Chapter 17: The wandering painter (2)

Every girl at some point in their life wished for a prince charming cladded in shining armor to come to their rescue on a white horse. Or maybe the girl could totally save the prince and beat the evil overlord herself. It was a matter of the woman’s personality and the circumstances. Some preferred it this way, others didn’t. But that was not the point.

Astora belonged to the earlier group. However, the current situation was not exactly what she would call ideal. Instead of an evil overlord’s castle, they were in a tavern surrounded by drunken old men. Instead of a shining armor, it was some sully cloth stained with what looked like paints. Instead of a prince charming, it was a bipedal fox. Although the fox himself seemed elegant and graceful in his manners. That was it if you didn’t take in account the fact he just beat up two guards with a giant brush.

“My lady Astora, how far have I searched for you….” the fox spoke with a trembling voice while holding the girl’s hand tightly. He couldn’t restrain his boiling emotions that have been repressed by his rationality ever since the beginning of his long journey. Could this finally be the end of it?

“Wait wait!” Astora tried to pull her hand away from the weird beastman. Realizing that he was hurting the girl, the fox immediately let her go.

“My sincerest apologies! I was unable to control myself.” The fox pled.

“It is fine but I think you are mistaking me for someone.” The girl said.

“Then let me ask you this. Is your name Astora?” asked the fox.

“……Yes…?” the girl said reluctantly.

“Then it must be true. I have searched the heavens and earth and have never met anyone else with the same name as the Spirit of the Land. And this cunning resemblance. There is no mistake. You must be the lady Astora I have been searching for all these years.” The fox spoke.

“But I don’t remember we have ever met.” Astora said.

“That is true. That is because I have only seen you on a painting.”

“….You saw me on a painting….and decided to go searching for me?” Astora took a step back. She had a bad vibe about this person in front of her. Whoever this person was, there was clearly something wrong in his head.

“Exactly!”

“It was nice seeing you.” Astora slowly walked out of the tavern. “But I am afraid I have to go.”

“Please wait!” the fox rushed after Astora who ran outside.

“STOP RIGHT THERE YOU TWO!” a loud voice stopped the two in their tracks. Outside the tavern, dozens of city guards led by the captain have surrounded the place, all aiming their swords and spears at the girl. It looked like the commotion at the tavern has attracted the attention of Nadir’s guard squads.

“What did I do?” Astora defended herself.

“I received a report of someone causing a bar fight and beating two officers. Was it you?” the captain asked loudly. Then the guard who was blown away earlier painfully stood up and turned to his captain.

“It was her and that guy over there.” The guard pointed at the fox beastman.

“Him?” the captain looked at the person behind the girl. His eyebrows bulged, recognizing the fox instantly. “Is it true?” the captain asked in a serious tone.

“Of course not! I spotted these two gentlemen harassing this lady so I decided to intervene. If lending assistance to a lady in danger is a crime, then yes I am guilty.” Said the fox.

“Harassing?” the captain turned to the guard who now was sweating in fear. “Is what he said true?” the captain rose his voice.

“Yeah, this man is innocent. I saw everything.” The waitress came out of the tavern and stood in front of Astora. “We all saw everything.”

“Yeah!!!”

“I saw them pointing a spear at the poor girl even though she didn’t do anything.”

“I saw it too. Since when do guards go around harassing people at the bar?”

“Another beer please!”

The customers quickly followed the waitress’ lead, attracting the attention of those who passed by. While the drunken states of most witnesses could hardly be evidence in face of the court, this many people and the fact that it happened in such a public place clearly were a disadvantage for the city guards. The captain was facing a tough choice with only one desirable outcome.

“Is that so?” the captain glared at the shaken guard. He turned to the angry crowd. “It seems there was some misunderstanding between the two sides. And since no one was hurt…” the captain looked at the unconscious guard. “….too severely, I call an end to this case. Men, bring him with us!” the guards took away the one who was knocked out.

“But captain…..” the other guard insisted.

“Shut up! I still have not questioned you about sneaking to a bar during work time. Wait till we get back!”

With that affair closed, the guards quickly departed from the scene as the crowd dispersed and resumed their tasks, leaving Astora and the fox beastman alone. To be honest, the girl felt quite uncomfortable with the idea, not to mention the fact that she has been trying to get away but the guy kept following her.

“Lady Astora, please listen to my request!” the fox followed closely from behind.

“Just leave me alone!! You got the wrong person.” Astora said while increasing her speed. Grimora, posing as a small creepy diary, opened his eye and looked back. The fox was already gone.

