Dust and cobwebs covered the broken pews and what was left of the stone walls. Tree roots pushed up and out of the stone floor as vines and weeds grew on the stumps of broken pillars. Once beautiful stained glass windows were now broken and shards of colored glass peppered the walkway. A statue of a woman was pushed down and other statues were smashed. The only thing that was left seemingly untouched was a small altar upon a dais in the back of the ruins.
I slowly approached the altar, my cloak never disturbing the dust nor grass it trailed on. Quietly, I stopped at the sight before me. Sadness tinged my heart and I placed a gentle hand on a dusty pew. Closing my eyes, I inhaled deeply. Reminding myself to keep my emotions in check while amidst the carnage, I purposefully made my way to the altar.
Carved onto the front were the gods and goddesses of Comwen. Nero, God of All Matter and father to the rest of the deities was depicted in the middle with a shining heavenly light around him. His oldest child, Nicolai God of Wisdom and Wind was sitting humbly beneath him. Nyle, the second oldest and God of Water and Plenty was pouring water onto the stone crops to the right of Nicolai. Josephine, Goddess of Love and Power and the third oldest was depicted kissing the head of a king to the left of Nicolai. Jasper, the fourth oldest and the God of Earth and Flame was carved below them surrounded by fire. Jacqueline, the youngest child of Nero, Goddess of Life and Death was carved to the right of Jasper holding a skull in one hand and growing a tree from the other.
I knelt at the altar and entwined my fingers. Calmly, I began to pray. I then felt a sudden shift in the air around me and without opening my eyes nor turning my head I knew that someone had entered the deserted Temple. Whether it was a curious sort or a lost drunkard I did not know. To me, it mattered very little.
The steps were heavy, but not staggering. Not a drunk, but definitely a man. The footsteps stopped quicker than I anticipated but I sat still all the same. The man made no noise except to sit on a pew behind me. The air surrounding me gradually tightened in a protective bubble at which I rolled my eyes. The bubble dispersed. The man coughed politely. I assumed it was an attempt to let me know that he was there. I smirked. How could I not know he was there?
"It is very interesting to see someone here." His voice resonated throughout the ruins. Polite, yet confident. Immediately, Nikolai came to mind. I did not respond. The man continued, "Though it is more interesting that you wear a cloak on such a warm day in a warm climate."
And I knew that he suspected me to be hiding from something or someone. Nikolai definitely blessed this man.
"It is not as interesting as a Captain coming to pray." I rebutted.
"For a young woman who has not even turned to look in my direction, I find it surprising that you knew me to be a Captain though I left my effects outside."
I smiled. This man certainly paid attention.
"So you have come to pray?"
"Oh no. This was once sacred ground but it hasn't been sacred in my lifetime. All it has been for decades is a pile of rubble. Why would I pray to gods who have never existed for me?"
A fair question. I fell silent.
"I meant no disrespect, my lady. Please forgive any offense I may have had."
He was asking forgiveness? He had no idea who I was and he was asking me for forgiveness? I knew this was not how regular men were. This man was special.
"No offense was taken, Captain." I stood and finally faced the young man. He was broadly built, though he was of average height. He was strong and I knew he was faster than he looked. His hair was short, messy, and darker than the obsidian night. His jawline was strong and square and a five o'clock shadow spread over his face. His lips were currently smirking at me. But what had my full attention were his bright intelligent blue eyes. The very shade of sky in paradise.
I saw the life he had. I witnessed his mother giving him up to the army for training when he was five years old and the day his world turned black from demon spawn overrunning his city. The first fight he ever had, his first loss, his first win. The death of his friends beside him. I saw the horror as he ran his sword through his childhood friend who had been raised from the dead. His quick ranking due to his wit and strength. His determination and motivation. But I saw something in his eyes that I had not seen in a very long time. Something that caused me to stagger back. Hope.
And in that instant, my heart changed. Hope. There was still hope in this world. And if there was still hope in this world than there was hope for this world. I stared at the man in front of me. An idea began to form in my head. But I wasn't sure yet.
"Are you alright?" The voice carried new meaning to my ears. Polite, Confident, Attentive, Hopeful despite the destruction of the world.
"Are you strong?"
The question caught him off guard.
"What?"
"Are you strong?" I repeated. He thought for a moment.
"That depends on what you mean by strong. Physically, there are men much stronger than I am. Yet, I have seen and done things that would make those men wet their trousers. Mentally, am I strong enough to be okay with those things I have done? No. But I am strong enough to still live my life. I am strong enough to survive and live another day. So, when you ask me if I am strong, I have no answer."
"Then I shall judge you, Mortal."