Without many words to utter or thoughts to tell, Lazar watched as Iris walked back to her home. Timmy glanced at Ceila and the knights surrounding their home, but before he could continue, Iris grabbed his hand, before disappearing inside.
That left Lazar facing the towering Ceila, who took something from the mount's storage pouches beside its body, before coming back to him. In his view, she was a legendary figure. A priestess powerful enough to do whatever she could imagine. A figure he very much knew, and heard stories about, but never met.
“What makes you come here, such a figure... and personally? For those kids? I doubt...” He mumbled his words, turning his voice to cracks. “What is even going on? War? Those knights seem ready to go at it.”
“Nothing that you need to be worried about,” Ceila said dismissively.
Lazar didn't believe it, and it was obvious by the frown on his face.
“But nothing but a good future it will be, I hope. The business of churches is a private thing. Nothing that a regular needs to know.” Ceila explained. “Yet, I appreciate no dramas on your side when it comes to those kids. New blood is important for any institution, let alone a church. Be it a guild, or a church in need of a better future. You helped those kids in a tough time, and we of the Vermillion Church have certain standards when it comes to appreciation. So, take this, out of the respect for our cause and your helpful understanding.” Ceila said, putting forth her palm that held a small round token.
Lazar picked it up, noticing engraving patterns of an indistinct goddess face alongside golden-scaled patterns around the edges. This was a precious thing that he saw only once. A personal token of the Vermillion Church's influence, but what use did it have? He wasn't aware of such things, but thankfully Ceila explained it.
As she was planning to do that, her head jolted to a side, facing dark bushes that moved just now. A figure was hiding there, watching them for a good while, but it posed her no interest. She turned back to Lazar who didn't notice the figure in the bushes.
“This is one of the few Private Tokens of the Vermillion Church. From now on, you can get any kind of help from our church, depending on the circumstances. Need healing? Easily done. Work of some protection? Done too. Come, and we shall help according to our standards.” Ceila explained, looking at Lazar whose face was upon the token. He was looking at it with quite some focus. “Additionally, some monetary values are also included. Some gold and so on from the depository. Or if you want to trade, make some business, and so on, certain fees and prices will be voided in our Pagodas or our numerous partnerships. Thank you, in the hopeful beliefs of these two who you are leaving for a better future.”
With such wordy efforts, Lazar couldn't help but speechlessly listen to everything in silence. Ceila talked simply, causing him to understand it much easier. He liked this simplicity.
Money? Business? This was something that some towns would kill for, let alone a village. Unfortunately, having this token wasn't something heaven-defining, but it can help lessen the burden of many things. He quickly thought of some exploits since the topic of the Vermillion Church was quite a big deal. No one should cause issues for him with this token.
Sighing, Lazar clutched his palm, appreciating this token for what it was, and will be. “I did what I had to do with those kids. War almost ended their lives, and I couldn't see them becoming war refugees, let alone slaves. I am hopeful for their future alongside the Vermillion Church, and I hope they won't forget me and my favor.” Lazar said, storing the token in his pocket.
“As it should be... Very well. Farewell.” Ceila nodded, backing to her mount after dealing with him.
Lazar watched her back, but he held no remorse for anything. He retreated back home after having had enough of this situation.
Inside, beyond the closed door, he pulled the token and watched it with an intense stare as if it was made of the most valuable metals. A firm grasp was included, fearing it would disappear at a moment's notice. “So what... I still have Eliza, who may appreciate me more. The future too, that is. Or my help. Those two were meant to disappear one way or another, so this isn't the worst.” he said, and let this situation play for itself.
It was a situation that he was never aware of, yet it went on without him. He knew that becoming a priest in Vermillion Church wasn't easy, but he never expected to get any compensation for this. That could mean one thing. Iris wasn't some punny person as he thought, and Timmy was just a bribe for her to do something.