“That guy is gone.” Grimora said. But he knew not how wrong he was.

In a flash of an eye, the fox was now in front of Astora, blocking her way. “Please, I beg of you, listen to my request! It won’t cost you anything and I promise I will help you with anything you ask of me later. Anything!” The fox pled. There was no lie in his words, only candor and sincerity. Seeing that level of integrity from a man who was prepared to get on his knees in the middle of the street surrounded by people, Astora’s initial impression of this weird man began to waver. Perhaps, at the very least, she should listen to what he had to say. But still, she must remain vigilant or something like what happened with Alan could take place once again.

Moving their location to another place with some discretion, the man asked that Astora accompanied him back to the tavern. Upon entering the man’s room, which was not easy for a young innocent girl such as Astora, the girl immediately took a quick glance around to see for anything abnormal or suspicious. Surprisingly, there was none. It was just like any other inn room. However, a few things stood out. A stand for an unfinished painting depicting the sight of the town of Nadir was next to the only large window of the room. It looked like the author was trying to recreate the view he saw from this very window. The outlines were already done, showing the beautiful landscape but the colors have yet to be finished. A large stain of ink could be seen, indicating that the creator put his brush for too long on this very spot, which ruined the entire painting. Astora didn’t know much about art so it was hard for her to judge. However, she thought that based on what was drawn, she could feel the dedication and hard work the painter put into his creation. This man was clearly a professional. But how could such an expert make such an obvious mistake like ruining his own painting? The sudden halt which led to the stain while the other marks all followed so smoothly indicated as if he was cut off from his inspiration. What happened?

But before Astora could get her answer, the beastman walked up to the painting and tore it in two right in front of her.

“What are you doing?” she asked hurriedly.

“This kind of trash does not deserve to be seen by anyone. I will not let this be the stain of my carrier.” Said the fox as he crumbled his own creation before throwing it in a corner, along with many other failures. “What I want to show you is this.” The fox took out a large scroll and flattened it on the stand.

“This!!!” Astora uttered in shock.

The portrait of a beautiful woman sitting solemnly next to a lake or a pond during a moonlight night. Wearing white clothing and a white cape, with long ashen hair down to her back, the woman aired a mournful expression watching her own reflection on the surface of water, as if pitying her own fate. While the woman indeed shared the same color of hair as Astora, how could he be so certain that it was her? The answer lied in the reflection casted down on the surface of the lake. Her reflected face, while not shown clearly due to her hood, demonstrated a striking seemingly unique feature of her appearance. A pair of bright eyes of two different colors: one red and one blue, just like Astora’s. All these features were already rare to find and now someone had all of them? No wonder the beastman mistook this woman for Astora. However, judging from the stature of this painted woman, she must be in her late twenties while Astora, with her unimpressive chest, could potentially be mistaken as her daughter or younger sister, but certainly not the woman herself.

“This painting is called ‘Sorrow of the Fair Lady’. Officially, the painting depicts the Great Spirit of the Land, Lady Astora. As you know, before our world gets its current name Valhalla, it was once known as Astora, thus explaining the reason behind the name of the painting. While many researchers argue about the existence of the Great Spirit, Lady Astora became a symbol of hope and was once worshipped by many following the calamity of the dark lord. That is until she was replaced by the Angelic Faith about seven hundred years ago. Since the establishment of the new church, the original ‘Sorrow of the Fair Lady’ was confiscated and hidden from the public eyes, probably a mean to prevent people of the old faith from resurging as the painting itself, while holding no hidden value, represents the ideas of the old faith. Today, no one really knows where the painting is.” The fox explained attentively.

“Original? If the original is lost, then what is this one?” asked Astora.

“A fake. A mere replica done by me.” The fox looked at the painting with a mixture of anger and disappointment. “The original painting was drawn by master Valanor the First. Back then, he was quite unpopular. However, after having drawn the ‘Sorrow of the Fair Lady’, his talents were recognized and even though seven centuries have passed, no one painter has managed to surpass him. Myself included.” The fox clenched his paw.

“I still don’t see why I am involved in this.” Said Astora.

“Following his masterpiece and after having created so many others, master Valanor was still not satisfied with his legacy. He became obsessed with the ‘Sorrow of the Fair Lady’ and wished to redraw another painting of hers. However, he never had the chance and passed away with a single regret. His last words are:

‘My Fair Lady, why is it that you weep? Please, let me see you just one more time! I will paint the world you wish for.’

