Chapter one
Angelic meeting
"Mmm, each time I visit here. I am greeted with the splendor of life."
A man said brightly, he wore a black silk cloak with white and orange wovens patterns. His white hair slipped out of the hood of his cloak, his piercing white hazel eyes glancing at the bustling streets of the Capital of Lugunica.
He stood silent as the crowds of people walked around him as if he wasn't there at all. As if he wasn't a presence in this world.
He lifted his finger and drew it near his mouth. His pastel white lips touched his finger, he muttered an incantation and drew his finger back. Above his fingertip reality warped and turned, as if it was seemingly alive. An orb of blankness appeared with infinite eyes around its form.
"Go."
He muttered out, and so the blank orb did. It flew way up above the capital, reaching near the clouds, and then it burst into a thousand small pieces. Each shard having innumerable eyes of its own. It scattered above, watching everything below.
The man made a satisfied hum and continued his walk. His presence still not known to the world.
"I think something exciting is going to happen today."
"Get your appas! Freshes appas in the whole kingdom right here!"
A middle-aged man yelled, trying to persuade civilians from the bustling streets to come over. Yet none rarely did. He had a few come but just a few.
"Tch… barely getting anyone."
He grumbled out with closed eyes. He was open since morning breaking his ass off to attract customers. He needed money for his family, the economy in Lugunica was worsening since the deaths of the royals.
And with inflation… It was only a matter of time before Lugunica goes up to shit, or so he thought.
So he needed to gather enough money to be able to move to Kararagi. A place far west from Lugunica where sly merchants lived and where the economy was livid. He hated the thought of leaving his friends here but he needed so for the betterment of the future of his daughter and wife.
He looked back at the lively streets and yelled once more, "Appas! Freshest appas in the kingdom of Luganica here for an affordable price!"
"Freshistes Appas ye?"
A new voice said, its sarcastic youth easily detectable to anyone with a functioning mind.
"Brandor."
"Kadomon."
Kadomon simply sighed wearily. He did not want to deal with Brandor teasing habits today nor tomorrow. He had work to do and Brandor will just get in the way of such work. So he waved his hand dismissively and said,
"Scram before you scare my customers with that ugly mug of yours."
Brandor lets out a shrill as his pride was getting pierced. "Hey! My face is just fine!"
"Ha! With those scars running across your face, I bet anyone would be scared from just looking at ya. That's why you haven't found anyone yet, cuz of your ugly mug."
Kadomon said haughty, knowing that his face is in the same category as Brandor.
"Oh and your mug isn't? Do I need to remind you that yours is just as gnarly as mine? At least mine are honorable."
Brandor grunted, to which Kadomon simply huffed at. Kadomon didn't have anything to argue with since it was true. His scars are from his day in the criminal underground while Brandor scars were from his days being a soldier for Luganica.
"Ha! I did what I did and I don't regret it."
"Ehh? I don't remember asking if you regret it or not. Must be feeling guilty if you brought that up."
Brandor said with a smug smile.
"Tch, did you just come here just to annoy the hell out of me?!"
Kadomon said with irritation present in his voice and eyes. He needed to work and money and neither was going to come to fruition with Brandor here messing with him and his business. So with the furrowing of his brow and a distinct voice demanding compliance he spoke,
"Get out of here Brandor, I'm trying to work can't you see that? I know you can be relaxed because you don't have a family, but I do."
Brandor's mouth formed a frown, he had gotten the memo and was heartsore by it. He simply wanted to talk to a friend that he viewed as a father figure but alas Kadomon was right. Brandor was interfering with his business.
"Alright, alright. I got it, no need for the Kadomon the butcher treatment. Here, let me get a couple of appas."
Brandor said as he pocketed out a few copper coins.
"Finally, something useful is coming out of ya."
Kadomon exaggerated as he grabbed a thin bowl of straws and placed appas within it. "So how many?"
"Gimme five, going to work after this so I need to replenish my strength."
"Sure. Say, I heard that you were going to that church umm–"
Kadomon said as he handed the now-filled straw bowl to Brandor. A gaze of curiosity filled Kadomon's eyes. He wanted to know about this new church that had recently popped up in the capital of Luganica.
"Oh, you mean the Church of 'Angelica'."
"Yeah that. Church of 'Angelica'."
Kadomon savored the word in his mouth. Something about the word 'Angelica' felt oddly right, it rolled off the tongue too well, the word made him feel a sensation he couldn't understand.
"Yeah, the church was recently established here after the lift of that ridiculous ban. But they've been around for about two hundred years."
Brandor said as he expressed gratitude in his voice. His hands tucked together as if he was about to pray right there and then. Those eyes of love that shone within Brandor creeped Kadomon out.
"Their cathedrals and palaces are in Geusteko. They have a huge influence there and they're also famous for occupying 'The Empty Wasteland'. They also have some cathedrals out there too."
Kadomon seemingly forgot about his work as his curiosity began to peak almost like a disease spreading to his body.
"Huh, and whatcha get taught over there?"
Brandor eyes lit as he heard this, a satisfied smile came over him. How the wonders of 'Angelica' never cease to amaze him. Just a moment ago his friend, Kadomon, was telling him to scram but now. Now Kadomon interest in the religion came to surface. All thanks to 'Angelica' of course.
"Hehehe."
"What are you looking so happy for?!"
Brandor composed himself and ceased his chuckling. He should use this opportunity given to him by 'Angelica' and educate the dolt named Kadomon.
"Well you see–"
"Uooh!..."
A boy dressed in white garbs, that of a paladin, slumped his head as he placed a hand on a wall and the other on his crestfallen face.
"How can this be… I was given this scarce duty to accompany him but…"
His eyes filled with dejection and anger as he morally butchered himself for failing such a scarce task. He, who the council thought incapable of doing such a task was given the chance to accompany his holiness by his holiness.
Has utterly lost track of his holiness…
"Just where is he…"
He slumped his head even more, the aching feeling of failure and inadequacy stormed in his chest violently. Given such a scarce task that even his mentor and senior paladins thought he was incapable of doing with the only one believing in him being his holiness. Such sentiments brought another ache in his chest.
Maybe they were right? No! That would mean that his holiness was wrong.
"Yeah that's right. His holiness believed I was the right person for the job…"
With that thought a new light lit itself into his eyes. He straightened his back and looked at the brilliant blue sky.
