Eve

=Eastern Region, Goviao City, Senadate Theocracy, 209.6km West from the Machine Base=

Eve was travelling on foot through the burnt undergrowth, the black cloud of smoke still covered the sky preventing the light of the sun from dawning the land. She was on her way to Goviao, a regular city nearest to the Forest and the crusade's base of operations. She was to meet with Councilwoman Aurora for her mission.

She received her summons a few days before the declaration of the crusade, she watched from the makeshift clinic she was in as men and women armed themselves to participate in the crusade, it was an unusual sight, the people were united under one goal but she could not tell if it was genuine or they were forced.

Their smiles seemed forced. She also watched as children were forcefully separated from their parents in what would soon be called the 'The Child's Despair' she also heard rumours of minor uprisings that were immediately quelled, it seems like the crusade was something not everyone supported.

She arrived at Goviao just in time to witness countless Airships both big or small, weak and powerful fly off towards the area of battle. The outskirts of the city were packed with tents and millions of soldiers and mages, none of them recognized her even though she bore the crest of the late Archbishop Fitzgerald on her right chest. The only instance they gave a damn was when she presented herself to the guards in the gates.

"Eve of the Red Scripture, the bodyguard of the late Fitzgerald, state your business in Goviao," The man in armour questioned.

She then grabbed the letter from councilwoman Aurora and presented it to the guard.

"I-I see, you're now allowed entry, Councilwoman Aurora is with the local lord in his abode,"

Eve nodded at the guard before walking through the gate. The city streets were packed, commoners and soldiers filled the streets, she walked pass empty stalls and sleeping knights, it felt anarchic, she also came across a street fight between a disgruntled shop owner and a few drunkards, she watched as the nearby patrol quelled the dissent, by quell, they slew the drunkards when they tried to fight back.

The scene was similar the entire way, there were order and chaos. A strange atmosphere held the city, somehow, she felt an ethereal presence swaying any form of widespread dissent. She arrived at the Lord's Castle, it was a medium-sized mansion. After asking the guards at the front of the gate, she was escorted to the Lord's room where the local lord and councilman Aurora were conducting their private meeting.

Since it was a private meeting, not even visitors could interrupt but since in the letter, Aurora states that she be brought immediately regardless of any rules, she was allowed passage. The knights led her to the room, upon opening the door, the local lord was nowhere to be found and only Aurora was present; sitting on a velvet couch and sipping tea.

"Madame, Eve of the Red Scripture has arrived..." The guard announced.

"Bring her in, and leave," Aurora answered back, she continued sipping her tea without looking at the people under the doorway.

Eve stepped into the room and the guards closed the door behind her, the room was cold, the fireplace was out and Eve's Ice magic wasn't helping.

"Come sit, Eve" Aurora commanded.

"Yes, madame,"

Eve proceeded to sit on the couch adjacent to Aurora's and she waited for her to speak once more. She sipped on her tea for another minute before finally lowering it and placing the cup onto the table in front of them.

"How are you doing, Eve?" Aurora asked as she removed her coat.

"I am well, madame," Eve replied slowly.

"As you must have heard, the council has decided to launch a crusade into the Western Forest to vanquish these metal demons who have so far killed millions and slew the Pope and your Archbishop,"

"Yes, Madame, I am very aware,"

"Good, I know you crave to seek revenge after your comrade's death, not so sure about your feelings for Fitzgerald though," Aurora teased.

Eve then smiled and looked at Aurora with a warm expression.

"I don't know what you are talking about, Madame, I grieve over the death of my beloved Archbishop," She retorted, feigning her feelings.

"My, My, please don't lie to me, you know my abilities, dear Eve," Aurora laid her back onto the couch and grabbed one of the small pillows to her side. Aurora was well aware of Eve's resentment against the late archbishop, it was a thing she wanted to exploit.

There has been a disturbance to the northwest side of the Theocracy and have attacked the northeastern border which connects the Theocracy to a isthmus.

