Sera slumped on the ground with a lifeless look, looking at the ashes with a blank face. His heart was already beyond salvation and he didn't want to live anymore. The will of life was already extinguished in his heart like this flame.
The crushing sense of despair enveloped his heart when he looked at these crumbled ruins.
" My, you look sad, child."
An old voice came from behind as he saw an elderly woman with gray hair who was holding a cane. Her calm eyes reflected the dying smoke within her deep dark pupil which was enchanting like an abyss.
Her wrinkled hand gently touched his rough hair, caressing him like he was her child and strangely Sera didn't push her away for unknown reasons.
" Life is a game to them, child. The church sees you as a pawn but the empire is different. We value talent more than anyone and more importantly, we can give you what you seek."
His lost pupils regained their color, burning with anticipation for the future as he looked for the answer. The enchanting voice of the elder sounded like those in the legends where devils offered their hands to the mortals.
" What do I seek and why me? Why now?"
Sera's bloodshot eyes were focused on her face but the elder didn't dart her eyes. She chuckled slightly when she felt the bloodlust, thinking it was cute for him.
" Revenge, child. You seek revenge. I can smell it from miles away. You already know who is the culprit and you are just denying it."
Sera took a deep breath when he heard her answer, burying his head in silence but he didn't deny her words. However one was certain to him and that was their purpose.
He assumed they were here before their arrival and waiting for them silently in this town while acting like normal people. However, when the tragedy hit, they took off their masks and offered their hands to him who lost his wings.
The God chipped away his halo, and stripped his wings but he wasn't done with it. He was willing to sell his soul to the devil for a single purpose.
" I want two things and I will accept this deal. First, I will take their heads by myself and second is the promise to change the church for the better. I don't want this tragedy to happen again."
The elderly woman laughed at his words, feeling respect for his level-headed thought despite his condition. Perhaps he would reach greater heights than those in history. He might even become the next saint but the fools in the church didn't see that.
They pushed such talent for the lowest of low and expected his head to be buried in this land. Pity, they met their end before accomplishing their purpose. Moreover, she had to thank them for their action.
They created a monster, no perfectly good weapon for them to use in the future. He would be a masterpiece in her hand and she would use him for the greater good of her liege.
" I promise, child. Take this and pledge yourself to the empire."
She handed him a ceremonial dagger, asking for his blood for his contract. The blood splattered on the ground while Sera threw some of its drop to the fire. One of the soldiers came next to him, handing him a sword that belonged to Gabriella.
Sera gritted his teeth when he saw the charred sword. His cold hand gripped the hot iron handle of the sword as his flesh burned due to heat.
" Please, make this sword good as new and prepare a horse and an identification card for me. From now on I will become a sword of the empire. I will walk in the shadow and forget my light for my light is lost."
Sera handed the sword to the person while bandaging his hand. His gaze was attracted to his hand, feeling into deep thoughts. Little did he know that this would change his fate forever in the worst way.
" That child. I am too late."
Teresa looked at him from far away. Her gaze was filled with sadness. She could only shake her head and leave with lonely steps on this starless night.