Saithilien

Chapter 8 - I Was Worried

A blizzard was so strong, it almost took down houses. Electricity was out and the small village of Pentrich was filled with lurking shadows. “This is no ordinary blizzard! It’s happening again” An old man gasped in fear and trembled. The villagers surrounded him were frightened. The town hall stood strong and almost swayed with the strong winds. “Everyone! Don’t panic.” Edward le Clair, a missionary doctor, calmed everyone. Shadows of floating hooded ghosts swarmed towards the hall. People screamed in fear from the inside, children crying and women praying. What surprised Edward was the baby he’s holding. She’s peacefully sleeping in his arms like nothing’s happening. That time Edward knew, she’s special. Morning came and everyone went outside to clear the thick snow.

“Ms. Evanne, she’s perfectly fine.” Edward gave back the baby to the orphanage staff but he couldn’t take his eyes off the baby.

“Her name is Monique, during a blizzard the same as last night, we found her in the front door of the orphanage.” The staff said. 

Mathilde sighed as she narrated a momentum event to Juliana. “My father was assigned to that remote village for 6 months and went back home with Monique. She’s a real sister to me and I love her dearly. She’s all I have after our father died.” 

“Pentrich? I also came from there.” Juliana brushed her hair with her two fingers and stood up. She was confused yet satisfied with the story. She patted Mathilde’s shoulder and walked towards the door. Mathilde wiped her tears and escorted Juliana. 

“Monique is indeed special. She’s excelling in school and made new friends.” Juliana asserted Mathilde. Her heart was more overwhelmed than before. She felt a connection and eager to uncover the hidden truth that she and Monique had in common. Mathilde was left hanging but when she’s about to ask something. Juliana disappeared in a blink of an eye. 

How’d you found out about my sister’s --? Mathilde just sighed looking at the front gate swaying back and forth. She went back inside and started to worry about her sister.

Navya gasped staring at the cabin window. The mind-blowing landscapes of Saithilien wowed every passenger as the train made its way to Filerethea. Kasey Woods, sitting across Navya and beside Katsuro, was feeling dizzy and eventually dropped her head on Katsuro’s shoulder. Monique was surprised. She grunted looking at Katsuro fixing Kasey’s head on his shoulder. Annoyed and jealous, Monique stood up and opened the cabin door abruptly. It made a loud bang sound that shocked her cabinmates and caught the attention of the neighboring cabins. She went out on a tantrum and walked away.

“What’s with her?” Katsuro seemed confused and worried. He peeked outside to know where Monique was heading, but to his surprise, Monique was nowhere to be seen. Kasey yawned and closed the cabin door. “I’m sure she’s fine, she’ll be back soon.” She said bluntly and glanced at Katsuro. She felt sadness seeing Katsuro worried about Monique. Navya seemed to notice and started a conversation.

“It’s a relief that those bullies got suspended.” Navya sighed as she finally broke an awkward silence. 

“Yes, I’m glad and finally, I can attend school properly,” Kasey said wrapping her hands around Katsuro’s arms and giving Navya a dead expression. Navya glanced at Katsuro and cleared her throat. She was uncomfortable seeing Kasey clung herself too much to Katsuro.

Katsuro removed Kasey’s hands around his arms and stood up. “I should look for Monique.” Navya smiled “Alright, please bring her back.” Katsuro nodded and left. Kasey saddened, she sighed and felt distressed, obviously jealous. Navya just stared at her and felt sympathy. She grabbed her bag and got some biscuits, and offered some to Kasey. 

Still four hours and forty minutes before reaching Filerethea. Monique found herself in the dining area. An elegant diamond-shaped chandelier hanged from the ceiling, tables with expensive-like mantels, and extravagant utensils sat on each table. Monique can’t find anybody she knew. A girl sitting at the first table, near the door poked her. She had neck-length black hair and navy blue eyes. She seemed noble, however, her clothes kinda not matching. “I’m alone, want to join me?” The girl smiled sincerely. Monique sat across her and thanked the girl.

“My name is Arya Ellis. I’m nothing special, just a normal girl with a tiring job.” She cut the steak, on her plate, into small pieces and ate it one by one. She looked at Monique curiously. “How about you?” 

“I’m Monique le Clair, a student at St. Catherine’s Academy.” A waitress served a hot chocolate, then she glanced at Arya and lifted the cup to drink. The hot chocolate was soothing and warm. It’s a perfect mix. 

“You’re curious aren’t you?” Arya wiped her mouth with the table napkin and leaned forward. “Your eyes show curiosity, not excitement.” Monique was astonished, she felt hesitation and doubt towards Arya. She stood up and said her farewell. “ Nice meeting you but I should go.” Monique was about to leave but Arya held her hand. “I’m an orphan. Their rituals scared me so I escaped. And now 11 years later, I’m boarding a train sending me back to the place I considered hell.” Her statement agitated Monique. 

Where are you, Monique? Katsuro was passing through the cabins hoping to find her. As he passed by, Dara gasped “Is that Kaya?” Anna immediately opened the cabin door and called for Katsuro. She smiled as she saw him. If Kaya’s here, Monique’s also here. “Kaya where are you going!? Come in for a bit.” Katsuro halted and looked back at Anna. He was unsure of the invitation yet he proceeded into her cabin. 

