CHAPTER NINE

PRAISE BE TO AION

The rays of sunlight hit the cold stones of Misletonn as they glow in brilliant light; waking the city in a warm embrace. At the city square, the town bell rings; the silent streets slowly fill with laughter and chatter.

There is beauty in simplicity. The townsfolk clutter the streets, beginning their daily chores; buying groceries, opening shops, and cleaning their abodes. An old lady throws leftover garbage out of her window onto the streets. Can anyone disagree this is the beauty of life? Life and peaceful coexistence amongst fellow men.

On the streets, gossip is striving. A favorite pastime for the mundane.

“Have you heard about the fire last night?” an old man asks.

“Uh? What did you say?” a slightly deaf man asks.

“I said the fire last night,” the old man repeats, louder.

“Fire? Did my house burn down?” the slightly deaf and senile old man asks.

“No, you twat! You came out of your house. How could it burn down?” the old man asks, slightly frustrated.

“Why did you say there was a fire then?” the slightly deaf, senile, and confused old man asks.

“I said there was a fire last night. At the old abandoned temple. They say everyone there died,” the old man says.

“Wasn’t that a place where those bandits stayed?” the less confused but slightly deaf and senile old man asks.

“Yes. I’ve heard all of them died in the fire. If you ask me, good riddance. They were trouble. It is divine punishment, I tell you,” the old man says.

“What did you say? What fire?” the deaf, senile, and still confused old man asks.

In the tavern, in the rooms above, light shines on a dark-skinned man sleeping on the floor. He opens his eyes with an ear-to-ear smile on his face.

“Praise be to Aion,” Shaphas says as he wakes. Proceeding downstairs for some well-needed refreshments of drinks and food.

“Good morning,” the tavern master says.

“Praise be to Aion,” Shaphas responds, making a sign of an upside-down mirrored seven.

“Uh, sure. Do you need something to eat and drink? Was the room in order?” the tavern master asks.

“The floor was comfortable,” Shaphas responds.

“The floor?” the tavern master blurts in confusion.

“Bring me some eggs and some tea, tavern master,” Shaphas says as he sits at a nearby table.

“As you say.” the tavern master says as he walks to the kitchen, he stops for a moment, “The floor?” he blurts out.

Receiving his breakfast, Shaphas prays before touching his food. The tavern master glares at him with a raised eyebrow.

In the beginning, there was only void and Aion.

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Through his grace, fire, and wisdom he created the world.

Through his grace, he gifted life to all.

Through his fire, he sustains life.

Through his wisdom, he shows us the way.

In the end, there is only fire and Aion.

Praise be to Aion.

“Okay? Enjoy your food,” the tavern master says as he walks away.

“I show my gratitude to you, tavern master,” Shaphas says as he digs in.

The tavern master shakes his head in disbelief. "Weirdo," he adds.

“That was a gracefully executed prayer,” an old man says as he approaches Shaphas; he shows a sign of an upside-down seven.

“You are a fellow follower of Aion?” Shaphas asks with a mouth full of food.

“May I join you, good Sir?” the old man asks with a confident smile.

“Be my guest,” Shaphas adds with a full mouth showing a sign of an upside-down mirrored seven.

“My name is Takeh. I’ve come in search of a hero. I believe my search is over,” Takeh says.

“A hero?” Shaphas asks.

“Indeed, master…” Takeh says as he pauses.

“My name is Shaphas,” Shaphas responds.

“I’m curious why is your sign of Aion mirrored?” Takeh asks.

“It is the sign of the new order,” Shaphas says, focusing on his food.

“Interesting. Master Shaphas it is then. There is great evil in these lands. The great evil we must purge,” Takeh explains.

“There is always evil. Only through Aion, we can redeem it in fire and forgiveness,” Shaphas adds.

“You are correct, but I am afraid we can only deal with this evil with fire, not forgiveness,” Takeh says. Shaphas stops eating.

“What do you mean?” Shaphas asks, turning all ears.

“A great calamity is approaching heralded by a demon from the old world!” Takeh says, dramatically.

“Great calamity? A demon from the old world?” Shaphas asks as his eyes light up.

“In the city of Union, a great calamity will come after the demon, Master Shaphas. It has already destroyed the village of Greybloom and many other nearby places. It has massacred and devoured all who lived there; and not in that order. They say it lives in the caves of the waterfall there, they say it is a spawn of darkness. I beseech your Master Shaphas. Make your way there and help save our world from this monstrosity, help in the name of ... Aion,” Takeh says with pause; pronouncing the name Aion almost disgustedly?

Shaphas stands without a second thought; looking at the old man pleading for his help.

“Should you kill this beast, continue your journey to the city of Union. There will your final destination lie,” Takeh adds.

“This is a sign of Aion. This is destiny. If forgiveness cannot be brought to the demon, then fire shall,” Shaphas says as he throws some coins on the table and makes his way outside.

Takeh smiles sinisterly as he watches the imposing man march to face the demon.

“Praise be to Aion,” Takeh sarcastically says as he laughs.

With utmost haste, Shaphas is heading to face this evil, with haste and an ear-to-ear smile on his face; saying praise to Aion all along the way.

Takeh looks around the tavern as he notices another imposing character.

“May I join you, good Sir?” Takeh asks the warrior.