ã€ŠThe Lost Scholarã€‹


 00: The Fool

    The Lost Scholar

    CHAPTER: 00

    THEFOOL

    <hr>

    It rained glass from the dark skies again; Each particle danced as the wind scattered them around the town. Gabriel always loved this time of the year, It''s nice and cold and the snow piling up covering the streets in a white blanket of pure shaved ice gave him such an odd joy, and he loved to feel the cold beneath his bare feet most of all.

    The young boy stood in the snow for a while now. He wasn''t sure if he trembled with how cold it was or because of how excited he was. Most children his age were already inside asleep in their warm homes, he wondered why was he so different fromth the rest as he held his small pale hand out to catch the fragments of frozen water.

    Little Gabriel wondered why do the plants die and wither when winter arrived, why does the seasons change, do seasonal changes affect everyone and everything, why did God created things that can kill and humans can''t commit murder or suicide? Questioning such things explained in a hasty manner such as: "God intended it to be that way" or "It is his plan" or "God works in mysterious ways."

    Standing idle around in the snow made Gabriel sleepy when he felt heavy around the eyes it would mean for him to go back inside to sleep. As he looked next to him he saw a girl with blue skin, almost translucent. He stared at her for a while, her hair long and curly, beautiful in his opinion. The small child went up to her and touch her, to his surprise her body shattered, and the pieces scatter like shooting stars. His heart readied to burst from his chest. "What was that...?" Gabriel said under his breath. The poor child was not sure if to look for her or if to even regard it as a dream.

    The boy decided it was too late to go find it, so he ran inside his home and sneaked up to his room and lit a candle. He grabbed his blank papers and charcoal and sketched what he saw tonight, or doodle her, for he had no skills to trace perfect lines and throw shades with his apprentice hands. After a few more doodles his body shut down, he fell asleep on top of his artistic mess on the hard and warm floor.Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

    Gabriel walked through tall grass and a flourish forest. He wore a purple velvet hooded cape to shield him from the elements. He couldn''t hear a sound, nor could he produce any.

    This forest had a different texture for everything his skin touched. He sensed the grass underneath the sole of his feet, stiff like paper. The puddle he stepped on had a consistency of ink, he concluded that everything around him made of ink and paper.

    As he ventured the lively pastel hues that once adorned the forest changed a more dull color scheme. This monochromatic atmosphere was sad and lonely, the only thing contrasting was his robes, dark and vibrant tones of velvet purple. He ventured through an inverted canvas and the texture felt more soft and sharp. He felt something pierce the skin of his foot, upon inspecting it he was pierced with a purple shard. His blood was gray and also had the same consistency of ink. The shard were cold and inviting much like the winters he so much enjoyed. He heard a croak of a crow at the distance. The ground beneath him crumbled and took shape into birds in flight leaving behind the muted white color of snow with small purple drops, some had different hues, too. After gathering as many as his hands could he laid on the snow holding the pieces close to his heart.

    Little Gabriel woke up feeling as he fell from somewhere. Hedrew many deep breaths as his soul filled in his vessel with cold impulses, trying to piece together the event he just witness. His small bodywas on the floor surrounded by his own sketches. ¡°Just a dream..?¡± he said softly almost disappointed. Gabriel stood on his feet to gather the scattered pages from the floor and hid them in his night stand drawer.

    Inside that drawer was a book written by his father. They were an assortment of short stories and epic tales his father wrote when he had free time and he would read them to Gabriel to teach him a moral lesson. His personal favorite is about King Amesthyn, inspired by Gabriel himself. A king that lived in the kingdom made of cold quartz. His second favorite would have to be the Gospel of the God of Song, a tale of a god that fell in love with a princess. A romantic epic he grew rather fond of.

    Gabriel knew keeping the book would hurt his mother, it still hurts his small heart knowing his father left them. He wished to go find him, but he had a duty as a boy, as a man to stand by his mother. Not that she needed his presence, she is tough as dragon¡¯s hide and resilient as water. He hid the book underneath his drawings from his mother¡¯s eyes and went down stairs to help his mother in anyway he could.

 01:The Hierophant

    The Lost Scholar

    CHAPTER: 01

    THE HIEROPHANT

    <hr>

    ¡°Gabriel! We''re late for church! Wake up!¡± The sleeping child heard from down the stairs. He rose in search of his glasses before he dressed in his best vestments. Gabriel rubbed the crag from his dark blue eyes, smudging his glasses as he did so. After cleaning them with a clean rag, he found a crow standing on his head post. Never understanding how long it stood there, but he was sure the window was securely locked. He glanced over to verify ¡°How did you get in here¡­?¡± The small boy walked over to it, expecting it to fly off around the room or to bite him, but the bird allowed him to carry him to the window to set it free. However, it stood on the windowsill admiring the view. ¡°What? I can''t keep you--¡±

    ¡°Gabriel! Hurry up!¡± his mother yelled again. He panicked and grabbed his bible from his nightstand drawer and ran downstairs. ¡°Where have you been? We¡¯re late.¡± She dragged him out into the cold.

    Mother and child walked down the street till the centerpiece in front of his church made the boy¡¯s blood run cold. A little girl hung from the gallows. She had curly hair and pale skin. He could tell she was crying till the end, she had frozen trails under her gouged eyes where the crows feasted on.

    ¡°This happens to children that misbehave.¡± His mother spoke in a cruel tone. ¡°For mocking the Lord with profanities as welcoming the devil to her home. Never fall into the devil''s temptation, Gabriel.¡±

    Gabriel walked in the church sitting in the center section, unable to shake the horrible image from his mind. The night before he encountered a girl who looked very similar, ¡°did I see her...?¡± he whispered to himself.

    The sermon began, as the priest stood by the altar and spoke: ¡°Good morning children of God. Let us open our bibles to Deuteronomy 18:9¨C9.¡± Gabriel and everyone did so, he placed his bookmark over the page to study it later.

    ¡°When you come into the land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominable practices of those nations. There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord. And because of these abominations the Lord your God is driving them out before you. You shall be blameless before the Lord your God, for these nations, which you are about to dispossess, listen to fortune-tellers and to diviners. But as for you, the Lord your God has not allowed you to do this.¡±

    Gabriel was confused. Yes, fortune-tellers and prophets are different but they are similar in his mind.

    ¡°My children. Our land has been forsaken by the filth of the devil. It will try to place a foothold in the land our Lord gifted us. Witches, wizards, fortune tellers, devil worshipers; they are all here. But fear not my children for to our Lord there is no such thing, he will rise and destroy the evil which Satan has scattered through our holy land and defiled it with its unholy power! No longer shall they sacrifice us to the devil! No more shall we let them do as they please! They are an abomination! When our lord created us and brought us to this land he told us never to tangle into the web of lies of Satan. He will disown us and his wrath will be a reminder of what sort of filth we rolled over! We shall remove any abomination from his land, we shall sanctify every soil for they have used it for their rituals and sacrifices. Children have been born into monstrosities because of this horrific reality! Witches married to the devil, conceiving the devil''s children! Men are being deceived by witches to steal their souls and humanity!¡±

    Gabriel felt a little sick to his stomach. He was unsure why they are evil. ¡°What have they done to us?¡±he wondered. Children don''t take the form of evil just because.The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

    ¡°Children let us pray¡­.¡± Everyone kneeled, except for Gabriel who was daze staring at the crucifiction display.

    ¡°Our Father,

    Who art in heaven,

    hallowed be Thy name;

    Thy kingdom come;

    Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

    Give us this day our daily bread;

    and forgive us our trespasses

    as we forgive those who trespass against us;

    and lead us not into temptation,

    but deliver us from evil. Amen.¡±

    They all stood after they crossed themselves. Gabriel didn¡¯t do it. His young body tensed and he felt a shooting pain up his spine, he whined and fell on his knees.

    ¡°Let us begin the last supper,¡± said the priest as prepared the wine and the piece of bread, symbols of the body and blood of Christ. Gabriel wondered why was it forbidden to drink the blood of other humans but it was all right to drink the blood of Christ, or to even consume his own body.¡°Would that count as cannibalism?¡±Gabriel thought. His mother pulled him to make the line to accept the supper. He was nervous, he didn''t want to accept it because he was the devil''s child.

    It was becoming his turn. He would look around at the christian decor, the stained glass windows.

    of saints portraying mercy and faith. He then looked up above the cross where Jesus was crucified; his own creation mutilated him following his own rules. He trembled at the thought.

    His mother pushed him to the ground, he kneeled to the priest. He held a chalice for Gabriel to sip from, he closed his eyes and took a small gulp of the bitter liquid. It always tasted horrible to him. He then took a bite of the stale bread, the taste help wash away some trace of the vile liquid from his tongue.

    Little Gabriel stood up and walked back to the bench with his mother after she partook of the supper. His stomach churned with the contents. The child took deep breaths and willed away the urge to purge his stomach. The tiny Amesthyn was thankful that the sermon was almost over and that once it did he could take refuge in the comfort of his room, far away from the ghastly society he lived amok.

 02: The Wheel of Fortune

    The Lost Scholar

    CHAPTER: 02

    THEWHEEL OF FORTUNE

    <hr>

    Gabriel stood outside of his church while his mother spoke with the priest and other members of the community. To his surprise, almost everyone was normal after such a gruesome event. They probably were used to that by then, however, no sane person could tolerate such a level of dehumanization. Like it or not, this wasn''t right and paranoia was just adding salt to the injury. Humans have no right to kill, unless it is the ¡®devil''s seed'' they must destroy any traces.

    The humiliation after death was the most savory of the execution. it felt like a scare tactic, a reminder of what will happen if you ever cross the line with God. ¡°Wasn''t God merciful?¡± Gabriel asked softly.

    He stared at the girl hanging in the gallows. He would gladly take her out of that situation and dig a proper grave for her or anyone who has been through this morbid situation. He realized it would be awhile till they take her down, at least till she rots and the sight or the smell is too much to tolerate. He will have to stalk the body carriage every night till he goes to pick her up. She wasn''t one of the first to die under such wild accusations. He can''t really imagine someone like her to be evil, her heart had none space for it no child had, mischievous acts perhaps, but he can''t think of her as accepting the devil. If he is truly as frightening as they depict him to be then Gabriel had no problem running from him.

    He never knew this girl. But he can be sure she would have been playing with dolls or playing with her friend unless she was like him and had none. Maybe she was questioning too much about what she believed in. Now he thought of it he never seen her in town at all. ¡°Was she a hermit?¡±Gabriel wondered.

    He needed to investigate. He didn''t really know why, maybe to calm his nerves. ¡°Mother,¡± he spoke and turned to her, tugging at her black skirt. ¡°Who was that girl? The one that''s...¡±

    ¡°Amelia the lost child, as they dubbed her. She lived down the road of the plaza. Her family owns an inn. Don''t you remember her, she used to come to our clinic for treatment?¡±

    ¡°I honestly never seen her before,¡± he answered honestly.

    ¡°Well, you work the entire day with me in, I suppose you don''t really have time to act like a child. Have the day to yourself,¡± his mother smiled. She may be strict about her job and her believes but she was a doting mother to him and a lot of children she delivered.

    ¡°I''ll be back by supper, Mama.¡± He gave her a big hug and ran out into the snow to find the inn his mother spoke of.

    After finding it he walked in, it was full of travelers buzzing with life and cheers. Seems they were pretty used to this thing or they are ignoring the sore thumb in the middle of the plaza, like most of the locals do. No one else minded the plague of rats walking amongst them. It disgusted him.

    Gabriel noticed a man drinking by himself in the back of the room. He was sulking in his own sorrow. He wore a cloak to hide his entire physical form the only clue to who this man were his eyes, hidden behind tinted glass, unlike Gabriel¡¯s that were transparent and slightly scratched. He looked down at Gabriel and then back to his glass of what he assumed was adult juice. ¡°What is it, kid? Shouldn''t you be out playing?¡±

    ¡°Shouldn''t you not be sulking the entire morning?¡± Gabriel spat back. locking eyes with the strange drunk. He didn¡¯t look too happy Gabriel actuallysassed him. ¡°Back off, boy. I have my problems to deal with.¡± He didn''t want to be bothered, Gabriel knew this, but he continued to pester him. ¡°What happened? Is it fixable?¡±

    ¡°A child will never understand what an adult is going through, no adult understands what it''s like. I suggest you go out and play with your other friends.¡± The man stared down at his red beverage hunching over the table.

    ¡°Well, you and I have two things in common, we have a problem that''s eating away our humanityand no one has the sympathy to help, and we have no friends,¡± Gabriel reasoned and crossed his arms. He sort of enjoyed bothering a stranger for no particular reason.

    The man looked at Gabriel and squint his eyes in contemplation before he asked, ¡°what makes you assume I have none.¡±

    ¡°For one, you''re all alone, you smell terrible and you''re literally avoiding everyone that come close to you,¡± Gabriel answered and the man¡¯s eyes widen slightly. ¡°...You''re too smart for your well being¡­¡± the drunk finally answered and looked back down at his empty glass.

    ¡°Is it a bad thing¡­?¡± Gabriel felt somewhat self-conscious about his existence and annoyance. ¡°To this society it is,¡± The rough-looking man said, he lifted his arm to alert the wench he wanted another god awful drink. ¡°I can guess you get in trouble a lot.¡± The man added. The wench approached them with five small glasses with the same drinks he had.

    ¡°Not really. Usually I''m helping mother delivering babies, so I barely have time to do anything outside my home,¡± Gabriel said as he looked at the wench. Her black hair was ugly and greasy, and her face had many imperfections. She looked down and glared daggers at the child. Gabriel shrunk back.

    ¡°Hey!¡± The little boy snapped towards the stranger who sucked the glass of its liquid. ¡°I asked How Old Are You?¡±

    ¡°O-oh¡­ I¡¯m.. I¡¯m seven years old...¡± Gabriel whispered. He ducked his head till the wench left the table. ¡°I suppose you feel weird talking?¡± The child felt awkward, and he fiddled with his small fingers to give himself a task. ¡°Slightly. You are mature for your age. I feel embarrassed honestly. What''s your name, kid?¡± What an odd thing to say, normally many people didn¡¯t take Gabriel seriously. ¡°Gabriel, Gabriel Amesthyn. Son of Midwife Grizelda Amesthyn, and Johan Amesthyn.¡±

    ¡°That Gabriel, huh? Named after an archangel¡­¡± The stranger seemed lost in thought. He took a sip of his drink making a sour face. Seems to Gabriel like he''s not that good handling his liquor. ¡°Interesting.¡±

    ¡°Yes, it would seem my mother chose that name for me¡­¡±

    ¡°Do you like your name?¡±

    ¡°I¡ªyes. Do you have a name?¡± He never really thought about his own name, he didn''t think it mattered at this point.

    ¡°My name is Roy, Roy Firestorm. I gave myself my name because I hated the fact they named me after a saint. Never let them tie you down and never be afraid of them.¡± Gabriel was astonished honestly. He didn''t know others thought of this lifestyle the same way he did. But he is an adult, and he doesn''t depend on anyone but himself. Gabriel is just a child, he couldn''t survive on his own. ¡°Don''t be sad kid, never be afraid of what anyone may think of you. Now get out of my sight I am sick of looking at you.¡± Gabriel felt attacked with that last statement but he nodded. ¡°Thank you, Mr. Firestorm,¡± said Gabriel before he walked away to find the owner of this facility, the innkeeper.

    The innkeeper, was standing behind his desk sulking. Gabriel approached the desk and asked, ¡°excuse me, sir? Are you the father of Amelia?¡± It startled the man at the question and felt the need to hide,the boy could tell he was fidgeting in his chair. ¡°Are you here to tell me she is an abomination of the devil? Sorry, but I have no time to--¡±

    ¡°No, sir. I wanted to ask, who was she? I never really met her. So, I thought since we might have both been alone...¡±The man calmed down, he then looked at one wench, the same ugly woman from before. ¡°Grace.¡± She responded by almost dropping her treys. ¡°Take over for me,¡± said the innkeeper walking up the stairs, Gabriel followed.

    The man walked to the third floor; It was where the owners lived. He opened a door to a room; the room was delicate and white. The blankets, the pillow covers and the curtains were crochet with a story to tell with intricate details, one rag doll sat by her dresser next to a basket with balls of yarn, it was a room for a normal girl. The only thing standing out of the ordinary in the room was the raven gawking outside her window.

    ¡°She was a very ill girl. She couldn''t go out, he couldn''t make friends with anyone due to her frailness.¡±

    ¡°What did she have?¡±The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

    ¡°She was always sick. The cold hurt, she progressively got worse with hallucinations and headaches. She couldn''t hold her food down, the Sunlight bothered her so much. Later on, her skin bruised and broke into hives. Since she couldn''t leave her room, she made her own friends.¡± His eyes water when he told him about her.

    ¡°But, no doctor could help¡­?¡±

    ¡°Even your parents were at a loss... We left her in the hands of God only for him to take her away,¡± he sobbed he grabbed one of her dolls and held it close to his tear-stained face. This man has suffered too much for his daughter. ¡°She was a nice kid. The only thing she wanted to do that didn''t harm her was to sew. She was great at crafting and bringing her friends to life, and all the church saw was the devil possessing her and thought she was a witch. They wanted evidence, and they demanded that she produced her diary...¡±

    ¡°Where is this diary¡­?¡± Gabriel asked.

    ¡°She said she never had one to begin with. But they called her a liar, and they confused her bruising with the devils mark and took her away...¡± The father of the lost child responded.

    ¡°...So the church rushed into accusations¡­?¡± Gabriel asked in a hush. The innkeeper nodded, sobbing quietly.¡°They came in and took her out into the snow and executed her in the middle of the night.¡±

    ¡°But there''s supposed to be a trial for such accusations. Something''s not right¡­¡± Gabriel was now swimming in a sea of doubts and contradictions. The most harm she did was probably prick her finger and bleeding on her first crochet. ¡°And you said she was getting sicker¡­?¡±

    ¡°Yes, she recently turned blind. She told me this doll will help her see,¡± he said. He showed Gabriel the pretty doll, and he held her gently. The doll had beautiful pink eyes and blue curly hair. Her skin pigment was dark almost like the night sky. Her dress was elaborate, using a strange silver fabric that shifted in the light. In his opinion, if he could, he would love to give the doll a home. He looked up at the innkeeper and said, ¡°sir, did anything else happened before she died? Maybe something odd?¡± Gabriel handed the doll back.

    ¡°... Y-yes. After a few months of being stuck in her room, she had one raven as a pet. She would take care till she invited more in. The day the church came I was asleep.¡± The grieving man propped the doll on her dainty feet over the dresser.

    ¡°Ravens¡­?¡± This was getting weird. ¡°Yes.¡± The Innkeeper walked out of the girl¡¯s room, Gabriel looked around the room noting what he saw before he left.

    ¡°It''s such a shame you weren¡¯t friends, but I feel as though you would suffer if she died.¡±

    ¡°I bet she would have been my best friend in the entire world,¡± Gabriel smiled before he added. The innkeeper smiled back.The boythought perhapsthat was the only gesture of kindness he ever received.

    Gabriel, after he exhausted his questions left the inn, as he walked down the path back to his home the boyspotted the spirit of the girl of the other night.The Sun rays bended through her glass body and she emitted a rainbow aura. Gabriel''s dark and muddled eyes widened, she looked similar to those fairies from the stories his father used to read to him. He didn''t want to approach her for he didn''t want her to break and vanish.

    ¡°It''s...it''s you!¡± Gabriel whispered, thinking if he spoke too loud the spirit would run away. She turned around and floated off, Gabriel follow suit dodging every obstacle in his way. He didn''t know where she was going but he had nothing to lose if he tried to find out.

