God's Game

CHAPTER 8: Betrayal

CHAPTER 8

***

Nicolous and I barely slept through the night. We were still haunted by the scary visual we saw in the dark cellar. We laid awake until dawn just staring at the ceiling. Right now, the sunlight is creeping up to the sky and we still haven't had decent sleep.

"Didn't get sleep?" I turned to Nicolous and nodded. "Me neither. That corpse haunted me in my dreams."

I shivered at the thought. Sure, I have seen dead bodies before when father and I were bleaching. But most of the time, the bodies I've seen are almost unrecognizable due to the burns and wounds the bodies endured before death or they were just skeletons left in the abandoned city to rot. They were casualties of the great war a hundred years ago but this, this was murder.

I'll probably see more of it now that the guild is back. Some say that the guild either blinds you to give you similar powers that they have and worship The Unseen or they kill you. Story has it that they torture the people who reject their Lord first before they kill them.

Rumor has it that is the reason why the Hand of God exiled The Unseen to the depths of hell and wreak havoc to Havendell, the empire of the Unseen while others say that The Unseen rebelled against the faith and killed the Hand's disciples.

I erased the thought in my mind. I've been thinking too much about death after I've seen that corpse.

A knock on our wooden doors pulled me from my thoughts. "Sir, mam, Priestess Aurelia wants to see you." Arlette said from the other side of the door.

"We're coming." I replied back to Arlette and I heard her footsteps leave. I turned to Nicolous and gave him a knowing look. "We must not show mother that we didn't get any sleep."

He gave me a small nod. I got up from the bed and went to the closet to check on Hibiscus. She's still sound asleep. "I'll come back for you girl, stay here for now." I turned around and shut the closet door.

"Let's go." Nicolous led the way. His brown eyes were underlined with a black spot and his usual hair that was shaped like an upside down bowl is disheveled. He was still really small but he was the average size for his age. I'm older and taller than him but I boast only a few inches. I don't see him becoming a swordsman like Alexander but I do see him becoming an archer when he grows up. It just suits him better due to his cunning and swift nature.

We walked in the dimly lit corridors of the temple from our room to the altar. The temple has always given me a sense of pride. To think that the early Hustasians have built this and I share the same bloodline to one of the first rulers of this empire has always reminded me that I have a responsibility when I come of age. The temple was my solid reminder that I am part of a family that holds this empire together.

The stairs to the altar were long winding steps that ended by the entrance of the altar room. Mother was kneeling in front of a statue of Lord Levi similar to the one that was in the park, the only difference is that this one was solid gold. Murals of the Hand of God and the other gods were the background of the statue.

Nicolous and I stood there and waited for mother to finish her prayer. Mother's faith and gentleness is what I admire of her. She became a priestess at a young age when my grandfather, the late priest, died. Since then, she married father, who had a seat on the council as head of the defense, and came their four lovely children.

Mother got up and looked at us with sorry eyes. "Ahry, Nicolous," she trailed off. She walked towards me and knelt to my height. "Hibiscus is... gone"

I acted surprised and hurt. Nicolous gasped and looked down to hide the fake emotions he was making. "Gone? What do you mean gone?" I tried to cry as best as I could and tears started to roll down my cheeks.

"An assailant snuck down the chambers last night and killed the guard I tasked to feed your dog." She looks away, looking rather guilty. "I'm afraid whoever it was took Hibiscus too."

Nicolous bawled out crying. Mother and I both turned to look at him and I raised an eyebrow at him in confusion. He toned down his acting a bit and wiped his tears.

"You'll find her right?" I let the tears roll down my cheeks. Mother is looking rather guilty and I'm feeling guilty for making her feel guilty. I hate this, but it must be done for Hibiscus.

"We're investigating on it, sweetie. We called on a meeting of urgency right now and we'll address the empire before supper." With her finger, she moved the lost lock of my hair in place and wiped a tear on my cheek with her thumb. "Don't worry too much, alright? We'll find her."

I nodded and wiped the tears off my face. "I must go now. Go back to your rooms, your breakfast will be served there. You're still grounded you know." Mother commanded and left the room.

