Chapter 239: Preparations

Tap Tap Tap Tap

The walk down the short aisle of the small church felt much longer than it was, the air exceedingly heavy and asphyxiating.

The Father's gift hung over her left shoulder, Charlotte walked beside her, the charms in his hands clenched tightly. Looking over her shoulder, Sasha took in the expressions of her colleagues. 

Opera was trying to keep a calm mask but the slight tremor in her hands showed her nervousness. 

Jerry was hiding it a little better but the slight trembling of her lips showed that she was scared too.

Letting out a small soundless sigh, Sasha returned her attention to the front. She didn't break the awkward silence for she didn't know what to say.

What was one supposed to say after warning that in half an hour something might happen and that she had no information on how bad it would be?

She didn't try to lie that it would be something horrible, as she would be found out immediately by the little girl behind her, so she just decided to keep it as simple as the Scarlet Monarch had explained it according to Charlotte.

Honestly that terrified Sasha even more.

'If a mysterious existence like 'He' goes out of 'His' way to give a warning... What will happen today?' Sasha felt her stomach empty despite having eaten something just a few minutes ago. 

It couldn't be anything good...

Before she could continue her thoughts, she felt a small trembling hand gently grasp hers.

Looking down, crystal clear eyes that despite being frightened she could see the concern in them.

"Are you all right Miss Sasha?"

Big gray eyes, freckles running from cheek to cheek, short curly brown hair and a scar from her forehead running down to her right eyebrow and with a slight frown, Sasha couldn't help but smile.

Jerry was such a tender child.

Squeezing her hand lightly, being careful not to use too much force, Sasha nodded less tensely, "I can say I've been better but I'll survive."

Saying she was fine would be a lie, one that Jerry would easily see through and make her more nervous so she decided to be honest.

The small nod from the little girl showed that she appreciated the honesty, she held the giant's hand and walked beside her.

 The only man in the small group just gave a small glance and let out a heavy sigh.

Opera looked at this with a gentle smile, she swallowed a little saliva feeling her throat dry.

Evil gods? Rituals? Secret organizations?

Honestly, she thought she would find it a little hard to believe that these divine beings were real but to her surprise she wasn't that surprised. Perhaps having seen supernatural powers firsthand during her time in Dead Shot and Adryan's shadow abilities had made such a thing not seem as crazy to her as before and thus much easier to accept.

'And Adryan is fighting all that by himself? He's a real Hero!' Opera praised in her heart and felt calmer. If the redhead was taking care of the problem then she had nothing to fear.

Tap Tap Tap Tap...

Finally arriving at the Hall, those present looked in surprise at the imposing figure of the father sitting on one of the benches.

The classic brown tunic was gone, taking its place a simple white shirt and over it a kind of shoulder pad and breastplate that covered his upper abdomen. Gauntlets covered the giant's powerful hands and he had armored boots that reached below the knee.

Charlotte couldn't help but compare the father to an ancient knight ready to frame himself for the mission his Lord commanded.

But what stood out most of all was the huge sword on his back...

Though perhaps the more correct thing to call it would be a broadsword, for it was far too large to be a sword.

It was easily taller than Jerry and just as wide as Charlotte's hips. A double-edged blade that ended in a black handle protruded from the giant's shoulder. The blade was of an even darker metal than the handle and had numerous cracks all over it along with obvious rust stains, despite the broken and unusable appearance it didn't help the fear they felt looking at it.

Those present could feel how the mere act of looking at that knob made their bodies tantalize and they could feel themselves filled with fear, panic, and anxiety.

Before they could do anything about their emotions, Utravsky draped the blanket over his shoulder covering the sword again.

As if it had been a horrible illusion, all the negative emotions they were feeling disappeared.

Looking at the people in front of him, Utravsky slowly rose to his full height, his body strong as a mountain.

"Sorry about that but it was necessary. You should see it here than when I use it." A small apology and explanation was all the father gave before stepping to the side and pointing to where he was sitting.

There was a suit of armor there similar to what the father was wearing only smaller and it looked like there was one for each of them.

"Put that on, the armor is blessed with various rituals and the material it is made of is very strong, it will protect you from what is coming."

The first to move and recover was Sasha who nodded and walked over to the armor that seemed more her size. Placing Father's gift to the side, she began by putting on the shoulder pads.

She was quickly followed by Jerry and Opera who also began to put on the armor.

Swallowing a bit of saliva, Charlotte looked at Father who had only a calm look on his face although one eyebrow was slightly raised.

Nodding vigorously, he quickly went and put on the armor.

Slung back over her shoulder, Sasha looked at Father with a serious expression. Next to him were Jerry, Charlotte, and Opera, all wearing armor but the little girl was also wearing a helmet.

Utravsky looked at everything with a critical eye and after a few seconds, he nodded in satisfaction.

"Were they brought up to date?" the mountain of a man asked the shorter women who nodded.

"Good" Looking at the three people in front of him, his expression became serious, the gentleness in his eyes lessened and the madness that danced deep within them showed a little more.

His mouth opened and the man spoke in the deepest, darkest voice anyone had ever heard him once.

"After 12 noon today, a fight will begin. It will be like nothing you have ever seen, the doors of the churches will be open to receive the survivors."

"We will take care of protecting the church for as long as it takes until that nightmare passes."

Charlotte paled and Sasha tensed, Jerry and Opera looked fearfully at the father.

Again ignoring the reaction his words caused, the elder looked at Sasha and Charlotte.

"You two will be with me at the front. Did you read the information about what I gave you?" Sasha nodded seriously, " Good."