    What surprised the little Amesthyn was the fact no one else could see her, despite how much she stood out in comparison with the rest of the world around her, especially with the fact she was floating and facing through everything in her way. To Gabriel¡¯s demise he crashed with a carriage face first. The unlucky child landed on his backside groaning in pain. Little Gabriel stood up and looked for her again but she was long gone. ¡°... Where did she go¡­?¡± he asked softly.

    ¡°Are you all-right, boy?¡± Gabriel looked back, seeing a woman wearing a burgundy gown and matching hood. ¡°Y-yeah I¡¯m okay.¡± He didn¡¯t feel comfortable around her, she had a body similar to those girls who hang around the brothel. The woman had a silver smile and long, long dark silky smooth hair, signifying she took care of herself.

    ¡°What were you running away from that you thought you could face through my carriage?¡±

    ¡°I honestly forgot¡­ Maybe I hit my head too hard¡­¡± Gabriel rather keep it a secret till it deemed wise to spill his tea.

    ¡°I can see that,¡± the beautiful woman giggled. She used a handkerchief to wipe the blood off the boy¡¯s red nose. ¡°You should be more careful. You could really get hurt running around aimlessly¡­¡± She smiled and walked away.

    Gabriel Shivered. She did not feel like a normal woman. She had an air of class and luxury, adorned with gold and rubies. The child was grateful she was kind to him, he honestly was. With the stories he heard and what he witnessed, this random act of kindness was a blessing.

    The tiny Amesthyn vaguely remembers something as he searched aimlessly for the spirit, the bible says once someone dies they cease to exist. He stopped once he made that realization. If that were the case, then what did that meant for the son of god, and what of the holy spirit. Unless Gabriel was projecting her because he had a guilty soul, but he met her after death and did not know of her existence till she hung for crimes she never committed.

    Gabriel returned home thinking his mother could explain what plagued his little mind. Instead of his mother offering a hello and a warm welcome back, screams greeted him in the clinic.

    A brave woman was bringing another child into this world. Gabriel hurried into the labor room to help his mother. The girl giving birth look no less than fifteen, her voice, facial features and body type wasn''t mature like other women who come here. She had no ring on her finger, and to make matters worse, her stomach was too small for a full-term child. Gabriel was not ready to help deliver children, but he was an excellent supporter for those women that walk in alone, so, he stood beside her and brushed her hair away from her face. The little boy held her hand already used to the mighty grip.

    ¡°Helga, child, breath. Push,¡± his mother instructed, but it seems she was in distress and she couldn¡¯t hear anything around her.

    ¡°I-I can¡¯t do this..!¡± she yelled, repeating it over and over till her gross sobbing took over. ¡°Helga, you''re doing great. I can already see the baby¡¯s head.¡± His mother encouraged the girl.

    Gabriel felt something shift in the atmosphere. The boy looked beside him and a tall man wearing a glossy leathery hood stood near him. The young boy definitely never seen this man before, he could be the father of this child. ¡°Mom, who is he?¡±

    ¡°Not now, Gabriel!¡± his mother shouted, her hands were bloody and covered in fluids. The midwife looked nervous, something was definitely wrong. The soon to be a mother was hysterical but after several more pushes, her babe slid out and into Grizelda¡¯s hands.The new born''s skin was blue and its umbilical cord coiled around its neck; it was premature, tiny and thin.

    Grizelda was trying to save the child, but it was already dead by the time he finally came out.The mother was unresponsive and hemorrhaging. It''s not the first time the mother and child died during birth. This kind of work is difficult, and he admires every single woman who goes through this process. She had seen it all in this labor room, she even induced abortions for the safety of the woman''s life and for that, her glass heart developed a protective shell of steel.

    Startled by the man''s sudden disappearance, Gabriel pleaded to his mother. ¡°Mom¡­¡±

    ¡°Go to your room Gabriel¡­¡±

    ¡°M-mom I¡­ There was a man here¡­¡±

    ¡°Gabriel, go to your room. A child shouldn''t even see this atrocity¡­¡± Grizelda mourned quietly. She felt at fault she couldn¡¯t at least save one. Knowing well enough there were no room for arguments, the child retreated to his room.

    "Father, where art thou¡­?" Gabriel asked softly as he opened the door to his room. He gasped as ravens plagued his small room. "ow..? How did you all get in?"They were just there, doing nothing but croaking. He didn''t know how to get them out without them pecking him to death.

    The little Amesthyn made brave steps inside his room. All were observing him as if they were happy he returned home. ¡°A-are you going to leave soon¡­?¡± he asked. Probably they understood him. ¡°I... I can¡¯t feed you... I don¡¯t¡­¡± He trembled, the whole day was nothing but strange. There was too much on his mind to grasp. He didn''t want to bother his mother, his father wasn''t around to help him, and he couldn''t do anything by himself. Ravens are normally harmless but this was already an abnormality.

    There was a single raven poaching an egg in a nest made of ripped book pages in the middle of the room. She was rather larger by comparison. She looked at Gabriel and he stared back, gulping down his fear. She croaked, the other birds croaked as well and flew around the tiny room surrounding Gabriel. He jolted to the door, but the door closed with a loud slam. He ran to the window and tried to pry it open.

    The frightened soul whined and grabbed anything heavy to break the window and jump out. It scared Gabriel out if his mind; he was crying and frantically trying to escape his room and failing. The murder pinned the small boy onto the ground. One by one, each pecked at his clothes till he was nude. Gabriel was fighting them off his small hands. ¡°Please¡­! Stop! Mom!! Mom!!¡± he shouted for his mother. His throat breaking with each piercing shriek. They pecked at his skin,;ripping off the flimsy flesh. the pain was and will be the strongest he ever felt. They pecked his nose; he overwhelming scent of carrion was present in their beaks. They pecked at his ears, Gabriel could hear every single detail enhanced into an ear-splitting tone. They pecked at his eyes, finally loosing sight of everything. Gabriel continued to scream. This is his punishment for ever doubting God. He knew this, he accepted his demise and prepared for the nine gates journey in hell through a fiery pit.

 03: The Hermit

    The Lost Scholar

    CHAPTER: 03

    THEHERMIT

    <hr>

    Gabriel''s eyes opened, observing the endless void. ¡°This¡­ this is hell¡­?¡± he whispered to himself. ¡°Where is the fire? Where is the devil? Where is the souls of the damned?¡±

    ¡°You are not in hell, you are in space," a voice said from behind him. Gabriel looked back and saw a girl with wings covering his face and a raven rested on her shoulder. Her hair was wild and colored with rainbow hues. ¡°You¡¯re almost reaching the void. Never go into the void, you may never come back,¡± she spoke softly

    ¡°W-what¡­?¡± Gabriel was confused. He knew he died, well, he thinks he died and left the earth and burn in hell. ¡°What''s going on? Why are you here? Why am I here?¡±

    The girl smiled. ¡°I''m here to guide you¡­¡± she said, and turnover and walked.

    ¡°Guide me? Where?¡± Gabriel followed her. ¡°You''ll see¡­¡± she said. Gabriel glancing the stars above and below him. He understood nothing, nothing made any sense. ¡°This is purgatory isn''t¡­? Are we in limbo¡­?¡± he asked the girl. ¡°No, we are outside of Earth¡­¡± she answered. They kept walking and Gabriel could see faint dots at the distance, the black tones were softening to red fumes, blue mist, purple haze, green moss and yellow glasses. The twinkling lights were plentiful, almost like a starry night in a clear sky. There were clouds in different sections and distances.

    They walked through the fabric of space. They could see shooting stars, meteors, unfamiliar planets, things that Galileo, Aristarco, or Copernicus ever dreamed to see this close. He wondered how far his Earth and could he reach it by walking at this speed. Remarkably, he didn''t imagine that the universe was this vast or beautiful. The bible makes it all look insignificantly little. Venturing through the star road, they reached a strange place. The floor was duo-tone chess tiles and glossy see-through glass; the galaxy serving as a pattern layer for the black sections and broken glass mirrors with matte translucent designs as if they were diamonds cut into a flat shape for the opposite tiles. There were also black feathers scattered around, along with pages and books laying on the ground in an organized mess. If this was the heaven, then the bible missed a few details, or it translated incorrectly.

    Gabriel bended down and picked up one book. The title was hard to read; the letters were in a golden print, the book cover was some hard material and metallic. Inspecting the inside he noticed how the whole book is held in place, three metal rings were tying the pages together. The pages filled from top to bottom with notes, drawings, symbols and other things he wasn''t sure about. They swiped the book from his hands. Startled, he looked up and saw it; Tall man, covered in feathers and hollowed dark eyes.

    ¡°Ah! I can see you like the fairy tale literature! But I don''t think you will understand Kiarmehc soon,¡± it said, but his lips didn''t move, it was stuck in a creepy sharp smile. ¡°I¡¯m¡­. I¡¯m sorry¡­ I...¡± Gabriel stammered and stared at him. ¡°This cannot be real.¡±

    ¡°No need to be sorry, child!¡± It laughed, and it was picking up the mess of books, placing them in the right shelf. Most of the shelves were empty, row after row. ¡°I forgot I invited you over to visit again, and I forgot to tidy up! Honestly, I am so silly!¡±

    For what Gabriel could tell it, whatever it was, it was a male humanoid. It''s voice, wherever it was coming from, was deep like a man. Feathers covered his long legs layer after layer. He had a long tail, too, but the feathers arecurved and longer. His arms also had feathers but more subtle. He had wings on his head and they were shorter; he doubts they could provide flight with the impractical size and shape. He had runes going down his torso, along with black gems impregnated in his skin. He was a sight to see and charismatic, judging by how smooth his tone is. He walked closer to him, bending forward invading his personal space, he spoke ¡°Welcome home, child. I am the um¡ª umm¡­¡± His expression changed, worried and confused. ¡°Ah yes, Crow, my name is Crow!¡± he shouted and placed his long wrinkly and pearly looking fingers on Gabriel¡¯s shoulders. ¡°I''ve been waiting for you to come over. You had a few questions you wanted answers to, did you not? Ask away and if I can''t answer you, we can read a book and find out together!¡± Crow backed away and went back to the shelves with an arm full of books to put his collection away.

    This was all rather strange. He did not understand if this was the real thing or not but it was rather real. He was questioning the entire day away, and he is still drowning in a sea of doubt.

    ¡°Um, well¡­ There is so much to ask. I guess¡­ Is there a god?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡± That answer was too simple or too vague.

    ¡°... A-All right then where is he¡­?¡±

    ¡°Who?¡± Crow asked while changing things around in an altar.

    ¡°God¡­ Angels¡­ Souls¡­ Heaven¡­?¡±

    ¡°I beg your pardon?¡±

    ¡°You''re not God¡­ you know Jehovah¡­ God of creation¡­?¡±

    ¡°Oh! You must mean¡­ Yeah he goes by multiple names, Jehovah. YHVH¡­¡± he said in a serious tone. ¡°No. I am not him. The heaven he speaks of is off limits to the likes of us.¡±

    ¡°W-what? W-why?¡± Gabriel shook at the horrible thought. ¡°Is it because I am impure? I can fix that!¡±

    ¡°Because children with minds like yours are special,¡± Crow said, holding a book with bright pink ink on an old worn out leather. ¡°Always open, always wondering, and always happy. He never liked it.¡±

    ¡°Why?¡±

    ¡°... I have absolutely no idea,¡± it laughed. It terrified Gabriel, whatever this monster was it was bursting a bubble too early for his liking. The boy wanted to go home, to wake up in his bed. The child shut his eyes tight as he could and if he concentrated hard he will wake up. He always woke up when the dream was out of control. He needed to wake up. He needed the warmth of his mother.

    When he opened his eyes, Crow stood closely with concern in his expression. ¡°Child¡­?¡± He reached out his long fingers to rub the tears off his cheeks.

    Gabriel never realized he was crying. He fell to the ground covering his eyes. ¡°I want to go home¡­¡± he said over and over like a mantra. ¡°Father thou in heaven¡­¡± he started a prayer, maybe if he prayed God will come. ¡°Please, forgive me for I have sinned. I am a bad child. I result from the original sin¡­ Please, take me back home¡­¡± he sobbed uncontrollably.

    Crow and the girl didn''t know why or what to do. The girl held Gabriel to comfort him.

    ¡°¡®From the outskirts of an unknown sector of the edge of the universe, in an empty library cluttered in black feathers lit by the stars surrounding in the vicinity, a child was praying for an almighty deity to take him home¡­¡¯¡± Gabriel heard Crow narrate.

    ¡°¡®The child was lonely, scared and betrayed. They told him lies since birth even if he knew deep down in his fragile soul that the lies were a clever illusion.¡¯¡± Gabriel looked up wiping his tears and his runny nose with the back of his hands. Crow was writing in a brown leather book with a peculiar quill.

    ¡°¡®The creature with a shattered mind stared at this poor unfortunate soul, wondering how he could mend his broken heart. When suddenly...¡± Crow stopped and looked up, a smile spread on his odd face. Gabriel looked up to see, but all he could see was bright twinkling stars. Till one tiny twinkle landed on his cheek. It was cold. It was snowing stardust. Gabriel forgot why he was in distress and soon the library covered in sparkling dust, himself.

    ¡®Stardust, essence of a fading sun, mimics the splendor of frozen particles similar to earth''s own snowflake. The magical dust surrounded the room. Cold to the touch, and warm afterwards depicts the fading life of a somewhat eternally radiating ball of flame, orbiting the gravity defying stellar road. With this picture before him of a facade winter wonderland, the child shed no more tears and was trembling, not with fear, not by the cold, but with excitement and wonder.¡¯¡±

    A purple robe draped over Gabriel¡¯s shoulders. The robe was fluffy and luxurious, and way too big for him. ¡°I am sorry for bursting your bubble, Gabriel. But I thought you wanted to know the truth.¡±

    Gabriel learned that the truth was the hardest thing to accept. Perhaps fabricating an answer to solve the problems before could ease the soul, for a while. ¡°You said I could ask you anything, correct¡­?¡± Gabriel asked to make sure.

    ¡°I won¡¯t judge you.¡± He smiled brightly.This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    ¡°What happened¡­? Why am I here?¡±

    ¡°How do I start¡­?¡± He took Grabriels hand and walked to a shelf picking out from the little collection he had. ¡°You see¡­¡± he plucked a book from the shelf and walked over to some chairs made of plush red velvet cushions and black gold. Crow sat on one and placed the book on his lap. Gabriel sat on the ground using the snow as a fluffy carpet. Crow opened the book and narrated.

    ¡°¡®... A human has more sensory receptors than any other animal. although not as heightened like most animals that depend on one receptor to survive, a human uses a receptor as pleasure. Humans are very interesting, the perfect creation. They have powers similar to ours, but smaller souls¡­¡¯¡± Crow narrated. ¡°Isn''t that interesting little one?¡± he asked Gabriel.

    ¡°Yeah¡­ but... what does that have to do with what I asked¡­?¡±

    ¡°Allow me to answer properly,¡± he said before he continued narrating, ¡°¡® ... in the green province, a demon lived by himself where none would venture. He lived in his own little world surrounded by little creatures that could fly. He learned the secret of what keeps them alive, what animated them, the soul. The soul was an essence of a god, a fragment if you will. He wondered, if everything was a fragment of a god, that would mean that a god itself had the power to move time. He went on a search to find more evidence of this theory and so he found a human, a king. He was bright, cunning, smart, similar to the demon when he thought of it. A hood made of a wise howl''s head draped over his body and held a sword made of glass metal.

    ¡®What are you?¡¯ he couldn¡¯t help but ask,

    ¡®I am Andras,¡¯ he answered, ¡®are you not afraid of me?¡¯ the demon asked.

    ¡®I have no reason to fear a human.¡¯ The demon taken aback with his response and from there on, they became good friends.¡¯¡±

    Gabriel was deep in the story, he was waiting for the suspense to die with the next lines. ¡°A-and what¡­?¡± he urged Crow to finish.

    Crow showed him the book, and it had many ripped pages. ¡°It¡­ sadly ends here¡­ But you see¡­¡± the child took the book and she carried it back to the shelf.

    ¡°Humans are a remarkable species. They are constantly changing and evolving, questioning and living the life beyond, till they took that freedom from them. I took the liberty to help you break away from your shell. You need to see the world for what it is, and it''s in your right, it''s in your blood.¡±

    ¡°So, to see the world differently¡­ what must I do¡­?¡±

    ¡°The first step is done. I took away your barrier. You will see things differently each time. But this lifestyle is dangerous, I can bathe you in mud if you ever so wish to be blind once again. Will you accept this life of learning and finding the truth?¡± Crow asked.

    ¡°What... what are the consequences¡­?¡±

    ¡°Well, you must live your life as a secret. No one is ready to understand us. People will ridicule and you will be treated differently. You can only tell those who you trust with your own life. And most important of all, be humble with your gift of sight, or it will eat you alive.¡±

    Gabriel thought it made sense, somewhat. He nodded and stood up. ¡°I¡­ Gabriel, swear to find the whole truth and nothing but the truth. I humbly take this gift with pride into my heart and swear partnership and loyalty to you, whom had opened my eyes and heart¡­ I thank thee¡­¡± Gabriel spoke with honesty. He had a lot to learn and Crow was letting him learn at his own pace.

    ¡°Oh little one,¡± he chuckled and his, what he assumes, cheeks flushed a dark shade of red, ¡°my heart swells with joy and pride. You show such respect towards an old bird like myself. Your mind is quiteopen for your age.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re scary and weird¡­¡± Crow¡¯s face faltered. ¡°But¡­! you''re not evil weird! I¡­ wondered how do you know so much about me¡­?¡±

    ¡°Oh! W-well¡­ That''s¡­ that''s a superb question¡­¡± Crow scratched the back of his head and it disturbed Gabriel. ¡°RIGHT,¡± Crow suddenly shouted. ¡°You would visit my room when you were a baby a few times actually, but this is the second time we interacted. Sometimes you would walk the galaxy till your soul soared back. Sometimes you would soar too far and I have to take you back. Since you were very curious, I left some of my children to watch over you.¡±

    ¡°I-... I have no memory of this, and this is the second time we interacted¡­?¡±

    ¡°Yes! You visit me one day when you were an infant. You yanked out one of my feathers and crawled away. You were so adorable!¡± He grinned. It was unnerving, and cute. It¡¯s like if he was a senile old man with the heart of a child.

    ¡°Can I ask you one last thing¡­? I feel as if I only bombarded you with questions as soon as I got here¡­¡±

    ¡°Nonsense! The best philosophers questioned themselves. Go ahead.¡± His enthusiasm was indeedsomething.

    ¡°Where is my father¡­?¡± the room went silent. Maybe he shouldn''t be thinking about something useless.

    ¡°Once you reach your vessel, I will aid you in every way to find him¡± Crow smiled brightly as he answered. ¡°I think it''s time you went back home. Come visit me when you need advise.¡± Crow ruffled his hair and stood up and guided him through the darkness. As he walked, he felt his body fall. And in an instant his eyes snapped open, staring at the ceiling of his room. He felt tired and heavy when he attempted to sit up his bed.

    The door to his room opened, his mother and a woman in black walked in. The midwife froze, dropping a tray of soup, he believed. She looks like she has seen a ghost, her hair was a mess, and her face sagged lower than needed. In an instant she was holding him close to her bosom. ¡°Gabriel¡­! My sweet Gabriel¡­!¡± she sobbed. ¡°I am so happy you finally woke up!¡±

    ¡°I... I justcollapsed for a nap mother¡­¡± Gabriel reasoned with his hysterical mother.