"You were under-doing it" Nicolous nudged my shoulder while we were walking to our room.

"And you were over-doing it, idiot." I rebutted.

He chuckled at my response and we both laughed at how cunning we are. We could join theatre with this acting.

I can say that I feel a little bit guilty for lying to mother but they did lock us up and my dog in the temple for fighting back against Kanna so that seems to wipe my conscience clean.

We went back to our rooms and have to wait until nightfall for mother's address.

"You know," Nicolous jumped onto the bed and laid flat on his back. "That corpse wasn't the craziest thing I saw this past month."

I sat on my bed and faced him. "Oh, you mean Lord Levi who literally touched you?"

"Well, that," he held a finger up and faced me "and I also saw a Sagittarius a while back."

For a second, I processed what he said and then I burst out laughing. "What? Did I say something funny?" He looked at me rather annoyed but I couldn't stop laughing. "I'm serious, Ahry."

"That's like saying Kanna has been nice to me, which is a myth" I laughed once again.

"I'm serious, Ahry! He came at me in the forest and ran away when he sensed Alexander."

I still continued laughing; maybe it was my lack of sleep that makes me think that this was a joke.

"He was huge, had a black horse for legs and carried a huge bow!"

I still couldn't help but laugh. It was as if he's describing something out of a history book.

"He wanted to kill me!"

My laughter died down when I realized he was serious. The tears on his eyes rolled down from his cheeks. His eyes seemed tired and lacks sleep.

"Sometimes I feel like the world doesn't want me alive."

"Don't say that, Nicolous."

"Well it's true! First the incident I had when I was a child, the abyssal scale in my ankles! The Sagittarius that wanted me dead and..." he trailed off.

"And what, Nicolous?" I looked for his eyes who looked away from me.

He looked up to my eyes. "I had a dream. You, Alexander and father were bloodied and the three of you entered the gates with father looking distraught. He was carrying something. I..." his voice cracked for a bit. "Then, I saw what father was carrying. My blindfolded corpse with blood spewing out of my eyes..."

My eyes widened and my heart was pounding. Nicolous was still talking but I tuned him out.

It feels as though there is a hundred pound boulder on top of my chest. My mind pictured the description of his dreams.

This can't be. No.

It was just a dream, I repeated again and again in my mind. Blindfolded, blood spewing out of his eyes— all of it describes the work of the guild of the blind. How could Nicolous dream of that if he doesn't even know about the guild existing? Is it coincidence or is it telling us something?

Between the Nicolous and I, I've always been the strong one. I've always looked after him when I can and I've always remained strong and courageous in times we get into to trouble. But fear has laced my heart this time, death is not something we have encountered before.

I erased that thought out of my head. No one is dying on my watch.

"I just... couldn't live like this anymore, Ahry." I managed to leave my thoughts back to reality. "I can't live in a world where I'm surrounded by things that want me dead."

With trembling legs, I got up from my bed and sat beside him. I took his hand and held it tight. "You're surrounded by us, your family, and we don't want you dead." I tried to smile. "What ever it is that want you dead, we'll fight them. We're the Nasiers! We never back down from a fight."

He smiled back. "You're a lot stronger than anyone of us. Everything you've endured made you stronger, add that to the fact that you're the youngest." He laughed. "We're here for you, Nicolous. I'm here for you." I held his hand tighter. He leaned his head on my shoulder.

I'm not going to let those blindfolded freaks touch my brother, not while I'm alive. I swear it on Lord Levi, I swear it on my family name.

—-

The sun has finally set. We could only hope that the council meeting is over and mother's address will be on any minute. I was staring at the window of our room, watching the sun hide behind the west wall, slowly letting the dark overpower its light.

The lights from the small houses of Hustasia started to light up. The view from our room gave me a beautiful view of Hustasia; the market near the gates still accommodated few people, the blacksmith next to it still has smoke coming out from its chimney and the river that passes through the wall still flowed aggressively. The huge walls outlined the city and guards patrol above it day and night. Hustasia is a lovely empire and the walls made us feel safe.

