Uda - Exorcist (3)

Uda shook her head.

“Then either we’re both a burden, or neither of us is,” she said, locking eyes with Ya.

“I think that settles it,” said Orfet, clapping his hands once. “We’ll proceed as peacefully as possible. Whatever happens, stay calm and composed. Can you all do that?”

A murmur of agreement followed from the group.

“Good. Vid, untie her,” he said, nodding toward Nia.

Vid walked over slowly and began loosening her restraints. He paused for a moment, looking at her with a strange spark in his eyes, then shook his head. His hand brushed the bite wound at his neck, still dark and faintly shimmering.

“Uda... on your responsibility,” he said, then finally freed Nia and stepped back.

Uda rushed to Nia’s side and helped her to her feet. The young woman pressed her lips together and looked at her with frightened eyes.

“Thank you,” she whispered, then collapsed into Uda’s arms.

She was trembling and felt cold to the touch. Uda gently stroked her disheveled hair, trying to soothe her.

“We’ll get through this,” she whispered.

Nia gave a small nod, fresh tears brimming in her eyes. The mark on her neck worried Uda; it seemed to have grown again. Was it an illness?

Her gaze flicked to Vid, who was now deliberately avoiding her eyes, then to Weet, who did the same. The sooner she got Nia away from the group, the better. Maybe the riders could help. Maybe they knew of a healer or someone who could understand what was happening.

Somehow, we’ll manage...

They cleared the entrance, Uda kicking aside rubble, and at last stepped outside.

At least my strength has returned...

She was still tired, but the heaviness had begun to lift. Uda was relieved to leave the tower behind and step onto the mossy ground. The remains of the Deepwinder were gone. Aside from the shattered well, the damaged tower wall, and the scar in the earth, there was no trace of their battle.

The shield must have pulverized the creature.

How is something like that even possible? Uda wondered.

A shiver ran down her spine as she looked toward where the barrier must now be.

Nia stumbled over the rubble, and Ya helped her, reluctant, which Uda could not blame her for. Once everyone had exited the tower, the group moved slowly through the ruined city toward the part of the wall that had collapsed, the same gap through which Uda and Nia had first entered. It felt strange now to walk between the houses without the constant fear of monsters.

“I wonder who used to live here... and why they left,” Orfet said, gazing wistfully at a partially collapsed house. Vines and weeds clung to it like a shroud, as if it were sleeping forever.

“Who knows?” Ya replied. She ignored most of the buildings, keeping her focus ahead. Her face was tense, her thoughts far away.

“Everything changes,” Vid said in a quiet, philosophical tone. “Whether it’s being built or falling apart, little stays the same. These ruins are proof. It must’ve been beautiful here once... but even beauty fades.”

Uda glanced at him. When he noticed, he quickly looked away, a faint blush rising in his cheeks.

“You’re right, Vid. That’s comforting, in a way,” said Uda, laughing softly.

“Even though it’s sad, too,” Nia added.

Uda looked at her in surprise. She hadn’t expected Nia to speak, certainly not to the others. But it gave her hope.

“I find it regrettable,” Orfet said thoughtfully, eyes on the towering wall not far to their right. “Someone worked hard to build all of this...”

They soon reached the collapsed section. Nia and Uda led the way, Orfet remained near the center, and Vid had fallen back to check on Weet.

As Uda began climbing over the rubble, a sudden wave of sadness overcame her. She had grown attached to these people. She would’ve liked more time with them. There was a distant warmth in her heart, flickering faintly... then it was gone.

When this thing with Nia is over, we’ll come back to you, she thought, a small smile crossing her lips.

As she crested the rubble, she stopped, astonished.

Beyond the wall lay the field, and on it, the riders were already erecting large tents. They moved with swift, practiced efficiency. Their plain metal armor was overlaid with white vests bearing the circular symbol seen on their flags. Each of them was armed, most with lances or daggers.

Uda and the others climbed down and stood on the grass near the tents. They kept a respectful distance. The warriors watched them in return, some with curiosity, others with a hint of pity.

The red-haired woman Uda had seen before rode her horse back and forth, impatiently. Her hair was tied into elaborate knots at the back of her head. Her posture was straight, commanding. Her lips were tight, her gaze piercing. She carried herself like someone used to being obeyed. Her outfit was pristine and clearly tailored: white fabric, a close-fitting red blouse, and velvet trousers. The circular emblem on her chest was slightly distorted by her figure. She wore red metal bracers, and a red-embroidered belt held by a golden buckle at her waist. At her left hip hung a black whip with red-gold accents, which she touched repeatedly, perhaps out of habit.

Uda couldn’t tell whether the woman was ready for battle or simply never let her guard down. Her attire might have been beautiful, but it was still built forbeing practical in battle. She didn’t dress for ceremony; she dressed to move. When the woman’s gaze swept past her again, Uda saw it: cold, steady eyes that seemed to carry the weight of horrors witnessed long ago.

At last, the rider sighed and swung herself down from the saddle. She moved with deliberate grace and approached the group with long, confident strides. Her gaze passed over each of them, sharp and measuring, but also with a bit too little care. She finally stopped a few steps in front of them and took a breath.

“Welcome. I am Lera, Exorcist of the Twelfth Division of the Nightmare Hunters from the Ret Region,” she announced. “Officially, it’s not my job to welcome you. But I was tasked with eliminating the Nightmare Tide you survived, and Lac here asked me to assess your aptitude test.”

Though her voice was louder than necessary, it remained surprisingly soft, at odds with her stern demeanor. With a crooked smile, she gestured toward the older man still seated on his horse, watching them intently.

“Forgive me, Lera... what kind of assessment?” Orfet asked, stepping forward cautiously.

“Exorcist Lera,” she corrected sharply.

Her eyes narrowed as she looked him over.

“We want to see who among you is capable of joining the Nightmare Hunters. Maybe even becoming an Aspirant... or someday, an Exorcist. Our numbers are thinned constantly by what’s out there. We need more people,” she said, as though confiding something precious.

“Out there? Beyond the barrier?” Orfet asked, glancing toward the horizon.

Lera smiled. A smooth, practiced smile that vanished too quickly.

“Yes, exactly, in the Shaded Lands,” she said, eyes scanning him again. “You look promising. We’ll start with you. Bring it here, Aspirant Kelwin!”

The young man who had ridden behind her stepped forward. He was broad-shouldered, with close-cropped black hair and striking features. He pulled a candle from Lac’s bag and set it carefully on the grass between Orfet and Lera, his glance flashing back to the Exorcist after each of his actions.

He finally saluted by placing his hands together, palms up, and bowed slightly before stepping back.

Lera didn’t even glance at him. Her eyes stayed on Orfet, and there was now a flicker of anticipation in her expression.

“Light it,” she ordered.

“But how? I don’t have...” Orfet began, but she interrupted him, pointing toward one of the flags.

“Picture it. Envision it. See it glowing. Imagine the rays of the symbol igniting the flame.”

“What is that...?” Orfet asked, stepping forward hesitantly.

Uda watched him with concern.

What if this is a trap?

Something about the symbol on the flag unsettled her. A white circle surrounded by other intricate shapes. It looked too precise, too perfect... as if it was designed to soothe, to build trust, so it could betray it.

She gave a small shrug, trying to shake the feeling, and looked back to Orfet.

He was now kneeling before the candle, eyes locked on the unlit wick.

Lera watched him intently, breath held.

“The circle... what does it mean?” Orfet asked, his voice low, as if already drawn into something deeper.