    ¡°No.¡± Grizelda shook her head and held him closer. ¡°You were asleep for twenty-seven days¡­ I thought you were¡­¡± she cried harder. Mostly out of relief.

    ¡°Twenty-seven¡­?¡± The child, flabbergasted at the revelation, remembered what Crow said and what everything felt like. It felt more as if he had a disorder, like the read a story book jumping back and forth to different pages.

    The child pushed his mother away and stood up in front of his mirror, eyes widening. Gabriel saw none injuries from the incident or any similar marks. He also noticed something weird in his eyes, they were no longer dark blue like the skies in winter nights, now they had taken the hues of a lilac in a spring morning. The smaller Amesthyn also saw something different: a bright outline, green mixed with pink and gold and a thin black, a faint outline that blended with the rest. ¡°This must be what crow meant¡­¡± Gabriel breathed quietly.

    ¡°... Gabriel.¡± His head snapped to his mother that stood idle beside him. ¡°How are you feeling?¡±

    ¡°I am very jittery,¡± the little Amesthyn said. However, he felt strange, something dark and scary. When the boy looked to his opposite side if it weren''t for the fact something attached his jaw to his skull it would be on the floor. The lady in black, she had no outline around her but he could feel that some black essence was seeping through under her dress.Her face was different. She had her normal face, but it feels like her face was out of order. Her eyes were red as blood and her hair was like a black as coal. She smiled. ¡°I can see you don¡¯t remember me¡­ My name is Lillian Nightshade. You ran over my carriage the other day,¡± she chuckled.

    Gabriel held his mother''s dress and stood behind her as her toxic scent overwhelmed his sensitive nostrils.¡°Gabriel, don¡¯t be rude to the Duchess,¡± his mother said. ¡°She funded the maternity ward, and she''s training more people so I can help more women in our town.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s all right. Lil Gabriel has a good sense of defence. We should leave him resting, we have others who need to train.¡± She smiled at Gabriel. The little boy didn¡¯t like it and covered his face with his mother''s skirt ¡°G-go away¡­!¡±

    ¡°I¡­ I am so sorry he rarely acts this way¡­¡± Midwife Grizelda apologized to Dutchess Lilian. ¡°He must be delusional, Let''s let him rest¡­¡± She subdued Gabriel and placed a kiss on the top of his head. ¡°I¡¯ll be downstairs if you need me¡­ Are you hungry? I can get you more soup.¡±

    Gabriel shook his head. ¡°I want her out¡­¡± He refused to expose his face to her. The Duchess spoke, he could hear her further away. ¡°I¡¯ll be going¡­ See you another day Gabriel,¡± she chuckled. The clack of her expensive heels against the dull worn out flooring grew distant. He took a peek to make sure she were missing.

    ¡°Gabriel, why are you so hostile with her¡­?¡± his mother asked. ¡°She was very concerned about you¡­¡±

    ¡°She¡­ I don¡¯t like her¡­ she smells...¡± He cringed at the memory. ¡°A-and¡­¡± how could he explain to his catholic mother about the things he saw was the question on his mind. There was no way to ask if not for the fact he could well end up like the many witches hung from the gallows.

    Grizelda sighed. ¡°Sleep, Gabriel. I¡¯ll be back to check on you¡­ now and then¡­¡± She helps him on his bed and quickly picked up the mess she made when she dropped the tray earlier. ¡°I¡¯ll bring you more soup¡­ in case you get hungry later¡­¡± She stood by the door frame and was hesitant for some odd reason. ¡°I love you, Gabriel.¡± she smiled, she was happy her hostile child was awake.

    ¡°I love you, too, mommy.¡± Gabriel replied and smiled.

    After sometime she was downstairs. He could hear the commotion. Screaming of multiple women squeezing lives out of their uterus. Seems like things haven''t changed since a few days ago. He was overjoyed to be back in the comfort of his home. In the night, after his mother rests, he will search for him.

 04: The High Preistess

    The Lost Scholar

    CHAPTER: 04

    THE HIGH PREISTESS

    <hr>

    The moon shined through the window, judging by how bright it was it was probably past Gabriel''s bedtime, and probably a full moon. He woke up a few minutes ago and he couldn''t go back to sleep he was now alone with his thoughts. He had the weirdest dream sets. First, he would visit surreal realms, then he sees colors as outlines surrounding a living creature and monsters where there shouldn''t be. ¡°Wait... was it a dream? No. It was real, was it?¡± The smaller Amesthyn remembers the rather strange encounter with Crow and with the angel that guided him. He wondered where exactly in the heavens they were. Probably if he charted stars, he could figure it out.

    ¡°How do you chart stars¡­?¡± he whispered feeling rather silly unable to know how those pirates and sailors connect every single dot in the sky to find their way home. Even if he charted every single star Gabriel doesn''t remember what stars were in the vicinity when he was in that floating library in the middle of a black wasteland. Thinking about it now it seems very unlikely to even imagine a place like that would exist even if he witnessed it first-hand. They told Gabriel never to speak of it to anyone unless he trusts them. The little one was dying to talk about it, he doesn''t have friends other than himself and his mother.

    It''s rather interesting to see a bunch of colors being emitted by a person. Gabriel stood on his little feet and walked to his mirror. Blue, pink, purple, and green were his outlines, different from last time which were gold, purple and black. ¡°What would they mean?¡±

    Gabriel grabbed his glasses and snuck out of his home into the cold winter night. There is something he needed to look for, what it is is still a mystery to him.

    ¡°Bliss¡­¡± This time at night was the coldest and the quietest. He loved this, he took deep breaths feeling his body chill, feeling the frigid ground freeze the blood circulation of his feet. He could sleep outside if not for the fact he could freeze to death. The human body can die from pretty much anything. The human skin is flimsy when he thought about it.

    He wondered around the town and he noticed that the gallows were empty.

    The little boy glanced that the house where the mayor lived in was lively, could be a party of some sort. The mayor was a very wealthy man who on most occasions brought women, or virgins, to his manor and throw a feast and flamboyant festivities. ¡°Oh, someone is coming out of the manor¡­¡± Gabriel hid behind the old well and observed a woman with blond hair wrapped around her head and adorned with crystal pins. She took in the light breeze of the winter cold night. She wrapped a golden drape around her to protect her skin from the rather hostile touch of Jack Frost. Maybe she could feel Gabriel¡¯s intense stare, because she spotted him right away, then again, he stood out like a sore thumb in an empty plaza. She smiled at him, ¡°isn''t pass your bedtime, little one?¡± she asked.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t dangerous for a woman to venture the night by herself¡­?¡± he answered her rather hostile. She laughed and approached him.

    ¡°I could say children are more vulnerable to danger, they are curious and free spirited. Your mouth is full of spikes, too.¡±

    ¡°And your mouth is fruitless crop field¡­¡± A little too savage for his taste, but he never was comfortable around rococo women. She laughed again. ¡°Oh dear you are a funny little boy. Would you accompany me for a walk? As you say, women are vulnerable to the outside world.¡± She held her arm out for Gabriel. She was too na?ve for her own good but Gabriel can¡¯t deny a request from a woman, his mother taught him better.

    Gabriel walked with her through the town. She seems to be a nice woman, gentle and articulated with her words. She must be from a wealthy family, perhaps she''s a duchess. ¡°The winter is such a beautiful time of the year, isn''t?¡± she looked down at Gabriel.

    ¡°It¡¯s my favorite season. The nights are longer and it¡¯s poetic,¡± the small child answered with a fond smile on his face.

    ¡°Why do you say so?¡± she queries.

    ¡°Men portrays winter as an end of a cycle. In this season, everything withers and dies and animals leave for warmer climates. Perhaps they don¡¯t have time to adapt like we humans do,¡± he drifted off into the topic. He never really wondered why he liked it so much but apparently something deep inside him was ready to confess.

    ¡°You think like a witch,¡± she chuckled.

    ¡°I ¡ª ... don''t think I am one, if that''s what you think.¡± Gabriel hesitated for a moment. He was sure he wasn¡¯t a witch because he doesn''t practice the occult. But he probably is the son of the devil considering he has doubts in the cult the town practices.

    ¡°Witches loves nature, they admire it, and think about what is happening around them instead of selfish thoughts.¡± She answered. The way she words it made it sound as if the actual bad guys are the men of God.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

    ¡°Do you have a favorite season?¡± Gabriel wondered out loud. A lot of things can be said about a person by the season they choose. Maybe he was queer.

    "My favorite season is the spring; the lights, the colors, everything vibrant. I enjoy all the seasons year-round, but I love spring the most. You seem attached to death," she giggled. "But that is all right. It is all about perspective¡­" She looked up and held her hand to the sky letting a raven land on it. She pets it and let it rest on her shoulder. "What is your name¡­?" Gabriel asked, he didn¡¯t know who this woman was, and she was too friendly with him.

    ¡°My name is Lady Lauriel Matilda Louwing, but you can just call me Lauriel¡­¡± she smiled.

    ¡°My name is Gabriel Amesthyn.¡±

    "I know who you are, I heard so much about GrizeldaAmesthynand her remarkable work," she spoke with gentle words, straight from the heart. She was a gentle soul trapped in a world where she forced to live under a rule, women are nothing but good looks to pass onto future generations. They walked around the Dead Wood Forest. The forest had a strange phenomenon. Perhaps because of how cold the area is, they stand tall and hollow. Supposedly, witches hide inside those trees, rather strange to think. He noticed that this area smell vile and the trees look darker with the strange outline ¡ª "Have you ever wondered what is beyond this town?" the young duchess asked, breaking him from his chain of irrational thoughts.

    ¡°I have. I assume there are more towns and unexplored corners.¡± He replied. The little one was not sure what was beyond his hometown but he knows there are other towns and villages with different lifestyles. ¡°Do you plan on leaving your hometown¡­?¡± Matilda asked in a whisper.

    ¡°I guess I will at some point. I have to see what my mother thinks of this. I usually help my mother work I wouldn¡¯t want to leave her alone with all that stress.¡± He said with honesty in his tone.

    ¡°Does she obligate you do that¡­?¡±

    ¡°No. She teaches me in case she is not around. Apparently mama tells me I am a natural. I hope I am more experienced by then. Life is unappreciated and handled in the wrong hands.¡± He feels that she is crossing a personal border. He really can''t grasp what was the feeling pooling his tight guts. The colors Matilda wore were the complete opposite of what she projected: black, gray, and green.

    ¡°It is so strange to see a child love something so insignificant¡­ You are such a lovely soul, full of life and love. Why can¡¯t I be like you, Gabriel¡­?¡± She said with a warm smile.

    ¡°I-... I guess you¡¯re not meant to be like me¡­ or else you would be my twin brother,¡± he said to lighten the mood. He grew uncomfortable by the tone of her voice.

    ¡°Such a lovely soul, I wish I could have your soul¡­¡± Matilda said in a softer tone. Gabrielcontemplated on leaving her there. ¡°Miss Lauriel, I think it¡¯s time we went home.¡± The child said with a stern tone. He needed to intimidate her to get her to stop. Her outline was shifting to a dark blue, almost black. ¡°Give me your soul, Gabriel¡­¡± she repeated, grabbing his shoulders and pinning him against a tree. ¡°I want your soul¡­¡±

    ¡°This isn¡¯t funny! Let me go!¡± he demanded and squirmed. She was too strong and dug her pink enameled nails into his skin. ¡°Stop! Somebody, help me!!¡± he shouted. To his horror, from the trees crawling slowly from the cracks and shadows, creatures shaped like human took form and walked towards him; Demons.

    He would not give in his soul; he wasn''t going down without a good fight. ¡°Let me go, you witch!¡± he kicked at her and anything he could reach, but they lost her in a euphoric state. ¡°Your soul will be mine¡­¡± A creature shoved an arm into Gabriel¡¯s chest, he whined and screamed, the intense pain was constant and dreadful. His body throb uncontrollably, like a rush of a cold breeze through his frail frame. ¡°Soon you will be a husk and work for me while I use your soul to give me power¡­¡± she said in a gentle, happy tone.

    ¡°No, you won¡¯t! STOP!¡± Gabriel shouted, his entire body tingle with a sharp, burning pain. The creatures and Lady Lauriel shuffled back. Lauriel held her hands that were bleeding profusely her blood was thick and dark and it smell like a rotten fetus. She stood in awe as the boy stood on his own feet. Gabriel wasn¡¯t sure if she had cold feet or that something helped him.

    ¡°What just happened?? Was she a witch or was she a demon?? Where was he going to go? What am I going to do?? I needed to run, but from... what? What was that?¡± He never wanted to scream so loud in his life, however, something was doing it for him. It was of pain and agony and they was dangerously close behind. Gabriel was afraid to look because he needed to focus on the road ahead. But like the nosy little boy he was, he dared to look to find nothing there. He stopped running to catch his breath.

    The child sighed, nothing scared him more than tension, and the possibility of something going to surprise him.

    Gabriel noted a house or a carriage without its horse or driver. It wasabandoned, therefor, he can hide in there. As he ran, he tripped due to exhaustion after running for possibly ten minutes. He needed to keep running, he can¡¯t stop. He took a deep breath and continued to run to his bacon of hope.

    He made it to the carriage door, but someone locked it with a padlock with ¡ª¡°... no key hole?¡±

    There it goes again, the bellowing sounds. ¡°Oh, no¡­¡± He looked back, there they were, running towards Gabriel throwing their grotesque arms at him. ¡°N-no!! NOOO!¡± Gabriel slid down against the carriage and held his arms out to protect himself even if they hurt like thousands of spikes going through his skin like a dull knife and burned like an eternal sun in a summer midday. He waited and waited, preparing himself for the worst sensation in his life¡­. but it never came. The only thing he felt was heat, and it soaked his nighties. The boy opened his eyes, and the snow melted into mud in a wide radius.

    Something strange happened; ambers rain from the sky, almost similar to the twinkle in the library of Crow.

 05: The Magician

    The Lost Scholar

    CHAPTER: 05

    THEMAGICIAN

    <hr>

    ¡°Hey, are you all right?¡± A voice, thick and sweet like marmalade, broke through Gabriel''s trance.The small boy wasn''t sure what he was looking at, but the man was huge. His savior was holding a sword over his shoulder, like a knight who protects the royal blood with every inch of muscle he built. It covers his hands, and every inch of his body in leather dyed in black and bleached white accents, such as the crosses or platinum studs. Half of his chestnut colored hair isshaved off. The stranger almost resembled a warrior of the east like of his father¡¯s books. The man looked forward at the horde of demons scattered across the field. He theorized this stranger will help him, at least he hoped he would. ¡°Gabriel?¡±Oh, how he mentionedmy name in such a sinful tone...the child thought.¡°H-how do you know my name¡­?¡± the boy asked.

    ¡°What? you don''t remember me?¡± the stranger asked as he walked out of his carriage.Gabriel shook his head trying to think and piece together any events with this perfect specimen before him. He must be mistaken, hopefully not. ¡°Wait here¡­¡± The man with the sword stood in front without fear, he held the blade with one hand ready to fight. A few monsters who could stand lunged at the valiant man, throwing their long limbs to claw at him. The man took a deep breath, upon lifting his blade he spoke in a series of whispers and slashed a few arms clean off,the monsters shrieked and retaliated throwing their other arms but resulting the same as before. The blade was red hot as if was just dipped in the oven.

    The screaming irritated the man, ¡°I¡¯m tired of this bitch craft¡­¡± he growled. Holding the handle with both hands he spread his legs and held his sword back. From the ground, an essence was being absorbed into his feet, going all the way to his sword. Now the entire horde race towards him, but he stood there charging his blade. There were sparks and electricity bouncing off the blade, it engulfed and melted the ground beneath him, and with one heavy swing the blade slashed through them upon hitting the ground with light and the monster exploded, sounding like the roar of thunder.

    The man was breathing heavily, he probably overdid it. He walked to Gabriel who was still shocked, overwhelmed by the performance before him."He smelled odd, like grapes and magnolia flowers. His outline was red, and it sparked and--"

    ¡°What are you gawking at?¡± he asked Gabriel.

    ¡°I... I¡¯m.¡± The child gulped nervously. ¡°I¡¯m sorry but that was the most¡­ Beautiful display of bravery I have ever seen. Like the heroes of legend or the knights fit for battle¡­¡±

    ¡°Hm. Come inside,¡± he said as he somehow unlocked the door by holding the lock.¡°Wait, didn¡¯t he came out of the carriage? did he lock it from the outside? How was he able to get out? Wait when did he close the door!!? What is he a magician?¡±

    It engulfed the Atelier with rainbow candle flames. He picked up Gabriel and placed him on a plush bed covered in decorative pillows stuffed with duck feathers and lined with the finest satin sheets. ¡°How did you do that¡­?¡± Gabriel suddenly said.

    ¡°Did what¡­?¡± He poured water into a metal bowl and dipped a cloth.

    ¡°The¡­. sword¡­. Exploding¡­ the¡­ melting the ice¡­ killing that monster¡­¡± Gabriel tried to find the correct terms to describe what he saw. Perhaps he was still a loss of words.

    ¡°Hm¡­ Magnets¡­ drastic temperature changes¡­ boom¡­ it''s complicated¡­¡± Gabriel, feeling silly and embarrassed, he kept quiet till he can form better sentences. His nose caught a scent and he couldn''t ignore it. ¡°Why does it smell so bad¡­?¡± the little one asked.

    ¡°... I think it¡¯s because of the tar. Few people can recognize the scent. It smells like a pile of shit.¡± The man walked over to a cabinet and grabbed a bottle, uncapping it and took a swig before walking back. ¡°Hold this¡­¡± The man shoved the bottle onto Gabriel. The child stared down at the contents and sniffed it. The biggest mistake of his life, his nose wrinkled and his eyes watered. This was poison, this was nerve gas, this was death in a jar, he was sure. ¡°Why was he in possession of this? Or better yet, what kind of human being in their right sanity can even digest this?¡±

    Roy suddenly took the bottle from him and Gabriel watched as he filled a glass cup with it. ¡°Drink¡­¡± The man said offering the glass.

    ¡°What? Why? What are you doing?¡± Gabriel pushed the glass back to the man. ¡°Was he insane?¡± Gabriel thought.

    ¡°Numbing your senses. Your skin cracked and I need to treat it.¡± He said with admirable patience as he removed Gabriel¡¯s nightgown. Gabriel hadn¡¯t realized till he looked down at his own body, trails of red mixed with black goopy and burning substance along with purple glowing shards.

    Gabriel needed to trust this man, he took a deep breath and took a swig of the toxic drink and it felt like he drank pure acid with flames. He wrinkled his face, and he wondered who in their right mind finds this enticing.

    The rugged stranger placed the empty glass down and walked over to the cabinet to get tools and medicine. He cleaned his glasses with a cloth; he looked down at Gabriel before he treated him. ¡°Can I ask what a little pipsqueak like you is doing outside at this ungodly hour?¡±

    ¡°Straight to the point¡­¡±Gabriel thought.¡°I¡­ I needed to clear my head. So... I took a walk out¡­¡± The man scoffed at Gabriel''s answer.

    ¡°A child with a lot on his mind¡­? What happened? did you wet the bed?¡± he said in a mocking tone. Gabriel scowled, he was grateful that he helped him but he was acting like a jerk. the man gently soaked the cloth with a mix of medicinal herbs and dragged it across his body, the stinging sensation of cold mint and cinnamon were present, ¡°You should just stay inside next time, or you won''t be so lucky to have me nearby...¡± he said grabbing Gabriel¡¯s nose and tugging it slightly.