"This must be a test conducted by his holiness, one where I will not falter no more! I'll find his holiness even at the cost of my very own life!"
He shouted not perceiving the odd and annoyed gazes he received from the people of the livid streets.
"Mommy, who's that weird man over there?"
"Shush, let's not get involved in such manners, child."
Murmurs and annoyed mumbles coursed around, its object of annoyance being the boy in white paladin garbs.
"Weirdo."
"Ain't those clothes from that church?"
"What are they doing here? We already have the dragon church."
"I bet they're the type to scam the delusional. Tch typical."
"Ha! Like the gods or divine dragon ever did us any favors."
The boy snapped out of his joyous stupor and realized the gazes he had conceived. With a nervous smile he waved at them. The murmurs only increased as the gazes sharpened. He surely was ruining the church's image wasn't he.
"Ohhh, I can't believe I lost Ram. I'm such a clutz"
She said as she walked down the aboil streets of the capital, she received stares of guardedness and ire as she walked simply because of heritage but nonetheless she didn't let that bother her current predicament.
You're worrying too much, I'm sure We'll find Ram again.
"Mmm, I hope your sanguinity is right, Puck."
Hehe! Don't worry daughter of mine. Your father is always right!
She held a nervous smile, the tips weavering, as she responded back to her father figure, Puck.
"R-right."
She held Puck dear to her heart and would say that he holds number one in her heart, but even then her father would say outlandish things that she simply could not agree to. But she kept quiet about it.
Huh! You don't agree with me!
Unfortunately, her father was able to read the emotions of others easily and he read hers with the same amount of ease. With a nervous smile and the waving of her hands she tries to excuse her thoughts.
With the onslaught of excuses and mindless chatter, she did not perceive the thieving eyes of a golden hair child. In one fell swoop, the thief enacted her plan and with the swiftness of the winds she stole the bag that the half-elf carried.
E-Emilia!
"I know!"
Emilia quickly changed her posture and directed her sights on the blurr that had just passed them. Blue light began to cloud around her before coming whole and forming blunted ice shards.
Booom!
Druaash!
Drtaaaacke!
One by one she shot the shards, angling them so as to not harm the bystanders that fled from the scene. Their hurried steps leave an opening around the Golden blur. She shot once more but to no avail, the golden blur dodged and turned as she made her way towards an alleyway.
A 'Tch' left her mouth and a fearful expression quickly formed on Emilia's face as she halted her shards and dissipated them in order to give chase to the golden thief. She must not let her escape at all cost.
With the strength of her Elven lineage and the mana enhancement she quickly placed on herself, she busted out with speeds near to that of the golden blur.
Munch Munch Munch
"Hey, Halfin, have you heard about it?"
A man late in his twenties said, his garbs are of one that had a modest life, to an older man who seemed to be in his thirties, his garbs dirty but had an aura that he also lived a modest life. The man in his thirties chewed on stalk and plainly looked at the person who called out to him.
"Heard what? Can't you see I'm running a business?"
Halfin said as he continued to chew, his bored eyes holding slight contempt for his friend for interrupting his daily routine.
"Business? The only business you're doing is lazing around."
The man said as he laughed haughty, he leaned back on the wall of a building that Halfin was leaning on. His gaze sharp with youthful vigor even if he's entering his thirties. He held a bright smile as he told his friend about the enlightenment he received recently.
"Why're you so damn happy? Weren't you sulking a few days ago?"
Halfin said with skepticism rising in his eyes. His friend, Rofin, was sulking the past days about the passing of his dearest mother but now in these recent days he seems to be cheerier than before.
'Don't tell me his sulking was a ruse all along!?'
Halfin thought with slight sweat dripping behind his neck. Surely his friend, Rofin, was not a monster of that liking.
"Hahaha! Yes I was and it still pains me to think about my mother but now. Now that I've entered the church of 'Angelica' I feel rejuvenated like never before!"
"Huh? Rejuvenated? Since when did you use words like that?"
"Like I said, I've been rejuvenated like never before! Hahaha!"
"Yeah, I can see that…"
Silence was brought forth between them, one held a bright smile while the other held nothing. Both gazed at the rumbling streets with calm eyes, just how long did it take for them to be at peace like this. There was no danger, no one eye open at night, surely they were the few lucky ones that came home with their lives and limbs.
"So, what do you do over there?"
Halfin was the first to break the silence between them with that question. Although, he wasn't curious about the teachings since he believed that the church of 'Angelica' was the same as others, using people's delusions and hope on worshiping gods that help no one and leave the weak and poor empty.
"Well, we do many things but foremost we do activities that benefit the lower districts and slum dwellers. We have a small camp near the edge of the slums where we educate the children and feed the hungry. We then do a small group prayer for those who want to learn from us and teach the ways of 'Angelica' our goddess. Sometimes we hold–"
Rofin spoke with such passion that Halifn's eyes began to bulge slightly. Never has he seen his friend's attitude become something like this, not even in their fighting days. Halfin became awe-struck but only from within as he saw his friend's eye twinkle like the stars.
Maybe the church is the real deal?
"Her her! Eat up please!"
An old woman yelled, a scar cut thoroughly between her left eye, her garbs stained from stew and drinks. She handed out bowl after bowl of stirred pork to the residence of the slums with a bright smile.
Since coming here from Geusteko there has been nothing but joy in her helping those in need. She glanced around and saw her compatriots from the church run along and help the sickly and children, she was simply amazed at how a wonderful religion as this wasn't here before. Ah–that's right, the ban.
"Miss, can I get another bowl please?"
A small skinny girl said, her body coursed with scars with only her dirted rag hiding it beneath. Quickly she poured the soup into her bowl, a wide smile came to the malnourished child.
"Certainly! And come back for more when you want more!"
She said with her own bright smile. Her iron medallion swinging from her neck. In the center was an angel with their wings having slits as eyes as they looked at everything beneath them with caring eyes.
"P-please let me have another bowl."
An old sunken man said, his bones outlining his torso.
"Certainly! Certainly!"
Her morning went on like this. Each moment she would spend filling the bowls of the hungry and refill the pots with the only break given when she switched with the other volunteers from the church. Although the task was grueling and rigorous not once did she think of stopping.
She held a smile through and through, not once judging the residence of the slums but cursing the kingdom and nobles for their ignorance of the wellbeing of the slum dwellers.
