Previously.
A young woman with peach-colored hair and fox-like ears on top of her head walks through a crowd of people. Another taller woman walks beside her, blue feathers covering her head as hair.
“Come on, don’t be so nervous. It’s not going to do anything good for you, you know? So much worry, so much stress…” Angelidis says. She had noticed the unmoving expression of worry on Prisca’s cute face.
The beastkin woman clenches her fists as she continues walking.
“It almost sounds to me… like you didn’t hear exactly what Shaula said she would do. You did hear it correctly, right? She’s probably bluffing about her strength too… She might try something and get crushed because she misunderstood the situation!”
“I don’t think she’s bluffing. Too many things about her and Ajax felt out of place for her to be just bluffing. But, in the end, I’m going to bear witness for the first time to her… true power, just like you.”
Prisca pauses her walk through the crowd and turns to watch Angelidis carefully. The feather haired girl looks at her with confusion, her trembling hands betraying her own nervousness.
“So, you’re not anxious at all? Since there’s a noble near the statue, what do you think is going to happen to her? Isn’t she your friend?” Prisca says, her eyebrows raised in shock.
Angelidis bites her lips softly. She does have faith in Shaula, but truthfully, she hadn’t yet proved herself to such a degree. She had only seen small glimpses of her power. What choice would she have but to second-guess her own ability to discern another’s strength? Instead of doing that, Angelidis takes a deep breath.
“…She is my friend. You know, we first met when she stopped someone from shooting an ice magic spell at me? What kind of asshole would I be if I didn’t at least become her friend after that, you know? I didn’t think much of it at first, honestly, I thought she was just fast on her feet that day. But… she, and Ajax too by the way, is special in a way that I cannot fully understand.”
“…Angelidis. Do you… Do you pray?” Prisca asks, continuing to walk through the crowds. Angelidis wears a thin smile.
“Just started, a few heartbeats ago actually.”
They eventually get closer to the person they need to speak with. They can’t be too slow, otherwise they might miss the beginning of Shaula’s attempt to destroy the diamond statue of the 33rd divinity. Some people within this part of the crowd are trying to block others from getting close to the old draconid man, Barden.
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However, they, Barden’s confidants, recognize Prisca and let her through, along with Angelidis who she vouches for. Prisca doesn’t mince words.
“Hey, geezer.” Prisca speaks, defiant.
“Hm? Oh, Prisca, what’s going on?”
He had seen her walking towards him with a sour, nervous expression, yet he ended up greeting her quite nonchalantly, a warm smile on his face. He notices the draconid girl behind her.
“Oh, and nice to see you again, Angelidis! I see you’ve become friends with Prisca. Ha, do be kind to her, she’s not very good with making friends. You should have seen how long it took her to open up to Cel and Sito, hahaha!” Barden laughs with high spirits. Angelidis is honestly impressed he can keep so upbeat and optimistic even now.
“B-Barden! Don’t embarrass me, I’m a grown woman, you know? I’m not a little kid anymore…”
Ironically, Prisca had started spending time with Barden and his church right after she became 15 years old, the age of majority in the Federation. Yet, Barden has always thought of her as his little niece, since her deceased parents were his dear friends.
Here she is at the age of 25 and Barden must try hard to take her little niece seriously.
“Ugh… old man, are you still certain that you’re only going to leave if the diamond statue successfully is destroyed?” Barden looks at her with a confused expression.
“Oh, are you trying to convince me to let it go? Didn’t I make myself clear, already? You’re starting to offend me by questioning my commitment, dear.” Barden says, his face firm, unflinching.
Angelidis notices the sharpness in his eyes and flinches herself. Prisca however stands her ground.
“No. No, that’s not what I’m here about. Will you…” Prisca takes a single deep breath. “Will you… promise me that if that fucking ugly statue is destroyed… that you’ll take every measure to leave this place as quickly and as safely as possible?”
Barden is surprised by her question, a request to seal a promise; he notices doubt in her words. At first, he suspected that she knew some way to destroy the statue. Her uncertainty however makes it seem to him that she has a way, but one that requires sacrifice. If Barden knows Prisca, then that sacrifice would be one that she would choose to bear herself.
Barden turns his back to Prisca for a moment, rubbing his chin with his right hand. He then speaks calmly without warmth.
“Hey, Sutty, Leon, hold Prisca here, would you?” He raises his right hand.
“Wh—“
Before Prisca or Angelidis can react, two people who were waiting near Barden spring forth to restrain Prisca by her arms. Angelidis backs away from the two of them. Others of Barden’s crew start closing in on Angelidis, but Barden gestures to them to back off for now. Prisca is surprised and angry.
“Hey! What do you think you’re doing? Sutty? Leon? Let go of me!” She struggles against the beastkin woman and man holding her, though she cannot break free. Barden shakes his head in disapproval and some sadness.
“Prisca… what did you think exactly? That I would let you attempt some kind of far fetched plan to destroy the statue yourself? I may be willing to sacrifice myself, but I would absolutely never, never sacrifice you. I would not be able to face your parents again if I let you risk yourself for my dreams.”