    ¡°Mghh! Let go of me!¡± Gabriel slapped his hand away. ¡°Ugh drunk men are annoying¡­¡±

    The man removed his glasses to inspect him. ¡°Seriously, are you all right? Other than being harassed by demons, you look like you haven''t slept in days.¡± Gabriel stared at the man and then looked down at his lap and wondered,¡°oh dear¡­ Do I really look that sick¡­?¡±It took awhile before Gabriel answered him. ¡°On the contrary¡­ I slept for twenty-eight days¡­¡±

    ¡°Bumming around, living the life, can¡¯t say I envy you. Did it do anything to you¡­?¡±

    Gabriel answered by shaking his head. ¡°N-no. You saved me in time¡­,¡± he added softly. He realized how small and useless he really was. No match for a beautiful warrior like him.

    ¡°Hey¡­¡± Gabriel looked at him, even though he felt unworthy. He quickly avoided his eyes. ¡°It can hurt you anymore. You''re okay¡­¡±

    ¡°But... what about Lauriel¡­?¡± Gabriel queried.

    ¡°What are you talking about¡­?¡± the man asked absentmindedly.

    ¡°That woman, Lady Lauriel took me into the forest and said she wanted my soul--¡± something interrupted him, the man placed his hands on his shoulders and closed in. ¡°Too close!¡±Gabriel¡¯s soul screamed. He didn¡¯t realize how blue his eyes were. ¡°You fop doodle¡­¡± The man looked furious. ¡°Do you realize you''re literally a target of a witch? She won''t stop till you are dead...¡±

    Gabriel stood there with a blank mind before the realization hit him like a curse. ¡°What!? No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no I don¡¯t want to die! How do I get rid of her!?¡± his booming screams flinched the man before him.The stranger cringed and stuck a finger in his ear to stop the constant beeping sound after that compilation of ear-splitting shrieks. ¡°Will you pipe down? You''re acting like a maniac.¡±

    ¡°I am! I got attacked by a witch and then I get told by a dried-drunk she won''t stop at nothing till I am dead! Didn¡¯t you say I was in the clear??¡±

    ¡°Hey, I am not¡­¡± he pointed at Gabriel and trailed off in thought. ¡°Humm¡­¡± He grabbed the bottle from earlier and took a long swig but the bottle was empty, ¡°... not drunk enough. Besides, you were the idiot who said it was a great idea to go for the walk in the middle of the night knowing there are creepy crawlies out to get you.¡±

    ¡°Could you stop drinking and tell me how to stop--¡± They suddenly heard a low guttural noise. Both stood there hearing the sound. They looked towards each other and then at the door. The smell was getting worst. ¡°Goddamnit¡­¡± The man cursed under his breath. He left the carriage, Gabriel stood up and followed suit.¡°Gabriel¡­¡± they could hear her from outside, she was crying and repeating his name over and over. ¡°Gabriel! Give me your soul!¡± her screams were agonizing and painful to hear. He wanted to help her but he can¡¯t give her his soul. He can¡¯t, it was the only time he was selfish. ¡°Gabriel! Please!¡± she repeated. It broke his heart to see her that way. It reminded him of the young girls that give birth prematurely. Many of them break down like this after too much stress.Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!

    Matilda fell on the ground and her body was snapping back and forth, some unseen force was contorting her body into a ball. ¡°What is happening-!?¡± Gabriel isscared and confused. The outline of this individual was black. His entire body cringed at the unimaginable pain she must go through. Her bones were breaking through her skin, nothing but tar escaped her wounds. Gabriel needed to help or at least sooth her relentless pain, he ran to her and tried to calm her down.

    ¡°Gabriel! Come back!¡± shouted the drunk warrior.

    ¡°S-Sir! We can¡¯t leave her like this! We have to do something!¡± The younger Amesthyn suggested.

    ¡°She tried to kill you!¡± He tried to reason with the mad child.

    ¡°No one deserves to be in this much agony!¡± Gabriel stood by her side whispering sweet threads of hope and tangling his fingers through her sweaty tresses. Nothing he did eased her. He felt her body heat like a fever.

    It froze the man with horror. ¡°I-...¡± Suddenly ran out holding the bottle of toxic liquid. This deranged man was throwing stones and dried up branches at the body. ¡°What are you doing?!?¡± Gabriel pleaded to stop this crazy man from hurting the victim. ¡°Stop!! We have to help her!¡± The child watched as this man doused the body in a strong liquid and then rubbed two stones together creating sparks soon catching fire on the branches, then the body burst in flames. ¡°No!!¡± Lady Matilda shrieked in visible pain.

    Big warm trembling gloved hands held Gabriel''s eyes against a hard, cold stomach. The boy''s chest tighten and his eyes threatened to spill tears. He will never forget this moment, he will never forget the sounds, the dreadful noise of flesh crinkling in an open fire.

    Gabriel heard the gentle night breeze, the crackle of the fire, the agonizing screams, his own sobbing, and a faint sped up heart beat. The symphony of despair. ¡°W-why¡­? She needed help...¡± the frightened child begged for answers.

    ¡°... She would suffer more if I let her live¡­¡± The madman said with a cold tone.

    ¡°G-God hates us¡­ doesn''t he?¡± Gabriel said between breaths. He felt the hands leave his face, the man kneeled before him and held his thin face in his thick calloused hands.

    ¡°He never did... For where there are humans there bound to be chaos, there is always a small ray of hope that spreads evenly to awaken those who are lost in darkness. He does not hate us. Sometimes our selfishness consumes everything around till there is nothing left for us. For you this will be difficult to understand and not because you are a kid, but because they have not exposed you to the worst¡­¡± he said in a soft tone, almost melodic.

    ¡°You''re not human if you can stomach this¡­¡± Gabriel said. After looking at his savior in the eyes did, he realized he needed to work on expressing himself better. The man did not speak, and he averted his gaze to the cold muted ground. Judging by how he looks, this isn¡¯t the first time, if so, how many times has he witness this fiasco.

    Gabriel drowned in depression, he understood the man''s position. Gabriel had seen his mother abort babies. Sometimes he doesn¡¯t see her but he knows the signs.

    This man was a human trying to play his part in this whimsical age. He smelled horrible and Gabriel hated it, but he found it comforting. He wasn¡¯t sure when was the last time he felt this embrace but he was sure it was the day before his father left. But this affection was different.

    ¡°Oh dear, poor Laurie. To think it would end this way.¡± Both turned, the woman in black, Lilian, who stood beautifully with a toothy grin. ¡°O-oh no¡­. it¡¯s her...¡± Gabriel hid between the man''s muscled legs.

    ¡°It''s rather sad, how could you kill her? Oh dear what will the town think¡­?¡±

    "Probably along the lines of ''you were seen last with her.'' or my personalfavorite, ''kill the witch¡­''" he emphasised with the lowest and most feral growl he could muster.Chills ran up and down Gabriel''s spine, slowly escalating to mild pain.

    ¡°Is that anyway to speak to a lady?¡± She didn''t look too gleeful after that comment.

    ¡°You lost all privilege the moment you defiled someone''s life. And the fact you''re attacking an innocent kid because you need to keep your disgusting lifestyle alive, in my eyes, all I see is a demon dressed in silk. You like to surround yourself by helpless little girls to feed that bottomless hole someone punctured,¡± the man spat.

    ¡°Look who is calling the kettle black,¡± Lilian said, laughing hysterically. ¡°Rogues who get paid to slaughter humans are just as bad. You can¡¯t judge me, Roy Firestorm.¡±

    ¡°Wait this was the man at the inn¡­ this was him?¡±Said man kept a calm demeanor, but from whatGabriel could tell, Roy''s face could barely contain the rage and the mass increase of body heat emitting from such a terrifying mancould cut short the longest of winters.

    ¡°We know everything about you and your magic, how you get drunk every single day and night, it is very rare that you are sober. We know how you settle in the outskirts to not draw attention to your rituals, how you sacrifice flesh to your god, Everything,¡± she continued. ¡°He was a witch, too?¡±Gabriel thought he had to be something along those lines of a magic user like a wizard, mage or an alchemist. ¡°You are a witch like us, why don¡¯t you accept it?¡±

    ¡°I am not a witch¡­ I am a cleromancer,¡± he corrected. If this would happen to Gabriel, he would panic and begged for his life, but it seems as if Roy has nothing to lose by challenging her. ¡°Besides, only women with father issues and low self esteem sink into drastic measures for power¡­¡± Roy added.

    ¡°You think a low life drunk can speak Lady Lilian Stonehart, this way?¡± Gabriel frowned, he thought her name was Lilian Nightshade. ¡°The coven will be glad to hear I took down The Infamous Firestorm¡­¡± she giggled and rose five inches from the ground. Witches float, and this one was coming closer chanting and holding her palms at Roy, he ducked and lifted himself up with his gloved hands kicking upwards, knocking the witch away onto the ground.

    ¡°I have fought women with more beauty and valor than you ever wish to have. No lesser god can give you that,¡± he said, then turned to Gabriel, ¡°Hide¡­¡± Gabriel was still flabbergasted at how magnificent and flexible he was. Everything was in a slow pace. How elegant and graceful Roy was moving compared to the desperate actions of the witch, oh how every impact he made sparked, ¡°why he didn''t use his sword like he did moments ago?¡± The child wondered.

    Gabriel ran to the carriage and observed through the window. They filled the fight with tension and electric spikes. With every blow they landed it was like a mild explosion. With each grab and toss they got more animalistic and aggressive. Gabriel could tell she fought dirty, but Roy kept an even field with his share of tricks. His hands work with grace and gentle lace, rather hard to describe really. It was if he conducted fire and electricity with his fingertips. He moved with a swift pace and he never missed a beat. Their dance was sinful and beyond this realm. Gabriel can now admit he fell in love with the art. Lilian moved like a falling petal guided by the wind and Roy like a river streaming down the bank. Different worlds and yet they were almost in complete synchronization.

    Lilian broke the chain by keeping her distance. ¡°You are well on your feet and when your drunk, but it seems I have to leave,¡± she said with a giggle.

    ¡°Let me guess, you have to leave because daddy is calling¡­?¡±

    ¡°Correct. it¡¯s been fun. Tell Gabriel that his soul will be ours soon. He better sleep with one eye open.¡± Lilian laughed and her body decomposed into ash.

    Roy was sick of them; Gabriel could tell that much. He left the carriage and walked to him carefully without disturbing him. ¡°I¡¯ll teach you how to fight, at least to defend yourself against witch crafts. But for now, we need to get you home safe. I¡¯ll escort you.¡± Gabriel flinched. He thought he was being careful and quiet with his steps. The man locked the door to his carriage and kneeled away from Gabriel. ¡°hop on¡­¡±

    ¡°W-wait¡­. We have to bury her¡­¡± Gabriel said looking at the charred body of lady Lauriel, she was still burning but she was quiet. ¡°She will be ash by the time I get back. Come on, boy.¡±

    ¡°Your name is Roy¡­ You''re that man from the inn¡­ Correct?¡± little Gabriel asked.

    ¡°Yeah¡­ I am that sad little drunk from the inn. Who else is named Roy Firestorm in this town¡­?¡± he answered in a cold tone. Gabriel noticed a pattern, his answers were stating the obvious, or states the wrong thing in a singsong tone. To someone who is slow minded and believes his tales, Roy takes satisfaction in watching someone walk in his trap. Roy is sarcastic.

    ¡°How did you learn how to do all of that¡­?¡±

    ¡°Well, as I said before,mostly it''s experience¡­ Some is self-taught¡­¡±

    ¡°What can you teach me¡­?¡±

    ¡°I can teach you how to hone your senses¡­ How to use stones, spells. All in good time¡­¡±

    Gabriel honestly could not wait for the learning to begin. Hopefully, he will shoot lightning and fire out of his fingers and fly and soar high above the clouds. He suddenly had a flash image of Lauriel, he hoped that with great power he won¡¯t die in horrible ways. ¡°You won''t let me suffer like that¡­ right¡­?¡±

    ¡°No¡­ I don''t think I would have the heart to leave a small child to suffer¡­¡±

    ¡°Promise¡­?¡± Gabriel asked.Roy held up his pinky at Gabriel, to which he entwined his own, generating a spark around their fingers. Gabriel¡¯s eyes widen, he was happy, and he looked at Roy who had the same scowl stuck on his face ¡°H-How¡­??¡±

    ¡°Hm? oh¡­ The spark. It means a friendship is born from a vow.¡± Something inside Gabriel was pooling, overwhelming him with sparkles, fluttery bits and swirls of colors. Heis at ease knowing he would not die under a witch¡¯s hand or in a frightening, slow and painful unknown death. Roy seems to be a strange man with a bipolar personality. When they first met, Roy was a very depressing and pathetic looking man, and tonight he witnesses the brave, bold and monotone Roy Firestorm¡¯s humanity. Gabriel suspects he lives alone, and he keeps it that way, heishiding something. For now, the little boy needs him to protect his mother.

    ¡°Take care, kid. You¡¯re safe for now. If anything happens, I will be nearby.¡± Roy said as he dropped him in front of his home. ¡°How¡­ did you know where I live?¡± Gabriel asked an excellent question. For the first time in such this long night did he finally see the mighty Roy crack under pressure even if it were a slight crack.Roy stood there in silence for a few seconds, his eyes looked around before finally saying, ¡°you''re the son of Grizelda Amesthyn, the town midwife,¡± he ruffles Gabriel¡¯s hair and finally taking off.

 06: The Tower

    The Lost Scholar

    CHAPTER: 06

    THETOWER

    <hr>

    There weren''t any signs of forced entry. Gabriel climbed into his window and snuck into his mother''s bedroom. The boy stood by the door frame and noticed her outline was a muddle green.Gabriel walked over to his sleeping mother. It is sad to think about how big the bed was, despite her lonely nights she had a peaceful look. Gabriel sighed and kissed her forehead before he climbed the bed to join her in his father¡¯s stead.

    ¡°Gabriel¡­?¡± his mother whispered. ¡°What troubles you?¡± The little boy did had many problems, but his number one concern is his beloved mother. ¡°I want to sleep with you tonight, is that all right?¡±

    ¡°Of course, my sweet little Gabriel.¡± His mother wrapped her arms around his little frame and covered his entire skin with loving kisses. Her warmth granted a sense of safety and protection. They drifted soundly till the Sun rose from the horizon.

    The next morning was a new day and the previews events were a sign of a new journey and mystery. ¡°Good Morrow, Mama,¡± Gabriel greeted as soon as he finished his morning chores.

    ¡°Good Morrow, sweet prince.¡± His mother sliced oranges and prepared his favorite creamy milk: coconut milk and brown sugar. ¡°How are you feeling¡­?¡± She was different, she always looked tired in the morning, but her permanent scowl was now a frown. He could still see her outline and it was a constant murky green. Perhaps she misses her spouse just as much as Gabriel did. ¡°I am all right, mother, I woke up early so I could make up for lost time,¡± he said as he dipped the orange slices into the creamy substance and suckled on the mixed juices.

    She forced a smile. ¡°Do you feel any different¡­?¡±

    ¡°Not more so than any other day.¡± Grizelda is acting strange. She wasn¡¯t this gentle unless something was eating away her peace of mind. ¡°And you, mama? How are you fairing?¡± he asked his mother watching her carefully, noting everything she does.

    ¡°I am just exhausted, little prince.¡± She smiled and sipped from her ceramic bowl, later putting the bowl down in the sink behind her. ¡°I will get dressed,¡± she said and walked by her son. ¡°I love you,¡± his mother said before kissing his forehead.

    Gabriel hadn¡¯t realized how long her hair was. She always kept it in a braided bun so it won¡¯t drag across the floor once they now dominated the rich dark chocolate brown with thin silver threads. The color drained from her face, her eyes once saturated with cosmic blue hues are now watered down to a pale, almost nonexistent shade. Grizelda looks as if she had given up, even if she looked tired, she was still radiantly beautiful. Her decaying beauty only added to her motherly charm. Little Gabriel always envied her beauty and thought of it a cruel joke from God he assigned a boy. Perhaps he will inherit such a phenomenal aesthetic later.

    Gabriel heard a frantic knock on the front door. He stood up to answer but his mother was already there, speaking to the lady in black, Lilian.

    ¡°Grizelda¡­¡± She had a handkerchief made of the finest satin cloths to catch any fake tears. ¡°It¡¯s horrible¡­¡±

    ¡°Lady Lillian you look terrible. Please come in.¡± Midwife Grizelda invited the black witch in to his home. Gabriel could smell her toxic scent competing with the perfume she bathes in. He crossed his arms and glared at her when she glanced at him. ¡°...Careful, I finished polishing,¡± he spoke loud enough for Lady Lilian to hear, he referred to her own presence damaging the floor boards. She only responded with a simple, quiet sob, ¡°I am so sorry, I am glad you finally awakened,¡± she smiled and reached to touch his face but he moved away.

    Grizelda served tea and orange slices in the living room. Lilian sat down on a chair and sobbed quietly. ¡°Grizelda, Lady Matilda is missing¡­¡± Gabriel stood by the door frame when he felt a chill run up his spine when he heard her name. ¡°What was this woman up to¡­?¡± he whispered.

    ¡°Another child missing? Did you tell the mayor?¡±

    ¡°Yes¡­ She was in the winter feast with me last night. Last time I saw her she said she needed fresh air¡­¡± Gabriel was getting nervous, the last to see her alive were, Lilian, Roy and himself. He should observe before he speaks, she didn¡¯t look the type to make a dumb move so it would seem both were in the clear. But now he thought of it, his mother said she was a child, ¡°how old was this girl?¡± the child wondered.

    ¡°What if something terrible happened to her¡­? Oh, mercy, I shouldn''t have let her go alone¡­ God, protect my dear Matilda.¡± She covered her face with her handkerchief as she sobbed as Gabriel¡¯s mother comfort her. She was good at manipulating, even he swooned by her drama and he knew exactly what went down in those woods.

    ¡°We will conduct a search for her. I¡¯ll assemble the comity personally,¡± Grizelda said.

    ¡°Thank you¡­¡± She cried harder.

    Gabriel rolled his eyes, he didn''t feel like listening to her sobs any longer. ¡°I will help you find Matilda. I refuse to let anything happen to her and I prevent any more casualties¡­¡±

    Something struck him, Lilian¡¯s expression of relief and joy ¡°Will you, little Gabriel¡­?¡± she kneeled before him and held his hands. He felt something different from her warmth. ¡°I look at you and I see her¡­ I miss her so.¡±

    ¡°This was the same woman that threatened me last night¡­?¡±Gabriel wondered. ¡°I will find her¡­¡± he threatened. The woman smiled brightly before speaking, ¡°You have my blessings on behalf of the Nightshade Family¡­¡±

    ¡°Nightshade¡­?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s my last name,¡± she chuckled.

    ¡°It''s not Stonehart?¡±

    ¡°No, child,¡± his mother said. ¡°Why do you seem so surprised?¡± He stared a thousand miles into nothing as dread pooled at the pit of his heart. ¡°Gabriel, what¡¯s wrong?¡±Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

    Right then, the Magistrate burst in the home with soldiers. ¡°Good morrow, ladies,¡±

    the stuck up man said. The soldiers grabbed Grizelda by her arms. ¡°What is the meaning of this!?¡±

    ¡°Midwife, Grizelda Amesthyn, you are charged with multiple counts of murder and the indulgence of witchcraft.¡±

    ¡°What?!¡± Gabriel, his mother and Lady Lilian were outraged. ¡°My mother is not a killer!¡±

    ¡°I barely have time to leave the premises!¡± Grizelda shouted. ¡°No one said you killed them outside your home. Where is your husband, Grizelda¡­?¡± The Magistrate asked with a sly smirk on his face. Grizelda¡¯s expression was grimm, all the pressure building up to this moment is becoming slightly overwhelming. ¡°H-he¡­¡±

    ¡°My dad left us!¡±

    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t be defending demons, Gabriel. Wasn¡¯t Amelia enough of a lesson for you?¡±

    ¡°Leave the boy out of this!¡± Lilian shouted.

