CAP 11

Chosen by Gods

Upper Earth Month, 8th day, 20.00

What makes someone special?

If someone had asked him that question, Aeneas Marte Vicente would have been sure of what to answer: power.

The power to be able to change things on your own.

Slaine's Theocracy used to preach unity among all men, numbers over quality. Every single citizen contributed to making the nation shine like a pure and brilliant diamond.

It was in the quantity that their strength was hidden.

But he knew it was all nonsense.

Inevitably, some men stood above others in physical ability and intellect. And he was one of those chosen ones.

Some lives were more precious than others. While most of his fellow citizens rolled in dung, he rose to a different plane of existence, far from that of ordinary mortals.

Claiming that his life alone was more important than that of hundreds of thousands of Theocracy's inhabitants was a stark reality that few would gladly accept but remained, in the end, an inescapable absolute.

If an unspeakable horror, a child of the most macabre inner thoughts of a godless blasphemer, had threatened the abode of the Gods, it would not have been the task of the common soldiers to counter it.

His was not mere vainglory, but only a cold statement of facts.

After all, he had been chosen by the Gods.

A once-in-a-lifetime miracle that had graced his father in his old age. Not his brothers or sisters. Him.

"The Council has confirmed your appointment. Congratulations, you will be the new Captain of the Black Scripture."

The Cardinal of the earth, Raymond Zarg Lauransan, had referred to the boy what for him had been the most natural piece of news in the world.

Who else, other than the son of the previous Captain and awakened Godkin could have been up to that onerous task?

Certainly not one of his brothers, pathetic fools without an ounce of his talent.

Not another member of Black Scripture, their skills were not even remotely comparable to his.

It was up to him to fill that coveted position. Not because he had worked more than the others or had distinguished himself in noteworthy enterprises. It was simply the natural course of the world making its way.

It was destiny.

"I will be happy to carry out my duties with the utmost diligence. Under my leadership, the Black Scripture will experience a new shine. You can be sure of that."

"Before you are given the job officially, you will have to undergo a small test. Don't worry, it won't be much too difficult for someone as strong and talented as you."

The Cardinal reflexively bit his lip, as if embarrassed to declare that last statement.

Did he have something to hide? It didn't make much sense. What a terrible ordeal might they have had in store for him?

Both knew that no one could be able to twist a single hair of his, and causing him physical pain was absolutely out of any discussion.

Only his father could boast of such an achievement, and now what was left of him was carefully buried in the depths of the Theocracy.

The old Cardinal, perhaps. But now he, too, had to deal with the passage of time. And, according to what they had conveyed to him, he had retired to private life, far from the capital.

"No trial will be too much for me. You of all people should know!"

His late parent and the former member of Black Scripture had been bound by a relationship of deep friendship during their militancy in the task force.

It was not uncommon to see him as a guest at dinner in his mansion, intent on discussing reasons of state with his father. He vividly remembered those moments of his childhood, spent fantasizing with his brothers and sisters about the glorious future that awaited them. That was waiting for him.

Aeneas, therefore, had known the current cardinal since he was a child and had a deep respect for him. Something that very few could boast.

"I'm sure it is. Just don't let pride become part of your being. Having self-confidence is important. But it's even more important not to overestimate yourself too much. Do you remember what I taught you?"

Yes, he remembered it well.

"Fear is fundamental to recognizing danger. Only by dominating it, can we face the unknown that threatens humanity in cold blood."

But could there be something in the world capable of making him feel that feeling so rare for him?

"Yes, excellent! There is always someone in the world who sits on a higher step."

"I find it hard to believe." A bombastic smile full of triumph crept onto the boy's lips.

"Isn't it true that I've never known defeat? At five years old I was able to make a man fly hundreds of meters. At seven, I could defeat a squadron armed with only a wooden stick. At ten, I humiliated the Theocracy's best champions. At twelve, even the wildest beasts became tame animals after tasting my spear. And now, at fourteen, with my father dead and Cardinal Carnesio retired, no one can boast better battle skills than mine."

"So, you think nothing can frighten you? That no matter the difficulty you face, you will be able to keep your head up and face any obstacle that comes your way?"

"Mediocre people face difficulties. I am not like the others. How can I feel fear when nothing can hurt me? My flesh cannot be pierced, my body cannot know weariness. One day I'll wither like my father, sure. But until then, as he has not known defeat, neither can I ever be overwhelmed."

