Chương 8: Chapter 7 - The Eternal Flame

In the small church on the outskirts of the small village, Ren blinked in confusion at what the masked woman meant, his hand still pressed against the warm stone pillar, Varrin, on the other hand, took a confident step forward.

"No," he said calmly, "I'm afraid you're mistaken. We're just travellers that had a few questions we were told only you could answer." The woman's lips parted slightly in surprise, then she laughed softly.

"My apologies," she said warmly, "that is quite embarrassing of me."

"I am Lady Agatha," the woman continued, inclining her head a little, "Firekeeper for the Eternal Flame, though I am sure that much was obvious." The name and title meant nothing to Ren outside what the tavernkeeper had said, but beside him, Varrin shifted his stance slightly.

"I see," the silver-haired boy said, "are you still able to answer our questions?"

"Of course," Agatha replied with a warm smile.

"How might I be of assistance?"

"I heard from a tavernkeeper that you mentioned trouble," Varrin said without preamble, adding a flowery tone to his voice, "as travellers, information if very important when deciding what time to depart from safe havens such as this village." Agatha's smile widened.

"That tavernkeeper is right, and I am more than happy to tell you both about it."

"Word reached me recently that a minor incursion is likely." she continued, folding her hands calmly as she spoke.

"Nothing catastrophic, but enough to endanger the village. With the small amount of Flameguard stationed here and Solaris not close enough to send additional people to assist us, I thought it wise to hire protection."

"An incursion of demons?" Varrin checked as one of the logs in a nearby brazier popped.

"I cannot name an incursion of any other monster in recent years," the Firekeeper responded.

"So… are demon attacks are common?" Ren asked with a frown, finally taking his hand away from the pillar. Agatha nodded gently.

"These days, yes."

"Back where we're from, that would've caused panic everywhere," Ren said, shaking his head while shrugging. Varrin shot him a deadly look, and he realised he said something he probably shouldn't have.

"Back where you're from," Agatha echoed lightly, tilting her head.

"As far as I know, all of Aetira is suffering from demonic incursions, especially the east." Varrin ignored the Firekeeper's statement and instead continued with his questions.

"Which gods are worshipped on Aetira?" he asked, not oblivious to the fact she had just named the continent they were on. Agatha looked genuinely puzzled, even with the mask covering half of her face.

"…Only the Eternal Flame," she said slowly.

"There has never been another." Ren exchanged a quick glance with Varrin. That explained nothing and confirmed everything, but before either could respond, the door behind them opened again and the blonde-haired girl from earlier stepped inside, hands folded neatly in front of her.

"Lady Agatha," she said brightly, "I've finished emptying the wash water." Upon noticing Ren and Varrin, her head tilted slightly.

"Are these the Hunters?"

"No," Varrin said at once, causing Agatha to chuckle.

"No, Lorelle. Just visitors." She gestured fondly toward the girl.

"This is Lorelle, my apprentice Firekeeper."

"It's nice to meet you," Lorelle said with a smile, her unseen gaze somehow settling on Ren and Varrin all the same. This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. Ren cleared his throat.

"Ren," he said, offering a small smile before gesturing to his side, "and this is Varrin." A heartbeat passed before the silver-haired boy nodded in confirmation.

"If you have any further questions—" Agatha began, but was cut off when the church doors opened again and two cloaked figures entered, boots heavy against the warm stone. Ren recognised them immediately as the cloaked men from the tavern. The one in front lazily pulled back his hood, revealing unkempt brown hair and a scruffy beard. His striking red eyes swept the warm hall before fixing on Agatha.

"We're Hunters," he said bluntly, leaving it at just that. The second man stayed a pace behind and didn't add anything, hood still up, his hands hidden in the cloak's sleeves.

"Ah. Thank you for coming," Agatha said with a nod before turning back to Ren and Varrin.

"Please—ask Lorelle anything else you wish. I'll speak with them." Ren noticed the way Varrin's shoulders tensed at the sight of these newcomers, the subtle shift in his stance, the way his eyes locked onto the Hunters, sharp and cold.

"We're done," the silver-haired boy said suddenly, turning and heading for the exit without another word. Ren hesitated for a moment and saw Lorelle's shoulders drooped slightly in disappointment.

