My mind was full, and the road treacherous with ice covering the ground in a glossy sheet. I feared that Seriph would slip and break her ankle. One wrong step in these mountains and we'll tumble into a batch of Ice Needles. One pinprick will cause a grown man to freeze to death from its poisonous frost.
I hated the north. I preferred fighting gigantic sandworms that stretched out for several miles in the south while I sweat my ass off than suffer this stupid frozen bullshit. Animals feared animals, but plants did not have the capability to feel fear.
Trivial things usually never worried me, but these odd occurrences had my head all in a tangled mess and my heart broke with each second I spent alone. But I must be alone. I could not face any of my friends right now. The truth of what happened to sweet Elia, Leonard and Howard would need to be told. Would they even believe me? It all sounded so absurd, what would I even say?
'Leonard died and was resurrected as a tormented corpse and ate Elia?' I shook my head at the silliness of it.
Another thought hit me, if Leonard ate flesh, would there be any flesh left to burn upon my return? The idea of returning to skeletons being gnawed at by the two creatures filled me with dread.
No matter of disturbing images could convince me to stay from that cursed land. I had to go back, I had to perform a ceremony for their corpses. In my fight with Mnakaraneh my neglect lead them to their deaths. They deserved a proper cremation from none other than myself.
My eyes wandered uphill expecting to see Amy jumping between boulders and scanning the area to plan a safe path through the mountain. Obviously, she wasn't there, her black fur didn't stick out in plain sight against the pure white snow. I gazed at the sky and saw nothing but gray clouds, then looked behind me. The only mark of companionship was the imprint of Seriphs hooves against the snow. I was truly alone. I knew this but some part of me was expecting to hear Xanthius crack another dumb joke followed by groans of the others.
As a group we've traveled a frightful journey to the dangerous Ice Troll kingdom in the north and then south to the wastelands were stepping outside without any protection would turn the skin to ash. We've gone as far west as our realms border allowed and to the deep oceans to the east. I had not noticed how attached I became until they were all gone. Even in moments of silence as we traveled together my thoughts never seemed so loud until now. Every question that repeated itself without answers boomed inside my head. Imagining the words as whispers didn't do any good, it still sounded as screams echoing inside a deep cavern. I just wanted my brain to shut up to be given the distraction of Elias gossip, the grunting that Amy made when Arion boasted about his own self, or even that small noise Felicia's leather gloves made when she signed.
I wanted Seriph to trot ahead but kept her at a steady pace. I was cold, miserable, and wanted nothing but to sit in front of the fire and converse with my friends. It would be different though, they wouldn't look at me the same. I had to face them, I had to apologize. Their eyes would stare at me, with pity, or anger, anything but forgiveness.
I raised my eyes to the sky, asking for Goddessas forgiveness. The sky was still dark, but the light from dawn turned the horizon pink.
If it had not been for Arion's white belly I would have missed him. He was heading back.
"Arion!" I yelled until a tickle in my throat provoked a coughing fit. He circled around and perched on a tree branch.
"Thank goddess, you found me before I flew all the way back." He said. His expression changed when he noticed it was only me. "W-where is Elia?"
Asking about her only I assumed he expected Leonard and Howard would die.
"Well… Uh." I knew I would have this conversation with them but not so soon. "I don't know how to tell you this."
"Shi, what happened? Did the demons come back?"
"If they did I would be dead too."
"Then what?" He pressed. I couldn't handle the pressure right now. It felt so stupid even to myself and I witnessed what happened.
"Remember when Ezekiel said that the god and goddess lost control to the underworld?"
"Yes, I remember."
"Well, I think it's causing issues with the dead."
"Uh… Wh-what?" His head cocked to the side and his beady eyes narrowed in at me.
"Leonard and Howard died but something happened to their body and souls. It changed-no, it fucked them up." Arion stared at me. But he stared with understanding and not judgement.
"Ok."
"That's it? Ok?" I said.
"I guess it makes sense. I mean - well if the underworld is lost to the gods and goddesses then it would be lost to us, right?"
"By why just them? When Elia…" Saying her name made my voice crack. I had to gather my bearings before continuing. "When she passed she didn't come back."
Arion fumbled on his words then shrugged. "This is as new to me as it is you."
"I hope I can get answers."
"Me too."
Down the path a few people rode over the hill.
"Oh yea, that's the help." Arion said.
The group of three galloped to us and stopped.
"Shi! Saint to Godius, we're here to assist you." The man in front of the small group said as he bowed his head. He was dressed in full armor and had a helmet. The other two were healers dressed in thick coats with tall staffs in their hand.