As she held those thoughts she twirled her medallion between her fingers, the significance of it being the symbol for the church of 'Angelica' the only religion she truthfully believes in. How ironic was her life, from a believer to a non-believer only to come back as a believer.
"Kira! It's your shift again!"
"On it!"
Ah, well her story was for another time. Kira stood up from the chair she sat on and briskly walked back to the kitchen to feed those hungry mouths, the sun beamed at her as she did what she was tasked with, with an equally beaming smile.
"So you're a half-elf? No wonder why you're so pretty! Elves are always so gorgeous!"
The young paladin said as he rested an elbow on the railing. A bright cheeky smile adorning his mouth as he lightly flirts with the confused slivered half-elf who stood a few feet away from him. She tried to open her mouth but only gaped at the young paladin.
"Y-you're n-not–"
"Scared? Nah, what would I be scared of? A beauty is standing in front of me. It would be shameful to be scared just because."
The young paladin just watched as the girl became even more confused. She never experienced a situation like this and was weirded on how the paladin in front of her was so casually talking to her like nothing. Was he brave or foolish?
"I'm neither, you know."
The paladin said as he pointed towards the half-elf. The same smile he showed her kept on persisting through the fairly awkward atmosphere he created.
"Just because the 'Witch of Envy' did atrocities to the world as a whole, doesn't mean I would hold a grudge on half-elfs. Now of course a lot of people today would say 'half-elf this or half-elf that' but where I come from. We tend to judge people by their character and not their lineage."
The paladin said as he straightened his posture and extended his armored hand, the steel clanking as he extended.
"Eh?"
The silvered half-elf pushed her hands towards her chest as she examined the paladin's steel hand. Just what in the world was he spewing out? Why was he so friendly? Was this a trap?
Then she heard the voice of father. His gentle but curious words told her that the paladin in front of him was being truthful. That he held no malice within him for the half-elves or elves, that his kind words were not deceiving.
Her mind still raced, maybe even faster than ever before. She only met him an hour ago as she ran into him in an alleyway.
"Stop right there thief!"
She yelled as she manifested blunt icicles around her. Her fierce voice and eyes stumbled as she viewed the scene in front of her. Not only was the thief not where she expected them to be, but a boy in paladin garbs stood next to three blooded bodies.
"Wait wait! This is not what it looks like! They tried to–"
But before he had the chance to explain himself, she shot three icicles, their trail of icy tendrils marking their paths. With barely enough time to react the young paladin summoned a golden shield.
Nearly nano-seconds later the blunted icicles crashed into the golden shield, their form exploding into a thousand pieces as they scattered across the pavement floor.
"Hey, Hey, Hey! Just wait a moment please! I was simply defending myself!"
The paladin yelled as he waved his hands in the air frantically. The golden shield defensively in front of him. His eyes were pleading with the silvered-half elf.
The silver-half elf contemplated the paladin's words. Her eyes fiery still. The sound of a busying street filled the silent alleyway.
"Uh? You alright? Hehe?"
The now present Paladin asked as he sheepishly scratched his cheek. Questioning if he had taken his light teasing overboard.
"I-I'm alright."
The silvered-half elf stuttered out as she brought back her mind into the present. Her mind was still in a jumble from the confusing words that the paladin spatted out before.
"Ah, that's nice. Well, I haven't yet introduced my merry self. So please let me."
He re-extended his metal-covered hand and with his chest puffed up, he pridefully said,
"My name is Jomei! The newly assigned paladin of the church of 'Angelica'!"
Jomei enthusiastically said with a radiate smile. The silvered-half elf hesitated for a moment before extending her own hand that was filled with anxiety.
"N-nice to meet you, my name is–"
She hesitated, the way he conducts himself, from speaking to flirting. He was a genuinely good person… Someone that she shouldn't get involved with for his sake. Her breath stopped as she looked into those caring eyes.
Was the decision she was about to make the right one?
He was a paladin from a church she never heard of, and she was someone who lived in scrutiny. If he was to get involved with her then she feared the worst for him. She was fine, she was able to endure those hating eyes, she was able to persist through the slander they threw her way.
Yes, she was fine.
But this aching feeling that was beginning to well inside her yelled for something. Something she could not understand yet. Each moment she gazed into his eyes only solidified her choice, her answer.
"-Emilia. Just Emilia."
Yet why did she go against her better judgment?
"Ho Ho Ho, looks like Jomei found a companion."
The hooded figure said as he placed the tea on his lips and wetted it down his throat. The sweet aroma filled his nose, the complex yet simple minded smell brought him great joy that he never felt before. It reminded him of many things. Too many things.
"Ah–This tea is too bland. Pity."
He opened his eyelids, light brown dazzling pupils came and gazed at the roaming crowd that walked the streets before him. Just like tea. They were all complexed outside, their smell varying from sweet or bitter. From hope to utter despair. From happiness to complete sadness.
But just like he allowed the tea to wet his throat, they became bland. Their taste diluting until the basic desires come to surface. The true self as many would say. Their smell, their outside persona can all be traced back to their simple minded desires.
"Would you like any more tea, sir?"
A young woman asked, her clothing of a barista. She gazed at him as she clutched a tray to her chest and held a ketel in the other. He gazed back, his eyes brimmed with joy and his mouth widened to a gentlemen's smile. He raised his tea cup towards her and said,
"I'll love some more, pretty please with a cherry on top, refill my cup."
She exchanged an awe-struck gaze. The man in front of him was gorgeous beyond belief. She had never seen such dazzling eyes and gentle yet sharp eyes before, his smile filled with care that it made her jaw drop. Why was such an angelic man covering himself up with that hood?
"Why certainly."
She said as she poured onto his teacup with expertise. He watched the green liquid pour down, their individual droplets forming a stream and gently crashing down into his cup.
"Would that be all sir?"
She asked, blushing. Her eyes were filled with admiration for his design. He was simply gorgeous.
"Yes, thank you."
He said as he wetted his throat once more. The sweet aroma filled his nose before the taste became diluted into simple water.
She stayed there, waiting nervously with a teen blush crossing her face. She was utterly bland.
"Hemph, if you don't mind. I-I get off work in a hour so maybe–"
"Stop lusting after me."
