Chapter 43 - Luke’s Decision

Before the break of dawn, I woke up remembering that I had forgotten to ask Luke for his answer. I look around the house but I was unable to see him so I walk outside. With a woven basket on his back and two adult golden wolves following him carrying a pup each on their back was Luke. He had a determined expression on his face as he looked at the Ariel Statue.

"I heard from Lucina that you are a goddess. I have never believed in gods and goddesses after what I saw at the encampment. I always wondered why did we end up like this? But now I believe it was fate that I ended up in that encampment and that I met Ian through it. I want to wish that Oscar has safe travels to the upper realms. I want to tell him, thank you for saving me. Let his soul rest in peace."

"So this is your decision?"

Luke jumps from surprise as he looks behind him to see me standing there watching him.

"Yes. I had thought about it before and throughout the night I talked to the golden wolves. They agreed to help me in my mission and at the same time help guide me through the forest."

"Then go."

Luke looks at me for a while gauging my expression before nodding and silently walking past me with his new companions. I watch him walk further and further away until he got to the gate. As he opens the gate I shout at him.

"STAY SAFE LUKE! COME BACK TO US! NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS OUT THERE YOU NEED TO SURVIVE AND COME BACK!"

My shout wakes up the other residents and I could see the surprised Howard as he exits the house and looks at me. Without a second thought, he sprints for Luke only to not even catch a glance at him. He storms back with an angry expression grabbing my clothes by the neck.

"Why? Why did you send him out again?"

"Howard. Luke is not the same Luke you knew before. I'm sure you are smart enough to know this. Ever since he gained something from Aur he was changing. He was accepting the loss of Oscar, accepting the blame of his death, accepting his own weakness. He cried and cried. He felt lost and alone even when we are next to him. However, this gives him a goal. Something to aim for and a way to atone."

"IAN! He is just a kid."

"I know. However, I need him to grow into a man. All of us do. Every second we are here we are under an unknown threat. What is to say the next day a monster shows up on our doorstep and starts to wreak havoc. We need to become stronger than yesterday. This is a path for Luke to gain strength."

I look dead into Howard's shaking eyes. His hands tremble in anger and confusion before letting me go and walking towards our armory. He picks up an ax and walks towards the forest.

"We need wood for the watchtower right? I'll go get some…"

Howard's soft lonely voice travels into my ears. He was depressed, sad about Luke's departure. Maybe even sadder that Luke did not even consult him or speak to him before leaving. Lucina, on the other hand just stood still watching the forest as the leaves dance side by side in the gentle breeze.

"Everyone, let's go to the Ariel Statue and pray for Oscar."

Lucina slowly turned to everyone signaling them to walk towards the statue. She turns around once more watching Howard's back become smaller as he walks past the gate.

......….

After the prayer, I checked my status. I had a hunch that praying would increase my faith but I wanted to confirm it after everyone had prayed to the Ariel Statue.

Name: Ian

Race: Human

Faith: 17/100 ( Reach 100 to pick a Pantheon )

Happiness: 0 ( Neutral )

Health Points (HP): 10/10

Mana Points (MP): 0/0

Strength: 5

Vitality: 5

Intelligence: 5

Dexterity: 5

Agility: 5

Luck: 10

Equipment: Lucky Goblin Totem Necklace

I was right, the Faith had increased to 17. It went up by 5 since it was a new day and then further increased another 7 which represented each resident including Gobi. This meant that every time someone was to pray to the statue then I would get Faith points. Reaching 100 Faith points and picking a Pantheon seemed like an even closer goal.

I let Robin and Owen relax for the day telling them they could go for a walk around the area or sleep in the mud house. While Lucina would be busy tending to the farm, watering the crops and pulling out any weeds. Howard was chopping down trees at the edge of the forest while Gobi and the new goblins were chopping the logs into smaller logs. Old man Hus was practicing making different shaped cups and bowls using the primitive manual pottery wheel. All that was left was David and me.

"David, come with me I want to search along the river."