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Azaela strode down the hallway in stride with glances trailing after her as if she was a light beaconing moth in the dozens. Even to her peers, she wasn’t someone that could easily be approached. Some didn’t even dare to offer a single glimpse lest they somehow raise her ire. This was the impression of the Ruvan Church as a whole towards the individual known as Azaela. However, only a few knew of her true mellow self, with one of the few being the individual standing atop of the Ruvan clergy hierarchy, the Voice of Ruva.

Azaela arrived at the front of a grand double door that stood more than thrice her height. She neither knocked nor tapped the double door but only waited with a straight back and a composed expression. Almost a minute passed when a voice came from the other side.

“You may come in, Dame Azaela,” said the voice.

“Then pardon my intrusion,” Azaela responded and gently pushed the door open, making her way into the room that ran contrary to the hallway’s grandeur architecture. The room was humble but that was only at a glance. Every material used in this room was enchanted with all sorts of protection spells, ranging from fireproof to soundproof.

“Good afternoon, Dame Azaela. Thanks for coming back on such short notice,” the man sitting behind the desk greeted. He had a gentle face and a gentle smile, along with a gentle style of brown hair, neatly combed to one side. He donned a pair of seemingly plain white robes but like the room, it was only at a glance. The robes were weaved out of the most expensive fabric and thread money could buy and enchanted with layers of protection that could fend off the most powerful spells.

“Out with it, Vauren,” Azaela demanded without returning the greeting, despite the person in front of her being her superior. “What’s the urgency?”

Vauren, the Voice of Ruva, sighed. “Same old Azaela, always in a hurry. Patience is a virtue. A person of your standing and integrity should uphold that.”

“You sent a Wyvern for me. You opened up the Wayward Portal for me. Just to rush me here to lecture me about patience being a virtue?” Azaela’s gaze narrowed. “We have known each other since we were children. You know I don’t like to be rushed for nothing.”

Vauren chuckled nervously. “My apologies, Dame Azaela. I was just trying to ease the mood.”

“There’s no need for that. Just tell me already. The sooner I can solve the problem, the sooner the mood will ease naturally.”

Vauren smiled sorrowfully. “It’s regarding the Apostles of other Divines.”

“I met one but I didn’t get the chance to kill him before his Divine intervened.”

“This isn’t about him, at least he isn’t the crux of the matter. An Apostle has been slain by another Apostle of a different Divine.”

Azaela’s eyes widened. “When and where was this?” she asked.

“Around the time you were making your way back to Quinteburgh. In The Singularity, I add.”

“The Singularity... Curious.”

“The deceased Apostle was of the same Divine as the Apostle you fought.”

“Which Divine was it?”

Vauren shrugged. “Her Grace did not say. You know how she is.”

Azaela sighed. “So, what’s the problem here?”

“The other Apostles have most likely received the same news from their respective Divines. They fear they will be left behind in this pursuit since blood has been shed. Now, the Apostles are hunting each other. Would you like to take a guess on what’s the first target that came to their mind?”

“This capital,” Azaela answered with confidence.

Vauren nodded. “Sadly, yes. Just the other day, an Apostle found its way into our fray.”

“What happened to this Apostle?”

“He left on his own after knowing you weren't around. I’m very grateful for that kind of sensibility but I fear the succeeding Apostles wouldn’t be so tacit in their pursuit. I’m even certain that some Apostles are aiming for an all-out war and would not bat an eyelid towards collateral.”

“What of the villages outside the walls?”

“We have a few Paladins stationed here and there but you and I both know that amounts to nothing if an Apostle attacks.”

Azaela’s face darkened. “Then what? We just leave them to their own fate?”

“Of course not. Which is why I summoned you back.”

Azaela arched an eyebrow. “Pray tell your plans.”

“I want you to form a unit of your own. I want the fellowships to be individuals acknowledged by you. They would be tasked to defend this city from anyone that meant harm through whatever means necessary.”

“And what does it entail?”

“You will decide the verdict and you will be the executioner, no matter who the opposition is. Even if it’s one of us.”

Both of her brows were raised at that explanation. “That’s a terrible idea, Vauren.”

“It’s the best one I can think of. We may not be at war on the surface of things but the reality isn’t so kind. We are at war now. It’s quiet. It’s subtle. Nevertheless, this is war. If we don’t take the necessary precautions, we will lose and the innocents will suffer along.”

“But through whatever means necessary? That’s the first step of becoming a tyrant. It was your biggest fear and you swore me to do whatever necessary to not let that happen.”

“I was young and naive. I doubt being kind and merciful would save this city. As I have said, we’re fortunate that our first intruder held some sense. Chancing on the succeeding one being just as sensible is the sheerest folly.”

“Power corrupts, Vauren. Giving us so much freedom in our duty would only entice the extreme individuals. They would abuse this power.”

“Which is why you are responsible for choosing the individuals. Ruva trusts you. I trust you. You should trust yourself too.”

Azaela cast her gaze down. “You have no idea how many times I was tempted into doing what I’m not supposed to do, simply because no one will be able to stop me. That thought only grew over time.”

“Our enemies will not wait nicely. We must act immediately if something catches our suspicions. We do not want Ruva’s grace to be tarnished. You are the one and only Apostle of Ruva.”

