Fluttering his eyes open, the world, everything seemed blurry.After a few moments the blurriness finally faded away, and he Gould now see clearly above him was a dark rainy sky, Nigel could feel the rain pouring down on him like a distant wail yet it was also so close. Looking up at the sky it seems to be weeping, trying to stand up he noticed that he was completely naked and most of his body was filled with the dark inscriptions, looking at his feet he noticed that there was no ground below him but instead he wss standing on crystal clear water that reflect the dark sky above, looking at his reflection in the water Nigel seemed a bit dazed
"What is going on ?"He asked but sadly his question was left unanswered, starting to question why all these things were happening to him Nigel sat on the water and hugged his legs as he started crying silently, ever since he wss born he had never known peace, his biological parents did not want him because he wss sick, growing up his body was in constant pain and the only person who would help him died a few months after his thirteenth birthday. Left alone he had to fend for himself, his little sister sebrina would help but only when their parents or any of their other siblings was absent, most of the things he had to do himself even though his body was very weak and to top it off he could not stand the cold, his family did not even bother taking him with when they left delin, and for a moment he thought he wss going to die, he was afraid of death just like anybody else despite how he had convinced himself that he wss ready for it. And now after the storm he had gained a healthier body with strange abilities that he did not even understand, the was a voice he alone could hear and to top it off he had met a horrifying creature and seen horrifying things.
"I-i miss you mom." *Sobs* , he stayed in that position for a while up until he was in a better state, looking around there was nothing in sight except for a small island not so far away from where he was. Wiping away his tears he stood up and started to walk towards the island, at first his steps were cautious afraid he might suddenly plunge into the water but after what seems like hours of walking he was now walking more natural. Getting nearer that is when he saw how vast the island was, but in all its vastness the island was empty with only a tall tree without leaves that seemed to reach the sky and from the branches of the tall tree there were uncountable cocoons hanging down, even from a distance the tree pulsate with an otherworldly glow the image of it was both beautiful and eerily. Nigel stopped in his tracks he wss so close to the island but looking at the tree he was suddenly wary, near the island the rain poured down heavily giving him doubts about stepping foot onto the island.
"What do I have to lose?" He asked himself before shrugging and continuing his advancement.
Nigel stepped onto the island, and the wet earth squished under his feet. The air smelled like wet dirt and rain. The sound of raindrops hitting the water and ground was loud. The tree in front of him was huge and old, with rough grey bark. The cocoons hanging from its branches were wet and shiny, and they had a strange glow to them, the rain drummed against his skin and slowly it became heavier and heavier until he started feeling pain, the rain got so heavy he fell to the ground screaming it was as if he wss being hit by a thousand stones none stop, the pain became too much and he passed out.
"Ahhhh!" Nigel jolted awake screaming startling hope who had dozed off by his side,
"What is it?" Hope asked holding Nigel who was slightly trembling and breathing heavily, and then she realized that he must have had a bad dream.
"Hey, look at me, look at me." She held his face and forced him to look at her, pain was all she saw in his eyes, "it's just a dream okay, it's just a dream now breathe " He nodded at her words and took a few deep breaths before calming down completely.
Once calm he looked around and noticed that he was in a beautifully furnished room, clearing his throat he stared at Hope who was still holding his face
"You can let me go now." Hope realized that she was still holding him and smiled awkwardly before letting him go.
"Urm thanks." Nigel spoke looking down and Hope only smiled without responding
"Where are we and where is aldrian?" He asked still confused at the unfamiliar surroundings, hope smiled brightly and for a moment Nigel couldn't get his eyes off her until she spoke
"We have arrived in Venus, you were asleep for a day and sir Somerset had to carry you the whole time but luckily we got a ride from a merchant who was heading to Venus himself, and this is an inn, sir Somerset left to report to his superiorI don't know when he will return or if he will return after all out journey is complete."her tone changed to that of sadness at the end, Nigel frowns at Hope's words.
....
In a big fancy room, a large wooden desk sat in the center, with a leather chair behind it. The walls were lined with bookshelves, filled with old books and strange objects. A big fireplace stood at one end, with a knight's coat of arms above it. The room was lit by candles and a big chandelier, and two large windows had heavy curtains. The floor creaked underfoot, covered with a thick carpet. On the desk, papers, quills, and a big inkwell lay scattered. A large map of the kingdom hung on one wall, marked with notes and symbols.
Behind the desk sat Sir John Moore, a tall, imposing figure with a strong jaw and piercing blue eyes. He wore a suit of fine black cloth, with a white shirt and a black cravat tied tightly around his neck. A golden cross hung around his neck, and a pair of gloves lay on the desk beside him. His dark hair was slicked back, revealing a prominent forehead and a small scar above his left eyebrow. He looked up from the papers he was reading, his eyes narrowing slightly as he listened to aldrian speak.
"I want to continue following him so sir I am here to resign from my duties, I have not been a knight in a long time so I believe you won't stop me." Aldrian spoke with great confidence, John frowned at him.
"You do understand that your decision cannot be revoked? Your noble title will be stripped from you and your will be labeled a disgrace. Are you ready to bear those consequences knight Somerset?" John's voice was deep and oppressing but John nodded with confidence
"I have been called a bunch of names disgrace is also one of them except that this time it will be attached to my name forever. My decision stands I will be resigning, and sir I wish you good health . May the seven be with you." He drew a circle twice on his chest before getting up to leave
"I will do as you wish. Farewell Somerset may the seven be with you." John also followed aldrian's movements, aldrian left the office without turning back leaving John all alone. After he left a figure appeared from the corner of the room, John stared at the person approaching his desk with contempt
"WHT don't you ever use the door Darrel?" He asked as the person in question sat down, it was lord Darrel one of the four clergymen that appeared at the river.
Darrel sat down and made himself comfortable while keeping perfect eye contact with John,
"You behave as if we are strangers old friend, i merely came here to inform you of a very urgent matter that I need your assistance with." Darrel spoke his right hand brushing his goatee, John remained quiet for a bit before sighing "I'm listening?"
Hid response made Darrel smile and he stopped brushing his beard raising his finger to his mouth he uttered a single word "hush" an invisible barrier covered the whole room and no sound could be heard from the room, he began speaking, he had used a tier one spell hush ,which concealed the place in an invisible air pocket where sound could not leak outside, it was used to prevent spies from eavesdropping on them.
The conversation between the two of them would remain a secret unless one of them accidentally revealed it to someone else.