"I do not need your assistance anymore. I apologize for dragging you out this far."
"Please don't apologize, saint! It is our duty and pleasure heading your call." The small woman behind the knight said as she smiled. "Would you like to accompany us back to the cathedral?"
"Go ahead and get a headstart. I'll be right behind you." I hadn't heard Arion's large wings booming into flight. "Are you coming?"
His attention was focused down the path towards the village.
"I have to see for myself." He said after a moment of silence.
"I think you should. The proof might make me look less insane if it came from you too. But be very careful."
"Pfft, of course I'll be safe. Nothing can harm this sweet ass." He said then jumped into the sky and disappeared over the tree tops before I could regale to him a few hours ago when imps rode him like a bucking bronco. Should I have gone back with him to ensure his safety? No, Arion was a big boy, he could take care of himself. Besides, he could fly, he does not need to lay a single toe on the ground to see.
When the small group was over the mountain I headed off again, alone. I was freezing in my armor but I didn't crave warmth enough to be accompanied by anyone at the moment. My racing thoughts drove me mad but my mood was sour. My cravings for human companionship weren't that strong.
Dawn arrived just as I had made it to the Marnettie Cathedral. The black stone building was only a small hill away. My eyes were red with dreariness and the cold froze them into balls of ice. Rubbing my face helped return some feeling to my cheeks but did little as my leather gloves were even more frigid than my face.
Seriphs hooves clopped against the wooden bridge as we crossed the moat and into the large stone courtyard.
A stable boy with chestnut hair and small freckles bounded in my direction. His eyes were wide with admiration as his mouth gaped open. Through the years of being a renowned saint I thought I'd get used to the staring. I'm not and this boy stared with eyes larger than dinner plates.
My response to his rude behavior was unorthodox. I pulled a stray stick that found its way into my helmets plume and stuck it into his mouth. If Xanthius saw me now he would smack me. The boy retaliated by spitting it out in disgust, but his eyes never transitioned from astonishment.
"A saint just touched me," he said with a dreamy look in his eyes. "A girl saint too."
"You're a weird little kid. Make yourself useful and tie up my horse. Give her plenty of food and water." I handed him the reigns and he happily obliged by skipping to the barn as Seriph trotted alongside him. He hummed a tune and took one last glance, then waved. I lifted my hand and motioned it lazily.
Now, where were they?
The Marnettie Cathedral's rectangular frame towered over me. On each side of the main building were two bell towers that stood taller than any other section of the cathedral. Its black stone made it appear sinister but the beautiful décor of stained glassed windows and the large garden that wrapped around the building lightened its dark appeal. Entering the premises from the bridge, visitors were lead into the oval courtyard with the mansion to the left, the cathedral to the front and the tall library to the right. Each building was designed to resemble the cathedral with hundreds of statues carved at the foundation of pillars. Marble angels gazed from the rooftops, watching over anyone that entered the premises.
"Shi Fira, what a privilege to see you!" A young priest descended the large staircase that lead to the cathedral's double doors.
"Nathaniel, it's been many solstices since you left my guild. How do you fair?" My hands folded behind my back and his were hidden in his baggy sleeves.
"I'm happy here." His smile quivered giving away emotions that didn't express happiness.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
"Marcius Bera assigned me to be the kings advisor in Arvon'te."
"And this isn't good news?"
"I enjoy it here."
My eyes wandered onto the hundreds of years dedicated to carving every small detail of fabric, the many species of flowers, and the thousands of individual feathers that the statues were decorated with. They marked every corner of the courtyard and every inch of the cathedral. I refocused on Nathaniel.
"It is a beautiful place." I said. "You will love the pure city. I was told they have Griffons."
His eyes widened with astonishment.
"Enjoy the rest of your morning, Nathaniel. I hope the Godius and Goddessa blesses your journey." I spun left to the mansion that was designed as the dorms for anyone living on the premises. Entering the building had a main foyer that branched out into many different rooms, one of which was a resting area for guests. I could hear the lame cackle of Arion as Amy scolded him. I felt warm knowing she had regained enough strength to reprimand Arion and that he had made it back safely. I did not recall seeing him fly overhead, but I was not paying that much attention.
My curiousity wanted to talk to Arion about his adventure back to the town. But Amy was in there with him. She must still be cross with me.
The staircase before me curved outward then met in the middle. Anticipation fueled my legs to bound up the stairs, skipping two steps at a time and down the hall at a power walk until I came upon Xanthius. He paced back and forth. The tips of his gloves were frayed at the ends as he bit at them nervously.
"How is she?" I asked, he spun to see me. I imagined his face would twist with anger. Instead it melted like a burning candle.