“Don’t belittle yourself, Vauren. You are an Apostle too. You speak for her.”

“Aye, I do speak for her. I am the voice but you are the hand. You are the only one who can do this. People fear you but they also trust you. Please, Azzy. I would not suggest this if there was any other way.”

Azaela drew in a deep breath before letting it out in a long sigh. “Fine, I’ll do it.”

“Splendid, Dame Azaela.”

“But I’ll do it myself.”

“W-what?” Vauren blinked. “B-but why?”

“This kind of authority, I trust myself the best.”

“But there’s no way you can be at multiple places at the same time.”

“Now that isn’t entirely true.”

“Oh,” Vauren uttered in realization. “I see…”

“Now, please excuse me, I have much to prepare.”

“But of course. I won’t take much more of your time. You may leave, Dame Azaela.”

Azaela bowed and strode out of the room with a determined gaze, leaving Vauren to his own thoughts, one that was whirling with hope but also with not a small amount of worry.

“Azzy, please don’t overdo it this time...” he prayed in his heart while having his hand wrapped around the rosary.

****

It was noon or sometime after that. Aera couldn’t tell. She could barely walk straight, let alone keep track of the day. Ever since that fateful day that changed her life as she knew it, she had yet to stop for a wink of sleep. At best, she had only taken some time to rest her feet. Her new disposition had made her too high-strung to even close her eyes. Her senses were heightened and she was perceiving her surroundings in a very fine manner. Those senses weren’t smelling, hearing, or even taste. It was completely something she was unfamiliar with. A sixth sense, she had come to accept it as. For someone who lived a relatively dull life, all this information picked up by her sixth sense was too much for her to bear but for the sake of her vengeance, she pressed on.

Eventually, her feet gave out even though she had rested her feet an hour ago. The exhaustion stemming from her entire body and spirit had reached its limits. She positioned herself just right so when she fell, she would be leaning against a tree.

“Can’t faint here...” she muttered to herself. “T-they must pay for what they have done...”

Although she didn’t know where her feet were taking her, her instinct continuously whispered in her ears that she was treading on the right path, the path that will lead her to the subject of her vengeance. Sometimes, the voice almost felt as if it was real but in her state, stained by her vengeful desire, it was hard to tell certain aspects apart.

She tried her best to stay awake but alas, she reached her limits. Her body was unresponsive to her commands. Her limbs would not budge the slightest. She could only bite her lips and hope that she would regain control of her body soon. Of course, her exhaustion was slowly pulling her into dreamland.

However, she was jolted wide awake by her senses. There was danger approaching. Driven by the instinct of self-preservation, she regained control of her body. She pushed herself up from the ground and steadied her wobbly footing.

The danger she felt was unlike any other. Instead of telling her to fight, it was telling her to run. Although, in her state, running wasn’t an option. She didn’t think it would be possible to outrun this enemy. From the unpaved path of dead leaves and dry barks, a woman stepped into her view, a woman dressed in an all-black elegant robe. Her hair was white and her skin was as pale as chalk. Her eyes were red like her nails. The most glaring feature of all was the pair of fangs protruding from her lips.

The appearance of the woman was all too familiar for Aera as she quickly realized the woman before her, was the fabled creature, a vampire.

“Finally, I caught you,” the vampire said with a mellow voice but a devilish grin. “To think a human can move for so long without sleep. I thought your level would be high but it turns out, you’re either just desperate or stupid.” The vampire chuckled.

Aera didn’t want to fight if she could help it but she saw the mark on the back of the vampire’s left hand. The same mark her father bore. “You’re Marduk’s people?”

“Aye, Marduk sent me. I was surprised when he sent me to chase after some random girl. Now I know why. The sleep humans needed slowed the chase drastically. But whatever now, I’m here and you cannot run away. Don’t even try.”

Aera’s gaze moved down to the ground. Her arms began to tremble as she wrapped them around herself. “Why…?”

“Why? Why is all this happening? You raised the ire of the one person you should have never raised. Blame your own narrow mind for that.”

“Why do all of you keep throwing yourself to your deaths...?” Aera muttered, clutching at her trembling shoulders. “I never wanted this… but you would allow me to stop.”

“What are you blathering about now?” the vampire sighed and then shrugged. “Whatever. You breathe your last ounce of free air. Don’t worry, I have orders to keep you alive but nothing about keeping you woundless.” She chuckled to herself.

“Foolish of you, vampire...”

“My name is Claudia but I guess it’s useless to tell you considering what will happen to you. Truly, I pity your fate. You’re— eh?” Claudia ended her sentence in a stutter as Aera had closed the gap between them in a split second. “Fuck!” was all Claudia could utter before a fist crashed into her face and sent her sprawling across the ground.

As a vampire, Claudia regained her bearings and flipped herself back on her feet before she came to a stop in her sprawl.

Claudia tittered as she wiped the blood off her nose. “Alright, I admit. I underestimated you and I let my guard down. However, this fluke of yours wouldn’t happen again.”

Aera cracked her knuckles. “It’s no fluke and believe me when I say I will turn your insides out and feed your guts to yourself.”

“Oooh, scary,” Claudia mocked with her hands raised and slightly waving. “Well then, have at me.”

The blood veins of Aera beneath her skin began to glow a vibrant red. “Don’t worry. I will have all of you.”