30: They manage to get away - Part 2

The next morning, the villagers gathered in the town square, their faces a mixture of curiosity, hope, and lingering exhaustion. Auriel stood alongside Lady Sophia and Carol, their presence lending the villagers a sense of comfort and reassurance.

Lady Sophia stepped forward, her staff glowing faintly with residual magic. She addressed the crowd with a confident and authoritative voice.

"Good people of this village, your perseverance in these trying times is admirable. To ensure your safety and that of surrounding villages, I will be setting up a magical defense barrier around this area. It will protect you from external threats and any further dark magic interference."

Murmurs of gratitude rippled through the crowd, and some villagers even began clapping. Lady Sophia smiled, raising her hand to calm them down.

"Additionally, I need your help. Distribute the blessed water from your well to other villages that have been affected. Share this gift of divine light and healing so others may recover as you have" 

She continued in a stronger voice. There was no denying that she was a good leader and a capable person when she put her mind into it.

The villagers nodded eagerly, their spirits lifted by the hope of helping their neighbors. A few volunteered on the spot to take charge of the distribution effort.

While Lady Sophia coordinated with the villagers, Auriel and Carol took the opportunity to make another round of the village, their senses tuned to any lingering traces of dark magic. They searched meticulously, checking every corner, but the results were the same.

"There's nothing here. Whoever was behind this must have fled after last night" 

Carol said, scanning the outskirts of the village with a frown.

Auriel sighed, her disappointment evident. 

"I had hoped we'd find more clues. Without anything concrete, it'll be harder to track them down. I feel like we're missing something."

Carol placed a comforting hand on Auriel's shoulder.

"You did more than enough, Goddess. This village is safe now because of your efforts. Sometimes, that's all we can do."

Auriel nodded, though her heart remained heavy. The sense of incompletion gnawed at her as they made their way back to the square.

Once Lady Sophia completed the defense barrier and left the villagers with clear instructions, the trio prepared to return to the temple. The journey back was uneventful, the air filled with unspoken thoughts about their next course of action.

When they finally arrived at the temple, they were greeted by an unexpected sight—Priestess Lilith standing at the entrance, her arms crossed and her expression thunderous. Her stern gaze locked onto Auriel the moment she stepped off the magical portal.

"Goddess Auriel, would you care to explain why you decided to leave the temple without prior notice? Do you understand the consequences of such a decision?"

Lilith began, her voice cold and cutting.

Auriel winced slightly but maintained her composure. 

"Priestess Lilith, I understand your concern, but the situation in the village was urgent. I couldn't ignore it."

Lilith's eyes narrowed. 

"Urgent or not, you are the Divine One. Your safety is paramount. If something had happened to you, it would have been catastrophic. Next time, I expect you to inform me before making such a decision."

Auriel bowed her head slightly in acknowledgment. 

"You're right. I'll be more mindful in the future. But please understand, I only wanted to help."

Lilith sighed, her stern demeanor softening slightly. "I understand your intentions, Goddess, but as your guide, it's my responsibility to ensure you're protected. Please, no more surprises."

Lady Sophia chuckled softly, breaking the tension. 

"Priestess Lilith, you worry too much. Auriel handled herself splendidly. But don't worry, next time, I'll make sure to send you a letter in advance," 

She teased, earning a glare from Lilith. At this rate, Lady Sophia was courting death and even Auriel felt sorry for her.

Carol, ever the peacemaker, stepped between them.

 "Let's all take a moment to rest. It's been a long night for everyone."

With that, the group dispersed, though the weight of unresolved questions lingered in Auriel's mind. She knew this was just the beginning, and the dark forces threatening the villages would surface again.

Auriel quickly walked ahead, not wanting to be a part of the drama, but Carol walked a little slower and caught the message she was being sent by Priestess Lilith.

Once Auriel was back in her room, Carol quickly headed toward the Priestess's chambers before knocking at the door. She waited for a signal to enter and closed the door behind her as she walked inside.