Upon confirmation, the father turned to a tense Charlotte," As I understand it you have already advanced to Melee Scholar so you will be able to defend yourself well but you will still stay close to us. Use those charms you squeeze so tightly to cover us in case we get surrounded."

Charlotte's lips trembled and he felt his mind seem to fill with fog.

He knew what he was getting into was an extremely dangerous path, the boss himself explained it to him multiple times before he agreed and joined. He knew that at some point he would face great dangers but he didn't think it would be so soon.

'Confronting' Pirate Admiral Qilangos was a different thing, the boss was the one who did all the heavy lifting by coming face to face with that guy while the rest covered for him from the shadows.

But this?

The boss was still missing so they were on their own. And just when they were without the strongest of the team he'd have to face something directly?!

'I thought I would have more time! This is too soon! Am I ready for this?' Charlotte felt his heart clench and the fog that was beginning to cloud his judgment grew larger.

He had almost died advancing to Sequence 8, he wasn't ready at all!!!

<If you are not willing to step out of your comfort zone make yourself stronger then cry on the floor for weak will. Your parents no longer here lift in their arms, own. So either pick up or die alone. I won't help those who themselves>

A whisper from the past reached his ears and the fog of doubt that plagued Charlotte was dispelled. Black eyebrows rose in surprise and he couldn't help but look behind him in search of the voice that spoke so close but also so far away.

"Uncle?" The young man whispered in disbelief. His gaze slightly clouded.

"Charlotte?" 

The voice of his teammate brought him out of his thoughts, shaking his head slightly the man returned his attention to the group in front of him.

Sasha looked at him with a somewhat confused expression, the woman named Opera looked at him with a raised eyebrow while Jerry just narrowed her eyes at him. The father for his part kept the same expression as before.

Letting out a shaky sigh, Charlotte nodded to the father.

"Understood."

If he wanted to accomplish his goal he had to stand up for himself. 

Utravsky said no more, just nodded, and turned to look at the remaining people.

"Opera you will take care of treating the injured people as they come in, Jerry try to help her in any way you can." The father's voice became gentler toward the end as he addressed the younger girl.

Reaching into a pocket of his pants, Utrasky pulled out a pocket watch and opened it with a click. Looking at the hands of the watch, the father's expression turned hard.

It was 30 minutes to noon.

Clack

Closing the pocket watch, the father turned to look at the small group.

"Move the benches and lean them against the walls, we'll need the space."

...

Empress Borough, Böcklund Street.

Turning the page of her book on Ancient Feysac. Hazel was 'relaxing' in her coarse room.

She was sitting on the soft, relaxing sofa as she turned another page. But although her eyes were reading the contents of the book, her mind was not processing the information in it.

Turning to the fine and highly detailed clock on her desk, Hazel bit her lips slightly as she saw the time.

"Twenty minutes to noon..." Muttering barely above a sigh, Hazel lightly touched a hidden pocket in the dress she was wearing. 

Feeling the warm charm on her fingertips, she nodded slightly before returning her hand to the book, settling back on the couch so that her hand was always near the pocket that hid the charms.

'Incantation is Sun but they are only a last resort... With the security that Father pays for, which is sure to be several Beyonders- quite possibly Middle Sequence- and Empress Borough's security, there should be no reason to use them...' Hazel comforted herself but the anxiety in her heart did not lessen but continued to clench her leaving an uncomfortable taste in her mouth.

Swallowing some saliva but failing to eliminate the taste, she looked somewhat annoyed at the door to her room.

'When will the tea I ordered arrive?'

Knock Knock

"Sorry for the delay Miss Hazel. I couldn't find the tea..." a quiet but somewhat timid voice accompanied the maid who had just entered the room. 

With soft, short yellow hair, watery green eyes, and somewhat delicate features. Hazel's personal maid was a woman that many would consider attractive but would prefer to call her pretty because her face always seemed to be slightly sad despite having a simple smile on her face.

Hazel only glanced sideways for a few moments at the woman before returning her attention to the book in her hands, "It's fine Anabette, just try to not take so long next time."

Anabette looked down somewhat embarrassed and nodded apologetically. Her mistress had ordered the tea 15 minutes ago.

"Excuse me, Miss Hazel..." 

Seeing the maid who had cared for her since she was a child in that state, Hazel just let out a silent sigh, closed her book, and placed it on her lap.

"I've already said it doesn't matter Anabette. Could you pour my tea please?"

Nodding slightly, Anabette placed the tea set on the small table in front of the couch where Hazel was sitting. Grabbing the teapot, she expertly poured the amber liquid into the cup.

"2 sugar cubes Miss?"

Licking her lips lightly, Hazel felt her sweet tooth stinging," This time make it 4 please." 

Nodding, Anabette grabbed the little tweezers and gently placed the 4 sugar cubes her mistress requested. Using the finely detailed silver spoon she stirred calmly until the lumps were gone.

With that done she handed the steaming cup of tea to her mistress with a slight bow." Here you are, Miss. I hope it is to your liking."

The noblewoman only nodded slightly, grabbed the saucer of the cup with her left hand, and with her right, she grasped the cup. Her brown eyes gazed into the smooth amber of the tea.

Taking a light sip, a sweet smile grew on her face as she felt the warm liquid go down her throat, the mild apple flavor skillfully eliminated the bitter taste from before and she could feel herself relaxing and sinking slightly into the softness of the sofa.

Letting out a pleased sigh, Hazel looked at Anabette with the corners of her lips raised slightly, " As usual, delicious."

Anabette smiled happily and grasping the edges of her dress, she curtsied energetically, " It is my pleasure to serve you Miss."