He said with a smile, his gaze back at the lively streets like before. His brown dazzling eyes never once losing their spark. The barista rubbed her eyes, a headache bounded her to the spot until it eventually vanished.
He gazed at the streets, so many smells, so many unique exquisite aromas waiting to be found. He took a deep breath, their richness flowing in him. He took another sip, the tea becoming diluted once more.
"I wonder who's going to fill my cup now?"
He asked no one.
"My, my. I wonder if that girl…"
She said, wonder in her tone. She loomed over a man beneath her feet, the sounds of frightful pleading echoed throughout the small world. Their world was withered and cold, a small flicker of light came from a nearly melted candle that sat close by on a decaying counter. Her eyes were that of a sleeping predator.
"Ohhhhh, are you talking about that yellow thief? Elsa?"
A little girl questioned as she braided dark black hair, her own hair braided and her clothes dirted. She held her lips in a questioning manner as she commanded dreaded rodents- their fur stained in blood, their gnawing teeth smothered in human flesh- to go further in their excruciating torture.
The older sister of the two hummed, her sleeping eyes fell onto their victim. Or rather 'Mama's victim, a man who was offered a deal of sorts but went off and tried to cut ties with their 'Mama'. Foolish was a far too lenient word to call the gurgling man.
"Yes, dear Meili. That yellow thief should have taken the target by now."
His cries for help pierced through his bloodied gurgles, yet no one answered them. The gnawing of their teeth filled his ears with despair. The tendrils of hopelessness clawed at his soul rapaciously. His salted tears gave way to the immeasurable pain that scorched both mind and body.
"And you're going to meet them at sundown, right?"
"That's exactly right. ~Ah~ I wonder why you would do such a thing?~"
The sensation of gluttonous gnawing coursed through the older sister's ankle. Her sleep-filled gaze loomed down, dirted diseased rodents with plucks of hair pulled out ate at her ankle. Their bloodied selves and sharp teeth created bloodied gaping holes that rapidly began to heal.
"Because you always get the cool missions and I'm just stuck here doing nothing!"
Meili frustratedly yelled out. She was always the subject of boring missions and task as if she was a sidekick to Elsa's assassinations. No! She was more… she thinks? Maybe she isn't more than just a sidekick but still. She wanted action, even if it was a little.
"You'll have your fun on the next mission. But this one is specifically solo. Mama's order."
The decayed gray-brown wood planks shrilled beneath the might of the cold. The scum on the ceiling fell slightly onto them as they chatted. Their interactions abnormal, their gazes silent and bloodthirsty, their minds twisted and broken, their smiles dark and dry.
"Mmm, Alright! So what do we do with this one?"
The child questioned, she knew the answer yet waited for a confirmation just like she's been taught to do.
"Kill. His bowels don't interest me."
She said, boredom and disappointment filled her voice as her gaze once more loomed over the eaten man, his legs torn to shreds and scattered across the floor haphazardly. His leg bones eroding with each strait bite. His eyes mad with agony that they rolled back to his head with salted tears trekking down to his ears. His nose blew with blood, clogging his airway, his mouth foamed and shuddered with each gnaw. His fingers nailing the floor till they broke off in a gory mess.
Meili gave the command, and within moments the abominable rodents raced towards his chest, ears, eyes, mouth. They sunk their clattering teeth into his ghostly skin and tore in, his eyes popped like grapes, and what came out was a carmine mess. He screamed yet the rodents that violated his throat ripped out his vocal cords alongside the rest of his throat. His eaten nose bubbled with blood as his consciousness faded to nothingness.
They watched as the blood-sleaked rodents wrestled inside the foolish man's chest, ripping and eating the cavity. Their dark beaded eyes glistened with satisfaction and hunger. Tens if not hundreds feasted on the carcass now.
The sisters watched with boredom, this was a worthless but needed kill that did nothing to satisfy the emptiness that bore in their hearts. Yet with the knowledge of killing one who dared to turn their teeth towards their 'Mama' rested easily on them.
They were sisterly assassins, skilled at the art of killing and stalking. Their torturous ways knowing no bound.
Yet.
None knew of the eye that watched.
Its bubbling form contradicting laws. Phasing in and out of space like a balloon in water. It stank with cosmic fluids that were unseeable with the mortal eye. Its slits loomed over the sisters like a father to his children, yet there was no care or even an ounce of kindness that exuded from it.
Yes. The eye of a dry father watched over them.
A hexagonal table sat in the middle of the room. Candles sat at each corner of the table waiting for its inevitable vanishing death. In each corner sat a person, their robes white with symbols of a dragon on them.
Their eyes wary and confused as they looked at their leader whose symbols were made of golden lining.
"How can you let this be, Nirfia-Sama!"
One yelled, his brow furrowing and his forehead creasing evermore. His chapped lips spewed spit as he yelled. His eyes raged with confusion and hostility but not to his leader. No, he was loyal to those above him yet he couldn't keep his mouth shut when injustice was baring its teeth in front of him.
"Although the outburst of Lushia-san is rather, unnecessary–"
"Hurmph!"
"-I feel rather obligated to agree with him. Just why did you allow those misguided into our domain?"
Another one questioned. His gaze was sharp and his mind sharper. He rubbed his chin as he awaited an answer from his leader. The 'Pope' of the God-Dragon religion was a elder man. His forehead creased from age and his hair held white strips from stress.
"Yes, let's hurry now. I think we can agree when I say that what you've lifted was–"
A woman said quickness and unease filled her voice as she spoke. Her eyes darted across the table as if hawking each member for answers. She was a quick woman, and a cautious one as well. Maybe even paranoid.
"Plain idiotic. I agree."
Another interrupted, his fingers rhythmically tapping onto the table. His eyes wandered from person to person as he let out a tired sigh. He didn't nor cared to understand the 'Pope''s plans or desires.
"I suggest you don't use that tone in front of his holiness, Furia-san."
Another demanded, his finger sticking out to the last speaker who unjustly spoke out and slurred the 'Pope'. Although he also did not completely understand the process of his holiness he would not tolerate discourtesy towards him.
"...Yes, because this lifting was such a fantastic idea."
Furia argued back with a snicker. This rubbish of the lifting held little meaning to him and his own desires. After all, he simply joined the order of God-Dragon to fulfill his own lustful desires and gain access to higher statues that otherwise wouldn't have been attainable.
"...You!"
