God's Game

Chapter 14: Awakening

CHAPTER 14

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When I was a child, I imagined the walls as bucklers that shield Lord Levi's followers from the rest of the kingdoms that are overlooked by the other gods. When I was a teenager, I've learned about the altered geography of the world wherein I had become aware that Hustasia has cities beyond the walls where people have lesser faith but had the blessing of autonomy to make decisions since they were not bounded by any walls. Ever since, the perfect painting that was my world view remained consistent; not until a woman rolled a dismembered head and made me realize that there exists a world beyond my bubble. Little did oblivious, immature Arla know that same wall she thought protects the inhabitants of Hustasia actually segregated the rest of her own kind. It severed Hustasia that not only erected a divide in the empire but in the faith as well. What I once thought was the land of peace and justice became the land of hypocrites and selfishness.

Because of this sudden awakening, I decided to use my power as a Nasier and daughter of the priestess to help the oppressed— in this case Whylla— in any way I can. It was the least I could do for indulging in lavish luxury in the Basillica as they suffered helpless. I find it funny that the early Hustasians elevated the Basillica to provide an all-encompassing view to the elites and the holy while hiding the devastation beyond with a mighty wall.

After Whylla turned her back on me to rest, I casually walked past the knights back up to my room. That night, I have been tossing and turning around my bed trying to find the serenity to sleep due to the panicking of my consciousness suffocating me back between the narrow walls of the dungeon's corridor. Her face of distress while explaining her sentiments to my unheeding self plus her sigh of relief when I told her she was going to be executed was bombarding my brain making a huge ruckus. It was the longest, most painful and dreadful night I have ever experienced.

Due to my inability to sleep yesterday, I figured I would use the time to devise a plan to help Whylla. At the break of dawn, I discretely skulked to the river where I told Zev to meet me. I prayed that he was able to decipher the message I flashed from my room window to his. As I was patiently waiting for Zev, I almost fell to slumber because of the soft cushion the morning dew-covered grass was providing. Watching the gushing river was like watching a pendulum swing back and forth— luring you to fall into deep sleep. I felt like I fell asleep in a theater play that ended strongly with the river clapping loudly. Light was slowly breaking through the dark sky to take over for another day; while I still have not been blessed with rest from yesterday. I cursed under my breath, why do I think of sleeping now?

Though my head was lightweight, I greeted Zev with a smile when I saw him break through the bushes to my right. With knowing eyes, he sat beside me with his legs spread out on the grass and supported his weight using his arms with his hands on the grass behind him. "You haven't slept, have you?" He asked. I shook my head, not having the energy to defend myself. He slowly nodded as if he understood and carefully asked, "Still thinking about the festival?"

I slowly shook my head again. My eyes were fixed to the river but my ears were fighting its loud current to hear him talk. "Then, what's wrong, Arla? If you want to tell me, tell me. But, if you don't, that's fine. I'll be here for you either way." I heard it, loud and clear, over the water loudly crashing onto the rocks below. It's not like I have doubts to tell him or anything, it's just that I feel like telling him would only burden him. But, something in me feels like it was going to self-destruct if I don't tell him or anyone. A sudden cold morning breeze blew upon us that made the grass jive with our hair.

I took in a lot of the grass-scented air and puffed in distress. "I'm in a predicament right now, Zev." I closed my eyes when I felt him intently looking into them from my side. Without any more hesitation, I told him everything: about the conflict I had with my mother the days before the festival; how terrified I was to be next to mother when the dagger struck the wooden chair she was sitting on; about the death penalty being implemented for the first time in history of Hustasia; and everything that occurred in the dungeon with Whylla the past two nights I sneaked in there. I gulped to quench my throat that dried after pouring everything out. Though parched, ironically I felt like the river crashing all my worries to the situation to my rock, who was Zev.

Zev fell silent to examine me and think about what to say next. Honestly, I think he thinks that I'm stupid for choosing to help the assailant over my mother; which is what I'd be thinking if I were him.

He sighed before turning his head to the river too, "That's crazy." he said. It was my turn to look at him in shock. That's crazy was all he have to say?, I thought. "You think I'm crazy, don't you?" I said.

"Brave would be a better word choice, courageous even." He said with his jaws moving tightly giving his jawline a sharper look. He then smiled and closed his eyes. "I'm proud of you for listening to the assailant rather than letting your prejudice obscure your judgement. If you didn't, then she would've been killed by the same system that placed her there."

