4 – Preperation

The group eventually returned to their esteemed base, the weathered cathedral-like building materializing before their eyes as they crossed the volumes of trees surrounding the area. The atmosphere felt subdued, as most soldiers were off to slumber. Only a handful of them still roamed through the building's interiors. The overarching silence was broken by Zynphina's graceful descent, the trees' leaves fluttering uncontrollably by the wind pressure. The group exited her palm, allowing her to transform back into her human form once again. Her tresses now back to their normal length, and her once crimson-red eyes returned to their majestic luminous state. Her black robe manifested around her, covering her gentle curvaceous body, as she stepped alongside the others into the building.

"Behold our base, Gratien. Given that we will abandon this place soon, showing you around will not be as needed, I wager…" Lunar said as he lifted his arm, pointing into the building's hallowed interior.

"Correct," Imbra responded. "I am certain there is an unoccupied chamber somewhere. You can bring him to one of those," as they all crossed the threshold of the building, the grandeur of the main hall unfolded before Gratien's eyes. His apprehension started to reach great heights, as his stride was uneven amongst the others. His eyes darted from one corner to another, as if searching for something he has yearned for all his life. Sweat began to ascend on his skin, as he held his Key firmly in his pockets. Each step they took echoed throughout the space, accentuating his apprehension even more.

Then, emerging from the depths of shadow, there appeared Declan, draped in loose, dark attire that billowed softly with his movements. His sword, encased within a scabbard, clung faithfully to his hip, an emblem of his preparedness for the unknown that lay ahead.

"There you are!" said Declan. "Still not getting enough of the twilight sky?"

"Not quite," Lunar responded. "I think we have had enough for now, hehe…"

"Declan, where is Luminia?" Imbra asked.

"Oh, she's in…"

As the others indulged in their short conversation, Gratien found himself adrift in a sea of disconnected thoughts. His mind became an anchor, weighing him down, and his gaze, laden with disbelief, (It's really happening, huh…)

"…so, where do you come from?" Declan's voice sliced through Gratien's reverie, snatching him back to reality.

"O- oh, me…" Gratien stumbled over his words, his voice betraying a hint of nervousness. "I come from the Elias family, a former member of the Ghost Order."

"Ah, another Acolyte joins our ranks, I see… you're just like most soldiers here. You'll get familiar quickly enough. Just throw yourself into one of the bustling clusters of fellow Acolytes, and you will be a known soldier in no time."

"Guide Gratien to his chamber, Zynphina and I will discuss the foreseeable future of our journey alongside Luminia. We will depart tomorrow, there is no time to waste," declared Imbra.

"Sure! I will see you tomorrow," Lunar responded. As the conversations flowed and plans took shape, Gravesyn remained a silent sentinel amidst the dynamic exchange. Like a statue etched with unwavering loyalty, she stood resolute. With measured steps, she silently retreated to the seclusion of her chambers.

"I… guess it will be us then, right, Declan?" Lunar asked as he watched Gravesyn fade away into the shadows.

"No, I was going to swing the sword a little, you'll do well on your own!" Declan retorted, as he too stepped away, leaving Lunar alone with Gratien.

"Well, that is Declan for you. He is quite an unapproachable person at first, but beyond his initial facade, he possesses a warmth and openness that surpasses people's perceptions. You will get to know him better soon, he will be journeying alongside us tomorrow."

"….."

"Anyway, let us go, don't want to make you wait even longer than now, hehe."

Both Lunar and Gratien found themselves within the confines of a narrow corridor, the candle torches flickering amidst the darkness that surrounded them. The candle lights lined up the passage, their flickering flames fleeting glimpses of the myriad doors that adorned the walls. Some of these doors stood slightly ajar, granting brief peeks into the private domains of those who dwelled within.

As they navigated the labyrinthine pathway, Gratien's eyes inadvertently met the gaze of those whose doors were left open. A fleeting connection formed, locking their eyes for a brief moment, causing a jolt of startle to course through him. The unexpected encounters served only to heighten his apprehension, further fueling the already swirling emotions within his being.

"How did you find yourself within that library, by the way?" asked Lunar.

"…it's sort of my second home. Elsa is the only family I have, she has been taking care of me ever since I set foot for the first time…"

"Ah, I see. Must be pretty tedious to be spending most of your time in an abandoned library, isn't it?"

"Well, it was always better than the outside world for me, anyway. I only spend my time outside if necessary, mostly if I go hunting."

"Oh?" Lunar responded. "You don't buy your food?"

"No, ever since my parents died, I wasn't able to stay financially independent. Been hunting for my nutrients ever since I fled the Holy Church. Even Elsa, when I met her for the first time, didn't have enough for herself. She, too, had trouble being outside for too long, but… given how much she has suffered, even I would be afraid to stick my head outside. However, I do try to tell her to at least catch a few breaths of fresh air, every now and then."

"Aha, and you didn't have any comrades or the sort back at the Holy Church?"

"No, not really. I did once have a friend at some point, but she tragically passed away due to some disease. She was a fellow Acolyte… it still sucks whenever I think about her."

