"Why is it so dark?"
"Where am I? "
A strange, terrifying feeling embrace me; the darkness felt… different. I gasped, as I saw them – fleeting, spectral figures, lost souls flickering in the gloom.
A ghostly hand clamped onto my arm, icy and unnerving.
"Raaah!" a voice hissed, close to my ear.
"Let me go!" I screamed, struggling against the unseen grip.
A tiny spark of light appeared in the distance, growing steadily brighter until I could make out a figure: a woman, clad in flowing white robes, holding a shimmering scepter.
She began a low chant, a resonant hum that vibrated deep within my bones.
"Foul spirits, vile and unclean,
Leave this place, be unseen!
By the power of the Divine, I command,
Purifying waters, flow and cleanse,
Washing away, all dark offense.
Let the light of goodness shine anew. "
She murmured, light pulsing from her scepter, weaving a hypnotic pattern in the air. As her chant reached its peak, a circle of light began to bloom at the scepter's tip, slowly expanding until it formed a dazzling ring around her.
"Divine Magic: Purifying Light!" she whispered, and an incandescent wave of radiance exploded outwards, scattering the tormented souls. They shrieked, their forms dissolving as they fled the holy light.
Spell explanation:
(The Divine Magic: Purifying Light spell is a potent form of divine magic used to banish corrupt and malevolent spirits and cleanse an area of their lingering influence. It functions by unleashing a wave of radiant, holy energy that overwhelms and destroys these entities, purifying the affected space.)
"Return to your body," the woman commanded, her voice calm and reassuring. "Return before the soul snatchers claim you."
She had saved me. Rescued me from…whatever those things were.
Klera's Point of View
"Ahh!" I woke with a gasp, the memory of the terrifying darkness clinging to me. What had happened? . I touched my body, fear coiling in my stomach. It had felt so incredibly real. The experience was so intense that night; it felt as though my soul had left my body.
"Sis, are you okay?" My sister Alera's voice cut through the lingering horror, pulling me back to reality.
I hugged her tight, relief washing over me. "I'm fine. Just a nightmare, I think," I managed, though a sliver of doubt remained.
Alera and I shared a small room in our three-room house – a cramped but cozy space. Mother and Father had their own room, and the third served as a tiny storage area.
"Breakfast's ready, children!" Mother called from downstairs.
"Coming!" Alera chirped, her usual bright spirit unaffected.
But the unease lingered. Last night's nightmare was too vivid, too intense to simply dismiss. Who was that woman in white? What were those…things?
After a week of back-breaking work in Duke Mariano's fields, today is our precious day of rest. One day a week—a small price to pay to avoid complete burnout.
I went downstairs, the familiar scent of Mother's cooking already making my mouth water. Mother and Alera were setting the table.
"Breakfast's served, sis!" Alera announced, placing the steaming dishes before us.
The aroma of Mother's cooking alone was enough to make my mouth water.
"Let's sit down," Mother said.
I was about to reach for the food when she gently patted my hand.
"Let's offer a prayer to Andromeda first." she said.
We bowed our heads: "Almighty Andromeda, thank you for this food you've given us today. Amen."
After our prayer, I finally dug in. The meal was simple: corn rice and a soup made with just water. But my mother is a wonderful cook, even the plainest soup tasted extraordinary thanks to her unique blend of spices.
"Mother, your cook is amazing," Alera praised, her words a testament to Mother's culinary skill.
"Since it's our day off, let's go to the market this afternoon," Mother declared. "We'll get some new clothes."
"Oh, Mother, I'm fine. I have enough clothes," I protested, mindful of our limited funds.
The extra money we earn selling at the market after our work in Duke Mariano's fields (he's kind enough to let us leave early afternoon) is a lifeline, but it was still not enough.
"It's alright, Klera. I've saved some money," Mom said.
I nodded quietly, I showed my agreement, once we'd finished eating, I eagerly offered to clear the table.
Fast forward
As the sun climbed high, Mother, Alera, and I set off for the Market- the beating heart of the Pallet Kingdom, connecting every village and town. A short walk from Seer Village, it was a journey worth taking, even if it meant saving our coins instead of taking a carriage.
Lost in thought about that morning's vivid dream, I walked in silence, my mind replaying every detail. Mother's voice startled me. "That dress suits you, my child," she said, noticing my distraction as we chose fabrics.
"Are you okay, dear? You seem quiet," Mother asked worriedly.
"I'm fine, Mother," I reassured her, though my thoughts lingered. Her worry lingered too. I nodded, picking up a length of fabric, trying to focus. Then, a roar of cheers erupted from the highway. Heads turned.
"The Paisley family!" someone nearby said.
"They have another mission, killing monsters,"
They are Noble adventurers. Curiosity tugged at me. I edged closer, catching sight of a deep blue carriage, gleaming with gold filigree, drawn by a single horse and driven by a servant. The crowd's cheers intensified as a man emerged—William Paisley, head of the famed family, holding a shield and sword, clad in golden armor, his presence commanding respect.
"Greetings, citizens of Pallet Kingdom," he said. "I am William Paisley, Head of the Paisley family, at your service." He bowed. An influential nobleman.
"Let me introduce my three sons. My eldest, Winard Paisley,"—a man emerged, clad in leather armor reinforced with metal plates, holding a dark wooden gun engraved with glowing silver runes.—"My second son, Osborn Paisley,"—another man appeared, his dark leather armor complementing his glowing emerald-tipped arrows and bow.—"And my youngest, Claude Paisley,"—a young man in midnight-blue leather—"will soon enroll at the prestigious Academy of the Five Pillars. His class (marksman, swordsman, mage, priest, or psychic) is yet to be determined."
The crowd erupted in cheers and applause. I heard young women whispering, "How handsome!" "The youngest is so dashing!" "He's enrolling in the Academy of the Five Pillars!" The enthusiasm, however, left me feeling slightly annoyed.
I returned to my Mother and Alera. The cheering and applause continued.
Later that evening, under a darkening sky, we returned home, exhausted but exhilarated. A quick change of clothes and a hurried meal followed—a well-deserved rest after such a thrilling day.
"The Academy of the Five Pillars, huh?" I mused, remembering the young women's earlier comments. Being an adventurer myself—serving and saving people from monsters—is my dream. A hint of a smile warmed my face.