((Lol Purity quote))
Serynn searched in and out of rooms, but to no avail did she find the mysterious woman from before.
She asked around, and others, too, said they hadn't seen her, although one commented on her name.
Shelrair? Despite the Organisation being a close society, I have never even heard of her before...Alarms bells were ringing in her head, and she couldn't allow herself to believe that something even more of a secret than they had imagined was in their midst.
Why did I even mention this to Adira? If she gets killed, then the kids... They'll lose yet another mother, another home...
She's stupid! I'll have to do this as fast as I can without making trouble for her!Several times in her panic, she had eyed the door that led to the Hall of Serenfas, the section of the building that only the highest in the Organisation, and the Elders themselves, were allowed to be present without permission.
She knew it would be both risky and wrong to traverse there, but the temptation continued to linger in her mind.
No... I'll be caught... Bring it together, Serynn!She calmed her breathing, and when she opened her eyes towards the door, she knew it would be the wisest thing to do, even if risky.
She glanced around, people were about, but if she entered quickly and casually...
"Empress, your evening meal has been prepared," came a muffled voice from the outside.
"Empress?"
Eleanore's eyes opened hesitantly, a sign that her temporary slumber had ceased.
She stretched and raised herself up, "Who's there?"
"Empress. I am your faithful messenger, and I have come to report that your evening meal has been prepared and waiting."
Eleanore yawned, "Thank... Thank you, I'll be down in a moment."
"I shall wait outside."
The busy life of Empress was growing on Eleanore, but she pulled herself through and pulled herself towards the mirror on the wall, frowning at her slack hair.
She fixed it up as best she could in 10 minutes, before another knock on the door.
"Empress?"
Eleanore strode over and opened it, to the surprise of the messenger still waiting outside, "Oh. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to intrude..."
Eleanore sighed, "I'm ready. Please escort me to dinner."
"As you wish."
Fern knew she wouldn't have been invited to the main meal this time, but she had been told that she was to attend a second meal after the Empress had concluded hers, involving maidservants, soldiers and other guests.
I guess it's understandable...Fern has missed breakfast and lunch on account of her energy, and she still felt tired as she began dressing herself for the meal ahead of her, which she was anticipating well.
Serynn slipped into the large hall, and her heart was racing again.
She quickly yet quietly shut the door behind her, and was both surprised and yet expectant to find that no guards were situated in the hall as they usually were.
Her heart sank.
Many halls slide off into other areas of the halls, and Serynn realised she was standing in the middle of a giant maze.
It took her hours of hurrying, searching and hiding before she finally found the Sire's private rooms.
The food is not so different from the first meal Eleanore thought sadly as she finished her dinner.
The Father, she had noted, was absent at the dinner, a fact which surprised her, but the servants continued to act in an orderly manner, despite his disappearance.
As she waited for dessert, talking with Jeral merely for the appearance of things, not particularly enjoying it at all, there was commotion ahead.
The Father appeared, in his best clothes, walking slowly over to the head of the table.
The guests stood as he approached, bowing politely.
As he sat, Eleanore turned full attention towards him, but said nothing.
"Ahh, Empress, glad to see... You're enjoying the meal..."
As he spoke, servants arrived with large silver trays, unveiling the dessert for the night.
"Off on business?" Eleanore questioned the Father casually,
"Unfortunately so... I am honoured to accompany you for dessert, however... My dear Empress."
Eleanore smiled, "It's a pleasure, Father."
The meat reeked and squelched in the mouth, the raw juices dripping down the mouth and the warm blood spilling across the mouth.
Rine would have cried as he ate, if he had not cried too much already.
Still raining, he sat inside a shed back in Central, as the feeling of disgust he felt inside seemed to disappear the closer he got.
Mother... Is this still love I feel for you?
Or is this someone else entirely?Lilly was awake, she nibbled on the bread beside her and enjoyed the milk when she was done.