"Your father knew defeat, a long time ago."

"When?"

"I cannot tell."

"Then I don't believe you."

Raymond put a hand to his chin, a few small lines starting to make their way up the back of his limb. How sad to see that old age affected even the bravest men.

"I never had children of my own, and given the great respect I had for your father, you are aware that I see you as a member of my family, right?"

"Of course."

"Then you know I would never give you bad advice, right?"

"Right."

Aeneas held few people as capable of judgment as the precedent third seat of the Black Scriptures. Countless had been the tips that he had offered him during his years of training. Yet, this time it just sounded like unfounded worries, devoid of any logical argument to his ears.

"Don't be arrogant, if you don't want to hurt yourself."

The boy still didn't understand. Where did all the Cardinal's fixation with his perceived hubris come from?

Could the mere statement of the bare facts be called arrogance?

No one was comparable to his level. Nobody. Of that he was certain.

"I'll wait for you tomorrow night at the arena of the Cathedral of Darkness. Put on the equipment I gave you today. And be careful, these are sacred relics."

"It will be done, Ray… Your Excellency. You will realize that your apprehensions are totally unjustified. I will pass the test with ease without breaking a sweat."

The Cardinal seemed very little persuaded by his words, and as he put on his cloak to return to his home, he limited himself to giving the young boy one last warning.

"When the time comes, don't be ashamed to ask for mercy."

Having said this, he left, leaving the young man to ponder the meaning of his cryptic words.

Ask for mercy. What nonsense. It would never have occurred. Never.

Upper Earth Month, 9th day, 19.00

His armor gleamed in the cold dark corridors of the Cathedral of Darkness.

Divine protection fit his body like a second skin, the reinforced plates on his muscular chest giving him a mature air, exuding experience. Different from the classic childish attitude that usually distinguished him.

The kneepads and boots gave his lower parts a mobility that even the best athletes could only dream of. It was like his body had reached the perfect weight, not a small trace of superfluity could have hindered his movements.

A small cape swayed gracefully behind the back, in rhythm with his steps.

With the spear of the Gods firmly in hand, he was sure that nothing could harm him even remotely.

It was made of an unknown material, but he had been able to ascertain the night before that its offensive potential was well above the norm. Even the sturdiest walls would give way after a single blow from that weapon.

Passing the fateful test would have been the classic walk in the park.

I am the chosen one. Like my father, and my father's father before me, I represent Black Scripture. I am Black Scripture. The champion of humanity. Yes, no one shines brighter than me.

Walking through the doors of the training room, he would have expected to find something out of the ordinary that could put his skills to the test.

Instead, an empty room was the only warm welcome he found waiting for him.

No, it wasn't empty. At the far-right corner, made visible by some candles that dimly lit the room, the Cardinal of the earth was present with an apprehensive expression.

He was seated on a modest wooden chair, flanked by a small mahogany desk on which potions of the best quality were placed, which he was intent on sorting with care.

But the most bizarre detail was the figure that gracefully rose from the center of the arena.

A…a girl?

Her wavy hair had a distinct color, one half completely white as snow, the other black as the night, that mixed in harmonious geometric lines intertwined on the strands that covered her ears enclosed at the top by two clips of considerable size.

Her skin tone was sickly, uncomfortably pale. As if it hadn't seen the light of day for years. Yet at the same time, it retained an ethereal and supernatural splendor, similar to that of angels.

Her facial features were thin and graceful, her straight nose was bent with the tip down. Even the eyes presented the symmetry of the hair, the snowy and raven irises stood out like a diamond in the middle of the rocks of the desert.

Even the clothes she wore were extravagant, a sweater that fit more than abundantly on her slender body and a refined black skirt were combined with pieces of heavy armor from which sharp spikes protruded maliciously, also glowing pitch black.

Affixed to the upper part of the chest was a pretty ornament in the shape of a blue flower, which was gently caressed by the girl's silk-gloved hands.

After she was aware of his presence, the unusual girl turned to the boy, showing a disturbing smile, reminiscent of a lake of blood.

"You are the newcomer, then. I will be your instructor for the test you will face before you can assume your new position. My name… it doesn't matter. You can call me by the epithet assigned to me in the Black Scriptures, beyond life and death, Zesshi Zetsumei."