"Hold on," he said, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Um—this might be strange, but… do you have any spare clothes?"

"Clothes?" Lorelle asked, rightfully confused.

"For a girl," he added quickly, ears burning.

"If possible."

"…Why?" she asked softly.

"Because of some... circumstances?" Lorelle hesitated, glancing toward were Agatha and the two Hunters stood. After a moment, she nodded.

"… Come with me then," the young Firekeeper said, spinning on her heels and leading him towards the back of the warm hall. Ren followed closely, his heart pounding, leaving Varrin behind for the first time since they arrived.' I hope this doesn't get in his way...' he thought as they approached a small wooden door. Lorelle stopped right in front of it and reached into her sleeve, producing a small iron key, its surface dulled with age. The lock clicked softly as she turned it, then pushed the door open.

The space beyond was modest, a storage room lit by a single hanging lantern. Shelves lined the walls, stacked neatly with folded linens, spare banners, bundles of wick, and jars of oil. The scent of clean cloth and faint incense lingered in the air. As they stepped inside, Lorelle closed the door behind them with a click.

"…You're not from around here, are you?" she asked lightly, already moving toward one of the shelves. Ren's shoulders stiffened for half a second before he caught himself.

"No," he responded, doing his best to keep his voice even, "we're just travellers." Varrin's lie from before resurfaced in Ren's head so he ran with it. Lorelle hummed thoughtfully as she sifted through folded fabric.

"Travellers, then... Where are you headed?" Ren hesitated slightly again as his thoughts raced, before he settled on the only name that felt safe and important enough to sound real.

"…Solaris," he said, raising one arm to lean casually on one of the shelves, "the capital." Lorelle paused and looked at him.

"Really?" she said, head tilting slightly.

"Yes," he added quickly, his pulse spiking as his heart beat faster. She was quiet for a moment, then reached higher on the shelf.

"And where are you travelling from?" Ren froze and this time, the pause stretched just a little too long.

"South," he said at last, the word tumbling out.

"Yeah... from the south." Lorelle stopped rummaging around the shelves before slowly turning towards him.

"Ah," she said pleasantly, "then you must be from Cordu Village?" Relief flooded Ren, who was proud with his successful ruse.

"Yes," he said immediately, confidence snapping into place.

"That's right, I'm from Cordu Village." Lorelle stared at him. Well—stared wasn't quite right. The smooth metal mask hid her eyes completely, but Ren could feel her attention settle on him even so. She turned back to the shelves, reached down, and pulled free a neatly folded set of robes. These were lighter than the ones she wore, the fabric was thinner and more flexible.

"That's interesting," she said casually, "because I just made that village up." Ren's heart dropped straight through the floor and he almost lost his balance against the shelf as Lorelle took a step closer, holding out the robes to him. The lantern behind her cast soft light across her mask as she tilted her head again, seemingly studying him from behind it. He took the robes numbly and unsure of what to say now that he's been caught, but the girl suddenly laughed.

It was light and melodic, the sound pure and warm, like a bell chiming in sunlight.

"I'm teasing," Lorelle said, amusement threading her voice.

"Just relax!"

"Y-you are?" Ren stuttered, blinking in shock.

"Yes," she giggled again.

"I can tell you're a kind person not looking for any trouble."

"How?" he asked.

"That is part of my Soul Power," Lorelle said, turning toward the door.

"Now come along."' A Soul Power?!

'Ren thought, hurrying after her, clutching the folded robes to his chest as he did.' That means this world has Blessed too!' They returned to the main hall just as Lady Agatha finished speaking with the Hunters. Ren inclined his head politely.

"Thank you for answering our questions," he said, holding the newly received robed close to his chest.

"The both of you."

"Think nothing of it." Agatha smiled warmly, "and if you ever find yourselves in trouble, you're welcome here, at the Church of the Eternal Flame."

"Safe travels to Solaris," Lorelle said innocently, waving lightly as she did. Ren smiled back before leaving the small church and stepping outside, the cold air greeting him again. Down the path, a familiar figure was already approaching, his silver hair catching the afternoon light, long strides sharp with irritation. Varrin's eyes burned as they locked onto Ren, his expression stormy. Ren straightened and tucked the robes under his arm.

"…Uh oh," he muttered, bracing himself.