Chapter four
Note of the Day
Why do we still have hope when everything seems lost? It is because we have something to look forward to—believe it or not?
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The moment he vanished, the misty area cleared, and all the other holy warriors awoke. Lyraina looked around, already panicking, but quickly pretended to wake up with them.
"What just happened here?" Of course, the leader was furious.
The other members were in a frenzy, but the only thought rampaging through Lyraina's mind was how to escape. She desperately wanted to cry.
"Lyraina, of all people here, you seem fine. Explain this. Did you orchestrate it? Just like last time?"
Her eyes widened in confusion. "What do you mean, Priest? Last time, I didn't orchestrate anything. I'm not guilty!"
"Others say you were the one kidnapped, but I know you, Lyriana! I don't believe that nonsense."
The pieces slowly started falling into place. The dreams she had been experiencing weren't just dreams—they were real events happening around her. No wonder they thought she was crazy when she spoke about her daily life as if it were a dream. But why was it happening only to her?
She sighed in frustration. "Yes, sir. I accept whatever fault you place on me."
She hadn't endured nineteen years of suffering just to deal with this nonsense. Hopefully, he'd let her go, and they could all leave.
The leader's eyes darted around as if scanning the area. Just as he was about to scold her further, a loud voice interrupted.
"But sir, this is wrong! Always blaming Lyriana for everything that goes wrong—have you ever considered that maybe you're the incompetent one?"
Thud. Thud. Silence.
Words weren't enough to describe the unheard sounds that followed. The entire crowd stood frozen in shock. Lyriana was the most speechless of all. Oh no. She blamed her best friend's(Julia)foolishness for trying to defend her.
She wasn't the one who had spoken, but she was utterly petrified.
Their leader, Priest Keith, turned his head in slow motion, his eyes locked onto her best friend with a dead stare. Then, in a flash—
A member's body collapsed.
Not Julia's. But that of a new recruit. His body lay flat on the ground,the body suffered from the blow of priest Keith and instantly spat out blood from his mouth.
Clenching his stomach tightly before closing his eyelids.
"Since we are all so talkative, Julia, why don't you continue with what you were saying?"
Instantly, all the bravado drained from Julia. She fell to her knees, horrified.
"Sir, I'm so sorry. That was foolish of me. Please forgive me," Julia, Lyraina's best friend, begged.
"This serves as a warning to anyone else who dares to have a second opinion about me. Speak up, and you could be next. I would have killed Julia today, but she is one of my best disciples. So now—shut up and get out."
The moment he said that, they all marched forward, running as if their lives depended on it.
"Who did our leader harm? His face was covered."
That was the question rampaging through everyone's mind.
Lyraina, too stunned to move, recognized the face of the person their leader had just murdered.
"Julia, look—check," her voice cracked as she tugged at her best friend's arm.
"What are you so worried about, girl? I should be more scared than—"
Julia's voice halted as she knelt to examine the body. She quickly removed the figure's cloak.
You know that feeling when your heart is lodged in your throat? There it was.
"Brother?" Julia gasped. "Julian… Julian, please wake up!"
She shook his body furiously. "Please wake up! No,you can't die,you just can't!"
Tears blurred her vision as she looked up at Lyraina. Now, Julia was the one shaking her vigorously. "There must be something we can do! Let's pray—sing hymns! Maybe God will revive him."
Why do we still have hope when everything seems lost? It's because we have something to look forward to—believe it or not?
Julia began sobbing deeply. "He was my only family. I freakingloved him. I cherished him. I starved myself just to make sure he ate. I worked so hard for ten years to get him his favorite clothes… just for him to die?"
"Julia, it's my fault. I'm sorry," Lyraina whispered, her own voice cracking as she, too, began crying.
"I said out—this moment! Carry his dead body if you must, but don't weep in front of me, weaklings!"their leader spat.
They quickly composed themselves, gently lifting Julian from the ground. Julia carried his upper body, while Lyriana carried his lower body.
They ran from the foggy area.
Neither of them spoke a word. Guilt was eating Lyraina alive—everything felt like it was her fault.
But what, exactly, was her fault? She couldn't name it. She just felt it was.
As they walked through the town, people stared at them like they were insane.
I mean, who carries a body like that and through the market square, looking void of emotion?
They finally reached Julia's doorstep.