With his wish left unfulfilled, the only student of master Valanor took up a vow. Starting from that day, he would adopt his master’s name and spread his fame even further. But most importantly, he would find the Great Spirit and finish what master Valanor couldn’t: to paint a new painting of the Fair Lady. If he fails the task, then his student would continue this legacy until the day it is fulfilled.” The beastman stopped for a moment. He had to catch his breath after such intense emotions passing through his veins. Then he continued. “Seven centuries have passed yet no one was able to find the Lady. The most they could find was rumors about her appearance. It would make sense for the Great Spirit to be immortal while her pursuers continued to age until the next generation came.

I am Valanor the Sixteenth, heir to the legacy left by master Valanor the First. On his behalf and that of my forebears, I ask that you let me draw a painting of you. After this, I vow that I will became your servant till the end of my life. All I want is to fulfill the old master’s wish. Please!” Valanor got on his knees and pled. “Grant me this chance!”

“Now wait a minute, I thought from what you said, the Great Spirit is just something people made up.” Astora said.

“That is not far from the truth. Lady Astora was indeed used as a symbol of the old faith. However, the circumstances behind the creation of ‘Sorrow of the Fair Lady’ are something else. According to what have been passed down by my own master and the one before him, master Valanor the First did indeed encounter the Fair Lady during his travel in the western continent of Oros. Furthermore, in my own search, I believe that Lady Astora is not just a symbol but an actual person. Several sightings of her have been recorded over the years. With her unique appearance, it was no wonder people would remember meeting her. However, these sightings, spawned all over the places, from Oros to Northern Mara or even near the Blighted Woods across centuries. This is the records complied together by all of those who bear the name Valanor.” The beastman opened a long scroll so long it reached from the table down to the door. “Now that I meet someone with such striking features, how can I not say that you are Lady Astora?”

“I still think you are mistaken. Indeed I might have some similar features to this Great Spirit but it is impossible for me to be her. I mean, look at her!” Astora pointed at the painting. “She is much older than I am.”

“Changing one’s external look is but a child’s play for such a Great Spirit.”

“But I am not a spirit. I am a human.” Astora insisted.

“That is impossible. Or wait…” Valanor thought loudly. “Could it be that you lose your memories? Like you reincarnated into a child to prevent some kind of imminent catastrophe?” Valanor began to speculate with his wild imagination.

“Euh….no!” Astora insisted again.

“How can you know that if you lost your memories? It is certainly a possibility. Or maybe some evil wizard stole your memories and shrank your body for an evil purpose? That must be it!” Valanor continued with his conspiracy theory.

“I AM NOT! It is impossible!”

“Why?”

“Because I am not from this world!!!” Astora shouted at the guy

“SHIT! YOU BLEW UP, MISTRESS!!!” Grimora flew from her hands then realized his big mistake. “SHIT! I BLEW UP! GRIMORA’S UPPERCUT!!!!”

Receiving a heavy blunt attack from below his chin, the fox was knocked down instantly as stars flew around his head.

“Now no one knows! Finish him, mistress!” the book advised.

“What are you doing?”

“He is asking too many questions. He is going to rat on us.” The grimoire panicked. “I did what I had to. It is for the greater good.”

“No, it is not.”

* * *

“What…what happened?” Valanor gradually opened his eyes. His chin still hurt like hell and his arms felt sore. Then he realized that he was being bound to a chair in his own room.

“You got wrecked mate!” a hideous looking book suddenly appeared in front of Valanor. The thick grimoire was covered in some kind of creepy leather and its cover looked like a mouth with sharp teeth protecting its content. A yellow eye could also be seen also on the cover staring at the painter.

“Shut up!” the girl whom he thought was Lady Astora pushed the flying book away. “I am sorry, mister Valanor. I didn’t mean for any of this to happen.”

“What is going on her lady Astora? What is this thing? How can it talk? More importantly, what do you mean that you are not from this world?” Valanor bombarded with questions.

“You actually remembered it…damn it.” Cursed the girl.

“He knows too much. We must get rid of HIM!” Grimora spoke seriously.

“NO!” shouted the girl. What was she supposed to do right now? She really messed up this time. If Valanor went to the authorities and reported this, Astora would have a hard time living in this world. She would be hunted down like some kind of invader who ended up all alone in an unknown land surrounded with enemies. The girl imagined all sorts of cruel treatments the people of Valhalla would put her through upon catching her.

Seeing how distressed the girl was, Valanor began to doubt his own conviction. He thought for sure that she was the one person he was looking for all these years. Could he be somehow mistaken?

