Chapter 6: A Lone Girl in the Walls

The Testament Angels, they were beings who were messengers for the gods and acted on their behalfs. It was said Gabriel intentionally became an archbishop with the intention of understanding how the people worship the gods in the realms below. He did not hide his identity as an angel, but rather revealed it to show he and man were on equal footing when it came to worshipping the deities above.

I came upon a building gate, its size towers over me, even bigger than the spire I had been in weeks ago. Being far from Albus now, I slowly recalled the event that had transpired. Gabriel called a carriage to take me to meet with his fellow disciples of the Weiss Church. However, on the way, Gabriel and I did not exchange a single word the entire trip. Being on the opposite side of the proclaimed archbishop and angel of heavens, it was nerve wracking. I was in no position to refuse to go with him, as I was the Armiger, carrying with me was the brand they had been searching for. As I was leaving, Alfred stood in front of the carriage in an effort to convince the archbishop to delay him from taking me away. It was futile, no one can go against the church, let alone an angel who was the archbishop. But I appreciated the sentiment that he cared for the girl whom he had just met.

I turned to look at Albus in the far distance, we really were on the mountainside now, I can pinch Albus with just my small thumb and index finger. Gabriel noticed what I was doing, and took me by the hand towards the monolith gate. He had creamed blonde hair, his gray eyes matched his attire, which was torn beyond repair by the battle earlier. Underneath the torn robe was a dark brown embroidered uniform that one would wear as if they’re part of the military. Considering how he singlehandedly handled the fiend invasion, it made me think he had a lot of combat experience.

“Might be best to not get your hopes up on getting back to Albus,” Gabriel said solemnly, reading what was written on my face.

“But Marty doesn’t know where I had gone, I would at least let her know I was okay,” I said forlornly, the truth was I wished she was here holding my hand instead of this stranger.

Gabriel said nothing more, he motioned the gate to be open, proceeding onward into the fortified walls. Inside was a grand city, far bigger than anything I had seen. I had thought we were stepping into a fortress from scaling the high walls but it turned out to be bustling with people inside.

“This is Aether Citadel, our destination is the Holy Basilicom, that will be the place where you’ll be greeting my fellow Testaments,” Gabriel explained, pointing straight up towards a castle-like structure standing in the heart of the city.

My eyes grew wider at the sheer size of the structures, it was unlike anything in Albus with its small houses. In both directions were filled with stalls and small shops set up with people walking through browsing wares. I spotted a sweet shop with rainbow colored goods on display, I wondered if I could get a sample. People voices in the air yelling to advertise their items for offers towards every merchant shuffling by. I had seen the street of Albus being busy, but this was a whole new level of crowded in my eyes. Out of the blue, my stomach growled, I had realized it had been hours since I last had my meal. The sun had started to settle behind the mountain.

“You hungry? Would you like to eat, Lady Armiger,” a muffled voice called out behind me. It belonged to one of the knights that accompanied Gabriel. I tilted my head in confusion, since I couldn’t make out who was behind the helmet the knight had adorned. Realizing my puzzled expression, the knight promptly took off his helm and revealed an older face underneath.

“I’m Garrock Worschel, but just Garrock is fine," the older knight introduced himself.

“Worschel, I believe we are pressed for time, Lord Gabriel would rather not stay here in the city attracting attention,” the second knight spoke up behind the archbishop.

“I don’t mind, Richel, if the young lady does not fill her stomach, she’ll be starved until evenings once the proceedings had been done,” Gabriel said drowsily, the way he said it made it as if he wanted to delay the meeting as much as he could.

“But your grace,” Richel's complaint got cut off with the archbishop raising his hand. Seeing permission granted, Garrock ushered me to one of the nearby stalls to grab a small treat.

My mouth watered at the sight of meat being marinated and grilled right before my eyes. The way it pulled from the bone with the juices coming out, it made the noise from my stomach roar even louder. I buried my face in my hair from embarrassment, invisible steams can be seen from my ears. Garrock let out a huge laugh before making an obvious request to the stall owner, and ordered the party a pulled rabbit meat sandwich. I took a big bite, the tender meat melted in my mouth as I let out a voice filled with bliss. Richel removed his helmet too, presenting a young man with a scar right across his forehead.

“I guess it’s my turn, my name is Richel Orland, I was stationed to guard his grace, Archbishop Gabriel, I hope you keep that in mind before you make more impulsive requests like this,” the young soldier introduced himself, grumbling as he dug his teeth into the sandwich. I didn’t say a word, but kept those words to my heart. Gabriel made a bite, surprised at the flavor on his face but he made no audible comment. I felt eyes staring, but they weren’t targeting me but rather Gabriel. I only realized now his wings were gone, it looked like he had hid them with some sort of spell. For a man wearing huge spectacles, he was pretty looking behind those lenses. We quickly finished our meal, paid the stall owner for the food and made our way towards the Holy Basilicom.

