Day of the Light
DAENA'S POV
I found them.
They were not in the throne room as I expected but they had been headed that way. Guards littered the ground, most dead or too injured to move.
But I ignored them. My focus was on the three that were surrounded by the last six guards. One look told me that all three of my loved ones were okay. Now I just had to keep it that way.
I turned my eyes roaming the space that served as a waiting joint before entering the throne room. I found him instantly. Like a magnet, his eyes found me too.
I froze. He froze. I was filled with fear and a list for righteous vengeance. He was surprised and confused.
My name reached my ears making me turn away from the bastard. Father had spotted me, his sword drawn he'd pulled away from the little bit of safety before the guards could even react.
I barely moved before an arrow sailed straight for him. A guard was quick to block, the bolt of wood and copper head digging into him. Father flinched at the result of his actions but the dice were cast. The remaining men surged in on the now five guards. Dad was pulled back in by a guard, the captain.
Both sides clashed. The sound of sword striking and the harsh breaths of men exerting themselves filled my ears.
'Behind you child'.
The words filled my mind and like a spring I spun watching as the sword that almost ended me once came down in a flash of steel. Fortunately, this portion of the palace was alight with torches. My palm smacked the sword away before I backed off.
I had to admit it wasn't easy to face someone who just not up to a full hour ago drove his blade through your back. Yet my fear was only a subconscious reaction my anger quickly drowning it out. My lust for his blood filled my mind.
"What is this? I killed you. " Asdil spoke. I could see his face, a painting of deep confusion. "How do you live, and even if possible to still be alive how do you work about like nothing?" his voice projected the question as more of a demand. I stared at him and then looked back at the fighting.
'Focus child'. The voice was back, I was certain now it was in my head. But it gave me an idea.
"Well, I did as you advised. Called to the one or ones who supposedly made us"
'I did make you all'. I ignored the amusement in the voice and kept talking.
"Funny. The gods did answer, and now I've been given a second chance to end your wrongs and keep those I love safe. " I smiled as I realized how lucky I truly was at the moment to still be alive. "I won't be wasting it".
I charged at him. He moved as well. His sword struck my arms and I felt them. Like pinches to my skin. I smiled with glee as my fist punched out. I wanted him dead. Gone.
He ducked. He wasn't as fast yet he managed to evade just at the last moment. Like that shadow in the hall.
" You lie. The gods don't exist. They never did. And even if they did. Why answer a little girl who knows naught of the world she lives in". Asdik seemed peeved. I could sense he both didn't believe my claim and yet also felt insulted at the very concept that the gods must have answered me.
Vaustaris had never seen any gods, heard of one, or seen anything from them. Well, at least nothing but the red star that was visible at night and rarely at day.
It was the way of mortals to seek meaning in life. To grasp for what lay beyond their reach, either for their use, benefits, or understanding. The concept of gods was a good source of information on a mortal's purpose and existence. Many had sought various ways to connect to higher beings, or even alluded some bizarre events to greater powers. Yet no evidence of these beings had been seen. And now after almost hundreds of years since men's first remembrance of time, here I was, a mortal teenage girl from a secluded but prosperous city claiming to have spoken to a God.
'When you thought of it like that he had a good reason to be vexed. Yet, he had no right to be as angry as I' my body warmed before my arms turned orange from the heat summoned into them.
"The gods have granted me right over your head. And I will take"
'I didn't exactly say that. And, goddess. The children are not yet here' I almost stumbled at the voice's words but I righted myself. Asdil didn't waste the opportunity as his sword took a slice of my cheek. It failed again bouncing off.
'Oops'.
"What is this?" he sounded aggrieved. His arms shook, from anger or fear I was no wiser. I didn't care. I attacked again.
My fist barely missed him, his grace, experience, and good use of whatever skills he possessed prying him out of harm's reach.
Each time I almost had him he suddenly made some flashy move and was away from me. I had to watch him continuously as I made more attempts to kill him.
Finally, he stopped, turned, and fled.
"'Don't dare run". I shouted.
'Villain arc!'
I frowned at the voice in my head not understanding even as I stomped after Asdil. I was faster, cutting off his retreat path. The wronged expression on his face almost made me blow up. The orange glow of my arm increased more and the feeling of drain rose in me.
'Move fast. Cut off the mana or you'll get weaker'
I found myself obeying the instruction without thought. My arms dimmed till the normal white skin was present.
'Make a feint before you attack again'
I dashed forward and just like the voice had advised made a feint to the left. Adsil didn't expect the sudden movement, and added with my superior speed he failed to use whatever skill he had to save himself. His ribs made a cracking sound as my left fist flew back and rammed into his chest. He spat out blood as he forcefully exhaled from his mouth right before he was flung back and into the wall.
The sound of his body hitting the wall was enough to seal our fight, yet he remained alive. Then I walked back and saw my father against three of the enemy. The guards all dead.
One struck out his sword halted by father's blade. The next quickly struck thrusting forward while the third went for my mother.
1 rushed him. My body flew as I did what I had once seen the trainer make Trisev do one too many times. My shoulder rammed into his abdomen and we both went airborne. He was dead the moment he struck the ground, his spine and head cracked. Weird stuff and pink goo matter leaking out of his skull.
