Raya
15 Years Before Lux's Journey | January 11th, Year 095
Town of Birlasa
08:00
The blaring sound of the alarm clock woke me, pulling me from my sleep. I was groggy and slow in getting up from the bed. I still wanted to get more sleep, but today was important.
"Stupid alarm clock, I wanted to sleep in some more," I complained, slowly getting up from the bed and getting ready for the day.
"Do I really need to wear this dress for the ceremony? I want to wear shorts and a t-shirt. Rules are rules, I guess." I put on a knee-cut dress with a deep blue shade and a rainbow thread passing through the outline.
The Magic Affinity Ceremony was today. It was a celebration of an event from my parents' time that kids ten and older participated in. Today also happened to be my tenth birthday, so I was able to attend the ceremony.
After leaving the bedroom, I entered the kitchen to help my mother cook breakfast. She was the town's best cook, so I learned from her. She used fire and light magic, which helped her cook and find things at night. My dad, however, used earth and strength-enhancing magic to do his construction work.
"So, mom, what're we cooking for breakfast today?" I asked, checking the pot.
"Today is a special day for you, so I'm thinking that we make your favorite dish, roast beef, and cooked veggies!" She looked at me with vegetables in her hand, ready to be cut up and eaten, "I hope you enjoy your birthday, sweetie."
My mouth watered for the juicy taste of roast beef and hearty vegetables. This day was remarkable already. I looked over at my dad, who sat at the dining table, reading about the ins and outs of Kysora's new age of architecture. I hadn't heard much about the Capital except from my dad that they're hiring builders for a fortress south of the Elven country, Lumecari.
He was always studying architecture since he was the only one who utilized earth magic in town after all the others went to Kysora for money. Earth users were rare amongst the typical elements, like water, fire, and air, so my dad was heavily relied upon for construction in Birlasa.
After eating a delightful breakfast, I went to the church where the ceremony occurred. The church was new as my father finished building it last week. The stained glass shone beautifully, capturing the sun's rays as they lit up the inside of the church. I sat down on the benches with the other children and waited for my turn at the Book of Affinity.
The priest was an older gentleman who wore ruffled robes; he looked a mess. He watched over the children, waiting for an exciting result, but he would sigh in disappointment when they did not give him what he was looking for.
The priest called my name, and it was now my turn; the only kid left to go, I made my way to the pedestal. I stood before the tattered book, and the priest told me to place my hand on it. The Book of Affinity started emanating an aura that formed around me. I felt a surge of power flow through.
"Unbelievable! You have the power of healing," the priest exclaimed, nearly falling from excitement. He collected himself before speaking, "...and fire magic as well."
Healing and fire magic were not what I had expected, but I was happy to have carried on my family's rare double magic affinity. On top of it, I had never heard of anyone with healing magic.
The book stopped glowing, and I stepped off the pedestal to talk to the old priest, "So, am I all good to go?"
He looked down at me with a sly smile as he asked, "Would you like to work here in the church?"
I grew up in a family that didn't care much for religion. So my response was, "No, I'm sorry."
I took a deep breath. Something felt off about his asking, so I backed up slightly. The priest sighed, disappointed once more. His face contorted, revealing an intense killing aura around him. He took a slash at me, and I fell, horrified.
"You should've said yes, little girl. I'll force you to aid me with that power of yours for the good of Milakus!" He yelled as he charged toward me.
I ran from him as he kept trying to slash me with the blade. When I was about to outrun him, I tripped over the steps.
"You're mine now! I'll be sure to lock you away to be my little moneymaker." He leaped at me with the dagger. Cut after cut – I thought I was going to die as he pinned me down.
I felt a burning sensation within my body. I opened my eyes, and the priest was screaming. His body was on fire, and it didn't stop burning. His body was engulfed in the inferno as the flames spread onto the carpet, eventually ravaging the rest of the church. I looked down at my injuries after noticing that the pain had stopped. All of the cuts vanished. I ran out of the crumbling church and went home crying. I was terrified of that man.
20:56
Later that day, the church burned down, and the town accused me of being a demon. My mom and dad stayed by my side that night as I cried. My eyes were swollen red, and my voice was rasping from the screaming and wailing my pillow endured.
During the night, the townspeople banged on the front door while several more surrounded the house. They kept yelling, "Get out of town, demon!" and "Burn in hell, devil!" Fearing that I would harm the rest of them. It only stressed me out further. I couldn't understand why this had happened to me.
My dad finally had enough and told them to stop, and that's when they broke into our house. They rushed in with weapons in hand. I couldn't imagine they would leave without dealing with me first.
My dad quickly lifted the ground up and blocked the hallway. He nodded to my mom and placed his hands on my shoulders, saying, "Run, Raya, run as far away as possible."
I felt my heart begin to ache, trying to understand the situation.
My mom's eyes softened, "We love you so much, Raya, don't ever forget that," she began crying. She kissed me on the forehead, and my dad joined in on what might be our last time as a family.
Tears ran down my face as I begged to stay with my family. I didn't want to leave without them. It was all my fault that this happened. My dad let go and led me to the back door against my will.
As the door opened, he started battling the townspeople and blocking them from reaching me. My mom dealt with those inside the house, but I had to stay focused on running. I left my once peaceful life behind and ran through the forest, holding back my tears until I eventually passed out from exhaustion. I wished to never live through that again.
The Next Day | January 12, 095
06:15
I woke up with bugs crawling on my body and the sun shining on my face. It was bitingly cold, and I was starving, but I couldn't go back home to Birlasa. I decided to keep walking west toward Kysora since it was commonly called "the city of dreams." I can survive if I make it to the city.
My face was beat red from the freezing temperature. I lost all feeling in my legs from the uncomfortable sleep, and it started snowing. My body was shivering from the extreme cold, and I couldn't walk any further. I needed to find shelter. I saw someone walking in the distance. I tried calling out to them, but I couldn't speak. I was too cold, hungry, and weak.
My vision began to blur as my stomach ached for something to eat. I felt a sudden cold fluffiness against my body as I lost consciousness.
The smell of chicken cooking. That must've meant I was dreaming. I looked around the room, but it looked like nothing in my house. I could only imagine where I was.
A woman was next to me, fast asleep in a chair. I got up from the bed and woke the woman up. The room I was in was warm in comparison to the chilly outside. The wooden floor and freshly laid brick walls made me feel cozier.
"Thank goodness, you're awake," the mysterious woman worried.
I didn't recognize her. She had silver hair and light blue eyes painted like a winter sky. She looked young for an old lady.
"Who are you? Where's my family?" I asked her.
She took a drink from her cup of coffee and replied, "My name is Zel – I saw you lying in the snow, so I took you to my house to keep you warm. As for your family, I have no clue where they are, young one," she gave me a sincere look, which made me feel a bit safer.
What had happened to me felt like a dream, but that wasn't the case. I spoke, "I have to go back home. My parents might die if I don't get there in time!" I was panicking and couldn't think. My mind darted to a million different conclusions.
Zel held my hands and said, "It's alright, I'll go ahead with my mom and see if we can help. For now, you have to eat and rest since you're already running a bad cold." She let go of my hands slowly and asked, "You came from Birlasa, right?"
I nodded, feeling reassured that she was going to help my family. She left shortly after while I waited for her to return with my parents.