NOVICE - The Guild Trilogy Book 1

The night was lit by the full phase of the moon above the clouds, illuminating everything like an eye watching everything below. Its rays were dancing on the surface of the lake as the trees swayed away with the wind, creaking like they were crying in the middle of the night. A scream erupted deep inside the dark forest. "It's a girl, my lady," Mira said, and wrapped the baby in a soft white cloth and placed it on the silver-haired woman's side. The woman, soaked in sweat, weakly smiled in teary eyes. All of a sudden, a surge of strong sensation of spiritual pressure from the baby took them both by surprise. Her eyes shined in a golden glow. The baby cackled, which further increased the surge of that sensation. Shock and disbelief came obviously to Mira's face at what she witnessed. "My Lady, your daughter-" Mira said and looked at her and only managed to smile weakly yet lovingly at her daughter. Who would've thought that this day would come when she became a mother, even just for this short moment? Tears streamed down her cheeks as she kissed the baby's forehead, pouring all of her own spiritual life force and love she had. The baby's spiritual pressure subsided, her glowing eyes faded to normal golden orbs and a four-pointed star enclosed in cursive markings appeared on the baby's chest. Mira regarded Sonea with sympathy, but she didn't utter any words. For she knows that a mother would go all the lengths just to protect their child. Even sacrificing their own life force just to keep them safe. Sonea's strength dissipated as the markings slowly faded, blending into the infant's skin. "I can't risk both my baby and the Continent's safety, Mira." She told her in heavy breaths and looked lovingly at her now sleeping daughter in her arms. "What are we supposed to do then, my lady?" Mira asked. Lady Sonea looked at her and at her daughter and tears kept on streaming down her cheeks. 'Concealing her will keep her safe until that time comes when she's ready.' Sonea thought, as her consciousness started to blur and her breaths were getting shallower every second. Her life force was slowly fading. "My lady," Mira whispered as she burst into tears. "Mira," Sonea softly called. "I entrusted her to you, keep her safe at all costs," she told her in between breaths. Mira wiped all her tears away and nodded. Immediately, she took the baby in her arms. With her labored breath, Sonea smiled at her daughter. "I love you my dear Eara." Sonea whispered enough for Mira to hear the name EARA. All Mira could do was to cry when she burned Sonea's body and watch its smoke scattered above. The baby was still crying in her arms, she was probably sensing her mother's presence like she was. Suddenly, the wind blew that sent a shiver down to her spine even though she wore a thick cloak over her clothes. Something was wrong. She could feel it coming to them. She looked around. She saw nothing but a bunch of trees and the beautiful lake. 'Run." A soft gentle whisper of the wind whispered to Mira's ears. Quickly she turned her heels and ran towards the forest. Something was after them, she could feel it in the dark behind her. The sinister feeling made her skin cold and her left ankle broke as it was caught by a large root. The baby in her arms stirred and cried. "Aaaahh!!" she breathed heavily. Mira sobbed as she embraced the baby in her arms tightly. With all of her strength, Mira got on her feet despite the pain. Slowly she resumed on her tracks, limping as she started humming in a soft gentle rhythm. "Hmmm hmmm hmmm. I see the moon and the moon sees me, The moon sees somebody I wanna see God bless the moon and God bless me: And God bless that somebody I wanna see." The baby's cries slowly slowed down as she was staring at the fireflies that appeared and gathered around them. Mira gasped and continued singing. I see the moon; the moon sees me Down through the leaves of the old oak tree. Please let the light that shines on me Shine on the one I love. The surroundings lightened up as the more fireflies came and gathered around them. Mira watched the fireflies making a trail of light and decided to follow its direction. I hear the lark; the lark hears me. Singing a song with a melody. Please let the lark that sings for me Sing for the one I love. And God bless the one I love. Upon the last tone, the trail of fireflies also ended. Mira found herself at the entrance of the cave. She breathed in relief and whispered softly to the little creatures, thank you. The firefly slowly dissipated in different directions. Mira stared at the dark entrance of the cave, it was too dark to see what was inside. She was still hesitant when she suddenly heard branches breaking in the distance. The cold and ominous feeling came back. Setting aside all hesitation, she went in. She needed to protect the baby at all costs. Mira made her way deeper inside the cave. There were still some fireflies inside the cave that guided them on their way. She stopped in her tracks that moment she arrived at the very deep part of the cave. Though it was dark, the rocks on the ceiling were glowing in different colors like it has its own starry sky. It was breathtaking the way it reflected on the calm, crystal surface of water below. Mira looked around as her sight finally adjusted to the darkness of her surroundings and spotted a boulder. It seemed this place was once inhabited. She limped gently towards the boulder and gently placed the baby above the plain surface of the baby above. Mira sighed, the baby might be safe there, but she wasn't. The spiritual presence the devil was tracking wasn't the baby's but hers. She ran and ran as the dark spirit approached, and suddenly an invisible powerful force pushed her that sent her flying and broke her back the moment she hit the ground. Mira screamed in agony of pain until her body became numb, and she couldn't feel anything. Her vision became blurred, but she could still visualize the dark aura of the demon that attacked her before she lost her consciousness the moment the demon sucked her mana out of her. "May the Creator protect her." She thought before losing consciousness.