The two others were shaken by this. It was enough for father to use and slice one's leg. As the man stumbled father turned to the other. Trisev made a move to help father finish off the second man but mother held him back.
I didn't even look at them as I attacked the wounded man.
"You have no honor, you would harm a man without his sword." the filth shouted backpedaling away.
"Honor?."
'Honor?'
'Honor is granted from the strong to the weak'
"Honor is granted from the strong to the weak" I repeated the words. Then it clicked what the voice meant and I smiled widely.
If I could see myself I would be certainly horrified. Covered in crimson blood, the pale lighting, and my pale yellow and amber eyes. My expression made me look terrifying to behold.
"The honor you gave the women, or the weak men. The one you had for those you threw in cages" at this point I was now looking to the side where Adsil lay his breathing labored.
"The honor I received through the spine you mean?" I looked back at the man as my smile vanished.
."Very well. I grant you that honor."
I went on to punch his face. Repeatedly. I stopped seven punches later his face was gone. Only a hole where his face should have been.
Then I looked to Adsil and met his eyes There was fear in them. For a disturbing second I liked it. I was on him before I could be disgusted with myself.
Unlike the previous man, I used both hands. Unlike the previous man, I struck everywhere I found space. Unlike the previous man, I didn't stop. He brought his men here, he killed my friends, the joyful people of Oritais for nothing. Attempted to make them wares, killed me, and even worse, went for my family.
I barely felt the blood so lashing on my face. Not the bone fragments that struck my cheeks and body, not the pieces of flesh that was once Adsil. Only the disappointment in the voice in my head.
'There goes that villain arc'.
*****
I knelt by his body my arms covered in his despicable blood and my mind slowly calming as the blood rush I had entered calmed me. My dress was nothing but a testament to the truth of what had gone down here. I Daena Jorkstorn had become a killer.
I shut my eyes trying to seal the guilt away, to placate and justify my actions. Nothing worked. It was easier said than done.
I heaved a sigh before rising to my feet turning to my family who still stood or sat where they had been when I interfered with the bastard Adsil.
Father was slack-jawed while mother cried. Probably weeping over her child's lost innocence if I could understand the look she was giving me. Trisev had an awed expression but kept silent.
" How?" Father could only bring himself to say that one word. I smiled subtly unsure if I was allowed to speak about her or not. Ignoring the question for now I helped mum in standing my bloody hands staining her fabric. Father luckily came out of his stupor and rushed over to assist his wife his sword now sheathed.
Slowly we headed into the throne room while father grimaced at the many dead lying around.
I saw her once more. Seated quite comfortably on fathers throne her eyes locked on us with a plain expression. There was something in her face though. I couldn't place what.
Her eyes were even deeper than the sea Oritais was built close to. It held something within, like a pearl of wisdom beyond our years and her presence was there yet unnoticed.
Like I could know since I was barely a mage. Only those who studied and practiced could do some of that.
"I see you completed your conviction." Her voice unlike before was normal, yet like a melody. Pleasing to hear.
"Though I feel bothered at the brutality even if understandable" her expression melted into one of concern. I instantly realized she was the voice in my head all this while. Disturbing, but I found myself on my knees bowing without thinking about it as I answered.
"Thank you My Lady Hildelith" She made no move to reply simply looking. Her eyes bore into my family and me. Then I realized. Dad stood frowning at her his sword already drawn.
"Who are you welp seating on the high seat of Oritais!". Father sounded authoritative, he always did. But next to her, it made me think of a child shouting at a parent. How I had even missed the sound of the blade leaving its scabbard I would never know.
"Father!" I exclaimed in panic beginning to stand to rectify the issue when she vanished. My head snapped to where she had been One minute she was there, the next gone. I looked back to father only to feel my heart beat loud when I spotted her right beside him. None of us were the wiser to her appearance.
"YOUR LIFE FLEETS. THE CHARIOTS OF THE STAR RIVER RIDE FOR YOUR SOUL" Her voice even in a whisper sounded like an added octave.
Then I watched just as father did as her body shifted, her face morphed and her skin took on another shade.
"An Elosas" all four of our voices uttered the name. Then baffled we watched as she once more changed. Her skin earned a brown tint, and her hair became thick and wavy as her body became muscular.
'Argat'
"What are you?" father stumbled back in shock from the display but she didn't seem to be done as she turned again into a familiar three-eyed being. I barely echoed the name in my head when she turned back to an Evershu. Then her lips parted and she spoke.
"Just a friendly mother. This, King Or council leader Rafua Jorkstorn is no way to greet your mother" her head tilted cutely as she for the first time this night smiled. Though I found myself baffled by the word she used.
"Mother?"
Her gaze went to me before she chuckled.
"I made your kind. Just like you were made by dear Andrata here. Doesn't that make me your races mother. All the races mother".
"That would make you a goddess?" I asked. Her look made me feel stupid. Her reply also made me realize why.
"When you prayed and I answered what were you expecting me to be?" her head tilted even more if possible.
