I was quite surprised by how things came to be. A blonde man carrying a gong came to our rescue and the mist is completely gone. However, despite the sudden victory, Flower has fallen and is panting on the ground. I immediately crouched down to her checking her pulse and wavelength. The resonance was so rough that it actually almost came loose at the final moments of her going berserk. I'm just glad that everything is over, but this girl is white as a sheet. I call out her name and all she gave me was a smirk and laughed. She's really stupid. She knew this was going to happen and yet she let her pride take over. Stupid. Moreover, I'm upset by how I performed. That was not my best I know, but I always assumed I could have done better. I never expected her powers were that strong. She was almost like a dragon swallowing me in. Thank gods I had enough rigorous training for such drastic moments. The man told me to put her headphones back on since it might be one of the causes her breathing is erratic. He was right. Once her limiter was back on, she was more stable, but she still looks dead tired. Just before I could call out her name once more, Flower passed out.
"Now," that man stood up, picking up Rem on to his shoulder like some bag of rice, "Let's get these two fixed up shall we?" he winked at me.
"Wait!" I said, wary of the baggage I am supposed to carry.
I assume the man realized why I looked so bothered. He looked at me with such a surprised look but then he smiled after. Well, of course, there's a girl on the ground that I'm supposed to carry and a bunch of our luggage behind us, also I'm obliged to carry because Flower is out cold.
"Don't worry," he said, "The half-lights will take your things to your cabin."
"Half-lights?"
And just when I said it, two bell boys in clad black apparated in front of me, picking up our suitcases, and immediately headed towards the blonde man, passing him by.
"Carry on now," the blonde man encouraged me.
I quickly put Flower over my shoulders, making sure she wouldn't slip and fall over when I stand up.
"Hup!" I jolted from my crouching position. Thankfully, Flower didn't fall from my quick move, but gravity sure isn't cooperating with me.
"How much do you eat?" I said complaining as I carried her towards the vicinity. I knew my body was never suitable for heavy work, but I knew I wasn't this weak either. I convinced myself I was just out of practice and realized I should probably start working out if this will keep happening to us by the time a real mission comes.
I followed the blonde man to the village. From the entrance, we have to pass by a huge fountain in the middle of the road that serves as the point where all paths to different cabins have to pass. Like a fork on the road but more accessible due to its infinite turning opportunities. The fountain was also impressive. It was a perfect curtain from the entrance, masking what was beyond the path. And because the whole place is basically covered in trees and bushes, no one can really see what's after the whole thing. After passing the fountain, I tried to map out in my head what I was seeing, imagining I was looking at it from above.
From the fountain, you'll have to walk at least 500 meters to see what's really out there. I was impressed to see what Flower had mentioned earlier about the colors. She was right, but I wasn't convinced by how she could hear it. There were two brick-walled buildings upfront both located at the opposite sides of the road. Blondie explained that those were the storage buildings used for storing food and exorcism equipment. The staff also stays there according to him. After the two buildings came to a fork on the road. Everywhere were just trees but he said the roads are all connected by the end, so it's basically going to loop. The half-lights went left, I expected we'd be heading the same direction, but Blondie called me over to the right fork.
"They're heading to your cabin," he said, "But let's go to my house for a while."
Along the way, he explained to me the rest of the trail. He said the cabin roofs are assigned to different colors, each color signifying the skill category of each Messiah. Green for the elementals, Blue for celestials, White for those who mastered both.
From what I learned in my training, elementals are those who use the four basic elements of nature: Fire, Air, Earth, and Water. Those who use these elements of nature are the most common ones especially when it's the most basic trigger of the gift. Celestials, on the other hand, include those who are gifted with mind transfer, invisibility, flight, and dreams. These pairs, like the missing Philia Phillis, are usually used for intelligence and gathering of information instead of offensive measures.
He also explained that it was a misconception how the Messiahs are only limited to 5 pairs when in reality they look forward to new recruits, it's just that not all A-listed pairs match the existing qualifications. I tried to delve deeper with the qualifications, but all he could give me was a smile, so I tried a different approach.
"Then would I be expecting you to be in the white house, sir?" I said.
He chuckled, "Oh no, I'm only in the blue cabin. Respectively there are five existing green cabins and four blue ones. Among the cabins, there is only one white house, and that is reserved for the most skilled whisperer-exorcist tandem."
"And who would that be, sir?" One question after another. I must be getting impatient.
He smiled again saying, "Someone close." but I found it even more confusing so I let that one slide. I'm pretty sure the Messiahs have more secrets to be discovered, only if I get to be close to the people around here.
I was ready to stop prying and just go with the flow but then he said, "However, there is one red cabin next to the white one." which lit me back up.
"And what would that be for sir?"
He grinned at me, "It's for the pair that is neither an elemental or celestial. A hopeless case, but then again it fits." he laughs, "Well, we're here."
I didn't notice that we've already arrived, blondie was such a good talker that he really caught me off guard. I watch him go inside the blue-roofed cabin which was covered in plants. I followed him inside. The floor croaked a bit every step I took. He told me to put down Flower on the sofa, and best be on our way to the kitchen for a cup of tea.
"Sir, about that red cabin..." It really bothered me, really. It being for that one special case when the pair is a hopeless case. And to think it'd be placed beside the cabin for the best pair. That just screams a multitude of levels in which I do not wish to assume.
Blondie smiled, "You'll find out about that soon. For now, let's have tea." he said pouring me a cup.