Sacrifices

The sun was at its peak, the tranquil skies conquered the city of Raxins found below, at the heart of the city was the mansion. Beside the mansion was a grassy garden, it was occupied by Celina and Shekurya, who sparred for several hours now. Celina ended up being drove into the corner several times, her blade often slid down from her clasp everytime they clashed blades.

Celina find it irksome at some point, she sighed and rubbed the sweat from her forehead. Her stomach grumbled, she noticed it was almost time for lunch, but at least she wanted to take her down at least once.

Celina yowled. "Geez, I don't stand a chance."

Shekurya chuckled as she gracefully covered her lips. "Don't worry, this will be our last spar, I'm gonna give you an upperhand."

Celina hoisted her blade up on her chest level, she narrowed her eyes, taking it now more serious. She still haven't revealed her trump card in her sleeve yet.

Shekurya nodded, she held out her blade to her side. "I'm gonna allow you to make the first move."

Celina's eyes lit up, she became focused. "Really? Well then, brace yourself Shekurya."

Shekurya replied with a steady and warm smile, her stance straight and undettered.

Celina took a deep breath, her mental energy were focused inside her mind, strength poured towards her arms, she gripped the blade tight. After her eyes flinched, in a flash she zipped towards Shekurya.

Seeing Shekurya in that brief moment, she was vulnerable and didn't put up a stance, Celina swung her blade towards her, however she got startled when her weapon phased through her body. Her eyes widened as Shekurya faded slowly. "An after image?"

After her swing, Shekurya vanished completely, she shook her head, seeking for any trace of her. She heard a chuckle behind her and Celina's back was strucked by a blunt object, she presumed it was a blade's hilt. Celina staggered forward and were dropped on all fours, she turned her head with her lower lip risen to Shekurya, looking upset.

Shekurya went close to her, she lent her arm infront of Celina, she sighed and took it to haul herself up again. "I often hear the technique you just did, what's it called?"

Celina brushed the dust off from her knees, there was a trace of irritation on her eyes. "It's called Zen." Her voice irritated.

Shekurya pinched her cheek, forcing Celina to wake up from her mood. "You're so cute when you get mad." She said teasingly.

Celina rubbed her cheek, she sighed venting her frustration out.

"Maybe let's continue after this noon and why don't you join us for lunch, I know you're hungry." Shekurya smiled, she whirled and trailed off.

With a free lunch offered, Celina felt sated, she tailed Shekruya as she made her way into the mansion. When they were on the table they started having lunch, it was as Celina remembered, the food were too grand for the commoners. She mirthly consumed her food, the marinated meat simmered into her mouth, sending out a pleasing taste on her tongue.

As she was focused on her plate, she got startled, when on her side Shekurya sprang up in all of a sudden, her cheeks puffed looking like she restrained her urge to vomit. Her husband grimaced, he had a concerned look, he left his seat and attended close to her side.

Worry ate Celina as well that she ceased to continue her meal, she approached her, hoping to assist her. "Shekurya is there something wrong?"

Shekurya weakly turned her face to her. "Just a little dizzy." She said exhaustedly

She staggered but was supported by his husband, she was then guided into her room. Celina was left alone, eyeing the abundant food that stood atop the table, just when she thought of bringing some food down the city, now it would feel inappropraite to do so. Then two figures entered the mansion doors, one was a guard, seen from the casually designed armor he wore. The other was a formal middle aged man, which she assumed was a mage.

They passed by her and overheard traces of their talks.

"Lord Sethan this way." Said the guard.

After a few hours, the old mage named Sethan, Lord Helrick and Shekurya have left the room. The couple's vigour were replenished as though their happiness were at its peak. Sethan bowed slightly to the couple. "If you excuse me Lord Helrick."

"Thank you a lot Sethan, you're a very reliable friend." Helrick said.

Sethan rose the edge of his lip, forming a faint smile. "I'm glad to be of your service, anyway my Lord, I have something to report to you. The coins in our treasury may not last us for the next few moths."

"Just use my personal money." Helrick said with a sigh.

"Are you sure about that my Lord?"

Helrick gave a single nod. "I will give anything just to keep this city from falling."

Sethan smiled, amused by his compassion.

Shortly after, Sethan left the room. The air around the couple felt warm as their expressions shone bright. Celine recieved their smiles, she was forced to chuckle seeing their situations.

With zeal, Shekurya jogged towards Celina, she hugged her tight with their cheeks brushed against each other. Celina was left in a trance deducing the situation.

"I'm so happy." Shekurya whispered to her ear.

Celina chuckled, cluelessly. "What do you mean?"

