The interior of the church enveloped me in a hushed reverence, the soft glow of candlelight casting shadows across the weary stone floors.
Rows of rough wooden pews stretched before me, each one scattered by figures immersed in silent prayer.
In contrast to the Church of the Keeper of Time back in Leode, this church had seen better days. It really exemplified the worn and torn state of Araway and its overall dilapidated atmosphere.
The air was thick and overwhelming with the scent of lavender incense, its aromatic tendrils swirling around the chamber. The dusk light filtered through stained and cracked glass windows, casting faint hues of crimson and gold, softly illuminating the space with a glow.
My footsteps echoed softly as I made my way down the central aisle, drawn toward the heart of the church. Ahead, bathed in the moon stood a magnificent white marble statue over five meters tall from floor to ceiling—a towering figure of a long-haired crowned man with sharp features.
His regal form leaned casually against a towering sword, his gaze fixed on some unseen horizon. In his left hand, he cradled the hilt of the blade, while his right hand stretched out toward the heavens as if beseeching some divine presence above.
The craftsmanship was exquisite, and each detail was meticulously carved to perfection. From the intricate folds of his flowing robes to the serene expression etched upon his noble features, the statue exuded an aura of strength and majesty. This was The God of Domination and Will.
Darius had told me about the True Gods and the Celestial deities. Just looking at the statue of one of them exuded such an overwhelming aura and presence that I couldn't help but feel drawn to it.
With a reverence born of both curiosity and respect, I approached one of the vacant pews near the back of the church. The rough-hewn wood creaked softly beneath me as I lowered myself onto the seat, bowing my head in silence against the watchful gaze of the marble statue.
In the quiet sanctity of the church, I closed my eyes, allowing the ambient sounds of whispered prayers and flickering candles to wash over me in the evening. With a quiet intensity, I inwardly petitioned to The God of Domination and Will, beseeching for strength and determination in the face of the impending task that lay before me.
"Grant me the power and the will to succeed," I murmured softly, my words lost amidst the solemn hush of the sacred space. "Guide my steps and lend me your unwavering resolve."
As someone who wasn't religious, I had no idea what needed to be said as prayer. All I could ask for was guidance at this time. With how my other ventures had turned out, this was important.
Whilst the echoes of my silent plea faded into the dim recesses of the church, a subtle sensation washed over me—a familiar yet distinct feeling that resonated deep within my being and spirit. It was akin to the connection I had felt during the prayer back at the Church of the Keeper of Time with Darius, a thread of energy that bound me to something greater than myself.
But this time, it was different. Stronger. More potent.
Before I had felt a subtle change within me, within my glass bowl, that I had somehow put me in a flow state and enhanced my abilities as an Arcanist. But now the sensation was greater.
It was less of a sensation and more like a surge of energy that coursed through me, suffusing my consciousness with a newfound clarity and purpose. It was as if the glass bowl within my mind, the vessel that contained my abilities, had been filled to the brim with illusory water, expanding and amplifying its power.
I could feel the greater shift within me, the gradual awakening of dormant potential as the boundaries of my capabilities stretched ever further.
It wouldn't be long now until I achieved the next milestone as an arcanist, until I reached that knowing sensation that Alexei had spoken of and was able to advance to Tier 7 Visionary of the Watcher Pathway.
Just as the sensation began to ebb, a faint creak echoed through the church, snapping me back to the present moment. The sound of the heavy doors swinging open signalling the entrance of a random church patron, their presence intruding upon my solitude despite there already being a few churchgoers already inside.
With a resigned sigh, I rose from the pew and made my way toward the exit, the lingering energy of the prayer still tingling beneath my skin.
As I stepped out of the church, the bustling energy of Araway's markets greeted me, pulling me back into the rhythm of the city. Scanning the crowded streets, I spotted Caius, Fleur, and Lucas engaged in conversation near a vibrant marketplace.
Over the next few hours, we wandered the markets and explored the inner city of Araway, taking in its nightlife. After having a bite to eat and a drink to wash it down, Lucas split off and headed back to our accommodation early.