"Marcius said she's not stuck in a spell." His voice wavered, and his throat tensed when he swallowed a knot in his throat.
"No, she's not. That demon never chanted a spell. It was his essence."
"What kind of demon has that power!" He raised his eyes to meet mine they were riddled with questions.
"A demon lord?"
"It's not possible. If a demon lord was loose then our realm would have met it's doom already." His voice turned harsh.
"Xanthius, I have no clue." I said abruptly and loud. His face dropped to the floor again.
"I'm sorry." He apologized.
"It's ok. We will find the answers I promise."
"I trust you."
I patted him on the shoulder for comfort before walking into Felicia's room. She sat up against the headboard to a bed that was decorated with silky white sheets. She hadn't blinked and focused on nothing, little droplets poured out of her reddened eyes. My heart crinkled into a mess of feelings as I watched her suffer internally.
A hand pressed against her forehead, the fingertips glowed as the man rested his other hand on the pages of a spell book.
Marcius leaned back without giving me any indication that he saw me.
"Well?" I asked.
Marcius raised his critical brown eyes at me, then back at her. His forehead furrowed with displeasure.
"Good morning." He said.
"How is she?"
"I see your manners haven't changed."
"I'm a bit frazzled by last night's events." I said with a biting tone. I was too impatient to deal with his questions.
"What happened?" He asked.
"Later. We need to tend to her." I pressed on.
"We have a bit of an issue."
"It's not a spell, Xanthius told me. How is that an issue?"
"Well I can't heal her if it's not a wound. I can't disarm her trance if it's not a spell. She's suffering from post-traumatic stress. She has to snap out of it when she's ready." Marcius said. He rubbed at his left temple.
"There isn't a spell to help her through this?"
"Shi…" He shook his head as if disappointed. "You of all people should know that answer." He walked up to me. "Don't you remember? Or have you repressed that too?"
Marcius walked out of the room and down the hallway. I followed the trail his black cassock made. "You came to me, empty, sad, and scared with your only purpose being to kill- No, brutally slaughter demons. It took me weeks to break you out of your trance. She needs time and most importantly prayers."
He lead me down many corridors until we reached his office. It was a large space meant to seat a crowd. He sat at his desk made from dark wood and had purple accents on the corners. I took a seat on the violet cushioned chair opposite of him.
"We have an issue." I said.
"Yes, we do." He replied.
"What do you mean?"
"Missing people reports have been flown overnight to us. And these are for the people that have disappeared in Arvon'te alone. Only Godius knows how many disappeared in Avvon Aries district and I suspect I'll be receiving more from the churches spread throughout the north. We…" He choked. I just noticed how red his eyes were. "Even a few of our own disappeared last night..."
"Disappeared?"
"Yes. Just… Poof! Many of them were alone when they went missing and were just noticed missing this morning. But the few witnesses we have, have reported seeing dark omniscient creatures behind the people that disappeared."
"I wonder…" I thought aloud.
"Wonder what?" Marcius leaned in.
"Ezekiel, spoke to me last night. He said that the god and goddess have lost control over the underworld."
Marcius face scrunched with concern.
"L-lost control?" I nodded at his reply. "Oh, dear…"
"The god has commanded me to figure out how to regain control. I need your help." I handed him the angel scroll. He took it and opened the golden paper.
He bit his nails as he read it.
"We need to keep this under wraps." He said as he leaned over his desk and returned the scroll to my possession. Marcius continued to pick at his nails and sweat beaded on his brow.
"Why?"
"Could you imagine the havoc the public would reap on us? Godius and Goddessa promised to always care for our souls. We stay faithful to them, we pray to them and we're blessed with good karma in our next life. Now you're saying they're incapable of doing that for the faithful? It's that promise that keeps people from being evil." Marcius stuck his thumb to the west. "Do you have any idea how long the west has been waiting for this nation to fall apart? They've wanted to conquer this land and that fear of war is the only thing keeping the Akira and the humans unified. Well, unified being a loose term considering we're still separated by law."
"The church would stop them. We're the most powerful organization in all of Chara."
"But the church is unified by it's faithful, if the faithful stop believing who would they go to next? We wouldn't just be separated by race we would be separated by our religious beliefs and our morals. The disarray of our nation would give those war mongering bastards to the west the opportunity to strike us when we aren't unified."
He made a valid point.
"Then what do we do?" I asked. Marcius sighed and rubbed his forehead. He did this when he was frustrated.
"I'll think of something. Right now I'm more concerned about the lost underworld."
"Do you think that the disappearances are connected to the underworld?" I asked.