Shekurya moved back, her passionate face stared at her. "I will bear a child, I've been waiting for this through out this years." She said enthusiastically.

Celina's face brightened up, she gasped as she grabbed her hand. "I'm so happy for you."

Then, both girls chatted on a porch of a mansion found on the second floor, they rested their arms on the banister as they exchanged words. Eyeing the vast city, with its jagged figures that some buildings could be mistaken as spears.

Shekurya must have forgotten that they were about to spar after their lunch, right now she became more talkative and energetic. "So Celina you were a mage right?" Shekurya glanced at her white robe.

Celine chuckled. "Well yeah."

"I haven't seen you casting a spell." Shekurya looked at her curiously.

Celina sighed, her head bent low. "Somethings happened."

Shekurya tapped her shoulder, uplifting her spirit. "Don't worry, I'll pray that you can manage. So what do you plan to do now?"

Celina took a deep breath, she clenched her fists. "I'm going to erase all demons, and stop the revival of the demon lord." Her words slapped hard into the air, showing her determination.

Shekurya leaned more unto the bannister. "It must be nice to have such goals." She said with a trace of envy.

"Really? I think it's not, since as a light mage everyone is having a high expectations, yet I only give them disappointment." Her voice turned low. "I think it was better if I was born as an ordinary girl, probably becoming a bar keeper or studying to be a scholar. I'm not strong enough to do this." She sighed.

"Woah you're actually the last light mage? Being the only light mage left means you are the only one who can do it. You may not trust yourself, but I think there are someone out there who believes in you." Shekurya said soothingly.

Celina gasped lightly, she lifted a fragile smile, a certain memory bubbled up inside her head. "Anyway Shekurya I had fun, I think I need to return now, and thanks for the spar."

Shekurya chuckled. "I'm sorry I couldn't teach you further, this will take several months to master."

"It's fine." Celina pivoted her heels away from the porch, she then trailed off with a lively wave. "Bye Shekurya."

Shekurya bowed as she left. Afterwards, Celina left the mansion and entered the streets where she met the throng of people.

Plodding through the crowd, she rubbed her tummy and she felt sated after that meal, hopefully she would be able to find Pelvin and acquire some coins. And speak of the devil, she heard a familiar voice from one corner of the street, heads gathered around that portion. When she came close, inspecting what the noise was, she noticed it came from Pelvin.

Pelvin seemed to be conversing with an old man. "What is this for?" The old man pointed on a jar filled with grey powder.

Pelvin's face turned keen. "Apply this one around your house to shield it from the bad energies that currently haunts the cities." He said.

The old man looked satisfied, he dropped some coins, snatched the jar and sauntered away with a hum.

Celina curiously lifted her eyebrow, inspecting the jars. "What's with this?"

Upon noticing they were regular powder, she casted a suspicious look. "Pelvin aren't you scamming this people?" She placed her arm on her hips.

Pelvin laughed it off as he drummed the wooden cart. "These? If the customer is happy it's not a scam."

Celina curled her lips, her eyes narrowed. "I wonder about that."

Pelvin then tossed a pouched on her palms, it was a moderately sized one, with its weight pressing on her arms it mustered a grin on her face. "How much is this?"

"Three hundred and thirty five silvers. It's all yours." Pelvin said.

Celina lurched forward and hugged him. "Pelvin, not letting you go was the best decision I made."

Pelvin gave a sarcastic laugh. "Well then, I think we have to return to our work."

Celina nodded, her mood were shot up bright. "Thank you so much Pelvin."

Pelvin snickered, he snapped his fingers. "What did I say, didn't I tell you you can count on me?"

Celina tilted her head slightly. "Sure, but right now I think I have to leave."

"Yeah."

Celina hummed as she pranced away, she hugged the pouched tight unto her chest, her eyes were fixated unto the coins as though it was her child. "I can't wait to spend any of these, should I try the Blue berry wine or the Crimson Touch?"

As she tread calmly on the road filled with people that crisscrossed to and fro, she got startled when a figure lurched to her spot, he was carrying a knife. With that in mind her eyebrows fell, her forehead wrinkled, she then curled her fist firmly and threw it upon the man's face.

She growled as her other arm locked upon the pouch on her chest. She snorted in annoyance. "Not this time." She stuck out her tongue.

The person crawled away, he then hobbled heading to the alley but was kicked by someone from the crowd on the groin. Samantha came into view, she was the priestess of the crusaders who stepped upon the man's back, pinning him down on the ground. "You shouldn't let this people roam free without consequences Celina."

"Samantha." Celina scuttled to her position.

"I was heading to the church, you wanna come?" Samantha said.

Celina gave a single nod. "Sure."