Re:Creation Book 1: Allegiance

Five

Shira could feel herself trembling. Her brother's recent passing a mere two weeks prior had taken a very heavy toll on her body. She wasn't eating or sleeping well. Her previously energetic and upbeat disposition had become doleful and bleak. The feeling that it should have been her - that she should have been taken in his place - plagued her every day. What little sleep she could get was haunted by nightmares, forcing her to relive the horrific moment that killed her brother over and over and over.

No longer were her days filled with happily aiding the other villagers with daily tasks. No longer did she stroll through the open farmland and fields surrounding Enli. Now, for days at a time, she'd rarely leave her home as she didn't wish for the pitying eyes of the village to follow her every move. Now, every morning, she prayed to Lucifina, the goddess of life and light, and every night to Sylthius, the god of darkness and death. She prayed that if they must take Phaeus's soul, that they be kind to him and that he may find peace, that he be happy in the afterlife. But mostly, she prayed they not take Phaeus's soul - that he, by some miracle survived and was well, and that he could be returned to his family. And now...

And now.

Phaeus was alive.

Her prayers had been answered.

The amount of joy that flooded Shira's body was suffocating. Tears sprung forth from her eyes uncontrollably, and she was far too choked up to speak. She did her best to listen on the conversation that ensued after the news had reached her ears, but try as she might, all she could focus on was the fact that her brother lived.

He was alive.

He was alive.

Phaeus was alive.

***

"You..." Livo glared at Lev. "Just who the hell are you? Where did you come from before you left Pontell?"

"Does... does that even matter?" Lev deflected. He made no effort to hide the irritation in his voice. "I tell you that your son is alive and you jump to trying to figure out who we are?"

"Listen here-

"No you listen," Lev interrupted. "A terrible tragedy separated you and your son and all it took was a few unsuccessful days of searching for you to simply give up. If you were as devoted to your family as you claim, then we would not be here speaking with you right now, because you'd be up on the mountains searching the crumbled mountain path, no matter how unfruitful your past efforts may have been." As he spoke, images of his own mother and father filled Lev's head. We're they even still ot there searching for him? Had they given up?

Livo stared at Lev with rage written all over his face. "Who are you to tell me what I shouldn't do, boy? You have no idea what I've done or how hard I've worked!" He directed his attention to Therias. "Is this how you raise your son?"

Lev's own irritation had spiked considerably. Not only was he not used to being treated this way, but Livo's dismissive attitude towards him was infuriating.

"Do not turn to my father for this!" Lev growled. He wasn't even aware that he was raising his voice. "What is the matter with you? You should be rallying your men - forming a search party, or something of that nature! Your son is out there feeling alone and lost without his family! How do you think he'll feel if he knew that his father wasn't spending every moment of every day searching for him?! How do you think he'll feel if he knew that he was given up on, that he was left behind, that - that-"

Lev was interrupted by the familiar feeling of a hand on his shoulder. Reif was watching him with deep concern. "Merrec," he said. "It's okay."

"It's not okay!" Lev retorted. "It's-"