The Angel Fell Twice

Chapter 2. The World Tree of Stormfell

The town was infamous for its sanctioned violence and unchecked vice. With every step, she saw weakened, skeletal figures, hunched in alleyways. Whisps of smoke emerged from chatting cloaked knights, who glared at her as she walked by. The village houses were built of dark wood and stone, with small craters tucked in alleyways where some lay sleeping in torn blankets. Upon the cobble floors, she saw long and endless roots which pulsated green.

Following the roots, she stopped, the moonlight and stars blanketed by a tree larger than any she had ever seen before. It's darkness covered the moonlight skies, and its leaves stretched beyond, like an umbrella, extending and fading into the darkness. Pockets of branches revealed rays of moonlight, gleaming through in an ethereal manner. She saw a massive pointed sign labeled the "World Tree of Stormfell", leading her towards the trunk of the massive tree.

"What on earth is this..." she mumbled softly, watching the roots softly pulse green, the light traveling throughout the city's pathways.
"It is the source of Aether; the magic powering our town," a deep voice interrupted, startling Marina. She turned swiftly, eyes widening as she beheld a figure in white-steel armor. He was tall, on his back he sheathed a massive claymore.

"Ah!" Marina gasped, her hand instinctively tightening around the hilt of her sheathed sword. "Who are you?" Marina pressed, her tone tinged with curiosity and wariness.
"Its protector. Thus I must ask you to leave. You stand too close to it," the dark knight answered, his helm obscuring his features, blending with the shadows like a specter of the night.
"Apologies, but I am unfamiliar with this place, and I sought to inquire further—"
"Now," he interjected, his voice cutting through her words with authority. His steely grey eyes locked onto hers, sending a shiver down her spine. She turned on her heel, sighing softly, walking away.

Her hands, skilled in the art of healing and roughened by the grip of a sword, trembled with anticipation rather than fear. Marina knew her healing abilities would be put to good use there. She'd been hearing about far traveling immigrants escaping from Stormfell.
It was a city in need of change. Change she had waited for her dearest Sebastian to lead alongside her...

Her grip tightened on her satchel, knuckles turning white.

She needed a place to stay. The doors of motels were nailed shut, lamps turned off, as if abandoned and gone. Only brothels and pubs were to be seen, loud and rowdy, with crowds that smelled of cigar smoke mixed with oil. She scurried out of sight of a group of dark-suited knights, who bore a crest of a crow. Noticing a cave near the outskirts of town, she approached it, pushing aside the vines that cast it out of view. She chanted a spell, raising her finger as fractals of light formed a ball of energy above her finger as a makeshift torch.

Her footsteps echoed, the cave droplets glistened and fell in gentle splatters. At the end of the cave tunnel, she noticed a large wooden door, blinking in surprise. "Who could possibly live in such a secluded area?" she mumbled, raising the large silver door knocker and releasing it. There was no response. Once again, the silver knocker was raised, to fall and bang against the door. Once again, it was still.

Sighing, Marina turned, only to see a cloaked figure blur out of sight–

A heavy blow knocked her to the ground, vision clouding–

She was hoisted up suddenly from the back. A flash of silver covered her vision, as she screamed and stared down at a knife at her throat. "Who are you?" a deep voice spoke behind her.
"Stop! I mean no harm-"
"State your purpose." the voice commanded once again, the blade moving dangerously close to her neck, pressing over it. Her heartbeat quickened, fear engulfing her nerves.
"I seek shelter, as a traveling nurse," Marina replied shakily, as her cloak fell off her shoulders, her large feathered wings curled. The man's grip grew tighter, as he gripped onto her wings, clamping them together.
"Seven Hells! An angel on earth. Is it true?" he growled.
"I am not from heaven, I have been on earth since I was a baby..." Marina replied, sighing.
"If even heaven rejected you, what makes you think you'll find solace here." they bellowed.
"I have no evil intentions, please just let me go and I will leave."

His grip loosened. Then, the figure released her, as she turned, unsheathing her blade immediately and pointing it at him. "My apologies, healer maiden," the man spoke. "Marina. My name is Marina." she glared. He pulled his hood off, "I must have given you quite the fright."
"You did indeed!" she retorted then dusted herself off, her heart still pounding. "Pompous knightman."
"The name is Arthur." his piercing hazel eyes gazed at her, as he pulled his hood off. Brown hair, tousled and weathered, framed a face etched with the marks of hard-fought battles. He was clad in a seamless fusion of black and blue, his armor was etched with scratches.

"Alright, well, Arthur. Since I am quite unwelcome, I shall take my leave." she sighed, turning to leave. "Wait, you misunderstand, this is a guild base. We are cautious of all intruders and new faces," he said as he rushed in front of her to stop her from stepping farther away. He gazed at her. "Listen, you may stay here as long as you'd like." he said. "Huh?" Marina turned, her expression still wary, "For free? Just like that?"
"Well, we have been seeking new healers." Arthur replied, "Join us."
"Although I am flattered by your offer, I only seek a place for one night. I plan to live in the heart of-"
"Stormfell, right?" Arthur responded, "We go there all the time."
"Is that so," Marina stared, grip tightening on her sword. "Why do you appear so tense?" Arthur chuckled. Marina glared. "I have heard that the people of Stormfell are knaves and criminals. What is to be expected from a town devoid of justice?"

Arthur laughed, amused at her outburst. "Allow me to clarify. Our duty is to enforce laws and bring justice to the place." Arthur smiled.
"Oh?" Marina gazed, interest piquing. "The other guilds of Stormfell despise it, so they often scheme to hunt us down..." Arthur continued, "Us, being the Order of Karma."
"I see." Marina's expression shifted, softening.
He chuckled, "You appear to be on our side, healer. So, what do you say? Align with us and secure protection from that perilous town?"
"Very well. I shall join, in the name of justice," Marina declared swiftly, extending her hand. He laughed softly, "Truly, you are an angel, are you not?" he remarked, "Now, show us what you are capable of," he extended his hand in return. Though he forced a smile, his eyes remained cold as ice, and calculative.

She took his hand, and shook it, glare unbreaking. "Thank you," she replied. "But before you join us, Angel. Follow me silently. Keep this on for now." he picked up her brown cloak and covering her head and wings with it. Stopping, he gazed into her eyes. "You cannot reveal what you are. Not to anyone in this guild, not to the people of Stormfell. They will have your head on a stake."
"I understand." she spoke.