Chapter 6

In the depths of the Aphemis Theocracy's capital, Slaneburg, Alexia moved with silence through the shadowy corridors of the Sanctuary of Aphemis. Her skin, as pale as snow, contrasted sharply with the deep purples of her eyes, which glinted with an intelligence and intensity that unnerved most who met her gaze. Dark hair framed her face, cascading down her shoulders in loose waves, adding an ethereal quality to her otherwise imposing presence. Though beautiful, she possessed an air of quiet menace that often inspired fear among those who crossed her path.

As she strode through the hallways, a voice echoed from behind, breaking the silence. “Alexia, the Cardinals are calling.”

She turned, recognizing Nile, the knight who served as a personal guard to the High Sanctum’s elite. He was a formidable figure, tall and broad-shouldered, clad in blue and white armor that glimmered faintly under the few rays of light that came from the torchlight. His face was solemn as he met her gaze, a bit of unease in his eyes.

Alexia’s expression remained cool, though her mind hummed with annoyance. ‘The Cardinals again’, she thought, suppressing a sigh. Meetings with the Cardinal Council were often tedious affairs, full of masked ambitions and lofty speeches about their holy mission. She had never truly enjoyed these gatherings; the Cardinals, with their secrets, felt more like obstacles than allies. A part of her had once wondered what life would be like outside the theocracy, free from their endless directives and sermons. But her loyalty to her homeland—despite its flaws—kept her rooted here. For now.

“What do they want this time?” she asked, crossing her arms as she leaned against the cold stone wall, her gaze fixed on Nile.

His brow furrowed slightly. “From what I understand, it’s something urgent,” he replied, his voice low, almost hesitant. “There’s been… an incident. Something that has deeply troubled the Second Seat of the Round Table.” He paused, choosing his next words carefully. “It left the Cardinals… uneasy.”

Alexia’s eyes narrowed, her curiosity piqued. The Second Seat, as a member of the Round Table, the First Order of the Theocracy, she was a powerful figure, and was rarely shaken by anything short of a direct threat. The fact that even he had shown fear was something unusual indeed. “Fearful?” she echoed, her tone thoughtful. “What in the world would cause that?”

Nile shifted uncomfortably, as though unsure how much more he should reveal. “I don’t know the details, but whispers say it has something to do with a battlefield she saw on a forest in Grand Valka through her espionage spells. Perhaps it’s best you hear it directly from the Council.”

Alexia inclined her head, signaling she would follow. She had no particular fondness for the Cardinals, but the urgency of this situation—and the mention of a battle, especially one that seemed like it was a big deal—was enough to intrigue her. Walking alongside Nile, she let her thoughts drift. The Theocracy and the Kingdom of Grand Valka shared a strained, albeit steady, relationship. The kingdom’s power was a of no threat to Aphemis and their high corruption among the nobles made the Theocracy disdainful of it, but open conflict was a costly risk neither side dared to take without cause. If something had stirred unease among the Cardinals, it must have been significant.

They arrived at the council chamber, its doors tall and imposing, carved with ancient symbols that seemed to watch as Alexia and Nile approached. He opened the doors, and Alexia stepped in, greeted by a familiar sight: the seven Cardinals, each seated at their respective positions around the circular stone table, their faces hidden beneath deep hoods that cast long shadows.

“Alexia,” intoned the First Cardinal, his voice a raspy echo in the cavernous room. “Thank you for coming on such short notice.”

She inclined her head, giving only a brief acknowledgment. “I understand there is something of importance.”

The Second Cardinal, whose demeanor usually held an unshakeable confidence, shifted uncomfortably. His voice trembled slightly as he spoke. “There has been… a breach, a warning perhaps, from Grand Valka’s territories. We suspect it might involve one of their warriors—someone far beyond the usual strength we encounter. And the timing… it aligns with a recent disturbance among our own ranks.”

Alexia’s eyes shined with interest, though her face remained composed. “A warrior of such power? I’ve heard nothing from our spies about such person from Grand Valka.”

“That is precisely the issue,” the Third Cardinal interjected, his voice tense. “It was an isolated incident, but reports suggest someone—or something—has started operating beyond our realm’s borders with enough power to unsettle our own forces. The attack seemed to have been swift and brutal.”

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Alexia’s expression grew cold. This was not a matter of simple politics or skirmishes but a threat beyond their typical challenges. “You fear this warrior could be seeking to challenge us directly?”

The Second Cardinal’s hands clenched, and his voice was barely a whisper. “We fear… it may be more than one.”

