Meeting Him

Dust and cobwebs covered the broken pews and what was left of the stone walls. Tree roots pushed up and out of the stone floor as vines and weeds grew on the stumps of broken pillars. Once beautiful stained glass windows were now broken and shards of colored glass peppered the walkway. A statue of a woman was pushed down and other statues were smashed. The only thing that was left seemingly untouched was a small altar upon a dais in the back of the ruins.

The hooded figure slowly approached the altar, the cloak never disturbing the dust nor grass it trailed on. Quietly, the figure stopped at the sight before her. Sadness tinged her heart and she placed a gentle hand on a dusty pew. Closing her eyes, she inhaled deeply. Reminding herself to keep her emotions in check while amidst the carnage, she purposefully made her way to the altar.

Carved onto the front were the gods and goddesses of Comwen. Nero, God of All Matter and father to the rest of the deities was depicted in the middle with a shining heavenly light around him. His oldest child, Nicolai God of Wisdom and Wind was sitting humbly beneath him. Nyle, the second oldest and God of Water and Plenty was pouring water onto the stone crops to the right of Nicolai. Josephine, Goddess of Love and Power and the third oldest was depicted kissing the head of a king to the left of Nicolai. Jasper, the fourth oldest and the God of Earth and Flame was carved below them surrounded by fire. Jacqueline, the youngest child of Nero, Goddess of Life and Death was carved to the right of Jasper holding a skull in one hand and growing a tree from the other.

The figure knelt at the altar and entwined her fingers. Calmly, she began to pray. She felt a sudden shift in the air around her and without opening her eyes nor turning her head she knew that someone had entered the deserted Temple. Whether it was a curious sort or a lost drunkard she did not know. To her, it mattered very little.

The steps were heavy, but not staggering. Not a drunk, but definitely a man. The footsteps stopped quicker than she anticipated but she sat still all the same. The man made no noise except to sit on a pew behind her. The air surrounding her gradually tightened in a protective bubble at which she rolled her eyes. The bubble dispersed. The man coughed politely. She assumed it was an attempt to let her know that he was there. She smirked. How could she not know he was there?

"It is very interesting to see someone here." His voice resonated throughout the ruins. Polite, yet confident. Immediately, Nikolai came to mind. She did not respond. The man continued, "Though it is more interesting that you wear a cloak on such a warm day in a warm climate."

And she knew that he suspected her to be hiding from something or someone. Nikolai definitely blessed this man.

"It is not as interesting as a Captain coming to pray." She rebutted.

"For a young woman who has not even turned to look in my direction, I find it surprising that you knew me to be a Captain though I left my effects outside."

She smiled. This man certainly paid attention.

"So you have come to pray?"

"Oh no. This was once sacred ground but it hasn't been sacred in my lifetime. All it has been for decades is a pile of rubble. Why would I pray to gods who have never existed for me?"

A fair question. She fell silent.

"I meant no disrespect, my lady. Please forgive any offense I may have had."

He was asking forgiveness? He had no idea who she was and he was asking her forgiveness? She knew this was not how regular men were. This man was special.

"No offense was taken, Captain." She stood and finally faced the young man. He was broadly built, though he was of average height. He was strong and she knew he was faster than he looked. His hair was short, messy, and darker than the obsidian night. His jawline was strong and square and a five o'clock shadow spread over his face. His lips were currently smirking at her. But what had her full attention were his bright intelligent blue eyes. The very shade of sky in paradise.

She saw the life he had. She witnessed his mother giving him up to the army for training when he was five years old and the day his world turned black from demonspawn overrunning his city. The first fight he ever had, his first loss, his first win. The death of his friends beside him. She saw the horror as he ran his sword through his childhood friend who had been raised from the dead. His quick ranking due to his wit and strength. His determination and motivation. But she saw something in his eyes that she had not seen in a very long time. Something that caused her to stagger back. Hope.

And in that instant, her heart changed. Hope. There was still hope in this world. And if there was still hope in this world than there was hope for this world. She stared at the man in front of her. An idea began to form in her head. But she wasn't sure yet.

"Are you alright?" The voice carried new meaning to her ears. Polite, Confident, Attentive, Hopeful despite the destruction of the world.

"Are you strong?"

The question caught him off guard.

"What?"

"Are you strong?" She repeated. He thought for a moment.

"That depends on what you mean by strong. Physically, there are men much stronger than I am. Yet, I have seen and done things that would make those men wet their trousers. Mentally, am I strong enough to be okay with those things I have done? No. But I am strong enough to still live my life. I am strong enough to survive and live another day. So, when you ask me if I am strong, I have no answer."

"Then I shall judge you, Mortal."