Chapter 4: Never ending emptiness

Ranulf woke up the next morning he had spent the night at Katie's house. He faced the person beside him.

"Good morning Angel" he said softly

Katie started to open her eyes from her sleep "Good Morning" she replied

"Had any good dreams?" Ranulf asked

"What I'm looking at is better"

Ranulf moved closer and Katie gave him a kiss.

Ranulf smiled then stood up and got dressed back into his priest robes

"Where are you going?" asked Katie

"To get some fresh air" answered Ranulf as he entered the door to the terrace.

A light breeze passed Payon; Ranulf closed his eyes and savored the feeling of the wind against his face. "If it is not destined for me to meet her. Then, why did I?" Ranulf thought to himself

"Please God, I know that She is the one I have served you grant me this favor, that I may spend my life with her."

Ranulf's prayer was interrupted By Katie.

"I made some Breakfast. You want to eat?"

"Katie" said Ranulf "I decided that I will give up my priesthood and if it is fine with you we will live in my home town at Amatsu. I can be a doctor and once we get enough money we'll buy some farming land."

"No Ranulf" said Katie "You will never have a complete life if you're with me"

"You're Wrong! The only way I will not have a complete life is if you're not in it" snapped Ranulf "So what will be your decision?"

"I will go" answered Katie

Ranulf's face brightened he picked up Katie and started spinning. He kissed Katie then said, "I'm glad you said that"

Anna was standing in Payon castle. Monomer came out of his room and spotted Anna.

"Do you need something from me child?" asked Monomer

"I seek your spiritual council Arch Bishop"

"Come now tell me all about it" said Monomer

"I have a problem regarding revealing the truth. But the truth might cause problems that would do much damage to the Holy order.

"Well in that case does this truth prove any threat, or does it cause harm to a person?"

"I believe it does Arch bishop but the person is blinded he cannot see the faults of his actions'

"Have you tried sharing your thoughts with this Person?"

"He doesn't know that I have found out"

"Well, I think you should consult this person you might find the answer to your problem"

"Maybe," said Anna

"I hope this problem will not prolong," said Monomer standing up

"Thank you Arch bishop I hope so too"

Anna stared at the floor all her thoughts flying in her head.

Sigmund was sitting in his room the candle's flame already gone The image of his Master Kissing the archer girl in his mind Rewind- Play, Rewind- Play, Rewind- Play, Rewind- Play, Rewind- Play, Rewind- Play, Rewind- Play driving him to the brink of insanity.

He stood up then paced around the room "This cant be. He is the greatest priest Midgard has ever seen He cannot go against the Holy orders it is irrational, no impossible. I learned everything from him, he taught me every thing I he knows."

He fell on his knees then put his hand over his face "Get out of my head, Get out of my Head!" He started hammering his temples shouting, "Get out of my head" repeatedly.

Blood trickled down from his forehead and he fell on his back he reached for a knife on the table and laid it on his chest. "If I destroy the source of my suffering maybe I will be at peace" He stood up and put the Knife back to its sheathe and hid it under his robes. He ran out the door his hand grasping the hilt of the dagger.

"Mmmm that was exquisite," said Ranulf complementing Katie's meal.

"The picky meat was very fresh from the Payonese-Moroccan Border.

Ranulf smiled at the innocence of his lover. Katie smiled back then sat on Ranulf's lap.

"Aren't you going to share that meal" she asked

"Oh how selfish of me" Ranulf forked a piece of meat then put it in Katie's mouth Katie bit it then Kissed Ranulf. Ranulf laid his hand on Katie's cheek then kissed her back.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING RANULF!" shouted the Archbishop who was standing at the door eyes bulging and mouth agape.

"Is this what you wanted me to see Sigmund?" asked the Archbishop

"Sigmund?" said Ranulf "What has Sigmund have to do with this?"

Then Sigmund stepped out from behind the Archbishop not making any eye contact with Ranulf. Then he spoke "Yes Archbishop, this is what I wanted you to see."

Monomer stared at Ranulf with disgust then called out "TAKE THEM AWAY!" six Payonese and Pronteran Guards entered the house and dragged Katie out.

"NO! LET HER GO" howled Ranulf but the guards held him

"RANULF! HELP ME!" screamed Katie

Ranulf broke loose of the guards grips then placed his hand over their faces and shouted "HOLY LIGHT!" since it was his only skill to defend himself. He ran towards Katie but a guard grabbed his foot causing him to fall he watched Katie being dragged then thrown into a cage wagon. Ranulf broke into tears and clasped the ends of Monomer's robes.

"Please Archbishop I love her take away my priesthood then leave us be"

Monomer was enraged with Ranulf "YOU PUTRID LITTLE PIECE OF TRASH!" he shouted, "YOU WERE THE PRIDE OF THE PRONTERAN CHURCH. GEFFEN HAS A WIZARD THAT CAN DESTROY A CITY WITH A WINK, THE CHIVALRY HAS A KNIGHT THAT PROTECTED THE CAPITAL CITY SINGLE HANDIDLY. AND WHAT HAVE YOU GIVEN TO THE SANCTUARY? A PRIEST WHO BROKE HIS VOWE OF CELIBASY! YOUR LITTLE GIRLFRIEND WILL BE BURNED AT THE STAKE!"

"NO! YOU CAN'T DO THAT!" shouted Ranulf grabbing Monomer by the collar

"BEAT HIM TO THE GROUND!" shouted Monomer. The guards started to beat Ranulf until he fell unconscious on the floor.