then, the man wasn't listening. At least not completely. He just looked at his hand in shock and then, he turned around and said,
"Do whatever you want."
Though these words weren't for me.
Astrid's eyes became bright.
"Come with me." She said to me after she watched the man leave.
I did as she asked. I followed her until I ended up in a large hall filled with what seemed to be natural light but since it was still dead of night, I knew that was impossible.
Walking down the hall, something strange filled my body. It made me feel light and free.
People walked behind me and passed me, forming a kind of circle.
Maybe I was mistaken but I felt as if I'd seen this place before. Long ago. Maybe when my mother was still alive, but in this cult like circle, surrounded by a bunch of strangers who all looked like me, in one way or another, I felt familiar.
Without a thought I walked towards the pendent. It was shimmering under a light which came form nowhere.
This was it. This could change Cecilia's fate. Maybe not completely, but partially. I hoped.
"You can have it. It's yours." Astrid said, her eyes on the pendent. "But If you take it, you have to fulfil the prophecy."
"This one... it's different" I said, analyzing the Primstone from afar.
Astrid nodded. "The others are just a knock off of this one. This one will give you the power you need."
With her saying that, that was all the information I needed. I needed to save Cecilia. No matter what I would protect her, and even if I had to fulfil some stupid prophecy, I would.
I walked over to the pendent with no hesitation and then I took the Primstone in my hand and squeezed it. With that simple gesture the stone sank into my body, leaving nothing behind.
Looking at the scene, Astrid gasped.
"You know what this means, right?" Astrid asked.
I turned to her and nodded but truly I didn't care. I wanted to see Cecilia but when I made the movement to leave, a pain so excruciating that it felt like all my bones were breaking filled my entire being.
I screamed.
Astrid ran over to me and then she put her hand on my back. "Don't worry, it'll only hurt for a little while."
With those words spoken, I blacked out.