You will come to me soon, Inspiration? Right?
I will wait. Please take your time and stay healthy for me.The moon was blurred, disturbed by the rain that continued into the night above Central Immestrial.
Lights began to flicker out, life began to come to a faint rest.
The guests left when they pleased, the last of these being Bowen, giving Eleanore a warm goodnight as he left the empty hall, still feeling somewhat empty on the inside.
Eleanore stood, and the Father stood with her, the both of them now alone in the hall, save for the servants.
They walked together back to the entrance, both saying nothing as they did, immersed in each other's high presence.
When they got to the end, Eleanore stopped, the Father stopped behind her.
She turned around with a smile on her face, "Thank you, Father, for your continued service and support to your Empress and Empire.
I... Am glad that I am able to have someone as experienced and kind as yourself on my side. If it weren't for you, this job would have been made so much harder... And you know I am still getting used to the position...
Decisions are still being made, and in order to create an era of peace, I will continue to request your and the Auder's support."
McKenzie looked on silently, unspeaking.
Eleanore finally sighed and began to walk again, "Goodnight, Father."
Kyou lay still in the cold, crumbling building, under an old, worn blanket given to him by Kitharis.
It was terribly uncomfortable, especially as he had no bedding to rest upon, just hard ground.
He faked sleep until he eventually heard Kitharis' footsteps cease in the echoey building, as soft as they were, and eventually he heard him, too, lie down in the large room, and when his snores finally indicated sleep, did Kyou himself slumber off too.
His heart was traumatised and confused.
McKenzie wanted to whisper his goodnight back to her ascending body up the staircase, followed silently by the guards that had been waiting.
But he couldn't. It would hurt him too much to do so.
He sped down the staircase, the holy grounds on which he now stood were traversable only by himself.
The tombs of the holy, and the tombs of the past high priests and prophets laid out before him, visible only by the burning torch in his left hand.
He made his way across the tombs and up the dusty, old staircases in the darkness below the chapel of the Auder.
Down and up, down and up he went, crossing the sacred paths, before he finally came to the largest room in the dark maze.
"Sire?" her whisper was fragile.
No response.
She entered the next room.
"Sire?"
"Sire?"
"Sire?"
"Si-"
The room was a complete mess.
Not in the way that the other rooms had been, but messy with blood.
She couldn't conceal the scream.
"Sire!? Sire!?!?"
He was gone. Her heartbeat increased in speed as she turned around, eyes widened, and she rced back through the corridors.
The sire is dead!? Who is this Shelrair? Where is his body!?"You!"
Serynn felt her whole body go cold, and she turned around.
Another man. Another face she had never seen.
He was smiling.
And then there was nothing.
McKenzie collapsed at the foot of the altar on which stood the Holy Eies, battered yet brilliant in it's seat.
"Your stories begin to confuse... Even me, Great Eies... Please bestow... Upon me the knowledge and power... To see your truths for what they really are..."
The days passed.
The rain continued down in a torrent, and Safroth recieved word from Eleanore that the work had to be completed as soon as possible, causing the Empire to pay the workers double for their time repairing the Palace.
Meanwhile, the army was training harder, and Safroth began questioning Dawn Team higher-ups about the failed ADDS branch.
We can't allow the Empire to fall into anymore chaos. The damage has already been dealt, and unless God Himself is punishing Immestrial itself, we will be able to stand strong and rise more gloriously then ever before.
6 days had passed since Eleanore had resided in the Chapel.
She had recieved word the day before about the Palace's condition, and she had accepted the news with relief.
Everyone in the Chapel was organising for her leave, and breakfast was a splendid one, Eleanore was happy to find that the selection of food they presented her with was much greater than the previous days she had stayed.
The Father wasn't speaking. Instead, he just sat, staring off into the distance.
Eleanore knew better than to arouse a holy man from his ponderings, but he had seemed somewhat ill lately...