"Carol, give me a full report of what happened. I am sure you did your best to keep the Goddess safe," Priestess Lilith asked.

Carol almost flinched but managed to keep her cool. She did not want to show that she had almost let the Goddess get hurt. She valued her life, after all.

"I did as you asked me to, Priestess Lilith. However, I am afraid that the dark magician we were chasing managed to get away. I promise I will do better next time," Carol vowed as she kept herself kneeling. She was determined not to show any weakness that could be used against her.

Priestess Lilith's sharp eyes felt like daggers as they bore down on Carol. It made her feel insignificant, but she kept her gaze fixed on the ground.

"You better not forget why you are serving the Goddess, Carol. Your curse is not something you can get rid of on your own. It requires an immense amount of magic and divine power. Goddess Auriel is your best shot, so you better take good care of her."

The older priestess's reminder was clear, and Carol was quick to take the hint.

"You are right, Priestess Lilith. I will keep this in mind for the future. I hope you have a nice day."

Carol quickly left Priestess Lilith's chamber, and the older woman rubbed her forehead, trying to rid herself of the headache that was forming.

"Tsk, those cursed creatures are back? I knew I should have crushed those bugs when they talked about sullying the sacred blessing of the gods. However, there will be no next time for them," she muttered under her breath.

______

The unnamed village doctor slowed his pace as he neared the edge of the forest, his heart pounding in his chest. 

He glanced over his shoulder to ensure the two women chasing him weren't still on his trail. The sound of rustling leaves and distant footsteps had faded, leaving only the eerie silence of the woods around him.

Finally convinced that he had escaped, the doctor exhaled deeply, wiping the sweat from his brow. He leaned against a tree to catch his breath, the adrenaline still coursing through his veins.

"I should have known those women would be relentless. Especially that Lady Sophia...she's more perceptive than I thought" 

He muttered, frustration laced in his tone. 

Once he felt composed, the doctor reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small black stone. 

The object pulsed faintly with a dark, malevolent energy. He closed his eyes and whispered an incantation, and the stone began to glow brighter. A low hum filled the air before a distorted voice spoke from it.

"Report!" 

The voice commanded, its tone calm yet chilling.

The doctor shivered as he straightened up, clutching the stone tightly. 

"Master, I regret to inform you that the plan failed. The contamination spell didn't work because of the Temple's interference. Their divine power is too strong for such low-level magic."

There was a long pause, during which the doctor's anxiety mounted. He bit his lip, fearing his master's wrath. But when the voice finally responded, it was not with anger.

"I see. So, the Temple has proven to be more formidable than anticipated. No matter. This was but a test, and the results are enlightening" 

The doctor blinked in surprise, relief washing over him. 

"You're...not disappointed, Master?"

A low chuckle emanated from the stone, sending a chill down the doctor's spine. 

"Disappointed? Hardly. Failure often reveals more than success. We now know the extent of her interference and her limitations. This information will be invaluable for the next phase."

The doctor nodded eagerly, his tension dissipating. 

"Of course, Master. What are your orders?"

"Return to me immediately. We must adjust our strategy, but rest assured, this is far from over. The Goddess may have thwarted this attempt, but she will soon find herself overwhelmed. And when the time comes, you will have a crucial role to play" 

The voice instructed. 

"Yes, Master," the doctor said, bowing instinctively, even though there was no one in front of him. "I'll head back at once."

The stone's glow faded, and the forest grew silent once more. The doctor tucked the stone back into his pocket and began moving quickly through the woods, his steps lighter now that he had his master's reassurance.

However, before he could get back, a spear embedded itself in his stomach, killing him. The last thing the doctor was able to hear was the sound of his master's voice that conveyed the doctor his final orders.

'Useless things can be made useful. However, if you fail me, then it will be the end for you.'

______

An extra chapter for you. Tomorrow's chapter will be a little delayed because I need to head out.