Nine Gifts

"What was that.." Lily stood frozen in place; her eyes shivered as a chill went down her spine. Her friends also frozen in shock; what they witnessed was the epitome of evil, destruction, unlike anything they've ever seen before.

In just a few seconds, thousands were instantly incinerated in a fireball. Cries and wails of mothers searching for their children and children looking for their mothers filled the air. The group stood among civilians rushing away from the scene and soldiers rushing into the chaos.

In a blink of an eye, the metal dragon that caused the destruction disappeared. It was last seen hovering over the royal palace, and allegedly attacked the queen and her cohorts. Lily and her friends were supposed to drink at the Inn before embarking on their mission, only to witness it burn down.

"Ru-Rudelf! what was th-" Shia turned to look at Rudelf who was supposed to be behind her only to find out he had disappeared.

"Where did Rudelf go!?" Shia asked frantically.

"He said he was going to the Royal Palace," Lily answered Shia's distress. They were all frightened; it was fundamental human nature to be frightened at something beyond their control or comprehension. What they witnessed could only have been done by a demon, a monster, or a God.

As the situation seemingly escalated, the three were caught in the panicking crowd which swept like a flood in the streets, and they were trapped in the middle of it. Unable to find a way out, the three lost themselves in the chaos and in that day, the Royal Capital was plunged into near anarchy.

-

"Your highness?"

"Get some water, and some Ice! quickly!"

Faint and muffled voices sounded in Erin's ears. She felt nothing, numbness took over her body, and she could neither see nor feel. Her mind was calm; it was as if her mind got flushed of all thoughts and stress and only the relaxing feeling of relative peace took over her.

She did not think of anything else but felt as if she was in bliss; she felt the urge to stay at the state she was in and never return to the everlasting torture which was the reality of all living beings. A state where she had no responsibilities, where she could finally rest and accept her mistakes and move on into another plane of existence, and she thought this was the higher plane of existence.

She could only remember the faint memory of her flung away from the balcony. She felt no pain but a slight jolt from her stomach, which pushed her at high speeds, slamming her against a wall.

And now she felt in bliss, relaxed in a manner in which she has never handled before. Slowly her numb body began to feel once more, and she felt as if she was drifting and afloat. She slowly opened her eyes and a white light shined upon her, she couldn't see clearly, but the light was unlike anything she had ever laid eyes on.

The light was pure blue, a taint of blue which was so pure yet so dazzling to the eyes despite its simplistic nature. The blue light prevented her from seeing anything, and she was blinded for a few seconds, the light struck her eyes, but she felt no pain nor did she felt the reflex to close her eyes in response to such a bright light.

But she maintained her eyes; the light was calm and pleasing regardless of its intensity.

And then the light began to fade; slowly, she could see what was before her. Little by little, she saw a blue maiden floating amongst the light, her long dark blue hair curled around her legs and hips as it flowed through the air like a weed in the current. Her face was beautiful; ample were her lips and chest while her eyes were a somewhat darker range of blue.

She had a curved body and a stunning figure overall and little did Erin know, she was looking at the Goddess Blue's pure form.

In contrast to her previous appearance with the late pope, this form was her purest and original form. The form which reflects her beauty and does it justice. The form which strikes fear among the denizens of Fiorg and the form which exerts her position and power among all things, as what a deity should be.

The mystified Erin stared at her beauty, and her mouth was agape. The goddess smiled at her and slowly drifted towards the floating queen. As she drew near, her elegance became even more apparent to Erin's eyes.

"Welcome, Queen Erin Yuhin,"

Erin did not reply, her beauty was already unparalleled, and now her voice was as sweet as honeydew. Pleasant to one's ears and antagonizing to those against such pleasantry. Erin was further buried in awe and confusion, she now knew she was the goddess, but she was not ready to meet her, neither was she willing to even lay her eyes upon her pure form.

"I have come here, to bless thee,"

Erin's mouth remained shut.

"You need not to speak, nor to fear me, for I have come here to bring you from death,"

Death? She thought. So I was indeed dead? I was enjoying it here, in bliss.

"I can hear your thoughts mortal, and I heed them well, I know you long to have everlasting peace in mind and heart, but will you truly pass on without any negative conscience affecting you? Nay, you need not to pass on yet, you need to fight! for your people and for the world!"

"Dark days are now upon us, as dark as the tragedy which caused the Forgotten Era, as dark as the times of demons and monsters who roamed free on this world and the denizens retreated onto caves and fed on scraps. A new threat has arisen and shall plague this world once more, should you and many others forsake your duty!"

"I know thy thoughts, and I know thy will, but the will of thy deities of thee of the creators of the universe and of man and beast, we implore upon you our will and command. Go forth, defend thy world, for you have been chosen as our disciple, our holy knight that shall shed thy holy light amongst the tainted lands and the shadows which covereth thou!"

"I bless thee, upon you, the power of wisdom, for magic shall be your trusted arms and legs and your mind as your sharpened blade. Your will shall be as strong as iron, and your heart shall be cleansed of regret and transform into thoust holy armor! Clad in beauty and strength! ye shall set forth in thy holy light and blessings, upon thee our gift is bestowed upon you,"

Upon nine souls, gifts have been given.

Upon nine souls, the world shall stricken.

Nine gifts of power, from the deities of heaven.

Nine gifts of power, shall they pose a burden.

For the deities have failed, and so did mortal men.

Might this be a repeat, of what was back then?

Upon nine souls, nine gifts are bestowed.

Upon nine souls, the everlasting ship has rowed.

And to nine persons, nine gifts were given to them by the deities. These gifts were their response to the embarrassing failure they had. The fact that their so-called 'flaming sword of gehenna' was easily destroyed by mere metal machine meant that they were facing something they were unfamiliar with.

An enemy, without magic entirely. Entire beings whose persons run without the needs of magic, nor do they run by the basic rules of life which are the robust rules and foundations in this world.

The nine gifts were five weapons and four blessings.

The Sword of Lactus.

The Bow Of The Master Archer.

The Shield Of Souls.

The Spear Of Tivlantur.

The Staff Of The Highest.

The Blessing Of Wisdom.

The Blessing Of Kinship.

The Blessing Of Skill.

The Blessing Of Magic.

Henceforth, they shall be called.

The Nine Heroes.

-

"Rudelf are you alright?" Shia asked as she loaded herself onto the cart. Lily and Gord were on their horses, waiting for their leader to come back to his senses.

Rudelf stood there, against the gatehouse. Deep in thought, much to the worry of his friends.

"Nergh!" Ignis pinched the dazed Rudelf in the ear.

"It's for you to go," Ignis' expression was no different from before.

"Yeah yeah, we'll be off,"

As the group slowly faded from sight, Ignis and the guards looked on as the adventurers disappeared into the night with their cart and horses.

Ignis sighed and went back into the gatehouse after he took one last look.

-

"You will indeed die," Ignis' words shattered his heart. To think his childhood friend knew he would die but still send him out on this mission, did he want him dead? Or had he lost hope?

What did he witness? what was that blue light which engulfed the palace?

So many questions fluttered in his mind. So many questions left unanswered.

But for now, he needed to concentrate on the task at hand.

They have embarked.