Zesshi Zetsumei? He knew all the current Black Scripture members by heart and was unaware of that girl. If what she said was true, her existence had been kept secret even from him. But for what purpose?

"Your Excellency, is this a joke? What the hell does all this mean?"

Raymond let out a long sigh, defeated before even starting.

"No, it is not a joke. The existence of beyond life and death is a state secret that only a select few are aware of. I trust you will follow the line of your predecessors and continue in not disclosing its existence."

What was so special about her? Was the girl a Godkin like him? But if that were the case, why hide it even deeper than normal, beyond the gaze of not only ordinary people but also special ones like himself?

In all his life Aeneas had believed himself to be special, the last chosen bearer of ancestral blood that had increasingly faded into the rivers of time. And now, he found he wasn't alone.

Were all the grueling workouts, all the deprivations he had suffered for something?

No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn't figure out the situation. There was other information that was kept from him. But why?

"Why am I only learning about this now? Why have you or my father never said anything to me in all these years?"

"You weren't ready, now you are. Lady Zesshi, forgive his impertinence."

Ready for what? Everything kept making less and less sense.

Judging by her appearance, Zesshi Zetsumei couldn't have been a few years older than him, at most.

Yet Raymond, one of the Theocracy's foremost authorities, referred to that peculiar girl as if she were above him too.

Who was Zesshi Zetsumei really?

"No problem. If you're done chatting, I'd say we can start with the trial. Why don't you start telling me your name? The sooner we start, the sooner we finish. I'd like to hurry before it's too late."

Zesshi raised a hand to her mouth to cover a yawn, the carelessness with which she faced that situation irritated him deeply. How dare she take him lightly?

"What is this test about?"

"How rude. Go without too many frills, I see. It's simple, you have to survive against me. We will face off, one on one. You can use all the techniques you know, every weapon and armor in the armory is at your disposal if you wish to change them. Cardinal Raymond has prepared some potions that you can use in case you need to. The trial ends after you surrender, or when you are no longer able to fight."

"Surrender, me? And why should I give up? What makes you think you are stronger than me?"

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

"Habit."

"Don't overdo it, boy. Nobody asks you to do the impossible. We are already aware of your value. To overcome it, all you have to do is give your best. Nothing more, nothing less."

Didn't he have to win in order to pass the test? Hadn't the possibility that he could beat this strange girl even crossed the Cardinal's mind?

They kept making fun of him. But soon they would understand that he was not like the others.

What applied to normal people didn't apply to Aeneas Marte Vicente.

"Soon you will be on the ground and you will beg me not to end your life. I don't care if you're a state secret or some other such devilry. Before me, you too are also like an ant waiting to be crushed."

Zesshi looked into his eyes. Aeneas had difficulty holding her gaze, an unknown sensation slowly made its way into his bowels.

He decided not to give it any weight, it was just a suggestion caused by the absurdity of the situation. Yes, only a suggestion.

"I hope your assurance is based in reality. After this outburst of pride, it would be rather anticlimactic to be disappointed. Get in position, let's get started!"

They stood facing each other, about ten meters apart. Raymond was positioned on the sidelines, but with maximum attention, ready to intervene at any moment if the situation required it.

Aeneas took up a guard position, with his faithful spear thrust forward. His opponent, on the other hand, did not attempt to give the impression that she had assumed the slightest battle position.

Not only did Zesshi not wear full armor, her figure full of exposed points that an experienced warrior like him could have easily exploited, but she didn't wield any combat weapons either.

Was the girl a monk and therefore needed nothing but her fists to fight? It wasn't a common class in the Theocracy, but it wasn't a possibility that could be ruled out.

"Go ahead, make the first move. I am waiting for you."

Zesshi kept underestimating him. But soon, she would understand the difference between them. A simple swipe would have sufficed to put this overconfident, undergrown woman back in her place.

He charged a lunge with all his strength. The point of his spear was poised to pierce the bare skin between the neck and chest.

The speed Aeneas had reached was incalculable, it wouldn't even give her time to react before ending the challenge.

He felt that he had already put an end to this vexing ordeal.

Why were his eyes looking up at the ceiling?

His body lay on the floor, his muscles wailing in pain as the back of his head throbbed sharply. When was he thrown away?

"Is all your repertoire here? I am very disappointed."

