[Aeryth

Age: 15

Race: Human

-

Affinity: LifeBlood

Assimilation: 5%

Path: None

Idiosyncrasy: Unavailable

Title: Sole Survivor of The Death Fest

Attributes

Physical:

Strength: 11

Dexterity: 10

Endurance: 8

Constitution: 11

Mental:

Intelligence: 2

Perception: 0

Wisdom: 1

Will: 3]

Skill:

Passive:

Self Regeneration

Life Blood Transfusion

Runes: None

Aeryth stared at the floating screen in front of her. It would vanish if she wished for it to go away.

It informed all the powers she had. Not all. Her learned experiences were not quantified here, nor were her years of sword and archery practice. Still, seeing how low her numbers were was disheartening.

The biggest upset was the constitution still. The wounds had destroyed her body so severely that even after ten bonus points, it was not the highest but tied with strength, which only received five bonus points.

Grace said this would grow big as time went on, and in a few years, she would dread ever opening her status window because it only grew bigger and bigger without ever shrinking.

She didn't know how magic worked, since magic was a vast subject and most people didn't know what kind of ability one would get, there was no point in teaching it before awakening. She had been taught about only the sword and archery, which allowed her to go on hunts from time to time.

She closed the status and looked outside the window. The flower bed was growing. Light had done some kind of magic that helped it grow faster. They were not the same flowers. But a new one planted by Light and her. They spent the entire evening planting those.

That had happened a week ago. After the assimilation process began, she slept for four days straight. And when she woke up, she was completely fine. Her body had recovered from all the wounds, and she was supposedly stronger than before. This body of her didn't feel the same as before. Lighter, stronger, and sharper.

Sliding off the bed, she made her way to the door. This place was a church of Ella. Grace was one of the few nurses who worked here. She was not a nun.

At this point, she was not forbidden from leaving, but she still preferred to stay holed up in this room. She didn't want to look at new faces, and the outside was full of them. She heard the priest talking to Grace outside the room, pitying her.

It made her angry. Who needed his pity?

Light said there was no magic to help her with anger. For now, just taking deep breaths and trying not to focus on the negative stuff was the best option. Light also taught her a song that she was supposed to sing to herself daily night, or whenever she felt her rationale was slipping away. Aeryth didn't understand a word from that song, but it did make her relax.

Aeryth stared at the knob. She had to leave this room, she knew, and fear to look at other's faces was stupid. Why was it so hard? She didn't know.

No, I have to leave.

After the incident, Light was passing by the Sagewood, her village, and found Aeryth. She managed to save her, but the rest of the village was already dead. It had been more than a day after the massacre when she stumbled upon the sight. And proceeded to let the Lesterforge know of the incident.

Lesterforge was the place under which her village was constituted. It was like a father state, providing help to smaller ones in return for some tribute.

Aeryth remembered people killing dangerous beasts to save up money for the tribute to the state. Her father said it was part of life, and they had no say in it.

They had buried everyone whose remains were still distinguishable. The village itself was ashes, there were no records to name anyone, hence the gravestones are all unnamed.

Light was a traveling mage, who was taking shelter in The House Of Hearth, a noble house in the Lesterforge. Since she brought Aeryth here, Aeryth was also under the patronage of The Hearth.

What if the House of Hearth had not taken her under their protection? Would Light have left her to die? Or would the Lord of Lesterforge pay for her healings? They did take her village's money every year for protection, which they did not repay.

She had asked that question to Light, who said, don't think about it. It was inconsequential to her condition.

But it remained in her mind. Since she had desperately tried to not think about the incident, these questions had taken up too much space. A part of her just wanted to flame the Lesterforge for the tragedy.

They took so much of their money, every year, and yet the city wouldn't have known as her people rot in the middle of nowhere if not for Light.

Again, she felt her skin grow hotter, her brain throbbing like her heart, echoing in her ears. She returned to her bed and lay down. Humming the song.

"It doesn't matter. They are gone, and having a few knights there wouldn't have changed anything. Only added to the tragedy."

She wanted to know more about the tragedy, who did this and why. So far, Grace only had said it was an unknown marching army of death knights. There was no greater intent behind the tragedy than the village just happened to be on the path of death knights.

Like insects in the soil who happen to be crushed by someone walking by. This was not what Grace said. She would never say something so blunt. Still, that was the truth. They were just insects who were crushed, with no malice behind them. No reason. That thought tightened her chest and made her breathing harder.

She would've preferred if there was some intent, some desire, an animosity, a greater purpose. No. Nothing. Just powerless insects crushed. Her fist clenched painfully.

"Aeryth."

