Somewhere within the city of Ashton, hidden from sight and unbeknownst to most of its dwellers–an ancient temple loomed unbothered by the passage of time. And situated within this temple was magnificent hall carved purely out of white marble that seemed to emanate a sense of holiness.
The magnificent hall was well light by oil lamps and filled with murals. In front one of these murals stood two figures, one was that of an old man and the other was that of a girl.
The old man seemed on a brick of death but for some strange reason his stance was that of a person still burning with vigor. He stood about 1.65 meters tall wearing a white robe that was interwoven with golden embroidery. He had long white hairs that fell over his back with a pair of blue eyes that seemed to carry experience that no mere mortal could ever possess. He had an eerie black pendant with a crescent moon etched on it hanging around his neck.
The girl seemed to be around sixteen years of age with a lean muscular build. She stood about 1.75 meters wearing a white tunic over her flawless skin.She had long black hairs that were tied into a bun with black eyes that seemed to be filled with determination.
The old man cast a brief glance at the girl and continued studying the mural. "Scarlet, what do you think of this mural?"
The girl replied in a measured tone. "At first glance one might think that the mural merely depicts a magnificent sword but the truth is beyond such mundane comprehension. In reality, the mural depicts a divine relic that was once wielded by a dead god."
"It depicts StarFall that was the once wielded by–
The Once living all-seeing Eye,
The Lord of Light,
The Sovereign of Stars,
The Progenitor of Life,
The Radiance."
A flicker of fanatism bloomed in Scarlet's eyes.
The old man nodded. "StarFall was once wielded by The Radiance during the divine war against the fallen gods."
"Do you know where it is right now?" The old man turned to face Scarlet.
Scarlet shook her head. "I have no clue about StarFall's current location Archbishop Moonblade."
A sound of laughter came from Archbishop Moonblade. "I think you do."
"I do?" Scarlet stared at Archbishop Moonblade in confusion.
Archbishop Moonblade did not reply to Scarlet's question. With fluid gracethat was impossible for someone of his age, he raised his right hand and reached out for the mural.The strangest thing was that the hand seemed to pass through the mural as if the mural was merely a mirage. His whole body tensed as if he was struggling to pull something out, the entire hall trembled slightly when he managed to retrieve his hand. When his hand came out of the mural, it was holding a glorious long sword that was sheathed in a scabbard. Archbishop Moonblade immediately knelt down in respect, Scarlet subconsciously followed suit.
The sword seemed to emanate a sense of divinity that washed over the whole hall. The sword was about one and a half meters tall, its grip was white in color filled with mysterious silvery engravings. The guard was shaped by silvery metal to resemble folded angelic wings. The pommel was shaped to resemble a star by using silvery metal similar to that of the guard. The scabbard was white in color and similarly rich in the mysterious silvery engravings that were found on the grip.
After stretch of silence, Archbishop Moonblade stood up and tuned to face Scarlet who was standing up. "You have been trained since the day you could walk on the ways of an Asterborn. And thus I ask you, are you to embark the path of an Asterborn?"
Scarlet straightened her back and looked unwavering into Archbishop Moonblade's eyes. "I am."
Archbishop Moonblade nodded. "Then we will conduct the ritual tomorrow at dawn."
*****
As Bella continued to drag Duncan, his mind wondered into a world of its own making.
Does she cry too much?
Does she think about me?
"Da-"
Does she call out my name?
Does she always feel lonely?
"Dan-"
Does she have a shoulder to lin on?
Does she–
"DANNY!" Bella's scream reached his ears, almost giving him a hearing impairment.
His face flashed with a hint of displeasure. "Did you really have to scream so loudly?"
Bella rebuked casually. "I tried to call you in a more respectful way, but you seemed too out of it. So I had to resort to plan B."
Duncan had to suppress his urge to rebuke her.
Did this woman just talk about respect?
A grumble escaped Duncan's lips. "What were you calling me for anyway?"
"Oh, we have reached our destination." Bella replied plainly.
That took him by surprise."Already?"
"Yep."
"And what was our destination specifically?" Duncan was still a little surprised.
"Can't you see what is– Ah, yes I almost forgot. You are blind, my bad."
Duncan had to blink a couple of times after hearing Bella's comment. He didn't know whether to cry or laugh, the best he could do manage was to pat himself on the shoulder.
"No hard feelings Danny. I am more of a doer than a thinker."
A sigh came out of his mouth.
Who would not have hard feelings after you pointed out that they are blind in such a sinister way.
Duncan decided to ignore Bella's earlier comment. "What is in front us?"
Bella continued. "As I told you before, even in a place like the mid section you can find our kind if you just know where to look. One of such places is standing right in front of us."
"Out with it woman." Duncan was growing impatient.
That was when he felt a firm slap on his left cheek. The slap packed enough force to make him stager and thus he had to relocate his loyal wooden stick to regain his bearing.
"It seems that since the time we left the outskirts, your respect for me has been slowly dropping. I am way beyond you in terms of age so it is basic courtesy to show me some respect." Bella's current tone was like that of a mother reprimanding her mischievous child.
Bella's tone sent chills down Duncan's spine and made him cower in fear. "I am sorry."
Bella's tone returned to normally. "That is better. As I was about to say, in front of us stands an alehouse."