Before he even knew it, the boy had been thrown away like a garbage bag. Was it just a coincidence? He hadn't noticed any movement.

"It was just a fluke. Don't think you will be able to do it again."

With a leap, he restored the distance between them. She'd had the perfect moment to attack him while he was down, but decided not to take advantage of it. A mistake that would have been fatal.

Ok, time to get serious!

"[Physical Boost] [Greater Physical Boost]"

Aeneas launched himself into the attack again, this time more than determined to hit his target.

One, two, three lunges followed each other with shocking rapidity. Just one of those blows was sure to shatter the skin of the toughest monsters.

Zesshi let the former brush her hair, dodging effortlessly.

The second was avoided with a lateral movement of the torso, the point impacting her protection and being pushed backward.

The third was deflected with a simple wave of the girl's hand. No effort was put into that gesture.

How is it possible?

Before he knew what was happening, a right hook struck him in the abdomen.

Aeneas spat out a mixture of saliva and puke as he knelt on the ground. The fibers of his muscles begged him to stop there. He didn't listen to them.

Was a simple punch enough to cause me all this damage?

Never in his life had he felt pain like what he was feeling right now. But he couldn't give in, not now.

"Are you down yet? Let me have some more fun!"

Once again, he made distance. And once again, he was not pursued by his opponent.

Was he worth so little that he didn't even deserve to be taken seriously? Inconceivable.

"Now you will see!"

"[Physical Boost] [Piercing Strike] [Piercing White Dragon Strike]"

His spear took on a shape that resembled that of a majestic ice dragon, he felt the cold caused by the weapon freezing the room.

Aeneas lunged with all his energy aiming at Zesshi's chest, but the girl reacted expertly to his assault. The bracing of her arm parried the blow, as tiny icy particles began to spread around them. Not even the slightest scratch.

The young man found himself having to deal with the disappointment of harsh reality. For the first time since he had begun the test, doubts began to creep into his soul.

Impossible!

Before despondency could break his spirits, he felt cloth-covered fingers grab his face. The girl had taken advantage of his moment of confusion to try to throw him back to the ground. Given the speed with which she moved, Zesshi would not have had much difficulty in accomplishing her purpose.

"[Fortress] [Body Strengthening]"

Aeneas was able to activate his defensive martial arts just in time to contain the impact. However, the damage was greater than he had imagined. His body was locked in a torment that fluctuated between pain and despair.

"Again."

Zesshi watched him from the top of her position. Now she no longer looked like a fragile girl, but a demon who had come out of the depths of hell, ready to bask in his suffering.

He stood up. Against all common sense, he tried again to face her. This time he did not try a frontal assault but rather attempted to take the woman by surprise.

The young boy started running around the room hoping she would chase after him. To his surprise, Zesshi continued to freeze in her position, not paying too much attention to him.

"[Pace of the wind]"

Hopping around her with the maximum output his body allowed, he scanned every possible weak point he could exploit, waiting for the right moment to attack.

Zesshi continued to remain motionless. No, she began to play with the flower-shaped ornament she was wearing by running her fingers through the folds of its material without giving a care to the battle.

She is distracted. Now!

He leaped on top of her, ready to pierce the girl with his spear. "[Piercing Red Dragon Tusk] [Piercing White Dragon Tusk]."Like a raging waterfall, Aeneas descended upon his target. The red and blue of his blow merged into a bright violet, and colorful reflections spread throughout the arena.

The speartip collided with the girl. A large amount of dust arose, covering the surroundings in a thick fog.

It's over!

Before he could cheer his victory, a kick to the shin sent him writhing in pain again. Zesshi was dusty from head to toe, but hadn't suffered even an ounce of damage, if not considerable, at least significant.

"This last shot wasn't bad. Again."

The boy felt he was on the verge of bursting into tears. Why did nothing have the slightest effect?

"I…I am the future Captain of Black Scripture. I am the Black Scripture! And I will never be defeated by you."

A surge of pride reinvigorated him, he would not have let himself be overwhelmed so easily.

Aeneas swung his spear to its full potential, creating a lethal vortex that would slay anyone unfortunate enough to fall into its grip.

He spun again, and again. He got close to his goal by breaking down the sound barrier.