A chill ran through the room, the Cardinals exchanging anxious glances. Alexia, however, remained unmoved. The challenge could be great, yes, but it was also… exciting. A test of her own abilities, perhaps an opportunity to see how far she could go in defending her homeland. Not that she really thought of it as a threat… there had been many times where the Cardinals were unease about someone only for her to win with a single attack as always.

“I’ll need more information,” she said simply, her voice steely. “Tell me everything you know, and I’ll see to it this threat is handled.” She met the gazes of the Cardinals one by one, a faint smirk playing on her lips. “Consider it my… contribution to the Theocracy.”

***

Alexia lay on her bed in the darkness of her private chamber, the weight of the ancient stone walls around her adding to the sinister air of the ambient. The room, deep within the Sanctuary of Aphemis, was hidden from the outside world, just as she preferred it. Here, in the shadows, she could be herself—away from the prying eyes and endless demands of the Cardinals and the other high-ranking officials of the Theocracy. This was her domain, a solitary space, but it suited her nature as the Sanctuary’s Guardian. This room, these shadowed halls… they were a part of her. Yet tonight, she found herself far from restful.

Her mind kept wandering back to the council meeting and the unsettling details the Cardinals had relayed. The Third Order of the Theocracy—highly trained and lethal—had been discovered completely annihilated, their bodies littering the forest floor like discarded rags. For all her skill, Alexia knew the Third Order’s warriors were no mere fodder. They were elite, honed in combat, their abilities bolstered by the sacred magic of the Theocracy. To wipe them out so utterly was no small feat. She traced her fingers over her forehead, her purple eyes gleaming in the dark. The Cardinals believed the massacre had been the work of more than one person, as they couldn't fathom anyone strong enough to lay waste to an entire battalion alone.

But Alexia had to admit, for her, the story was far from terrifying. Her power, after all, was not so different. Slaughtering a troop like the Third Order would be a simple task. She could tear through warriors and even mountains without effort after all. Still, she had to give whoever—or whatever—was responsible some credit. They had left a lasting impression on the Cardinals, one strong enough to have drawn her in as the Theocracy’s chosen weapon.

Alexia sat up slowly, the faint feeling of excitement stirring in her chest. It was rare that anything in her world could bring up even the smallest thrill. The prospect of facing something that might pose a real challenge—perhaps even a threat—was undeniably intriguing. This attacker, if they were alone, would be formidable indeed. A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth as she imagined the devastation in the forest: the crater, the dried rivers, the shattered peaks of the mountains. A vision that would have left most mortals trembling. To Alexia, it was almost beautiful.

She stretched, letting the excitement simmer, her muscles tensing as if readying for battle. ‘Perhaps this will be the fight I have been waiting for’, she thought. Her duties here, though essential, had become dull over the years. Day in and day out, she was the guardian, the enforcer, bound to protect and obey. There was power in her position, yes, and a certain pride in being the Theocracy’s deadliest weapon. But power without a challenge was a lonely, empty thing.

Even so, she knew better than to leap into anything blindly. If this mysterious force was as dangerous as the Cardinals suggested, she’d need to approach it with caution, not recklessness. For now, she would bide her time, gather information. There were ways to track remnants of energy, ways to follow the blood scent of the ones who had been slaughtered. She’d been trained well enough in tracing that even the faintest hint of residual energy could lead her to this adversary.

Alexia’s eyes drifted to the faintly glowing orb on the sword handle—a divine artifact of the Gods. There was something intoxicating in the chase, in knowing that soon she might meet a warrior with the strength to threaten her.

In the silence of her room, she chuckled softly, a sound both sinister and almost cheerful. ‘Whoever you are’, she thought, ‘you’ve left quite a calling card. I hope you’re as powerful as they say. Otherwise, you’ll be nothing more than a fleeting amusement.’

The stillness settled once again as she lay back on her bed, staring up at the shadowed ceiling. Her fingers brushed over the cold iron of the pendant she wore, a reminder of her duty. She knew the Cardinals had only revealed what they deemed necessary, but she didn’t care. She would learn all she needed to soon enough, with or without their guidance. For now, she would let them believe she was docile, a loyal guardian content to follow orders.

Her eyelids grew heavy as she allowed herself a moment of rest, the excitement and anticipation still dancing at the edges of her thoughts. She had no doubt the Cardinals were fearful, that they wanted to harness her power as a shield against this unknown force. But for her, this was something more—a chance to step beyond the stale routine of obedience and embrace her strength fully. And when the time came, she would unleash everything she had.

As her mind drifted, her last thought was of the forest, of bloodied fields and destroyed mountains. Her smirk grew, even in the darkness. If the enemy was as powerful as she hoped, she would find them. And when she did… Well, she doubted her life in the Theocracy would ever be the same.