That was the only thing he could guess from seeing such a powerful force coming to his home in order to take these two kids away. Ceila and her soldiers was a force that wasn't necessarily weaker than some battalions from the Centralis Kingdom, yet they came for two kids.
It was strange. He knew it.
Lazar wasn't stupid, yet this wasn't bad at all. This token will do, so he let the door be and disappeared to some other room.
Ceila remained close to her mount, patting the Phoenix Horse with her palm, smiling underneath her helmet. The Phoenix Horse liked it, and its face pushed to hers from time to time. She didn't mind it, as her mind was filled with all sorts of other thoughts. Some were intrusive, wild, and calm, and few had the itch to do so something to Lazar, but she restrained herself to the bitter end.
It wasn't like he was abusive, and that much she knew.
Though, using Iris to his advantage put her position to a certain question. She was her master after all. A teacher and somewhat of a parent figure to a certain extent. She didn't like this situation, but there was a price for everything in this world.
She kept patting the horse and calmed down in the following minutes since this whole situation no longer mattered. Iris will follow her path, while her biggest worry about Timmy will also resolve itself.
Their little exchange was overheard and watched over by a pair of eyes behind the corner. Bush was a good place to hide, yet it was easy to discern the spy if the bush would move. Inside was a girl, hiding and watching. Her appearance was similar to Iris, but she wore a ferocious gaze, which no priest will ever have. Her face even had a couple of scars around her temples, forehead, and alongside the neck.
Her brownish blond hair went around her shoulder in a ponytail, and she was wearing a light leather combat uniform that many adventures used. It protected the body well enough, while the female version was easy to use and move in. It was Eliza and she was already watching this sight of her home for a long time.
She was curious and worried about what was going on. Without alerting anyone, she was hoping to seek, or watch the true reason for a 2nd Sun's visit.
As the oldest sibling, she felt strange responsibility to be powerful and more responsible for her younger sister Iris and brother Timmy. Yet her personality, situation, and action weren't exactly for the good of her family. She wasn't even with them that much, since she was hoping to be strong enough one day to cease all worried away.
Yet, here she was, watching how someone else was doing that instead. It put her personality, visions, and beliefs to the test, yet she was watching it with calmness, followed by various thoughts and possibilities.
She waited, as she was used to it.
In 10 minutes, Timmy and Iris walked from the door. Each had a piece of simple luggage, consisting of nothing but one big leather bag that Iris made in a hurry. It was secured with all kinds of ropes and stripes and appeared quite poor.
“I didn't think you would be... so quick with that, and now... I didn't think you...” Iris struggled with the bag, alongside a bucket in her free hand.
“Yes. You didn't think. I can see that.” Ceila said, turning back to the main door. Lazar was nowhere to be seen. “Right, good day to you, little boy.” Ceila crouched down, patting Timmy's head, and gave him a bright smile.
“Are you afraid?” she asked, nicely, but it left nothing on Timmy's face. He was carrying his own luggage. It was a pile of clothes, while something was wrapped within.
“I am not afraid. He will help!” Timmy resolutely said, turning the pile of clothes to reveal the duck's beak. Ceila almost burst into a laugh, alas her lips twitched only a tiny little bit as she regained her conscience.
“I thought so much... It appears all 3 are here, so let's move on to the next destination.” she got up and gestured to 2 knights to help Timmy and Iris to their horses. There was no carriage to make things smoother because Ceila had other intentions in mind.
In fact, they were neither good nor bad. A change occurred, and it wasn't necessarily a piece of good news for the church or anyone involved.
The only thing that Ceila held with her was the content of Timmy's luggage. Timmy had to come with something since Lazar was surprisingly agitated with them leaving. He watched over their departure from the house, making Iris unable to take Murai at all. So, Timmy solved it himself by taking him at the last minute into his luggage.
In her palm, Murai was there for no eyes to see, wrapped in a blanket. She clutched him in her single hand, eying his silent gaze, and almost chuckled.
