Thunder

"This will not stand," said a voice in a hushed tone.

From his deep slumber, echoes resonated through Levi's mind. 

The Goddess which was just before him dissipated as Levi felt sucked back into reality.

Slowly opening his eyes, Levi's eyes laid upon a tall ceiling. 

The canopy bed he was in was made of a fine, brighter wood. Some golden contrasts made it look even better, which was the theme of the whole room. 

The walls, the ceiling, the furniture and even the tall windows had golden contrasts incrusted into them.

As he looked down, Levi felt pressure on his chest.

As he was lying on the side of the bed, Syllia who was in a chair next to him had her head laying on top of him.

Resting his head back, he closed his eyes. As he smiled, a tear slid down.

"He's awake!"

Joh?

As he opened his eyes again, Levi pushed his head further into the pillow as Syllia's face was right in front of his.

Her nose almost touched his, while her hand was crushing his fingers.

"Come on, give him some room," said Joh who appeared next to her.

Ignoring Joh, she quickly hugged Levi, lodging her head next to his, holding his body tight with both arms.

"I'm... so sorry..." she said.

As she held him, her nails were slightly clawing his back. He could feel her quivering as she was sobbing, grabbing him slightly tighter at every word.

Using his left hand, Levi gently caressed her head. 

As Joh walked up, he laid a comforting hand on Syllia's shoulder, looking at Levi with a warm smile.

"We thought you might never wake up, son," said Joh.

"What happened?" asked Levi.

"You were in a deep sleep, nothing anyone could do to wake you up, we tried."

"How long was I asleep?"

"More than a week," replied Joh.

"That's right," added a voice Levi barely recognized.

Next to Joh another man appeared, with blond hair and a smile that reminded him of the adventurer.

"You..."

"I'm on your side," he replied, "I'm Thunder."

"How are there sides? I was violently attacked for no reason," replied Levi.

Syllia who stopped quivering sat back down in the chair. Using her sleeves, she rapidly dried her cheeks.

She looked intently at Levi, her eyes slightly red and a face that looked ready to cry at any given moment.

"I'm sorry, I should have explained it to you..." she started.

"It's the 'Church Of The Seven', they have a strong pull in the realm. Here in Sungrove probably stronger than anywhere else," explained Thunder.

"Why did they attack me? Am I not an apostle," asked Levi.

"I was told you're an apostle of the 'Goddess of the Depths'. She's not part of the current pantheon. The current seven Gods all have their own factions with other Gods in them, but yours is part of none."

"So," started Levi, "Because my Goddess doesn't work under one of the other Gods they want me dead?"

"Whatever it is they want, I won't let them get it," replied Thunder with a serious tone.

Using his elbows, Levi sat upright. Looking around again, the room despite all its golden designs was quite simple, with barely anything in it.

"What should I do then? Leave this city?" asked Levi

"You can't," replied Thunder.

"I've already arranged everything, Levi. You and Syllia will stay with me here for now, it will be safer," said Joh.

"I'll keep you safe, this time, promised," replied Syllia.

Levi smiled. Syllia's face was still red, while Joh and Thunder seemed more concerned.

Joh looked exhausted, while Syllia looked like she hadn't moved from that chair in a while.

"I'm sorry for making you worry," said Levi.

"They did worry," said Thunder.

As he started talking, Thunder walked up closer. Joh's eyebrows furrowed, his smile vanishing as Thunder stepped up.

"I have something else I want to talk about."

"He's not interested," quickly interrupted Joh.

"He'll decide," said Thunder, not taking his eyes off Levi.

Joh rolled his eyes, while Thunder kept smiling. 

The only person in the room truly focused on him was Syllia, who was still staring at him. 

It was as if she couldn't hear anyone else, he felt like to her, he was the only person in this room.

As he looked into her eyes, they both smiled at each other, while Thunder simply kept talking.

"... And so, I'd like it if you could make the Goddess come out."

Snapping out of Syllia's gaze, Levi's face became a concerned one.

"Why?"

"An apostate who escapes the church is extremely rare, but an apostate that gets their patron out is never heard before. You'll be tipping the scales in our favor-," started Thunder.

"-Which is why he won't do it. He's not your plaything to use until he drops dead assassinated one day," cut Joh.

"As long as I'm here," started Thunder while staring at Levi, "nobody can touch you, not even the church."

"Need I remind you the inquisitors are stationed in this city-"

Thunder turned toward Joh.

"-And I can take all of them. At once."

Looking at Levi once again, Thunder continued.

"I'm strong, truly. This city is my prison, but as long as I'm here nothing can happen... Which is why you can't leave, out of Sungrove you'll be out of my reach."

Joh rolled his eyes, putting his fists on his hips.

"Is it true, Joh," asked Levi.

Joh sighed loudly before answering.

"Make him sign a Divine Pact."

Thunder's smile vanished. 

Bringing his hand to his chin, he appeared deep in thought.

"What's a divine pact?" asked Levi.

"It's a pact you can't break, doing so means death," explained Joh.

Levi raised both his eyebrows, as he looked at Thunder who was also looking at him. 

Thunder stood still for several seconds, until he cleared his voice.

"We'll do it, a pact. But you'll need to listen to me. No leaving this city."