The Refined Brotherhood of Mysteries

"Mr. Moirai, can I please have a minute of your time?"

A man in his mid-twenties dressed in fine clothing stood before me. He wore a dark doublet with fancy trimmings, breeches that buttoned at the knee, and sturdy leather boots. His hat, adorned with a feather, added a touch of flair to his outfit. Despite the hustle and bustle around him, he carried himself with such poise and confidence, resembling a true gentleman of our time. His hazel-brown eyes bore straight into mine. For a moment, it felt as if everything about me was laid bare right in front of his eyes. This man made me feel uncomfortable, so I willed myself to look away from his eyes and decided to avoid him.

"Unfortunately, I am in a bit of a hurry, sir. I'm afraid you are going to have to catch me next time," I spoke as fast as I could. But before I could take another step forward, he took out a folded piece of paper from his pocket and unfurled it in front of my eyes. On that piece of paper was a drawing of—how did he get this? Where? "Who are you?" was the only question I could ask as my body trembled at the sight of the drawing on the piece of paper.

"Mr. Moirai, can I please have a minute of your time?" He responded with another question, to which I slowly nodded my head in approval. He pointed at the park a few meters away from where we were standing.

Stone benches, weathered with age, provided a resting place for weary travelers, their surfaces worn smooth by centuries of use. The distant murmur of the city and the joyful cries of children playing amidst the greenery were accompanied by the soothing sound of chirping birds, forming a soothing background to the scene. Seated on one of the many benches in the park, both the man and I had our heads down, but on our minds were two different sets of thoughts. My thoughts were unorganized, and in turn, that made me very nervous. But I did not dare let my emotions show on my face, or else Nana would burst out of the urn I had in my hands and flog me to death.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Moirai. My name is Josh Belling, and I have a few questions that are going to need your answers, okay?" The man called Josh explained to me. Silently answering with a nod of my head, Josh began, "I believe you were there the day Veronica Moirai died?" He asked.

"Yes, I was there." I wanted to ask him why he was asking, but Nana had taught me better. Right now, I needed answers about the bizarre incident that happened that day, and my gut was telling me that this man in front of me could have the answers I needed. Josh nodded in approval of my cooperation, and he continued, "Did she utter these words right before she died?" Josh asked while taking out another piece of paper. On it were the words "ESCALABUS REV" in a bold font. Right then and there, I confirmed that there was more to Nana's death than I thought. Looking back at Josh, I nodded without saying a word. Josh paused for a bit, his eyes losing focus, and his pupils dilating, but that strange moment did not last for long.

"Sorry for that, I was still reporting the orders to the higher-ups. MR Moirai, it saddens me to have to be the one to tell you that your grandmother's death was not a natural one, where I'm from we classify it as CODEX OBSCURA, meaning it is a special case that requires the intervention of our secret organization The Refined Brotherhood of Mysteries." He paused maybe he was expecting a question from me but I had no questions for him because deep down in me I knew that he had no reason to lie also the aura he gave off was not normal it was unlike anything  I had ever felt before, it was as if I was sitting in the presence of an ancient slumbering beast.

"You are not going to ask me any questions?" He asked with a raised brow and the answer he got was a slight shake of my head and a firm "You may proceed." Josh was slightly surprised but he quickly hid it with a soft smile

"Very well then Mr Moirai,  let me explain to you a few things first off the Brotherhood is a very ancient organisation that has been around much longer than the kingdoms. It was founded by the two enlightened Erebus and Lux they are the most -" he couldn't finish his sentence before I interrupted him

"What do you mean 'they are'?  Why do you speak of them as if they are still alive ?" I asked interrupting him mid-sentence, Josh raised his head and gave me a gloating smile before answering 

"That's because they are still alive, ahh it's so satisfying to see you surprised Mr Moirai truth is what I just revealed to you is nothing. Anywho I am here today as a representative of the organization and I'm here to tell you that you have been accepted into the Brotherhood and we cannot tell you how excited we are that you are joining us ." I stared at him dumbfounded, when did I request to join the organization? Or maybe he is just messing with me, I thought

"Mr. Belling, no offense but I don't remember requesting to join your organization you must be mistaken." While I was in the middle of talking his pupils dilated again and just like before they quickly went back to normal.

"Mr. Moirai  I assure you that this decision was made by the higher-ups so you have nothing to worry about, here in the organization no one requests to join but instead we come to you and evaluate you before accepting you into the organization Plus you happen to be a witness to a CODEX OBSCURA so you were our biggest priority besides I know you don't want to stay here any longer so this is an opportunity for you to go to new places and learn more about the death of you grandmother," Josh spoke but my mind was no longer with him, this is a chance for me to escape Sara and avoid the moonlight festival plus there is nothing left for me so I might just as well leave with him I thought.

"Mr Moirai I assure you-" I interjected before he could even complete his sentence

"When are we leaving?"

"Please Mr Moirai I suggest you think this - wait what?" Josh lost his composure I could see that he didn't expect me to come so willingly

"I said when are leaving ?" I asked again, Josh quickly wiped the shocked expression off his visage  and smiled

"We may leave-" Before he could finish he was interrupted again but this time it wasn't me

"Esteemed adventurer! I finally found you, but wait how did you get here so fast oh hey there Tim how are you doing ?" The city escort Jake who happens to be someone I consider my one and only friend in this city shows up disrupting the conversation.

" Hey man, I'm doing fine how's your leg?" I ask my eyes on his left leg that was bitten by a snake a few months ago when we were venturing out in the woods.

"The ol' leg is doing okay man, uhm what was I here for? Oh yeah uhm Esteemed adventurer uh why are you two sitting so close together?" Jake asked his brow raised in a suspicious manner , and right there I knew that this was going to be very hard to explain .