A/N: The idea behind Ilene's personality is that she's a mix of Martel and Colette, with a bit of Zelos zaniness in there. However, as the journey continues, she's going to change a lot. Both Emil Lime and I believe that all of the Chosens' had to have similar traits, especially ones with close mana signatures to Martel.
Anyways, enjoy the chapter. Remember to leave a review if you liked it, even if it's short like, 'cool!' or 'interesting concept.' Reviews are always appreciated, they really make writing this story worthwhile.
Enjoy,
Emil Lime and Orangepotato
Chapter written by Orangepotato
Ilene Capella: As the Chosen, it's my duty to save this world…
Ilene stared at the wooden door in front of her.
Her heart fluttered in her chest, nausea swirling in her stomach. It was through sheer will that she was still standing there, not running back to her room. The idea itself was pleasant, just going back to the years where her journey was nothing but a distant call in her darkest dreams...
Back to before, when she could spend an hour waking up, where Holtz and her could sneak into Mass or explore the expansive basement of the Church. Even the simple nights where they both stayed up late, talking about what they liked, what they missed, what they wanted…
Something shifted outside the door and Ilene stiffened.
Shaking her head, she knew she couldn't be thinking like that. She was the Chosen of Regeneration. There were so many people who needed her help, needed her to bring Mana back into the land and rid the world of the Desians… simple wishes like hers simply weren't important.
Besides, as an angel, she could do more than she could possibly manage as a human.
Taking a deep breath, she opened the door, the courtyard greeting her eyes. The sunlight filtered down from the clear blue sky, reflecting off the light colored bricks and the bubbling water sprouting from the fountain.
Standing in front of the fountain were the two heads of the Church as well as a man she didn't know. However, as she approached, the heads of the Church moved in front of him so they could speak to Ilene personally.
"Reverend," she spoke, giving a soft curtsy, "Prime Minster." She stopped in front of them, smiling through the dismal atmosphere.
The Prime Minister, a tall circular man, gave her a sad smile but a firm hand gripped her shoulder, "Hello Chosen One. I pray you had a good sleep."
She nodded, "I did. I hope yours was as well."
He gave a small chuckle, "I wish is had been, dear one."
Reverend spoke up next, "It's always sad when a young Chosen is about to leave on the Journey of Regeneration. There have been far too many…"
"Then let us hope," Ilene said, "that I'll be the last."
The two seemed happy with her statement, though it didn't ease any of the sorrow or anticipation on their faces. They were both obviously worried about the months ahead.
Ilene would've been lying if she said she wasn't apprehensive about the Journey, too. Over the years, during their morning lessons, while Holtz was taken away by some of the monks, she'd been told about the horrors that her Journey would include.
As well as all of the things she'd have to sacrifice in order to become an angel.
Her taste, her need to sleep, her touch, her voice…
And then she'd ascend into heaven, thus bringing Mana back into the land and saving the world.
It was almost every day she'd been reminded of the burden that she carried by her birth right and the things that she'd have to be willing to give up in order to become an angel.
Even as she thought over the Priests familiar words again, the same feeling crept into her mind. It always felt like they were leaving something out. Like they'd forgotten to include something far worse than any of the other trials…
The way their faces always turned gruesome or sad, how they got quiet at her constant probing and how they rushed to focus on the positives of her Journey opposed to the negatives…
"Ilene," Reverend's voice broke through her thoughts, tugging her attention back to the present and to the presence of the stranger nearby.
A soft breeze rustled through the air, catching on her dress and twisting her loose red curls. A few stray leaves from the yard over floated on the invisible ride, fluttering to the feet of the tall man behind them.
He had a serious face, part of it obscured by auburn bangs that also brushed his shoulders. His clothes were a combination of white and purple cloth and brown belts which crisscrossed his body. A sword hung loosely at his left side, one hand resting on the hilt.
He made quite the impression.
Ilene felt a new tension run through her body. He hadn't seemed nearly as intimidating from far away.
He spoke curtly, noticing everyone's attention was on him, "Prime Minister. Head Priest."
Reverend nodded to the man formally and then regarded Ilene, "Chosen One, this is Kratos Aurion. We've hired him to help you in your Journey."
She felt a small bout of fear form in her stomach, feeling the mercenary's eyes drill into her, "I thought some of the Priests were coming with me."
"They are," the Prime Minister answered, "but we thought it would be appropriate for someone with battles skills to join you. The Journey is dangerous and we don't want your life to be threatened."
Deep blue eyes glanced over to the stoic man. He looked like he had battle skills, but he seemed so impersonal. She'd been thinking that familiar priests would be the only ones accompanying her. The ones who were aware of her feelings and her fears…
But Reverend and the Prime Minster were right. The facts were undeniable. Several Chosens had failed, killed while on the Journey.
Sighing, she accepted it. Kratos Aurion would be accompanying them on the Journey. Through the tension still plagued her body, a small amount of appreciation filled her. She didn't want to die. She wanted to save the world, to allow the Chosen who was destined to be born after her to live without the fear of sharing the same sacrifices…
She curtsied and said, "It's an honor, Mr. Aurion."
The man only made a soft noise and nodded, glancing up to the Church. His attention stayed there for a moment, making Ilene turn to face what he was looking at.
"What?" She whispered, looking over the glass windows and solid brick exterior. Just as she heard Kratos shuffle a bit and speak lowly to the Prime Minster, her blue eyes caught sight of someone in the window.
Her heart hammered a bit harder in her chest, "Holtz." It was like a stab of pain as she realized he was upset. She hadn't said goodbye, she hadn't even bothered to wake him. With the chances of failure, she hadn't had the heart to bid him farewell.
He'd been adamant that he'd wanted to join in on the Journey, but she'd told him time and again that he couldn't.
She knew, even after he had said Alright, fine. I won't go. Just shut up about it. He hadn't meant it. Being her brother, she knew when he was lying. She knew that he had still been desperate to accompany them.
He scowled, though not at her. His gray eyes were focused on the mercenary behind her.
With a small smile, she turned back towards Kratos and the Priests, "We should be leaving."
Reverend heaved a sigh and nodded, "It's only a matter of time till the Oracle arrives. We'll be waiting for your success, Chosen one." He moved towards her and grasped her hands between his. There was sadness in his eyes, tears obviously threatening them.
She only smiled reassuringly, lying to herself that everything was going to be alright.
As Reverend moved away, the Prime Minister swallowed hard and put a hand on her shoulder, "Take care of yourself, Ilene. And may the Goddess Martel protect you on your Journey."
"Take care of Holtz, Prime Minister."
The man nodded, "I will. I promise."
"And I promise I'll save this world." The words rang in her head, dispelling the doubt that had crept in. Even if she was apprehensive, even if she still felt like running back to her room, back to before, courage filled her heart.
The entire world was counting on her.
She watched as several priests came into the courtyard, all dressed for travel. They were heading for the temple of the Goddess Martel which was settled outside of the city. After that, it was off into the expanse of the world… this would be the last time she'd see Meltokio as herself.
The next time she'd see it, she'd be an angel.
She'd have saved the world.
"Come on," she smiled to Kratos and then to the priests, "Let's go." She stepped across the courtyard and walked through the open gates. Her first steps past the walls of the Church, her first steps on her journey, her first steps towards her destiny.
