Flash Of Darkness - Mesuda Village Arc

After a while Ash and Witz arrived at the cabin and introduced themselves to Selene.

“So Selene what’s the deal with this place?” Asked Witz curious about the village.

“The church is the head of the village with the bishop at the top. Mesuda village used to be a beautiful place like the rest of Mithhar but then the current bishop took over and changed the religion of the village and started to charge the townsfolk money, saying it was tribute for “VX”s protection. Us women here in particular detest him as he sees us as playthings and abuses his power to get what he wants” explained Selene disgusted by the bishop.

“I knew that dude was a creep” replied Witz slamming her knee with her fist.

“He is and I try my best to protect the women here since he only holds political power not physical power meaning I can use my aether to threaten him” continued Selene.

“Why not just start a revolution or something then?” Asked Ash as he sat backwards in his chair.

“Realistically we could, thing is he still holds the title of bishop in the main church and overtaking him is practically declaring war on the actual church” answered Selene wishing Ash would sit properly in her chairs.

“Didn’t he change the village from the main religion of Mithhar to some small unheard of one?” Questioned Honō sipping his coffee.

“He did but the church was never told that, he changed it all in secret, so if he was in trouble it’s the main church we would have to deal with” explained Selene curious where Honō got his coffee from as she had none currently in her home.

“I see and then even if you try tell someone its basically your word against one of the high ranking members of the church” spoke Honō with a slight tone of agitation.

“Yeah, anyway less about him and more about yous. Yous are here about the beast report I sent in right?” Asked Selene trying to change the topic to one that made her less uncomfortable.

“Yes but wait that was you who sent that report in” replied Witz not totally surprised it wasn’t the church.

“Yep that was me since the beasts have gotten to a point where I can’t handle them” confessed Selene with a warm smile on her face.

“So what else can you tell us about the beasts?” Asked Honō hoping to fill the gaps in his knowledge of the prey.

“Oh I don’t know much about aether beast in general so I don’t know what to tell yous” answered Selene slightly red as she felt she embarrassed herself.

“Hmm could you even tell us how many there is?” Asked Honō losing hope.

“That I can help with. There’s 12 of them” replied Selene with a warm smile on her face again.

“I see, could you see if they were able to use their aethers?” Questioned Honō as he sipped his coffee.

“Um let me think for second, ummm yes, I think majority of them could. All I remember in particular from their first attack is a flash of darkness before the bears arrived” explained Selene as she tried recalling the incident.

“A flash of darkness you say?” asked Witz before looking at Honō with a face of concern.

“Yeah it happened out of nowhere near the forest” said Selene confused why she was so fixated on the flash of darkness.

“I see. Anyway how’s the girl?” Asked Witz changing from her serious tone to a more carefree one again.

“Oh Opal, she’ll recover for now all she needs is rest.” Answered Selene as a small gentle smile slowly appeared on her face.

“That’s good to Hear, I -” started Witz before being cut off by the sound of someone knocking on the cabin door.