Aeryth jerked around with a gasp. What?

"Hmm," Light stood at the door. She looked at her with clear eyes that knew exactly what Aeryth had been thinking.

Aeryth lowered her head. "Morning, Light." This was the third day in a row when Light had visited her. That was rare. Aeryth wondered if she was growing worse.

"Morning," Light strolled in, "I've called you five times," her eyes flicked down at Aeryth's fists which were white as a sheet.

"Sorry."

"What had you worried this time?"

"Nothing."

She knew she was making Light's job hard, but she didn't even know why was so lost a minute ago.

"As I have said many times already, you need to stop thinking about the village. An impossible suggestion, I know. Everything eventually traces back to there after all. Why not focus on thinking about how can you use your unique powers instead."

"A worthless power. What am I supposed to do with it? I am just a glorified torture bag, aren't I?"

Light didn't bat an eye at Aeryth's words. She reached over and patted her back. "You're safe now. Everything is going to be fine."

"Don't touch me!" Aeryth slapped away her hand. Her shoulder sagged. "Sorry. Grace said there was no greater reason behind the tragedy. We just happened to be in their path... like insects in the soil, waiting to be crushed."

Light didn't say anything, as if contemplating whether should she say something or not. She sighed. "Usually, an undead army is kept under heavy watch. All their steps are closely followed, and predicted."

Aeryth looked up at Light.

"The fathering states, such as Lesterforge, can predict their path months before. And inform the villages and towns to move away, or in some cases, change the course of the army. This tragedy does not happen anymore, there is a solution."

"You mean they knew..." Aeryth anger waned before it could even bubble up.

"No. They didn't. No one knows where this army came from and where it went. Like it never existed," Light took her hand. "I am telling you this, so you know. There was more to it. Your village didn't die because it just happened to be in the path of the marching death knights. Don't let your mind tell you a lie."

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Aeryth nodded. "Does that mean someone is controlling those death knights? A necromance?"

Light shook her head. "I don't know. The church will seek the answers. At the same time, whatever the reason behind this tragedy is... you're too weak to find out. I need you to promise me, you'll not go out of your way to seek answers."

Aeryth bit her lips. She didn't say anything.

"Please, Aeryth. Your father would not want you to spend your life chasing a ghost for revenge."

"If you were in my situation... would you be able to let go? Is it really so easy to just let go of one thing I can direct all my anger to?"

"It's not," Light's hands were warm. She held her tightly. "Seeking revenge is easy, giving in to your anger is easy. Yet, you are too young to waste your life seeking it. One day, you will get the chance to take it. They are immortal," Light chuckled. "But until then, you have to let go. Focus on becoming better and having more control over your emotions. Alright? Promise me, you'll not seek them."

Aeryth let out a shuddering breath. "Fine... I'll not seek them out. They are immortal, after all. First, I need to find a way to kill them."

Light smiled. "One more thing," She searched her pocket and pulled out a locket. "This is for you." She tied it to her wrist before Aeryth could pull away her hand.

"What is this?"

"Something to hide your presence."

"My presence?" Aeryth knitted her brow in confusion.

"Once you awaken the ability to feel mana, you can feel the presence of others. Tell what kind of affinity they have generally. If the other person is good at hiding it, you cannot. You can not do either, as your awakening is incomplete."

Aeryth nodded.

"So, this bracelet will hide your presence. No one possesses life affinity or even believes it's possible. Feeling the presence of life, however, is very easy. And you were blessed almost upon midnight, so your inherent potential is so high, that even the dullest person on the other side of Lesterforge will be able to feel your presence like lightning in the night sky."

Aeryth nodded. "Is that bad?"

"You don't even know how much potential you have as a lab subject of a psycho scholar. So, yeah, it is very bad. Until the day, you can hide your presence completely, you will wear this on your wrist, okay?"

"It should be expensive..." Aeryth muttered, looking at the elegantly moldered shiny metal into what seemed like hundreds of vines meshing together into a net. In those gaps, there were hundreds of daimondesqu sapphire gemstones inlaid.

"It is. I had to get through more trouble to get this than I had thought." Light sighed. "So you will wear it without making another fuss."

"But..."

"If you feel comfortable, once you have money to pay me back, I'll take it back with interest. How does that sound?"

Aeryth knew that was just a way to get her to wear this, but she nodded. There was no way around it. Even if she didn't feel like accepting the favors. "Thank you for everything you've done for me."

"Okay. We are leaving the church today."

"Leave?" Aeryth's body tensed up. She didn't want to. "N-"

"You cannot hide in this room forever, even if you want to." Light cut her objection, "If you are worried about bringing misfortune to others, then rest assured, as long as I am here, nothing bad will happen." She grinned. "I am Light. My presence itself is enough to drown any misfortune you might bring."

