The ceiling is so very white. The room is so very cold, despite the fire crackling in the hearth.
A sudden knock on hollow wood jolts Ren from his aimless thoughts. Who is that?
“Hey! Ren-ren! Are you in there?”
Ren drags himself off the bed and shuffles to the door. He undoes the lock and heaves it open, wincing internally at the scrape of wood against stone. Penny stands on the other side, her hair wet, a silk towel clutched in her arms. She wears the Gravelle robes as well—white robes with green embellishments trailing down the sleeves. White just like Elvira and Vane’s.
“You look awful,” Penny observes with a click of her tongue.
Ren yawns pointedly. “I am feeling awful.”
“Well, all you need is a nice, long bath and a chance to stretch your legs!” Penny declares, slinging her towel around her neck. She pushes past Ren and strides into the room. Ren lets her, stepping aside and leaning against the wall. Penny squats by the chest at the foot of the bed and throws it open.
“Come on,” she says, tossing a stack of clothes at Ren, “go take a bath.”
“Where?”
“Down the hall. I’ll show you.”
Penny’s been in unusually high spirits since they arrived in Gravelle. He’s never seen her this happy before, other than when browsing Mrs Russell’s wares. Ren sighs. Thinking of Mrs Russell makes him think of home. Home where his parents are probably worried for him. Home back in England, by Big Ben (the hill, not the clock). The home that he knows.
This place isn’t home.
Penny’s cold fingers curled around his wrist snaps Ren from his thoughts. She tugs him out of the room, and slams the door shut behind him. Ren blinks, as if in a stupor, but stumbles behind Penny as she leads him down the hallway. Chill creeps into Ren’s bones, despite the torches burning ever so brilliantly upon the walls.
They stop outside two doors, fitted with signs denoting the male and female baths. Ren can’t imagine there’d be running water in a place like this (he didn’t see a river of any sort, and there’s no chance that there’s a drainage system here), so…
“It’s like hot springs, but cold,” Penny says. She gesticulates wildly. “You know, big pools of water, but it’s cold.”
“I know what hot springs are.”
“Great! Then you’re going to love it.” Penny shoves him towards the door to the male baths. “Remember what I taught you.”
A shiver runs down Ren’s spine in spite of his evidence confusion. “What…did you teach me?”
Penny winks. “I’m going to find Rayfel now. He’s going to teach me about Sovac and Gaia and everything, so…bye!”
Ren stares blankly. Before he can respond, Penny is already off, bounding down the hallway, towel still in hand. Ren turns back to the door to the baths, and sighs. The last time he remembers stepping into a hot spring was when he was a child back in Japan.
It’s just a bath. A bath to wash away all worries.
*
Vane isn’t here. Ren wonders why he thought the man would be.
Sometimes, being alone is good. Being alone lets Ren simmer in his thoughts, simmer in the idea that he is going to be travelling this unknown world tomorrow. Out in the wild, with no combat skills at all, up against those horses and that Horseman and God knows what else lives here. How can he and Penny be the Luminaries of lore? A title too grand for children like themselves. They’re still in college, for goodness’ sake; barely eighteen!
Ren sinks deeper into the water, ignoring the way the rock walls scratch his back and the stabbing glitter of the gems in his eyes. It distracts him from the pounding of his heart, the way his mind races a mile a minute. Ren wishes, prays sometimes, that he can stay here forever, soaked in water, till he becomes nothing but a soggy sack of flesh and bone…
Ren does not know how long he’s spent there—he may even have fallen asleep and he wouldn’t have known—but he jumps at the sound of pounding fists against the door. He gasps, water flooding his mouth—it tastes of metal and minerals—and splutters as he rises from the pool.
Terrible mistake. A cold wind whips around him and Ren sneezes. Water splashes as he pulls himself from the pool. He grabs his towel and wipes himself down, before throwing on the white robes that drape heavily over his frame.
