Find Her; Save Her

Inside a dove, holiest of them all,
hides a vile monstrous varmint
The once winged seraph continues to fall,
now stripped of its holy glint.

»»-----　★　-----««

Not a single person walked on the narrow streets, but Eva felt watched as the three of them wandered through the town. Running on empty fuel, they kept strolling with eyes as peeled as that of a hawk, looking for a pebble amid the vast ocean.

Poles made of black iron stood alongside the bricked highway. In their peak was a cage, housing a flame. The nightingales sang while they perched on these towering lampposts.

Dew-covered trees rustled, blown by the fierce wind. Dogs barked from the gates of different households as cats purred while stalking them from the empty alleys.

Eva's surroundings were unfamiliar, bizarre even. Back in her home, shacks made of bamboo stood in every town, and buildings made of stone were a rare sight, reserved only for the wealthy.

Their monotonous journey ceased in front of a rust-covered bench.

"Where exactly did you find the girl?" Despite the irritation in Faun's voice, she sat with dignity—straight as a pine.

"Near the store where Calvin bought the newspapers. But trust me, we'll find nothing there; it's the middle of the night."

Faun scoffed. "So what do you propose? We keep walking until our limbs drop?"

"Don't ask me. You're the one who dragged me into this mess," Eva argued back.

Calvin paused, turning around to face them. "But you're the one who decided to follow us."

"And you're the one who decided to search for the girl all by yourself." Faun couldn't help but raise her voice.

The boy sighed as he shared the bench with the young lady, his shoulders slouched. "You'll do the same if it were you," he whispered.

Faun and Calvin sat beside each other under the light of a lamp. They descended in silence as regret boiled in their faces.

Eva could tell. They weren't acting like their usual selves. She didn't want to meddle, but she was the only one in the right headspace. Somehow, the burden befell on her shoulders.

Time went by, and they had already checked half of all the peasant shelters. Using Calvin's mastery over illusions, they concealed their presence as they went over to each shack they came across.

Breaking in on other people's houses wasn't much of a hassle. Sheets of metal scraps and piles of haystacks proved to be an easy obstacle. Even those who had the privilege of owning a door showed little resistance against Faun's enchantments.

It was a mere inconvenience for young sorcerers like them. But how about those who were skilled in sorcery? How many crimes flew past the eyes of the law? How many victims remained without justice? All Eva could do was assume. Because one day, she was bound to be a part of the problem.

Now, back on the empty road with three more households in front of them, they began to feel the weight of their endeavor.

"We're getting nowhere," Eva crouched on the pavement, chasing her breath.

The young boy behind her was in a worse condition. Sweat had drenched his body as he hyperventilated. A forced smile surfaced on his lips in a futile attempt to hide his exhaustion.

"What do we do now?" Eva asked.

"Let's rest for a while." Faun guided Calvin to sit. "Can you continue on?" she asked him.

"Yea. Yea. Just give me a minute."

Time passed once again, fruitless. They bathed in the silence, all until a mysterious silhouette of a person appeared at the road's end.

A tall, firm man strolled toward them. An outlandish and rounded hat resided in his head while his long robe swept the ground. He was alone in the middle of the deserted night, yet he showed no fear and hesitation in his frail steps.

"Who's that?" Eva murmured and took a step back.

"Faun, is that what I think it is?" Calvin's voice shuddered.

"Yes, it's a priest..." The two stepped forward and shielded Eva.

"Stay there," whispered Calvin.

The strange man stood tall with his pure white robe, decked with golden embroidery. His face was bare, hairless. A thick fabric covered every inch of his body, white as the blinding light of heaven.

"Children," his deep voice thundered. Through his veil, he stared at Eva with his deep black eyes. His face was gnarly, grim.

Faun stepped forward, raising her skirt to the side before giving a slight bow. "Bless your presence."

After her, Calvin sunk his head with his right arm folded. "Bless your presence."

With the priest's eyes pointed at Eva, she hesitantly did the same. "B-bless your presence."

"Bless your presence as well, children." The man raised his palm, revealing a golden ring around his middle finger. " Now, what's a group of young sorcerers like you doing this late at night?"

Faun took the initiative to answer, stepping forward gracefully. "We're just looking around," she said.

"This late at night?"

"We're adventurers from the neighboring town, holy one."

"Then, I must introduce myself. I am the bishop of this region, and it's my first time here in this little town of Graxia. What are your names?"

"Faun Mistra."

"My name's Calvin Arc."

"I-I'm Eva Alaine."

The priest's eyes pierced through Eva. She gazed at her from head to toe, and at that point, she knew. He came because of her curse.

The elder slipped past Faun and Calvin, aiming his eyes at her. "Eva, is that your name, child?"

"Yes. And now that we've met, please excuse us." She didn't even bother looking at him, and instead, she turned her back.

But the man had no intention of letting them go. "Surely, you're not in a hurry. Perhaps you may humor me." He giggled. "Tell me, what noble house are you from?"

Eva responded, "We're from the Whisp—"

"We do not belong in any noble house, holy one." Faun stepped between her and the man.

"Did I allow you to speak, child?" he growled and quickly turned to Eva. "Beautiful brown hair you have. That simple trick won't fool me, my royal."

"I'm sorry, but I do not understand holy one." She glared at him. "So if you do not mind—"

"Dear, no need to lie. You're a poor soul, being born out of wedlock. You have nothing to worry about. The Goddess is a merciful goddess. She does not impose the daughter with the sins of her parents."

