Chapter 3: Life

The floral aroma slowly dissipated from the blood-covered ground under the unchanging vast blue sky. Even though the beast tide had withdrawn, its visit had left permanent changes to the village of Igysil. Countless warriors laid scattered on the ground, wounded in the battle and yet to regain consciousness. Their survival proved the battle was a victory, but the casualties made it a hollow one. 

Theo stood in the centre of it all, eyes closed and brows scrunched as he activated his Astral Skill without pause. Energy slowly sapped away from Theo’s thin, frail physique as the minutes went by. Despite his weakening body, Theo did not let go of the baby in the crook of his right arm nor did he pause for a single second. Time continued to pass and it quickly became a race between the Reaper’s scythe and the villagers’ lives. Not even a single second could be squandered.       

At the same time, the children were escorted back to the village by their caretakers, leaving the remaining villagers to take care of the aftermath. Empedocles’ disappearance in this dire time of need was bizarre, but no one took the time to question it. Twenty of the villagers sorted out the horde’s mutilated corpses to see if any could be salvaged for food, needing to act quickly before the bodies rotted from the exiled energy in the air. While the battle was over, time was still ticking for everyone. 

As the sun started to descend the Reaper’s scythe inched closer with every passing moment. Despite the Acolytes’ best efforts in creating restoration pellets, it didn’t take long before their supply ran out. With their hands tied, they were forced to make a decision. It was a cruel reality of life that although they survived the tide’s onslaught, they now have to decide the fate of their valiant warriors. Out of everyone present, only Theo could make the verdict since Polius was still out of commission and Empedocles nowhere to be seen. One Acolyte rushed towards Theo with a few villagers in tow. 

“Ma–” The Acolyte’s words were clogged in his throat upon seeing Theo’s scrunched up brows and pale complexion. He needed Theo’s guidance, yet he couldn’t disturb his master either. Disrupting Theo now would cause a backlash, something that the Acolyte didn’t dare to do.

A blast of light appeared on top of the wooden staff Theo carried in his left hand. Stems started to grow from where Theo stood, extending out around him. The Acolyte was shocked beyond words at the sight, the murky fog in his eyes dissipating in a flash. 

Beautiful, bright yellow calendula flowers¹ bloomed from the stems, forming a flower bed that encompassed Theo. He was like the druids from legend, standing there before them, his glistening jade hair only further adding to this image. 

“Don’t just stand there... Harvest the flowers and place them on the wounded.” Theo’s shaky voice rang out as he lost the strength to hold his staff, yet remained firm on carrying the child. Regardless of what happened, he would not let go of this unknown infant. 

The Acolytes and villagers immediately followed Theo’s instructions. Rushing towards him, they plucked the calendula flowers from their stems. A quick wind of relief breezed over Theo as he saw the villagers get to work. Theo knew full well that he could not save everyone but after successfully casting the Astral skill, it allowed for at least a few more lives to be saved.   

The sun vanished from the horizon as a dark blue blanket seized the sky. Theo wiped off the sweat that had been building upon his forehead. Despite his unique status, Theo still loved the village of Igysil and the weight of the responsibility entrusted to him by the Astral spirit burrowed deep in his heart. 

Theo steadied his fatigued heart as he recuperated his strength, pushing away the wave of drowsiness that crashed against him. As his energy slowly came back to him, he took a sweeping glance and noticed a pale villager, Yzel, drenched in sweat.

Yzel seemed to barely be holding on to his consciousness, his eyelids halfway from blocking his sight while his every breath racked his body like a strong gust of air. His exhaustion chained him down like an anchor, yet nothing could impede him as Yzel continued to harvest the vital flowers. 

Theo saw the earnestness and love that was steadfast in Yzel in spite of how he had acted prior. In a time of war, internal strife was the invisible devil waiting for blood. 