He ambles to the door and yanks it open, to find Penny standing on the other end, her hands on her hips. She wears the most dissatisfied frown on her face.
“What took you so long?” she whines. “Come on. The banquet’s about to start.”
Right. The celebratory banquet. Ren almost forgot. His stomach rumbles at the thought. It has been quite a while since they ate, and between all the running and falling right into Gravelle, the adrenaline kept hunger at bay. But now, Ren feels like he can eat a whole horse.
Ren chucks his towel back into his room before heading down the corridor at the other end of the castle. Penny regales him with tales of Zenthos’ legends, about how Gaia is one of four spirits and about how Gravelle is one of four surviving colonies living under the unrelenting rule of the Four Horsemen.
“You mean that thing that attacked us?” Ren asks. Penny nods vigorously.
“That’s the Horseman of Death,” Penny says. “He lives on Mount Hilbeck, in this big crypt and we need to kill him.”
Ren stops in his tracks, leaving Penny walking ahead of him. She seems to have noticed his disappearance from her side, because she spins around on her heels.
“Do you even hear yourself?” Ren mutters.
“Huh?”
“You’re saying we have to go up against the Horseman of Death. Of Death, I might add. And we’re supposed to go up this mountain and fight him and possibly die? Am I the only voice of reason here?”
Penny blinks. “Well, I mean, no pain, no gain, right?”
What is with this girl? What in the fucking world is wrong with her? Doesn’t she want to get home? Why is she so eager to go out there and get herself killed?
“Penny. We gotta get home. We—”
“We can’t get home.” Penny struts up to him, stabbing a finger at his chest. “To get home, we need the sun, but there is no sun here.”
“But there’s got to be a way,” Ren argues. He is not dropping this point. “Gaia said something about a fire spirit called Ignis, right? Can’t we seek Him out and ask Him how to get home?”
“That would be a problem.”
Ren glances over at the familiar voice, towards the direction of the castle entrance. Arms folded, boots clinking against the stone flooring with each step, is none other than the girl they met earlier in the day. What was her name again? Gridel? Gridel pauses before them, the long braid of her hair tossed over her shoulder.
“Hey there!” Penny waves, flashing Gridel a bright smile. Gridel doesn’t seem to care, fixing her glare on Ren. Rather unwarranted, really.
“Ignis has perished for centuries,” Gridel says. “He left behind a message just before His demise.”
“The Luminaries, right?” Ren asks. “Yeah, we know that. But how many times must we tell you? We’re not the Luminaries you’re looking for. We can’t fight, we know nothing about this world…”
“Ignis obviously saw something in you, as pathetic as you are. Two souls from another world.” Ren bristles at that. Without further elaboration, Gridel turns her back to them and begins her stride towards the banquet hall. “Now come. Everyone is waiting.”
Who’s everyone? Surely, Elvira and Rayfel will be present and perhaps even Vane, and Gridel. Everyone in the castle, perhaps? What about the townsfolk? Don’t people usually have a big announcement and throw a party when their supposed saviours come to town? Isn’t that what they do in movies?
Ren smells it before he sees it, the aroma of food wafting from the dining hall tucked at the very end of the corridor. As grand as the rest of the castle is, the banquet hall is cosier than anything. No gems in sight, and instead the dim room is lit with candles lining the long table. The gold of the candleholders starkly contrasts the pristine white of the tablecloth, though it is hardly visible below the dishes of food.
Food like meat, bread, soup…and many other kinds of cuisine that Ren swears does not exist in their world. Elvira sits at the head of the table, accompanied by Rayfel and his trusty cane, with Vane taking the other seat next to her. Ren has never seen half the remaining people before. They’re probably other important figureheads. Ministers, maybe?
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
Ren and Penny slide into the only two empty chairs at the opposite end of the table from the Queen. Ren flinches at the cold from the stone seeping through his robes and into his skin. He glances from one solemn face to the other, shrinking under the oppressive air.
