Alexandra
26th Day of Summer, 997th Year of Grace
Adam didn't return after the small quarrel yesterday.
When he was not in the city, I was at least able to calm myself down thinking about him whenever I woke up from a nightmare.
But when I awoke last night and realised he was perhaps somewhere in Belmire but not by my side, it hurt more than having to deal with the pain and fear alone.
I shouldn't have snapped at him...
My mind drifted to the matter with that valet at the Governor's estate.
What he had told me in the afternoon remained stuck within my mind even after coming back home an hour ago.
He called me a necessity. He called me his salvation. Were those words genuine or a memorized script he recited to all those who caught his eyes?
Tears trickled down my cheeks.
If his words are genuine, I've been rude to someone I shouldn't be. But... How do I feel about him? Is it even alright for me to feel anything for anyone?
The door creaked open and I saw Adam standing at the doorway.
"H-Hey--"
I had already crashed into his chest before he finishes his greetings.
"Where were you?" I cried. "Why did you leave me all alone?"
He stroked my hair--as was his habit--while patting my back with the other hand. "Sorry."
"Why are you saying sorry now?" I punched him in the stomach. He staggered a step back, holding his abdomen.
"Damn, that's a good punch," he said with a chuckle.
"Where were you last night?" I asked as I wiped my tears away.
"Well..." He averted his gaze from me. "I stayed at The Pilgrim--"
A smack on his head cut him off. "Why didn't you tell me? Do you know how worried I was?"
"I already apologized and I'll apologize again if you want!"
"But I don't want your apology!" I growled.
"So what do you want me to do?" he asked, rubbing his head.
I threw my arms around his waist and embraced him. "Never ever leave me again."
"Of course, I won't." He patted my head. "Why are you such a drama queen?"
"Do you want to get hit again?" I raised a fist.
"No, thank you," he answered immediately. "Can we go inside now?"
I nodded. "I have something to tell you."
"Okay."
Connin
31st Day of Summer, 997th Year of Grace
Travelling on horseback would have taken almost a week for us to reach the western borders so after a few days of riding, I decided to leave my companions behind and go ahead by myself.
I asked the wind to lighten my weight while I asked the earth to keep propelling me forward everytime I touched the ground.
I moved at the speed of a crossbow bolt and after two days of such travel with sufficient breaks, I reached the camp at the western borders by dawn on the third day.
The sun had just risen and I found the borderlands barren and blackened.
It was stripped of all colour and warmth, the only signs of life being the constant activity of personnel in the military camp set up before me.
Pyres had been lit to one side to purify those who had martyred on the battlefield and send off their souls to Paradise.
Priests walked among the inured with trembling hands clasped together as they prayed to the Lord to mend the wounds.
I entered the camp without any hesitation.
It took a moment for people to process why a young person like myself would come to such a place. I noticed their eyes go wide when recognition hit them--some stared at me with awe while many with disbelief.
After all, I was well-known among the people of the Church.
"Well, well, well..." A voice cut through the whispers and murmurs. "I wondered what the commotion was for."
I turned to the voice only to find a swarm of strangers that had surrounded me the moment I arrived.
But before I could say anything, she emerged from among the people.
Dressed in white robes with crimson trims, a great blade--almost as tall as her--sheated across her back, Raegan Duskborne--the Cardinal of the West, approached me.
"If it isn't the esteemed young Oracle." She stopped a step away from me. "You've come, Connin Martyns."
Her long silken scarlet hair cascaded down her back in waves while her amber eyes scanned my face. She had a statuesque build with high cheekbones and full lips painted crimson.
"You've arrived earlier than I anticipated." She brushed away a strand of hair falling over my brow. "How was your journey?"
I brought a fist over my chest and bowed. "I had to leave behind my companions to arrive here as soon as possible."
"Now, that isn't right, young one." She placed a finger under my chin and lifted it gently. "You could've taken your time."
I raised my head, only for my lungs to refuse air suddenly. The earth rocked underneath my feet and all sound faded from my ears. The skies pressed down upon me and I collapsed to one knee.
I clutched my chest.
The feeling was suffocating and wrong yet somewhat familiar.
It was the same as when I first saw Ashvale in my dreams. Except this pressure... It wanted to devour all.
When the priests saw me collapse, they rushed to me while the soldiers drew their blades in confusion.
The Cardinal did not move. She only looked at me without a worry as if she had seen it before.
The pressure passed as soon as it has come and I gasped, sweat cold on my brow while my limbs trembled with something far deeper than ordinary fear.
"This is one of the reasons I summoned you here," the Cardinal said. "You felt it, didn't you?"
I nodded.
It was someone who stood at the pinnacle of witchcraft.
Perhaps, one of the founders of The Covenant.
A being who carried with them a disaster that brought ruin and Chaos to all those around.
A Calamity.