Julia instantly laid him flat on the ground,using her powers to revive him, thankfully their leader didn't kill him,he was still conscious, just injured severely.
"Lyriana… can I be alone?"
Julia's house was far from exquisite—a small cottage where she and her brother had shared meals together.
"Are you sure, Julia? I can stay if you want—"
"Out! Lyriana, please, just go." She didn't even look at her.
Lyraina stepped out, running as fast as her legs could take her. The bloodstains on her hands made her feel even worse.
"I almost became a murderer," she kept muttering to herself.
"but thankfully he was alive"
Her mind went to the message the masked man left for.
Screaming at the top of her lungs, she collapsed to the ground, sobbing uncontrollably.She felt frustrated everything happening to her at once.
What should I do? What do I do now?
She didn't want to go home. She had no money, which meant another round of beatings. But if she didn't go home, her mother would starve.
Or… should she wait until 9 PM for some stranger to kidnap and try to sell her?
Bingo.
The perfect idea.
She took off, running faster than ever.
Normally, something like this should have traumatized her forever, but nothing affected her anymore—
Finally, she stopped at her destination's gates.
A sinking feeling in her stomach told her this was a terrible idea. But she had no choice.
Knocking on the massive doors, she didn't care how she looked or smelled at the moment—she just needed protection.
A guard frowned at her disheveled state. "What is Her Royal Dame doing here, dressed like that?"
"I'm here to see my soon-to-be husband… Earl Draven Augustus Bloodworth."
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"Excuse us , your royal dame but this is unheard-of,you are to be wedded to the prince soon,there is no news of the sort that you would be wedded to the Earl"
"Let me see him"Lyraina commander ignoring their words, "we are sorry but the Earl is out of town,he rarely shows up"
Obviously pissed,she clenched her fist in anger before uttering the most ridiculous statement, "then let me stay here till he returns"
"We are sorry but…
She didn't let the guards complete their statement and instantly zapped them with her powers,then she walked in majestically with a crude smile on her face.
This place was huge, strangely equal to the palace of their kingdom,it screamed of wealth,she gasped in awe, amazed by the grandeur of the mansion,the fountain in the middle,the grass felt soft,very delicate that one wrong step and one could ruin it.
As soon as she stepped inside ,she was met by a sword on her neck, "and who are you?"a knight asked her, obviously irritated.
"Ahem I want to see the Earl"
"He is out of town!"
Just as the knight spoke,she heard an oddly familiar voice that spoke, "let her in!"
The knight stepped aside and she stepped in,as soon as she did she was instantly met with flowers,dresses,all sorts of gifts befitting for a royal dame,the maid organized themselves in an orderly manner bowing to her.
"Welcome her royal dame,and what pleasantries do we have for you to visit our mansion?"the Butler asked her.
"I wish to talk to the Earl,it is urgent"
The inside of the mansion that was dark was instantly met by light,she saw an image of a man backing her figure,he wore a black glove and something was covering his face.
"Leave the room" the Earl instantly ordered and all the maids and workers left the room.
Now it was her and the Earl alone in the living room, "you must have seen my letter,I will cut it short thank you for agreeing to let us wed but I need it done as soon as possible I'm in danger and I must leave by tonight or else count me good as dead…
She cut off before speaking again, " I need your protection in exchange I will give you anything"
"Hmmmm and who are you running away from?"he asked without facing her.
"A destroyer,and high ranked demon if I don't run away he would sell me far away"
"Really?"he asked sarcastically.
"Yes I promise, I am telling you the truth I swear,he would come by 9pm please save me"
She waited for his response but nothing. Instead he began laughing,he laughed and laughed till he started coughing hard.
What was so funny? Lyraina thought,she was starting to become weary.
"What makes you think I could defeat an high ranked demon,a destroyer for that matter?"
"Because because because…she stammered,even she couldn't state the reason.
"You have an alliance with the holy warriors right? Please let them work together to protect me,if I seek help from them,they would dig deep and find out I was the one that made him escape"
She was met by another laughter, Draven wiped a tear from his eyes that occured due to too much laughter,he instantly stood up and turned to meet her eyes.
What was the look on her face?
What was it again?
Horror.
Her reaction was priceless as soon as she saw him,that man again…
The one from her nightmares,she wanted to turn back and run far,she could swear he has a smirk hidden under the mask.
What to do ?What to do now?
"You can run,I won't chase you but no matter where you run too,I will always be there"