The Cardinals

Chapter 1

KARINA'S POV

A knock was heard from my chambers followed by a soothing voice.

Yeji

The girl who's been taking care of me ever since that day and I'm grateful enough that things are bearable due to her presence

"hey, are you alright in here?"

Yeji asked as she put the back of her palms to check my temperature and condition.

"Hi, yej. Yes, I feel better than the past days. Thanks for checking up on me"

Though with a hoarse voice but I manage to say it loud enough for her to hear

"Sorry, I haven't visited you for days, I just came back from a mission. But its good to hear that you're feeling better"

She smiled and sat ont he near edge of my bed

"it's okay but yej...."

I was contemplating whether to say it or not but I did

"when I can get out? Can I even get out of this place?"

She heaved sighed, with a solemn smile she then responded,

"I'm really sorry, karina. I know I put you in the dark without explaining anything but It's not my place to tell. I can help you roam and navigate the place when you feel better if you want, that's the least I can do."

I didn't respond as my mind drift on the day I got caught.

That day, I was about to be wed to a not dead, but also not alive individual. We did grew up together and shared some memories at one point but that's all there is to it. I was just informed one day that she's on slumber state without any reason but is destined to have a union with me, a duty that I was destined to do the moment I was conceived.

A maiden, with a sole duty to be wed and maintain peace and alliance between lands, that's what I am.
A mortal who only lives to bridge lands

Everyone in the village told me I was a misfortune, a curse

A bad luck

And the only way for me to have my purpose is to be wed

I am happy that I'm now here, I know they're purpose was not to save me but use me to break those connections and ensure chaos, but I'm grateful, specially to that masked person who possessed those Hazel eyes, the one everyone feared.

Throwback:

Loud explosions resonated everywhere, Fire enveloped everything it touches

People screaming
In agony
And in pain
All turning into vain

The peaceful land suddenly turned into a battle ground

Of fire
Destroyed the entirety
All turned into ashes

The once abundant land
Was flooded with blood

The land
Suffered from the inevitable

The day that everyone should rejoice
The day of the wedding
turned into slaughter

And there she was,

Those Hazel eyes

Alluring, mysterious, but Familiar I must say.

With a masked on, rotting everyone that comes forth.

Life was drained out of them

One by one everyone fell

Except for me

Not a single word from her,
Not even a single movement
Just staring as everyone screams,
as everyone ran

Some of the swordsmen was running, shouting hysterically towards me

"You truly are a misfortune!"
"You caused all this.
" You are worthless and purposeless"

I know. That's what I wanna say

And so I closed my eyes
preparing for what may yet to come

My story would end.

With no dramas, no climax, not even a turning point.....

Just end.

But I felt nothing...

I opened my eyes
Drop dead, they're soul less

And she's there, just staring at me

Until...

Gentleness enveloped my body as she carried me away from chaos

The last thing I remembered was just staring at the masked persona hearing her mutter

"They're already rotten from the inside, I just helped rot the outside"

And everything turned black.

End of flashback

I honestly haven't seen her and it's been a week or so since that day

A week of constant headache and pain all over my body

I heaved another sigh as I massage my temples

"get some more rest, Karina. I'll just come back before dinner to get you"

Oh shoot! Yeji's still here, and I'm busy drowning in my thoughts! ><

She just chuckled and tucked me into bed and as she pat my head. I smiled appreciatively and say my thanks lowly as drowsiness slowly consumes me.

"Is this really the only way for me to escape this cruel reality?"

Yeji's POV

Waited for nearly an hour or so and After I made sure she's asleep, I left Karina's room, just as I was slowly closing the door. I came face to face with Her

"How's she?"

"Getting better but she's been asking when and if she can leave this place, Decimo."

"You know my answer to that. I can't, not until everything falls into place. Not until, I finish this once and for all."

"You know that you'll always have me, right? You also need to takecare of yourself, Decimo. We don't want anything happen to you while you're doing everything. I'll try to help her understand and entertain her while she's here, okay?"

I worriedly told her and looked straight at her eyes. She just heaved a breath and smiled

"Aight, Aight! I know. You can tell the others about what happened at the dining hall later, just let me check on the maiden."

She just patted my shoulder with a reassuring smile and handed me a bottle

"Give this to her after dinner, will you? Those are herbs, it might help her adjust in here"

I nod and that's my cue to leave. Seeing her slowly opening the door was the last sight I see.

"time waits for no one, just hold thy hand"

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I'm a noob writer, aight. I don't know much about writing but please leave me some thoughts to help me :<