Ananiel

A crisp breeze leaked through the closed window, encapsulating the room beyond the cozy bed sheets that I hid under. The chilly air sapped at my biceps as I regrettably lifted the bed sheets and quickly pulled them back. Letting out a grumble, I felt my fingertips slowly regaining some life as I felt my feverish face sniffle.

“Man, did I catch a cold?”

The sudden realization explained the terrible pain stuck in my throat. Letting out a cough, I felt my brain pulse and remembered the wound on my right forearm. I could only imagine the fleshy wound hidden under that bloody cloth. With a deep breath, I quickly lifted up the bed sheets and strapped my sword and dagger, heading out to the lobby.

I glance over the balcony, seeing a few familiar faces from last night. Heading to the party, I gave a wave and made myself comfortable.

“Hello guys! cough* how’s it going?”

The red haired one glanced towards me,

“We are waiting for Yuka right now. Go get yourself some water or something.”

I nod and head to the innkeeper’s counter, ringing the bell. A few moments later, the innkeeper arrives and gives a hearty greeting.

“Are you alright?”

I give a sniffle and a nod,

“I’m fine, there was just some air leaked from the window last night.”

I rub my head as the innkeeper writes on a slip of paper and passes it to me,

“Here, give this to the priest up north. We are quite blessed to have a healer in Cornelius. Don’t have to worry about wounds.”

The innkeeper let out a smile as I took the slip and requested some hot water. After some stirring by the innkeeper, I got a cup of water and glanced back towards the party.

“Don’t worry about them, I will tell ‘em you went to the priest.”

I smile at the innkeeper and head to an empty table. It was a pleasant delight admiring the trails of vapor in the air as I took out Lily’s book.

“The nature of interpreting reality. What a weird title.”

I put the blue book back into my bag as I pondered on the title.

“Hmmm, isn’t interpreting reality just perspective?”

Scratching my head, a chilly breeze flows past the inn’s entrance as I make my way towards the priest up north. The frigid air flushes my cheeks as I huff out a plume of smoke. Rubbing my injury, I trek along the gray cobblestone road that divides the buildings. Buildings of red, brown, and dark brown, with windows facing towards the road. Holding my head down in shame, I quicken my pace and tuck my bandaged forearm under my cloak.

Glancing ahead, my eyes meet a plain building surrounded by a graveyard. The faint scent of smoke hangs around the chapel as I make my way towards the door. A heavy, brownish red door stands with metal ring handles. Grabbing the rusting handle, I lift and drop it, causing a loud thump*. Moments later, a slender and towering priest peeks out of the door.

“Hello…”

His soft-spoken voice did not match his physique, and his hollow eyes stared at something beyond me. I kept my head low and stood uncomfortably.

“Well now, come in. My name is Theo, It is much pleasure to serve.”

Theo holds the door open as I make my way in. To my surprise, Lantern sat comfortably on a pew.

“If it isn’t the young bird! How’s it been?”

Lantern extends a hand and I accept the gesture.

“Hello, it’s been well.”

I pull back my arm and sit on the pew. Looking around, I notice stained glass, holding an image of a lit brazier. The chapel glows in a dimly-lit orange hue as lamps line the walls.

“It’s a pretty place, isn’t it?”

I comment with admiration-filled eyes. Lantern leans back and lets out a sigh,

“Indeed, this chapel is very beautiful. Bewarned, not a place to stay forever. Only a sanctuary.”

Lantern gazes at Theo and he approaches,

“Isn’t that rude, I have you know this chapel is the place closest to my Lord.”

Hearing this, Lantern lets out a joking remark.

“Ha, isn’t it ironic then that “lord” is strapped on a mountain? Closest my ass.”

Theo, unnerved by this, taps on my shoulder.

“Please ignore this rude guest. What can I be of service to you?”

I pull out my arm and point at it.

“I encountered a wolf on the outskirts of town. Luckily I managed to get out before anything serious happened.”

The towering priest kneels, unwraps the bandages and inspects the wound closely.

“It’s a good thing you decided to come here. This wound would disarm you for at least a month.”

Lantern, noticing this, leans closer to the wound.

“Indeed, I would say a week with proper care. Or even a day if ya that guy.”

He lifts his head at Theo who stares intensely at the wound.

“1 silver, and I will heal you up.”

I searched around my bag, hoping that a silver would appear out of nowhere when lantern perks up.

“He’s already paid. Good lad donated me an entire silver a little while ago”

Lantern flips a silver coin and hands it to Theo.

“Also, no need to be too secretive to the young bird. He’s already with us, the Watchers.”

Lantern reaches into my bag and pulls out the emblem. Theo glares at Lantern shoving the emblem in his face.

“How many times have I told you. You have to go through a process to get initiated. Don’t go giving those emblems away so nonchalantly.”

Theo turns towards me,

“Oh well. To start, I am a priest who follows Ithax, the God of fire and healing. I am also the owner of this chapel and provide sanctuary to those in need.”

Theo stands up and offers a hand,

“Come on now, I will heal you.”