    ¡°I guess the apple doesn''t fall too far from the gallows. Take the child--¡± before he could finish, a shoe slapped the Magistrate in the face. ¡°Gabriel, run!¡± Lilian said holding her other shoe ready to throw it. Gabriel was a horrible child, he couldn''t leave his mother behind, much less when it came to her possiblefatality. His mother gave him a pleading and apologetic look before the small boy made a run for it. He didn¡¯t want to think he would lose his mother too. The little boy didn¡¯t understand where he was running to but the second his face collided with the door of a carriage he realized he made it to where it had to be.

    The door opened and Gabriel¡¯s eyes widened. A powerful aura surrounded the godlike presence, the heat coming from the Persian sultan could melt the tension pooling and blooming in the pit of his stomach. Long legs chiseled by a great Greek artist in love with human anatomy; obsessed with every line and crevice, ignoring no angle or curve in his entropic being till reaching perfection. They packed his torso with tight muscle under pale thick durable hide peppered with scars and hair. His face was angular, perfect nose and high cheekbones he wishes he could touch. Eyes as blue as a spring sky, mirrors reflecting and endless sea of cerulean. Tresses smith''d from iron and silver cascades down his broad shoulders. This beauty was not human, this was Lucifer in disguise, or, he was half asleep and he hoped it was not a dream. ¡°Are you justgoing to stare?¡± Words coated in thick melted sugar pooled down the Egyptian prince¡¯s lips.

    ¡°I want to be with you¡ªI want to be like you!¡± Gabriel stammered. ¡°Y-you promised!¡±

    ¡°I don''t think I''ll ever be drunk enough to marry a little boy.¡±

    ¡°T-that¡¯s not what I meant!¡± Gabriel shouted as his skin prickled with rouge tones.

    ¡°Make it quick, boy. I am busy¡­¡±

    ¡°they took mother to jail!¡±

    ¡°On what counts?¡±

    ¡°Murder! She allegedly killed the missing children, Matilda and my father!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m¡­ I¡¯m sorry but there is nothing I can do to help.¡± Somehow all the beauty he embodied crumbled to the ground at the verymention of how useless he was.

    ¡°What do you mean?! You promised to train me and now thatI need to help my mother I can¡¯t?!¡± The little boy was understandably outraged.

    ¡°Your mother has done nothing she will be fine--¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t you understand, you useless piece of garbage?! We arealltargeted! They wanted to kill me yesterday and they want to hang me and my mother today!¡± Gabriel shouted, the pain of his throbbing body increased with every word. ¡°I bet if I were the woman in distress anyone who''s anyone would jump to my aid! But I am a bastard child that hides in the bosom of his mother!¡± The cleric stared wide eyed at the boy spoke his mind. ¡°My mother has no one but me! I help her in any way I can because my stupid father left us!¡± The poor child sobs. ¡°Everyone talks about it and it hurts my mother more than it will ever hurt me! No one cares, and neither do you! Next time don¡¯t make promises you can¡¯t keep!¡±

    Angry, little Gabriel stomped away back to his home, but he stops and falls onto his knees that could barely hold him up any longer. He felt so useless and small as he wept in the comfort of the snow in the middle of nowhere. the little boy is afraid of losing his mother, he barely remembers his father, he rather keeps it but his mother sparked the joy in his heart whenever he sees her, he thought about the outcome, if he can¡¯t save her, then he won¡¯t survive on his own. He rather die with her than without her.

    He can¡¯t imagine a world where her mother hangs in the middle of a town where it was okay to see her humiliated at her last breath. He looked up at the sky, with the corner of his eyes he could count the crows perched on the dread branches looking down at him, watching closely. He wailed away his fears, ¡°You are an asshole! Where the hell are you!?¡± Not a single crow flew away, more Crows surrounded the boy as he cried. He knew he sounded like a normal child during a tempertantrum, but that¡¯s what he is, a child. ¡°If you take away my mother, I will rain war on you and your children!¡±

    ¡°You can barely handle the stress of a normal inquisition, how will you handle war?¡± Spoke a voice from behind the distraught child. Gabriel turned his head, Roy stood in his cleromancy armor. Gabriel didn¡¯t speak, he justglared daggers at the drunk. The boy furiously wiped his face and walked away without a word. The cleromancer walked a few steps behind him and the child didn¡¯t like it. ¡°Go away¡­¡± the boy whispered. ¡°You burst into my home, screamed at me for help--¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t want your help anymore! If you didn¡¯t accept it when I begged you before why should I accept it if you feel obligated now? Do us all a favor why don¡¯t you go drown in a barrel of wine and leave me alone?¡± The boy said before continuing to trek away.

    ¡°... Ouch. That is brutally harsh coming from a child,¡± the drunken fool said. ¡°You know, walking in to that court house will only land your mother in the gallows.¡±

    ¡°No one asked for your opinion¡­¡± Gabriel whispered harshly. ¡°I have a god that will back me up¡­¡±

    ¡°Didn¡¯t you wage war on Christianity?¡±

    ¡°You''re deaf and you''re stupid¡­ My god is nothing near that wreck of a sky father¡­¡±

    ¡°Yeah and who is this god, Satan?¡±

    ¡°Crow,¡± Gabriel figured he would just say it for the sake of just getting him of his aching back. He heard his hard footsteps come to a stop. The boy looked back, seeing the cleromancer¡¯s face of surprise was somewhatstartling.

    ¡°W-what did you say?¡± The man swallowed thickly.

    ¡°Crow,¡± the boy said before he continued to walk.

    ¡°You mean¡­ the monster living in a library near the edge of the universe¡­?¡± Gabriel stopped in his tracks. He whipped his head towards Roy silently taking what he justsaid. ¡°Yes¡­¡± Gabriel whispered afraid.

    ¡°And you were just going to babble that in church? Are you insane?¡±

    ¡°What do you care?¡±

    ¡°He is my god, too,¡± Roy confessed.

    ¡°What?¡± He didn¡¯t expect for anyone to know about him, much less a stranger in his hometown.

    ¡°And I did promise to help you, I might as well keep it.¡±

    ¡°I will make sure you do¡­¡± Gabriel said in a serious tone. He walked back with a witness, he will be able tofree his mother and Lady Lilian from the mess they were tangling in. The child just hopes he can save his mother in time. ¡°Didn¡¯t you can¡¯t you can¡¯t help me?¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t participate in the trials because I am an outsider, however I was a value member in the court¡­ You will be my vessel.¡± Gabriel wasn¡¯t sure he understands but clearlyRoy did. And if he was going to help him, he should just accept it.

 07: The Empress

    The Lost Scholar

    CHAPTER: 07

    THE EMPRESS

    <hr>

    It mortified Gabriel seeing his mother trapped in a small cage, hung from the post near the gallows. She resembled a bird imprisoned; an angry and oppressed bird. Grizelda was the talk of the town and the centerpiece of the week. ¡°Mother!¡± her son shouted desperately. ¡°Mother, are you all right?¡± he knew her response would be obvious, but he needed to hear it. ¡°I¡¯m all right, Gabriel. I am so sorry for this mess¡­!¡± She was embarrassed. ¡°Lady Lillian will take care of you till this is all over¡­¡±

    ¡°What?! You can¡¯t be serious!¡±

    ¡°Gabriel, please! It will only be for a while¡­!¡±

    ¡°I won¡¯t let them take you, mother!¡±

    ¡°All right, all right. Enough of this drama¡­¡± Magistrate M¨¹ller drew their attention. ¡°You know you cannot speak to your mother while there is an investigation.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean ¡ª that is ridiculous!¡± Gabriel shouted scandalized. ¡°It is common sense to speak to the defendant!¡±

    ¡°Not if you conspire with the defendant.¡±

    ¡°I need to know when the trial will be!¡± Gabriel demanded.

    ¡°Tomorrow morning. Now run along so we can investigate this case,¡± the magistrate dismissed them and retreated to the church.

    ¡°But!¡± Gabriel refused to let him leave. ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± Roy growled lowly and yanked the boy by the wrist to make him move the other way. The angry cleromancer had dragged Gabriel to his home. The boy pulled his wrist away from the drunk. ¡°Why did you do that?¡± the boy asked.

    ¡°You want to bust your mother out?¡± Roy countered with a proposition.

    ¡°Yes!¡± The boy exclaimed.

    ¡°Instead of wasting time fighting with someone who is mocking you for even existing, investigate this mess of a murder your mother got tangled in.¡±

    ¡°R-right¡­¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s start in your home.¡±

    ¡°My home? Why? You and I both know she is innocent.¡±

    ¡°Exactly, but we need evidence to support that claim,¡± Roy said as he reached for his pocket watch to read the time. ¡°It is eight thirty now. We have to make every second count to save your mother.¡± Gabriel nodded. ¡°What do you suggest we do first?¡± the boy asked.

    ¡°Does your mother keep an entry book for her patients?¡±

    ¡°Of course. She needed to keep one specifically to keep track of patterns in sickness and pregnancies. Why do you need that?¡±

    ¡°She was most likely to be near these women and children right before their death. We can compare the evidence against her with her findings.¡± Both the cleric and the apprentice walked inside the residence quickly feeling something wasn¡¯t right. ¡°What is that smell¡­?¡± Roy covered his nose from the offensive scent.

    ¡°It smells like after birth¡­¡± Gabriel was all too familiar with the scent. The child rushed over to the clinic to find the source; the sack to house an infant. The confused child blinked several times wondering why that was thrown there. ¡°That¡¯s disgusting¡­¡± Roy said cringing at the sight.

    ¡°My mother uses it as medicine. She can use it to skin graph, create a protein pill, or even make it into baby food. But at the current state it is too rotten for use.¡±

    ¡°Yuck¡­ Then what is it doing on the floor?¡±

    ¡°I think someone was here.¡± Gabriel and Roy searched the entire first floor looking for things out of place. They started with the clinic. The icebox where Grizelda kept the umbilical cords, the sacks of waters, and liquid remedies was empty. ¡°Who the hell just randomly grab gross stuff from a fridge?¡± Roy wondered.

    ¡°You don''t think they will use that as evidence against mother?¡± Gabriel asked worried.

    ¡°That''s actually a great assumption. We have to be sure nothing else istaken,¡± the drunk cleric suggested.

    They looked in the clinic, the living room, the kitchen, and found nothing out of line. It startled Gabriel when he couldn''t find his mother''s journal anywhere. He assumed she hid it well and that he would find it, eventually.

    They walked up the stairs and searched Grizelda¡¯s room.

    Roy looked inside her drawers through her knickers and intimates and Gabriel underneath her bed. He found an old picture of his mother and father when they were young. Gabriel smiled fondly at them, his mother never stopped loving him, and neither did Gabriel despite him leaving. It was a confusing emotion and thought to have, but he thought he was young and foolish.

    His mother had a wet nurse attire and her face was flawless and bright and in love. His father had fire for hair and brilliant duo tone eyes, purple and silver. He wore pure white robes similar to those of the church. Now thathe sees them, they both wore crosses given by the Vatican for those who become powerful clergymen. Gabriel frowned and realized that his parents served the clergy. ¡°Roy, can a nun and a priest fall in love with each other?¡±If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    The man didn¡¯t answer.

    The child sighed as he stood up on his feet. He scratched his head in deep thought, trying to guess where the piece goes when it was the only piece he had. The child turned to the cleromancer and asked and called again, ¡°Roy?¡±

    Roy flinched and slammed the drawer shut so hard he almost broke it. He wiped his gloved hands over his leather tunic. He was several shades red and irritated. ¡°Let¡¯s get the hell out¡­¡± and he did just that. Gabriel wondered what bothered the man so much that he ceased the search when they barely started.

    ¡°Wait!¡± The child pulled the cleromancer¡¯s coat to draw his attention. ¡°I asked you something!¡±

    ¡°What is it?¡±

    ¡°Can a nun and a priest fall in love?¡±

    ¡°They can, but they are not supposed to. They have sacred vows they must follow: poverty, chastity and obedience.¡± That explanation left Gabriel wondering the origin of his parents. He reached again for the small portrait and showed it to Firestorm. He didn¡¯t flinch. ¡°Your mother nailed- Uh.. yeah. Your dad--...¡± Roy was tripping over his words which made Gabriel suspicious. ¡°What about my mother and father?¡±

    ¡°She was Reverend Mother Virtue, and he was Pope Johan ll. They didn¡¯t care about that rule.¡±

    ¡°That is impossible, my parents can¡¯t possibly be part of the clergy¡­¡±

    ¡°I served under them--¡± The boy cut in before he could explain himself. ¡°... You what¡­?¡±

    ¡°Used to, till they suddenly ¡°vanished¡± from the vatican,¡± Roy explained as he examined the picture. ¡°Why did they leave?¡± Gabriel asked.

    ¡°To have you¡­¡± Roy said in a rather sad tone. ¡°I helped them run away, the moment they said your name.¡±

    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me-- If you are such a great friend of theirs, how the hell could you abandoned them in their time of need?!¡±

    ¡°I have my own problems¡­ I wanted to find something in this place, I didn''t expect my previous commanders to settle here.¡±

    ¡°That doesn''t answer my question. Why do you refuse to help me?¡±

    ¡°I have my own problems¡­¡± he struggled to say. ¡°...problems that everyone thinks can fix, and I rather solve it in the comfort of my solitude.¡± The entire time he spoke, he avoided the boy''s judging stare. The only thing in Gabriel¡¯s mind was how pathetic this cleromancer actuallywas, and selfish too. ¡°I rather not disclose them with a child¡­¡±

    ¡°I wouldn''t care, anyway. I have my problems too.¡± It was harsh but Gabriel felt betrayed someone would just turn a blind eye tagging themselves a close and dear friend. However, the child couldn''t ignore the dark and gloom aura the man possessed, along with a depressed complexion.

    ¡°...We¡­ should continue,¡± the man hesitated.

    Roy walked in Gabriel¡¯s bedroom and searched again through his drawers. The owner of the chamber didn¡¯t have much to look, but he opened the drawer of his nightstand, his drawings and he books his father wrote were gone. ¡°W-what?¡± he wondered if he misplaced them and frantically searched all around the room. Now he was certain someone was in his home. ¡°Boy, you are a broken prism¡­¡± Roy commented. ¡°What''s with you?¡± he added.

    Gabriel turned, tears budded from his eyes. ¡°Someone stole my father''s story book¡­¡±

    ¡°Calm down,¡± Roy said. ¡°It''s just a storybook. It can be replaced.¡±

    ¡°N-no¡­! it''s the last thing my father left me¡­¡±

    ¡°Firstof all, who would want a story book?¡±

    ¡°I don''t know¡­!¡±

    ¡°Let''s keep searching¡­¡± Roy lifted the covers of the bed and there it was. ¡°Is this it?¡± he asked, holding it up for the child to see.

    ¡°You found it!! But how!?¡± Gabriel snatched it and flipped through the pages making sure they were all intact.

    ¡°Someone was in your room--¡± the cleromancer halts when he realizes what book he justcame across. ¡°Dear Judas and the holy trinity¡­¡± He traced his fingers over the pages of a map and description if the Amesthyn kingdom.

    ¡°What?¡± Gabriel honestly didn''t expect him to be wowed over a book.

    ¡°...This is a lost relic. The Amesthyn inheritance,¡± the man said almost breathlessly. ¡°You have an epic origin of the Amesthyn family.¡±

    ¡°Don''t be silly, this is just a story book my father wrote,¡± Gabriel dismissed the wild allegations of the drunk man.

    ¡°This is no time to act ignorant! You have the most powerful book known to man and demon kind!¡± Roy suddenly yelled. ¡°What¡­?¡± The instant shift of moods startled the little Amesthyn.

    ¡°Wait¡­ if they settled here, then that means the tomb of the fallen king must be in this verylocation¡ªDo you have a basement, cellar, emergency hideout, secret room?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know, why are you asking? Shouldn¡¯t we ignore some fairy tale and just help my mom?¡±

    ¡°I am sure Grizelda would be smart enough to hide important things in that secret room.¡±

    ¡°You justwant to find some silly artifact¡­¡±

    ¡°You dorealize that if there is a secret room that is breached by an outsider and there was something incriminating her by any out of context value, and we don¡¯t know how to explain it, she will hang.¡± Roy was anxious and suspicious and that didn¡¯t sit right with Gabriel.

    ¡°Fine, but if something happens to my mother, I will make sure you will freeze to death¡­¡± The boy warned.

    ¡°I¡¯ll let you know if it kills me or not,¡± the cleromancer waved it off and wandered down the stairs and back into the clinic with the book and the small Amesthyn in tow. He moved tables and shelves looking for a door or a secret passage. ¡°There has to be something so someone as big as Grizelda and Johan can fit through¡­¡± Roy wondered to himself. Gabriel wondered what would that door look like. Then the child remembered the afterbirth placement: near a shelf filled with jars and dried medicine. ¡°Roy, move this.¡± The boy instructed, Roy moved it with ease and gently so nothing could fall and break. It was as easy as opening a door because they designed it to move like a door.

    ¡°Amesthyns are geniuses; even the lost kin have amazing engineering...¡± Roy commented. Gabriel isamazed there was such a door in his own home. Which brought up his wonder why would his parents have something to hide?

    What they saw inside was a literal tomb with bright blue lanterns, offerings and crystals. The walls were covered in stained glass of Lord Amesthyn and his kin, and the floor depicted the entire world in precious stones and other precious materials. ¡°Holy fuck--...¡± Roy exhaled.

    ¡°W-what is this¡­?¡± Gabriel admitting they frightened him would be an understatement. The glass and floor were like the book he owned. He almost dropped it the moment his eyes gazed at the ceiling: a depiction of Crow the hermit of knowing, and the god of creation.

    ¡°M-my parents are witches...!¡± Gabriel squealed.

    ¡°They are still your parents¡­¡± Both Gabriel¡¯s and Roy¡¯s head dropped seeing a man wearing glossy black leather armor standing in front of the amethyst coffin. ¡°Whether they are worshiping a fallen god or their ancestors,¡± the man spoke again.

    ¡°H-he¡­! He was in the clinic the other day!¡± Gabriel shouted. The pictures of the king and the man before him were identical. ¡°Y-You¡¯re King Amesthyn?!¡±

    ¡°My name is Yuri. I was once the advisor and twin brother of the King. It is a privilege to meet you properly.¡± The ghost dipped his head in a proper bow.

 08: The Hanged Man

    The Lost Scholar

    CHAPTER: 08

    THE HANGED MAN

    <hr>

    He admired every single detail till his eyes dried up. The God of Song, The God of Stars and Dreams, The Knightess of Amesthyn, The Goddess of the Skies, The Shadow of Amesthyn, and The Hermit of knowing and God of Creation, all carefully painted and each fragment of glass placed one at a time, and then, slowly decaying and altering tints of color due to the purple lights. All of them so called fictional characters in the book of epics. ¡°This can¡¯t be real¡­¡± Gabriel whispered as he took the sight.

    ¡°What can¡¯t be real?¡± Yuri, the phantom advisor, asked.

    "Spirits! What is this altar of a fallen kingdom even doing in my house?!" Gabriel was hysterical and didn''t know where to stand. Roy, however, was entranced by the room. ¡°This is a strictly catholic household!¡± Yuri chuckled and Roy barely contained his laughter. ¡°Yourealize the term catholic means all-embracing, right?¡± The phantom asked the embarrassed and confused child.

