Last Wish
"Faith must be truly novel, beautiful and timeless, so gives life to thee."
Act 0
Chapter 12 - Time to get stronger.
Finally having time to himself, Phanuhel had fallen into deep thinking.
Phanuhel's thoughts were of the faxt that he couldn't believe how much his life had changed in just a matter of days. From a peaceful life of solitude in the church, to being thrown into a world of danger, violence, and intrigue. "Feletheus reminds me of myself long ago.... maybe I should help him with that" he thought, embracing the coming memories of his long forgotten past.
Phanuhel smiled as he saw Xavier enter the room. "Xavier, glad to see you alive and well. Well, look at this old man, who couldn't take a hit" laughed Phanuhel, coughingly.
Xavier sat down next to Phanuhel's bedside, looking somewhat sheepish. "Yeah, I, uh, wanted to talk to you."
Phanuhel chuckled. "Go ahead, what's on your mind?"
Xavier began trembling slightly, "I-I don't want this to happen again. Please make me stronger so that You'll never have to save me again." After Xavier finished speaking, his own words built his confidence in this choice, making it his goal. His expression changed from uncertainty to absolute solemity.
Phanuhel looked Xavier in the eyes, and so no fear of upcoming pain of struggles. "He's ready" thought Phanuhel, giving away a little smile. "Get stronger. In this state I can only teach you theory of cursed ardor, but for it you have to give me time to recall it in my memories." murmured Phanuhel.
He knew that the path ahead would be difficult, and he would have to push himself to his limits to help Xavier. But he was determined to do everything he could to ensure Xavier's safety and success.
As he laid there, lost in thought, he began to recall memories of his own past. Memories of a time long before he had become a priest, a time when he was just a child...
As Phanuhel delved deeper into his memories, he began to remember a time long ago, when he was just a small child.
He remembered being born in the countryside, in a small and peaceful village. He had parents. It was a simple life, far away from the all complexities and dangers. He tried to continue remembering what happened after, but couldn't. His own mind refused to do so. He then told Xavier to go train his ability outside and give him time to think. No matter how hard he tried, he could not recall memories of the eclipse. He could only remember how vengeful he was on somebody after, and how he find out about his abilities by travelling all around the continents, and during that journey he reached the the church of Cyrchos.
Phanuhel's thoughts continued to wander, drifting between memories of the past and the present. He tried once again to recall the memories of the eclipse, but his mind continued to refuse. Frustration and uncertainty filled him as he realised that he was no closer to fully remembering what had happened.
He tried to shake off the feeling of helplessness, reminding himself that he had to focus on the task at hand: teaching Xavier. But the inability to remember his own past weighed heavily on him.
"Please, Agaue, call Xavier back to me!" exclaimed Phanuhel as loudly as he could so that Agaue hears him behind walls.
Agaue quickly entered the room, rushing to Phanuhel's bedside. "What's wrong, Phanuhel? Is everything alright?" she asked, the concern evident on her face.
"Please bring Xavier back to me, we need to talk." Phanuhel asked Agaue.
Agaue nodded, her expression serious. "I'll bring him back," she said, before leaving the room to find Xavier.
After a few moments, Agaue returned with Xavier in tow. "You wanted to speak with us?" she asked, as Xavier came to Phanuhel's bedside.
"Agaue, I will train Xavier until the main meeting, so don't let him slack off. Make sure he does the work," Phanuhel then turned his head to Xavier and stated "and you now could finally learn the mastery of cursed ardor, Xavier." Xavier nodded, and turned his head to Agaue, who had her expression mixed with shock and confusion. "Miss Agaue, are you okay?" stuttered Xavier. "I-I'm fine, it's just that I don't remember Phanuhel having apprentices in my lifespan of almost 40 years. But now I understand how stupid this was of me to react so knowing how old Phanuhel is. Excuse me.." she announced her exiting the room.