Chapter 2 - Leave this village for father and mother.
The cool wind of the spring blew softly on the village. The moonlight illuminated the land, silver light pouring through the clouds like water.
The stars were bright here, they shone brighter than most simply because of how small the village was.
“Will I ever get used to this?” Apollyon thought to himself with a calm expression.
He sat on a thatched platform erected from and elevated off the ground. This pillar was usually used for scouting but the hunters who used it were home for the night.
He sat pondering as his gaze swept across the village. The night seemed to quell the village as most of the houses were dark and silent.
His mind was brought back to the days when he was 15 in his past life. Studying hard and training even harder. Since he was conceived, he had no time to leisure about, but things are too different now.
“My name is Lilith Grand of the South. Residing in a small village near the Azure Stone Empire.” Apollyon recalled what he had learned about his new life.
“My father is a classless hunter, and my mother is a low-rank witch. I do have a brother, but his talent is too great for this village. Thus, he left. Never to even meet his younger sister. I only heard of him from my parents.”
Apollyon thought as he stared over the village. “I guess I better grow to accept this new life, the faster I move on the faster I can become #1 once again.”
In his heart, he was now Lilith Grand.
Her long dark hair breezed with the night air. Her eyes shone a violet hue under the moonlight. The resemblance to her father was clear.
Lilith’s expression remained steady as she heard someone climbing the ladder of the pillar she sat on.
“Father,” Lilith said softly. “What are you doing up so late?”
Lilith knew it was her father before she even faced him. Only he knew where she liked to watch the village and others wouldn’t dare climb the hunters' tower.
“I should be saying the same to you,” Father replied coldly. “Are you nervous about the ceremony?”
Lilith’s eyes remained indifferent as she stared over the village like its guardian. Father heaved a sigh.
“I know how you feel,” Father said after some time. “The ceremony is very important and could change your life.”
Lilith remained silent. Pondering over the upcoming ceremony.
The Struggle for Heaven’s Blessing Ceremony. It was a ceremony dedicated to awakening your class and determining your talent. People are born with a degree of talent and sometimes a class determined by their anatomy.
This ceremony was widespread, and youngsters across the world participated. Some fail and others thrive but it's extremely important to participate. Failure to participate usually means failure in adulthood but there are always exceptions.
Lilith was not worried about the ceremony as in her last life, she passed uncontended.
“You must be like your brother, Lilith. Become strong and get far away from here.”
“No, Father. I could not bear leaving you and mother alone.” Lilith responded coldly.
Her father grew flustered and laughed deeply. He wrapped his burly arm around Lilith’s fair body, bringing her close for an embrace.
“Oh, my dear. There is no hope for us; you must work hard for yourself. Mother and I have already got everything we dreamed of.”
The severity of this statement ached Lilith’s heart. Being classless or in a low-rank class is almost as negative as being a mortal (no class or talent). Typically, classless and low-rank aspirations dissipate after the ceremony, already planning their life based on the results. This limits them and doesn’t encourage hard work, rather it encourages settling for less.
Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
Father and Mother, both being classless and low rank, settled for less; killing their real dreams in order to support Lilith. This was something Lilith could not bear.
“Father…” Lilith spoke up to reassure him but drew no words.
These were the rules of this world. If you lack talent or a class, you are bound to be weak. Settling for whatever you could get your hands on. A feeling Lilith was not previously aware of considering her last life. Now she understood it.
“It's fine my dear,” Father assured. “Don’t sit here for too long and remember to do your best at the ceremony.”
Father stood and climbed down the ladder. Before he left he called out to her.
“Leave this village, Lilith, For me and your mother.”
“Yes, Father,” Lilith replied.
The village near the Azure Stone Empire. There are no benefits of being there. The village was poor, lacked real talent or strong classes, and was small. Hardly the size to train warriors. The village was named ‘Azure Stone’s failure ‘as it could not catch up to the rapid progression of Azure Stone, leaving the villagers to struggle amongst themselves.
Lilith swept her gaze over the village one last time before finally standing up. Her cheap clothing and silky black hair blew with the wind.
“All of us will leave this village. I’ll make sure of it.” Lilith ordered before climbing down the tower and making her way home.
…
Lilith received little rest after her conversation with her father. Going to bed at around 1 am and waking at 6. Her mind proved to be still used to her old habits.
Lilith didn’t bother going back to bed after waking, instead, she left the house and returned to the pillar.
The sun was peeking over the horizon. Its light breaks through the dark sky, shining an ethereal orange hue over the skyline. The air was warming and the clouds were shifting from gray to a mixture of orange and white.
Lilith admired the small village and its unique scenery.
The village was at the base of a mountain. A river poured from the mountain and snaked through the middle of the village, traveling endlessly. Large trees surrounded the village and there were no neighboring villages for miles. This gave the village a sense of solidarity.
Lilith was unsure why she felt pity for the village. Why she felt the urge to help the poor lives within it?
It might’ve been because, for 15 years, she viewed this place as home. Learning its history, its people, and its culture.
She sat expressionlessly on the tower and watched.
Time moved quickly and soon the sun was far into the blue sky. The clouds puffed and passed through space and the moon retreated over the mountain's peak. Ready to grace the land with moonlight elsewhere.
The air was windy yet warm. The spring breeze blows the foliage with its force.
Lilith sat silently until someone climbed the tower.
“Girl, what are you doing up here? Should you not be preparing for the ceremony?”
A deep voice called out to her. Lilith turned her head and flashed the stranger an expressionless stare.
It was a hunter, Lilith lost track of time and eventually, it was time for the hunters to take position on their towers.
“My apologies,” Lilith stood and bowed to authority. “I lost track of time admiring the sunrise.”
“It’s best you stay from up here, if you fall it’ll be on the hunters.”
The hunter didn’t change his stern demeanor. Probably irritated from just waking, Lilith did not blame the man.
“Thank you for your concerns. I’ll take my leave now.”
Lilith climbed down the tower as the hunter took his position without another word.
Lilith made her way down a dirt path and decided to get ready for the ceremony. The hunters take position at 7 am and the ceremony is scheduled at 9.
Since the ceremony will be taking place at Azure Stone Empire, Lilith, and the other participants would have to take carriages at 8 and ride for an hour or so.
…
Lilith had readied herself so Father and Mother walked with her to the entrance of the village where about 4 carriages stood attached to horses.
It was crowded, the whole village seemed to be here bidding their farewells to the children who would be participating.
Despite the crowd, there weren’t many kids. Most weren’t of the age to participate so only a handful could be seen dressed their best.
There were several men dressed in uniform with the emblem of a rock imprinted on their chests guarding the carriages. These were the officials of the Azure Stone Empire. Responsible for retrieving participants.
“Lilith,” Father began, he got on one knee and looked Lilith in her eyes. Their violet gazes exchanged with one another. “Remember what I told you last night.”
“Yes, father,” Lilith replied, breaking their gaze.
Father gave her a deep hug.
“I believe in you, dear.” He whispered to her. He pulled away and stood.
Mother did the same and spoke for father. “Despite your fears, my child, we will always be here for you.”
Mother’s amber eyes looked deeply at Lilith. She gave her a warm smile alongside it and stood.
After a few praises and wishes from her parents, Lilith boarded the carriage with 2 other youngsters around her age
“Do your best!” The crowd began to shout to the carriages.
“Good luck!”
“Don’t forget where you came from. ha ha…”
And with these words, the carriages departed. Their next stop was the Azure Stone Empire.