Chapter 6: Answered Prayer

The silence inside the small cathedral was absolute as Raymond knelt down in prayer. He felt hollow and empty, and there was an indescribable helplessness embracing his entire body. He wanted to weep and wail. He wanted to scream, but no voice came out. He remained kneeling, all the while waiting for the words that he somehow knew would change his life.

“My interest has been piqued by this is so called God Aquina,” said the child. Raymond had never heard such cold voice before. It was icy, almost monotonous.

He heard the sounds of footsteps. The child said, “Laughable. This petite creature is the God of humans? If my memory serves me correct, this is merely a Queen Fairy.”

Still kneeling, Raymond turned his head to the left. He saw that the child was touching the feet of the statue. There was an arrogant smirk plastered on his face, and he was sure that a small sigh came out his mouth.

But why was he still kneeling? Raymond did not know the reason why, but he continued to do so regardless. There was something peculiar and eerie about the child, and Raymond was unable to pinpoint it out.

His current actions were probably the result of his innumerable battles as a soldier, or was it the basic intuition of all that lives? Raymond was not sure. He felt that a single wrong move here would dictate his fate. And so, Raymond patiently waited.

“Kukuku! The so called God Aquina of the mortals is nothing but a Queen Fairy!” said the child. His voice echoed inside the silent cathedral. He placed a finger on the statue of the Water God, slowly tracing a line downward. “Fairentel… I wonder what she would say if she heard about this? Who would have thought that her kind is being worshipped as Gods? Disgusting.”

There was a soft, wheezing sound. The statue of the Water God formed cracks then turned to dust. Raymond’s eyes were wide in surprise as he watched the child approach his direction.

“This trip is a waste of my time. Mortal—,” said the child. Raymond’s body violently trembled when the distance between them turned a mere breath away. His instinct was screaming at him that he should get away, that he should not associate himself with such malevolent entity. “You’ve prayed to my God before. What is it that you desire?”

If someone were to see him now, Raymond was sure that they would raise their brows as they questioned his actions. Why would a full grown soldier kneel down before a child? He was asking the same question all this time, and he wanted to stand and leave the cathedral, but his soul was screaming otherwise. He somehow felt that if he left, he would forever regret it.

With a hint of hesitation, Raymond answered, “Lady Sophia. My only desire is her.”

The child stood there for a full second, his eyes dancing as he gazed at the helpless soldier before him. Slowly, the child reached out a hand to Raymond. He placed a finger on the man’s forehead. The cuts and bruises on Raymond’s body dissipated like fog.

“Your desire, is that all?” said the child.

Suddenly, a violent storm hit Raymond. He found himself in the middle of an abyss, with flashes of memories streaming by. Beside him was the mysterious child, and they both stood there in total silence as innumerable memories gushed out like a violent geyser.

Eventually, the flashes of memories stopped. The child nodded in self-affirmation. “What a mundane dream. As expected of an insect. But a prayer to my God cannot be merely ignored. Very well, in accordance to your prayer—it shall be granted.”

***

The encounter half an hour ago was still fresh on his memory. It was dreamlike and fleeting, but his rejuvenated body that had not the slightest scratch on it was testament to that encounter. Who was that child? He healed his wounds like a simple whim, obviously not exerting an ounce of effort at all. Furthermore, his entire body was filled with vigor. Strength overflowed within him, almost erupting. He had the feeling that he could crush mountains in a single blow.

He silently walked through the cracked roads of the fort. The place was almost desolate, and the faces of the few people present were pallid and anxious. It seemed that the monsters had retreated after the Knights of Tesma came, but reports indicated that the mob were preparing for a second onslaught.

“Raymond!”

He halted in his tracks when he felt a firm grip upon his shoulders. Upon turning his neck, he saw a familiar face. He did not know the man’s name, but he was sure that he was part of the division he was in.

“Raymond! I was tasked to find you! You’ve suddenly vanished… the healers were frantic. You’re one of the most severely injured ones—,” said the man. He stared at Raymond and was stunned when he realized that he was devoid of injuries, let alone any scratch.

The soldier was rendered speechless, and Raymond heaved a sigh in response. “What is it? As you can see, I am fine. There’s no need for the healers to waste their magic on me.”

As he was about to turn around, the soldier spouted some words that Raymond would not forget for the rest of his life.

“More… More importantly! Y-You won’t believe it! Lady Sophia… Lady Sophia is alive!”

Time stood still as Raymond tried to digest those words. Alive? He saw her corpse himself. He was there when she died. Still, a faint glimmer of hope rekindled itself within him. His entire body shook as he said, “Is… Is that true? Where? Where is she?!”

“At the Western Brigade near the Gra—”

Raymond did not wait for the soldier to finish. He ran with all his might, faster than the wind. His heart loudly pounded as various thoughts filled his mind. She was alive? Was it true?

Very well, in accordance to your prayer—it shall be granted.

The words spoken by the child back then resounded in his mind. For some reason, he believed that if it was that child, then anything was possible. He grasped that sliver of hope as he ran towards his destination.

After passing through numerous intersections and roads, he finally arrived before a four-story building. He charged through the large oaken door and frantically surveyed the interior. Those that were inside the room stared at his direction, their faces filled with surprise.

“Lady Sophia!” shouted Raymond. He was desperate, and he no longer cared for appearances. The soldier from before had said that she was alive. She should be alive.

After an absolute silence, a soft and mellifluous voice rang out. Raymond wept and wailed when he saw the figure of the woman he loved the most. He was an unknown soldier, but his devotion, love and loyalty for her was unparalleled.

“Soldier, what is it?” said Lady Sophia. She wore a white dress, her body intact and without injuries. The decapitated corpse a few hours ago seemed a lie as Raymond stared at her figure. What this a dream? If it was, he did not want to wake up.

“Haha… Hahaha! Hahaha! She’s alive… She’s alive,” said Raymond. Everyone was stunned speechless when the soldier suddenly laughed like a maniac. An eerie silence followed. Raymond wiped the tears that dripped down his cheeks. He felt the numerous old scars that adorned his face, and he grimaced for a split second. He was ugly, he knew.

Lady Sophia gently smiled as she watched the soldier. She did not know his name, but she was sure of his devotion. Despite the wordless gestures of the healers, stopping her from getting up, Lady Sophia stood up and went towards the wailing man.

She hugged him then said, “It’s fine. I’m fine. Thank you for worrying.”

Raymond’s face distorted from utter bliss as he wordlessly cried his soul out. He could feel her warmth as she hugged his quivering body. It slowly melted his frozen mind and soul. If it was a dream, he did not want to wake up. She was alive. Like the child from before had promised, she was alive.

A cold voice broke through the silence. “Soldier. Lady Sophia needs to rest. You know that, no?”

Raymond nodded after the remark of one of the healers. He broke from the firm embrace of Lady Sophia. “Sorry for making a commotion.”

Raymond stood up then saluted, “Commander Sophia! This foot soldier, Raymond Falxen, shall devote his life for the sake of the fortress! For the sake of Rube!”

His movements were rigid, almost awkward, but the fierceness within his eyes showed his unyielding devotion. Lady Sophia chuckled then smiled, making her left dimple sink in response.

She tilted her head to the side. With a playful voice, she said, “So, your name is Raymond Falxen? I shall remember your name, soldier~”