I slowly nodded, satisfied with his answer, and averted my attention to the river once again. "So, what's the plan?" He asked which made me chuckle. He did get my message. I turned my body to him to explain the plan I have concocted. Still holding his position, he tilted his head to me with a smile.

"I plan to go outside the walls to investigate... today." I began. To be honest, the plan sounded good in my head but now that I thought about it, am I really ready to go beyond the walls? Pushing all the hesitations aside, I continued. "I'd ask Arlette for help. I'll use my power to help the powerless. So will you." I gestured to him and made his eyebrows raise in amusement.

"This is not a favor, Zev. This is a command, okay?" I tried to sound as priestess-like as possible which made him smile and nod in agreement.

"Thy will be done, your holiness." He bowed his head with an entertained face.

"Very well. I need you to investigate on who will be testifying against Whylla for the trial." It was a start. Through this, we can undermine the faith's case against Whylla. "Be discreet about it, do not let anyone know that you are working for the defendant."

"Easy." He replied with a shrug.

"Cocky." I said and lightly hit him on his broad chest. He laughed when he saw my annoyed face.

"Your wish is my command, your holiness. I'll flash a message to you to meet once I get the information you need." He saluted.

We have been talking in codes using lights my father got during a bleach through our room windows since we were kids. It was our way of communicating when we wanted to go out in the middle of the night. This scene reminded me of the time when we sat here at midnight when we were kids. We were sitting in this exact spot except the full moon was still reigning the night sky along with the blinking stars. He ranted his frustrations about his father wanting him to train harder for swordsmanship, while his mother wants him to study harder with magister Ammut. I told him that expectations would only burden him and that he should do those things because he wants to. Because what would be the use of hating what he was doing if he was going to do it anyways? He did what I told him after that, now he's the smart and strong Zev that I know.

I returned from my trip down the memory lane. That scene was recreated, only this time I was the one pouring out frustrations. I smiled, and leaned my head on Zev's shoulder before closing my eyes. After a whisper of another morning breeze, I fell into a much needed slumber.

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I closed my eyelids tighter when the sun rays were too bright for them to block out. Arlette must've opened my windows again. I thought. In an attempt to sleep again, I placed an arm over my eyes. I was in darkness again, a perfect condition to sleep, but the loud running water annoyed me. That is when I realized that I wasn't in my room.

I immediately got up and noticed I was sleeping on Zev's arm who was laying next to me on the grass. Still in a haze, I tried blinking away my sleepiness.

"Rise and shine, your holiness." With a husky voice, Zev turned to me resting his head on his fist to tease me.

"What time is it?" I asked. I still have an investigating to do.

He shrugged, "Probably almost noon."

My eyes widen in panic, "I have to go find Arlette." I stood up, brushing the behind of my skirt. "Do what I asked you, alright?" Zev stood up and gave me a salute.

"Yes, ma'am." he teased. I gave him an unamused face and he cackled. Annoyed, I walked past him back to the temple and he followed behind.

Zev and I separated before I got to the Basilica. Scanning the altar room, I noted that there were knights all over the building; before I entered there were knights; there were a couple in the corridors on the second floor; there were few by the aisles; some were beside the altar. I felt weary, hopefully none of them are smart enough to find me suspicious. While mother's safety is still being compromised, I must remain under the radar.

I walked past the knights, who stood at attention when I walked by them, to the chambers. Usually, Arlette hangs around here until she's been called upon by mother. When I got there, the room was empty.

I went upstairs to go to the library where Nicolous and I spend most of our time when we're asked to stay in the temple. When I opened the doors of the library, I was greeted with the smells of books and ink. The bookshelves embedded on the walls spiral all the way up the ceiling overflowing with books. A huge white crystal chandelier with gold rods as support hangs adjacent above the big wooden circular table in the middle of the spacious room. The place was lit up by a huge white tinted window welcoming the sun rays to a spot where I found innocent Nicolous casually reading a book, beside him was Rylene who was gladly reading the book with him.

I carefully sat next to them trying my best to hide the distress I was feeling and greeted Rylene with a forced smile when she noticed me. He lifts his head from his book, "I am rereading about mythology." he said lifting his book, to show me its spine where a bold text of Mythological Creatures was written.

"Why the sudden interest?" I asked, tilting my head. With his eyes only, he gave me a glance then back to his book again. "No reason." He responds.

I looked at Rylene and she mouthed your brother was eager to learn about mythology which I responded with a genuine smile.

I straightened my back and leaned toward him, getting serious. I need to find out where Arlette is quick so we can go beyond the walls. "Nicolous, have you seen Arlette anywhere?" I finally asked.

