Rise of Winter, Week 4, Day 4

“I called you, after all. You are Minare.”

The Divine before Freddie looked aged. Not old, no, she lacked the wrinkles for such a thing. But her salt and pepper hair pulled back atop her head, and her world-weary eyes —a deep blue like the ocean depths, said otherwise. It was in the way she wore an outfit of ages past, of rough brown fabric and a dirty white apron. It was in the way she was barefoot, and her pale skin was caked with dirt.

Minare. She was not someone one could just call.

“I am not someone you can simply call, Godtouched.” Even Minare’s voice was rough, scratched with time and disuse.

“Yet, here you are,” Freddie challenged.

Minare tsked, then snapped her fingers, and the swirling red light stilled around them, settling into the shades of sunset.

“Yet, here I am.” Minare stepped to Freddie’s side, eyeing the girl up and down, “Your Affirmation is a time to establish yourself, yet you would do it for your family alone. You did not ask for a boon, nor did you seek my strength. You asked that your family be satisfied. Tell me who you are, Light of the Void. Child of Frill.”

Freddie took a bow, feeling the power of [Hidden Heart] swelling as Divine energy swept through her mind. The energy was rebuffed, but Freddie was unperturbed by the intrusion.

“I am formerly Kalina Kastronova, a fighter, a woman of elsewhere,” she began. “But you asked who I am. I am Fredericka Asterian Nemo, daughter of Bridian Frederick Nemo and Aster Lariette Nemo. Granddaughter to Duke Frederick Printel Nemo. I am not just a Light of the Void. I’m the Light of the Void. Heir to the House of Nemo. A [Young Lady of Flame].”

Minare stood before Freddie, her soft facial features inscrutable. And then she smiled a chill thing.

“As you have stood before me, strong as an oak, and told me who you are, I shall do the same.”

Minare raised her hands up above her head, and the sunset around them shifted once again. Walls raised from nothingness, a table and chairs summoned from the aether, and a hearth with a vibrant fire appeared. Above them was a sky filled with stars. Twinkling lights that Freddie had not seen since arriving in Gargantua. Her attention was pulled away by Minare’s voice.

“I am Minare. Once the Child of Creation, Troya raised me. I am Minare, Goddess, yes, but Ancient first. I am the Lady of Death, the Daughter of Life. You would know me as I am, my Domain unchanged from ages past. I am the Goddess of Family Ties. I am the one who maintains the Crypt that is Maeve. The custodian of deceased Divines. I am the caretaker of my sister’s Heart, of my nephew’s Body, and my other nephew's Mountains.”

Freddie knew the story, the truth of Minare’s words. Minare was an Ancient Goddess, one who has been missing from modern lore due to one simple fact. She is the protector of the land that Maeve rests on. Maeve, the original Goddess whose name was stolen for the Queendom. Oberon, the original God whose death gave way to the birth of the Captial of the Queendom. Kite, the God who birthed the mountains of protection that circled the Queendom. Minare ensured the land itself is not destroyed, as it is a land built on the bones of her family.

“Well met, Minare,” Freddie nodded.

“Well met, Godtouched.” Minare’s smile vanished, then, and she held up a hand for Freddie to take.

Freddie gripped her hand firmly, unwavering.

“I will give you a boon and a curse,” Minare said, tightening her hold on Freddie’s palm until a searing pain pulsed out and caused Freddie to scream.

“I grant you two Skills and a portion of my Divinity to protect you from the others, Fredericka Asterian Nemo. Beware, there are those that yearn for your demise.” Releasing Freddie’s hand, Minare turned and approached the still visible tear in reality. Before she went, she said one simple command, “Do not call me again.”

And then the world warped. Between one breath and the next, Freddie was back at the church—surrounded by a blinding red light and gasping as she kneeled before the statues.

All she could do was grit her teeth and endure the pain in her hand. Looking down, she saw a vicious burn mark on the inside of her palm. It was as if Minare had marked her. It was clearly recognizable. Two X’s. XX.

There was a saying in elsewhere.

Three strikes, and you’re out.

This was a warning.

Freddie stood, careful not to reveal her palm or her pain. She did not turn to face the crowd. Not yet. Instead, she was staring at the crimson System Notices consuming her vision.

[Congratulations! You have been noticed by the Goddess of Family Ties, Minare! You've learned the skill: Nemoan Protectorate.]

[Congratulations! You have been noticed by the Goddess of Family Ties, Minare! You've learned the skill: Nemoan Martyr.]

[Congratulations! Due to the Goddess of Family Ties, Minare, you have received an additional 75 Divinity! You currently have 112 Divinity.]

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

[Congratulations! You have reached the first threshold of Divinity! Skill capabilities re-calibrated.]

Freddie dismissed the notices, determined to examine them later. Then she turned to face the crowd —but, more importantly, to face her family.

The Duke had a wide grin and was staring at Freddie. Meanwhile, Aster and Bridian were looking at each other in shock. None looked displeased. The crowd was silent for a moment before the first person began clapping. Then another. Until the church was filled with cheers.

Freddie waved her good hand at the crowd before focusing her attention back on Father Horace. Her Affirmation was not yet over.

“I Affirm your Divinity, Fredericka Asterian Nemo. You are a True Light of the Void.” His dual voice filled the hall, shushing the crowd, but Freddie felt her stomach churn.

