She held onto me tightly, her grip conveying both her desperation for forgiveness and her determination to protect me. I could feel the coldness of her body against mine, her presence providing a sense of solace amidst the chaos that surrounded us.
Gently, I placed my hands over hers, offering what little comfort I could. "Rhea, there is no need for you to blame yourself," I reassured her, my voice filled with compassion. "You have been by my side, supporting me every step of the way. I couldn't ask for a more loyal companion."
Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked up at me, her expression a mixture of relief and gratitude. It was as if a heavy burden had been lifted from her shoulders, if only for a moment. She had always been so hard on herself, always striving to be perfect in her role as my servant.
"But master, I failed to protect your home," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I failed to protect the place that holds so much sentimental value to you."
I brushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear, my touch gentle and comforting. "Rhea, the cabin is just a structure," I said softly. "What truly matters are the memories within its walls. And those memories will always remain, no matter what happens."
She nodded, her grip loosening slightly as she absorbed my words. Slowly, we both released each other, and I turned to face her, taking in her fragile appearance. Her eyes were red and puffy, evidence of the turmoil she had been going through.
Her slender frame was hunched over, as if carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders. Her raven-black hair, usually cascading down her back in a graceful manner, now appeared disheveled, strands sticking to her tear-stained cheeks. Yet, even in her vulnerable state, there was a determination in her eyes, a fire that burned with unwavering loyalty.
A gust of wind swept through the remnants of the cabin, causing the surrounding trees to sway and creak. It was a hauntingly beautiful sight, the contrast of nature's resilience against the destruction that had befallen our sanctuary.
I took a step forward, my gaze fixed on the cabin. Despite the damage, it still stood, a testament to the strength and endurance of the past. The memories etched within its walls would forever remain, cherished and untarnished.
"This time it's a really serious matter, I could have died today..." I muttered under my breath, my voice barely audible against the howling wind. A shiver ran down my spine as I recalled the events that had unfolded earlier.
Fortunately for me, I got Rhea, my ever-faithful undead servant, who had shielded me from their onslaught. Her body had become a fortress, her movements fluid and precise as she fought with a ferocity I had never seen before. She had thrown herself into the midst of battle, unwavering in her resolve to protect me at all costs.
But how and why did this happened in the first place? Why did they come here and attack us? Who exactly were these people? How did they find this place? What exactly were they seeking from me? These questions plagued my thoughts endlessly or to put it simply, What the hell is going on!??
Luckily, I know the answers to some of those questions from what they said. So I should be able to piece the rest together on my own. My thoughts centered on the conversation I had with the high priest and the priestesses during the confrontation.
From their accusations, it was clear that they believed I had stolen something from them—a "sacred text." That I now realized, was the very grimoire I possessed. The words "sacred text" and "our Lord" echoed in my mind. The high priest had fervently referred to someone or something as "Lord," which suggested a religious aspect to their beliefs. Could it be that they worshiped a deity or entity of some sort?
It's clear that they're a group of cultists or lunatics which I like to call. So they're apparently after me because I supposedly stole their sacred text and tried to kill me to retrieve it back? Seemed very logical for their unhealthy minds.