The man shrilled back, anger running up his spine and into his heart. He stood up from his seat and slammed his hands against the table. Such blasphemy! He thought. He had limits and that delinquent of a man had surpassed them with flying colors.
"Silence! The both of you."
Finally, the leader, the 'Pope' of the God-Dragon religion spoke up. His voice was heavy and demanded respect. His old hard cold gaze moved between all the members on the table. He waved his creased hand downwards.
The man who stood up in anger sat down, a sigh came out of him but he nonetheless held the utmost respect for the 'Pope'. His anger sizzled but sizzled was all it did as his eyes went back to his most respected leader.
Furia clicked his tongue as he straightened his posture. He cared little for the religion but still, if he wanted to keep his position he must obey the orders of the 'Pope'.
"Now that both of your childish tantrums are done, let me explain."
The 'Pope'-Nirfia- went on with his heavy voice. Explaining the events and causes for such a lifting, none spoke as they perked their ears to his words. All eyes were on him, hawking him, probing him, dismantling every word he said. Well, most did.
Yet none sensed the dry father's eye watching them. Its form bleeding clear void. Its slit widens as if perking its non-existing ears.
The sun was bright as ever but it started to set down. It was nearing dawn, the time before night. Both of them chatted as they walked toward the slum. The unease and confused stares reflected off of them as they simply cared little about it.
More eyes neared.
Emilia held a small smile- a flower adorned on her head- never had she had a person treat her with such normality, it almost unnerved her but she drowned that nervousness with her bravery. She couldn't drive away someone who earnestly wanted to help her.
"Oh, wait… Doesn't that mean you should be looking for your um holiness? Why are you helping me then?"
The Paladin shrugged his shoulders as he explained his reasoning. "His holiness is strong, maybe stronger than the whole kingdom combined."
"Then why does he need you then?"
Emilia questioned with an innocent look. Not knowing the damage he caused for the youthful Paladin.
"Ah, um. That's a good question, hehehe…"
"Wait so you don't know?"
"Well, it's not like I don't know…"
A moment of silence went through them as the Paladin tried to gather his thoughts and reasons as to why his holiness needed someone to safeguard him.
"..."
"So you don't know."
"I guess I didn't really know why. I was chosen by his holiness and I got all excited that I really didn't pay attention to the instructions."
Jomei said dejectedly as he brought a small smile onto his mouth. His excitement was truly the bane of him.
The crowded noises from the capital district started to cease as they entered the slums. Scum flowed through the air, the scent of steamed vegetables and pork skittered across the air alongside the stench of rotten garbage and feces.
There were little people stiffing around, their eyes hazy and lost. Their clothes being pieces of dirty rags loosely sewn together.
Emilia gazed with sad eyes, she wanted to do something for the slum dwellers to at least give them proper shelter and clothes yet she had no power in doing so. Sadness loomed over her but she had to preserve for her true goal.
"Weird."
The Paladin thought out loud. The new church of 'Angelica' stationed here should be giving out food twenty-four-seven, so why were some slum dwellers here and not over there? Questions that only lead to more questions.
"Something wrong, Jomei?"
Emilia asked, her eyes lit up in confusion as Jomei the Paladin kept his silence. He was always talkative so having him silent stirred unease into her heart. Just what was Jomei thinking?
"Ah, nothing, Emilia. Let's find your insignia."
"Right."
Time passed as the duo made their way onto a bridge that crossed moss-filled water. The buildings that surrounded them withered beyond repair, with holes in every side, dirted hole infested rags were used as curtains.
"So you're a pretty powerful spirit user huh."
The Paladin said as he leaned on the railing, his gaze fixated on Emilia who lifted one hand as if calling out for something, someone.
"I wouldn't say, I'm just… Rather good at communicating with spirits. That's all. Nothing special."
Emilia spoke as little specks of dull blue light manifested around her.
"If you say so."
The Paladin whispered as he gazed at the blue sight. Gradually more and more lesser spirits manifested around her, the light brightening with every moment. Soon a small sea of bright blue swarmed around her, he stared in awe yet said nothing.
Her mouth moved yet it was as if she spoke nothing, maybe it was the language of the spirits. The Paladin would never know since he himself has no level of spirit arts.
"Tch, My trusty gold shield is better…"
He whispered. Jealousy ran through his spine, his shield had a number of uses that spirits couldn't do. At least he hoped that was the case. The sea of blue started to dwindle as each speck went off without a sound.
"Done."
Emilia said, her hand lowered as she looked back at the young Paladin.
"Alright, so where are we heading?"
"There isn't much more journey. We're going over there now."
Emilia said as she pointed towards a small hill, a building that was made rather well compared to the others that filled the Slums stood on top. Its slightly withered structure being the only resemblance of normalizy.
They strode along the dirt road in silence, their eyes wary of their surroundings as the dead of silence loomed over them. The sun was setting, its orange hue gently over them. The Paladin said no word but in all his years-which were few- he had never felt such a gut wrenching feeling pitting in his stomach.
"Emilia."
He whispered out, his eyes scanning their surroundings. His body was tense but his mind was tenser. Muscles pulled and pushed as he walked, readying themselves for what felt like a bloody battle.
"Mmh? What is it Jomei? Why are you so fiddlesticked?"
"I'm not sure whether that's an actual word or not. Wait no, get focused Jomei."
Jomei mused to himself before reigning his thoughts back. His gaze met hers, for a moment he realized just how beautiful those amethyst eyes were. Their innocence and childlike confusion combined with the aura of a pure maiden flushed the Paladin's mind.
But he drowned those feelings for now.
"Jomei?"
"Ah, sorry. What I was saying is that I have a bad feeling so put up your best guard in there."
Emilia, stunned by the sudden warning, took a moment to process it with her father.
He's not lying. I also have a rather bad feeling about this, I'm with you but keep your guard up and if anything happens just squeeze out my Od. Or use that guy, Jomei, as a meat shield.
Annoyed by his comment on Jomei she replied.
Jeez, I'm not doing that. Not after all the help he did for us.
Suit yourself.
Emilia closed out her father and fixated her gaze on the Paladin who had a confused expression on his clean face.
"Were you talking to your cat father spirit person?"
"Yes, I was talking to Puck. I'll be on my guard and you'll be on yours."
"Two steps ahead of you."
"That's felicitous to hear."
"Yup."