"They're in the dining room, I think. I went straight here after we had lunch, where were you anyway?" He lifted his head from the book to me. His eyebrow was raised like he was being suspicious of me.

"I just didn't feel like eating." I shrugged, getting up. His vision followed me assessing if my excuse holds true. Nicolous is smart but probably too naive to know what I'm doing. Regardless, I must find Arlette now. "Thank you, Nicolous. You go back to reading. See you around, Rylene."

"You too, babe." She said winking at me. I smirked before turning around.

Coincidentally, Arlette was walking past the library doors when I opened them. I gasped in relief and she turned around when I called her name. I gestured for her to follow me to my room to which she complied. As much as possible, I tried my best to avoid the knights when we passed them. When we finally got to my room, I exhaled the breath I was holding in my lungs and leaned on my door as my heart pumped in both anxiety and excitement.

"Arlette." I began and looked her dead in the eyes so she'll know I'm serious.  She held her breath as she anticipated what I was going to say. "If I remembered correctly, you told us, when we were kids,  that you were from beyond the walls, correct?" I asked to make sure that I got my facts correctly. Otherwise, my plan would fall apart because she plays an important role in it. I saw a saliva visually slide down her throat when she gulped.

"Y-yes ma'am." She answered. I closed my fist in an internal victory. Perfect, I thought.

"I need your help." I quickly rummaged through my closet to find a hooded robe to hide us as we navigate beyond the walls. "We're going outside the walls, show me the villages, the cities, the ruined cities that have been bleached, I need you to show me," I placed the white robe on her hand like I was passing a responsibility to her. "all of it." I confidently say with a puff of breath. Knowing there was nothing she could do but obey, she nodded her head. That was the last thing I said before we snuck out of the temple to the edge of the walls.

With great stealth, we snuck out of the temple through the backdoors down to the hill. To make sure we make it without anyone recognizing us, we wore the hoods of our robe and made sure to keep our heads down when there are commoners especially knights in the area. When we reached the more secluded part of Hustasia, opposite to that of the market, Arlette asked me how we were going pass the walls. According to her, mother ordered that no one shall enter nor leave the vicinity of Hustasia, even the guests of the feast, until after the trial. That explains why Rylene was with Nicolous earlier, I thought.

I stopped for a moment to think; if it is a direct order from mother and not from father, then its implementation must be with discerning strictness. This time, I cannot use my name to sneak when mother was the one holding the power. For a second, I thought about turning around and giving up this whole mission, but then I remembered that I made a promise to Whylla. I remembered that I seek justice and fairness, even if it means going through extreme lengths.

Arlette must have noticed that I have been thinking for a while when she spoke, "Ma'am, I know a place where we could sneak out." which made me glimmer with hope. She brought me to the river where we followed its current when I said she should take the lead. At first, I mentally asked why she would bring me here. Then I saw it, the river goes through a tunnel in the wall!

Of course! The river cuts through Hustasia to quench its entirety. Being that I have never been in this part of town before, I was surprised to see that, besides the gates, there was an alternative way to enter Hustasia. The tunnel was a feet taller than me, intentionally built to allow the water to pass through. The bars that once served as barriers in the river bank were broken, allowing an easy passage in and out of the walls.

Seeing the tunnel, I suddenly felt my stomach turn like I was free falling hundreds of feet in the sky. I was statued for a moment staring into the illuminating light at the end of its darkness trying to imagine what horror lies underneath. Will I find answers to Whylla's case or more questions about society? Will I find chaos that the walls have been hiding? Or will I find nothing but a barren land of Hustasians begging for help?

I looked at Arlette with shaky breath, "this is it?"

"Yes, ma'am." She answered.

"Then let's go." I said as we stride to the darkness of the tunnel to reach its mysterious end.

The fresh air that the greenery by the river was creating was immediately overpowered by the smell of rotten eggs when we entered the tunnel. The gushing of the water was louder as it echoed around the cracking, and yet still seemingly solid tunnel walls almost deafening us. I was walking with extreme caution because I could barely see what I was stepping on while Arlette, on the other hand was strolling casually as if she had done this countless of times before. Overwhelmed with the sudden bright light, I covered my eyes with my hand after we exited the tunnel.

When my eyes finally recovered, what I saw exceeds expectations. The painting of my world view tipped toward imbalance becoming an abstract depiction of the barren wasteland I am basking on, scorched by the sun, set ablaze my old painting. The world I know forever changed. For the best or for the worst? It was for me to find out.