“Today,” Elvira says, raising her glass high, a reddish liquid sloshing within, “we hold this banquet to commemorate the coming of the Luminaries. By Gaia’s word, they shall deliver us from the blight that plagues the land of Zenthos.”
The rest of the table raises their glasses, almost in unison. Ren grabs his glass with stiff fingers and does the same.
“This day shall be remembered forevermore as the day that we begin our fight for liberation from the Four Horsemen.”
A cheer resounds in the hall, and Ren jolts. It sounds almost like the roar of a beast. He looks from one person to the next. Unsmiling faces filled with determination, with resolution, even. Their glares behold a fire so intense that even the mere sight of it leaves Ren reeling.
How long have they lived their lives under this tyranny? How long have they waited for this day to come? For them to finally break free from the iron fist the Horseman rules with?
“And now, may the Luminaries take the first sip of Gaia’s blood to bless them on their arduous journey, to grant them protection from the treachery that lies ahead.”
The table turns towards Ren and Penny, watching them with pride. No, not pride. Reverence. As if they truly believe that two children can fell those murderous beasts. Harbouring hope that Ren wishes he can tell them is misplaced.
And yet, they look upon him with such respect, at least, everyone besides Gridel and Vane, that Ren has no choice but to comply with their expectations. Ren puts the glass to his lips and glugs the liquid. As soon as the bitter beverage hit the back of his throat, an itch claws at him, which Ren successfully fights back. It wouldn’t do to cough in front of these bigwigs.
Still, it was nothing more than wine, which tasted like grapes. But it’s nothing that Ren didn’t drink before. He places the cup back on the table with a clink, as does Penny.
“And now, let us, the commonfolk, drink.”
Everyone else downs their wine—not red, but white—and places their glasses on the table. Elvira smiles, skin around her eyes wrinkling.
“It is time to feast,” Elvira declares. “Replenish your strength, our dear Luminaries. You will need it.”
They will need it alright. Ren’s gaze drops to the roast…chicken thing before him. It looks roasted and drizzled with a sort of purplish sauce. Lumpy berries lie scattered on the meat, not that Ren knows what on earth it is.
Ren picks up the metal cutlery, a strange, quaint emblem gleaming on its silver grip. The people around him begin to eat, breaking into chatters and hearty conversation. It gives Ren whiplash, it does, when the air of solemnity shatters like glass and merriment engulfs the room.
Penny herself is caught up, almost immediately, in a conversation with the person sitting beside her, a man dressed in a scholarly robe and wearing a scholarly hat. Ren isn’t quite sure what they’re talking about. They speak in English, but using words that Ren is wholly unfamiliar with.
“The Luminary, eh?”
Ren snaps his head over to the woman seated beside him, who slices the meat upon her plate with gentle sawing motions. She peers down at him through the veil over her eyes, as white as everything else in the castle is.
Ren swallows the food in his mouth, and hums. “Y-Yes. Everyone seems to think so.”
“You seem unwilling to take up the task.”
Ren chuckles nervously. “It’s not every day someone tells you to risk your life and to, uh, fight for people you don’t even know.”
The woman nods. “How fortunate, the life you led.”
What is that supposed to mean?
“Her Majesty has led the colony her whole life, alongside His Majesty. They’ve been risking their whole colony, their whole people, every single day since they came into power.”
“His Majesty?” There were two thrones, but Ren does not remember ever seeing a king around…
The woman’s eyes widen. “King Rayfel. He is Queen Elvira’s husband.”
Ren’s jaw drops. Rayfel is a king?
“Yes,” the woman says, as if she can see the question in his eyes. “King Rayfel is the third generation in the royal lineage. Queen Elvira married into the throne.”
“So, this colony is…three generations old?”
“Indeed. Almost three hundred years since humanity has seen the surface. Since we’ve seen the light of Ignis.”
“The light of Ignis?”
“What the surface people called the sun. A great ball of fire in the sky. The very culmination of Ignis’ efforts to grant the earth warmth.”
