ONE FAILED SALVATION

The Mark

Dies Irae - part 2

It took most children quite some time to adapt to life in the Sanctuary, but Azura acclimated quite easily. Victor guessed that she probably had a rough life even outside; maybe she was homeless or grew up in a household with multiple siblings. Generally speaking something very unusual was happening in the Sanctuary: things were going well.

Until they didn't, of course.

That fatal morning, Warden Altessa pulled Victor aside to talk to him.

"Is it because of Jason?" Victor asked as soon as the two were left alone "I promise I won't hit him next time. Or I'll hit him harder, whatever you prefer."

"I wish it were as simply as beating up a bully" Warden Altessa sighed "But that's not the reason I called you today."

"You see, Azura will be marked tomorrow."

Victor looked at her, being at a loss for words "Oh."

It had been over a year, but his back began hurting at the simple thought.

"Why are you even telling me this?" He asked, hoping to end the conversation quickly.

"You've been taking care of her" She said "We've been observing you over the past week, and we feel like you'd be the best person to help her trough the marking process."

"No. No. No. Absolutely not." Victor shook his head violently "I will not be present to fitness someone go trough all of that firsthand. I refuse, and my answer is final."

"You could say no" Warden Altessa looked at him "But there is no one else close enough to her. If you refuse, she'll have to go trough all of it alone. Do you think you could live with that?"

He stared at her for a good minute "This is emotional manipulation and blackmail."

"Will you do it?" She asked again.

"Fine" He agreed "I will."

Warden Altessa smiled and guided him back to his room, where Azura approached him "What did she tell you?"

"Secret stuff" He replied "She should tell you tomorrow."

Azura didn't press further, and the two went to bed as the lights turned off. She laid her head against his chest as she usually did, and as he held her in her arms he began to cry softly. He was scared for her, knowing what was going to happen to her, and he was still terrified when he fell asleep.

A skull with six wings made of flame stared at him.

He stared back, and the flames parted to show the world burning.

A giant man in shade appeared, holding his hands around the Earth like he was trying to grab it.

The scene exploded in red energy as he found himself looking at a man covered by a golden hood.

Red and black wings sprouted from the man's back, filling Victor's view with feathers.

Then he woke up.

"Are you okay?" Azura asked, still pressed against his chest.

"Yes, just nightmares" Victor replied "Lots of fire. Guess I'm afraid of burning to death?"

"Don't think about it too hard" She said "It's probably nothing."

"Yeah" He got off the bed and stood up as the lights turned back on, informing the children that they should start getting back.

Shortly after, Warden Ceris came by to tell the group about their schedule for the day. When she was done, she called Victor and Azura "You two need to come with me."