Back on her mount, she put him towards his face. The wings and everything around Phoenix Horse made him unnoticeable.
“You appear fine. Mind a quick talk? I don't have time for anything significant like your lackluster tries in bad writing, but time to talk I have,” she stated and put forth a powerful Will, clashing against Murai's. He struggled a bit since it appeared as if Ceila's force was much bigger and stronger than the last time. It was firmer, more straightforward, and more encompassing in terms of sharpness.
She became stronger in a week, he feared.
“What the fu... What happened to you?” He asked, not being all that upset by her handling of his body. “You... You reached a breakthrough?” Murai asked, after forming a basic connection with their respective Wills.
“It is nothing much. You can even say it like that. I received a gift from my lady. She put certain confidence in me after your... and hers... Debacle. It makes me furious. Knowing that you refuse the world for nothing but filth and pain. It makes no sense, seeing that you are Blessed. But it probably speaks for itself. All Blessed are arrogant bastards in one way or another. You are exactly like that but not... at the same time? It's strange. You are strange.”
“And you got a bit better at this... Huh?” Murai chuckled, figuring that she appeared quite different than the time in the Vermillion Church.
“Maybe. Albeit not so better than the 1st Sun,” she commented, giving him a long look.
“B-bunch of freaks... This willingness... It will be your shackles alongside your doom and helplessness.”
“I am fine with the shackles, as long as they serve their purposes,” Ceila said with a surprising amount of calmness. “Now, things are moving along nicely with me, but I am still upset. I spent 3 days under the influence of some of your memories, under my Lady's mission, but I cracked so little... You are a freak of nature yourself.” she said, sounding quite different than her usual stern and serious face.
This vision of her current personality wasn't all that bad, and Murai liked her much more than the big, stern lady in the church.
“That... doesn't make me any happy,” Murai stated, but at this point, Ceila gestured for her mount to move. The rest of the knights in their respective mounts will follow her behind. She will remain to talk with Murai since they will have quite a lot to go through.
It wasn't a time to continue with the topic that happened in the church 7 days ago. That was something else than the current problems and something that mattered more.
Having a clear and personal conversation in the soul space was much better than having these entangled Wills. However, the talk with Wills was better than anything else, considering the situation changed alongside the Will of Vermillion.
The group kept riding to an unknown place, reaching quite distances that Iris didn't recognize. The group was followed by Eliza, who was yet to be intercepted by anyone from the church.
Murai was a bit apprehensive because he didn't know what was happening, nor why Ceila appeared... strange, nervous, and a bit afraid deep within her heart. He was still unable to perceive her soul with his Soul Read, but some things may be apparent from the voice, or body language. It felt as if a huge shadow was cast over her being, making him unable to perceive her as usual, but he had clever eyes.
So he had no choice but to ask. “So, what is it then? What is happening with you and me? Did my memories pose some changes in this business? You did help me. Providing me with healing was great, which I appreciate, even though Iris wasn't necessarily familiar with it.”
“Don't spout nonsense...” Ceila said, glancing to the front of the running Phoenix Horse. “You could have died if you had even a tinge of some madness, filth, or infection in your wounds. Be glad that Iris performed something she wasn't supposed to do when she found you. Though it was the reason our Lady noticed you, so it may be your fate... or ours. How peculiar isn't it?”
Hearing her words, Murai knew it was the case too. He wanted to see the proper face of this situation, so it appeared he was really indebted to Iris to a certain extent.
“Fine... I joked a lot before.” Murai said. “So, it's time to get to work with my dedication and hopes. What do you want from me? Knowledge? Kill something or someone? Is it about the Will of your... lady, that is the price? No. I refused such an offer and It's no time to kill some god, just so you know. There are still many days until I will get wrecked by God's Trial so I need to move quicker. Part of that is finding my goddammed backpack!” Murai sent her, sounding quite upset, but not angry to make Ceila disappointed.