After hearing it, Calvin lifted his illusion. Eva's hair turned a beautiful white, which excited the priest. His eyes widened with desire.

"Beautiful hair. That—That is the hair of royalty! Oh, the goddesses have blessed me with a wonderful treasure." He choked on his words which flew out faster than she could understand. He trailed his fingers through her hair and perched his nose above her head.

"Back off!" Eva growled, her eyes fueled with disdain. "Touch me one more time, and I'll break your fingers."

Through Eva's peripheral, Calvin had reached for his sword. She tried to back away, but the priest kept pressing forward.

"Oh? I could see what a pathetic, low-life brat you are. You'll be a fine addition to my collection."

With it, hell broke loose. Calvin raised his sword, the moonlight shining on its blade. Faun took off her cloak, revealing the knives strapped on her belt.

"Hey, hey. I don't want a fight. I will pay both of you handsomely if you hand that royal girl to me," he said.

Suddenly, a punch landed on the elder's cheek. "I speak for myself, bitch."

From under Faun's cloak sprang a collection of knives. Enchanted cutleries flew out with minds of their own, lunging themselves toward the priest. At the same time, Calvin planted his sword at the ground. A thick fog encircled the streets, and from it, two faceless minions rose.

With both of their powers hurling at the priest, victory seemed to be guaranteed. Although, the tides changed as he dispelled both attacks with a wave of a hand.

Faun and Calvin collapsed on the ground like wilting trees, slamming face-first on the firm road.

"What did you do?" Eva yelled.

The priest pranced around, waving his white robe. "She's an enchantress; he's an illusionist. What are you, my child?"

"I don't need sorcery to kill you."

She sprinted toward the man at full speed with her hand curled into a fist. Her punch was a touch away from his face when she succumbed to dizziness and collapsed on the floor.

I'll kill you... Her mind then trailed off to silence.

* * *

Soft slapping in her cheek awakened Eva. Once she opened her eyes, she jolted, standing up from the freezing floor. She shielded her face with her fists as she backed away, eventually hitting the wall.

"Goodness, you're alive." a voice echoed amid the loud ringing in her ears.

Despite seeing nothing, Eva already knew the owner of the high-pitched voice.

"F-faun? Is that you?" She spoke hoarsely, her jaws shivering.

"Yes, yes, it's me." A series of steps sounded. Her wooden sandals tapped against the stone floor. "You had no resistance to mental manipulation at all. You're lucky your mind didn't break."

Eva lowered her guard, sitting down on the ground. Ever so slowly, her eyes adjusted to the darkness. A gray ceiling, walls, and floor surrounded her. There were no furniture, window, nor lights. Everything would be pitch black if it weren't for the slight gap under the door.

"Where are we?" Eva mumbled to Faun's faint shadow, the darkness hiding her features.

"Under the church."

"How did you know?"

"I woke up from the priest's sorcery quite a while ago. And I saw them."

Despite knowing what the lady meant, she still asked. "Who's them?"

"The children we're looking for."

Eva felt it all: the frustrated grinding in her vocal cords, the grief in her silence, and the folds in her throat preventing a cry from wailing out of her mouth.

"Calvin. Where is he? D-does he know?"

"They took him." Her voice cracked. "I couldn't fight them. I was useless," she said, staring at her arm. The darkness made it hard to see, but a metallic bracelet wrapped her wrist.

"What is that?" Eva pointed toward the contraption.

"T-they cuffed me. I-I can't use my sorcery." At that point, she shattered. Her voice was shaking, and her limbs quivered.

Eva had no such gadget placed in her body. They must have figured she was useless, a non-sorcerer, a mundane. She clasped her fist together and sprinted to the door.

Her knuckles bled with every blow against the wood. The sound echoed throughout the cramped room, yet none heeded to it. She yelled, punching the door until a voice called her name.

"Eva." Faun coughed. "Stop it. You're only hurting yourself," she said, drowning in tears.

"What do you want me to do?" Eva snapped. "I won't cry. I'm not weak. I'll break this damn door with my fist if I have to."

"Reserve your energy." The lady sniffed. "I-I might have a plan."

"I don't want to hear it. The last time I listened to you, we were kidnapped."

"Do you—Do you know why I was so desperate to find the kid?" Faun bellowed. "I-I need to confirm with my own eyes. I want to be certain that she isn't like me. But Eva, she is."

Eva turned to face her. "You're not making any sense!"

"I am... a stray. I came from a country far from Xamere, all the way to the East. At first, I was like any other child, ignorant, free, and an imbecile. It was all until a band of merchants took us, plucked us from our families.

"They forced our bodies to receive Aither, and they trained us at the brink of dying. I am one of the few survivors and the only one fortunate to escape from my destiny, so when I learned that there were children who were like me, I swore. I swore to protect them all."

Eva lumbered to her. She knelt against the freezing floor. "We're alike. We are both cursed to live our destiny." She whisked a tear from Faun's cheeks. "Tell me, if you didn't escape your fate, what would happen to you?"

"If- if Master Whisper hadn't saved me, then... They will sell me to the kingdom to fight as soldiers. They will use me until I die. And I will be alone, dying with no legacy in my name."

"Lucky for you, you're still alive. You have yet to meet your fate, unlike a certain person I knew." Eva braced her palm on her shoulders. "How committed are you to achieve your goal? What are you willing to sacrifice?"

Faun raised her gaze. "Everything... I won't let anyone—even the gods—go against me. I will save those like me, and after that, I will claim my vengeance."

A smile formed on Eva's lips. "Good."