Aeryth kept her mouth shut. Why did you not save us? The irrational part of her wanted to shout, but she understood it was not Light fault. Everything Light had done was out of kindness. Aeryth couldn't pay her back with hurtful words.

"I know. My fears are irrational but... but," Aeryth paused. She had no reason to think what she was thinking.

But what if she was truly cursed by that death knight and that was why she was alive, and if she looked at someone, they would die from those accursed things? They were the devil, capable of doing dark magic. Surely, they wouldn't have let her live even if she could survive without a slash or two.

"Aeryth," Light said slowly, "It is not irrational. You have gone through something horrible. People react more violently and refuse to react to anything over smaller matters. You are strong. Much stronger than you give yourself credit for. Those fears are just that. Fear. Not reality. I am still fine even after you've looked at me, and others will be too. If I say you're not cursed, then you're not. I know what a curse looks like. you're alive because you're strong, not accursed."

Aeryth lowered her head. Unable to understand her. She was weak, she lost everything. She watched those little children die horribly, unable to even escape her father's clutches.

"You will need time to get used to a new life, to find happiness again. Perhaps, years. But that won't happen if you hide, lock yourself in this room. You've to be comfortable seeing others. Make eye contact with them. You are strong, and for that reason, hiding like a coward is unacceptable."

Light waited for her response. Aeryth understood her words. She had told her that many times. Every night before falling. Yet, the worry creepin in her heart, she couldn't just let go of it. "Where are we going?"

"You're done with treatment, so you'll be vacating this room, which belongs to the church's medical wing, and instead living in the quarters of the house of the hearth."

"I see." Aeryth nodded. Then, she needed to leave. She had not given it thought, but this was a hospital. Other people must be waiting to be healed. She was hogging up their place now. An entire room of a hospital, a nurse fretting over her.

She slid off the bed, "I guess, there is no choice."

Light smiled, liking a blinding sun. She took the front, and Aeryth followed behind her, taking a deep breath.

I cannot waste any more energy on this stupidity. She muttered to herself. A part of her urged to look down and stare at her feet as she walked. But she didn't. That urge was not the one she needed to listen to. Wimpy part of her.

Light looked back at her. "Are you ready?"

Aeryth nodded, taking a deep breath. She wouldn't stare at others, she wouldn't look away from others. Just walk normally. Like she always did. Normal. That time felt like a life ago. A distant, fogged-up memory.

Light opened the door.

Aeryth looked at the straight corridor. There were patients or their families waiting around. The nurses were bringing food and medicines. They all looked at Light and lowered their heads slightly out of respect.

Light walked without waiting for Aeryth.

Aeryth hurried behind. Constantly, she had the urge to look down, but she didn't. But still, she didn't look at the faces of the city folks. Instead, she kept staring at Light's hair in front of her. Told herself she was looking ahead.

"I didn't know you liked my hair so much," Light chuckled.

Aeryth's cheeks burned. She lowered her head. Clenched her fist. No! Screamed in her mind and kept her eyes straight. "I'm just looking ahead. You happen to be in the way." She tried to keep her voice still. Unwavering.

She was doing good, she told herself. She had not lowered her head. If someone talked to her, she would look in their eyes, but for now, she didn't need to stare at other people's faces.

"Should I move away then?"

Aeryth felt a wave of panic. "N-no," her shoulder sagged.

"You're doing better than I had expected. I'm proud," Light said, looking at her. For the first time, her smile seemed genuine.

Aeryth lowered her eyes. Light was too bright for her eyes. She couldn't look at her. Something so brilliant was painful. Like staring at the sun after staying in a lightless cave for too long.

Light slowed, taking a step back, and patted her head. "Just like that. See, there's nothing to be afraid of."

Aeryth nodded.

They went down the stairs without any incident. But that might've exhausted all her good luck.

"Light, Aeryth," Aeryth stopped herself from looking at Grace.

'I need to look at her,' but her entire body was frozen. Cold dread coiled on her nape at the thought.

"Grace," Light said. "She has physically healed, so I've decided to move her to the Hearth's Quarters."

"Oh... Is that fine?" Grace seemed worried. "I mean she..."

"It is. The rooms here are limited, and she does not require anything that is not present in the quarters."

"I see."

Aeryth took a deep breath. If she left, she might never come back here. Never see Grace again. She couldn't leave just like this, not after how much effort Grace had spent for her well-being.

She looked at Grace.

