PATH OF ASCENSION
by Ulquiorra9000
Chapter 37
Everything looked a brilliant, reddish-orange hue when Jaina opened her eyes, due to the evening sunlight pouring in through a window. Blinking, she sat up and realized that she was in the Reverent Army academy's medical ward. She had been sent here a few times after sparring with Mr. Loxan and the other academy instructors, but for the first time, she was glad to be here. The memory of her final battle crashed down on her, and she took comfort in the wood-paneled walls and her soft sheets.
Through her room's window, Jaina could clearly see heaps of rubble and scorch marks, remains of Rafael's conquest. The battle-ravaged areas had been blocked off, and curious citizens watched as construction crews cleared away the rubble and started reconstruction.
No doubt it would take years to rebuild Meletis and its Reverent Army defenders. But the effort would be worth it.
"Ouch!" Jaina winced as she leaned to look farther out the window. She ran her hand across her bandaged chest; although she could feel Heliod's favor humming deep inside her, strong and steady, her body was ravaged. Her stomach rumbled with hunger.
What a week. Jaina sighed and flopped back on her bed, staring at the ceiling and wondering how so much carnage could have happened in the last few days.
Idly, Jaina reached to the ceiling and clenched a fist. Glitters of Nyx stars oozed from between her fingers and a faint, sunny glow touched her skin. It felt good to be the sun champion and feel Heliod's grace with her.
Someone knocked three times on the door and called Jaina's name through the door.
"Mmmmmm," Jaina smiled, admiring the tiny stars on her hands. The power of Nyx was hers!
The person rapped on the door again, three more knocks. "Jaina?"
Jaina sat upright. "What? Who is it?"
Knock, knock, knock. "Jaina? can I come in?"
"Yeah."
The door swung open and Chari, the petite oracle, shyly crept in. She wore a sky-blue robe that exposed one shoulder. Around her waist was a gold sash. "Hi."
"Don't be so timid," Jaina told her gently. "I could use the company."
"Thanks." Chari stood at the foot of Jaina's bed, and up close, Jaina could see that the girl's eyes were a bit red and puffy. Her eyes were watery.
Jaina's heart sank. "Is it Rikko?"
Chari nodded,.
"Oh, no." Jaina clapped a hand over her mouth. "Chari, I'm so sorry."
Chari shook her head. "It's okay. It's not your fault. But I... I miss him. We looked out for each other, you know."
Jaina nodded. She remembered meeting Chari and Rikko at their forest town, where they had worked together to rob merchant wagons. Since then, they had changed their ways, but not their relationship. "He gave his life to defend Meletis, and all of Theros. I'm proud of him."
"Me, too." Chari made a wan smile. "But... we did it! I saw you defeat Rafael in my visions, Jaina. Heliod blessed you!"
"Yeah, I finally earned it," Jaina smiled. She opened her hand and showed Chari the sunlight and stars on her palm. "Look!"
Chari leaned closer to look, wonder crossing her face. "How did you do it?"
Jaina shrugged. "I learned humility and was ready to lay down my life for Meletis, like my fellows had done." Her smile faded. "Wait... did Sophia make it? I never saw her after I told her to go help the Army against Rafael."
"Well, um..."
"Tell me!"
Chari jumped. "She didn't make it. Her body was identified with the others."
"Oh." Jaina felt numb and lowered her glowing hand. Sophia had always been there for her, and together, the two of them had struggled and worked until they became proper Reverent Army members. Mr. Loxan and the others had commented on how close the two girls were, despite their different backgrounds. Sophia, a Meletis-born, upper-class mage, and Jaina, a rough-and-tumble newcomer from a rural town.
Jaina drew a deep breath. "And Mr. Loxan? Where is he? Is he okay?"
"The Army medics found him, but he was pretty banged up," Chari explained. "He's quitting as an instructor."
"And here I thought he was untouchable."
"You can see him later. He's feeling okay," Chari added. Then, she smiled again. "But before you do, there's two more people who want to see you. They're just outside the door."
"Who?"
Jaina recoiled in surprise when her parents walked in. Her father, Allad, was as brawny as ever, his skin darkened from years under the sun. His short, curly hair matched his gray-speckled beard and he wore ordinary, dark green peasant clothes. Jaina's mother, Eria, looked a bit more refined with her hair in elaborate braids, but her simple, country-style dress marked her as a laborer.
"Mom? Dad?" Jaina gaped as her parents approached her, smiles on their faces. Meanwhile, Chari left the room to give some family privacy.
"Hello yourself, Jaina," Allad said as he pulled up a chair, which creaked under his weight. "You look no worse for wear."
"Been fighting," Jaina remarked. "Nothing new. It's just like at home."
Eria chuckled as she, too, pulled up a chair. "I know. You liked to fight boys back home, but you were young then. Now you're someone a mother can be very proud of." She gently ran a hand through Jaina's hair.
"I think so," Jaina grinned. "You wouldn't believe how many adventures I had since I moved here in Meletis. If any members of the Shadow League were left, they'd fear my name!"
Allad roared in laughter. "That's my girl! Always putting pompous upstarts in their place."
