Inside Umbra's Ruins ✓ [Umbra's Fate #2]

ᴛᴡᴇɴᴛʏ ꜰɪᴠᴇ: ꜱᴛᴇꜰᴀɴ

December 25th. Christmas. 

The perfect day to remember everything that made him happy and enjoy sharing gifts with his loved ones. 

Then. Why couldn't he smile?

The smile he wore while decorating the tree with his wife or the laugh he let out at his best friend's jokes were a mask that protected him from uncomfortable questions. 

Or at least that was the intention, because despite his best efforts, Genevieve always knew when there was something wrong with him.Stefan could see the disapproving grimace on her face every time he denied having a problem. Still she didn't say anything. 

Sometimes the silence was worse than the questions. When the noise disappeared, the images of the names of the members in danger forming on his wrist and the lifeless body of Mrs. Brener came back to haunt him.

At least in Umbra it didn't snow in December, otherwise he would have been captured by melancholy. Stefan preferred it that way, Christmas in summer. It made his walks through the village easier, like that morning when he went with Genevieve to church.

"Thank you for coming." Father Zenkin welcomed them in his office. "I'm glad you're able to join the community at mass today. But I'm afraid that's not the only reason I invited you." 

At first, when he received the invitation, Stefan thought about turning down. He hadn't attended Mass in years, he wasn't interested either, but Genevieve reminded him that sometimes it's not about what his beliefs are but about sharing a moment that's important to others. 

"I'm surprised, your message sounded like it was just about the mass," he confessed. "What happened?"

"I received this letter three nights ago." The priest passed a red envelope across the table. "I heard a knock against the door of my house, I went out to see who it was and I found this on the floor." 

Stefan took the envelope, it had Father Zenkin's name written on the back. He opened it. The white paper he found inside had red spots around the edges. In the center was written with newspaper clippings: "If you continue to support the Protectors you can say goodbye to your beloved community."

"It has to be Peters," said Stefan. "Is this the first time you've been threatened?" 

"I don't have a single doubt about it, no one else would send a message like that one. I heard that his followers are attacking people in the streets." He took the letter back. "Yes, it's the first time they contacted me and I didn't get any other messages after that one." 

"Did something happen to your people after the threat?" Genevieve joined the conversation. 

"No. I'm afraid they must be planning something and that's why I need your help." 

Stefan looked up at the ceiling. "I'm not in charge of the Protectors anymore, I can't order them to help you but I'll ask Momotaro to take care of it, he's the new leader." 

"Thank you, that's more than enough." Father Zenkin rose from his seat. "Now it's time for me to go prepare for mass." 

"Of course, we'll go to find a seat." Genevieve gave him a smile.

Stefan thought that he had already seen the happier version of the community the day of his visit to arrange training. 

He was wrong. 

Just walking through the parish gate, he found a group of young people laughing as they handed out Christmas cards to the newcomers. Near the altar, the choir practiced the songs full of energy and their joy was contagious to those present who joined in the singing.