Once the flowers were placed on the warriors, they shone with a blinding yellow light as vines grew and wrapped around the wounded combatants. The vines pulsed along with the warriors’ heartbeats and slowly converted exiled energy from the surrounding into the healing astral energy they needed to recover. Along with the astral energy came a warmth similar to sunlight, despite the moon illuminating the dark curtains above. The warmth spread across their cold bodies, rejuvenating their souls and saving them by a hair’s breadth from the Reaper’s grasp. 

Only when the last calendula flower was plucked did Theo move from his spot. As soon as he did, the torn flower bed faded away as if it was simply an illusion. Only the plucked flowers and vines served as evidence of the flower bed’s existence. Soon the unconscious warriors were carefully transported to the village, their lives secured for the moment.  

Theo’s spell increased the warrior’s survival rate, but their future casualties still remained unknown. Only time would tell who was successful in the race against the Reaper. Theo bent down to pick up his staff, and using it as a walking stick, he went back to the village. 

***

No one had asked him about the baby nor did they question Empedocles’ disappearance. Time didn’t allow them the opportunity to ask but the questions must be answered eventually. Since it wasn’t a matter of whether the questions would be answered, but a matter of when.  

No celebration was held after surviving the tide’s onslaught; only the unintelligible sounds of grieving plagued the otherwise silent night. 

The night came and went without obstruction, then the scarlet sun rose up to redden the horizon. In a small room with dark brown wooden walls, a single bed located at the corner had an unconscious Polius covered by a white blanket. Sunlight filtered through the window’s drapes, casting squares on the brown wood floor. Next to the bed was Theo, who sat straight on a wooden chair with his eyes shut. 

They seemed to be part of a serene painting, but a sudden groan broke the scene as Polius’ eyebrows furrowed together. Then his eyelids jumped up, revealing his bloodshot eyes. In a split second, he sat right up from bed, gasping for air. 

“A bad dream?” Theo enquired with a gentle smile. 

“Theo!” Polius turned around. 

The sight of Theo soothed Polius’ pounding heart since it meant the village was still safe. Polius placed his hand on his chest and began to stabilise his breathing. Once the tornado in his lungs dispelled itself, Polius returned his sight onto Theo. 

A moment of silence passed, and neither of them said a word. After readying himself, Polius opened his mouth.

“How… how many perished?” Polius’ eyebrows dropped and a haze of confusion covered his bloodshot eyes. 

Although Theo knew the question was coming, he couldn’t help but feel it stab at his heart. His lips parted yet no words came out. He could see Polius’ strength wane from his hesitation.  

“After the battle, fifteen immediately passed away while another twenty couldn’t hold on in time to be healed.”

Silence once again crept in this small room. 

“Is that everyone?”

Theo’s eyelids dropped ever so slightly, “No, ten elders passed away through the night. The burden of the Astral Spirit was too much.” 

A breath of air escaped Polius’ dry lips upon hearing Theo’s words, and gone along with it was a segment of his soul. Polius’ demeanour shrunk as he was plunged into a pool of darkness that sought to devour him. He could feel vines wrapping around his neck, suffocating him.

“I suppose not even your Calendula Bloom could save them…”

Theo stared at Polius’ subtle changes and got up from his chair. He walked towards the wooden window and moved aside the cloth that covered it; the morning rays pierced through and filled the room with warmth. With the piercing light, Polius couldn’t help but turn his head around to face the source of comfort. It was the lamp that lit up his path, pushing away the darkness that had enveloped him.  

The golden rays fell on Theo’s face, highlighting his soft features: his pair of thin, straight eyebrows; straight, delicate nose; and his rosy complexion.

Turning his head, Theo faced Polius. “The lives that were lost will never be forgotten. At the same time, you should remember what they sacrificed for.” Theo twisted his head and stared out at the window once more. 

From outside the window, there were villagers moving around and about. Although they had faced near-certain death just yesterday, they continued to go on with their day. Life kept moving onwards regardless of the obstacles that appeared.