Zesshi locked his weapon in a two-handed grasp. Aeneas found himself completely blocked. No matter how hard he tried and how much strength he put in, he couldn't break free from the girl's clutch.

His face became a mask of sweat as he used up whatever energy he had left to break the deadlock. For her part, the girl continued to look at him with a bored expression, without showing signs of trying the slightest effort.

She kept watching him with that emotionless stare. It was as if he was completely insignificant to her gaze. He couldn't accept it.

But no matter how hard he tried, how much he kept pushing and pushing, the stalemate showed no sign of changing.

After a few seconds that seemed endless, Zesshi decided that she had enough of this motionless situation. Aeneas felt lifted together with his rod as he was violently thrown against one of the walls that surrounded the arena.

He felt his bones shatter, his internal organs reduced to a sieve. Why did he keep fighting? Why did he keep getting up? He could no longer remember.

"I'd say that's enough, Lady Zesshi. It's time to stop, before things get bad."

Cardinal Raymond stepped into their fight. He too only saw him as a loser.

"No, I can still continue. All this is nothing. Nothing!"

Zesshi kept looking at him. Why didn't she say anything? Didn't he even deserve her mockery?

The price to pay would not have been too high if he could have caught the sweet taste of victory with his lips.

If she broke his arms, he would have fought with his legs.

If she broke his legs, he would have fought with his teeth.

If she broke his teeth, he would have cursed her with his eyes.

If she had blinded him, he would have butted his head until it was over.

His brothers played, and he trained. His sisters were intent on gossiping, and he trained. His peers discovered love, and he trained.

While he sacrificed himself, the others continued to live. His duty took precedence over his happiness, for this was the destiny that had been forced upon him. This was his fate.

Just once, if he could hit her just once, he knew he'd win. But she was too fast, how could she be so fast?

"Again."

He had been chosen by the Gods. He couldn't let it end like this.

His visage was covered in thick, scarlet blood. Was it his? He could no longer figure out where his face began and where the bruises ended.

"Again."

He had been chosen by the Gods. Continuing to fight was a moral imperative. Even as his eyes begged him to close in peace.

Back on the ground, and again, and again. How many times had he ended up in that position now? The butter had more firmness than his legs at that moment.

"Again."

He had been chosen by the Gods. He was the chosen one, not her. Him!

"Again."

A disgusting liquid was spilled on his face. He repeated what he was ordered to do. "I am garbage, scum, dung."

"Again."

He had been chosen by the Gods.

"Again."

If only the Gods had chosen someone else.

"Don't you think you've overdone it, Lady Zesshi?"

The Cardinal's voice was filled with apprehension and concern. The young boy's body was now in a pitiful and unrecognizable state.

The pus of the blood and the dirt of the urine had transformed those diaphanous and androgen features into a revolt of disgust and repulsion. Even the strongest stomach would have been sickened by that vision.

"He'll be fine. The potions are already starting to take effect and the medical team will treat him with the utmost respect. You'll see, a few days of rest and he'll be back as strong as before. Only this time, with a much easier-to-handle attitude."

Raymond seemed unconvinced by her words. He tried not to let her see it, of course. But it was evident that he did not approve of those harsh methods.

"Okay, maybe I should have avoided making him rinse his face with horse urine. In my defense, I didn't think you would actually get it for me. But otherwise, I think I behaved as I usually do."

Antilene said those words more to convince herself than her interlocutor. Watching her opponent's body being dragged to the infirmary, she couldn't help but wonder if her superior was right.

"I don't remember any training session that ended in such a disastrous way. Even the ones that Aeneas' father and I had to face were not resolved with so much bloodshed."

"It was different then. You weren't so full of yourself. It was a necessary measure for his future and the success of the special operations that await him."

"Are you sure about that?"

The half-elf saw her victim once again in her mind. His long black hair was the only detail left almost immaculate from that carnage. Almost. Long, silky black hair. More like those of a grown woman, a familiar woman, than a boy who had just entered the age of youth.

"Yes, I'm sure of it. But perhaps I'd better go see him after he's recovered."

Maybe things hadn't started in the best way, but there was still a chance to fix it.

Getting off on the wrong foot did not imply that the rest of the trip would be disastrous.

"I think it's a good idea, but give him time to rest and clear his head."

"You are right, I'd better give him some space."