“Do you know how to get the sun back?” Ren asks. “It’s…”
“Legend has it,” the woman interrupts, “that the sun may return when Ignis is reborn.”
“When Ignis is reborn?”
“I regret that I know nothing more,” the woman says. “If you’d like, you’ll have to ask Vane about the specifics. He used to spend ages in the library reading the tomes of old.”
Vane. The white-suited man who serves the Queen with commendable dedication. Ren finds himself glancing over to the man, who currently partakes silently in his meal. Each slice is graceful, each lift of the forkful of meat to his mouth…
“About Vane.” Ren coughs, hoping the woman didn’t notice. “Who is he?”
“The Prince. The King and Queen’s grandson.”
A prince! Ren had no idea. “He doesn’t seem to like me much.”
The woman chuckles. “I doubt it. He was the one who looked forward to the coming of the Luminaries the most, out of all of us.”
Honestly, Ren finds that hard to believe. He still remembers the way Vane stared him down, with that patronizing glare. The way he looked down on Ren like Ren was a bug he can squash underfoot.
What did Ren do to piss him off?
The conversation tapers off then, when the man beside the woman engages her in dialogue on another topic that Ren does not understand. He returns to picking at the meat, appetite diminished even though he ate nothing since lunch.
“You okay?” Penny asks.
“I’m good.” Ren stuffs a mouthful of the chicken into his mouth—it’s much tougher than he expected, and it tastes like beef with a helping of applesauce.
Penny doesn’t look convinced, but she doesn’t seem to know what else to say, so she leaves him be and focuses on her dish.
The banquet draws to a close when the dishes are polished, and the maids and servants remove the used cutlery from the room to be washed. One by one, the bigwigs leave, headed back to…wherever they live. Gridel leaves as well, bowing and saying something about having to get to preparing.
“Shall I gather the colony?” Vane asks suddenly. His voice resounds in the relative silence, making it louder than it should sound.
Elvira nods. “Please do.”
With that, Vane rises. He bows to Elvira and Rayfel and strides out of the hall. Gather the colony? What is he going to do?
“It is time,” Elvira says. Rayfel takes Vane’s place, standing beside his wife and holding her arm. “Luminaries, it is time for you to meet the people whose lives you will save.”
The people of Gravelle, who lived under the reign of the Horseman of Death for three generations. The Luminaries have come to save them from the brutality. Of course, they’d want to see them. But they wouldn’t know just how similar Ren and Penny are to them.
They’re all just…fellow humans.
“Come on,” Elvira says. In the time that Ren was caught his trance, she has already crossed the room and now stands at the entrance. Penny wipes her mouth and stands. Ren follows. Together, they follow Elvira and Rayfel from the room.
They are supposed to meet the people, or for them to meet their saviours. Their saviours who’re supposed to be devoted to them.
Their saviours who’ve spent hardly a day in this community, and probably feel nothing about them at all.
*
The colony is just shy of two thousand people, according to Queen Elvira. However, even before a crowd as big as this, Ren’s legs are prone to go jelly. He’s fine giving presentations in front of his class, or to speak of a topic he knows well. But this?
He doesn’t know what to say.
Penny, on the other hand, carries the wonderment as Ren would expect. And besides, she’s used to this, being the mayoress’ daughter. She knows how to carry herself (head held high), how to stand (back straight, shoulders relaxed), where to put her hands (one hand over the other in front of her).
The maids really did a fantastic job on her outfit, from what little the colony seems to have. Penny is draped in white robes, tinges of green weaved into the garment by her sleeves, running down the middle. Her blonde hair tied into a high ponytail, tumbling down her neck and ending just below her shoulder blades. The very picture of a princess.
A real Luminary.
Ren tugs at the hem of his sleeve self-consciously. How does Penny pull it off? How is she not reduced to a stuttering mess in front of all these people?