    ¡°Come on, he is seven years old, cut the boy some universal slack,¡± the cleromancer sniggered quietly with the mocking advisor.

    ¡°All bad jokes aside, of course your parents are catholic. Minds broad with curiosity and accepting of everything. A true Amesthyn quality,¡± the advisor explained glancing at the murals dedicated to the first Amesthyn generations. ¡°And to answer your previous question,¡± Yuri added and turned to Gabriel. ¡°They are real, Jehova was afraid of spirits, he banned them from the garden as unnatural. He only believed in living in the sky after death. Yehovah was correct, but sometimes a spirit can stay and wonder about."

    "You are not real..." Gabriel shivered and hid behind the cleromancer thick, leather pant leg.

    "Why not?" Yuri tilted his head, bewildered.

    "You are speaking my language fluently..." Gabriel remarked. ¡°Wouldn''t you be speaking your natural tongue?¡±

    "He lived here for centuries. The only thing he could do was learn the language," Roy pointed out.

    "He is right,¡± Yuri agreed with the cleromancer. ¡°I learned vast more languages, the hardest of all being the language of gods. If you want evidence of me living in that time you can test me,¡± the phantom encouraged.

    "How can I confirm it...?¡± Gabriel asked. The phantom smiled and breathed a soft laugh. ¡°You are not a dumb child. You will tell if I am lying,¡± Yuri responded.

    ¡°All right. How did King Amesthyn died?¡±

    Yuri did not expect to be questioned the passing of his brother, even Roy felt slightly offended by it. ¡°Gabriel, what the hell?¡±

    ¡°He said to test him, what better way to do so by asking something he would know?¡±

    ¡°Would you like it if someone asked you why your father is a wo--¡±

    ¡°U-Uhh! It¡¯s okay!!¡± Yuri panicked. ¡°I will answer your query¡­¡± After regaining his composure and straightened his long dark blue robe he spoke. ¡°The downfall of the kingdom began with the disappearance of The God of Stars and Dreams, his father screamed so loud it created a massive cataclysm and the world broke into pieces. His own scream harmed his own ears and even killed the creatures and demons around him. His wife died after losing her mind searching for her lost child, and their only daughter searched endlessly in the sky for her dear brother. Meteors rained down and the entire region became a wasteland.

    ¡®After Amesthyn¡¯s kin ceased to exist, and the war was too much for his crumbled soul to handle, Adam and Eva broke through the throne room. My brother was on his knees as he bleeds to death with the knife Eva plunged into his heart. A knife blessed with holy light¡­¡± Yuri turned to the crystallized tomb of the fallen king and drew a cold breath, staring at his brother longingly. ¡°His last words were,¡®deijra, mokunba niee shii gia, Lojkwa sshinad cherga zxinb loomna¡­Merxill Umnai.¡¯¡±

    ¡°What does it mean?¡± Gabriel asked.

    ¡°¡®Your god will suffer as much as I did on this day. Mark my words: his kin will hate him once they find out what he really did...¡¯¡±

    ¡°What were you doing while your brother died?¡±

    ¡°...I watched his body become this solid amethyst. I was dead, long ago a phantom since the siege began. After centuries, all I can do is pick up things for a limited time before my grasp can¡¯t hold anything anymore.¡±

    ¡°My mother is a real witch, isn''t she¡­?"

    ¡°Why do you say it as if it were a bad thing? In our court, they were very important. One of the oldest witch in history was Lilith, my wife. She helped my brother have his first child.¡±

    ¡°The first woman on Eden was your wife?!¡±

    ¡°A lovely woman with a heart made of rubies and gold dust!¡± Yuri smiled fondly remembering her antics. ¡°She was a beautiful redhead and a phenomenal witch!¡±

    ¡°Then, why does god hate witches so much?¡± Gabriel asked.

    ¡°Jehovah is a racist, misogynist asshole that didn¡¯t like whatever didn¡¯t please him,¡± Yuri spat. ¡°For evil¡¯s sakes, he had sex with his own daughter for the sake of his faith and loyalty¡­ That is a crime punishable by death in our court.¡± The phantom growled. ¡°Only when something is convenient is when it is truly allowed and labeled as a virtue.¡±

    ¡°Why is the tomb doing here of all places¡­? Shouldn¡¯t it be hidden better?¡±

    ¡°Why should we leave our home? This city is still entirely an Amesthyn territory,¡± Yuri asked, taking the epic tale in his hands and finding one of the ancient maps to show Gabriel. ¡°King Amesthyn took leadership and slowly built his empire,¡± Yuri explained and flipped through more maps of the expanding territory. ¡°Soon, my brother ran the entire world, ruling over humans and demons that peacefully coexist. They trusted his guidance and because of his witches and councils of scholars was he able to protect his domain. Don¡¯t you see,little one? This entire kingdom it is yours to inherit¡­¡± the advisor smiled warmly and closed the book to hold it against his chest.

    ¡°W-what!?¡± Gabriel sputtered. ¡°I am just a child! I barely had any rights, I can¡¯t run that much land!¡± the little one protested.

    ¡°That was the joke of the court,¡± Yuri chuckled. ¡°Amesthyn was looking for a successor, not even his daughter felt ready or adequate to run so much land. Everyone he asked gaved the same answer, except for one¡­¡± he paused with a sad smiled. ¡°As much as I warned him he could continue to live if he ran away from the invasion, instead, he said; ¡®Elyan, flohrem diseyinma¡­¡¯ "

    ¡°He wanted to wait for the God of Stars and Dreams¡­¡± Roy translated.

    ¡°Sad, isn''t¡­?¡± Yuri said in a tone full of gloom. ¡°The God of Stars and Dreams was the next King, and now he is lost forever.¡±

    ¡°Is it all right for me to ask you something¡­?¡± Roy stood forward and tall.

    ¡°By all means!¡± Yuri said and turned with a smile to the bewitched drunk.The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

    ¡°Why did you write the epics? What were the purpose?¡±

    ¡°Because I took the responsibility of waiting for the long-lost king to arrive, and in the event I fail to receive him, these tales will remind him of who he is and whatever happened to his home.¡±

    ¡°What if he never comes?¡± Gabriel said out loud. Yuri refused to answer, he struggled to find any in his translucent mind. ¡°I have faith he continues to exist¡­ Not too long ago I heard a song not too far from the forest where the old iron fortress lies. It was about the same time Johan vanished.¡± Yuri trailed off.

    ¡°M-My father?¡± Gabriel was at a loss with so much information he felt overwhelmed.

    ¡°Yes, I am sure Johan went to investigate the child disappearances, he said they were taken there.¡±

    ¡°How would my father knownthat?¡±

    ¡°Because they were found near the area. One was found inside the fortress. After he went to investigate, he never came back¡­ whatever happened to him I am sure he is there.¡±

    ¡°That means my mother had nothing to do with it¡­ but why blame my mother¡­¡±

    ¡°Your mother is a midwife. She was the last to see these children, and not to mention her husband,¡± Roy theorized.

    ¡°Correct. All of this can categorize her into a modern witch. Specially if she does things differently¡­¡± Yuri added.

    Gabriel stared down at the journal in his hands, he knew now that even if he found evidence of witchcraft his mother was never a killer. ¡°What do witches do?¡± Gabriel asked the advisor.

    ¡°In our court? A number of things. They serve the king and the court with their knowledge and talents in magic and science. Not all witches knew the same facts and practiced crafts, some valued certain topics and pressured them for the sake of the kingdom or personal gain. The topic or craft can be from anything complex such as the understanding of the expanding universe, or as simple as crafting trinkets for everyday use.¡± Gabriel agreed that is a term his mother falls in comfortably. She was smart, loyal, and talented. She used it for the good of the people and even then she was criticised by her own peers. ¡°I have to help my mother, in any way I can.¡± Gabriel said with a determination evident in his voice.

    ¡°Spoken like a true stubborn Amesthyn,¡± Yuri grinned with pride.

    ¡°In your opinion, how can I help my mother in this predicament?¡± the little Amesthyn asked.

    ¡°Truly, someone wants your mother out of the picture, but they rather have someone else dirty their hands. It must relate someone in her records to the children found dead,¡± Yuri suggested.

    Gabriel opened the journal, until recently there were two different handwritings. He didn''t know where to start, so he started from the end. And right off the bat, he found something weird, a different handwriting from his mother and father, the name on the book was Louwing, Matilda Lauriel. ¡°There is her name¡­¡± Gabriel whispered. Roy glanced over and pressed his thick finger over the name. ¡°Look at the date, they put her name in last night,¡± said the cleromancer.

    ¡°Yuri, I know you walk around the clinic, do you know who Matilda is?¡±

    ¡°Yes, she frequented the clinic with her friend. Something about them didn¡¯t feel right¡­¡± Yuri pondered.

    ¡°What about them?¡± Roy asked.

    ¡°They were snooping around the clinic. Grizelda kicked them out after I alert her of their presence. That was several days into Gabriel''s spiritual journey.¡±

    ¡°But¡­ I met Matilda outside. This makes little sense. Why would Matilda write her own name in the book on the night of her death? The night she died she was at the winter feast in the mayor''s house. I saw Roy put her out of her misery,¡± Gabriel explained.

    Roy realized way too late. ¡°And died in the veryforest near your home, close to the Fortress¡­¡± he said.

    "Are you insinuating someone set her up to make my mother guilty? Isn''t that too complicated?¡± Gabriel was at a loss. He scratched the back of his head in a nervous tick.

    ¡°It is just as Yuri showed, whoever is doing this, is making others do her dirty work¡­ and I was stupid enough for playing along,¡± the drunk growled at his carelessness and momentary rash lapse of judgment. ¡°Now thatI see this clearly,it makes this being a bitch to take out. I bet her face is hidden, isn''t?¡± Roy asked the advisor.

    ¡°Now thatyou mention it¡­ I can¡¯t remember her name or her face. It is veryodd,¡± Yuri looked perplexed and felt useless. ¡°Oh dear I should have written it down when I had the chance.

    ¡°Was the girl alone?¡±

    ¡°Yes, when she wrote the name down she was by herself,¡± Yuri confirmed Roy¡¯s suspicion. ¡°Shit, this bitch craft is tougher than I thought¡­¡±

    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Gabriel asked.

    ¡°There is a strange connection between the children¡¯s death, the fortress, and witches. I don¡¯t wanna sound like your average fanatic but I am afraid this witch is affiliated with a demon¡­ That cloaking magic is verycommon with demonic presence,¡± Firestorm explained.

    ¡°Oh my, but¡­ that can¡¯t be right¡­ I haven¡¯t¡ªAre you certain? Demons are not evil--!¡±

    ¡°I am sure it could be what you call The God of Stars and Dreams¡­¡±

    ¡°N-no! Impossible! That child would never lay a hand on anyone!¡± Yuri bursted into a rage and glanced at the depiction of the god. Curly brown, almost black hair waving with the moon air. ¡°I can¡¯t accept that¡­¡±

    ¡°I am only speculating. And if it is the case, we have to deal with him¡­ But the only way to find him is through the witch.¡±

    ¡°How do we plan on finding her? She is cloaked¡­¡± Gabriel turn back the pages mindlessly looking for a clue hoping his eyes were well enough to see them. Then, dread pooled at the pit of his heart. He endlessly searched a particular name, the last time it ever showed was a month ago; Suvah, Amelia. Then a while thought festered in his mind. ¡°What if¡­ what if she is a ghost¡­?¡± Gabriel whispered.

    ¡°What are you talking about?¡± Roy queried.

    ¡°What if¡­ she is a spirit? Just like Yuri¡­.¡±

    ¡°Uh¡­ she would be seen just like him. What are you getting at?¡±

    ¡°A while back¡­ I was outside in the middle of the snow when I saw the ghost of Amelia the Lost Child¡­ they accused that girl of being and she hung for her crimes. Both times I saw her she wanted me to follow her, maybe she was trying to lure me to the forest. And to make matters even creepier, I never knew her when she clearlywas in the clinic for my mother to treat.¡±

    ¡°She was your age, what sort of soul trading sin would a child even want?¡±

    ¡°...I threatened god when his church took my mother¡­ I can¡¯t imagine what the church took from her.¡±

    ¡°The child has a fair point,¡± both the cleromancer and the apprentice turned towards Yuri. ¡°I honestly don¡¯t think it is her.¡±

    ¡°What choice do we have¡­?" Gabriel asked exasperatedly. "All we have is speculations and we have gotten nowhere.¡±

    ¡°I know you will find out who it is, in due time. I will aid you in any way I can. I shall take care of this place and protect your mother and father from any incrimination. Take the books with you. You will need them for your journey ahead.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Yuri. I am glad you made yourself known to us.¡±

    ¡°Gabriel. I have one more thing to tell you¡­¡± The advisor kneeled and placed his dark hands over the small shoulders. ¡°Everything you are doing, is for a purpose. Whether it is good or evil intentions, it is to flow forward. I see you and I see the long-lost heir¡­. Growing up fast to fill in great responsibilities.¡±

    Gabriel stared up at the king frozen in quartz realizing what his life had become. All he needed was some sort of understanding to give significance to his tiny life. ¡°It is a sacrifice Iwill make," the small Amesthyn swore before leaving the altar with Roy in tow and locking it tightly.

 09: The Temperance

    The Lost Scholar

    CHAPTER: 09

    THETEMPERANCE

    <hr>

    After the encounter with Yuri and the Tomb of the fallen king, Gabriel sat in the chair of Roy¡¯s Atelier. Now, after the revelation, the child felt guilty for saying nasty things behind his father¡¯s back. He should use that energy to better use. ¡°What do we have?¡± Gabriel asked looking intently at his temporary guardian.

    ¡°Nothing, so far your mother is guilty,¡± Roy explained as he prepared himself a concoction of dry liquor using various herbs and many liquid extracts.

    ¡°We have previous evidence of Amelia¡¯s witch craft. We can use her to save mother.¡±

    ¡°I think you are failing to see the bigger picture¡­ Not surprised since you are veryyoung.¡± Roy took a big swig at the drink wrinkling his nose at the intense taste.

    ¡°What are you getting at?¡± Gabriel asked.

    ¡°Have you not notice how this all went down? Think about it for a second. Let¡¯s recap.¡± Roy slammed the glass on the table and pushed his glasses back and stared at the eager child. Gabriel nodded and sat tightly on the bed biting his lower lip.

    ¡°While there is a possibility that child can do such acts, there is no motive yet. All we have is hersey, we need literal proof.¡±

    ¡°Now thatyou mention it, according to Amelia¡¯s father, he told me the church demanded to see her diary. I assumed it was because of evidence but¡­¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s get that diary,¡± Roy simplysaid as he dressed up in his clean clothes. Gabriel stared in disbelief. ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°There has to be something important in it that the church needs it,¡± Roy answered as he stored a few things into his satchel.

    Gabriel jumped out of the bed and grabbed the cleric¡¯s arm.¡°...She was blind. How can she write?¡± Roy looked back at the child and cocked his head in curiosity. ¡°How do you know she was blind?¡± He asked. He then stared at the door and pondered for a few seconds before he spoke up again, ¡°now I really want to go get that diary.¡±

    ¡°No! Are you insane?¡±

    ¡°Do you want to help your mother or do you want to be an orphan?¡± Roy spat in a harsh tone. How ironic, his voice was thick but he could hear it all day but the way he spoke this time hurt Gabriel, it was a knife to his heart. How dare he speak of his strong mother as if she was doomed no matter what he tried. He stayed quiet and watched Roy¡¯s face contour into realization. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, that was out of line¡­¡± he said in a soft purr, he legitimately regrets what he said.

    ¡°It was¡­¡± Gabriel looked back and said in a serious tone, ¡°but you are right. How are we going to do this?¡±

    ¡°Simple,¡± his lips tugged into a smirk, ¡°we start with your first lesson.¡±

    ¡°My first lesson¡­?¡±

    ¡°You wanted me to teach you how to fight witches back, right? I will show you the basic of the basic, thermal vision.¡±

    ¡°What is thermal vision?¡± Gabriel asked and Roy placed a hand over his chest, the child blushed intensely and his heart sped up. ¡°We humans have a natural body heat that gets warmer at the verycore. The most visible of examples is,¡± he moved his hand away and held his palm open close enough for the boy to see a burst of hot blue and orange ribbons, ¡°an open flame.¡±

    ¡°Thi-¡­What color is the core? Does it change?¡±

    ¡°Yes, it does; in fact, it¡¯s what you would normally call an aura.¡±

    ¡°Aura¡­?¡±

    ¡°An aura is the human core powered by an emotion. If you were cowering in fear and you ran that will reflect and the ones with thermal vision can know exactly how you feel and use it against you.¡±

    ¡°¡­What is my aura?¡±

    ¡°It is a cluster fuck of rainbows every time you talk.¡± Roy grabbed the boy''s hand with his free hand and guided him outside into the frigid snow. ¡°Thermal or aura vision is verysimple to understand and see. Some don¡¯t see auras but they can feel or even hear them.¡±If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    ¡°Is it possible to have all three senses?¡±

    ¡°If there is, I would love to meet the person who can. I know that you can see auras.¡±

    ¡°How can you tell?¡±

    ¡°You asked me what did black meant. The hardest to detect is soot. Those using soot auras, to a beginner reading auras, can¡¯t see the real aura color spectrum. That took me a long time to learn and distinguish it.¡± He chuckled before he continued, ¡°you are a natural, kid.¡±

    Gabriel felt a sense of pride when Roy praised him. Roy laughed harder; his voice will kill him if he continued this. ¡°Your aura keeps changing, you need to control your emotions,¡± Roy said.

    ¡°It¡¯s hard when someone like you is being so niceto me!¡± Gabriel shouted.

    ¡°All right,¡± Roy gathered his composure and stared at Gabriel, ¡°What colors do you see in me?¡± Gabriel stared at his glorious god like body and watched the colors dance off his splendid skin, ¡°Yellow. Orange¡ªPink? I¡ªI can¡¯t tell¡­¡±

    ¡°Good. Some auras are mixed with other colors, very hard to distinguish right of the bat. Now, what colors do you see?¡± His face had the same soft and assertive expression but the colors shifted in tones, ¡°Gray. Gold¡ªwait! Platinum! Your aura is Platinum¡ªhuh?¡± his aura didn¡¯t emit any color or any type oflight.

    ¡°Can you find me in the dark?¡± Roy¡¯s entire being faded into the darkness. Gabriel¡¯s bottom jaw, because it was locked with his skull, didn¡¯t hit the snowy ground.¡°How the hell did he do that!?¡±he thought to himself since he failed to speak. He gulped and proceeded to run after Roy and find him.

    He couldn¡¯t hear a thing; no birds, no branches breaking, nothing. Roy was moving with the grace of the wind; fast and silent. Gabriel noticed a glint of light at the distance, ¡°platinum,¡± Gabriel whispered with a hint of excitement. He made a mad dash, jumping overgrown roots and blocks of snow to reach his goal.