"Ah, okay. But hey, remember what Declan said; there will be a myriad of chances for you to get to know some of our deviants. Might take you a little time, but we are more welcoming than people portray us to be."

"I see, what about you?" Gratien pondered. "You said you were also a betrayer, right? I have to say it again, meeting a betrayer from such a high echelon seems unheard of…"

"I have walked the path of betrayal for quite some time," Lunar responded. "But it was not without a good reason… You see, I have a brother who remains a devoted member of the Holy Church. There are moments when I find myself wondering about how he is doing, pondering the choices he has made. However, my departure from the Church was not a decision made lightly. In truth, it was a path I felt compelled to take, driven by circumstances that left me with no realistic alternatives," Lunar responded, as he lifted his sleeve, exposing the curse mark that covered almost the entirety of his arm.

"See this? This is my daily reminder that other purposes really do exist, albeit more gruesome, or difficult than the prevailing purpose of The Light. I rather live a life of self-purity than a life serving a God that bears weights of true evil. This mark brings me pain every time I use the power of Valmar… it differs depending on how much energy I've used, however."

"That's interesting… I do have to say, it looks monumental. Did you have this ever since birth?"

"No," Lunar retorted. "The mark manifested ever since I served Imbra, or more accurately, when my dedication toward him reached heights surpassing even my time serving The Light. This curse mark, it could be said, was born out of my connection to Imbra. Yet, not even this painful mark can shake my devotion to him. Imbra is the true savior of the world of Aradon, even if others fail to recognize it."

"Hm…"

"Anyway, we have arrived. Make yourself at home. Since Imbra did not take you alongside Zynphina, expect to be called to the main hall the next morning. Your guidance will be greatly needed, so best get some sleep to be of sharp mind tomorrow," Lunar winked.

"Got it, thank you for your time."

As Lunar shut the door behind Gratien, he found himself amid the chamber. A haunting sense of devoidness permeated the air, casting a sombre pall over the space. The chamber seemed suspended in time, forgotten and abandoned. The flickering candles cast eerie shadows upon the cold stone walls, revealing deep claw marks etched into the surface.

The sparse furnishings mirrored its bleak ambiance. A worn, dilapidated bed stood against the wall, its sheets faded and frayed, embodying the passage of time and neglect. A solitary chair, weathered and creaking, sat forlornly in a corner, as if it too had resigned itself to the chamber's desolate state.

"This… is truly happening…" he softly murmured as he crashed onto the bed, holding the Key in the air, prompting him to reminisce about the incidents that brought him to this very position.

"I will make you proud, Serpio… I promise," he murmured once again, fixating his gaze on the Key that glimmered in the dim moonlight that filtered through a narrow aperture.

After a few reflective moments, he decided to take a look at the building's entirety, it seemed that his mind was still tormented by his circumstances, making it difficult for him to reach slumber.

He jumped off his bed and gently opened the weathered door to see the hallowed corridor once again, empty and silent, save for the muffled conversations that drifted through the air.

Gratien felt a type of familiarity with the atmosphere of the building. A brand-new member like him would not make himself stand out amongst the rest, or so he thought. Even though he found himself within the depths of the prophesied Fallen Ones, despite all the stories he was foretold, surprisingly did not cause as much apprehension within him anymore. It felt as if the familiarity between him and the others felt natural, perhaps, Lunar could be the one to thank. His charisma and friendliness might have been the cause of this, or so he thought.

After spectating the corridor, he took a turn to the right, the opposite direction from where he and Lunar came from. A door stood at the end of the hallway that led to the building's rear courtyard. He took measured steps toward it, turning his head backwards every now and then, ultimately standing before the door.

With a gentle push, Gratien coaxed the door open, and to his delight, it swung wide, revealing a breathtaking sight—the sky bathed in the tranquil hues of twilight. The sight, though a familiar one, held an inexplicable allure that captivated Gratien's senses. This time, however, it resonated within him on a deeper level, stirring emotions he couldn't quite put into words.

Seeking solace in this ephemeral moment, Gratien chose to fully embrace it. He found respite on a nearby broken pillar, its weathered surface offering a semblance of stability. Leaning against it, he propped his arm on his leg, creating a makeshift perch from which he could immerse himself in the serenity of the scene before him.

His gaze turned to the Key, grasped firmly in his hand. Its intricate design shimmered under the fading light.

"Hehe…"

"This night feels just the same, Serpio…"

"We were together, you took the blame for stealing that piece of bread… and gave it to me…"

"Maybe, if I do this, I will make up for the abuse you endured… those men who hurt you, your father, who abused you even further… I could hear it all… the screams of your agony and despair fueled me even further… I guess it was my fault, right, Serpio? Right… ser-"

"Who are you talking to?" a voice interrupted, the sudden interruption shattered the fragile stillness, causing Gratien to startle. His eyes snapped toward the source of the voice, and there stood Gravesyn, her figure silhouetted in the doorway. Arms crossed and an air of malevolence emanating from her, she appeared different—off. Her darkened eyes and slightly furrowed eyebrows gave her an unsettling aura, far from the heartfelt conversation he had anticipated. A foreboding sense gripped Gratien, urging him to brace himself for what was to come.