Jaina's smile fell. "I'm surprised you both came. There's so much work back home." Indeed, her parents had never had a chance to visit Meletis before, and the same went for most people in rural towns within the city's influence.
"We're having a few days off to celebrate our freedom from the bad guys," Allad said, slapping a meaty hand on his knee. "Good time to go see how our little girl's doing."
Concern crossed Eria's face. "Jaina? What's wrong?"
Jaina realized that she had tears running down her face. She and the people of Meletis had won, but she couldn't erase the memory of Alexis being charred to dust, and she also realized that she'd never see Sophia's face again. And Chari had lost her brother...
Jaina wrapped her arms around her mother and buried her face in the woman's shoulder. She closed her eyes and felt tears burn in her eyes. "Mom, I-I've seen so many people die. I miss them."
"It's all right, darling." Eria embraced her daughter. "Those were brave people, and they did the right thing fighting the invaders."
"I know, but it's still hard to think about," Jaina choked. For a minute, she didn't feel like Heliod's chosen warrior, just a girl who needed her parents with her. "I used to think that fighting was fun. Now I think it's ugly."
Allad patted a hand to Jaina's shoulder. "You're a smart, girl, Jaina. I'm just glad you're okay."
Jaina broke away and lay back down. "I'm glad you're both okay. The Shadow League didn't come through our home?"
Eria shook her head. "No, we were avoided. We're not important enough to bother with."
"Good thing," Jaina commented. "I think of Meletis as my home now, but I won't forget where I came from." She settled into a more comfortable position. "Can you guys stay a while? I bet you want to hear all about what I've been up to."
"Of course," Allad smiled. "We have time."
*o*o*o*o*
The next day, when Jaina had recovered a bit more, she was escorted into the academy headmaster's office.
The place looked the same as ever: a wide desk covered in papers, bookshelfs crammed with volumes and rare artifacts, and windows that overlooked Meletis' harbor. Jaina admired the sunlit sea from here, and watched as boats sailed casually in and out of the harbor. In the far distance, the rocky Dakra Isles were visible.
"Welcome," the headmaster greeted. He had stood with his back to the door, looking out the windows. He turned around and smiled. "It's been some time, hasn't it, Jaina?"
"Yes, headmaster, it has." Jaina stood ramrod-straight as the two escorts exited. The headmaster had been a veteran of many daring campaigns during his day and commanded the respect of many. Even with Heliod's grace, Jaina knew her place around him.
"The last time you were here, you and Sophia pleaded for permission to go on an adventure," the headmaster commented warmly. Like his office, he looked much the same; bald head, white beard, exquisite robes. Now he paced around Jaina, taking in the younger warrior.
Jaina's insides squirmed at the mention of Sophia, but she didn't let her grief show. "I remember that. Because of that, I fought the Shadow League for the first time."
"And what a marvelous job you've done!" The headmaster laughed. "Meletis owes everything to the Reverent Army, and most of all, to you. Erebos underestimated our resolve, and it cost him his precious little cult."
Jaina swallowed. She was the only living person who knew about Rafael's true nature, but what could be done about the world Innistrad and otherworldly visitors? As far as she could tell, nothing. Better to keep it a secret unless events demanded otherwise, so Jaina played along. "We may have won, but the Army is almost gone. We've vulnerable."
"Not for long, we aren't." The headmaster stopped and turned to face Jaina, his face stern. "Mr. Loxan was our best teacher, but he's no longer fit for service. I need people to train a new set of warriors to defend our city, and I want you among them."
"Huh?" Jaina couldn't help a gasp. "Me?"
"Ordinarily, a warrior needs several years of experience before teaching," the headmaster said. "But I think you've gotten that experience in a short, intense period. You've learned much. Now, why not pass it on? Prove yourself, and I may make you a platoon captain in the reformed Army." The old man's eyes twinkled.
Jaina swallowed. Her, commanding an Army platoon? Over thirty hoplites and battle-wise mages would be under her command. "I..." She steeled herself. "I accept. I'll teach here. And, if I'm worthy, I'll help lead the Army against our enemies."
"Very good," the headmaster smiled. "Warriors such as yourself give an old man hope. I imagine you'll want to tell your friends about this? I know I'd want to share such good news."
Jaina smiled back. "Yeah." She thought of all the people who had given their lives to help her: Petros the archer, Rikko the swordsman, Sophia the mage, Alexis the wise... she owed them. And Chari and Katrina were still here to talk about it. "I'll tell them. I wouldn't be here without their help. I owe them everything."
She clapped a fist over her heart and lifted her chin. "And that's why I'll make sure I never fail them."
END.
*o*o*o*o*
A/N: I would like to thank Dawnweaver, Firegamer5, Willie Jackson, htffan951, Mobius-mech, .737, dsimesz23, modeluchosen1, Melkor44, Artfuldemon, BeastOfTruth, Belokurov, Marine3950, Silentmusic456, Ragnarok666, Guest, , Dr. Faust, and Endlos Nacht for the reviews, favorite story alerts, and other forms of support. It's been fun!