Taking his hand, I stand up and follow him to a room filled with lit candles. Theo stands in the center of the room and turns towards me.

“Extend your arm towards me”

I listen to his command and Theo extends his arm over the wound.

“O’ flame… Heed my command…”

The candles flicker as a stream of pale orange essence gathers to his palm. Gradually, the room becomes darker and darker as each candle is extinguished. Warmth reverberated from his palm and gradually flowed into my wound. The room became dark as the faint scent of candle wax left the room. Pulling open a curtain, I saw Theo gazing out at the graveyard. Making my way towards him, I tap his back as he turns around.

“Thanks for healing my arm. How did you do it?”

Theo lets out a sigh,

“As a priest of Ithax, I can tap into the essence of life within the flame.”

I tilt my head and furrow my brow,

“Essence of Life? Is this like mana?”

He lets out a surprised look,

“Mana… kinda, but the origin of it is different. Do you know the legend of Ithax?”

I shake my head no.

“To summarize, Ithax indulged himself in the eternal flame and fell to earth. The eternal flame mixed with Ithax’s godly essence and that flame revitalized the world.”

I further tilt my head in confusion,

“Revitalized the world in what way?”

He looks out the window and sighs,

“This world was once a barren desert. At least long ago... Through Ithax, trees, mountains and diverse life became possible. We humans also acquired the knowledge of fire because of Ithax.”

Looking at Theo, his hollowed eyes glinted with light and I fixed my posture.

“So, your God became the source of life for this world?”

He glances at me with slight enthusiasm,

“Yes, however, he did not go unpunished. The Other Gods eventually found him and took him back to the heavenly realm, where he is eternally strapped to a mountain, getting pecked out by crows.”

I tilt my head again.

“Crows? And what’s with the punishment? That’s a little harsh.”

lightening his enthusiasm, Theo sticks to a straight face.

“Indeed it is. The other Gods do not want Ithax from jumping into another essence. You could argue he is suicidal, but I’m not him. The Crow is important as well. That God, Morrigan, was once a brilliant bird like a dove. But due to its desire for the eternal flame and its failure to acquire it, She took her anger out on my God.”

I further question,

“So what is the symbolism of Crows?”

He slightly leans towards me and paces towards the door.

“Crows are a symbol of death. They desire the flame within the material world and are a mark of destruction and ruin. They are also a mockery of Ravens, who represent Lord Odin, the God of secrets and knowledge.

I raise a curious eyebrow,

“How do I distinguish a crow from a raven?”

“ Listen to the caw. The crow is known for its distinct caw. This is because they had burnt their throats out by the eternal flame.It is very sharp, like a madman cackling. The raven on the other hand is much more strange but has lower tones. They are also larger in size.”

Theo opens the door and gestures to me through.

“Come on now, I’m not here to take disciples. You are already tainted with mana anyways.”

I stop after crossing the door

“Tainted? In what way?”

He leads me back to the main room.

“Mana is the source that mocks reality. Bewarned, as I have treated you with my Lord’s essence, you should avoid pyromancy for at least a few days. My Lord’s essence does not work well with a mockery of the eternal flame.”

I nod and keep my head low.

“So? How’d it go?”

I hear Lantern perk up and I force a smile,

“It went well, his God is very fascinating. But I don’t understand, why isn’t mana and Ithax’s essence compatible?”

Lantern lets out a chuckle and walks towards me.

“So you delved into magic. Congratulations on becoming an initiate of the watchers.”

Lantern notices the confusion plastered over my face,

“Hey now, the first step is to dive into the supernatural. It’s up to you to decide what you want to provide to us and we will reward you with money, magic items and maybe even an assistant.”

Lantern puts his arm on my shoulder,

“Don’t be too caught up in your thoughts. We’ve tested fire magic and divine manipulation of fire. It doesn’t go too well… Ya know, self combustion and all. Also don’t worry about throwing fire at that priest, his skin and robes are fireproof. Only the internal stuff will get messed up if you combine this specific divinity and that specific magic.”

I nod and sit at a pew, pondering the information given when Lantern walks up to me again.

“If you need any help with magic, I can be of assistance. Also a task opened up with the blacksmith to the east of the city. Check it out some time.”

I let out a “mhm” as Lantern headed towards the heavy wooden doors.

“I’m heading out now. Remember to visit here occasionally!”

I wave a farewell as Theo mutters,

“Damned fool, thinks this church is his home or something… You should leave as well, I have morning service to preach to, unless you want to listen in.”

I get up and head towards the door.

“Thanks again for the healing. Also I noticed a similarly dressed-black haired guy at the inn, do you know him?”

Theo glances at me with surprise,

“You mean Cecil? He is my disciple. I heard he’s planning a wolf hunt. Are you friends?”

I answer

“No, I recently joined their wolf hunt group after dealing with a wolf.”

He contemplates for a moment and smirks,

“I see…I will have Lantern oversee the group’s safety. Can’t let him stay here for free.”

I nod, waved a farewell and rub my recovered arm., still astonished at the power of healing.