A crow let out a guttural caw, beating its wings as it soared toward the snow-dusted bell tower.
Marilyn stood before the entrance of the grand Cathedral of Kadelmere. Taking a deep breath, she knocked upon the magnificent wooden doors. Glancing to the side, she spotted a gravedigger hauling a heavy white sack out from the cathedral's underground catacombs. At first, the maiden nodded, assuming he was taking a bag of rice back home, until her eyes caught strands of human hair dangling from the bottom of the sack. Sorrow washed over her as she quickly averted her eyes in mournful lament.
She waited outside for a short while, but suddenly, a bloodcurdling scream echoed from deep within the sanctuary. A young man's desperate shrieks sounded almost demonic, as though he were being violently subjected to a dark ritual.
At that moment, the heavy cathedral doors creaked open, revealing an elderly nun. "Oh! Marilyn!" Sister Galetta gasped, her eyes widening.
"Good morning, Sister Galetta. I have brought the medicine..."
"Marilyn... Oh, merciful God! Thou art safe, my child~" the sister spoke with deep concern. Before another word could be shared, Father Sereza's harsh voice boomed from inside: "Reveal thy power, demon! Show thy true form and answer me! Which vile witch hath laid this curse upon thee?!"
"This city is doomed to fall at the hands of the Harbinger of Death! The Lord hath foretold it long ago! Thou canst fix nothing, Sereza! Thy filthy scriptures cannot heal this sunken place! Hee-hee... ARGH~~~~!" the crazed man shrieked at the top of his lungs.
"What is transpiring inside, Sister?" Mary probed nervously.
"Some of the villagers have grown brazen enough to rise against Father Sereza. The people are losing faith in us, Mary. This city will shatter into pieces if we do not stand united. Pray, hand the medicine to me."
Hearing this, Mary offered up a soft prayer, beseeching the heavens to bless the herbal remedy before handing the bottle over. "May fortune favor thee, Mary," Sister Galetta whispered solemnly. "If ever thou hast the chance... turn not back to this place. Trust my words."
"I cannot do that, Sister. We must link arms and brave this storm together." the maiden murmured, placing a hand over her chest with a faint, trembling smile, though her heart remained a storm of confusion.
"I hold thee dear always. Take great care of thyself," the sister bade farewell, positioning herself to block the gruesome scene unfolding within the sanctuary. Yet Mary's eyes peered past the threshold, catching a grim sight: the crazed man was pinned to the stone floor by white-robed acolytes, while Father Sereza splashed holy water frantically upon him.
"By my sacred vow unto the Lord! I banish thee! I banish thee, foul demon! Caslette is ruined and plague-ridden because of thy sins! Burn in the depths of hell for all eternity! Sister Galetta, I require more holy water!" the priest bellowed.
"May the Lord show mercy upon us all," Sister Galetta offered her final blessing as she pulled the heavy doors shut.
"Let me go! Release me! Aghhha~~~~!!!~" The agonized roar echoed behind the wood before—THUD!—the doors sealed completely, leaving Mary to walk away with a heavy, restless heart.
Taking a detour to avoid the church after the horror she had witnessed earlier, Mary navigated the narrow back alleys until she reached the drying yard behind the infirmary. She dipped both hands into a basin of clear water, washing the dust from her face. Catching her own reflection in the rippling basin, she gently touched her cheekbone.
"How long... must I force myself to go on living a lie?" she pondered in silence.
"People lie to themselves simply so they can find the strength to smile," a sweet voice called out from behind.
Mary turned to find Claudia, a nurse with curly, cascading hair. The woman offered a faint smile from the corner of her lips to cheer her up. "Thou must be thoroughly exhausted."
"Claudia... I-I am growing so confused about my faith."
"In truth... thou needest not force thyself to remain in this doomed city. Delby and I... we have both pondered the very same matter."
"Are ye planning to flee?!" Mary stepped closer to Claudia, noticing Delby inside the building, quietly packing their belongings into travel satchels.
"Five days from now, the infirmary shall close its doors for good," Claudia revealed. "All supplies and equipment are to be relocated to the church."
"Who issued such a decree?" Mary demanded to know.
Claudia closed her eyes, letting out a heavy sigh. "By the order of Father Ismayah Sereza."
"Father Sereza? Why would he demand such a thing? If the infirmary closes, we shall have no work left to do!"
"Caslette's coin holds no value in this city anymore, Mary. The knights now march solely under the Father's command. Delby told me that if the soldiers decide to barge into our homes and seize our belongings in the name of God, it is no different from outright robbery," Claudia reasoned, trying to open Mary's eyes to the grim reality.
"The Father would never commit such a sin! I cannot believe such foolish talk, Claudia. Thou art merely letting dread cloud thy mind. Peace be with thee, friend."
Claudia wrapped her arms tightly around her friend. "I know I cannot force thee, Mary. Go, eat thy fill."
The maiden nodded faintly and stepped inside, picking up a small crust of bread to eat in solitude. Once finished, she went to tend to the remaining patients, all of whom were villagers in wretched, fading health.
Stopping by the familiar bed where the young boy had taken his last breath, she found only an empty mattress. "He hath gone to meet the Lord in peace," Claudia whispered softly beside her.
Marilyn stood in silence, lifting the wooden cross around her neck to hold it gently. "I swore a vow to him that he would see this city bathed in light once more."
"...Mary..." Claudia called her name softly just as Delby pushed open the door to join them.
Delby brought a vase of fresh, purple petunias to replace the withered flowers beside the empty bed. "What did he bestow upon thee?" Delby asked, noticing the wooden cross clutched tight in Marilyn's palm.
"His eyes," Mary answered softly. "The child merely wished to behold Caslette beautiful once again... If ye two will not abandon me now, then I shall stand by your side until all four gates of the city walls crumble to ash..."
Hearing her solemn pledge, both nurses closed their eyes in quiet reverence.
"Whatever shall come... let it come," Claudia prayed to the Silent Watcher above.
As the sun sank beneath the horizon, the three maidens sat together in silent prayer before taking their leave to return to their homes.