"I have a strong suspicion it is. People are vanishing overnight, Ezekial tells you the god and goddess lost the underworld, demon rifts are opening all over the place left and right…"
"Demon rifts!? Why haven't you mentioned this earlier?" The chair croaked as I leaned forward.
"We got stuck on the subject of the underworld. I'm sorry."
"This is just perfect." I threw my body against the chair with defeat.
"Worry not, Shi. I will handle this affair with the other head priests and priestesses. You go hunt down those rifts and close them for good before all of hell consumes us in destruction."
I nodded but I lingered. The thought of the rift that opened last night and the bastard that crawled out of it made my palms sweaty. The thought of how he so easily tricked me caused my blood to boil.
"Marcius… Something else happened." My fingers knitted between each other. Focusing on the creases in my leather gloves instead of him made this easier to say. I could only imagine the look would he'd give me when I told him this impossible story, "The battle we fought last night was different. There was a demon I never saw before."
My eyes lifted to Marcius. He was focused on me with sorrow in his eyes.
"Xanthius told me about the battle already." His voice was calmer than before.
"I failed them."
"It wasn't your fault Shi, nobody blames you. Not even Amy."
"I find that hard to believe."
"Truly, she doesn't. They all talked to me and they all said the same thing. It was the demon you fought. He had an influence on their emotions."
"He possessed a power that seemed to trigger every negative emotion. He popped open a very dark bottle and everything I felt came pouring out of me until I was practically blind and deaf. What kind of demon could do that?"
"I don't know for certain." Marcius said as he rubbed his head.
"I should get to work." The chair creaked against my weight as I stood. Before I opened the door I remembered one last thing. Marcius was wise, hopefully he would know what to do.
"I know that the underworld is lost to Godius and Godessa. But would it kick out our souls?"
"Why do you say that?" He asked.
"After the battle Leonard and Howard came back to life but they weren't themselves. They were monsters that fed on flesh and glowed blue."
"Since nothing like this has ever happened before we might want to find them and bring them in for experimenting. I don't know what's going on in the underworld but we were commanded to look into it. Are they still there?"
"It is possible they moved. But I could return?"
"Yes, make that top priority." Marcius commanded.
I had promised to my fallen knights that I would return and cremate them appropriately in the name of Godius. But I shivered at the thought of seeing their broken carcasses, purple with death, and frozen into chunks of ice in the snow. I had to cremate them all. Leonard and Howard deserved eternal peace just as much as the others and we deserved to know what was happened to our souls with a lost underworld.
I left the office with haste. We must not waste any more time.
~~
My ass sat on the edge of Felicias bed. Her skin was soft against my fingers as I caressed the back of her hand. She needed to be broken out of her trance. The rifts won't close themselves and I'll need all the help I can get.
Enfolded in her other hand was a little stuffed doll. This toy was handed down from her eldest son to her youngest daughter. That toy survived seven children, as it was tied inside her breast plate that toy survived many battles against demons of all elements. I purposefully repressed my memories so I could walk forward but she held onto her past. She held onto this toy never letting her children go.
"I- I failed my sisters," my words got stuck in my throat but I choked them down. I've never talked to my friends about my past but Felicia needed to hear this. "The others, they lost many people they cared for. They lost their homes and at one point they lost the meaning to live. Just as I had. Godius chose me when my family was butchered alive by a fire demon right before my very eyes. I could have stopped it. I could have saved at least one sister… But…" My eyes ached and my cheeks became wet. I wiped away the tears and fought the rest back. I could not be weak.
"I hunted demons for the sake of calming my hatred and anger. It was revenge mistaken as purpose. Unlike the others you and I watched helplessly as our families were being tortured before our eyes. But… Having those babies in your belly, giving them a piece of yourself and dedicating every second to their growth only for the outcome to be a brutal death is the most awful thing I could imagine. When I met you I discovered a new purpose." I felt strength in my voice again, strength that pushed my tears back. "I vowed that I would never witness a woman holding onto pieces of her babies. I would never help a father dig the graves for his children ever again. That is my purpose. And now Marcius has alerted me that demon rifts have opened across the realm. We need to protect people, Felicia and keep them from losing their children so they will never know despair as we had."
Felicia's eyes finally blinked. She grasped my hand until her knuckles were white. Spit splattered out of her mouth as she screamed out in agony. I repositioned myself to be closer and wrapped my arms around her shoulders for comfort while she wept. The position could have been softer if I had taken my armor off, but I hadn't the time and we didn't care, it only mattered that I was here now.
"I will find that demon. I will cut his head off for making us relive that moment." I vowed to my dear friend.