Chapter 29: Chapter 28: Calm Before The Storm

It was a day just like any other, the folks in town were going on about their day as they usually did.

The smiles, the jokes, the little spats that would be resolved at tavern at night over a mug of ale.

A small town where nothing eventful ever happened and people just got on with their lives waiting for the sun to set, so they could close their eyes and get some rest.

Everyone who lived here once had a story, but here they were away from the hustle and bustle of the world, living in such a secluded area, but life had been good to them.

The sun set upon in this small town as it usually would and people headed to their home to get a meal, time with their loved ones and rest in preparation for the next day, some went to the tavern have a drink and chill.

In the forest not far from town, a man could be seen walking towards the town, around him shadows could be seen.

They were people dressed in the same sort of black outfits, just consisting of the black pants, a black jacket with a hood attached to it, and a black shirt inside.

Their faces were covered with a mask. As darkness pervaded the area it was impossible to tell just how many of these shadows were present in the vicinity.

This is your first appearance in the world, go and show the might of task force X, let the night be filled with cries and anguish of your victims, die the earth with their blood and bring back victory.

Loses and defeat would not be tolerated.

At his words the shadows dispersed in different directions, although the destination was the same place, they had to encircle it, a net to make sure the prey didn't escape from its fate

After years of training and preparations, perhaps It was an overkill for their mission to be against such poor townsfolk, but being in this location for three years already, the shadows knew that to be able to survive and thrive, living comfortably in this wretched area, there was more to this small town than meets the eye.

******

Back in town, Karl was drinking in the tavern with the rest of the folk from town, when he paused, his drink no longer in his hand but banged upon the table with sheer force.

Those who knew about draves knew that with a glass in hand, the only thing that could stop them from immediately drinking and give such a reaction is if the drink wasn't worthy of their palate or a life threatening situation was at hand.

Karl had been drinking in the tavern alongside them for countless years and the drink was ill the same if not better, So it must be the other issue.

'Dammit Ryan, You picked the wrong time to be sulking, we might actually need your help this time'

Karl thought to himself as every fibre of his being was warning him of the impending danger.

An old woman on the other side of the counter, the one responsible for the flow of drinks saw The look on the drawf's face and raised her hands in the air reciting a spell, her actions however didn't skin anyone's attention as they all channelled aether across their energy channels, immediately sobering up.

They didn't need any other confirmation, the look on Helen's face after her spell told them all they needed to know.

They were besieged, they all had to prepare for attack.

In other not to draw any more attention than necessary, they continued to act in a casual manner while those that needed weapons, armour and other accessory to do battle moved to areas of the tavern that had what they needed, suiting up.

Helen clicked a button underneath the counter before her, it sunk in for a few seconds before popping out with a slight pop sound.

"Thankfully, It still works, well then boys, its been ages but duty calls, shall we go give those bastards our hearty welcome?"

She asked with a scary smile on her face, a staff floating behind her and cape coming towards her, before she grabbed it and donned it.

"Fuck yes"

"It's been a while"

They were all in good spirits as they moved out to meet their assailants.

Only Karl stayed behind with a worry across his face, Valdor's intuition actually came from him and all he could feel was death.

He grabbed his unattended glass and emptied it down his throat in one gulp

"Hopefully, I'm wrong"

*********

In the temple, right inside Diara's office.

Diara was seated by the table, checking out the documents which was about the upkeep of the temple, they were running out of supplies and couldn't wait for Noah to get back from his trip before they had to restock.

Ryan could have handed it as he had done before Noah's arrival but recently, he had been out of it.

Even when seated on the same table and sharing a meal, which usually was something he used to treasure, his mind was occupied and he kept drifting in and out of the conversation.

The only reason he didn't make a mess of the dishes before him was due to the fact that he was an ascendant whose body could keep operating due to just reflex and muscle memory.

Speaking of Ryan she wondered where he was, the last she had seen him was after the meal they had late in the morning.

A guest of wind flew in knocking some pieces of paper of her table

"You know, you could have just entered as you usually did. through the door, what's the need for all the mystery?"

Diara asked as she made the scattered documents gather back into the place, she didn't even bother sparing a glance at the intruder, she didn't have to anyways.

"What is it this time, seeing that you chose to sneak something must be wrong, so tell me, What's on your mind?"

The figure remained sealing watching Diana sort through the pile of documents in front of her, for a small temple, it sure was a lot of paperwork.

But not like Diara could help it, the temple served as a clinic, a school, and a guide. She and Serah were the only official members of the temple, Ryan and Noah just stayed there as a result of a series of incidents and complications, while. They did help out, the core of the temple management still lay in her hands.

"Well, talk when you're ready, If there's something we have a lot of right now, it is time"

She chuckled as she kept writing and reviewing

'Hmm, tomorrow I'd have to contact Karl then to help with the issue of supplies running out, as for the materials to teach the kid's, might as well wait for Ryan's next trip'

"How long are you going to keep living this sort of life?

You, a princess of the biggest empire in the world, relegated to a priestess of a temple in a forbidden land.

You went from the heiress, someone with power and authority, controlling the fate of millions to an exile who can't even show her face in public

Your highness, princess Diara Demascaria Quinn, for how long will you allow yourself to be bound by such flimsy shackles?"

Being referred to as in the name that she had discarded upon becoming a member of the temple, all of Diana's being trembled, the whole of the temple shook as she unintentionally released her aura

"You think. I wanted this.

You think I chose this wretched fate"

She looked directly at her guest for the first time since their conversation stated, gripping the table in front of her until it crumbled into fine dust, destroyed from the aura she was trying to restrain

"This, I never asked for it all, do you know how many times I woke up in tears as the memories came rushing, I lost everything, status, power, authority, my family, I even lost you too dammit, all because I was chosen, because I didn't awaken and meet up to father's expectations"

Diana took a deep breath to rein in her aura and recall her power, she drew a ruin in the air following which her aura started reducing, vanishing until it was nonexistent.

"But because of this"

She continued as she stood from her seat, walking towards the man in front of her, taking of her robe leaving her upper body exposed, she turned her back towards him allowing him to See the grand array drawn on her back

"This fucking curse, even if I wanted to, I can't go against the order of the family, thankfully the temple gave me my life back to an extent, but due to this I have to be careful even with my … "

Her words were cut shut as she was hit from behind, slumping but she was caught by her assailant before she hit the floor.

"Thanks for trusting me enough to show me your unguarded back"

He slowly lay her down before dressing her properly. If diane hadn't sealed off her own source and presented her back things would have been more difficult

"I promise you Diara, no matter what it takes, you will get your freedom"

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