She ate nonetheless, instead diverting her attention to Bowen, whom she had not been able to speak with much lately (a fact that had relieved her).
Only when the meal was finished did McKenzie gather himself and stand, addressing the guests.
"Honourable and most... Noble guests...
On behalf... Of the Auder... I thank you for your kindness... And sincerely... Hope that you have enjoyed... Your stay here.
This Chapel may not be... What you are used to... Nor the most comfortable establishment... In this wonderful nation... However, it is a place where hopes... Dreams... And fate... Combine together.. In harmony, awaiting... The perfect lilly of truth and... Salvation to come.
I thank you, dear and... Most Honourable Majesty, our Empress... For allowing us to open... Our doors once again... To truth and prosperity..."
Please cut the religious chit-chat, Eleanore thought, as she watched on with a smile,
"Good tidings to you all... And... Prosperity be upon... This peaceful and wonderful new era..."
Eleanore followed up with her own speech of thanks before the guests were finally dismissed.
The servants began packing the things of the nobles, whilst the highest guests waited in the welcoming hall for the coaches as they arrived.
First to leave was Military Commander Jeral and his family, who had come to stay in the Chapel with him by permission of the Empress.
He kissed the hand of the Father and the Empress before leaving through the wide doors, flanked by officers and lower soldiers as he moved to his private coach awaiting him outside the Chapel.
I don't know why he pains himself to live outside of the Palace grounds, Eleanore wondered,
we have plenty of room for people such as himself.She frowned,
It's probably due to the latest safety risks, anyway.Bowen moved from beside her and towards the Father, shaking her from her daydream.
He kissed the Fathers hand, and then moved to Eleanore before kissing hers.
He looked up into her eyes and stayed there for a moment before straightening himself and leaving through the doors, followed by more military assistants and applause from those still inside the Chapel.
Eleanore smiled as he left, but inside she still felt unsure of his proposal. They had only known each other for 7 months, and the thought of marrying someone had always been a big no... Well, at least after Ciel.
Fern finally managed to squeeze her way to the front of the crowd and towards Eleanore.
"Excuse me, Empress."
Eleanore turned, not expecting anyone important.
"There's still some time left before your coach arrives... And Father Treed wanted to ask you if you would like to see Lilly before you left?"
Lilly?Eleanore's eyes widened.
"I'd... I'd forgotten about her..."
"Who
is she, if you don't mind me asking?"
Eleanore shook her head, "A... A girl."
Fern looked more confused, "In any case, what should I tell him?"
The sound of horse's hooves arrived from outside.
Eleanore turned away, "Well it seems it's too late for that, now..."
Fern bowed, "I'll go tell him so."
Eleanore walked up to mcKenzie, who was waiting beside the door.
He looked sad.
Closing her eyes, she bowed respectfully towards him.
"Father, your hospitality was truly generous. Your faith has my full respect and issue. I hope your teachings can help provide this peace we so long for, and together we can change this world."
She smiled, "Until next time, Father."
McKenzie flustered and nodded, "Y-Yes.. Until... Next...."
Eleeanore nodded and exited the Chapel, flanked by more guards then before, into her own coach, which too was flanked by army vehicles.
She felt like a caged bird.
Loved so much that she had to be confined to a barred cage so their love could continue.
It made vexing sense.
The roads had been closed, as expected, with Imperial soldiers literally everywhere.
She noted that the houses all had their curtains closed, and at big roads, military vehicles sat positioned and waiting.
She sighed.
And then trumpets blared.
She looked up immediately to find the coach passing through a miltary checkpoint before it proceeded into the Grand Imperial Square, a giant place of gatherings just before the bridge to the Palace Square and the Empress' Palace Grounds.
A roar arose and Eleanore saw to her left a crowd so vast it stretched beyond her eye could see in the road beyond the square, cut off by tanks and other military vehicles.
She smiled.
