It Rains (Slash I)

While Avia is their country, the major cities within the large country is a complicated mess.

There are five countries separated by large bodies of water and land—Avia, Esia, Estar, Yiania, and Null. Avia—being the second biggest country compared to Esia, holds the strongest army compared to Esia as well as its richest, inventive spirits, technology, and magic, yet Esia and Avia aren't the best of friends. They, however, hold each other mainly as mere reputable frenemies.

Due to the the War of Almawt, the Gods agreed to a treaty that is to be resigned and contested; it is a treaty between the humans in regards to peace named the Treaty of Min 'Ajl, which is a agreement to cease fire between each other and to maintain coexistence—the Gods will stay in their respectful zones and the humans will stay out of Gods' business unless it's for religious reasons.

It has been a peaceful enough relationship for centuries, especially because both sides don't desire to wage war on the other, yet the one thing that bridges the lines between God and humans are the nisf daw, which are humans chosen by a specific God to "continue on" their legacy once they die or retire—which is either by being killed, or revoking their god rights.

There are hundreds of Gods as they are millions of humans, yet it is the chosen nine Gods that hold the most power within the Gods' realm and amongst their peers, which also means these Gods have the most powerful nisf daw when they are ready to finally pass the baton on.

In retribution to their part in the war, the Gods bestow tools that constructed keys for each country. For Avia, exactly, these keys or five great weapons are Marah, the chariot, Alkarb, the blade, Ghadab, the shield, Yakhaf, the archer, and Aliashmizazz, the snake. Each of these weapons protect the border of a individual major city that connects to a larger border, which protects the country of Avia from disaster and foes.

So when Jeremiah sits in his office, reading over more paperwork and reports as he listens to the soft chirping of the birds outside his large window and sips his cup of tea--extra lemon and honey today during his busiest days—he debates about the countries history, and how things may tilt towards mayhem due to one single murder, which enough is horrific, yet someone seems to want to meddle in Gods' affairs on human land, and as someone who has only heard tales of the Great War, Jeremiah desires to refrain from fighting in one himself.

There's a soft knock that beckons him to raise his voice to allow whoever it is to enter his office. In comparison to the last two weeks of hustle and craziness, today--a weekend--feels the most relax life has been for Black Fawne in a while, which says something, because there isn't currently war, but nowadays, Jeremiah can't feel peace.

Clarke come in with a stack of paper work and a small smile on her face. It's funny, almost; Clarke and Jeremiah have been friends since there time in joining the army and him being sent overseas to help a neighboring country in battle when he first entered at 17, and Clarke's been by his side since, serving him not only as a companion, but as a partner in the depths between the bridge of life and death in the battlefield. This means a lot, especially since in this world, it is hard finding such a loyal friend, harder than finding a loyal foe. 

"Good morning, Captain." Clarke said, smiling as she waves the small stack of papers in her hands. "It looks like we got some news from the church today, and it also seems like Captain here has been pretty relaxed these days."

"Meaning?" Jeremiah said, raising an eyebrow.

"I never thought I'd see the day where the Captain let a bunch of rascals leave training early to party." Clarke said. "I wonder what's changed?"

"I merely gave Amelia the go since her family couldn't make it to the initial ceremony," Jeremiah said. "What deems to be the issue?"

"Nothing," Clarke said, "I'm just glad to see that it isn't me anymore that sees your good heart, Captain."

Jeremiah only gives her a soft glare before he continues his task, but not without Clarke clearing her throat and motioning to the papers.

"Ah, right," Jeremiah said, "what's this so called news that the church sent? 

"I haven't read much." Clarke said. "But so far, it is just a few pages expressing their concerns with the Bara incident and asking us from refuting on sharing any information until further-."

"It looks like they don't want to scare the people," Jeremiah said, "hearing that a nis daw was killed isn't the way to get people to believe in the Gods and the church."

"Don't you think maybe we're thinking far too ahead?" Clarke asked. "Maybe the murder was just a random burglar or a murder due to personal-."

"Clarke, you know more than anyone that cutting out the mark of a nisf daw--a God's successor--isn't a mere accident." Jeremiah said, "and I'd like for not another murder to happen to find out which conclusion deems true-."

There's a bang at his office door before the door swings open. Jeremiah swiftly turns his head, staring down at Lia, whose hands are on her knees, herself out of breath as she wheezes to take a breath of air. 

"Did you read that report?" Lia askedz "Did you fucking read it? Did you?!"

"L-language, Lady Lia!" Clarke whines, "for such a pretty lady, you sure-!"

"Who cares?!" Lia yells, shocking both Clarke and Jeremiah. "One of the five pillars of the countries barrier has been severely injured!"

Jeremiahs eyes slowly widen, taken in Lia's words. The country of Avia, with it's five major cities--Tila, Vishnu, Viki, Shahbah, and Ensur each have a guardian knight—a pillar and a weapon--created by the materials gifted by the gods--used as a key to create a large protective barrier around the country. Each key which is Marah, Alkarb, Ghadab, Yakhaf, and Aliashmizazz hold each part of the countries boundary together as a shield against enemies with abilities such as devil energy, dark arts, and powerful black magic--the list is endless, yet a piece of the border is torn apart, which means--.

"T-there's a hole in our barrier?" Clarke asked, watching Lia nod her head and swiftly shut the door behind her.

'"Which barrier is it, Lia?" Jeremiah asked. 

"I believe Tila's--the snake Aliashmiazazz." Lia said. "A-and I-."

"Captain." Clarke calls with a shaky voice, reading hastily the rest of the report in her hands. "You were right! You were right-oh no!"

"Clarke." Jeremiah stands up, showing concern for his Vice-Captain. "What are you-?"

"The pillar of Tina's sword Alkarb," Clarke exclaims, "S-Shiela's neck has been cut in pieces--I think she-."

"She was also a nisf daw," Lia said, her head hung low, "the church put her there as a temporary replacement since she requested protection after the Bara incident."

Jeremiah drops whatever--if anything was in his hands--and he blankly stands in his spot. 

"And Aliashmizazz the snake?" Jeremiah nervously asked.

"It..." Lia's eyes linger to the ground. "It is missing, Captain."