To my right, I have a clear view of the Hudson mansion. It was almost as big as the temple and the structure of it seem to be very complicated. Huge windows decorated its red and brown exterior. The garden in front of their mansion seem to be blooming as well.

That mansion is as big as Kanna's ego. I thought to myself.

Three knocks from the door pulled me from my thoughts "Sir, mam, the Priestess is about to address the empire." Arlette called upon us.

"We'll be right there." Nicolous yelled out. He zipped up his pants and just finished dressing up. He was wearing a beige coat that ended just above his knees with black pants that were loose on the end. His coat had subtle white embroidery of wreaths.

"You look good." He nodded to me.

I rolled my eyes at him. "You know I hate wearing dresses." I was wearing a red dress that draped down to my feet and the long sleeves of the dress were tight by my arm and loose before my wrists. The red dress was embroidered with gold doves.

"Let's go." He opened the door and we both left the room. Hibiscus has been a good girl and was behaved inside the closet most of the day so we didn't have to worry about her.

As we were walking down the hall on the way to the terrace of the temple where mother will make her address, we heard the bells ringing which called all Hustasians to come in front of the square by the temple. The square is an open area where Hustasians gather on occasions, festivals, or important announcements.

We opened the gold curtain that covered the door to the terrace and we were greeted by a sea of white and gold below us. Hustasian men and women have gathered by the temple. The crowd murmurs below as they wait for the priestess.

We stood next to Arla who was wearing an emerald green dress and gold jewelries and her hair was done in a manner that is similar to mother's, and Alexander who was wearing an all-black suit with a gold dove pinned to the collar which complimented his steel gray eyes and his slicked back hair.

"You both look good tonight, Arla." I said to my sister who was standing elegantly and she gave me a nod. "You too, brother." I said to Alexander who was standing in his manly poise with his hand holding the other wrist in front and legs apart.

I thank Lord Levi everyday for our genes.

General Forbisher comes in the terrace wearing gold and silver armor and his sword that has a gold dove on the pommel. General Forbisher is the person in charge of the defenses of Hustasia in replacement of my father after he was married to mother.

Father was no where in sight. I leaned in closer to Arla and whispered "Where's father?"

"He needed to talk to Mr. Hudson in their mansion." I nodded to Arla's answer.

When mother entered the terrace, the crowd quiet down. She was wearing a white dress with gold dove feather designs that made her look sophisticated. She walked towards the edge of the terrace and looked down at the crowd.

"I am Aurelia Nasier, the priestess of Hustasia, the tarry of the great temple and Lord Levi's chosen ruler." She introduced herself.

"As many of you know, Hustasia has been one of the safest cities in all the kingdoms the Gods bestowed upon. Not once did any Hustasians act upon robbery, violence or homicide since I ruled over Hustasia." She paused.

"I'm afraid that streak has been broken just last night." The crowd whispered and loud gasps could be heard.

"But fear not, fellow Hustasians, for General Forbisher" she gestured to the man that stood next to father and he stiffened "has doubled the guards on patrol starting tonight. Soldiers will be patrolling the streets day and night and if any act of nuisance be done against any of you, report it immediately to the guards. Your safety will be of paramount importance."

More guards will not stop the guild. I thought to myself

"Tonight, marks the 363rd day of the prosperous year and three days from now we must celebrate the end of the year and welcome the beginning of the new one. It is within the council's and my prerogative to continue the Festival of Burgeon as planned."

The Hustasians don't seem to be entertained by the news that the festival of Burgeon will continue despite the events of last night.

"General Forbisher has tripled the knights who will guard that day ensuring a safe and joyous celebration."

"Now for the resources," the people's faces lit up "as many of you know, since the gods came down here resources have been scarce" she trails off.

"but some cities have coped better than Hustasians which is why I have tasked General Forbisher and Sir Aegon on a diplomatic mission to Thanatos, Athea the city of the free, Alksville and," she took a deep long breath and paused for a while, unsure if she should say it. "to bleach the doomed city of Havendell."

Gasps erupted from the crowd. My siblings and I looked at each other in disbelief.

My mother is sending father on a suicide mission to bleach Havendell, the doomed city of the guild.