Vestiges of a Lost World, Part 2

WITH GALARDOS AND GROMNI GONE, Milla found herself alone with Alaiel and the unconscious angel.

She eyed the former nervously, unsure of what to say. She’d heard some stories about her, and all of them portrayed her as a ferocious beast. Of course, the old wolf was said to be loyal and noble, but in all the tales about her someone always seemed to die.

As for Alaiel, she was keenly aware of Milla’s fear of her. The girl did her damnedest to keep her cool, but she couldn’t stop her scent from betraying her anxiety.

“I don’t think we’ve been introduced,” the wolf finally broke the ice.

Her voice was projected straight into Milla’s mind, making her flinch. Galardos had already talked with her through telepathy before, but doing so with a mystic beast was a whole different experience.

“I, um... uh…” Milla stuttered in panic, taking a step away from her.

“Fear not, young one. I don’t bite,” said the wolf, before indulging in a brief moment of contemplation. “Well, actually I do. But I won’t bite you, is what I meant to say.”

Milla blinked in surprise as Alaiel’s lips creased upwards.

The wolf was smiling.

“Pfft!” she finally laughed, loosening her tension.

“I am Alaiel, guardian wolf of the Alessia family,” she introduced herself with a courteous bow. “I take it you’re a new ally of my master? It is a privilege to meet you.”

“I’m Milla, daughter of Jund from… Sonis,” Milla replied. She was upbeat at first, but she soon grew disheartened as she realized someone was conspicuously missing.

Her father, Jund.

What had it been of him?

“Sonis, you say? Pardon my ignorance, but I can’t seem to place it on a map,” said the wolf, racking her memory but to no avail.

“It’s a small village in the Realm of House Argenta. But more importantly, did you see my father? He’s a middle-aged man, with gray hair, a moustache and a beard. Oh, and he wears a brown hat!”

Alaiel grew serious, choosing her words carefully.

“I did see him, but he was unconscious at the time,” she replied, sharing her honest account. “He looked uninjured, from what I could tell.”

For better or worse, Alaiel didn’t know the old hunter’s memory had been destroyed. She hadn’t been present during that part of Galardos and Gromni’s conversation, so as far as the wolf was concerned, Jund had only been knocked out.

Milla let out a sigh of relief, but she was still pressed for more information.

“Where is he now? Is he safe?”

Alaiel seemed downcast at the question.

“I’m afraid he’s stranded in the village. It was too dangerous to bring him along for your rescue, so we left him behind. The plan was to go back for him afterwards, but with the spatial calamity we just caused, it will be impossible to return to Sonis.”

“No way…” said Milla, covering her mouth in horror. “But the Inquisition will find him if he stays!”

“That is correct. I’m sorry, Lady Milla, but we don’t have the means to help him.”

“It can’t be! There has to be a— My implant! If we use my implant, then surely—”

“Lady Milla. I’m sure you noticed already, but we unleashed a catastrophe out there. I don’t know the extent of the damage, but I assure you, the Inquisition is already investigating in full force as we speak. And considering the nature of our guest here… it’s safe to assume the Zarian Order is involved as well.”

Milla fell quiet, unable to mount a rebuttal.

As much as it pained her to admit, she knew the wolf was right.

Galardos and Alaiel were in shambles, and the Empire had every reason to deploy the full might of their military to the region. No matter what Milla did, returning for Jund under such circumstances would be suicide.

“Then… If they capture him, will they kill him?” she asked, steeling herself.

“I don’t think so,” Alaiel replied. “He had nothing to do with our actions in the forest, nor is he connected to the people who abducted you. Isabella will interrogate him, but even if she learns about his relationship to you, he shouldn’t be in danger. He’s more useful to her alive.”

In other words, he’d be a hostage.

“I’ll rescue him…” she whispered, clenching her fists. “Just hang in there, Pops. As soon as I’m able to, I’ll go save you from them…”

“And we shall aid you, Lady Milla — when the time is right. If we let our passions cloud our judgment, they will be our ruin instead.”

“I know. I know, you’re right… I’m so sorry, Pops...”

Never before had the taste of defeat been so bitter. Yet as much as she loathed to admit, Milla knew that saving her father was beyond her. She’d have to yield him to the Inquisition, no matter what may happen to him.

And just like that, before Milla knew it, her face was quietly drenched in tears.

Her father was lost, and there was nothing she could do about it.

Alaiel, well accustomed to the pains of tragedy, kept silent vigil next to her.

The air between them became solemn, and just as Milla was moving to the next stage of grief, the loud voice of a young woman shattered the silence like a sledgehammer.

“Holy fuck, who died in here? Girl, are you alright?”

Milla and Alaiel froze, and their necks almost creaked audibly as they turned to look behind them.

There they found the blue-haired Seraph, sitting nonchalantly in her birthday suit.

“Man, that’s some face you’re making. What, did you guys see a ghost?”

Milla met eyes with her, and then —

“WAAAAAH!” Milla screamed at the top of her lungs.

“WAAAAAH!” screamed the angel back at her. “The hells is wrong with you!? Are you trying to kill me? Gods, my heart!” she glared at Milla in indignation.

“What’s wrong with me? What’s wrong with you!? I thought you were dead!”

“Hah! Dead? Me? Never! Death shall never take me, for I am…! I am…” she paused, scratching her head in contemplation. “Hold on. Who am I again?”

“Oh no...” came Milla’s gasp of horror, and —

“Oh shit…” followed Alaiel.

As fate would have it, the resurrection ritual did bring the Seraph back to life… except it didn’t recover any trace of her memories.

The nightmare of Galardos’ group, it seemed, had only just begun.