Queen Elvira stands before them, before the balcony of the castle that also serves as a podium. Accompanying her are both Rayfel and Vane. Gridel guards the door to the balcony with her hands behind her back, still dressed in her suit of armour.
Queen Elvira opens her mouth and immediately, the colony quietens. The silence is only broken by the constant stream of water from the cracks in the stone walls, into the sparkling pool surrounding the palace.
“Greetings, my dear citizens of Gravelle,” Elvira’s voice resonates throughout the chamber, like a makeshift loudspeaker. “I stand before you today bearing fantastic news.”
She pauses, as if waiting for a response, but no one speaks. With a smile, she continues.
“We all know the myth well. We all know the promise Gaia’s brother, Ignis, made to us so long ago. The promise that He will bring the Luminaries to us.”
Again, she pauses. And again, Gravelle remains silent.
“Today, Ignis has finally delivered on His promise. Arriving before us today is none other than the Luminaries of lore, as blessed by Gaia Herself!”
Elvira spreads her arms wide, and at that, the people cheer. They whoop with their fists to the sky, whistling and calling out for the Luminaries. Calling out for Ren and Penny.
“They have come from faraway lands to fulfil their noble duty,” Elvira continues, and on cue, the people go quiet once more. Their apparent excitement dies as suddenly as it came. “And now, not only will they grace you with their presence, but also their words of wisdom and valour.”
W-Words of wisdom and valour? Ren’s gaze darts to Penny, who does not look at him, but rather straight ahead. What are they supposed to say?
Elvira turns her head, the same satisfied smile on her face. Penny takes her spot on the podium, striding over with sure steps and leaning against the railing of the balcony. Ren shuffles over, gaze jumping from one citizen to the next. Careful not to look anyone in the eye. Afraid that a single glance would inspire false hope in them.
“Good day, citizens of Gravelle.” Like Elvira, Penny’s voice echoes in the rocky chamber. “My name is Penny Gladsworth, and this is my fellow Luminary, Ren Higuchi.”
Ren stiffens but manages a timid wave.
A single shout pierces the silence, a shout of elation from the front of the crowd. Penny smiles in the direction of the enthusiastic man.
“We have come from a faraway place, and while we have not stayed here long, we have seen your kindness, the hospitality of the citizens of Gravelle,” Penny continues. “While we may be new to the laws of this land, we are determined to free you from the throes of the Horseman and bring peace to Zenthos once more!”
Her speech is met with thunderous applause. From the precocious children standing in the front, to the miners by their minecarts and pulley contraptions, to the farmers and their hideous livestock. Penny’s smile grows into a grin. Her skin practically glows.
Never before has he seen this side of her. At least, not while she isn’t talking about her obsession.
“No longer shall we live underground. No longer shall we be devoid of the beauty of the sun! In the name of the spirit of Gaia, of Ignis, we shall be victorious in our war against the Horsemen!”
With that final announcement, Penny pumps a fist to the air. Ren follows suit. The crowd goes wild, the cacophony of noise grating on his ears. Elvira hobbles over and places a hand on Penny’s shoulder. Penny glances back, smile still on her face.
“That was wonderful,” Elvira says. “Befitting of the Luminary of lore.”
Ren shies away from the balcony, as he and Penny move to stand behind Elvira. Like Penny, Elvira commands the crowd with the boom of her voice that travels even to the farthest cavern of the colony.
An unpleasant sensation bubbles up Ren’s chest. It’s nothing like he’s ever experienced before. Bitter and sour at the same time, and a spark of something as he looks at Penny, now standing with her hands behind her back, just like Rayfel, while she watches the crowd.
What is this feeling? Why can he not place it?
Ren tears his gaze from his friend and turns his attention to the people as Elvira closes the speech. Telling them how he and Penny are going to subdue the Horseman of Death on the morrow and bring them one step closer to liberation. A repeat of what she said in the first half of her address.
And now, there’s absolutely no turning back.