They neared the loothouse that stood at top of the hill, their steps creaking the slightly withered floorboards. Each took their own breaths, their gazes looking at each other as if trying to get one another's confirmation.
With the nod from both of them, the Paladin knocked on the withered door. Yet only the sound of the silence imbued with the wind answered his knock. With slight hesitation, he knocked again. The forlorn feeling inside his chest bubbled into clumps as no one answered.
"Emilia, maybe we should get some guards from the station."
He said with fear dripping in each word. He had a feeling, a horrible one that would not stop bubbling. He, who's a Paladin, knows his limits. He is a single man and with this encroaching nesting in his chest. He felt that even he wouldn't be able to protect himself or let alone Emilia.
"I'm sorry but no, I understand if this is too much but I feel like I won't get a second chance if I let this go."
Yet unlike him, Emilia answered with bravery, or was it naivety?
The Paladin kept his silence as a wave of bewilderment washed over him. He gaped before coughing into his fist, his eyes refocused on his fist and for a moment the world around him went still.
His mind tried to gather reasons on why they should go back but as he gazed into Emilia's eyes he knew none of those reasons would pierce her determination. With a sigh and the unending bubbling of anxiety in his chest he spoke.
"Damn, alright. I guess there isn't a way out of this. On a count to three."
Emilia's head bobbed in confusion at the Paladin's words.
"Uh?"
"One."
The Paladin's hand outstretched behind him as he took a step back away from the withered door.
"Wait what are you doin–"
Emilia questioned as she stepped back from the door as well.
"Two."
Bubbles of golden light manifested behind the Paladin before stretching itself into a golden shield, within moments that golden shield stretched to an abnormal size. Far bigger and wider than any shield ever produced.
"Wait wait! What are you–!"
"Three!"
Without a moment's hesitation the Paladin threw his armored arm forward and just like a slingshot the enlarged golden shield slung forward with massive speed. Wooden splinters crashed backwards inside the building.
A moment of silence intertwined with confusion passed them as the dust from the attack settled. Emilia gaped at the Paladin, wondering why on Od would he do such a thing, yet nothing came out of her mouth as an encroaching feeling began to slither inside her chest.
"Damn it's dark."
The Paladin whispered as he gazed inside the building. The tendrils of darkness made its way outside the building as the sun emitted a red bloody hue over the kingdom. The ever encroaching feeling of death slithered inside the hearts of this duo. Nesting its tendrils inside their chest, yet they preserved.
"Let's go. Emilia."
The Paladin said as he trudged into the darkness before him. His heart was heavy that he didn't perceive Emilia's answer. As he entered a quick prayer to his goddess escaped his lips. His feet felt heavy and his mind ran wild.
Emilia, who was seemingly ignored, trekked right behind him, her father hiding in her green jeweled crystal that hung around her pale smooth neck. Her skin perked and her heart felt heavy from the indescribable feeling that was dwelling inside her. But no matter, she entered the cage of despair with determined eyes.
He watched from all directions, the dry father knew that time was up. His shattered pieces that held an incomprehensible number of eyes drew close to the duo, watching their every move. Their blank cosmic fluids shuttering along the cosmic waves of the universe. Their form melting and forming into reality repeatedly.
He watched from within the withered loothouse, a stool beneath him as he drank his tea. The aruma smelting itself in his nose before being dismantled by his throat. His bored gaze did not focus on the duo but on the invisible assassin that loomed over them from a corner of the room.
"Shit, I can barely see."
The Paladin said as he summoned a golden sword to his side, he held it tight for dear life as he made his way towards the two stomach ripped individuals that were slumped in the darkness. The dry father switched his gaze and watched as a powerful order struck his child's nose that nearly made them hurl all the contents in their stomach out.
Acid and stomach contents dribbled out of his child's mouth and slushed onto their hand. The dry father's gaze moved over behind his child and towards the silvered-haired half-elf, her hand trembled as she skittered behind his child.
"J-Jomei, are you alright?"
She whispered out in concern, the smell of death smashed against her nose yet she seemed to be able to compose herself far better than the Paladin. A fit of slight jealousy ran through the angel's chest. But it quickly vanished before it could linger.
"Y-yeah, Emilia I think we nee–"
"~My, My, leaving so soon? How poor manners you two have.~"
But before he spits out what's been festering in his chest. A new voice entered them from within the darkness. Their hearts nearly exploded into horror from the tone of voice. Their minds racing faster than their bodies. With nearly no time to react the Paladin conjured up his golden shield and erected it beside him.
The dry father watched as the assassin bolted with explosive power towards his child, their bloodlust boiling over into every corner of the dreaded loothouse. The sound of the air ripping in half was followed by sparks of light exploding into existence.
A maddening smile was garnished on the assassin's face before the tendrils of darkness consumed her once more. With quick reaction, Emilia shot out icicles toward their assailant, or at least where she thought the assailant was.
"~My That close.~"
With no reprise, the madden assassin struck again at the Paladin, his shield chipping away with each gut-retching strike. The Paladin was struck with explosive fear yet held his ground and with an outstretched out he spun the golden shield till the air around it swirled viciously.
The stirring of the air stretched out and filled the loothouse, yet the assassin did not fret and with explosive power that cracked the railing that stood beneath her feet, she sped towards the Paladin, aiming to strike the golden shield once more.
A questioning eyebrow lifted from the dry father. Why would the assassin intentionally go into the striking zone of his child's shield? Was it confidence? The lack of self-preservation? A trick that she cozily tucked under their sleeve?
The Paladin bursted the shield into razor-sharp light fragments that kept the vicious cycle. The assassin that flew through the air held no other choice other than to accept her fate, and she did so with a smile. Their arm became eviscerated into simple pieces of horribly sliced meat and bone. Soon her head followed, mince brain matter intertwined with bone splattered against the Paladin garbs. Shredded lips and eyes slammed onto his lower chin and cheek. Soon the voluptuous body came into the unending gore machine. Shredded intestines and minced slices of human meat mixed with bones splattered against the Paladin's whole being. Blood splashed onto him and around him.
"J-Jomei?!"
Emilia called out from the darkness, she eyed the Paladin that was showered in translucent lights from the razors lights that floated in front of him. His whole being covered with gore, Emilia almost gagged at the horrid sight. And she did.