Archbishop was a position that stood above all hierarchy in the church system, with the only exception being of the Pope. Normally, whenever a new Armiger had appeared, the Pope would be the one to greet and confirm the existence of the brand bearer. However, due to the nature of how an Armiger is born, no one can be ready at any time when one would show up. Gabriel was one of an exception, since he was an angel that descended from heaven, he was treated with utmost special authority similar to that of a Pope. However, Gabriel informed me, this system was founded by man, therefore, only man may ascend to be the Pope. That was the covenant made a hundred years ago between the divines and man. It made me wonder how old Gabriel was, as he looked no older than a man in his thirties.

We came upon a temple, the basilica architecture was similar to Edel Cathedral but in more ways grand. This was Holy Basilicom, where the higher position of the church may access to all records, funds, and host masses for the people. I was led to a room, stood in the center was a podium, against the wall were higher seats that clearly meant for people with importance. I was instructed to stand at the podium and wait for the proceedings. Gabriel exited the room through the large wooden door, both Garrock and Richel stand watch me with their helmet now back on their heads. We waited for a long time, the silence in the room was deafening. All I heard was the sound of my dress ruffling and my feet ached from standing too long. Moments later, a door from a higher level opened with a handful of people walking through.

Gabriel can be seen from the left center, he sat behind the person in the middle, which I assumed must be another archbishop.

“I welcome you, young Armiger, you must be tired from your journey to this sacred sanctuary, tell us,” the man said.

“Let’s get this proceeding started, where and how did you come upon the holy brand in your possession,” the man continued. He was an older man, his crusty voice echoed throughout the room. I rubbed my thumbs in my hand, I realized I have no idea how to interact with someone like this. Gabriel saw my fidgeting state, he whispered some to the old man’s ear then smiled softly at me.

“Pardon my forwardness, I mean not to intimidate you, young lady,” the old paused to clear his throat.

“My name is Arthur Holds, an Archbishop that oversees Aether Citadel, what’s your name, young Armiger,” the old man introduced himself, his words carrying great weight despite his old age. I hesitated, searching for words in my mind before slowly letting out my voice.

“Hain…” my voice trailed off, unable to make eye contact with the archbishop

“Pardon, Haine? A peculiar name, can you speak up a bit more young lady,” the archbishop demanded, he was showing signs getting restless by my unresponsiveness. I tried to speak but the words weren’t coming out.

“Excuse me, Archbishop Arthur, pardon my words. But clearly you’re scaring the child, she was taken here without her consent, then confronted by a row of strangers with no one to assist her, anyone would be uncomfortable looking at the scene unfolding.”

A voice came from the right side of the old man, this time was an older woman. She shook her head in exasperation before looking at me. She had a gentle face to her, but her words were stern and sharp. Her golden locks contrast her tanned skin, she looked like a doll carved from marbles.

“I thought this was my courtroom, Uriel, it wasn’t your turn to ask questions let alone reprimand me like this in front of our esteemed chosen,” Arthur fired back, slamming his hand on the table.

“I beg to differ, she’s our champion, you’re just a figurehead for formalities, get on with the proceedings so you can entrust her to us, cueball” the woman named Uriel was now raising her voice.

“Cueball?! I have hair and still only in my fifties, you old hag from the Silver Age,” Arthur said condescendingly.

“Hag?! I’m still younger looking than you, old man, how about you retire and let the youngin take over,” Uriel pointing at the knights standing by the door. Richel didn’t show his face, but I imagined his face was servile at the current exchange. Gabriel made no attempt to stop his fellow archbishop from arguing and just sat there brimming through a book. I stood there in confusion, covering my ears from the more graphic words being thrown in the air. The insults exchanged continued on as the sun started to set into evening.

“Ahem, apologies for the outburst,” Arthur said, clearing his throat, he sounded hoarse from all the screaming. Uriel now sat in her seat, arm crossed and not batting an eye towards Arthur.

“As Uriel said, we welcome you to this city, I trust that Gabriel was not forceful in bringing you here,” he paused to look at Gabriel, who just yawned and adjusted in his seat.

“Starting today, you’ll reside here, there will be instructors to teach your role as Armiger, your home, the place you came from, I suggest you forget that life and begin adjusting to your new beginning here,” Arthur declared coldly, then signaled the people to start clearing the room.

My head went blank, memories of days with my father, with Marty, and Charles. Days of frolicking in the sun and laying down by the river. There was no way I could forget all of that. I felt sick to my stomach, tears began to well up out of my eyes. I wasn’t able to let Marty know I was okay, I wasn’t able to thank Alfred for fixing Marty's dagger, and I was saddened that I won’t be able to play Charles the next day. Gabriel and Uriel followed Archbishop Arthur after he made his exit. He didn’t say a word the entire session but just observed. The two knights on watch had left too. I was left alone in the courtroom, the quietness enveloped me, the dimmed light of the moon shone through the window. The cold air whispered through the cracks of the opening, flowing through my hair. I wept in silence, in a place unknown to me, in a city I know not a soul, and this time no one was beside me to lend their shoulder.