Grace had a round face, young, with night blue hairs. She wore a circlet on her head that had the bearing of Ella. It was customary jewelry for those who lived in the church.

"Thank you, Grace," she said as she lowered her head slightly. "For everything you've done for me. I'll be forever grateful for the kindness you've shown me."

Her nerves were tight. She felt shiver, but she didn't look away.

Grace looked at her in shock, then her expression melted into a selfless smile that only she could have. "It was nothing, I wish I could have done more. If you ever feel you need to talk to someone or need anything, really anything, you can always find me here."

Aeryth nodded. "Thank you..." She felt awkward and looked down at her feet. Her heart hammered in her chest, but it was in a good way.

"We'll be leaving then. I'll keep you informed if you want that," Light offered.

"That would be delightful," Grace said. She took a step forward and kissed Aeryth's forehead, "May Ella always keep her holy light on you."

Aeryth still felt her nerves tight. She nodded slightly and followed behind Light. She didn't dare to look at anyone else. But she had already seen two people. There was no reason to be afraid anymore. She told herself.

Light didn't say anything. Aeryth had expected Light to compliment her for their bravery.

"We'll be flying on this little guy. He's Rury, a distant relative of and evolution of Eagle and Wyverns."

Rury was tall. Probably twice the size of a horse. White, without any stain of black or brown feathers that Eagle usually had. And horns were pocking out of its round head. It was beautiful, with a grin like that of an excited child.

It leaned toward Light, who patted it. "This is Aeryth. She'll be coming along with us."

It looked at her, and its eyes glinted. With a jerk, it was in front of Aeryth, shocking her out of her core. She stepped back, stumbling. Light steadied her.

"He wants you to pat him. That's the way he shows affection." Light said.

Aeryth nodded, hesitantly reached out, and patted its face. The soft, feathery fur melted all her apprehension away.

Light climbed up the birdy and held out her hand for Aeryth. "Let's go. I have other agreements to attend to once I've settled you in the dorms."

"Right." Aeryth nodded. Suddenly, her heart grew heavier as she realized she had to live by herself among people once Light left.

Light needs to leave. She does not owe me anything to look after me. She has already done enough.

Yet a part of her wanted Light to stay.

Aeryth reached over and grabbed Light's hand, who pulled her up. She sat, holding on to the belt attached to the straddle.

"Let's go."

The birdling cried.

"Is this your familiar?" Aeryth asked.

"No, I rented him for my stay in Lesterforge. They are expensive but comfortable."

"I see," Aeryth nodded.

Money, I need money to stand up on my own two feet. I cannot live on the crumbs of noble peoples.

"I do, but she's too prideful to let me climb her."

"Must be like you.".

"If you want to ride on my back, you could've said so," Light looked at her with a face-splitting grin. Aeryth looked away, feeling embarrassed at the thought.

The birdie flew up in the hair. Aeryth held the belt on the straddle tightly.

"Look at the city below us," Light prompted.

Aeryth nodded. Slowly she scooted over the edge and peered down at the city like down into a pond.

The first thing to stand out was the geometrical shape of the city. It had a hexagon wall, and the inside of the city was divided into six parts. Each part elevates a bit higher than the prior.

The lowest and farthest layers were at ground level.

There were three disk-like districts floated in the sky, chained by the hill. On it, the castle stood. Each disk was beautiful and a marvelous sight to look at, at the same time, bigger than her entire village. One of the disks, however, was completely destroyed, as if crushed by a strike of a godly hammer.

The hill had a sharp edge extending into a cliff toward the city, reinforced with marble and rock. On it, there was an open tea house, where she assumed the ruler of this city sat to drink while looking down at the populace.

"This place is weird," Aeryth commented. She knew nobles were supposed to stand at a higher station than common folk like her, yet this place and the way it displayed the difference in standing of those who stayed in different parts of the same city made her feel wrong.

"That's a world in a nutshell, weird and dreary, yet filled with hope."

Aeryth nodded. Hope. That's what Light was. "Why was that place destroyed." Her heart tightened at the sight of destruction.

"Maybe, you can find out yourself. This place is going to be your home from now on. You must accept it as such. And try to find a life that your father, who made such a cruel choice, going against everything he believe, just for your sake."

Aeryth nodded. "How do you know what my father did?" She asked suspiciously. Suddenly, she felt the wrongness. Light had been talking to her like she had seen the last moment of her family this whole time.

"I can see dead people's memory." Light's voice dimmed. "Relive moments before their death."

Why would someone possess a power so painful? Living the last few minutes of a dead person would only be filled with grief and pain. What was the purpose of it? Why did such power exist? And... Aeryth stared at Light. Why did she possess such power?