"Now I'd better go. Thank you very much for the help you have given us. If we need your assistance again, I will let you know as soon as possible. Now, allow me to leave, Lady Zesshi. Mandatory commitments await me."

"Sure, don't worry. If you need my assistance, you know where to find me."

The Cardinal made a sumptuous bow before withdrawing from her presence. The decorum shown to her always embarrassed the half-elf, but by now it was so integrated into her daily life that it was quite natural for Antilene to know how to react to that unmotivated devotion.

She accepted the greeting given with reverence and, after parting, decided to return to her rooms.

It was night now.

After relaxing with a regenerating hot bath and eliminating the unbearable smell of sweat and dirt that enveloped her, she decided to take advantage of a moment of relaxation to observe the night outside the cathedral.

From the windows of the room, the stars in the sky were clearly visible. The constellations drew representations in the vault of the firmament.

If I remember correctly, the one to the southwest should be the constellation of the beetle. While the one with which it crosses is the one called the door of Imirduo. The autumnal equinox has begun.

Antilene poured herself a glass of goat milk. Despite the exercise in the evening, she wasn't very hungry. The girl limited herself to munching on some chocolate biscuits that were in the pantry to feel satisfied.

So alone…

The silence of the room was particularly suffocating, a child of the solitude that persisted in the place.

Rufus is busy writing the last chronicles, I don't think I should go and disturb him.

Carefully placed on a chest in the living room, there was the blue flower ornament she used to wear.

Aunty Nazaire was so skilled with making homemade items, it would be really nice to find someone as capable as her for making new accessories.

The indigo fabric with which it had been embroidered slipped between her fingers, the sensation to the touch was sweet and satisfying, like caressing the petals of a real flower.

Whenever I feel upset, nothing can make me relax like holding this fake flower in my hands. Maybe Cardinal Raymond was right, I went too far. Tomorrow, I'll make it up to him.

Antilene extinguished the candles that lit the room to walk towards her bed. Sunken in the blankets, it took very little to let herself be pampered by the sheets before entering the realm of dreams.

Upper Earth Month, 10th day, 7.00

The following morning, she found Aeneas still in bed in the Cathedral infirmary. It was usually used by members of Black Scripture after a particularly grueling workout, and therefore the equipment present was comparable to that of a small hospital.

Coupled with the fact that some of the nation's best healers were priests serving in the sacred church, that was one of the best places in the capital to receive much-needed medical care.

The boy had been scrubbed from top to bottom, his armor stripped off and replaced with a more comfortable nightgown.

His long hair flowed down his cheeks, swaying back and forth as he moved his face in no particular direction.

His gaze was fixed on nothing, lifeless. It resembled that of a newly formed zombie looking around for some hidden meaning to its existence.

He's still shaken by what happened yesterday, it seems. Maybe I should stop by at another time, but I'm here now, so I might as well stay.

"Hey there, how are you?"

As soon as he noticed the girl, Aeneas was tinged with terror. His irises widened like the door to a pleasure house on a holiday. The young man pulled up the covers as if they would offer him absolute protection, similar to a reinforced wall of a castle, against her.

"Please go away!"

Better than I expected.

"I just want to talk; I don't want to hurt you. I promise!"

"What do you want?"

"First, why don't you pull down those covers? Don't you think you're too old to play forts with sheets?"

Aeneas was hesitant, but after a fast look at the half-elf, convinced himself.

"Okay, okay. But don't think I'll be caught off guard."

He still has a shred of fighting strength. Good!

"I made this for you. Why don't you take some?"

Antilene offered the boy a small basket containing a tempting apple pie. Its aroma spread in the air, and a smell of cinnamon and lemon surrounded the room.

"Did you make it yourself?"

"Let's say that I found the fastest way to reach the pastry shop that cooked it. It's truly delicious, trust me!"

Aeneas grabbed a hesitant slice, still uncertain about the genuineness of that gesture. The delicate flavor of the swallowed bite, however, had to make him change his mind. The sugar that melted in his mouth brought a pinch of good humor to the boy.

"Good, right? When I'm down in the dumps, few things comfort me like a piece of pie."

The young man said nothing. The silence began to get awkward.

"Who are you actually?"

It wasn't the question she would have preferred to start with, but Antilene still considered it a victory.

"Well, let's say I'm a Godkin, just like you."

"You are not a Godkin. Not a normal one at least. Neither my father nor Cardinal Carnesio were in the slightest on your level."

