Stripping away sanity

It hadn't been long, the thunder only made the weaker of mind cry, while the next to arrive at the prayers, began to be more and more present, while I tested my limits a little between prayers, attracting the rainwater, forming a barrier that prevented the water from entering, but losing a little control at the bottom, causing the door to soak and at the same time drip a little.

It wasn't until after I fell asleep that I noticed the water starting to advance and soak my headboard, followed by the screams of everyone starting to back away.

"Everyone, as we retreated, the water began to overflow the gate." Everyone listened to Ari.

I sat down and began to pray, controlling the water outside again. "In her name I will know no fear, and in her alone will my faith rest." I didn't think much of what she said; it just seemed to fit the moment.

I regained control, preventing the leaks from increasing, and carried the water outside as the messages announcing my improved water control increased and the sips from the scarce position became unnecessary.

Young Jūni joined me with the rest and a few of his calmer followers, as I found it interesting how things were getting better with the lack of shouting, but the screeching of the bindings only served to emphasize that the door could fall, moving was possible, but I had to keep concentrating and my range was still limited.

To our surprise, Ari arrived with a group of warriors.

"Chief, we need to move away. The doors will open at any moment." I demanded, noticing the three of them gathered around us.

“I agree, leave with Miss Ari.”

“Boss, you should too.”

"This is my test. In my vision, I only saw bodies floating in water surrounded by rocks and some of us, but I followed the light and I will not stray from my final goal." Not to mention that if I retire, such a scenario could happen, and I have no memory of knowing how to swim.

Only the poor tying made everyone feel fear when the log fell, but the force was retained by my barrier, while I fell carefully to the other side, I did not want problems, but it forced me to take another sip of the potion and after that they saw it, the water like a dome did not pass inside.

“For Alba,” Jūni murmured.

“Abaddon, what’s going on?”

"If it isn't a miracle," I said distractedly, or so I hoped. "I don't know." I shook my head, calming down a bit and taking another sip. I began to pray in front of the fallen tree trunk, and soon they joined me.

Ari looked abandoned, as she seemed to retreat and before morning came everyone had returned as I saw the sun rise and everyone saw it, crystal clear water, amplifying the brightness of the dawn and what was possibly the closest thing to an aquarium because of the small fish I saw swimming and bothering my already limited ability to control the dome.

“Boss, where did those fish come from?”

"I don't know, maybe there's a river further upstream, or maybe further downstream where we threw the stones." First and foremost, our fishing ground. "Whatever it is." I grabbed the one swimming nearby and pulled him back. "It wouldn't hurt to take advantage of it and grab what we can; our supplies will be scarce in the future." The perfect excuse, as you can see, motivated everyone to approach the only fallen pillar to try to get one that passed by. Some even set up ladders to climb a little higher and get a chance.

That it would fall was predictable and for better or worse I felt so dizzy that I took what was left of the potion out of pure reflex and with it my fear of developing Mana disease, the dizziness increased even more than before and the half-falling doors suddenly stopped.

Already more aware of my ability and the annoying messages emerging, it was reason enough to end the farce, while the sky cleared and after a while everyone seemed to approach, I bounced the water to the outside, with little difficulty I formed the figure of a woman and soon, the most knowledgeable of Santa Fe recognized her, at least I thought so, when they began to murmur Alba's name.

Which made it very clear to me that the popularity of the saint did not reach that far, so that no one would recognize her and after a quick greeting with my hand, I moved the water upwards, while a few asked me to get on my knees and in the perception of what they could only call a miracle, I limited myself to paying attention to them, but I did not lower my gaze, while I turned the small accumulation of water into a river that was going to crash against the wall and form a small river, only 4 accompanied me in the lack of respect.

“Heh…” I fell silent upon seeing the hand

While clarifying the request for silence, I clarified, "I've clarified before that I don't hold that title. This council, which is made up of three of us, is true that I got a bit carried away by the storm that arrived, but from now on, I'm just another citizen here, one who acts as an impromptu speaker, but I don't hold that title. Is that clear?" I tried to be as forceful as possible, as I walked toward the somewhat dilapidated area, where we all saw the collapsed mine gate and a couple of trees sticking out.

“Yes,” he replied, somewhat worried.

“Well, that being the case, let's start by looking at your guide.” I pondered silently, holding up a stick. “Why did you ascend only to fall back down?”

“We are not the ones to question Alba Abadón’s actions.” The word was harsh. “Especially when we are still alive because of her care.”

I didn't need to ask who was doing so judiciously, I was already very familiar with it and the perception of similar charges gave it justification, but as always, in his criticism, I didn't notice how everyone seemed to start to resent him and when I turned around I noticed it clearly and I smiled as I responded.

"I'm aware of that, especially in the mysteries of the Holy Faith, my word is worth more because of my studies," he clarified while giving a slight bow.

He crossed his arms and stood at attention. "It doesn't change the fact that you're questioning his actions." In his limited understanding of the holy mysteries, there was no answer he could receive that wouldn't provoke intrigue.

“I don't question anything; I just wonder if what he showed us was a guide or just a lively farewell.” I didn't give it much thought; I wasn't going to miss my chance to make fishing one of our livelihoods for the rest of the year. “Otherwise, it seemed to me that he might have simply waved and left, instead of ascending and then forming that mini-river.”

“Are you doubting again?”

“I repeat; I don't doubt it.” I was already getting fed up and was seriously considering undermining his authority, but given how much more disgusted everyone seemed, I decided it wasn't a good idea. “I'm simply wondering if it was a sign or a greeting, like my vision was.”

From what I seemed to think, I didn't delay any longer in getting going and began to climb. In the future I would add a suitable lift, but for now climbing was my priority and with the water tying me to the rock, I wasn't afraid of falling in the slightest and with my ability to direct the water, I was confident of getting a good catch.

However, there was also the dilemma that I might lack strength and with the potion already exhausted, reaching the top would be time to rest, even though the river was close, which was barely a 10-minute walk.

Fortunately for me, and as I examined, everyone seemed to put things in order, while I continued my search for the river that I didn't take long to find and with such light water control, I managed to attract fish more suitable to the size of my forearm, not exactly large, but it was difficult for me to confirm the species to which they belonged, after that I had the most direct doubt of how many I could bring down without requiring help and I decided that it was not in my interest, I could always throw them away and have someone catch them.