And then she waved out the side of the coach to the people, their voices all drowned out by one another.
Guards kept them at a far distance as the trumpets continued to blare their song.
And then the coach turned, towards the bridge.
On either sides of her was a giant orchestra, brass and strings.
She wondered if Bowen had recieved this treatment when he had gone through the bridge as well.
The giant Palace loomed up ahead, with it's vast, vast grounds stretching out beyond her vision.
As she got closer, the water features were all active, bringing her a nice homecoming welcome.
Being Empress isn't always bad, she thought, feeling a tad guilty as she did,
But to be home at last is the best feeling I could have, Empress or not.Chains bore her to the wall about half a metre from the ground.
She was able to rest so that her backside just slightly touched the ground. It made her spine ache with immense pain, as it had to be constantly supporting her, even as she slept.
Footsteps came closer and the door was unlocked. It was Shelrair again, the lady she had previously thought of as suspicious, now the lady she looked at with fear.
She couldn't bear to think about what they would do to her.
Shelrair had tried to talk with her several times before, but Serynn vowed to tell them nothing.
Her mind had tormented her with visions of the young Sire somewhere else in this cold yet stuffy place, in her position...
Shelrair placed the usual tray of food before her.
"Good morning!" she laughed with glee.
Serynn bit her lip, supressing her anger.
Shelrair sat for a few seconds in front of her before sighing dramatically, "Still aren't gonna talk to me, hun?"
Serynn said nothing.
Shelrair looked at her. She had a strong build and dark purple hair. Her eyes were coloured like the ocean, and in her current position, she was definately...
Exciting.Shelrair had refrained from this earlier, but she really didn't want to.
"You know... A lot of women would kill for a girl like you."
Serynn felt even angrier at the statement.
"I'm sure you've had a lot of men, too? Unless... You aren't into that kind of thing..."
Shelrair put a hand on Serynn's shoulder, causing her to finally look up.
Shelrair smiled fiendishly, "When I see a cute thing chained up I find it hard to resist sometimes~"
She began to lean in.
Horrified, Serynn quickly spat.
Shelrair gasped and fell back, wiping the saliva from her face.
"...You
bitch!"
She rose and slapped Serynn clean across the face.
Serynn made a slight whimper as the pain lingered in her cheek.
She closed her eyes.
Shelrair grabbed her face and swung it toward her own.
Serynn opened her eyes once more.
With surprising violence, Shelrair slammed the hard roll of bread down her throat, Serynn choking as she did.
Shelrair didn't let her choke though, she didn't want Vivian to be angry with her again.
She pulled it out and dropped a smaller piece in, "Swallow it."
Serynn felt tears well up and trickle down her face, choking on the bread.
"SWALLOW IT!"
Serynn swallowed, more tears trickling down as she did.
Next was the liquid. Serynn had been forced to drink it earlier.
It was both bitter and sweet, with a smokey flavour lingering in the aftertase.
She gulped it down reluctantly as Shelrair poured it in.
"A piece of dirt like yourself should be happy we gathered these ingredients for you."
Putting the milk glass back on the tray and picking it up as she rose, she turned around, "Sad. Pathetic, even. You would have made a nice pet. Maybe you would have even been freed. We already have another vessel, anyway."
She left the cell, talking as she did, "Not as great a looker as you, but maybe they'll choose you over the other, anyway."
"Ugh..." Serynn felt sick inside as her breakfast settled in
Shelrair giggled, "Maybe you'll make a better pet when you're possessed."
Chapter VII - 2
The perfect era will arise,
Claiming peace for the Empire and World.
The perfect era will come,
And in this era will the phoenix weigh
The hearts of the true
And the hearts of the Fated.
But what is the price of peace?
What is peace when weighed against the Fated?
Will the demons above reign true in this perfect era,
As Fate would want them,
Or would ghosts of beforetimes
Blossom and dance in the wind,
Searching for the true peace that comes in death?
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