    His coat was close to his fingertips and as he touched the fine leather, the light giving life to it vanished and it fell to the ground. ¡°Where--?¡± Gabriel¡¯s breath hitched when he felt a hand on his shoulders and acidic whisper rushed in his ear, ¡°Don¡¯t be fooled¡­ Aura is the evidence of life.At times, the aura can resonate for a period before fading.¡±

    Gabriel turned and nothing was there. ¡°R-Roy!¡± he shouted looking around feeling vulnerable. Something about the trees gave him a sense they were people as if the rumors he heard around town were true. He noticed something strange; some trees had auras. Some were black and one was platinum. ¡°I found you!¡± He now understood and ran with full force and dropped kick the tree only to feel horrible pain at the impact and consoling his pain as he lay on the ground whining. He heard a heavy sigh and Roy walked from behind the tree staring at Gabriel with sheer disappointment, ¡°I think you are ready for my plan¡­ Along as you don¡¯t do stupid stuff like that.¡±

    ¡°I¡­I won¡¯t¡­¡± Gabriel rubbed his aching feet before he stood on them.

    ¡°Now for you next lesson.¡¯¡¯

    ¡°O-okay¡­¡± The child nodded nervously the moment Roy held out his book of stories. ¡°This book contains the necessaryinstructions to rid of corrupted humans. Corrupted humans¡­¡± Roy held out a page of monsters with hollow eyes and black mist for Gabriel to see. ¡°Or any other vessel containing life, create this fire to continue, but in special occasions it is the brain impregnated with parasites or acid.¡±

    ¡°That is gross!¡±

    ¡°One can tell if they are no longer with us when the heat is constant. A lively vessel can create a light spectrum of colors per minute. In your case, it is per second.¡±

    ¡°Animals can do this too?¡±

    ¡°Of course.¡± Roy reached into his pocket and hold a flower in his open palm. The swirls of colors were mesmerizing to Gabriel¡¯s eyes. ¡°It is simple to destroy the light inside oflife. All it takes is brute force¡­¡± He closed his hand into a tight fist and the light dispersed into the sky. Upon opening his hand again, the flower¡¯s state was obvious, but it hurt Gabriel in a strange way he can¡¯t seem to understand. ¡°We are all meant to die¡­¡± Roy whispered as he held Gabriel¡¯s hands open and placed the wilted flower in his tiny palms. ¡°One thing I was okay with when I served the church, was to eradicate those that deemed dangerous. Some do not understand because only we see all the sides no one else can. We expose ourselves to danger for the sake of salvation.¡± Roy showed none remorse, but his icy blue eyes begged to differ and so did his aura. ¡°Yes, I have done it before. But we are the monsters that keep eden cleansed from evil¡­ Whatever you believed, it is yours alone.¡± Gabriel nodded after a lingering silence. ¡°The church has trained us to kill and I live by my commandments till my heart stops.¡±

    ¡°Make no mistake¡­ The act of death is one that will burn your hands even after life. Killing should never be an alternative till it is theonlyone. Do you understand me¡­?¡± The cleromancer¡¯s voice was hoarse as he spoke.

    ¡°You believe in Crow but you also believe in Jehova?¡±

    ¡°...I stopped praying to him the moment someone else answered. I want you to understand that this world is not so black and white as many paint it to be¡­ Many of us are born into strange circumstances no one dreamed of it occurring. That no god outside of earth or inside are in total control of our actions... I want you to promise me, that if you have that courage and impulse to kill, it is because it was your only alternative to save someone¡¯s or your life.¡± Now Gabriel understands Roy¡¯s actions the night before and now, thanks to the revelation of his parents origin, he can understand his mother¡¯s sacrificial acts of a life for a life, and his father¡¯s obligation to the world. How it all seemed heavy and weightless all at once.

    Gabriel wasn¡¯t an idiot. He knew why Roy brought the subject up, there will be a moment in his life where death is certain and he will have to choose.

    ¡°Death can change a man, weather the weight of his actions are to much for him to bare or he will lose sight of himself in the bloodbath. Don¡¯t make the same mistake of those souls who have sinned for the sake of following orders¡­ Never make my mistake. Do you understand¡­?¡± The cleromancer placed a gentle palm over the apprentice''s heart. Gabriel stared at before reaching Roy¡¯s pinky finger with his own. Once coiling they sparked just as the first promise that he intended to keep. "It is a sin for a reason..."

    ¡°I promise¡­ If you tell me why you left the church.¡± Roy held his gaze steady, but it slowly crumbled under the eyes of the Amesthyn. ¡°When you are older¡­ and have seen your share of the sludge and disgust filling this world, I will tell you.¡± Gabriel tightened his pinky¡¯s grip and nodded.

 10: Death

    The Lost Scholar

    CHAPTER: 10

    DEATH

    <hr>

    It was dead of night, no wind carried the broken diamonds raining from above. Gabriel watch the snowflakes dance in tranquil motion. He held out his hand glowing with his aura in shades of blue and green with hints of reds to catch the snow drops as they melted immediately once they touched his skin. ¡°The aura is the evidence of life¡­¡± he thought out loud. Gabriel could only feel the cold numbing his fingertips, he closed his small hands into tight fists watching the ice melt into lukewarm drops slipping through the creases of his fingers and into the layers of shaved ice underneath his boots.

    Gabriel hid in the alley beside the inn. Roy had long wondered in the inn He could only assume he was since he could see his platinum aura spellbound doing the same motion over and over again.

    If warmth was the cause of light burning continuously then it would mean the eternal sun is the reason why there is light. The Sun, even if it hides behind the shades of gray of the sky, plays a major role in the existence of humanity. However, Gabriel doesn¡¯t really like how the warmth of the Sun feels in spring, he appreciates it but he rather prefers the cold and the ice of the beginning autumn and freezing winter. If he was in fact more in tune with the cold than the heat then there must be a problem with his core if it¡¯s still reflecting the colors of his emotions: fear, anticipation and excitement. ¡°Am I backwards¡­?¡± he asked himself expecting an answer.

    He heard a croak of a crow up high in the second floor window. He looked up to see the window open. ¡°This is my queue,¡± he said and climbed up.

    He entered the lit room where Roy opened for him he saw a note written with beautiful calligraphy saying, ¡°Good job, remember our goal. I will count on you.¡¯¡¯ the author of such a vague note signed by the clever Roy Firestorm, that was enough motivation to prove to Roy that he can break into a home and steal a diary. ¡°I will make you proud of me, and I will save my mom with your support¡­¡±

    Gabriel opened the door leading to the hallway and made sure he was alone. He didn¡¯t see any active and lively auras other than the ones he assumed were asleep in the rooms behind locked doors and the ones below the wooden floor boards.

    The little Amesthyn remembered where Amelia¡¯s room stood and he tiptoed his way there quietly, to his dismay, it was locked. ¡°Why would this be locked¡­?¡± he wondered. then he noticed a faint aura from behind the door, pure white. Just as he managed to see color, it vanished. Something was behind that door and was being kept there. Now he understood Roy¡¯s curiosity, there were some big conspiracy going on and he really wanted to know what was under the many layers.

    He then realized he needed to find the keys. This wasn¡¯t as simple as Roy planned it out. But this wasn¡¯t going to stop him from saving his mom. He tiptoed back to the room and locked it tight searching for a pen and ink jar, and he was thankful there were a quill and very little ink. Little Gabriel wrote his message as legible as possible, then he folded the paper into a plane and snuck out of the room and onto the staircase where he could get a better view of Roy. He was being attended by the tavern wench, she was trying too hard to get special attention from him and Roy was more focused on the drink he slowly drank.

    Gabriel drew a heavy breath and threw the paper plane hopping it reached Roy.

    ¡°Argh!¡± it hit a man¡¯s eye, he was very far away from Roy. Gabriel sighed and palmed his face in frustration.

    ¡°Who did this!?¡± the wounded man shouted, crumbling up the paper. He looked up to another man and threatened him with a broken bottle. ¡°What the hell is your problem!?¡±

    ¡°Get off of me, you bottomless barrel of disappointment!¡±

    Gabriel hoped Roy noticed the altercation but he was tuning the entire thing out. ¡°How am I supposed to get the keys now¡­?¡± he asked himself. The little apprentice then wondered if Roy tricked him into thinking this was all a mystery but in reality this was a journey to get drunk.

    ¡°Hey! Cut it out!¡± said another man joining in and punching another man. Soon enough every man jumped in, except Roy who was, if anything, annoyed.

    ¡°Quit it already!¡± the dry and unappealing wench of the inn tried to break up the fight. She couldn''t handle the roughness that came with inebriated men. Gabriel noticed something tied to her belt, a ring of keys. One of those had to open the room.

    He snuck down the stairs to retrieve the keys the wench kept on her belt. Gabriel had to avoid the brawl sneaking and pushing through the aggressive patrons. He was scared but he was able to grab and yank the ring of keys and run up the stairs with no one catching on to him.

    He made it back to Amelia''s room and after a while of guessing which key opens the lock he was in the room. He took a deep breath, ¡°I¡¯m almost there, mom¡­¡±

    And so, he searched the room without making a noise, not that it mattered since he could hear the whole commotion down stairs. He felt a plank weaken under his boot, very similar to secret compartments at his home. He lifted it, and sure enough, he found a white book with a doll with realistic looking eyes.

    He opened the book at a random page and wouldn''t he knew, someone was writing it. Some of the sentences he read at first glance were off to him. He read a particular page from the beginning section of the journal, ¡°¡®I can''t wait till spring so I can leave this godforsaken place. Once I fulfil my part of the deal, I will leave and never look back.¡¯¡± the text was accompanied with a few rhymes and circle patterns similar to witchcraft. ¡°Roy has to see this¡­¡± Gabriel said to himself quietly.This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

    The boy took both the doll and the book and hid it in his satchel and made sure to cover his tracks. A door creaked from behind andGabriel froze, hearing the heavy steps of bare feet. As he turned he didn¡¯t know what to do first but screaming was out of the question.

    Gabriel witnessed walking corpse of a little girl. Her gray, almost a ghastly green skin pruned with obvious signs of frostbites, rotten and falling apart from long time exposure to time and gravity. Her breathing was gross and sloppy, every breath she drew was an unnecessary attempt of living, and strangely enough, flower petals dyed in dry blood spilled from her matted and chapped lips. Her dress was covered in posies, he even dared think her dress was a garden or she was a human sized faerie. Her blond hair, dirty with grime and dust, was falling apart strand by strand, the bunch of it still on her head covered most of her face amd was also tangled with rose vines and buds. He knew who she was, he knows it. ¡°A-Amelia¡­¡± Gabriel wheezed her name as his back hit the door. From where he stood he caught a glance of a body crammed in the closet, he recognized his face, it was the innkeeper. Judging by the mess of gore, his own daughter feasted on him, starting from his stomach.

    Gabriel stood there sobbing quietly as Amelia stumbled towards him, she tackled Gabriel and lunged at his skin to bite it. Gabriel slapped her away with the book he had in the satchel, then he kicked her off him and ran to the door but it was locked. He pull at the door and even pounded at it. ¡°Someone!! Help me!!¡± Gabriel screamed. He hoped Roy could hear him, or any one for that matter.

    Gabriel cried out as jagged teeth sank into his shoulder blade. He pulled at her hair and clawed to get her off. Gabriel then slammed himself against the wall and any surface to shake Amelia off. His back prickled and felt lighter. His spikes expunged the dead girl from his shoulder. Gabriel ran to the window and thought about jumping off but it was too high up. The girl didn''t give up the fight and dragged herself towards Gabriel.

    ¡°K-kih...kill¡­¡± he heard her hiss. ¡°kill me¡­¡± Amelia begged.

    ¡°W-what¡­?¡± Gabriel thought he was delusional from the massive loss of blood. ¡°f-free me¡­¡± she pleaded with the frightened boy. ¡°I want to die¡­¡± she barely added.

    Gabriel on one hand felt his heart crumble hearing such a sad girl beg for something so grousm, on the other he wanted to run far away from this situation. Gabriel then realized what she was asking him to do. ¡°I-I can''t do that!! Are you insane?!¡± he shouted.

    ¡°P-please¡­ I want to be with my father¡­¡± she whispered.

    Gabriel stared at her, he didn''t understand her abhorrent fate or what lead to it. It only infuriate him. She was a sick child caught in the middle of a war between the church and witches. Gabriel and Amelia were in the cross fires and not even death could offer them a release from the harsh reality.

    ¡°..All it takes is brutal force...¡± He heard Roy speak from a memory deep in his head. He also remembered the panicked look on Roy''s face when his only alternative was the worse outcome to save a troubled soul trapped forever in a vessel of pain. He really didn''t want to but he could let her suffer.

    ¡°Al¡­ alright¡­¡± Gabriel finally caved in. The child stepped closer and looked down at the girl clinging to the wood. A sad smile of pain and hope was plastered on her face. He closed his eyes tight and lifted his boot and before he could stomp, he heard her squeak, ¡°thank you--¡± gabriel kicked through her head and it made a wet cracking sound, along with a string of whines and gurgling noises. Gabriel stood frozen in place, covering his mouth with both hands looking down at what he actually did. The paralyzed boy lifted his boot, and cringed when he felt the slime and blood squish from the sole and soaked into his feet. She was still alive though, so he did it again, and again, and again till no sound came from her throat. The blood and flower petals cluttered up in his clothes. Gabriel''s shoulders trembled as little panicked gasps pushed through his red lips staring down at the mess he made. Pieces of her brain clung to his skin and hair, nausea overwhelmed him, his body bent forward and spilled his stomach contents onto the wood near the cadaver. He then realized he had to hide the evidence. He couldn''t do much anyway, the mess will never be cleaned up and neither will his soul.

    ¡°God¡­ What have I done¡­?¡± Fear kicked in when an aura stood idle behind the door, it was a white light. Gabriel crawled backwards into the closet and shut the door. He forgot the other dead body and sealed his own mouth with both hands, silently praying for a miracle.

    The door opened and heavy boots walked in the room. He could hear the door close and his heart was ready to leap out of his chest. The feet stopped by the closet door. Gabriel shut his eyes tight squeezing the remaining tears out of his eyes and sobbed quietly.

    Pain pierce the boy''s hands like sharts going through his skin. He winced and he didn¡¯t realize his voice was getting louder because the man standing behind the door twisted the knob and pulled it open with great speed and hurry. ¡°Gabriel¡± Roy had a horrified look of regret on his hard face. ¡°What on Earth happened to you...?¡± He kneeled on his one knee and reached his hand to help Gabriel out of the closet. ¡°I killed her¡­¡± Gabriel confessed. ¡°I killed her¡­¡± he repeated. ¡°

    ¡°Let''s get you out of here.¡± Soon, Gabriel was held in Roy''s arms as he cooed quietly, ¡°It''s going to be fine¡­ You¡¯re stronger than this.¡± Roy had taken his coat and wrapped it around Gabriel''s frame to protect him from the harsh winter waiting outside and consoled the child to the best of his abilities. Gabriel hadn''t been held that way since his father left. His mother did smothered him with love and support but it wasn''t a physically strong hold. The warmth Roy emitted was a special light that burnt away all worry from his heavy heart. Roy snuck Gabriel out through the window and into the night, back to the safety of the Atelier.

    ¡°I killed her¡­¡± Gabriel sobbed quietly all the way back. No amount of support or sugar would ease the lump on his throat and the worms of anxiety ate through his inside claiming his sanity and peace of mind. ¡°What did I do..?¡± His howls of despair reached far into the darkness for no god to hear. ¡°What have I done?¡±

    ¡°Gabriel, please¡­¡± Roy said impossibly low and sweetly. ¡°If you continue to strain yourself you will draw death¡­¡± he reasone with the hysterical child. The door of the atelier opened by the Grace of Roy and he quickly rushed in to help the soul he himself endangered.

    The child laid over his bare chest on the plushed bed. Little Gabriel screamed as the wound over his shoulder burned like hell fire. ¡°Shh..¡± whispered the cleromancer,pressed a cloth with liquid and dried herb medicine over the bite, pressing deep to embed them into his flesh. ¡°I will mend your wounds,¡± he promised. The scent of the Atelier overwhelmed the child¡¯s senses and pulled him under the cover of darkness.

 11: The Moon

    The Lost Scholar

    CHAPTER:11

    THEMOON

    <hr>

    Gabriel¡¯s body was frozen still in the middle of the forest. He could hear a voice call to him, he could hear many of them, but he continued to walk and ignored them. He didn¡¯t understand why he needed to walk but he was sure he needed to be there.

    It was a deathly quiet venture, but he knows someone was outside in the night. He felt someone behind him, never missing a beat. Every time he looked back he could see someone, no matter where his eyes shifted. He reached the plaza and found his way to the gallows but his mother wasn¡¯t in the cages. His heart sunk as he saw Amelia stand near the gallows where she met her fate.

    ¡°What are you doing here? Gabriel asked with disdain.

    ¡°I have been trying to warn you, Gabriel. You must be weary of my sister¡¯s wrath.¡± Gabriel was confused at the fact. ¡°Your sister? Why?¡±

    ¡°She had been trying to kill you, your father and your mother for some time now and she is succeeding.¡± Amelia looked over at the church behind them when Gabriel noticed the shouting inside. His heart sank deeper when the doors burst open and the clergy dragged his weak mother across the snow. He body was covered in wounds and her dress was nothing but rags. ¡°Hang the witch!¡± The magistrate shouted and the crowd cheered. Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

    ¡°No-no!¡± Gabriel ran them but he just went through them. He was paralyzed in place looking at his translucent hands with rainbow hues. ¡°W-what¡­?¡± Gabriel turned back as he saw his mother being prepared to hang. ¡°Mother!¡± He shouted in vain as he climbed up the stairs to help his mother down but he just went through her. ¡°Please, not my mother! She is innocent!¡±

    ¡°Grizelda Amesthyn, for ninety-seven counts of murder I sentence you to death, May the Lord have mercy on your repugnant soul,¡± the magistrate said. ¡°Any last words?¡± he asked.

    Her eyes shifted down at Gabriel and he stared back. ¡°M-mother¡­!¡± She smiled and shed a few tears never looking away. ¡°Johan, I failed as a mother and as a spouse, forgive me¡­ Gabriel, I love you, with all my heart and soul. My sweet prince, if you can hear me¡­ I am sorry.¡±

    ¡°No Mommy! It¡¯s my fault! I left you alone! I should have stayed home! I should have been a man for you!¡±

    ¡°I love you so much¡­ Good bye¡­¡± she broke down into tears and began to pray softly with a shaky tone.

    ¡°I-... I love you too¡­!¡± Gabriel sobbed hitting the ground on his knees trying to hold his mother but it was no use. ¡°Please! Not her! She is the only family I have left! Please! I don¡¯t want her to die! Mommy!¡±

    The floor collapsed below her and down she went. She made a wet hissing sound as the rope tightened around her neck. In seconds the scene froze in place. ¡°Mother!¡± Once he realized time stopped his heart eased a little bit. ¡°You have been stuck like this for a while, I came to help you escape,¡± Amelia explained.

    ¡°Escape to where?! My mother needs me!¡±

    ¡°Gabriel, this is all a trick! My sister is trying to decieve you! Your mother is still okay but if you don¡¯t hurry up your mother will die too. Sooner if my sister quickens her fate. You must wake up Gabriel!¡± Amelia urged the Amesthyn. ¡°You must find her at the fortress! Please, Gabriel You are our only hope since your father left! Wake up!¡±

 12: The Judgement

    The Lost Scholar

    CHAPTER: 12

    THE JUDGEMENT

    <hr>

    Gabriel¡¯s eyes burst wide open, and filled in his lungs with the air he so desperately needed. A white light blinded his vision, it''s warm and pure. As it dimmed and shaped into a familiar face, the boy¡¯s body tingled with an acute spasm of pain. Screams caught up in his sore throat, only small groans and squeals squeezed through.

    The pain slowly subsided as a large hand rested lightly over his chest. Small prayers filled his ears, they were the same prayers his parents recited every single night.