Inside the cabin, there was Dara, Paulo, Afina, and Daniel. “Hey, man.” Daniel raised his right hand to greet Katsuro and offered the empty seat beside him. 

“I’m looking for Monique. Have you guys seen her? Did she pass here?” Katsuro asked worriedly.

“Nope, why? Did you two fight?” Anna answered, bothered by the situation. 

Suddenly a thunder roared, dark clouds gathered and lightning began to brighten the sky. Everyone looked at their cabin windows, flustered by the sudden storm. 

Paulo sighed and snapped his fingers. “Remember what Mr. Marchion, our literature teacher, said?” Dara widened her eyes as she agreed. In a moment of silence, Afina blurted out in laughter. “Hahaha, a sudden storm will be the sign of entering the gates of hell. Do you really believe his ridiculous story about Filerethea?” 

“Gates of hell?” Katsuro leaned forward looking at Afina. 

“Filerethea has been addressed as hell since King Gerard ruled Saithilien.” Anna stared at the colliding dark clouds outside. She sighed and continued the story. “He told us that  Filerethea has a lot of dark secrets that only the Monarchs knew. And he added that the Monarchs were leading whatever darkness happening there.”

“And also he told us to be careful,” Daniel said in a distressed manner.

“That town was cursed by the dark forces, that’s why this storm marks that we’re now entering the fields of Filerethea.” 

“The odd thing is Cirque de Laviche is a well-known group of entertainers, why would they choose to perform in such a dead town?” 

Everyone looked at each other and started to feel weird. “I’m kinda convinced now that the rumors were not ridiculous.” Afina laughed sarcastically and suddenly a sound of a hungry stomach echoed. “Oops!” Dara covered her stomach with her two hands. 

“I should be going.” Katsuro stood up still worried about Monique. As he left the cabin, Freya, holding a basket full of bread, bumped into him. “Hey Kaya, want some?” Freya stretched her arms offering the basket to Katsuro. “No thanks, I need to find Monique. Have you seen her?” Katsuro scratched his head and smiled. He’s hungry but a bit embarrassed to get one. 

“Oh yeah, I saw her in the dining area, She’s talking to some girl.”

“Huh? Who's the girl?” 

“I really don’t know, but she’s definitely not a student from St. Catherine’s.” 

Who could that be? “Thank you, Freya.”

“No problem.” Freya smiled and proceeded to the cabin across Anna’s.

Katsuro rushed to the dining area, bumped into anyone on his way, and was determined in seeing his friend. As soon as he reached the dining area, he looked around and couldn't find Monique. He panicked and was frustrated. 

“Monique!!!!” He screamed and was panting hard. Everyone looked at him and weirded-out. Monique on the very corner of the room, still sitting with Arya, was shocked hearing her name, she turned to where it came from and saw Katsuro. Ka--Kaya? She smiled and was happy to see Katsuro and called for him. 

“Let’s go back together.” Katsuro approached Monique and offered his left hand. Monique once again felt a bit of romantic excitement and blushed. She glanced at Arya and was surprised to see her giggling. “Alright.” Monique sighed and held Katsuro’s hand. 

“You’re a good man. Please take care of her.” Arya asserted and smiled at them.

“I will,” Katsuro replied confidently. Monique looked up to Katsuro having mixed emotions and held his hand tighter. 

The cabin door opened and Navya was excited to see both of her friends together. Kasey noticed their hands and immediately looked away. Her feeling of jealousy worsened and distress came to her again. 

“What’s with those?” Navya pointed to their hands and smirked. They immediately put them down and sat across from each other. 

Heavy rain and severe thunder, and lightning swarmed the skies. A skull-like cloud can be seen through lightning that covers the remaining sunlight. The train on a high speed made its way through a thick mist. Dara peeked at the cabin across them, seeing Freya and the others eating bread. Talya noticed her and invited her to join them. She went there and got some bread to bring for her cabin mates. 

Passengers started to go back to their respective cabins, to rest, and to keep the train light. The attendants dimmed the lights and roamed around to check if someone’s still out.

“A cult!?” Navya gasped and seemed bothered.

“Ms. Colette said that Filerethea had the largest monastery and that they’re the ones who governed the town.” Kasey joined the conversation. She tried to move a little bit closer to Katsuro but hesitated. Her feelings were distracting and at some point, she couldn't withstand it. She stood up and left the cabin. 

“Kasey! You can’t come out now.” Navya worriedly called for her. 

”I’m fine. Please don’t follow me, I’m just going to visit the others.” Kasey looked back and smiled, and proceeded on her way. They sighed and watched her walk away. Katsuro followed her with his gaze and intended to follow her, but he did not pursue it. Monique pouted at him as he took a deep breath.

“Oh about the cult in the monastery, why are they doing such a thing?” Navya asked in disgust. “Hmph. Are they trying to be gangsters?”

“Hahaha, Navya at some instance you’re kinda out of the topic.” Katsuro teased her.

Monique cleared her throat. “She never knew what the cult is all about and what it was for.”

“Let’s all find out then.” Navya leaned forward and whispered. 

Kasey walked through the train cabins restfully, with her shoulders down, someone seemed familiar walking towards her. The dim lights prevented her from seeing the person. Fear came to her and was about to run. “Kasey.” She looked back and approached the person. “Penelope, oh it’s you.” She sighed and felt relieved.