The sight of the villagers cleansed the confusion out of Polius. His verdant eyes lost their dullness and regained their sharpness and clarity. Polius exhaled and expelled the imps that tormented him briefly. While the burden on his heart still remained, the tight grasp around his neck loosened. He could finally breathe.  

Theo continued, “They are a tenacious bunch, still carrying on even when they were engulfed in sorrow.”

A vibrant red amaryllis flower bloomed within Polius’ heart as his pride grew with his villagers’ persistence. At the same time, the fire within him blazed. He was their Chief yet his attitude was unbecoming for his people. 

“Life will always go on.” Polius muttered the words under his breath, inaudible to Theo.

“What about the infant?”

“Two of my Acolytes are looking after him as we speak. He’s rather peculiar.” 

“A child given to us by an Exiled being. It would be strange if he wasn’t peculiar.” 

“Yes… it was my first time seeing such a shaken up Astral Spirit as well.” The edge of Theo’s mouth curled up. “Hunting won’t be fruitful for a while after what has happened. It’s fortunate that the villagers salvaged the beast’s bodies for rations”

“It was that old man’s order,” Polius scoffed.

Theo’s brows jumped at Polius’ words, “Empedocles?” 

“Yes. I could still hear him when the Astral Spirit took control.” Polius’ mouth arched up into a small smirk in self-ridicule. In the end, he saved the day while I’m here like this.

“That’s… fascinating, I didn’t know communication was possible while connected to the Astral Spirit.” Theo’s eyes glinted with specks of light, his fingers pressed against his lips as his mind started to wander away from the tiny room.

“When has that old man ever followed logic?”

“Hahaha, so you do get me! I’m glad, kiddo.” A laugh boomed from outside the room’s entrance. The door opened with a bang, revealing Empedocles behind it. There he stood with his white goatee and a wide grin. 

Both Theo and Polius were dazed from Empedocles’ abrupt entrance as their eyes widened and mouths dropped. They both let out a sigh as they watched him stand there with his deafening laughter. 

“I’m glad to see that you are safe.” Theo couldn’t help but smile at how carefree Empedocles was. 

Polius sighed, “You should have rested more.”

“Heh, and here I thought you finally understood me.” Empedocles shook his head and then slapped his chest. “Just look at me, I’m healthier than the kiddo that’s still lying in bed.”

Polius’ eyes twitched upon hearing those words, yet his heart lightened once he saw the old man’s health. 

“So what are you gonna do now, kiddo? You going to stay in bed all day? Empedocles lifted his chin slightly and looked down on Polius with a smirk.

Empedocles’ words only served to fan the flame that burned inside of Polius. In a split second, Polius pushed away his blanket and pressed against the bed in an attempt to get up. And a moment later, his leg wobbled due to his lack of strength. Before he could collapse to the ground, Theo grabbed him by his arms. 

“Hahahaha, just look at you. Can’t even stand on your own two feet.” Empedocles’ bolstering laugh boomed out again.  “I’ll take care of the banquet. You get some more nappy time, kiddo.” He then turned around and left with the door wide open. 

Polius ground his teeth as his chest flared up.

“Banquet?” Theo enquired while still supporting Polius by his arm. 

With the help of Theo, Polius sat back down on the bed. 

“Oh, yes… the banquet. It’ll be your first experience and hopefully your last as well,” Polius answered. His eyesight landed on the floor as thoughts flashed across his mind. Dragged to the past, he relived his memories. A flood of melancholy washed over him, damping the fire that ablazed within. 

“I see, I suppose I’ll get to learn about it later today.” 

Polius' changes didn’t go unnoticed by Theo. 

“You should rest some more, I’ll see if Empedocles requires help.”

Theo turned around and headed toward the door. 

“Theo,” Polius called out before Theo left the room.

“Yes?”

“Thank you.”

Theo smiled, “You are very welcome.” He left the room, closing the door upon exiting.

Polius was left alone in the quiet room, yet he didn’t feel lonely. He stared outside through the window, seeing his villagers hard at work. He could see the beam of light that was hope rising. He was relieved.