    "Soul of mine, make him holy

    Body of mine, be his salvation

    Blood of mine, let him drink of the wine

    Water flowing from the side of Christ, wash him clean

    Passion of mine, strengthen him

    Defend him from the evil enemy

    And I will answer at the hour of his death

    To the fellowship of our saints

    That he might sing my praise with them

    for all eternity."

    After the prayer, the child could breathe and the face looking down at him was the grace of god himself. But it was Roy, Roy Firestorm. ¡°Amen,¡± he breathed and the weight over his shoulders lifted. ¡°Can you hear me, child?¡± the cleromancer uttered.

    ¡°...f-fortress,¡± the child stuttered quietly.

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°The witch¡­¡± Gabriel hummed, ¡°is in the fortress¡­¡± The boy¡¯s vision dimmed to black and slowly lost his breath again. He missed his father¡¯s iron grip hugs and sweet motherly kisses. How could he save his mother and find his father if he couldn''t save himself?

    ¡°Hey!¡± Roy slapped the boy rather hard leaving his skin an angry red, but also bringing light back to his eyes. ¡°You die on me and your mother will have my head. Get your shit together!¡± the cleromancer threatened. He was also correct. Gabriel pulled himself up to sit straight¡ªor rather, slouched over, shivering with pain. He gazed down at his limp hands, covered in purple gemstones. The boy lifted to examine them closely.

    ¡°That is a self-defense mechanism¡­¡± Gabriel looked up at Roy who took his little hands into his heavily calloused ones. ¡°This was a trait the knightess of Amesthyn had. When she lost her legs, her powers of earth and crag sealed her wounds and created a new weapon and means of standing. Thus dubbing her Stalagmite.¡± The drunk man ran his fingers gently through the surface of the purple crag and they slowly retracted back into the boy¡¯s skin. ¡°It''s why your aura is so powerful and acts like a beacon, leading to those who are looking for a powerful source of energy gravitate towards you.¡± Roy explains and crane¡¯s Gabriel¡¯s head to the side and inspected the wound.

    ¡°Why do witches need my soul--¡± the boy hissed at the sharp pain. ¡°D-Didn¡¯t Yuri say they were smart women¡­?¡± Gabriel added.

    ¡°I don¡¯t like them. I really hate witches¡­¡± Roy spat as he cleaned the bite marks in the child¡¯s skin, along with broken shards of quartz.

    ¡°Why do you¡­?¡±

    ¡°It pisses me off when they can easily kill and even torment a child. Whatever Yuri said it means nothing now. His kingdom is dead and should be that way.¡±

    ¡°But you were so adamant in finding it¡­¡±

    "I am studying it because the Amesthyn era is part of Genesis. It was the remains I found gave me a thirst for knowledge."

    "Remains?" Gabriel ticked his head to the side curiously.

    "The scales of the Queen of the skies in Greece and the remains of Knightess Stalagmite in Jerusalem.¡±<u></u>

    ¡°How do you know it was their remains?¡±

    ¡°The bones were amethyst stones. That silly thing, that at the time I assumed was a joke or decoration from a macabre religion, is what made me travel and be what I am today¡­¡± Roy sat beside Gabriel with the journal of the witch. ¡°Anything I can learn to kick these women¡¯s asses is welcome.¡± Before Roy opened the journal, he looked down at the child that didn¡¯t move an inch. ¡°Something is on your mind¡­¡±

    ¡°Yes, Ijust... I don¡¯t understand,¡±

    ¡°You willsay that a lot as we go in deeper in the investigation,¡± Roy replied.

    ¡°Not just that¡­ I am having a hard time understanding this world. They keep saying what is wrong and what is right and expect everyone to tune into the same song. They keep saying god is the only way but they are murdering people without thinking, they keep saying witchcraft is the only way because they are humble and smart, but they do that Amelia and her father¡­¡±

    ¡°I said the world is gray.¡±

    ¡°Then why keep her there¡­?¡±A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

    ¡°I can¡¯t answer that because I honestly do not know why she was kept in a rotting corpse. But I am sure we can find the answers to Grizelda¡¯s salvation and many others in this book of shadows.¡± Finally, Roy turned the cover finding a seal in the first page. Roy scoffed and yanked the page, ¡°If you will draw Satan¡¯s crest, do it correctly¡­¡± he muttered mockingly.

    Gabriel saw the first pages of the journal and they seem to be normal girl thoughts. They spoke about her insecurities, her day, her dreams and her sister.¡°¡®...Amelia is being praised again for literally doing nothing. I don¡¯t get it why do my parents love her so much? I bet it is because she is pretty...¡¯¡±the boy narrated.¡°¡®Stupid brat. She is the illegitimate child my mother had due to a rape and my father loves her all the same. I hate her guts, and I hope she gets so sick she needs to depend on me for the rest of her life...I find it ironic a child so like her was born from an ugly event.¡¯

    ¡°This¡­ This looks like¡­ a dedication to everything she holds in the name of hatred...¡± Gabriel flipped the page after.¡°They told me about the rumor of the contract you make when you sign your name in blood in the pillar in front of the fortress. They say in the olden days, witches gathered to worship their god. I explored it but found nothing, eventually I returned home, but, something was luring me in.

    ¡®I bought one knife with me and pricked it to make my blood available as ink, I thought maybe if I do it and see no results I can finally put this anxiety to rest. To my surprise, nothing had happened. I went back home and slept,¡±

    ¡°That moment when a rumor is just that¡­¡± Roy comments in a mildly sarcastic tone. He stood up to dissecting the doll Gabriel found. Hidden inside were gemstones and a black rotten heart saturated in scented oils. ¡°Keep reading,¡± he commanded.

    Gabriel nodded and did just that,¡°¡®I saw my best friend Helga at the inn with my soulmate, Gunther, jealousy filled my core, I hate them being together.¡± Gabriel turned another page.¡°¡®I returned to the fortress again, and it was open. Inside I find a god. A god who taught me the ancient art of the craft--¡¯She must talk about the God of Stars and Dreams,¡± Gabriel theorized.

    ¡°I bet so too,¡± Roy agreed.¡°¡®He taught me to use my voice as a tool of destruction, whatever I call out will occur, in return I had to give him the taste of flesh, and my body to him; my skin burning with want and passion. His fingers explored inside me--? What?¡±Gabriel looked up at Roy who refused to look at the child, but the boy knew he was flushing red. The cleromancer cleared his throat. ¡°Continue.¡±

    ¡°...Till my body convulsed and shivered in pleasure I never thought I could experience. Every night I could hear him and dreamt of him. Each night of passion growing in scale. I had confidence and desire for more. He granted me confidence to tell the love of my life what I feel!¡¯

    ¡°Months pass and Cider came saying she was pregnant, and that Gunther was the father, they were to marry. She was so happy and I lost it.

    I poisoned her drink hopefully trying to kill her and her stupid child, but it did nothing, Grizelda saved her. I was so angry at that harlot--,¡¯M-mom¡­?¡± Gabriel felt a chill down his spine when he read his mother''s name in red ink. When Gabriel looked up, he saw Roy stop doing whatever he was doing to hear him. The boy took the silence as a queue to continue.¡°¡®... but to what extend? One day, Cider was giving birth, it wasn''t due till another five months and she herself was having bad health, thanks to the poison. She gave birth to an abomination with no eyes, thanks to that, they condemned her of being a witch. They stoned her and her child to¡­¡¯¡±Gabriel couldn''t even finish. He remembers that day, and it was a horrible thing to imagine. He also remembered his mother suffering and kicking herself for not trying hard enough.

    ¡°That is brutal¡­¡± was the only thing Roy could say. Gabriel doesn''t blame him.

    "She--... Amelia can''t have the heart to do this, Amelia was sweet and gentle. Not a depraved human."

    ¡°I think it is more than obvious it wasn''t Amelia. Let''s keep reading, maybe she is also guilty of other murders.¡±

    Gabriel nodded with determination and skipped a page. "I confessed to Gunther and undressed before him to show him what I learned, but he pushed me away telling me he couldn''t see me that way, he was always in love with Cider. He was a fool¡­ Cider was nothing but a pretty face. So the next day I served him his meal with enough poison to silence him forever, and gifted it to the man in my dreams.¡±

    ¡°I always feared women, I am glad I am a degenerate and attract none¡­¡± Roy said jokingly. Gabriel found this statement ironic. ¡°If looks could kill¡­¡± Gabriel whispered. Roy had golden threads as hair, and blue eyes with pale skin, this man makes the perfect husband. ¡°What?¡± Roy asked. Gabriel feigned ignorance and continued.¡®I went to ¡°aid¡± the midwife nurse some of her patience back to good health and fed them poison after she medicated them. This time when they all died it would be her fault. Maybe then she will stop interfering.¡¯¡±

    ¡°I¡­ I can''t read this,¡± Gabriel set it aside, ¡°they dedicate this entire book to murder and blame my mom!¡±

    ¡°The question is, who?¡± Roy raises a fantastic point, Amelia couldn''t have done something so horrible.

    ¡°I don''t know. I know no one. Maybe it was Lady Lillian¡­?¡±

    ¡°...Do you not remember where you found this? Let''s keep reading¡­ Maybe the answer is there.¡± Gabriel needed to speed up the process and skipped several pages before he found jittery calligraphy.¡°¡®...I have grown tired of the constant interference of Midwife Amesthyn, and her nosy brat of a child--¡¯I am not nosy!¡±

    ¡°You kind of are.¡±

    ¡°Mngg¡­ ¡®But I know her secret, she can''t hide it from me any longer. I confronted her about what she kept in the basement--¡¯...¡± Gabriel ceased reading and looked up at Roy who also shared the same concern.

    ¡°¡®...For many days, I have been feeding his soul with the deaths I caused. Children are the easiest of targets. Some parents are even grateful I took the burden off their shoulders. I lure them near the forest promising the candy and toys and they would eat that up.¡¯

    ¡®By far the most complex target had been Gabriel, He never walked towards the fortress he just stands there idle¡ªS-she¡­ Was trying to lure me¡­?¡±

    "It would make sense. You did made it pretty far off the forest," Roy thought. "Continue..."

    ¡°Okay.¡± Gabriel pointed where he left off,¡°¡®My love warned me about that fiend and how hard it would be to extract his soul. The first attempt was through his eternal sleep, and I failed because his mother cast my shadows out."

    ¡®Another problem was that stupid cleric¡­ My god warned me to be careful of his presence.''She calculated the entire thing and we don¡¯t even know where she is or how to stop her¡­¡± Gabriel spoke with a worried tone.

    ¡°Yeah well she''s getting harder to kill, and she is the one behind the murders and children disappearance. We have to find a clue, we know that she is a resident of the village and she is fairly young¡­¡±

    ¡°Maybe I can find a clue in her writings, a location.¡± Gabriel went page after page repeatedly and nothing. She was careful not to give up any information. But, in one page he skipped ahead earlier, he found something disturbing, so he narrated again,

    ¡°¡®...I cursed Amelia¡¯s beauty every day with my voice. ¡®Let the hard winter prick tiny holes and pepper rouge tones onto flesh,¡¯ and it happened! I destroyed her eyesight with the spell, ¡®dull the colors of the sight and never see through the other side.¡¯

    ¡®My sister is so frail and only recently she had lost her eyesight. And even then whenever I am near her she would tell me there is a demon with me. I don¡¯t know where the little cunt got the information, but it got me frightened.¡¯

    ¡®The church was investigating the string of deaths and that is where it hit me, I gave my little sister to the church. I told them she had a diary where she confessed to the use of witchcraft. And so, they came at night and dragged her out into the cold. She didn¡¯t cry she only smiled when she looked at me¡­¡¯

    ¡°I gave her up to continue my work and even then she continued to love me, What an idiot. Her final words before she hung were; ''I l-¡¯¡±

    Gabriel refused to continue the image was heartbreaking enough. Roy was also in silence. The child couldn¡¯t fathom who could be this selfish. He was having a hard time dealing with his feelings and he barely even knew the girl that suffered in the narrative. It was obvious it was a sibling, but he never knew them till recently and he would have to interrogate them again. He thought it was Lilian, but she was just a victim as everyone now he realized these women would have been all right if he wasn¡¯t a target, Matilda¡¯s death was his fault. A mother losing her child and her free will was all because they want his soul. He wanted to step in the gallows.

    Roy took the book and read the last page. "''I will run away tonight with my god and future husband in tow to faraway lands. But I must serve one last person to my god¡­''" Roy showed the page to Gabriel for him to read. His eyes watered and his teeth clattered. No amount of pain could compare to the knot in the pit of his stomach, "...G-Grizelda Amesthyn."

    "You still think witches are a godsend...?" Roy remarked in a mocking tone.

 13: The Strength

    The Lost Scholar

    CHAPTER: 13

    THE STRENGTH

    <hr>

    ¡°How can we be so blinded by this¡­?¡± The small child sunk into the velvet blankets sobbing quietly. ¡°How can I be this stupid and let this happened?¡± Roy refuse to answer any of the questions Gabriel sutured. The cleromancer studied the journal for any other clues and kept them to himself till it is fit to tell a child, but when would it be appropriate? ¡°What will happen? I can¡¯t just let my mother go, I should have told my father to stay! I should have begged! I already lost my father and now I will lose my mother! This isn''t fair...¡±

    ¡°... When did Johan leave?¡± the cleromancer asked before drowning another blood shot, as he called it.

    Gabriel wiped his tears with a fist full of blankets. ¡°H-he¡­ he left--¡± the boy didn¡¯t know what to say, when he remembered that last kiss on his head, and the warm palm on his cheek, he remembers standing outside after hours. ¡°I¡­ don¡¯t know¡­¡±

    ¡°Was it about a few months ago¡­?¡± Roy doesn¡¯t move, he glances at the weeping apprentice with the corner of his eyes, hidden behind tinted lenses.

    ¡°... I ¡ª Can¡¯t remember¡­¡±

    ¡°See, when you told me Johan walked out on you guys, I was skeptical. Johan is many things, cunning, brilliant, strong, a cunt in white robes¡­ But to walk out on you and Grizelda is very unlikely¡­¡± He turned to the boy as he read from the journal. ¡°I spoke to your mother recently, and she told me the same thing, that he went to investigate the murders and never came back.¡± Roy lifted his gaze to make eye contact with Gabriel. ¡°I bet your mother and your father didn¡¯t want to worry you with what was happening, so I assumed they never told you."

    "Or I am just a stupid child that fails to see reality as it should be..." Roy was silenced by the remarked and kept to himself for a moment till he sparked a different conversation. ¡°We need to go to the fortress. I know you are unwell, but we are running out of time and there are still some things left unanswered.¡± Roy was correct but Gabriel lost all hope. He felt it deep in his heart he would not make a difference.

    ¡°Are you listening?¡± Roy asked, knowing well Gabriel wasn¡¯t. ¡°You know what my father used to do, before he left¡­?¡± the boy whispered and the drunk man listen closely. ¡°He would sing in a different language mostly in Spanish or Italian. After he left, the only two sounds you can hear are the ones of agony and silence¡­ Now they are both gone my life had become this desolate silence.¡±

    ¡°You speak as if they''re gone forever,¡± the cleromancer didn¡¯t much enjoy the boy¡¯s dread.

    ¡°Soon they will¡­ There is nothing that will help me, not even you who are experience with this can make a difference. I fear this is all for nothing¡­¡± Gabriel was drowning in his pain and doubt and nothing would fix it. No amount of miracles would fix something so broken.

    ¡°Why not pray to Crow?¡± Roy offered with a gentle hand on his good shoulder.

    ¡°Pray to him¡­? What good will it do now?¡± Gabriel wondered why Roy was being ridiculous at the worst of times. The cleromancer sat next to him basking in the silence before speaking.

    ¡°Jesus of Nazareth was born to save humankind with his sacrifice¡­ He slowly spread his gospel of the lord with genius tactics to gift his children the promised land, the new Eden. He had many disciples, but he had one who he favored and will forever consider him his best friend; Judas of Iscariot. Jesus confined in him, things he dared not tell a soul, not even his own wife, Mary Magdalene. One of the many things he confessed was, "there is no god, and if there were, he never existed now." Jesus was slowly breaking, he wondered what if the lights he saw were nothing but daydreams, that his sole purpose in life is all a fabrication of Moses¡¯s mind, or that his sacrifice will do nothing if not worsen what is happening? Judas comfort him, assuring with a sound ¡®amen¡¯ after they prayed quietly for who ever listened.¡±Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

    ¡°Judas was a traitor¡­ how could Jesus consider him someone so close to him¡­?¡±

    ¡°Judas never betrayed Jesus. They were close friends, so close that even Mary Magdalene was close to him. It wasn¡¯t till Jesus¡¯ wife died did he truly succumb to the darkness. Judas brought him out through prayer, the one Jesus recited in the sermons.¡±

    ¡°Impossible, they praised Jesus because he was perfect,¡± the pessimistic child remarked.

    ¡°...There is no one who is righteous, not even one.¡±Roy quoted from the heart, words he lived by.¡°He couldn¡¯t handle the pressure, so he devised a prophesy to escape, a prophesy of betrayal.¡±

    ¡°The kiss of Judas¡­¡± Gabriel finished the sentence. He was familiar with the story, a story the church uses to bring fear for those who fall into any sin.

    ¡°It was a kiss of farewell¡­ Judas looked at him with pleading eyes and all he received was an expectant smile. Judas reached in and kissed his cheek saying,¡®forgive me, for I have yet to commit the ultimate sin,¡¯they dragged out Jesus of the temple, and forgave him.¡±The altered version of Roy¡¯s story was too similar to Amelia¡¯s, save for the witch being a heartless woman. Roy laid back on the bed and pulled the child with him, showing him the decorative ceiling of all the stars charted into a map to the library at the center of the universe.

    ¡°When they crucified Jesus his fears were present to him all at once,¡®Why have thou forsaken me?¡¯He sang a new prayer, for any god to hear him. The only answer were crows pecking at him, relieving him of his slow and painful demise. He spoke of a place in the sky, far away from heaven, a god that welcomed him with open arms and hope¡­¡±

    ¡°... But according to Yuri and even Crow himself, they were enemies¡­¡±

    ¡°That was long behind them, along with the Kingdom on Earth for the children of God. He was born again and lived as a man, not a Messiah...¡±

    ¡°Why do you tell me this¡­?¡± The child had enough of the stories and sat up straight.

    Roy followed suit and stared down at the child shrouded in gloom. ¡°Because through dark times one sings or prays for enlightenment. I know in my heart that Johan prayed in the form of song, following a similar dead god¡¯s teachings. You are dragging yourself through the mud and losing sight of your hope and spirituality. Pray to him.¡±

    ¡°He hasn¡¯t helped at all¡­¡± Gabriel avoided his gaze, keeping them steady at the ground he barely touched with the soles of his shoes. The bed lifted, Roy was standing tall in front of him with a worried look, perhaps a mirrored concern.

    ¡°Gabriel, pray¡­¡± The cleromancer stood on his knee, taking Gabriel¡¯s hands and pressing their foreheads together.¡°Why is he so close¡­!?¡±The boy flushed a heavy dye of red and purple and his palms clammed underneath the heavy hands.

    ¡°Let us pray together...

    My world, devoid of star and dreams,

    My mind plagued with doubts and nightmares,

    I sing of hope and pray to thee

    the Hermit of knowing and God of Creation,

    Open your doors your home beyond the stars, a sanctuary,

    Protect my soul, heal my wounds, and silence the voices from the distant.

    I am your child, a companion, a familiar,

    Merxill Umnai¡­¡±

    Gabriel¡¯s eyes blinded by his grace and holy aura. The small body dropped onto the bed and his soul ascended to the asylum in the sky.