Left with Fleur and Caius, we decided to extend our excursion, venturing into a nearby bar in search of more drinks.
The atmosphere within the bar was convivial, a chorus of laughter and chatter filling the air as patrons mingled and indulged in libations. It was a similar nightlife atmosphere to The Red Anchor back in Leode, though here again, it was more rough around the edges.
Fleur and Caius wasted no time in ordering drinks, their laughter ringing out as they exchanged stories and anecdotes. I, on the other hand, opted for a glass of juice as I planned on staying up later for my excursion.
Amidst the jovial atmosphere, I checked my pocket watch, noting the lateness of the hour. Nine at night, but it still wasn't time for me to go just yet. I would have to wait till the others went home.
Putting my watch away, Fleur suddenly sprang from her seat, her movements a little unsteady but filled with unbridled energy. With a playful gleam in her eyes, she declared, "Come on, let's leave this place and head to the pier!"
Caius, catching onto Fleur's infectious enthusiasm, joined her with a boisterous laugh. Together, they made their way through the crowded bar and out into the crisp night air.
Fleur, in her slightly tipsy state, surged ahead, her steps guided by an impulsive spark of excitement. Along the wharfside, she spotted a flock of henen gulls, their white feathers shimmering in the moonlight. Without a moment's hesitation, Fleur began to chase after them haphazardly, cawing aggressively and waving her arms in a whimsical dance.
Caius, following her lead, laughed aloud, and chased after her while cawwing too. I trailed behind, my steps measured and calculated, taking in the atmosphere.
As Fleur continued her animated pursuit, the gulls took flight, their wings creating a symphony of fluttering sounds.
A subtle smirk lingered on my face as I observed the scene, appreciating the temporary escape from the complexities of our arcanist pursuits.
Though Caius and Fleur had their annoying moments, sometimes having lighthearted fun was a necessary reprise from our busy lifestyle. But I couldn't be distracted from the real task at hand.
Eventually, the trio settled at the edge of the pier, the distant waves lapping against the wooden supports. Fleur's laughter echoed in the night as she attempted to mimic the gulls.
Caius, catching his breath, took a seat nearby on the wooden pier letting his legs dangle off the side. I however stood standing and leaned against the cool railing while letting the cool breeze of the ocean ruffle my auburn hair as I gazed up at the star-studded sky.
After a moment of shared silence, Caius, still catching his breath, spoke up. "Elias, I've been meaning to talk to you. About the whole arcanist thing and back when I first joined the Huntsmen."
His earnest tone drew my attention, and I turned to face him while he still kept his gaze on the sky.
Caius scratched the back of his head. "I know I kinda blew up back there. I was upset about being deceived by you. But looking back, I shouldn't have taken my frustrations out on you like that. I know we're different, you and I. We've got our own goals, our own paths. I guess... I shouldn't have judged you so quickly Eli. I know you've got your reasons for what you do and how you go about it."
A moment of understanding passed between us. I could sense the weight of his realization, the acknowledgment that our perspectives diverged but were equally valid in their own right.
Caius took a deep breath before continuing, "I'll be honest, though. I still can't quite see arcanists in that morally righteous light. It's just not how I was raised. But, well, I've learned not to make hasty judgments. And I'll have to respect not just your choices, but Fleurs and Lucas' too. As Huntsmen of the Leode Den."
We both took a glance over to Fleur who was running out of breath having not caught any of the gulls.
I sighed. "It's a complicated life we both live. I understand."
Unexpectedly, Caius looked directly at me with his blue eyes and scruffy white hair, and for the first time, his smile was not the usual cheeky Caius smile, but a completely genuine and kind smile that came from the eyes.
"Thank you, Eli."
As Caius rose to his feet, the sound of approaching footsteps drew our attention. Fleur came bounding over, her breathless laughter filling the night air.
"Did you see me with the gulls?" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Caius chuckled, nodding enthusiastically. "Yes, I swear I saw you fly like a bird for a second there!"
With a triumphant shout, Fleur dashed off once more, a burst of energy propelling her forward.
Caius turned to me with a grin. "Well, I think it's time we head back to the accommodation. We've had quite the adventure tonight."