She hunched over as her stomach turned and hurled out all the contents inside her stomach. Her chin splattered with puke while the ground beneath her dressed in it. The room was drowned in the sound of Emilia's puke. The Paladin stood deadly still, his mind trying to process the horror he did in self defense.
The dry father's gaze dashed across the low, illuminated room, ignoring the pitiful duo. From the depths of the shadows clumps of gore fused into one another, as if making love with each other. Slowly, blood, minced bone and meat formed a skinless hand, then an arm, then two. The progress grew faster and faster till a skinless being stood. Bubbles of bloodied flesh slithered across their being, contorting till the skinless being stood no more.
"~My, that truly was. ~Exciting.~"
Both their eyes looked up in horror as a being walked out of the shadows. A madden smile garnished her face as her irises lit up in excitement. A faint blush spread across her cheeks as she pulled out a dagger with serrated teeth.
"~I truly thank you, Paladin, from the church of 'Angelica', for letting me witness the light of your so-called goddess.~Please continue to entertain me~!"
And so, the horrors of the loothouse continued.
"Arrgh! Emilia cover me!"
The Paladin yelled as he clutched his bloodied stump in his hand, the moon's light showering the surrounding world like an omen. His breath was heavy and his body was a gory mess, gashes that would frighten even veteran warriors lingered on his being.
He kneed on the ground, his body becoming light from the blood loss. The sound of ice shattering and the air ripping in half, flew across all over the surroundings. He lifted his gaze from the ground and watched his companion fight the assassin.
The infamous bowel hunter.
His stomach turned from just the fact they were fighting such a deadly foe. He heard all about the assassin back at the church and wished to never meet such an enemy, but his Goddess deemed it so otherwise. At least that's what he thought. Or maybe his Goddess deemed that he must die in this poverty diseased-filled place.
That thought terrified him.
No! He must live! His Goddess wouldn't abandon him. 'Angelica' wouldn't abandon one of her servants! He still had so much to live for, so many memories to fill his mind with! So many people to meet and show them the way of 'Angelica'!
"Damn it all…!"
With all his might, he lifted himself off the dirt ground. His hazy gaze searched the world around them. Withered buildings surrounded the area alongside darkness with only the moon's light looming over them. He sluggishly moved his gaze towards the fight. He felt it in his prickled skin, the atmosphere was freezing. Icicles littered the dirt ground with new ones inbound.
Through his hazy vision, he saw the two battle. Emilia, the new companion he made as of today was risking her very life to protect him, small gashes were scattered across her body, her ripped garbs flapped with each precise movement. Her sour expression grew into desperation as time went on.
The Paladin had to help her, he had to. Yet his legs stood still, why?
He only gazed in desperation at the ongoing battle, his mind buzzed with an unending buzz. The sound of static composed it. His eyes became weary, and heavily so. He had to help, it was the pledge he took before his Goddess, he had to help, protect, save.
A madding smile thrusted itself onto his mind.
"A-Ah. Ah-ahh ahhh."
Her laugh haunted him, piercing his very soul. It was sure to linger there for as long as he lived. The sound billowed within him, taking over the buzz that filled his mind. Horror, despair, helplessness that had lingered now drowned him.
Even with his hazy gaze, he saw it. That madding smile that she garnished on herself. Crystals flew with intense speeds he had never seen before, yet she simply took them and smiled, her flesh kept regenerating. No matter how much blood spilled, how much flesh was mutilated, how much brain matter painted the ground. She came back as if this was just a game to her.
"A-ah-ahhh-Ahh."
Noises came, they mixed with his blood as they shot out of his mouth. His coughing spilled onto the floor. His entity was a gory mess, eyes, flesh, bone fragments, brain matter. It covered him all. The trills of despair sang wonderfully in his mind.
In a miracle, his legs finally moved, yet they went the opposite way. Away from the battle, the horrific bloodshed. The word cowardly couldn't even describe him. His mumbling lips prayed desperately, they prayed for salvation, prayed that his Goddess would send someone to help, Prayed that his holiness would save him and Emilia.
Yet that Goddess did not answer.
His mind went blank as he stumbled onto the cold ground. The errieness of cold coursed through his body. The hands of death slithered onto him as his mind pleaded for help. He didn't want to die, he didn't, he didn't, he didn't. So many things were left undone, so many regrets and wills he needed to finalize would be left undone.
Yet Death held no pity to a dying man.
Yes, that's right. If that Goddess didn't answer him then Death will.
His bloodied coughing lowered to a gasp, bubbles of blood clumped inside his throat. His eyes started to lose their spark of life. Till it vanished. His last dying thoughts were that of his whore of a mother. How she would do her deeds to pay for his meals. A single tear streak crossed his cheek as his body lost all heat.
Jomei, the Paladin of the church of 'Angelica' died in a poverty diseased-filled slum. He died alone, with regrets and wounds that would never heal. That was his fate. His Goddess commanded it so.
"Guahh!"
"~Ah It seems I've wasted enough time on you.~You bore me with this little dance of ours!~"
Emilia manifested a shield of ice only for it to be torn easily by her assailant. A clean-cut severed the magic, Emilia thrusted her foot down and jumped back, her eyes frantically searching for a weak spot on her assailant. With a swift motion of her hand, she conjured an ice pillar that gutted the black-haired assassin.
Their guts and tendrils of intestines with fragments of bone flung back, a river of blood arced from the backside of her body. She hurled blood onto the pillar of ice, a streak of crimson flowed down to the base of it. Yet, even when their bloodshot eyes lost their life, her smile held on.
Emilia took a needed breather, her heart squabble for strength. The twitching of her eyelids assured her that the horror of this night was still young. Her mind messed with horrid thoughts till a single one shot out from the rest.
"Jomei!"
She whipped her head, her frantic gaze blazing through the surrounding area in search for her companion. The first one to treat her indifferently was nowhere to be found, her heart ached with intense fear. Where could he have gone in such a state?
"~Searching for that boy while amissed in a battle? I wonder what your bowels truly look like once I gut them. Would they exude bloomy kindness? Or callow idiocity?! Ah! I can't wait to see!~"
The assailant that was gutted rejuvenated once more and blasted towards Emilia with the same madding bloodthirsty smile.
Emilia snapped her head back, she jolted back and created an ice hold beneath her foot. With the wave of her hand she conjured a pillar that shot her up away from the assassin. With a bird's eye view, she conjured up a dozen ice shards and threw her hands down. The shards bursted towards the ground and to the assailant.