“Would you…tell me about it?” inquired the fox.

It was just a simple question, easy to deflect to another. The person himself would probably not pursue it if Astora has done so. Furthermore, there was no rational reason to trust him. she just met the guy. But what was she supposed to do? All these secrecies ever since the moment she stepped her feet in this world, it has been very taxing to keep everything to herself. Maybe that was her limit. After all, it was not like she was specifically trained for this kind of thing. Ever since the very beginning, despite having these amazing powers, Astora remained a simple girl at her core. She knew a lot but not to the point she would be called a genius. She was kind and gentle, until people robbed her of her freedom. She only wanted to be with her family, until that too was stolen away from her. With no one to talk to, no one to share her pain, Astora could only swallow it all by herself. From the outside, she tried to keep it down while thinking about anything else that would distract her from the surging pain inside. She did her best. But now, it was her limit. The poor girl, she only wanted a friend she could partake with.

Sitting down quietly, the girl began to talk. A world of iron and technology where people could move around in metallic boxes. A world where diseases were practically nonexistent thanks to some tiny machines that could be infused within a human’s body. A world where cities lied inside gigantic domes to protect themselves from the very thing they caused. If it was anyone else, they would have thought this girl was crazy. But for Valanor, he did not see a little girl talking nonsense. What he saw was a young woman pushed into corners who could no longer bear with the pain she kept inside her. So he sat there, bound to the chair, listening quietly. From the happy days she spent with her mother to the dark moments where everything was taken from her, Astora told the man she never met before her story, her tale that led her to this strange world where she searched for her father. Valanor sat silently as he closed his eyes and took in all these wild stories.

“And that’s how I end up here. Crazy how things happened, right?” Astora did her best to fake her smile that was easily seen through.

“Mistress….” Grimora uttered.

“I see.” The fox beastman said. His slanted eyes made it difficult to see if his eyes were actually opened or closed.

“I see? That’s it? I just told you my life story and all you can say is ‘I see’ ???” Astora raged.

“What would you want me to say? I know you are not looking for pity from others. Despite your hardships, you don’t need someone to tell you what to do either. What you need is a listener, someone who will listen to your stories.” The painter analyzed.

“That is…surprisingly accurate.” The girl calmed down. “I am sorry for yelling.”

“No need for apologies. It was an emotional moment for you. I would be surprised if you can even say something like that and not bat an eye.” Said Valanor. “But honestly, that is a crazy adventure you had. So you really came from another world?”

“What are you going to do? Will you report me to the authorities? Or blackmail me?” Astora recalled the events with Alan.

“No. I have no reason to do any of those things. All I desire is to paint the Fair Lady as old master Valanor the First did. Ratting on you would accomplish nothing for me.” Said Valanor calmly. For an artist, the guy was surprisingly cunning in how the world worked.

“Why are you so obsessed in finding this Fair Lady? I mean I can understand if it was the First but you are already the Sixteenth and more than seven centuries have passed since then. Don’t you think it is overly excessive to go through this extent just to find a person you don’t even know if they exist?” questioned the girl.

“What you said is not wrong. However…this task, this burden we students received have passed down from generation to generation…After all these years, it has become a curse for us.”

“A curse?”

“All those who bear the name of Valanor, at one point of their career, will encounter a slump. It means that we are unable to create masterpieces that could satisfy our passion for art. I for one reason don’t believe in curses but the duties as one of the Valanors are heavy. We shoulder the legacy of the great master as well as the wishes of our forebears. Perhaps, it has a psychological influence on us, thus creating this curse. Whatever it was, it seems that I am unable to continue my career until I find the Fair lady and create a new painting. It is after all the reasons we Valanors live for.

It probably sounds foolish from an outsider’s point of view. And I understand why you would think that way. Who wouldn’t? But make no mistake! My dream is not just to fulfill the wish of the First. My dream is to surpass him. That would mean create an even greater masterpiece than the ‘Sorrow of the Fair Lady’. However, I have searched high and far but found no landscape or anyone that could please me. In the end, I figured that the only way to surpass the old master is to draw the Fair Lady once again.” The painter passionately explained.

“I think that is a noble goal. Just because something seems impossible, it doesn’t mean it is. It is only when you manage to break down the barrier of futility that you can do great things.” Astora said.

“That is a nice way of putting it. Although, not everyone can surpass that barrier. And those who do not often end up quite miserable.” Said Valanor.