In fact, she furrowed her brows and made a strange smile after she let go of the helmet, securing it in her lap. “It's complicated.” was her excuse, or the unwillingness to talk about it for the time being.
Murai could only accept it for what it was.
“Then I am hopeful your lady won't be upset by my rejection if you keep pestering me with such vague words.”
“Silent with this... Your path has been foretold by someone in the Dark Lands. And... The situation considering the Battleworld itself. doesn't help with anything. Some forces and powers become involved with the Fate itself.” Ceila said.
“Dark? How edgy. What is it? Fate is whatever. I don't give a shit.”
“Powers led by Dark Mages are complicated, but they are strong because of many Hall Havens. As far as I know, the one who wanted to retrieve you upon your discovery was someone like that.” Ceila revealed the obvious thing that Murai already know, but it seemed that Ceila didn't see the full picture.
Velga was no ordinary dark mage, even though she was briefly one.
“So?”
“It involves some nasty things... Less than the kind that one can be happy about. Not in a whole political spectrum, and touching the fate is.... not something the Pantheon takes that well.”
“You don't say.” Murai sneered. “Does it involve gods that much? I would presume they are the ones who would pick their noses to fate itself. If they could.”
“That is correct and unarguable, but it isn't just them. There is so much you don't know, maybe? Your memories were... something. I don't know what to even expect from this, but the Will of my Lady is firm, so I will follow through with this no matter what and you won't complain.”
“Why now? It makes no sense. It's so early for forcing something upon me, or around me. My start just started, so what is even behind the scenes? Some assholes with grudges? Well, it would be understandable, since this world is deeply connected to them anyway. So... revenge? That will be so unoriginal.” Murai wondered, confused by the life that he was leading right now.
Maybe it was all caused by the Battleworld itself, and its politics he never heard of. That could enable such weird changes and things.
Adding the factor of his life as a demonic duck, he was certainly suspicious that something even stranger was going on.
“This is a Battleworld,” Ceila said the obvious. “A thing you already know. m yet this world is much larger, and more intense than your soul can guess. Do you plan to follow this life by the orders of the Gods and this world, or do the same thing as usual? Yourself? Path? Your own powers?” she asked, with eyes filled with strange color and resolution.
Murai was looking at her as they rode the streets, then plains, then roads in some forests. He was wondering whose words she was speaking since it seemed they were coming from Vermillion herself.
“I may do what I can. Who is to decide it than me?”
“You don't decide shit unless you want to die,” Ceila said in a weird manner, unbefitting to a priest at all. She spoke for the sake of talking with Murai on equal terms since a few things changed in her heart in the last 7 days.
She used this amount of time to comprehend Murai's situation as much as possible, as well as consider the changed Will of her Lady.
Vermillion wanted something very special. A road towards a better future that was littered with corpses, and destruction. It was unfit for her present situation, but not much different from many other gods. She had to work with others since her current Path was at a Wall.
It was a tough decision. When life in the Pantheon was full of ego trips of countless gods that wanted a better standing, hoping to trample over the weaker ones, it wasn't a good situation to be in.
Murai unhappily grunted, turning his beak to face the front. Thanks to his flexible neck, he was able to do more than that, but he was happy with whatever he can.
He saw yet another ordinary path. He could already tell he was riding for at least 30 minutes, and it wasn't slow at all. Even the other mounts of the knights were quite fast, so he figured they were under some sort of enchantment by their riders.
“Trust me... Meeting the next End is the least of my worries,” he commented, yet Ceila didn't.
They remained silent in their riding, and Murai was the first to destroy this silence. “You have quite an army under your command, for a neutral god's forces, that is.”
“Hmph! That goes without saying. Battleworld is no place for anything weak. My Lady knows it all too well.”
“Then what use this little weakling duck has in all of this? What changed this week? You keep it all to yourself!” Murai complained, hoping to get something out of her. “How about speaking up?”