She bent over and emptied the contents of her stomach at the priest's feet.

God, that was stressful, she swore to herself.

Aloud, she looked up at Father Horace, whose eyes were wide as saucers. Freddie couldn’t find it in her to feel too bad. She’d just met with a Divine, after all.

“Sorry, Father Horace.” She whispered, then standing back upright, she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and smiled. “May the Void be Forever Blessed by the Gods.”

“May the Void remain in its Divinity.” Father Horace got out, his shock fading and being replaced with a look of disgust as he glanced at the vomit on his shoes.

The following performance was done surprisingly well for both someone who had just retched and someone who had just been retched on. Freddie looked around, but there were no priests or priestesses of Minare. She was an all-consuming presence. To worship in Maeve was to worship Minare. One does not need to say her name for a prayer to reach her ears.

It was as the Divinity dried out of Father Horace’s voice that he held out his arm once more. Freddie took it gingerly, staying relatively distanced from the man. It may have been her vomit, but it was gross nonetheless.

“Congratulations, Lady Fredericka,” Father Horace said tightly before turning them back to the crowd.

“I am honored by your ability to Identify the Truth of my Soul, Father Horace,” Freddie replied, the phrase a relic of ages past.

Father Horace’s voice regained its strength as he held Freddie's arm above her, displaying her before the church.

“The Void will Prevail, even as the Darkness rises,” Father Horace started. “And the newest Light of the Void shines brighter for the Dark.”

Once again, the crowd erupted in cheers, but this time Freddie’s family approached her. Behind her, several young priests were bustling about, and as Freddie glanced, she saw the contents of her stomach disappear into nothingness. Same with the contents on Father Horace’s outfit.

Ah, a Quick Clean potion. Freddie realized, nearly laughing.

“Congratulations, my star,” Aster said, enveloping her in a warm hug.

“You did almost perfect, my darling,” Bridian laughed next to them. Freddie laughed too.

The Duke patted her back, “Splendid. I haven’t had this much fun at the Church since the last Divine Revolution.”

Freddie looked at her grandfather to see if he was joking, but when she caught sight of his earnest expression, she snorted.

“Thank you, I did my best,” Freddie said carefully.

“My Lady,” Father Horace said, clearing his throat, “Would you mind if we hand a word in my office?”

The Duke turned to the priest, his jovial attitude immediately suspended, “Explain yourself.”

“Ah,” Father Horace backed up. “You remember your own Affirmation, my Lord. It’s simply a recollection and recording of how the Divine Affirmed the noble. You and the other Lord and Lady are, of course, welcome. But I only have two seats.”

“That’s fine.” Aster smiled icily over her daughter’s head.

----------------------------------------

It was as such that the Duke of Nemo and Freddie were seated across from Father Horace, with Aster and Bridian standing menacingly behind them. Father Horace did not look nearly as comfortable as one would expect to in ones own office.

“Lady Fredericka.” Father Horace nodded. “Would you mind telling me in what form you received your Affirmation?”

Freddie glanced around, her gaze settling on Father Horace, and she crossed her arms.

“Yes.”

“Excuse me?” The priest said meekly.

“I mind.”

Freddie’s voice was flat, and she did not look away from Father Horace.

“Ah, well. Would you be willing to tell me, anyway?” He pushed.

“No.” She said, staring the man down. He flinched first.

“Very well,” the Duke said, standing from the uncomfortable wooden chair and brushing off nonexistent dust from his pants. “I believe that’s that then, High Priest.”

“But—”

“Do you have something additional to mention to Fredericka?” Bridian interrupted, boredom filling his voice.

“Ah, yes!” Father Horace rushed, “I wish to congratulate her on her Affirmation and her ability to take her rightful place in the succession of House Nemo.”

“Is that all?” Aster asked, unamused. “Fredericka already knew that.”

I did? Freddie thought to herself before nodding seriously outwardly.

“I did.” She said aloud.

“Oh,” Father Horace deflated, “Very well then. That is all I had to say.”

“Good day, then.” The Duke gestured for Freddie to stand, and she did so immediately, following her grandfather out of the room. Her parents followed after her protectively.

It was a short walk back to the main hall of the church, where the Duke paused once more, surveying the crowd.

Clearing his throat, all chatter stopped around him, and the silence spread slowly until the entire room was quiet enough that you could hear a pin drop.

“As a thank you for attending my granddaughter’s Affirmation and donating to the Church on her behalf, you are all invited to attend the Ball of Affirmation to be hosted at Nemo Manor this night.”

Aster smiled behind him, and Freddie nodded along.

“Bring your Awakened children and be merry, friends. For a new Light has come to fight the Dark!” The Duke finished grandly, and Freddie couldn’t help but laugh lightly at the mischievous glint in his eyes.

But she seemed to be the only one to see it as the rest of the room looked on in awe.

Their faces screamed respect and adoration. It spoke of her grandfather’s competence and trustworthiness. Freddie loved it. Knowing that others adored her family as much as she did. In the crowd, she spotted her uncles and aunts, her cousins and their friends. Everyone was there.

She felt warm, and not in the way her mana would run through her veins.

No.

She felt warm in the way that one who is loved feels. With the radiating heat coming from her chest, Freddie could say what she had been holding on to since Awakening.

When she spoke, it was hushed, but the three adults surrounding Freddie heard her clearly.

“I love you. Thank you.”