I nodded in agreement, feeling the weight of the night's events settling upon me.
Making our way back through the winding streets of Araway, the night air was filled with quiet tranquillity, a stark contrast to the bustling energy of the Leode entertainment district.
Arriving back at our temporary lodgings, the weariness of the night's escapades weighed heavily upon us. Fleur practically collapsed onto her bed, already drifting into a peaceful slumber, while Caius and I exchanged weary glances.
After a moment's rest, I slipped out of my bed. Caius was already snoring like a saw and Fleur was out cold.
I descended the steps leading down from our accommodations, a lone figure materialized out of the shadows, the glowing ember of a cigarette illuminating his features as he leaned against the wall.
"Late night stroll, Elias?" Lucas's voice cut through the silence, his tone laced with a hint of amusement.
I paused, meeting his gaze with a steady look. "Something like that," I replied vaguely, unwilling to divulge the true nature of my intentions.
Lucas raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips as he looked me up and down noticing my Huntsmen Uniform all done up. "Planning on paying a visit to the Estate all by yourself, are you?"
I shrugged nonchalantly, a faint smile quirking my lips. "Who knows?" I replied cryptically, evading his probing gaze. "I might just be out for a breath of fresh air."
But I knew I couldn't fool him. It was too obvious with my uniform done up from the tight laces on my boots to my strapping silk gloves. I was clearly geared to go out for something more than a simple stroll.
Without replying, Lucas went back to his smoke and took a seat on one of the rough stone steps.
Sighing inwardly, I actually acknowledged defeat and with a resigned shrug, I joined him on the steps. The cool night air enveloping us in a comforting embrace.
Lucas leaned over and held out a small white box of cigarettes and shook it once to push a single smoke out of the pack.
Fleur had offered me one before which I turned down as I didn't smoke. But with a slight hesitation, I slowly reached and pulled one out this time, which Lucas graciously lit up for me.
Taking the cigarette between my fingers, I brought it to my lips hesitantly, the strong scent of tobacco mingling with the crisp and salty night air. With a tentative inhale, I drew the smoke into my lungs, the acrid taste leaving a bitter residue on my tongue.
The sensation was jarring and rather foreign, and my discomfort was evident as I began coughing and spluttered about.
"Bahahaha! Smooth!" Lucas laughed out. "You'll get the hang of it eventually. I was exactly the same when I was younger. Used to take all the ones my old man would hide, heh."
Scowling in response, I tossed the cigarette aside with a disgruntled flick of my wrist, the ember extinguishing as it hit the ground. Lucas's laughter subsided, replaced by a look of mild annoyance.
"You could've just given it back if you weren't going to finish it," he said, his words tinged with a hint of irritation. "These are my good ones too, prick," he muttered under his breath as if I couldn't hear him.
"Going to the estate wouldn't have been a good idea with those inadequacies," Lucas continued with another drag and blow of smoke.
I sighed inwardly. "I guess so. Although how else am I supposed to prove myself? Have everyone else do the job I'm meant to do?"
"You don't get it do you," Lucas replied while looking out. "I've heard of Pink before. And the Arcane group he's a part of. You'd be insane to go up against an entire organisation in one night all by yourself. Not to mention, you're still wet behind the ears."
That's true. My goal was to sneak in and get the pages out from under their noses using Fractured Sight. Though bumping into guards, Rex and even Pink would still be possible. It was going to be much bigger than a small heist and could end up causing a chain reaction against the entire organisation for all we knew.
"Point taken."
Lucas took another drag from his cigarette. "I'm guessing you're a Watcher or a Scout, much like Jean, seeing as you're still having to rely on that revolver." Lucas pointed towards the weapon lying at my side. "Neither of them have any physical capabilities like Fleur."
I arched an eyebrow, considering his observation. "And you're a Distancer, right?" I countered, recalling what Fleur had said and the abilities he showed back at the auction.
Lucas chuckled, a wry grin spreading across his features. "Let Fleur, Darius and I handle whatever encounters we might have. But tomorrow, you'll have to be the one to guide us."