“It is up for one to take on a challenge. You might overcome it. You might not. But if you give up since the beginning, then you already fail.”

“Haha, I assumed I was the one comforting you but why are you comforting me now?” Valanor smiled with satisfaction. The mood has somehow lightened up a bit compared to before. “But to think I would meet someone from another world…What a time we live in.”

“So you really believe my story?” asked the girl.

“It is still hard for me to swallow but I have this strange feeling that you are not lying to me. If it was to deny that fact that you are Lady Astora, you could have created a much more believable story.” The fox recalled. “I suppose that the last bells of Awakening was your doing?”

“Bells of Awakening?” Astora questioned.

“About a month ago, didn’t you hear the bells when you came here?”

Now that Valanor mentioned it, during Astora’s descent onto the surface of Valhalla, there was a series of deafening bell chimes caused by six bells appearing across the globe. Those bells made of light seemed like some kind of spell.

“What exactly are the Bells of Awakening?”

“You have only come here for a month. I don’t blame you for not knowing. The bells of Awakening are an alarm mechanism designed by the Empyreans in order to warn the world about the incoming invaders.”

“Empyreans? Invaders?”

“The Empyreans are heavenly messengers worshipped by the Angelic Faith. They serve as followers of the Sky Emperor and are the first line of defense of Valhalla. As for the invaders, more commonly known as the Fiends, are an unknown force that seeks the destruction of Valhalla. Since the ages past, our world has been plagued with these Fiends and a conflict erupted every once in a while. But despite having battled many times against them, not much are known about the Fiends. They possess various forms, from human to beasts, all while having some kind of golden aura around them. Furthermore, they are definitely not from our world as every invasion started from the sky.

Whenever the Fiends attack, the bells would ring across Valhalla as a warning, a call to arms. When it happens, the dark would darken and only lift until the invaders are repelled. However, last time it happened, the chimes were unexpectedly short and the sky did not change much. I assumed that the scale of the invasion this time was small so there was no need for further alert. But to think that it was you all along.” Valanor told his experience.

So contrary to what Astora expected, the world of Valhalla was no so much that peaceful after all. There were still a lot of things she didn’t know and this lack of knowledge needed to be remedied right away. But on the subject of these Fiends Valanor just mentioned, their descriptions matched awfully well with a certain race that Astora has encountered in the past. Enemies coming from the sky surrounded in holy golden aura? That definitely sounded familiar.

“Are the attacks frequent?” asked the girl.

“Not really. Only one every decade, sometimes even only one per century.”

So at least she wouldn’t worry about another attack coming soon. But that aside, what should Astora do about the current situation? Thankfully, a proposal came unexpectedly.

“Miss Astora, would you let me be your companion in this journey of yours?” Valanor proposed an unlikely offer.

“Why?” the girl uttered in awe. She certainly did not expect this.

“You are not from this world. It would be hard for you to go on by yourself without a local’s help. You feel isolated and I know that feeling too well to just ignore you. But there is no need to go on all alone. Furthermore, I believe my skills can assist you in your quest of finding your father. I may be but a humble painter and have few experiences with a sword but the techniques of Valanor have their uses in battle. Finally, perhaps you might not believe this but I want to believe that our encounter is ordained. Fate brought me here in search for Lady Astora but instead I found you. You might not be the person I am looking for but your resemblances could not be a coincidence. I believe that by following you in your journey, I will eventually accomplish and bring fame to the name of Valanor.

What do you say, miss Astora?” Valanor extended his hand, waiting for the girl’s answer.

The situation has developed into a most spectacular way. What would the girl say now? Could Valanor be one of the followers old grandma Cailleach spoke of? The ones who lent their aid to the Champion in their mission? Only one way to find out.

“I am not against the idea but I have to warn you: my quest will be filled with hardships. People may deem me their enemies for not being someone of this world. When that time comes, those around me will….” Astora tried to scare the guy.

But Valanor was not afraid. He caught the girl’s hand and shook. “Only by overcoming hardships could one improve themselves. Did you not say so just earlier?”

“Hihi!” The girl smiled brightly. Something good finally happened to her. From now on, no longer must she spend her time all alone while feeling sorry for herself. From now on, she could have someone to talk to without having to keep all sorts of secrets from them. “Welcome aboard!”

“May the sun shine upon our path!” the painter cheered.

With this, Astora gained a new companion and a potential follower: the painter Valanor. Though they barely knew each other, fate brought them here for an unknown purpose. But what purpose exactly? It was for them to find out.