Chapter 49

That night, after a warm bath, I slumped on my bed to sleep only to discover I was laying on flesh. I knew who it was already, Emiliar, she was beaming at me, thought I got scared.

~~My love, how long have you been here?~~ I sent to her. It's really been a long time since I used my gifts to speak to anyone except Luna anyway, cause that's the only way I can speak to her afterall.

"Commander Claudia in a white nightie, How you doing?" She said with all sarcasm in her voice. I bit my lip, a weak chuckle escaped from my lips. " you punk, that isn't funny, not worth a darn clap"

" You not hungry? Let's get something to eat."

I sent for a maid and in no time our meal was served.

After eating, we sat on the cushion to talk. My head on her lap, she was gently stoking my hair. Luna sat on the edge of the chair licking my toes. That girl, I feel guilty sometimes, I barely have time for her nowadays. Life can't be any good without these two by my side.

" How was work today Claudia?" she asked.

"Hei, don't call me that.."

"Oh shut up" she chuckled." you have been marked Katty..."

"better!"

" No, Claudia. You're Claudia. You've been marked."

"Don't remind me of that!" I winced." i still feel like i've made a grave mistake."

" mistake?" she paused, thought for a while. " Everyone makes mistakes. It's okay to feel like that anyway..." she trailed off. That made me curious.

"Emiliar" I whispered. " Do you think i made a mistake? Would you have told me not to accept that offer if you were with me? I just accepted darkness into my light, God is against that." She was silent, thinking , maybe." I've been marked as a demon, can I still pray to my Lord. Will He still hear my voice, Emilar?" I cried."You know the worst thing , I didn't only recieve their mark, I wine and dine with them every single day of my life. You know what Emi, I feel filthy, like i'm no longer worthy of whatever i've been destined to become. I'm worthless, Emi..."

" Stop it!" she interrupted me, wiped off my tears with the back of her hand. "You are thinking too much Katty, too hard on yourself. Really, you had no choice, you did what anyone wuld have done. You have to live to achieve your purpose, you were not selfish enough to fight a battle you know you can't win. You choose life for the sake of your purpose katty. There's no sin in that. Do not let your guilts eat you up. Sometimes you've got to do what you got to do. " she held up my chin. "You're strong Katrienair. You're the best--the best of God's creation. Soon the world would realize that and worship you. You'll save your people Katrienair. Now give me that smile." I forced on a smile. " well, when those days come, remember you have a soulmate. " she chuckled.

" 'Course,who else makes my other half?" I said. " but do not call me Claudia. "

"Oh Claudia, I can't stop." I hit her with a throw pillow."Claudia! " she giggled.

"Whatever fine!" I spat at last.

"Buh,...it's a good name." Good name my foot! "It sounds nice, suits you so well."

I winced and laid back on her lap, it would be a waste of time and energy arguing with Emiliar.

"So tell me how your first day at work went."

"Well and eventful" I said lazily, trying to summarize the whole thing. "I never knew I could train an army. Really, I don't know where the strength came from. Sometimes, I wonder if I'm really katty or I've been possessed, but who knows?"

"It's real anyway. About the training, we might have been discriminated at the early stage of our lives but you've never made yourself vulnerable, you've always been a fighter so I'm not surprised if you lead an army. You've been a leader from the onset." I covered my face with my hands

"Don't blush, at least not yet." She added with a smile.

"Why shouldn't I? I've got to enjoy this moment while it lasts cause I might never experience it again. Emiliar's praising me. That's rare." I chuckled.

"Emiliar's grown up!" She beamed. "Don't worry, this won't change."

Emiliar's always been caring. And yeah, I'm a fighter, I was a stubborn child to Reba, rebellious sister to Arkishair, little wonder.

" but you've never used a spear or arrow. Where do you learn all those skill from and how were you able to teach something you're not expert at. "

Being expert might be an understatement.

" I was trained by the greatest trainer. " she looked puzzled, that's understandable anyway. "You do not know him. He calls himself the comforter. His training... I thought I wasn't gonna survive."

"Wow." She gasped. "You trained?"

" 'course I did."

"When?!"

"When no one was watching" I teased but realized she was serious. " while at the dungeon."

"Wow..." She paused. " you know I've been meaning to ask about your experience while at the dungeon but it always skip my mind. So, tell me 'bout your training. "

"Nothing much" I'm a very lazy person when it comes to narration. Aargh! I hate to narrate. " just the usual legion thing. it was short. Sometimes I feel it isn't real cause my trainer isn't human. The last time I saw him he left me with a beast...to be eaten. I felt betrayed, but i...fought it..." I trailed off, painful memories flooding back. "I was so much hurt... But I was skilled enough."

"Exactly, it might be a test...not betrayal. " Emiliar reasoned. "He tested you with a beast... You won and he never came back to train."

"I'd have died if I didn't win!" I laughed. " buh it might be a test truly. "

We were silent but she didn't let it last. "How's Joel?"

"Good. Best assistant ever"

"Ever...not like you've had other assistants."

"Wait, do you hate Joel?

" no" she answered. "Just watching my friend's back"

" you don't trust him?"

"Kinda. My spirit just doesn't go well with his."

"Buh he's a good guy..."

"Yeah he is" she said sarcastically. " no wonder you fell for him so easily. "

That got me off the hook. What the hell?!

"Who told you that?!" I shrieked.

"You did..." She laughed

"My thoughts are guarded!"

"It has not always been. I know you're in love with him and I understand, trust me" that had enough calming effect. "The truth is I almost did too. He's charming, young and handsome. You just have to keep feelings aside for now."

"Oh stop it" I hit her again playfully. " you don't know how that sounds...like my mother. "

" whatever... " she laughed. "Julian is madly in love with you anyway." She stopped. The room feel silent, the once playful atmosphere, now thick with tension.

"What did you say?" I finally mustered enoght courage to speak.

" nothing... Never mind. "

"No I heard you. How do you know Emiliar.?"

"Know what?" She pretended.

"C'mon Emi, how did you know that he..."

"He told me." She bit her lip and cursed beneath her breathe. " Oh gush I'm such a big mouthed fool!"

"For telling me that? No you're not!"

"I..." She trailed off. "I do not want you guys to have a relationship now."

I was speechless or maybe there was nothing to say.

"I have my reasons Katty. Please don't. You know I want the best for you right?"

"Yes...mum" I smiled, deep inside, my heart quivered. " I'll try to stay away... Mum. "

"I know Julian would wait if he really loves you. Besides, with the way things are going I believe we're closer to the big day."

"Yeah, I feel so too." I hugged her tightly. "I love you Emiliar. Thanks... For everything."

I don't know exactly why I did this but I know my heart led on.

"Oh my love, I love your more"