Father and Mother had deep frowns on their faces. The concept of gods was lost to us. The Argats followed the sun simply because of the perks gotten from it. Undules stuck to the forest but it was unknown if they had gods. There were the Lomries who always boasted of their mountain perks like the mountain spirits or whatever loved them. No one knew much about the Argonnes and Elosas who kept to themselves or the Qitsalrmers who lived underwater because well they lived underwater.
So there was that. We the Evershus were a race that lived to work and develop ourselves. In other words, we knew and cared nothing about gods.
Yes most of us had always pondered the existence of both ourselves and the words that appeared in our heads. Now a lady had appeared to my family and me claiming to be a goddess.
While I was more inclined to believe her, I was still doubtful after all no one exactly knew what a god could do and what a high-level mage could accomplish.
She for all I knew could be some really powerful mana user claiming godhood.
"I see you doubt me. That is..." she looked perplexed. " ...unexpected. Hmmh" she frowned.
"It seems my decision to not affect your growth and Vaustari's adamance in not having me around is going to be an issue". Her finger tapped her thin lips.
" Very well. First, I heal you unless you wish the chariots to have your soul." She waved at his side. We all looked down horrified to find a stab wound to father's side.
"Rafua. Why say nothing? You could bleed out" Mother admonished. Father was hurried to the side by mother and Trisev before his shirt was ripped aside. Father though still looked transfixed at the said goddess.
The wound was gruesome. Large and made me wonder how father was even alive.
"The chariots are approaching" The goddess was looking to the side.
"I cannot keep breaking the rules I set. Already did it once for your daughter. I offer to heal you for her sake. Time is relevant. If the chariots claim you then it would be too late. I shall not halt the chariots once more" Her voice sounded rushed.
"Rules. You made. " Father spoke. I was still stunned he was able to act like he didn't have a hole in his abdomen, though now he doesn't bother hiding his pain. The goddess said nothing just gave a wave like it mattered not.
Then she walked to me.
"Power within Vaustaris can't be used much. A price must be paid." She looked into my eyes.
"Price" the last time she asked a price I didn't even give anything yet she made it seem like she had taken her due. What could she take this time? Wait what did she take then?
"You need to give a bit of faith or prayer. Belief. For me to be able to heal him"
"Can't you just do it? You said you're a goddess" Mother asked pleadingly.
"Your world is young. Any attempts to descend would..." She hesitated then."... let's just say you don't want that. This is merely a husk. A body holding my essence with just 0.1% of my power" she frowned and mumbled something about Vaustaris again.
"So you need faith. Why and how does that work?" Father was getting increasingly pale even with the fabrics used to attempt to stem the blood flow.
"I don't know. You're the first mortals I'm contacting. I just know it's what I need". she shrugged, looked to father then up and back to us.
"Better hurry"
I watched mother bow and pray. It was weird to watch. Even weirder since I had done exactly that while dying. Thinking of it now I wondered why. We weren't exactly religious or believers in gods. Heck, we didn't even know gods existed.
It was strange. Did mortals turn to the unknown when the known was unhelpful? The thought disturbed me.
" Wow. That...worked. I mean. I expected faith, and there's basically no faith in your prayer. Understandable. But it seems a deep want in your prayers can do the trick as well. Interesting."
Then I watched her raise a hand. Saw her eyes glow. From a deep ocean blue to gold. A shape appeared in the air where her fingers were positioned. A circle or ring, one side of it a circular feather joining to the other side which was a golden band with three wolf heads biting on it from inside the circle and a teardrop at their center.
Another such circle with the same design appeared beneath us all. Large and filling the room. Even more unbelievable it stretched out past the walls and outside. Then a light rose from it almost blinding.
"Hmmm. So this is doable too. Okay. Just this once as an apology from me and also an announcement. They should know, mother was here!". Then the light became a searing heat one that didn't burn or scald but just had the intensity in which I dared not open my eyes to peek.
Then just as quickly the light was gone.
I opened my eyes slowly before stealing a swift glance around. The light wasn't the only thing gone. The Goddess was as well.
'I HOPE YOU LIKE MY GIFT'.
My eyes widened at the voice. Her voice was in my head. A quick scan confirmed she truly was gone. Father stood up perplexed as he looked at his wound. His skin was fresh and even more, he looked younger. Like the hands of time had been rewound. Mum was the same, younger and more beautiful.
Then the knock came. All four of us stiffened before the door opened to show the captain of the guards. A loud sound of chatter and cries followed him in. A man that should be dead. He stood there looking confused but the relief at seeing us was visible in his gaze. He too looked like he found the fountain of youth.
"Sire, My lady. Glad to see you." He made a glance behind him at where the noise was coming from.
"You might want to see this" he urged looking at my father.
That day was marked in history. The day of the Light. Everyone killed in the attack was brought back from the dead. There was no more reason to doubt the female's words. It became the first sighting and presence of a god noted. The light was seen across all of Vaustaris. In a way, it brought not just respect and reverence for our little city. It also helped to boost our economy and population.
Oritais spread out to create more cities and became known as the kingdom of Hildem. On that day, 341 of the Vaustari Index we became believers of the Goddess Hildelith.
But it was not the last we saw of her. Her presence brought more to our world.