"And yet, I assure you that I speak the truth. I… I am an awakened Godkin, nothing more."

"Then how are you so strong?"

His tone was uncertain as if he was still afraid to speak to her. Considering the situation, it was comprehensively normal.

Antilene tried to appear as affable as possible in his eyes, modulating the tone of her voice to convey an air of trustworthiness even if she was uncertain of the results.

"I do not know. Destiny, I believe."

"Destiny, huh?"

Aeneas's expression grew even more downcast. As was to be expected, the half-elf had not guessed the most appropriate answer to the situation.

"Look," he said, watching what was left of the slice of the pie begin to crumble. "You fought with my father, didn't you? He too had to undergo the same," he hesitated. "Test."

The relationship between the girl and the previous captain could certainly not be defined with a broader definition of cordial. In fact, the man tended to avoid her as much as possible. Like many others.

"If you think you let him down as he watches you from Surshana's realm, you don't have to worry. Like you, your father too tasted defeat for the first time thanks to my hands."

"Why didn't he ever tell me about you?"

"They have already explained the reasons to you. My very existence is a secret that cannot be divulged to the outside world, or we risk waging war with the remnants of the True Dragons Lords."

Aeneas didn't seem very convinced by her statement, but he tried to hide it. To the half-elf's attentive eye, however, his discomfort was evident.

The imperceptible movements of his arm, his lips closing with difficulty, the rapid breathing. Every little detail did not escape the girl's attentive gaze.

After years of dealing with human beings of all kinds, Antilene had learned to recognize signs normally irrelevant to ordinary men, which, however, to a well-trained eye like hers revealed all the discomfort they felt deep down when they had to deal with the half-elf.

It was something she had gotten used to by now.

"I am the last of seven siblings," continued the new Captain of the Black Scriptures. "I have a total of three brothers and three sisters. But only my blood has awakened. A miracle, they called me. The rising star of the Theocracy, destined to lead our glorious nation to greatness!"

He devoured the piece of cake that still rested in his hand with a single mouthful.

"Since I was born, I have trained to be able to fulfill what I believed was my destiny. And I thought… I thought that was my path. But you, you completely destroyed my every dream and hope. I'm just an empty shell now."

"You are not empty." The extra seat replied. "Not at all. You have passed the test and are now ready to assume your position as the shield of humanity. If you hadn't learned the humility that comes with defeat, you would never have been ready to venture into the outside world."

"Why are you trying to comfort me?"

Antilene also grabbed a piece of cake from the basket. Not that she craved to taste it, but needed to take her time and that seemed like the most natural gesture at the moment.

Why was she doing this? It would have done her no good to commit such a trivial deed. Still, part of her believed that this was the right thing to do.

"Now we are colleagues. And as your senior, it's my exact duty to coach you for the future. I wasn't very good with your predecessor, or the other predecessors for that matter, but there's always a first time, right?"

"And then," she continued, "you remind me of someone important to me. Someone I still can't relate to sincerely."

"I'm not very convinced."

Fair.

"You will soon be. Trust me."

"How can I know you're telling the truth?"

The half-elf barely held back a bitter laugh.

"You cannot."

Now it was she who felt slightly embarrassed. The part of the older colleague was a role she didn't feel quite right yet.

Nonetheless, Antilene could not continue to run away from her responsibilities. The growth of that promising young man was part of her duties. She couldn't beat him like a sack of grain and then leave him alone to his fate. Maybe.

"You are not a normal human being, are you? Not just the part about being descended from the Gods, I mean."

"True."

"Would you like to tell me your story? Um, if you like, of course."

But look, he's already starting to act more polite than before. Maybe I have to go that heavy more often.

"Of course. But for now, think about resting. You don't believe that your training is already over, do you? We still have many things to practice. And, oh, there's another very special person you're going to meet. Yes, there are numerous scheduled engagements waiting for you."

"I will do my best not to disappoint you, Lady Zesshi."

He seemed to have calmed down. Antilene thought that perhaps she wasn't as bad at cheering people up as she thought she was, after all.

"I'm sure. Now, I'll leave you alone. Think about what we said and get a good night's sleep."

As the half-elf came out of the infirmary the sun began to rise, its rays bringing new heat to the immense Cathedral.

A new dawn was about to be born.