Her eyes sunk in as they became pierced and so did her entire body. Blood arced behind her and splattered onto the ground. A mist of dirt spurted up and cloaked her being and the surrounding area around her.
Emilia landed onto the ground gracefully. Her eyes wide and alert, she wouldn't let the enemy recover. With another wave of her hands, dozens of more icicles appeared above her. With anger present on her face, she slammed her hand down, those shards of ice slammed against the mist of dirt and created gaps in it.
Her eyes still as she hawked the mist for sudden movement. Yet none came, the sound of relief and tiredness escaped her lips. Her eyes grew heavy but she didn't permit herself to rest now, she still needed to find that companion of hers.
She trudged on with heavy feet, till she felt a searing heat manifest onto her stomach.
Hot
She thought as she stumbled about, her nose running. She held a hand to her mouth and coughed, blood smothered her hand as terror and confusion ran their course on her mind.
Hot, it's really hot.
She stumbled till she dropped and fell face flat onto the dirt ground. Her nose creaking from the sudden fall, bleeding onto the ground. Her tired eyes twitched in fear.
Hot, hot, hot, hot, hot, it's really hot! It burns so bad!
Her terrified eyes gazed down, what she saw horrified her. Her guts slithered out of her onto the dirt ground. The tendrils of blood smeared intestines exuded a heavy smell of iron into the scum filled air.
This is bad, really bad! It's hot! Hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot!
Her mind filled with that one sensation, the pain that her body reregistered as searing heat scorched her mind. It was pain far worse than she ever felt. Salted tears streaked her cheeks, her gaze wandered across the plain for salvation.
Unbeknownst to her, the assassin walked out of the mist of dirt broadly, like a lion proudly marching forth to its dying prey. Her madding smile holding firm on her uninjured face. Her voluptuous entity blemished with not a single injury.
Emilia writhed on the ground, her whimpers of pain sounding like trills of ecstasy to the assassin. The assassin licked her lips pleasure as the smell of iron and shit wafted towards her, her gaze fixated on the incarnadine guts that laid on the floor. Her brimming smile widened even more.
"~Ah so it was callow idiocity!~ How wonderful!~"
It burns it burns it burns It burns it burns it burnsIt burns it burns it burns It burns it burns it burnsIt burns it burns it burnsIt burns it burns it burnsIt burns it burns it burns It burns it burns it burnsIt burns it burns it burns It burns it burns it burnsIt burns it burns it burns!
Her stride exuded joyous ecstasy. Her fingers twitched in excitement, just waiting to sink themselves into those callow guts, intestines. Her nose flared, the smell of iron and fecal matter only furthering exciting her. She smacked her lips impatiently, waiting to taste the callow guts, maybe the small intestines would differ in taste then the bigger one. She couldn't wait to find out.
The assassin followed the streak of blood that laid on the floor. Her steps forcing the blood to splash onto her heel and underside of her foot.
Yet before she met her destined destination. A man appeared, his white-snow hair stuck out of his hooded figure, he crouched next to her prey. He exuded unfathomable care, unending kindness, or was it dry emptiness, hollow love?
A confused expression formed onto her, leaving that madding smile to vanish.
Her gaze fixated onto him, when did he get there? When did he appear? Her mind raced yet felt as if some divine barrier blocked her from continuing her search for answers. Ah–He was always there, yes, he was always there next to her prey. He fought alongside that Half-girl all this time.
With the answer presented to her, her madding bloodthirsty smile rose up. She couldn't wait to see his guts either. The wonder of whether the color was bleak or a caring carmine filled her up with unbelievable sanguinary.
Yet a feeling of stillness held her on the spot, she didn't feel heavy or light. She simply felt still, like the world commanded it to be, neither her eyes nor body flitched, it just stood still, as if it was on her own volition. Her mind didn't race for answers, it simply became still. No thoughts moved through it, like a pond in the deepest parts of a forest it stood still.
The man rose, he neither healed or helped the girl, yet the eyes of that half-girl seemed warm. As if a stranger gave her the answers she seeked, the salvation that she helpless pleaded for. His entity faced her, the assassin, and trekked towards her being.
He made no sound, no peep, no inquiry, no expression, no thought, no signs that he was a living being. Yet, the assailant made no opposition, she simply stood still. For still was all she could muster, for still was what her entity was made for.
They became face to face with each other, his golden brown irises held something that words could not describe. Was it happiness? Hate? Love? Despair? Anger? Sadness? Glee? Mistrust? Boredom? Excitement?
Or was it simply nothingness? The void of emotions?
He opened his beautifly plum lips to speak, yet her eyes stood still. His face was gorgeous beyond comprehension yet her eyes stood still. He touched her lip and graced a line that went up to her ear, yet her skin stood still not feeling the sensation.
The line began to bleed, it flowed like a waterfall, bubbles formed yet the slit smile he made never healed. More and more blood fell, her black seductive garbs soaked with blood yet she stood still, not opposed or welcoming the slit she received.
He took a step back, was he admiring his work or mocking it? His gaze told nothing.
With the stillness of the moment, he turned his back and walked off towards the half-girl. Without warning, the assassin's mind began to rapidly fade away to darkness. The tendrils of haziness and darkness mixed and began to eat her world. But in that mist of darkness a single image was clear.
The image of the man's face scorned brightly while everything faded to nothingness.
She hobbled back. The stillness of her body vanished yet it lingered on her mind. No expression, no reaction came to her as her still eyes gazed upon the stars.
And then.
Nothing.
Finally, I'm done with this chapter.
Thank you shadowslayer and Kogane no Shuen for betaing my shit and giving me advice. Much love to yall, but I don't have the will to change it the way ya'll suggested it. My bad B, I'll use the advice on the second chapter...If it gets a second chapter...
Just to explain something, The 'dry father' is a title I gave to Subaru. to uhhh emphasize his uhh emptiness? yeah, that. Both Narfia and Subaru are 'Popes' to their respective churches.
Yeah... Anyways.
Give a review. tell me what you liked and didn't. Tell me if it was shit or not. Yall's review gives me the motivation to keep on trying to improve my writing.
I'm sure things need context which will be hopefully explained in chapter 2.
Ight that's all I wanted to say. Peace out until next time.
Sincerely, SUFFERING FANATIC