Beside the Great Isthmus, another isthmus that connects to the Theocracy directly to a small continent size as Mindanao in the Philippines, the isthmus is small unlike the Great Isthmus, the isthmus that connects to the Theocracy is yet to secure it. Beyond the Isthmus is another state ruled and populated by beastmen, a beastmen country. Within the Fax Religion, Beastmen were considered impure beings created by the Dark Lord who are enemies of heaven. This is part of the reason why the three states refuse to engage in any sort of diplomatic relations.

With the news of the Theocracy's sudden crusade into the forest, the beastmen state must be taking advantage of the weaken northeastern border. If the beastmen were able to control the entirety of the Isthmus, the Theocracy in the northeast would become vulnerable to a beastmen invasion.

"Eve, I hereby order you to gather two of your allies in the Red Scripture and venture north towards the Northeastern Border," Aurora was very frank.

"So the rumours about a potential beastman invasion were true, huh?"

"Oh? Such rumours have reached this far? Well, they are not far from the truth. Several neutral beastmen villages have suddenly taken up arms and launched attacks on our Northeastern Border, I have also just received word that countless villages and towns have already fallen to their devilish sway, but it wasn't verified yet but some word it was the metal demons who did it. It might be either of them,"

"So, my mission is to repel them, correct?"

"Yeah, that sums it up,"

"Madame, may I be blunt?" Eve leaned forward.

"You may," Aurora smiled as she leaned to pick her teacup.

"You're just splitting the Red Scripture, aren't you?" Eve frowned.

Aurora then sipped her tea and gave out a breath.

"This tea is very nice, relaxes my soul,"

"Madame-"

Eve is disturbed by a groan, it was a groan of a man. She immediately stood and scanned the room searching for the source.

Aurora sighed.

"The local lord was pretty demanding,"

Eve turned her attention to Aurora, her face showing her confusion.

"The Goddess ordered us to dedicate ourselves to this crusade of hers, her followers must always grant her wishes and not fall to the wants of our flesh but pay heed to the gods,"

"What… are you.. talking about?"

"My? Well, the local lord was being greedy and refused to surrender his rule to the Goddess, and so that lawless heretic was taken care off,"

"That does not explain the gro-"

Another, more powerful groan echoed in the room. The sound was creepy, sending chills down Eve's spine.

"Tat tat! Eve you should go now, the Northeastern Border is at risk, protect our country!" Aurora hastily stood and pushed Eve out from the room, slamming the door shut. It felt unnatural to Eve. The councilwoman was acting strange, and that groan did not help her doubts.

She made her way out of the lord's abode, the scene was still the same. And then she realized, she also felt weird. Something tingly crawling through her body.

"Hush, I have to find Jaune," Before she could step out and disappear into the crowd in the street, a guard called for her.

"Eve of the Red Scripture!" The guard yelled. Eve turned to look and saw one of the Knights waving at her, in his hands were sealed letters with the crest of the church.

She turned around and ran to the guard who greeted her another time.

"The councilwoman wishes to give you these, she says that these are your instructions once you arrive at the northeastern border," The guard handed the letters to Eve who took them rather lazily.

Eve then inspected the letters, the letters were normal, she was just being sure. But, she was acting paranoid, she thought.

"Thank you, kind sir," Eve bid the guard farewell and turned her back. She then spent the rest of the afternoon looking for an Inn to stay, it was getting late and the next army was supposed to embark tomorrow at the break of dawn, she decided it would be best if she just stayed here for a while, she just had that feeling that something was not right.

She then found the Inn she was looking for, the sign was torn but at the other half was intact 'iNN' It was written.

She entered through the wooden door, went to the cashier and paid for one night. She went up to her room and laid on the bed.

"So tired!"

She placed her small backpack onto the floor beside her bed and blew off the candles on the table next to the door.

"This day has been gruelling, I hope tomorrow will be different," She thought as she tucked in and made herself comfortable.

"Tomorrow is another day,"